The field to which the invention generally relates to static structures formed of single self-supporting panels.
Static structures formed from single self-supporting panels attachable to one another via one or more separate connecting means to form a structure are generally known in the art as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,726 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,359. It would be desirable to provide one or more generally planar panels attachable to one another without the need for additional separate connecting means to form a structure for the purpose of reducing the number of required parts for assembly; simplifying construction of a structure; and reducing the cost of manufacturing the structure. It would be desirable to provide a flat pack capability for ease of shipping & storage. It would be desirable for the module to be flexible and adaptable to many formal and re-configurable applications. It would be desirable to provide for ease of disassembly and reassembly in a portable configuration, such as kits and as technology for building systems.
As used herein the term “kit” is used generically to describe a system for building interlocking three dimensional shapes configured from triangular tessellations. A kit for building a structural shape can include at least one planar panel that can include at least three sides. The at least three sides can include a first side that can be a straight edge having a first end and a second end, a second side connected to the first end and extending from the first side at a first angle, and a third side connected to the first end and extending from the first side at a second angle.
The kit can further include a first, a second, and a third planar panel, where each planar panel can include at least three sides and each panel can be either identical in shape and size to one another to form regular modules, or non-identical as long as adjoining edges are equal in length to form irregular modules. The three sides can be straight, curved, or can vary in shape. The at least three sides of each panel can include a first side that can be a straight edge having a first end and a second end, a second side connected to the first end and extending from the first side at a first angle, and a third side connected to the first end and extending from the first side at a second angle. The kit can further include a first connector integrally formed with the first side of each panel and defining a first slot between the first side and the first connector having a first blind end substantially located at the midpoint of the first side. The first slot can be defined to be substantially parallel to the first side. The kit can further include a second connector integrally formed with the second side of each panel defining a second slot having a second blind end between the second side and the second connector. The second slot can be defined to be substantially parallel to the second side. The kit can further include a third connector integrally formed with the third side of each panel defining a third slot having a third blind end between the third side and the third connector. The third slot can be defined to be substantially parallel to the third side.
The second connector and third connector of each planar panel can mechanically engage with one another to define a three dimensional geometric shape, wherein the second slot of the second connector of the first planar panel slidably engages the third slot of the third connector of the second planar panel, the second slot of the second connector of the second planar panel slidably engages the third slot of the third connector of the third planar panel, and the second slot of the second connector of the third planar panel slidably engages the third slot of the third connector of the first planar panel, such that the second blind ends of each of the second slots abuts the third blind end of the third slot to mechanically interconnect the first planar panel, the second planar panel, and the third planar panel with respect to one another, such that a first joint is formed at the intersection of each planar panel and an adjacent planar panel to define at least one substantially tetrahedron-shaped assembled sub-structure hereinafter referred to as a module, which is a basis for a polyhedra, such as a platonic solid.
The at least one module structure can further include a first module structure, a second module structure, a third module structure, a fourth module structure, and a fifth module structure. The first connectors of the first through fifth module sub-structures can mechanically engage one another, such that one of the first blind ends of one of the first slots of the first sub-structure abuts one of the first blind ends of one of the first slots of an adjacent sub-structure, such that the first module sub-structure and the second through fifth adjacent module sub-structure are connectable with respect to one another. If five irregular shaped modules are used, the assembled structure can form at least one substantially pentagon-shaped structure. If six regular shaped modules are used, the assembled structure can form at least one substantially hexagonal-shaped structure. Rotational symmetry can be provided, where if the first slots are always oriented the same ways the slots will interlock with respect to one another. Twelve pentagonal shaped structures can interlock to create a dodecahedron, which is a platonic solid. A plurality of hexagonal shaped structures can be interconnected but will not define a polyhedra, since the resulting shape is not totally enclosed due to the inclusion of square openings in the assembled structure.
The at least one substantially pentagonal shaped structure can further include a first substantially pentagonal shaped structure and a second substantially pentagonal shaped structure, wherein the first slot of the first connector of the a first substantially pentagonal shaped structure can slidably engage the first slot of the first connector of the a second substantially pentagonal shaped structure, such that the first blind end of each of the first slots abuts the first blind end of the first slot to mechanically interconnect the first substantially pentagonal shaped structure and second substantially pentagonal shaped structure to form at least one assembled modular structural shape.
The final structural shape and surface effect desired affects the slot geometry and vertices of each panel can be modified to define the dimensions of a substantially tetrahedron-shaped module. Adjacent modules can be given identical lengths and touching edges, thus allowing the modules to tessellate and interconnect in such a way that a wide variety of forms can be achieved.
Other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
The terms “substantially”, “near”, and “about” as used within this application shall be construed to have their ordinary meanings. That is, “substantially”, “near”, and “about” shall be considered to mean “near, close to, not far from, or otherwise somewhere or something close to” that to which the terms relate.
At least one panel can be either regular or irregular and can make up modules that can be either regular or irregular, and can be fit together to form any triangular network as long as the vertices of adjacent panels and modules are contiguous. The modules allow construction of platonic solid shapes, such as a tetrahedron that can be the basis for a three panel module and the building of larger shapes with a plurality of tetrahedron modules, such as a dodecahedron.
Referring now to
The second side 20 and third side 24 are defined by lines BD and AD respectively and can include straight edge portions, non-straight edge portions, and any combination thereof. The first side 14, second side 20, and third side 24 can each individually be of length and dimension suitable to define a generally triangular-shape, or generally trapezoidal-shape, of the at least one planar panel 12. The at least three sides can include a fourth side, fifth side, and any number of other sides having straight edge portions, non-straight edge portions and any combination thereof, to define any desired shape extending between the second side 20 and third side 24.
The first predetermined angle 22 can range from a minimum of approximately 10° to a maximum of approximately 160°, inclusive. The first predetermined angle 22 can more preferably range from a minimum of approximately 20° to a maximum of approximately 120°, inclusive. The first predetermined angle 22 can most preferably range from a minimum of approximately 30° to a maximum of approximately 70°, inclusive. The second predetermined angle 26 can range from a minimum of approximately 10° to a maximum of approximately 160°, inclusive. The second predetermined angle 26 can more preferably range from a minimum of approximately 20° to a maximum of approximately 120°, inclusive. The second predetermined angle 26 can most preferably range from a minimum of approximately 30° to a maximum of approximately 70°, inclusive.
Each panel of the kit can include a first connector 28 integrally formed with the first side 14 to define a first slot 30 between the first side 14 and the first connector 28 having a first blind end 32 substantially located at a midpoint of the first side 14. The first slot 20 can be defined to be substantially parallel to the first side 14. As illustrated in
Each panel of the kit can include a second connector 34 integrally formed with the second side 20 to define a second slot 36 having a second blind end 38 between the second side 20 and the second connector 34. The second slot 36 can be defined to be substantially parallel to the second side 20. As illustrated in
Each panel of the kit can include a third connector 40 integrally formed with the third side 24 to define a third slot 42 having a third blind end 44 between the third side 24 and the third connector 40. The third slot 42 can be defined to be substantially parallel to the third side 24. As illustrated in
Each of the first slot 30, second slot 36, and third slot 42 can be defined, respectively, by the first connector 28, second connector 34, and third connector 40, such that the first slot 30, second slot 36, and third slot 42 are substantially similar in width, such that the width of each slot is substantially similar to the thickness of a planar panel and is capable of slidably engaging another planar panel. The first blind end 32, second blind end 38, and third blind end 44 define the ends of the first slot 30, second slot 36, and third slot 42, respectively.
Referring now to
Referring now to
As best seen in
The kit can include a first planar panel 12a and a second planar panel 12b. The second connector 34 of the first planar panel 12a can be connectable to the third connector 40 of the second planar panel 12b to form a first slidable joint. When assembled in a different configuration, the first connector 28 of the first planar panel 12a can be connectable to the first connector 28 of the second planar panel 12b to form a second slidable joint.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while the first and second slidable joints do not require additional fastening or connecting means to ensure that first, second, or third planar panels remain operatively engaged to one another, the inclusion of additional connecting means, although not required, remains within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The kit can further include a first, a second and a third planar panel 12a, 12b, and 12c. Each planar panel can have at least three sides. The first side 14 can include a straight edge with a first end 16 and a second end 18. The second side 20 can be connected to the first end 16 and extend from the first side 14 at a first predetermined angle 22. The third side 24 can be connected to the second end 18 and extend from the first side 14 at a second predetermined angle 26.
The kit can further include a first connector 28 integrally formed with the first side 14. The first connector 28 can define a first slot 30 between the first side 14 and the first connector 28. The first slot 30 can have a first blind end 32 substantially located at the midpoint of the first side 14. The first slot 20 can be defined to be extending substantially parallel to the first side 14.
The kit can further include a second connector 34 integrally formed with the second side 20. The second connector 34 can define a second slot 36 having a second blind end 38 between the second side 20 and the second connector 34. The second slot 36 can be defined to be extending substantially parallel to the second side 20.
The kit can further include a third connector 40 integrally formed with the third side 24 defining a third slot 42. The third slot 42 can have a third blind end 44 between the third side 24 and the third connector 40. The third slot 42 can be defined to be extending substantially parallel to the third side 24.
Referring to
The kit can include a first planar panel 12a and a second planar panel 12b, and a third planar panel 12c, each planar panel 12a, 12b, 12c with first, second, and third connectors slots and blind ends respectively. As best seen in
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
The kit can further include a first, a second, and a third planar panel 12a, 12b, and 12c. Each planar panel can have at least three sides. A kit 10 for building a structural shape can include a planar panel 12. The planar panel 12 can have at least three sides. The first side 14 can include a straight edge with a first end 16 and a second end 18. The second side 20 can be connected to the first end 16 and extend from the first side 14 at a first predetermined angle 22. The third side 24 can be connected to the second end 16 and extend from the first side 14 at a second predetermined angle 26.
The kit can further include a first connector 28 integrally formed with the first side 14 and defining a first slot 30 between the first side 14 and the first connector 28. The first slot 30 can have a first blind end 32 substantially located at the midpoint of the first side 14. The first slot 20 can be defined to be substantially parallel to the first side 14.
The kit can further include a second connector 34 integrally formed with the second side 20 defining a second slot 36. The second slot 36 can have a second blind end 38 between the second side 20 and the second connector 34. The second slot 36 can be defined to be substantially parallel to the second side 20.
The kit can further include a third connector 40 integrally formed with the third side 24 defining a third slot 42. The third slot 40 can have a third blind end 44 between the third side 24 and the third connector 40. The third slot 42 can be defined to be substantially parallel to the third side 24.
The second connector 34 and third connector 40 of each planar panel 12a, 12b, 12c can mechanically engage with one another to define a three dimensional geometric shape, where the second slot 36 defined by the second connector 34 of the first planar panel 12a slidably engages the third slot 42 defined by the third connector 40 of the second planar panel 12b to define a first joint. The second slot 36 defined by the second connector 34 of the second planar panel 12b slidably engages the third slot 42 defined by the third connector 40 of the third planar panel 12c to define another first joint. The second slot 36 defined by the second connector 34 of the third planar panel 12c slidably engages the third slot 42 defined by the third connector 40 of the first planar panel 12a to define another first joint. The second blind ends 38 of each of the second slots 36 can abut the third blind end 44 of the third slot 42 to mechanically interconnect the first planar panel 12a, the second planar panel 12b, and the third planar panel 12c with respect to one another through three first joints. The first joint can be defined at the intersection of each planar panel and an adjacent planar panel. In other words, the first joint can be formed with the second slot 36 of each of the first, second, and third planar panels 12a, 12b, 12c operatively engaging with a corresponding third slot 42 of another one of the first, second and third planar panels 12a, 12b, 12c to define at least one regular or irregular substantially tetrahedron-shaped 62 assembled modular sub-structure.
The at least one irregular module structure 62 can further include first 62a, second 62b, third 62c, fourth 62d, and fifth 62e module structures 62. The first connectors 28 of the first through fifth module sub-structures can mechanically engage one another to define a second joint. One of the first blind ends 32 of one of the first slots 30 of the first sub-structure can abut one of the first blind ends 32 of another one of the first slots 30 of an adjacent sub-structure. The first irregular module structure 62a and the adjacent irregular module structures 62b-62e are connectable with respect to one another through ten second joints to form at least one substantially pentagonal shaped structure 74.
The at least one substantially pentagonal shaped structure 74 can further include a first 74a and a second 74b substantially pentagonal shaped structures 74. The first slot 28 defined by the first connector 30 of the first substantially pentagonal shaped structure 74a can slidably engage the first slot 30 defined by the first connector 28 of the second substantially pentagonal shaped structure 74a to define a second joint. The first blind end 32 of each of the first slots 28 can abut the first blind end 32 of the first slot 30 to mechanically interconnect the first substantially pentagonal shaped structure 74a and second substantially pentagonal shaped structure 74b to form at least one modular superstructure 80.
The at least one modular superstructure 80 can be substantially dome or egg shaped. Alternatively, the at least one modular structure 80 can be of virtually any three-dimensional shape as desired. A superstructure or modular structure 80 can be formed by using planar panels 12 of different dimension from the straight first edge or side 14 to the opposite edge or side while constructing sub-structures or modules 62, 74 for use along a particular horizontal row located at a different particular elevation of the superstructure being built. The at least one modular superstructure 80 can be substantially rectangular, square, trapezoidal, spherical, pyramidal, rhomboidal, or of any other suitable shape and dimension. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that using different dimension planar panel 12 and different edge boundaries between the second and third sides 20, 24 can provide varying dimension building blocks or sub-structures and different aesthetic appearances as desired.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in use and in practice, the individual planar panels 12, the individual substantially tetrahedron shaped module sub-structures 62, the individual substantially pentagon shaped module structures 74, and the individual modular superstructures 80 can provide a myriad of applications and uses. The invention disclosed herein can provide application and use as an aesthetic structure, a load-bearing structure, or a number of other situations. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the ease and simplicity of packing individual panels 12 onto another for ease of transport or shipping prior to the construction of a structure, or after deconstruction of a structure.
Referring to
Each planar panel 12a, 12b, and 12c is flush with the adjacent planar panel 12a, 12b, and 12c in the same plane of the slot geometry, or tetrahedral reference lines, which define how the panels 12a, 12b, and 12c relate and connect to each other. All of the connectors 28, 34, and 40 in the panels 12a, 12b, and 12c are related to each other through the intersection of the three panels relating to this tetrahedral slotting geometry. The slots 30, 36, 42 have a connector 28, 34, and 40 touching the outside of the adjacent panel 12a, 12b, and 12c and the dimensions of each slot 30, 36, 42 are such that they can hold the width of another planar panel. The reference lines define the angle at which the slots are arranged, with one connector connectors 28, 34, and 40 touching the reference line and other offset outside to accommodate the thickness of the panel. The slots 30, 36, 42 lie parallel to the respective reference line that connects vertex D to vertices A, B, C.
It should be noted that one surface defining an edge of the slot 30, 36, 42 is located on a reference line relating the vertices, while the slot is not centered to the reference line. This allows the panels 12 to bypass each other in forming a stable structure 62, 74, 80. The inside surface of a panel 12, when the panel is assembled to other panels to form part of the tetrahedron module, will be flush with the plane of that face. Edges of each panel touch in places other than the slot in order to hold the assembly of panels together, so the individual slots and connectors are not taking all the weight. The connectors 28, 34, 40 can be flared at the non-blind end to ease joining of steep angles or more rigid materials. It should further be noted that a plurality of connectors 28, 34, 40 can be provided along the first edge 14 if desired, as long as a length of the edge 14 is divided equidistantly with lengths between the blind ends of connectors 28, 34, 40.
Referring to
If the surface of a desired shape can be divided into adjoining panels of any dimension, as long as the vertices correspond to each other, the surface of the shape can be recreated with interlocking tetrahedral modules 62a, 62b, 62c. Adjoining modules do not have to be of the same dimensions. Adjoining modules only need to have the same length along the side where the adjoining modules touch and join together to form a larger structure. This means that irregular and regular tetrahedral modules of varied dimensions can be combined, if desired.
As should be recognized by those skilled in the art, this gives rise to use of the present invention, from kits with repeating panels to relevant contemporary digital fabrication techniques, where technology is used to create cut schedules for the manufacture and assembly of many unique pieces. Modules can be constructed from identical panels or dissimilar panels, from regular shapes and irregular shapes. The pentagon module superstructure is based on an assembly of five irregular tetrahedron modules. A hexagonal module can also be constructed from regular tetrahedron modules. A dodecahedron module is constructed from irregular shaped tetrahedron modules.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.