Reconfigurable structural member and system

A structural truss system comprising a plurality of structural members,

• each structural member comprising:
• a body member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts that comprise a first strut that extends along a first axis and defines a first end of the body member, and a second strut that extends along a second axis and defines a second end of the body member, wherein the first axis intersects the second axis at a single point, wherein the first strut includes a first location configured to pivotally couple to a third strut, and wherein the first strut includes a second location configured to pivotally couple to a fourth strut, the second location being offset from the first location along the first axis;
• a first connector at the first end of the body member, and
• a second connector at the second end of the body member, wherein the second connector of a second structural member of the plurality of structural members is connected to the first connector of a first structural member of the plurality of structural members in series such that the first and second structural members rotate relative to one another about the first axis, wherein the connectors are selected from the group consisting of magnetic or electrostatic forces, chemical bonds, an adhesive, van der Waals forces or a phase change material, a press fit connection, and an interference fit, and wherein the first connector is positioned at a location at the first end of the body member and faces in a direction that opposes the single point intersection of the first axis and the second axis, and wherein the second connector is positioned at a location at the second end of the body member that faces in a direction toward the single point intersection of the first axis and the second axis.

A joint attachment system for a reconfigurable truss, the joint attachment system comprising:

• a first attachment assembly for pivotally attaching a first body member of the truss to a second body member of the truss, the first attachment assembly having a first pivot axis;
• and
• a second attachment assembly for pivotally attaching the second body member of the truss to a third body member of the truss, the second attachment assembly having a second pivot axis, wherein the first, second, and third body members are attachable in series,
• each of the first and second attachment assemblies include a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector of the first attachment assembly are positioned relative to one another such that the first and second connectors of the first attachment assembly are connected by translating the first connector of the first attachment assembly relative to the second connector of the first attachment assembly along the first pivot axis, and wherein the first connector and the second connector of the second attachment assembly are positioned relative to one another such that the first and second connectors of the second attachment assembly are connected by translating the first connector of the second attachment assembly relative to the second connector of the second attachment assembly along the second pivot axis,
• the first attachment assembly and the second attachment assembly forming a concentric spherical joint linkage when the first body member is attached to the second body member, wherein the first pivot axis of the first attachment assembly intersects the second pivot axis of the second attachment assembly at a single point which defines a center of the concentric spherical joint linkage, and
• the concentric spherical joint linkage being configured to allow the addition of one or more joint attachments and body members to the truss, and
• the concentric spherical joint linkage being further configured to allow the removal of one or more joint attachments and body members from the truss.