Radial Tetrahedral Modular Structures

Abstract

The radial tetrahedral structures consist of four spokes radiating outward from a hub at the center of a tetrahedron with each spoke terminating in a connecting node at one of the four vertices of the tetrahedron. Each of the left handed and right handed radial tetrahedral structures (FIGS. 1A & 1B) of the embodiments described in detail in this application fit within a cubic envelope (although other envelopes are possible) and each is capable of being connected to its opposite version at any or all of its six cubic envelope faces. This results in versatile modular structures that can be used to extend into all three spatial dimensions just as cubes could be stacked to produce a multidimensional stack of any shape that results from the addition of more cubes. For example, a left handed and right handed radial tetrahedral structure could be assembled to replace the common 2 by 4 piece of wooden lumber in everyday use. The volume occupied by materials of construction of the left handed and right handed radial tetrahedral structures is minimal thus light weight structures can readily be made with strength characteristics resulting from the chosen material of construction. A unique and surprising attribute of these modular structural components is that they can be assembled in a stacked configuration in addition to the adjacently connected configuration. Providing new, unique and extensive versatility, the stacked components also occupy a cubic or rectangular envelope and can be connected to other left handed and right handed radial tetrahedral structures which are themselves in either a stacked or an adjacent configuration. In the embodiments described in detail in this application the connecting nodes at the extremities of the four spokes emanating from a central hub of the radial tetrahedral structures contain three holes to enable connections in any or all of the x, y or z directions (other numbers of holes and intended directions of use are also possible). Any interfacing face of a left handed node will exactly align its holes with the holes of any interfacing face of a right handed node. The left handed and right handed tetrahedral structures with their unique connecting nodes offer the opportunity to use magnets as the connecting mechanism rather than something like a bolt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.