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US 4,905,443 AGranted
Node member for use in building a geodesic structure
OwnerDesmond R. R. Sutcliffe, Keith Critchlow +1inventors
InventorsDesmond R. R. Sutcliffe, Keith Critchlow, Philip J. Gray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A node member (1) for use in building a geodesic structure having a multiplicity of connecting means (10) about its periphery for connection to other like node members (1) by connecting members (17) to form the geodesic structure, has connecting means (10) that are resiliently movable to permit relative angular displacement of connecting members (17) connected to them.
Claims20
A node member for use in building a geodesic structure, wherein:
- said node member comprises a node member body in which a multiplicity of connecting means are mounted in a three-dimensional array about the periphery of the node member body;
- said connecting means being adapted for connection to other like node members by means of connecting members to form a geodesic structure;
- and
- one selected from the group consisting of said node member body and each said connecting means comprises a resilient body of polymeric material co-operating with the other of said node member body and said each said connecting means and adapted to deform resiliently under loading of the geodesic structure to produce substantial relative angular displacement of said connecting members so that said geodesic structure flexes under load, said resilient body providing a restoring force to restore said geodesic structure to its original shape under no load conditions.
1 more element
A node member for use in building a geodesic structure, wherein:
- said node member comprises a node member body of substantially rigid material in which a multiplicity of connecting means of resilient polymeric material are mounted in a three-dimensional array about the periphery of the node member body, said connecting means being adapted for connection to other like node members by means of connecting members to form a geodesic structure;
- and
- each said connecting means comprises a resilient body of polymeric material for co-operating with the connecting members to deform resiliently under loading of the geodesic structure to produce substantial relative angular displacement of said connecting members so that the geodesic structure flexes under load, said resilient body providing a restoring force to restore the geodesic structure to its original shape under no load conditions.
A node member for use in building a geodesic structure, wherein:
- said node member comprises a node member body of resilient polymeric material in which a multiplicity of metal connecting means are mounted in a three-dimensional array about the periphery of the node member body, said connecting means being adapted for connection to other like node members by means of connecting members to form a geodesic structure;
- and
- said resilient body of polymeric material of each of said node members is adapted to co-operate with the connecting means to deform resiliently under loading of the geodesic structure to produce substantial relative angular displacement of said connecting members so that the geodesic structure flexes under load, said resilient body providing a restoring force to restore the geodesic structure to its original shape under no load conditions.
A climbing frame for use in a children's playground, the frame comprising:
- a multiplicity of node members;
- each said node member comprising a node member body of substantially rigid material in which a multiplicity of connecting means of resilient polymeric material are mounted in a three-dimensional array about the periphery of the node member body;
- a multiplicity of rigid connecting members interconnecting the said connecting means of said node members to form a geodesic structure;
- each said connecting means comprising a resilient body of polymeric material co-operating with the connecting members to deform resiliently under the load of a child climbing the frame to produce substantial relative angular displacement of said connecting members so that the frame flexes under the weight of the child, said resilient body providing a restoring force to restore the frame to its original shape under no load conditions.
1 more element
A climbing frame for use in a children's playground, the frame comprising:
- a multiplicity of node members;
- each said node member comprising a node member body of resilient polymeric material in which a multiplicity of metal connecting means are mounted in a three-dimensional array about the periphery of the node member body;
- a multiplicity of rigid connecting members interconnecting the said connecting means of said node members to form a geodesic structure;
- said body of resilient polymeric material of each of said node members co-operating with said connecting members to deform resiliently under the load of a child climbing the frame to produce substantial relative angular displacement of said connecting members so that the frame flexes under the weight of the child, said resilient body providing a restoring force to restore the frame to its original shape under no load conditions.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.