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US 4,970,841 AGranted
Universal building system
AssigneeNomadic Structures, Inc.
InventorTheodore R. Zeigler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system of construction comprising a plurality of modules. The modules have a plurality of struts and pivots joining the struts so that they are moveable between a collapsed condition in which the struts are bundled in generally parallel relation and an expanded condition. In the expanded condition certain of the pivots define face pivots lying in a planar array at one side of the module. The modules are arranged such that pairs of the face pivots of adjacent modules are adjacent to each other. The adjacent face pivots are joined by removable connectors. The connectors join the modules to form a three dimensional structure and simultaneously define corner recesses. At least one panel is held in place by a plurality of the corner recesses.
Claims65
A three dimensional modular structure which comprises the combination of:
- a plurality of modules, each comprising a plurality of struts and pivot means joining said struts so that the struts are movable between a collapsed condition in which the struts are bundled in generally parallel relation and an expanded condition in which certain of said pivot means define fact pivot means lying in a planar array at one side of the expanded module, and the modules being arranged in a pattern defining first, second and third intersection axes in which pairs of said face pivot means of adjacent modules are disposed in adjacent relation;
- connector means removably received in said pairs of face pivot means of adjacent modules for joining said modules to form the three dimensional structure and simultaneously defining corner recesses with their associated face pivot means;
- and
- at least one panel having means received and held captive in a plurality of said corner recesses.
1 more element
An assembly for display or similar purposes, which assembly includes:
- a space frame structure defining a series of open regions;
- a plurality of individual modules each defining at least one of said open regions, each module comprising a plurality of struts pivotally joined together so as to be manipulated between a collapsed condition in which the struts are in a compact bundle in generally parallel relation and an expanded condition in which the struts define a three dimensional form having face pivot means at ends of the struts defining corners of one of said open regions;
- and
- rigid connector means joining at least two of said modules when in expanded condition in parallel, offset relation.
1 more element
An assembly for display or similar purposes, which assembly includes:
- a plurality of expandable/collapsible modules each adapted to be expanded into individual space frame configuration and be arranged in a selected pattern of such expanded modules to form a desired composite space frame structure;
- means for joining said modules in said selected pattern to form said space frame structure and simultaneously defining at east one set of corner recesses arranged in a planar array thereof;
- and
- at least one panel having means held captive within said planar array of corner recesses.
1 more element
In a three dimensional structure for display or similar purposes, a module comprising a plurality of struts and pivot means pivotally joining said struts together so that the struts may be manipulated between a collapsed condition in which the struts are in generally parallel relation in a compact bundle and an expanded condition in which the struts define a three dimensional form having certain of said pivot means defining a planar array thereof;
- means removably received in said certain pivot means and defining corner recesses therewith;
- and
- a panel having means received and held captive within said corner recesses.
An assembly for display or similar purposes, which assembly includes:
- a composite space frame structure comprising a plurality of three-dimensional modules, each providing a plurality of sides, said modules being arranged relative to each other to define a three axis composite space frame structure which may be extended in the direction of each axis by module addition;
- each module comprising a plurality of struts and pivot means for pivotally joining said struts so as to be manipulated between a collapsed condition in which the struts are in a compact bundle in generally parallel relation and an expanded condition in which the struts define a three dimensional open form having said plurality of sides, said pivot means including face pivot means at ends of those struts defining corners of two opposite sides of the module with the face pivot means on each of said opposite sides being substantially coplanar;
- and
- connector means joining said face pivot means of adjacent modules when in expanded condition for connecting said modules in adjacent relation so as to form said space frame structure.
1 more element
An assembly for display or similar purposes, which assembly includes:
- a composite space frame structure comprising a plurality of three-dimensional modules, each providing a plurality of sides, said modules being arranged relative to each other to define a three axis composite space frame structure which may be extended in the direction of each axis by module addition;
- each module comprising a plurality of struts and pivot means for pivotally joining said struts so as to be manipulated between a collapsed condition in which the struts are in a compact bundle in generally parallel relation and an expanded condition in which the struts define a three dimensional open form having said plurality of sides, said pivot means including face pivot means at ends of those struts defining corners of two opposite sides of the module with the face pivot means on each of said opposite sides being substantially coplanar;
- connector means joining said face pivot means of adjacent modules when in expanded condition for connecting said modules in adjacent relation so as to form said three axis composite space frame structure;
- and
- each of said connector means defining a corner recess with a corresponding module, and a panel having means received in an array of said corner recesses associated with a module.
2 more elements
A composite space frame structure fixed relative to three intersecting axes and to the origin defined by the point of intersection of such axes, said composite space frame structure comprising the combination of:
- a plurality of space frame modules;
- and
- connector means for detachably connecting said modules in a fixed and spaced pattern relative to said origin and to said three axes such that all of the modules are equally spaced from said origin while one pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along one of the three axes, another pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along another one of said three axes, and a further pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along the last of said three axes.
A composite space frame structure fixed relative to three intersecting axes and to the origin defined by the point of intersection of such axes, said composite space frame structure comprising the combination of:
- a plurality of space frame modules;
- connector means for detachably connecting said modules in a fixed and spaced pattern relative to said origin and to said three axes such that all of the modules are equally spaced from said origin while one pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along one of the three axes, another pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along another one of said three axes, and a further pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along the last of said three axes;
- each of said modules being of parallelipiped form;
- said connector means defining corner recesses with the respective modules, and panels having corners received in said recesses.
1 more element
A composite space frame structure fixed relative to three intersecting axes and to the origin defined by the point of intersection of such axes, said composite space frame structure comprising the combination of:
- a plurality of space frame modules;
- connector means for detachably connecting said modules in a fixed and spaced pattern relative to said origin and to said three axes such that all of the modules are equally spaced from said origin while one pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along one of the three axes, another pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along another one of said three axes, and a further pair of two of said modules are equally spaced from all points along the last of said three axes;
- each of said modules being constructed of a plurality of struts and being collapsible from its space frame configuration to a bundle of generally parallel struts, each module including circumscribing pairs of struts disposed in crossed relation and pivot means for pivotally joining each such pair of struts in said crossed relation, each module further including strut means for self-locking said modules in expanded, space frame configuration, said strut means comprising a plurality of pairs of pivotally connected diagonal struts extending inwardly from and pivotally connected to said circumscribing pairs of struts, and face pivot means for pivotally connecting the ends of said circumscribing pairs of struts to each other and to ends of said diagonal struts;
- and
- said connector means joining adjacent face pivot means and defining a corner recess with each face pivot means, and at least one panel having its corners received in an array of said corner recesses.
2 more elements
A three dimensional structure for display or similar purposes which comprises;
- a plurality of modules each of open space frame configuration and each presenting as first rectangular planar array of disc-like hubs on one side of the space frame configuration and a second rectangular planar array of disc-like hubs on the opposite side of the space frame configuration, the planar arrays being substantially parallel;
- there being at least three modules arranged with a first module having its arrays disposed vertically, a second module having its arrays disposed with groups of hubs in the first array of the first module being in substantially touching relation with groups of hubs in the first array of the second module and with the first arrays of the first and second modules being perpendicular, and a third module having its arrays disposed horizontally with one hub of the first array of the third module being in substantially touching relation with one pair of hubs of said groups of hubs in the first arrays of the first and second modules and with at least one further hub of the first array of the third module being in substantially touching relation with another hub of said first array of the first module which is not one of said groups of hubs of said first array of the first of the first module;
- connector means removably joining the hubs which are in substantially touching relation;
- and
- a compression strut having one end received in that connector means joining the three hubs of the three modules and its opposite end received in that connector means joining those hubs vertically spaced therefrom.
2 more elements
A three dimensional structure for display or similar purposes which comprises:
- a plurality of modules each of open space frame configuration and each presenting a first rectangular planar array of disc like hubs on one side of the space frame configuration and a second rectangular planar array of disc like hubs on the opposite side of the space frame configuration, the planar arrays being substantially parallel;
- there being at least two modules arranged with a first module having its arrays disposed vertically, and a second module having its arrays disposed vertically with groups of hubs in the first array of the first module being in substantially touching relation with groups of hubs in the first array of the second module and with the first arrays of the first and second modules being perpendicular;
- connector means removably joining hubs which are in substantially touching relation;
- and
- a vertical compression member having one end trapped between a hub of the first array of the first module and a member removably engaged therewith and its opposite end trapped between a hub of the first array of the first module and a member removably engaged therewith.
2 more elements
A connector for modular exhibits and the like, which comprises:
- a disc like member having a cruciform rib configuration outstanding therefrom, and a split nose projecting from the juncture of said rib configuration.
In a system of modular construction, the combination of:
- a plurality of modules;
- each module comprising a plurality of struts and pivot means joining said struts for manipulation between a collapsed condition in which the struts are generally parallel and in a bundle and an expanded condition in which the struts are contained within a rectilinear volume defined between opposite, parallel rectangular front and rear faces and bounded by rectangular side faces, said pivot means including pivot hubs which are situated in a first planar array at said front face defining at least one square and including pivot hubs at the corners of said front face and in a second planar array at said rear face and defining at least one square and including pivot hubs at the corners of said rear face;
- said modules being grouped with the planar arrays of each module disposed at right angles to the planar arrays of any adjacent module and with one side edge of each module being disposed adjacent one side edge of an adjacent module so that pairs of hubs of adjacent modules are in perpendicular, substantially touching relation;
- connector means for joining said hubs which are in perpendicular, substantially touching relation and said connector means defining corner recesses with the hubs with which they are in contact;
- and
- square panels having corner means received and held captive within said corner recesses.
3 more elements
In a modular system of construction, the combination of:
- a plurality of modules, each module comprising a plurality of struts and pivot means for pivotally interconnecting said struts, each module being capable of manipulation between a collapsed condition in which the struts are generally parallel and in a bundle and an expanded condition in which the struts form an open space framework, some of said pivot means being in the form of disc-like hubs and said framework being such as to position a first plurality of said hubs in a planar array at one side of the framework and a second plurality of said hubs in a planar array at an opposite side of the framework;
- said modules being positioned so that a group of said hubs at a side of one module is disposed adjacent a group of hubs at a side of another module;
- connector means for detachably connecting pairs of adjacent hubs so as to join said one module to said another module and for defining a corner recess with an associated hub;
- a panel having corner means received in said corner recesses for holding said panel against one of said modules;
- and
- rigidifying means for bracing said one module to resist deformation thereof.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.