US3600825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Synthesized natural geometric structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-08-19
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1988-08-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an assembly, kit, or set of component parts for assembling, erecting or constructing geometric figures or shapes. The set of parts may take the form of a toy or it may be a set designed for purposes of research, scientific studies, mathematical displays and illustrations, architectural studies, etc. The parts include connectors (universal nodes); struts, bond links (coupling members); splices; face links (coupling members); and face or perimeter members. Preferably all parts or components are dimensionally coordinated and color coded so that the erection of forms or figures proceeds in accordance with predetermined patterns. Connectors or nodes include a universal node comprising a central member having spokes arranged in a predetermined array extending outwardly from the center along radii of a sphere. By means of the universal node and other parts (face members) there may be constructed a universal atom and various simulated molecular and other structures as well as geometric space-filling figures identified as nodal polyhedra.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:02
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B23/00; G09B23/26; G09B25/00; G09B25/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/34; Y10T403/347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In a kit of parts for erecting figures, in combination, a universal node comprising: a connector in the form of a member having a center; a plurality of spokes of differentiated cross sections lying angularly spaced from each other extending from said center along radii of a sphere, said spokes of similar cross section being oriented to establish predetermined axes of symmetry corresponding to predetermined geometrical shapes that can be erected with a plurality of said nodes at the vertices thereof, each spoke having a cross section corresponding in symmetry to the predetermined axis of symmetry established thereby; node-coupling means for coupling spokes of a first node to the corresponding spokes of similar cross section of similar nodes; strut members having ends of differentiated cross sections adapted for coupling between the spoke of one node and a corresponding spoke of similar cross section of a similar node; and splice members having ends of differentiated cross sections for coupling similar strut members together longitudinally, whereby the configurational options to be assembled are governed by the shape of the spokes employed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a kit of parts for erecting figures, in combination, a universal node comprising: a connector in the form of a member having a center; a plurality of spokes of differentiated cross sections lying angularly spaced from each other extending from said center along radii of a sphere, said spokes of similar cross section being oriented to establish predetermined axes of symmetry corresponding to predetermined geometrical shapes that can be erected with a plurality of said nodes at the vertices thereof, each spoke having a cross section corresponding in symmetry to the predetermined axis of symmetry established thereby; node-coupling means for coupling spokes of a first node to the corresponding spokes of similar cross section of similar nodes; strut members having ends of differentiated cross sections adapted for coupling between the spoke of one node and a corresponding spoke of similar cross section of a similar node; and splice members having ends of differentiated cross sections for coupling similar strut members together longitudinally, whereby the configurational options to be assembled are governed by the shape of the spokes employed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein groups of spokes in predetermined relative orientations of symmetry have similar predetermined cross-sectional shapes limiting them for coupling or connection only to other parts having corresponding predetermined cross-sectional shapes whereby the erection of figures is constrained to predetermined assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as in claim 2 wherein said spokes are oriented to provide a plurality of axes of symmetry, each group of spokes associated with a particular axis of symmetry having corresponding similar cross sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a kit of parts for erecting figures, in combination, a universal node comprising a connector in the form of a member having a center, a plurality of spokes lying angularly spaced from each other extending from said center along radii of a sphere, said spokes being oriented to establish predetermined axes of symmetry corresponding to predetermined geometrical shapes that can be erected with a plurality of said nodes at the vertices thereof, groups of spokes in predetermined relative orientations of symmetry having similar predetermined cross-sectional shapes adapting them for coupling or connection only to other parts having corresponding predetermined cross-sectional shapes said spokes being oriented to provide a plurality of axes of symmetry, each group of spokes associated with a particular axis of symmetry having a corresponding similar cross sections, and said groups of spokes comprising groups wherein the spokes in respective groups have cross sectional shapes including, square, rectangular, and triangular shapes identifying them with basic geometric shapes having these configurations, whereby the erection of FIGS. is constrained to predetermined assemblies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a kit of parts for erecting figures, in combination, a universal node comprising a connector in the form of a member having a center, a plurality of spokes lying angularly spaced from each other extending from said center along radii of a sphere, said spokes being oriented to establish predetermined axes of symmetry corresponding to predetermined geometrical shapes that can be erected with a plurality of said nodes at the vertices thereof, groups of spokes in predetermined relative orientations of symmetry having similar predetermined cross-sectional shapes adapting them for coupling or connection only to other parts having corresponding predetermined cross-sectional shapes said spokes being oriented to provide a plurality of axes of symmetry, each group of spokes associated with a particular axis of symmetry having a corresponding similar cross sections, and said groups of spokes comprising groups wherein the spokes in respective groups have cross sectional shapes including, square, rectangular, and triangular shapes identifying them with basic geometric shapes having these configurations, whereby the erection of FIGS. is constrained to predetermined assemblies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
a combination as in claim 4 and further including predetermined cross-sectional shapes comprising interfitting sockets and projections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
in a kit of parts for erecting figures, in combination, a universal node comprising a connector in the form of a member having a center, a plurality of spokes lying angularly spaced from each other extending from said center along radii of a sphere, said spokes being oriented to establish predetermined axes of symmetry corresponding to predetermined geometrical shapes that can be erected with a plurality of said nodes at the vertices thereof, a plurality of parts each comprising a polygonal shape having means whereby it may be coupled to the end of a spoke on said universal node whereby to erect a space-filling geometric figure, said coupling means comprising interfitting sockets and projections, wherein said sockets and projections have cross-sectional shapes corresponding to a square, rectangle, and triangle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
in a kit of parts for erecting figures, in combination, a universal node comprising a connector in the form of a member having a center, a plurality of spokes lying angularly spaced from each other extending from said center along radii of a sphere, said spokes being oriented to establish predetermined axes of symmetry corresponding to predetermined geometrical shapes that can be erected with a plurality of said nodes at the vertices thereof, a plurality of parts each comprising a polygonal shape having means whereby it may be coupled to the end of a spoke on said universal node whereby to erect a space-filling geometric figure, said coupling means comprising interfitting sockets and projections, wherein said sockets and projections have cross-sectional shapes corresponding to a square, rectangle, and triangle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as in claim 6 wherein said parts each comprise a part of the surface of a sphere constituting a spherical polygon, the parts including sufficient different parts that a complete sphere can be erected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as in claim 6 including parts, each of which comprises a warped or saddle polygon having a minimal surface between its bounding edges, whereby a space filling saddle polyhedron may be erected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as in claim 3, wherein the spokes in respective groups have cross-sectional shapes that are selected from shapes having twofold, threefold, fourfold symmetry and multiples thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination as in claim 5 wherein said sockets and projections have cross-sectional shapes of twofold threefold and fourfold symmetry and multiples thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |