Patent US3921360A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Structural framework and connector therefor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-12
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1993-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A connector having a shape defining an irregular polyhedron having twelve surface portions of a regular hexagonal configuration and six surface portions of square configuration coupled elongated struts of equal length to provide a structurally stable framework or lattice type support structure. The connector and coupled struts provide for fluid and/or electrical distribution throughout the framework.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip M Baldwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:01
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/18; E04B1/19; E04B1/1903; E04B1/1906; E04B2001/1924; E04B2001/1927; E04B2001/1957; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/34; Y10T403/341; Y10T403/342; Y10T403/347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A structurally stable framework comprising, in combination, a plurality of elongated struts of equal length joined to one another adjacent their ends, and a plurality of connectors for so joining said struts; each of said connectors comprising a three dimensional irregular polyhedron having a first plurality of discrete surface portions and a second plurality of discrete surface portions adjacent said first plurality, said first plurality of discrete surface portions being regular hexagons formed by adjacently disposed trapezoids inclined toward one another along a common intersection, said second plurality of discrete surface portions being squares; respective means at said first plurality of discrete surface portions for retaining the said struts in a manner which disposes the elongated axes thereof normal to the center of said first plurality of discrete surface portions; first axes respectively normal to the center of adjacent ones of said first plurality of discrete surface portions being disposed at 60* with respect to one another and second axes respectively normal to the center of said second plurality of discrete surface portions being disposed at 45* with respect to the immediately adjacent first axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A structurally stable framework comprising, in combination, a plurality of elongated struts of equal length joined to one another adjacent their ends, and a plurality of connectors for so joining said struts; each of said connectors comprising a three dimensional irregular polyhedron having a first plurality of discrete surface portions and a second plurality of discrete surface portions adjacent said first plurality, said first plurality of discrete surface portions being regular hexagons formed by adjacently disposed trapezoids inclined toward one another along a common intersection, said second plurality of discrete surface portions being squares; respective means at said first plurality of discrete surface portions for retaining the said struts in a manner which disposes the elongated axes thereof normal to the center of said first plurality of discrete surface portions; first axes respectively normal to the center of adjacent ones of said first plurality of discrete surface portions being disposed at 60* with respect to one another and second axes respectively normal to the center of said second plurality of discrete surface portions being disposed at 45* with respect to the immediately adjacent first axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The framework as defined by claim 1 wherein each square surface portion is bounded on all sides thereof by four of said hexagoNal surface portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The framework as defined by claim 2 wherein there are twelve of said regular hexagonal surface portions and six of said square surface portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
A supporting framework for a building structure or the like comprising: a. a plurality of identical length elongated struts, and b. connector body means coupling said struts to provide said framework, said connector body means comprising an irregular polyhedron having a first plurality of discrete nonplanar surface portions and a second plurality of discrete surface portions adjacent said first plurality, said first plurality of discrete nonplanar surface portions being hexagons formed by adjacently disposed trapezoids inclined toward one another along a common intersection; c. strut receiving openings axially extending into said body at the center of said nonplanar surface portions, the angle between adjacent axes of said openings being 60* and the angle between an axis passing through one of said openings and an axis normal to the center of an immediately adjacent one of said second plurality of discrete surface portions being 45*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
A supporting framework for a building structure or the like comprising: a. a plurality of identical length elongated struts, and b. connector body means coupling said struts to provide said framework, said connector body means comprising an irregular polyhedron having a first plurality of discrete nonplanar surface portions and a second plurality of discrete surface portions adjacent said first plurality, said first plurality of discrete nonplanar surface portions being hexagons formed by adjacently disposed trapezoids inclined toward one another along a common intersection; c. strut receiving openings axially extending into said body at the center of said nonplanar surface portions, the angle between adjacent axes of said openings being 60* and the angle between an axis passing through one of said openings and an axis normal to the center of an immediately adjacent one of said second plurality of discrete surface portions being 45*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The framework as defined by claim 4 wherein said respective openings intersect an electrically conductive juncture means, and electrically conductive means are disposed within said elongated struts whereby the insertion of said struts into said respective openings electrically interconnect said electrically conductive means with one another by way of said electrically conductive juncture means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The supporting framework as defined by claim 4 wherein said respective openings are in fluid communication with one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The framework as defined by claim 5 wherein means are provided at at least one of said second plurality of discrete surface portions for electrically communicating with said electrically conductive juncture means.
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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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |