Patent US4057207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4057207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Space vehicle module
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-08
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Granted: 1977-11-08
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Expires: 1996-04-08
Abstract
Abstract The module, following the geometry of joined truncated icosahedra, is designed to provide, when a plurality of them are joined to form a space vehicle, at least a subsistence environment for terrestrial life, including a centrifugally induced artificial gravitational field, as well as an in-orbit base from which larger space structures can be built.
Inventors
- 👤 John Paul Hogan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:55
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/60; B64G1/10; B64G1/12; B64G1/46; B64G1/465; B64G1/64; B64G99/00; B64G1/641; B64G1/646; B64G1/6462; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A space station structure designed as a vehicle through which artificial gravity and a pressure tight terrestrial environment can be provided occupants of the structure, comprised of a plurality of generally cylindrical individual modules, each module following the geometry of at least two truncated icosahedra that are joined along their truncation surfaces, the truncations occurring where a cluster of five icosahedral faces about a vertex point have been removed from the surface of an icosahedron; at least one of said icosahedra being truncated about at least two non-adjacent vertex points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A space station structure designed as a vehicle through which artificial gravity and a pressure tight terrestrial environment can be provided occupants of the structure, comprised of a plurality of generally cylindrical individual modules, each module following the geometry of at least two truncated icosahedra that are joined along their truncation surfaces, the truncations occurring where a cluster of five icosahedral faces about a vertex point have been removed from the surface of an icosahedron; at least one of said icosahedra being truncated about at least two non-adjacent vertex points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have manipulator arm engagement means incorporated into their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have berthing or docking means incorporated into their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have thrust generation means incorporated into their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have energy gathering means incorporated into their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have communication means incorporated into their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have means for attachment of thrust generation means to their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have means for attachment of energy gathering means to their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have means for attachment for communication means to their non-truncated surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules have non-truncated surfaces that are arcuate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules are joined to one another along said truncation surfaces that form part of each module's surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 11 in which said truncation surfaces that form part of each module's surface have aligning and docking means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 12 in which said aligning and docking means are magnetic and mechanical.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 13 in which said aligning and docking means are retractable into said modules.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 11 in which said truncation surfaces have apertures capable of being made pressure tight.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 15 in which said apertures are capable of being made pressure tight when said truncation surfaces are joined to one another.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules are joined to form a circle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said modules are joined to form a helix.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the joined modules have thrust generation means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the joined modules have means for berthing independent space vehicles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the joined modules have means to provide a drift-proof area of neutral gravitation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A space station structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the joined modules provide a framework upon which a large space structure can be built.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |