Correlated hyperbolic paraboloid structural members

摘要

Utilizing the three different hyperbolic paraboloids which each divide a set of correlating tetrahedrons in half, new, unique interconnectable structural members and toys have been created. They include the n-fold hyperbolic paraboloids, the n-fold hyperbolic paraboloid lattice assemblies and many other cellular, lattice and labyrinthal structures. Some have stacking properties and all have interlocking characteristics and are inherently strong and rigid due to the use of hyperbolic paraboloids. The interlocking and stacking characteristics of these structural members result from the saddle shaped compound curvature of the hyperbolic paraboloids. These structural members can be combined in multiple ways to build aesthetic and utilitarian components such as beams, trusses, packaging foams, toys, as well as other repeating cellular, lattice and labyrinthal structures. The hyperbolic paraboloids of this application can be affixed to other structural members such as bars or spheres to enable connecting them in an interlocking fashion. These new structural members effectively harness material properties to result in inherent strength and rigidity.

主权项

1. Correlated hyperbolic paraboloid structural members for use as interconnectable structures or as toys comprising:
a. a correlating tetrahedron means to imbue said correlated hyperbolic paraboloids with characteristic dimensions suitable for interconnection, said correlating tetrahedron having two opposite edges of equal length, designated L2, and four other edges of equal length, designated L1, and a″. an integer number, n, n greater than or equal to 3, of said correlating tetrahedrons able to be arranged contiguously around a central axis with one of said L2 edges on said central axis, wherein said L1 edges of adjacent said correlating tetrahedrons congruent, and a″. the relationship of n, L1 and L2 conforming to the mathematical equation;L⁢⁢1L⁢⁢2=[1+(1sin⁢⁢360⁢°2⁢n)2]122 b. said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid structural members constructed between said L1 and said L2 edges of said correlating tetrahedron selected from the group consisting of;
I. a said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid having said four L1 edges of said correlating tetrahedron and a distance between opposite corners of said L2,II. a said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid having two opposite said L2 edges and two other opposite said L1 edges connecting said L2 edges in a right handed sense analogous to a right handed helix and a distance between opposite corners of said L1,III. a truncated said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid having two edges that are half the length of said L2 edges, a said L1 length edge that joins said L2 edges in a right handed sense analogous to a right handed helix and a fourth edge between the midpoints of said L2 edges,IV. a said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid having two opposite said L2 edges and two other opposite said L1 edges connecting said L2 edges in a left handed sense analogous to a left handed helix and a distance between opposite corners of said L1,V. a truncated said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid having two edges that are half the length of said L2 edges, a said L1 length edge that joins said L2 edges in a left handed sense analogous to a left handed helix and a fourth edge between the midpoints of said L2 edges, c. wherein said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid structural members provide spatially coincident corners, edges and/or faces for connection when placed adjacently, whereby said correlated hyperbolic paraboloid structural members are used individually, a plurality are connected to form a multitude of structures and/or are used as toys.