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US Patent 6722086 - Modular structure system
US Patent Issued on April 20, 2004
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
December 4, 2021Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
December 4, 2021Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractThe present invention provides an improved modular system for constructing a tubular structure. The improved system allows the tubing to be assembled and disassembled in a direction perpendicular to a centerline of the tubing without having to move the tubing along its centerline. The improved system allows the tubing to be positioned at various angles. The system also enables curved tubing to be used. In an embodiment, the structural system includes a hub and a connector that removably couples to the hub. The connector has a first end that couples to the hub and a second that defines a notch. One of the walls of the notch connects to a flange that may extend in one or two directions from the centerline of the connector. The connector and flange removably couple to one end of an adapter, which contains a mating notch, wherein the adapter receives a tube.Other References
| InventorApplicationNo. 10005239 filed on 12/04/2001US Classes:52/81.3, Frame connection detail52/653.2, Having tubular member403/171, Polyhedral403/176PolyhedralField of Search52/81.3, Frame connection detail52/653.2, Having tubular member52/655.1, Having specific connector, etc.52/655.2, Spheroidal52/656.9, Joint, connector403/171, Polyhedral403/176, Polyhedral403/217, THREE OR MORE MEMBERS CONNECTED AT SINGLE LOCUS403/218, All encompassed403/188, Rod side to member to side403/254, Terminal, rod-attached retainer engages distal side403/260Bolted through memberExaminersPrimary: Friedman, Carl D.Assistant: Slack, Naoko Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References1471520, 2001215, 3002590, 3912410, 3982841, Connecting apparatus for frame membersIssued on: 09/28/1976 Inventor: Endzweig4012153, Structural connection means Issued on: 03/15/1977 Inventor: Pidgeon , et al.4313687, Prefabricated spatial structure Issued on: 02/02/1982 Inventor: Martinez Apeztegui , et al.4322176, Tubular beam joint Issued on: 03/30/1982 Inventor: Johnson, Jr.4340318, Mechanical end joint system for structural column elements Issued on: 07/20/1982 Inventor: Frosch , et al.4355918, Space frame connectors Issued on: 10/26/1982 Inventor: Van Vliet4379649, Connector system for geodesic dome struts Issued on: 04/12/1983 Inventor: Phillips4438615, Orba-hub Issued on: 03/27/1984 Inventor: Wendel4505609, Shelter frame couplings Issued on: 03/19/1985 Inventor: Vella4637193, Connecting apparatus Issued on: 01/20/1987 Inventor: Lange4648734, Corner connector assembly Issued on: 03/10/1987 Inventor: Daus, Jr. , et al.4677804, Demountable frames Issued on: 07/07/1987 Inventor: Holt4822199, Modular frame structure Issued on: 04/18/1989 Inventor: Nehls4864795, Structural framework system and clamp assembly Issued on: 09/12/1989 Inventor: Burg4867596, Connector for elongate elements Issued on: 09/19/1989 Inventor: Ocuin4915532, Connector for 3-dimensional frame structures Issued on: 04/10/1990 Inventor: Radclyffe4923322, Clamped framework assembly and connectors used therewith Issued on: 05/08/1990 Inventor: Burg4932808, Assembly of prefabricated structural components for lattices or trusses Issued on: 06/12/1990 Inventor: Bar, et al.5051019, Space frame assembly Issued on: 09/24/1991 Inventor: Kohl5125206, Truss structure Issued on: 06/30/1992 Inventor: Motohashi, et al.5127758, Pipe joint Issued on: 07/07/1992 Inventor: Kreusel5165207, Apparatus and method for forming a space frame structure Issued on: 11/24/1992 Inventor: Oehlke5310273, Joint for truss structure Issued on: 05/10/1994 Inventor: Hara5356234, Separable joint for arm and hub constructions Issued on: 10/18/1994 Inventor: Vangool5568993, Strut structure and rigid joint therefor Issued on: 10/29/1996 Inventor: Potzick5640811, Outdoor dome biased rafter-brace, rafter-brace and four-way connector framework Issued on: 06/24/1997 Inventor: Boyle, et al.5651630, Connecting devices for frame bars with polygonal cross-sectional shape Issued on: 07/29/1997 Inventor: Nomura5700102, Shelter frame connector system Issued on: 12/23/1997 Inventor: Feleppa5904437Connector for square or rectangular structural tubing Issued on: 05/18/1999 Inventor: Allen International ClassE04B 708 |
