COMPONENT BASED SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING FLEXIBLE GEOMETRIC STRUCTURES

An assembly structured to form a customizable, variably configured geometric structure, which includes a plurality of hubs each having an interior chamber and a plurality of housings. Each housing includes an open-ended interior channel communicating with the interior chamber of a common hub. A each of a plurality of elastic links are retained within and extend outwardly from a different one of said interior channels. At least one elastic link may be disposed in interconnecting relation between two attached ones of the plurality of hubs and a predetermined number of a plurality of attached hubs may be interconnected to one another to define a closed, continuously configured array of hubs. A plurality of the closed, continuously configured array of hubs may be disposed in interconnected relation to one another to define one of a possible plurality of the customizable, variably configured geometric structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an assembly structured to form any one of a possible plurality of customizable, variably configured, flexible, geometric structures through the interconnection of a plurality of component hubs to one another into a closed, continuously configured array of hubs. A plurality of the closed, continuously configured array of hubs may be interconnected to define a selected one of the possible plurality of the customizable variably configured geometric structures.

Description of the Related Art

Different fields of art include products, devices, materials, etc. which are intended to be variably structured to form a variety of differently configured and dimensioned objects. Such different fields of art include, but are not limited to, jewelry, sculpture, fashion, industrial design, architecture, structural engineering, nano-engineering, aerospace and the medical field.

By way of example only jewelry pieces have a tendency to be rigid and thereby are not well adapted to conform to various body portions of the wearer, wherein such jewelry pieces may include bracelets, necklaces, etc. Such rigidity or lack of adaptability may result in discomfort to the wearer as well as an increase in the possibility of damage to or breakage of the jewelry pieces.

In order to overcome problems and disadvantages of the type set forth above, not only in the jewelry art but in other fields of endeavor as well there is a need for a component-based assembly and/or system for the making of different flexible geometric structures, wherein such preferred and proposed geometric structures may be formed into any one of a possible plurality of customizable, variably configured structures. As such, a proposed and preferred assembly and/or system of this type would facilitate the production and/or formation of different products, devices, goods, etc. in different fields of art which could assume a predetermined or preferred configuration while being sufficiently flexible and/or resilient to conform or adapt, in shape or size, to any other object, device, structure, etc., with which it is intended to be used.

Moreover, a preferred and proposed assembly and/or system could incorporate the use of a plurality of hub components each cooperatively structured with the other to be interconnected to one another, individually or in interconnected arrays, by means of elastic flexible links. The use of such interconnecting, elastic and flexible links, in combination with the cooperatively structured plurality of hubs, would significantly enhance versatility of a resulting geometric structure by allowing a variance in the size, shape, flexibility, elasticity, adaptability, etc., of the end product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an assembly and/or system structured to form any one of a possible plurality of customizable, variably configured geometric structures capable of defining a variety of different objects, devices and/or goods such as, but not limited to, jewelry pieces or other different fields of art. The customizable, variably configured geometric structure comprises a plurality of interconnected hub components cooperatively structured with and interconnected by a plurality of elastic links.

More specifically, at least one but more practically a plurality of the hub components or “hubs” each include an interior chamber and a plurality of housings. The housings may vary in number and extend radially outward from a base or body of a common hub, which may be at least partially defined by interconnected inner ends of associated ones of the plurality of housings. Accordingly, the hubs are at least partially defined by the corresponding plurality of housings each having their inner or proximal ends fixedly connected to one another in adjacent and/or contiguous relation.

Further, each of the housings include an interior channel which includes oppositely disposed open ends. An open inner end of each of the plurality of interior channels of the housings of a common hub are disposed in direct communicating relation with the interior chamber thereof. As described in greater detail hereinafter, a connector structure may be disposed on each of the plurality of hubs, at least partially within the interior chamber.

In addition, a plurality of elastic links are associated with each of the plurality of hubs and for a given hub, are equal in number to the number of housings associated with that hub. Further, each of the plurality of elastic links includes opposite ends and are disposed and retained within a different one of the interior channels of the housings associated with a given hub. Also, each of the elastic links may be dimensioned and configured to have one of the opposite ends disposed at least partially within the interior chamber of an associated hub. As such, each of the elastic links extend along the length of a corresponding interior channel and outwardly from an outer open end thereof. Accordingly, each of the opposite ends of each elastic link may include an attachment member cooperatively dimensioned, configured and structured with the aforementioned connector structure. The correspondingly positioned one of the attachment members is disposed within the interior chamber of the corresponding hub. The cooperative structuring between the attachment members of each of the elastic links and that of the connector structure facilitates a retaining connection of each of the elastic links into respective ones of the interior channels.

Additional structural and operative features of one or more preferred embodiments of the assembly of the present invention may also include a removable disposition of the connector structure within the interior chamber. Therefore, each of the corresponding elastic links connected to the removable connector structure may be defined as being “removably retained” within individual ones of the interior channels. This removable retention further facilitates the structure and cooperative use of the plurality of hubs as well as their interconnection to one another, as set forth in greater detail hereinafter. Also, the provision of attachment members on or integrated with each of the opposite ends of each of the plurality of elastic links allows either end of the elastic links to be disposed in a retained relation within any of the interior channels of any of the plurality of housings of any of the plurality of cooperatively structured hubs.

The plurality of elastic links may be structured in the form of generally elongated spring members such as, but not limited to, a coil spring. Regardless of their specific form, the elastic links/spring members are structured to be both elastic and flexible and include an inherent bias. Such inherent bias facilitates the tendency of the elastic link/spring member to return from an elastically expanded or flexibly deformed orientation, when force or tension is applied thereto, back into an original or initial orientation, when the applied force or tension is reduced or removed. Such inherent bias will further facilitate an enhanced versatility of the assembly and the adaptability of the resulting or formed geometric structure to conform to different shapes, sizes, etc. of a device, object, etc. with which the geometric structure is used.

As will also be explained in greater detail hereinafter, a predetermined number of the plurality of hubs may be disposed in interconnected relation to one another to define a closed, continuously configured array of hubs. The size and configuration of each of such array of hubs may vary dependent on the number of hubs being interconnected to form and/or define a given interconnected array of hubs. In addition, a plurality of the closed, continuously configured array of hubs may be disposed in interconnected relation to one another to define one of a possible plurality of the customizable, variably configured geometric structures.

It will be further noted that the versatile structural and operational features of each of the plurality of hubs and each of the plurality of elastic links significantly facilitate the interconnection of the plurality of hubs to one another to form the closed, continuously configured array of hubs. Similarly, the plurality of elastic links are used to define the interconnection of the plurality of hub arrays to one another, to form any one of a possible plurality of customizable, variably configured geometric structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As represented in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directed to an assembly and/or system structured to form any one of a possible plurality of customizable, variably configured geometric structures200capable of defining a variety of different objects, devices and/or goods such as, but not limited to, jewelry pieces or other different fields of art. The customizable, variably configured geometric structure200comprises a plurality of interconnected hub components10cooperatively structured with and interconnected by a plurality of elastic links16.

More specifically, at least one but more practically a plurality or majority of the hub components or “hubs”10each include an interior chamber40and a plurality of housings12. The housings12may vary in number and extend radially outward from interconnected inner or proximal ends12, at least partially defining a base or body11, of a common hub10in spaced relation to one another, as clearly represented in at leastFIGS. 1 and 3. In addition, the represented hub10is at least partially defined by the corresponding plurality of housings12each having oppositely disposed open distal and proximal ends17and17′ respectively. As also represented in the accompanying Figures, the open inner or proximal ends17′ communicate directly with the interior chamber40, which in turn is at least partially defined by the interconnected inner or proximal ends12′ of the corresponding plurality of housings12.

Further, each of the housings12include an open interior channel15communicating with the oppositely disposed open ends17and17′. As indicated, an open inner end17′ of each of the plurality of interior channels15of the housings12of a common hub10is disposed in direct communicating relation with the interior chamber40thereof. As described in greater detail hereinafter, a connector structure20may be disposed on each of the plurality of hubs10, at least partially within the interior chamber40. More specifically, the connector structure20may be removably inserted into the interior chamber40by passing through an access opening or aperture14. In addition, a plurality of elastic links16are associated with each of the plurality of hubs10. Further, the plurality of elastic links16for a given hub10are equal in number to the number of housings12and are operatively and at least partially movable within the interior channels15of that hub10. Further, each of the plurality of elastic links16includes opposite ends16′, as represented in at leastFIGS. 3 and 7. As set forth herein, each elastic link16is disposed and retained within a different one of the interior channels15of the housings12, wherein one opposite end16′ is at least partially disposed within and/or communicates with the interior chamber40of an associated hub10via the open end17′ of the corresponding housing12. In addition, each of the opposite ends16′ of each elastic link16may include an attachment member18cooperatively dimensioned, configured and structured with the aforementioned connector structure20to facilitate connection therebetween. Moreover, each of the attachment members18are preferably integrated in and thereby at least partially define a corresponding end16′ of the respective elastic links16. As such, correspondingly positioned inner ones of the attachment members18are also disposed within the interior chamber40of the corresponding hub10, so as to facilitate attachment to the connector structure20. The cooperative structuring between the attachment members18of each elastic links16and that of the connector structure20facilitates a retaining connection of each elastic links16into associated ones of the interior chambers40. Further, to facilitate interconnection of the attachment members18with the connector structure20, the attachment members18may be structured to include or at least partially define a hook or loop-like configuration. Such hook or loop-like configuration is cooperatively dimensioned and configured with the connector structure20so as to at least partially surround the connector structure20as represented throughout the Figures. Such a configuration is depicted throughout the Figures, and specifically inFIG. 7, showing a section view of two hubs10adjoined with a common elastic link16″, via connector structures20, each disposed through attachment members18disposed on opposite ends of the common elastic link16″.

Additional structural and operative features of one or more preferred embodiments of the assembly of the present invention may also include a removable disposition of the connector structure20within the interior chamber40, such as by being removably disposed within the access opening or aperture14. Therefore, each of the corresponding elastic links16connected to the removable connector structure20may be “removably retained” within individual ones of the interior channels15. This removable retention further facilitates the structure and cooperative use of the plurality of hubs10as well as their interconnection to one another, as set forth in greater detail hereinafter. Also, the provision of attachment members18on or integrated with each of the opposite ends16′ of each of the plurality of elastic links16allows either end16′ and corresponding ones of the attachment members18of the elastic links16to be disposed in a retained relation within any of the interior channels15of any of the plurality of housings12of any of the plurality of cooperatively structured hubs10.

The plurality of elastic links16may be utilized in the form of generally elongated spring members such as, but not limited to, coil springs. Regardless of their specific form, the elastic links/spring members16are structured to be both elastic and flexible and include an inherent bias. Such inherent bias facilitates the tendency of the elastic link/spring member16to return from an elastically expanded or flexibly deformed orientation, when force or tension is applied thereto, back into an original or initial orientation, when the applied force or tension is reduced or removed. Such an original or initial orientation is represented in at leastFIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the inherent bias of the elastic links16will facilitate an enhanced versatility of the assembly and the adaptability of the resulting or formed geometric structure200to conform to different shapes, sizes, etc. of a device, object, etc. with which the geometric structure200is used.

As will also be explained in greater detail hereinafter, a predetermined number of the plurality of hubs10may be disposed in interconnected relation to one another to define a closed, continuously configured array100of hubs10as clearly represented inFIG. 4. The size and configuration of each array100of hubs10may vary dependent on the number of hubs10being interconnected to form and/or define a given interconnected array100. More specifically, each of the hub arrays100represented inFIG. 4include six interconnected hubs10, thereby defining a hub array100having six sides. However, other closed continuous arrays of hubs100may include a different, predetermined number of hubs10being interconnected to one another in a closed, continuously configured array100. By way of example only, if four hubs10were interconnected to one another in a closed, continuously configured array, the number of sides of such an array would be four in number. Similarly, and further by way of example, if three of the hubs10were interconnected to one another in a closed, continuously configured array, the number of sides of the closed, continuously configured array would be three in number. Accordingly, the predetermined number of hubs10in each of the closed, continuously configured arrays100is determinative of one of a possible plurality of configurations of said closed, continuously configured array100.

In addition and as represented inFIG. 5, a plurality of the closed, continuously configured arrays100of hubs10may be disposed in interconnected relation to one another to define one of a possible plurality of the customizable, variably configured geometric structures200. As represented, the geometric structure200includes an overall annular, circular, torus, toroidal, etc. configuration made up of the plurality of interconnected arrays100of hubs10. However, it is emphasized that the substantially annular configuration of the geometric structure200ofFIG. 5is representative only of a larger number of possible configurations of the geometric structure200which may or may not be “continuous” or “closed”. Further by way of example, the geometric structure200ofFIG. 5may be representative of a piece of jewelry such as a bracelet, necklace, etc. It is again emphasized that the assembly of the present invention may be used to form customizable, variably configured geometric structures200having various shapes, sizes, etc.

It will be further noted that the versatile structural and operational features of each of the plurality of hubs10and each of the plurality of elastic links16significantly facilitate the interconnection of the plurality of hubs10to one another to form the closed, continuously configured array100of hubs10. Similarly, the plurality of elastic links16are used to define the interconnection of the plurality of hubs10of each hub array100. Further, one or more of the elastic links, as at16″ inFIGS. 4 and 7are used to interconnect different ones of the hub arrays100to one another, to form any one of a possible plurality of customizable, variably configured geometric structures200. Therefore and as represented throughout the Figures, at least one of the elastic links, as at16′, connected to one of the hubs10of a given hub array100may also be connected to one other of the plurality of hubs10which may be independent of but more practically associated with a different one of the hub arrays100. Also, the configuration of each of the hub arrays100may be the same or may differ from one another in the formation of the customizable, variably configured geometric structure200.

Now turning toFIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, schematic depictions of hub arrays100′,100″, and100′″ according to various embodiments of the present invention can be seen. Specifically,FIG. 6Adepicts an embodiment wherein the hub array100′ includes at least two hexagonal arrangements1000;FIG. 6Bdepicts an embodiment wherein the hub array100″ includes at least one hexagonal arrangement1000and one pentagonal arrangement2000;FIG. 6Cdepicts an embodiment wherein the hub array100′″ includes at least one hexagonal arrangement, one pentagonal arrangement, and one heptagonal arrangement. Further variations and combinations may be achieved, as desired, due to the flexibility of the elastic links16which are capable of accommodating a wide variety of internal and external connection angles, regardless of the precise shape or configuration of the hub10. In this regard, the elastic links16are adaptable to a user's desire or necessity and provides for the assembly of complex geometric structures, such as a buckminsterfullerene, which requires both hexagons and pentagons that share hubs10or hub arrangements1000. With regard to the depicted embodiments throughout the Figures, the hubs10include a 120 degree connection angle, though virtually any angle may be utilized, but if a different connection angle is desired, such as 108 degrees, used in forming a pentagon, the elastic links16accommodate such an angle.