Patent ID: 7954297

Claim:
A spherical hub mechanism for use in building space frame and other structures, wherein: said hub mechanism includes four concentric rings that can be easily assembled and disassembled, said rings are grooved so that they fit and lock together in a specific order to hold a spherical form; said hub mechanism also includes connecting collar devices that can be used to connect strut members to said hub; said hub mechanism provides openings for standard diameter, conventionally threaded pipes, used as connecting strut members by inserting said pipes into said collar devices; said collar devices are comprised of two semi-cylindrical internal collar parts fastened by a cylindrical external collar part, said semi-cylindrical internal collar parts are each internally threaded on a first end and externally threaded on a second end, said semi-cylindrical internal collar parts fit together to form a cylindrical form, said external collar part is internally threaded, said external collar part is threaded onto said exterior threads of said semi-cylindrical internal collar parts; said openings are distributed within said hub so that said pipes can be inserted in a multiplicity of angles; and said rings, when disassembled can be stored and shipped in a compact form.