Space frame structure made by 3-D weaving of rod members

Abstract

The invention relates to a toy construction kit comprising a plurality of elongated rod members of different lengths; and a plurality of joining members. Each joining member is configured and dimensioned to be capable of connecting at least three rod members together around a common vertex point in a weave pattern such that the rods do not pass through the vertex point but are oriented about it in a clockwise or counter-clockwise arrangement. At least some and preferably all rod members are formed with a zig-zag configuration to avoid bending the rod members at vertex points. After making a structure by weaving the rod members and temporarily or permanently connecting them with the joining members, unique and original space frames are obtained. These objects form another embodiment of the invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A toy construction kit comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated rod members of different lengths; and    a plurality of joining members, each configured and dimensioned to be capable of connecting at least three rod members together around a common vertex point in a weave pattern such that the rods do not pass through the vertex point but are oriented about it in a clockwise or counter clockwise arrangement;    wherein the rod members and joining members can be connected to form three dimension space frame objects.    
     
     
         2 . The toy construction kit of  claim 1  wherein the joining members comprise elastic bands or cords.  
     
     
         3 . The toy construction kit of claims  1  wherein the joining members comprise clay or a plastic connector configured to receive the rod members in the desired orientation and arrangement about the vertex point.  
     
     
         4 . The toy construction kit of  claim 1  wherein a sufficient number of rod members and joining members are positioned such that the joining members connect a plurality of rod members at each of at least three different vertex points to form at least one twist polyhedron.  
     
     
         5 . The toy construction kit of  claim 4  wherein the joining members connect three rod members at each of at least four different vertex points to form a twist-tetrahedron.  
     
     
         6 . The toy construction kit of  claim 4  wherein the joining members connect four rod members at each of at least six different vertex points to form a twist octahedron.  
     
     
         7 . The toy construction kit of  claim 4  wherein a sufficient number of rod members and joining members are positioned such that at least four to twelve twist polyhedra are formed.  
     
     
         8 . The toy construction kit of  claim 1  wherein the rod members are flexible substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         9 . The toy construction kit of  claim 1  wherein at least some rod members are formed with a zig-zag configuration to avoid bending the rod members at vertex points.  
     
     
         10 . The toy construction kit of  claim 1  wherein all rod members are formed with a zig-zag configuration to avoid bending the rod members at vertex points.  
     
     
         11 . The toy construction kit of  claim 1  wherein each rod member is connected to other rod members by at least one joining member.  
     
     
         12 . The toy construction kit of  claim 11  wherein at least 20 to 25% of the rod members are connected to other rod members by at least three separate joining members to form multiple twist polyhedra.  
     
     
         13 . A three dimensional space frame object formed from the elongated rod members and joining members of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A three dimensional space frame object formed from the elongated rod members and joining members of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         15 . A three dimensional space frame object formed from the elongated rod members and joining members of claim  12 .