Architectural system using a retractable strut aligned in a base plane and an extension strut protruding acutely from the base plane

Abstract

In an architectural system, a triangular base engages an extension. The base includes three complete struts substantially aligned along their respective axes. These axes each intersect each other to form a triangle contained in a base plane. The triangle's vertices each correspond to a respective nucleus of nodes called A, B and C. This forms three base angles. The first angle has a positive value about equal to [j×20.9°+k×31.7°+m×36°+n×37.4°], where j, k, m and n are each an integer less than three. The second angle also has a positive value about equal to [q×20.9°+r×31.7°+s×36°+t×37.4°], where q, r, s and t are each an integer less than three. The third node engages the second and third complete struts and must be large enough to maintain the third base angle at a positive value less than 60°. At least one of the base triangle struts comprises two or more rigid pieces able to move apart so as to produce a strut elongation. The extension comprises a fourth complete strut substantially aligned along a fourth axis forming a substantially acute angle >3° with the base plane.

1 . An architectural system comprising:
 a triangular base comprising:
 first, second and third complete struts substantially aligned along first, second and third axes (AB, BC, and AC) respectively, the axes all contained within a base plane, the first and third axes forming a first base angle CAB, the first and second axes forming a second base angle ABC, the second and third axes forming a third acute base angle BCA, more than one of the struts each comprising at least two rigid pieces able to move apart so as to produce a strut elongation; 
 a first node A engaging the first and third complete struts, the first node A large enough to maintain the first base angle CAB, the first base angle CAB consisting of a first positive value about equal to (j×20.9°+k×31.7°+m×36°+n×37.4°), where j, k, m and n are each an integer less than three; 
 a second node B engaging the first and second complete struts, the second node B large enough to maintain the second base angle ABC, the second base angle ABC consisting of a second positive value about equal to (q×20.9°+r×31.7°+s×36°+t×37.4°) , where q, r, s, and t are each an integer less than three; 
 a third node C engaging the second and third complete struts, the third node C large enough to maintain the third base angle BCA at a third positive value less than 60°, and wherein the integers j, k, m, n, q, r, s, and t are constrained such that the first, second, and third base angles add to 180°; and 
 an extension engaging the triangular base and comprising a fourth complete strut substantially aligned along a fourth axis that forms a substantially acute angle >3° with the base plane. 
   
   
   
       2 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which the fourth axis forms an angle DAB with the first axis that is substantially equal to a reference angle selected from a group consisting of 13.3°, 15.5°, 20.9°, 22.2°, 31.7°, 35.3°, 36°, 37.4°, 37.8°, 41.8°, 44.5°, 45°, 54.7°, 58.3°, 60°, 63.4°, 65.9°, 69.1°, 70.5°, 72°, 75.5°, 76.7°, 79.2°, 82.2°, 90°, 97.8°, 100.8°, 103.3°, 104.5°, 108°, 109.5°, 110.9°, 114.1°, 116.6°, 120°, 121.7°, 125.3°, 135°, 135.5°, 138.2°, 142.2°, 142.6°, 144°, 144.7°, 148.3°, 155.9°, 157.8°, 159.1°, 164.5°, and 166.7°. 
   
   
       3 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which the fourth axis forms an angle with the second axis that is substantially equal to a reference angle selected from a group consisting of 13.3°, 15.5°, 20.9°, 22.2°, 31.7°, 35.3°, 36°, 37.4°, 37.8°, 41.8°, 44.5°, 45°, 54.7°, 58.3°, 60°, 63.4°, 65.9°, 69.1°, 70.5°, 72°, 75.5°, 76.7°, 79.2°, 82.2°, 90°, 97.8°, 100.8°, 103.3°, 104.5°, 108°, 109.5°, 110.9°, 114.1°, 116.6°, 120°, 121.7°, 125.3°, 135°, 135.5°, 138.2°, 142.2°, 142.6°, 144°, 144.7°, 148.3°, 155.9°, 157.8°, 159.1°, 164.5°, and 166.7°. 
   
   
       4 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which the fourth axis forms a fourth angle with another of the axes that is substantially equal to a reference angle selected from a group consisting of 13.3°, 15.5°, 20.9°, 22.2°, 31.7°, 35.3°, 36°, 37.4°, 37.8°, 41.8°, 44.5°, 45°, 54.7°, 58.3°, 60°, 63.4°, 65.9°, 69.1°, 70.5°, 72°, 75.5°, 76.7°, 79.2°, 82.2°, 90°, 97.8°, 100.8°, 103.3°, 104.5°, 108°, 109.5°, 110.9°, 114.1°, 116.6°, 120°, 121.7°, 125.3°, 135°, 135.5°, 138.2°, 142.2°, 142.6°, 144°, 144.7°, 148.3°, 155.9°, 157.8°, 159.1°, 164.5°, and 166.7°. 
   
   
       5 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which one of the struts has a maximum diameter D and in which one of the nodes has a radius R that is not less than D/2. 
   
   
       6 . The architectural system of  claim 4  further comprising a polygon structure coupled to the fourth complete strut, the polygon structure having N sides each occupied by a respective complete strut, the third axis containing one of the N sides, the fourth axis containing another of the N sides wherein the fourth complete strut forms a portion of the polygon structure. 
   
   
       7 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which j=0. 
   
   
       8 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which j and q are both even. 
   
   
       9 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which j=1. 
   
   
       10 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which n and t are both even. 
   
   
       11 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which each of the nodes has a radius R and in which each of the struts has a respective diameter less than 2R. 
   
   
       12 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which the second node includes first and second couplings respectively engaging the first and second complete struts, the first coupling capable of retaining the first strut under a tension of 100 Newtons along the first axis (AB), the second coupling capable of retaining the second strut under a tension of 100 Newtons along the second axis (BC). 
   
   
       13 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which the struts are primarily composed of a non-metallic material. 
   
   
       14 . The architectural system of  claim 4  in which m=0. 
   
   
       15 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which m=0. 
   
   
       16 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which j≠q. 
   
   
       17 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which q<2. 
   
   
       18 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which k=0. 
   
   
       19 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which k and r are both even. 
   
   
       20 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which k≠1. 
   
   
       21 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which n=t. 
   
   
       22 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which j=0. 
   
   
       23 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which j and q are both even. 
   
   
       24 . The architectural system of  claim 1  in which j=1.