Patents by Inventor Alfred H. Boots

Alfred H. Boots has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7677010
    Abstract: A modular structural system includes a hub in the general shape of a polygon, such as a hexagon or octagon, which may be somewhat rounded or may have a regular shape. The system includes a plurality of other structural members, such as hub spokes, for interfacing adjacent the hub, and leg spokes, for interfacing with the hub or with the hub spokes. The system also includes cross braces for providing additional support between the hub spokes and leg spokes. The hub, the hub spokes, leg spokes, and cross braces are joined by bores in the individual pieces and a plurality of dowels or rods placed into the bores. From these modular pieces, and currently available structural members, many useful and recreational structures may be assembled and then disassembled, such as frames, garden structures, furniture, shelving, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Alfred H. Boots
  • Publication number: 20090007500
    Abstract: A modular structural system includes a hub in the general shape of a polygon, such as a hexagon or octagon, which may be somewhat rounded or may have a regular shape. The system includes a plurality of other structural members, such as hub spokes, for interfacing adjacent the hub, and leg spokes, for interfacing with the hub or with the hub spokes. The system also includes cross braces for providing additional support between the hub spokes and leg spokes. The hub, the hub spokes, leg spokes, and cross braces are joined by bores in the individual pieces and a plurality of dowels or rods placed into the bores. From these modular pieces, and currently available structural members, many useful and recreational structures may be assembled and then disassembled, such as frames, garden structures, furniture, shelving, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Alfred H. Boots
  • Publication number: 20080016789
    Abstract: A modular structure system component includes a body having a substantially spherical core that includes an outer surface. The component further includes a plurality of nodes that each of the plurality of nodes has a first end disposed adjacent to the outer surface and a second end distal to the outer surface and a receiving means provided within each of the plurality of nodes, wherein each of the receiving means is configured to removably cooperate with a corresponding coupler. The body is configured to cooperate with a plurality of structural members that each include one or more of the couplers, and wherein the body and the structural members define a modular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Alfred H. Boots
  • Patent number: 6722086
    Abstract: The 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Alfred H. Boots
  • Publication number: 20030101663
    Abstract: The 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Alfred H. Boots