Patents by Inventor Samuel J. Lanahan

Samuel J. Lanahan 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: 10443237
    Abstract: A truncated icosahedron assembly can include a plurality of structural elements coupled together in a truncated icosahedral configuration. Each structural element can include first and second hexagonal portions and first and second pentagonal portions. The hexagonal portions of each structural element can be coupled together at a first edge of the first hexagonal portion and a second edge of the second hexagonal portion. The pentagonal portions of each structural element can be spaced relative to each other by the first and second hexagonal portions. The first pentagonal portion of each structural element can be coupled to the hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion. The second pentagonal portion of each structural element can be coupled to the hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lanahan
  • Publication number: 20180305926
    Abstract: A truncated icosahedron assembly can include a plurality of structural elements coupled together in a truncated icosahedral configuration. Each structural element can include first and second hexagonal portions and first and second pentagonal portions. The hexagonal portions of each structural element can be coupled together at a first edge of the first hexagonal portion and a second edge of the second hexagonal portion. The pentagonal portions of each structural element can be spaced relative to each other by the first and second hexagonal portions. The first pentagonal portion of each structural element can be coupled to the hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion. The second pentagonal portion of each structural element can be coupled to the hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lanahan
  • Patent number: 7694463
    Abstract: An array comprises a plurality of ring elements and a plurality of mortar elements. The ring elements comprise polyhedroids interconnected to one another to form a closed ring shape, with the polyhedroids having a generally polyhedral shape. The mortar elements are configured to connect ring elements to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lanahan
  • Publication number: 20090263615
    Abstract: An array comprises a plurality of ring elements and a plurality of mortar elements. The ring elements comprise polyhedroids interconnected to one another to form a closed ring shape, with the polyhedroids having a generally polyhedral shape. The mortar elements are configured to connect ring elements to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lanahan
  • Patent number: 7452578
    Abstract: A structural fabric comprises a plurality of discrete and spaced apart icosahedral elements and a plurality of interconnecting elements. The icosahedra elements are interconnected at selected edges by the interconnecting elements in tension so as to form a self-supported array of the icosahedral elements. The icosahedral elements may be icosahedrons (20 sides) or truncated icosahedrons (32 sides). Methods of constructing the structural fabric are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lanahan
  • Publication number: 20080040984
    Abstract: A polyhedral array comprises a plurality of discrete polyhedrons and a connection network comprising connections that connect the polyhedrons. The discrete polyhedrons are spaced apart from each other at equilibrium in a predetermined generally regular pattern, and each polyhedron is comprised of edges, faces and vertices. The connection network at least partially constrains the discrete polyhedrons relative to each polyhedron's six degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, the connections extend along the bias of the array. In other embodiments, the connections extend along radial directions. All implementations can be constructed as regular arrays or in lattice networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Samuel J. Lanahan