Hubs and reconfigurable frames

Abstract

Hub structures inter-connectable with and/or connected to elongated frame members (e.g., rod-type members) to form frames. In certain non-limiting, example, embodiments, hubs which have simple configurations and/or which are connectable to elongated frame members (e.g., rod-type members) employing small numbers of connectors (e.g., one screw-type connector per frame member/hub connection) and/or which are more easily assembled/disassembled to frame members for constructing and/or deconstructing frame structures.

1 . A hub comprising:
 a generally hexahedral body formed as a combination of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth polygonal portions; said first polygonal portion comprising a first surface area surrounding and contiguous with a generally central aperture; said first surface area connecting to and contiguous with said second, third, fourth, and fifth polygonal portions; said sixth polygonal portion being located generally opposite said first polygonal portion and connected to and contiguous with said second, third, fourth, and fifth polygonal portions; said second polygonal portion being located generally opposite said fourth polygonal portion; said third polygonal portion being located generally opposite said fifth polygonal portion; said generally hexahedral body further including a first recess cutout formed and extending between said second and said sixth polygonal portions; a second recess cutout formed and extending between said third and said sixth polygonal portions; a third recess cutout formed and extending between said fourth and said sixth polygonal portions; a fourth recess cutout formed and extending between said fifth and said sixth polygonal portions; first, second, third, and fourth pivot connecting structures located in said first, second, third, and fourth recess cutouts, respectively, each said pivot connecting structure being capable of pivotally connecting a frame rod therein;   said generally central aperture comprising a first connecting structure capable of retaining a connector device; and   at least one frame rod pivotally interconnected to said hub at one of said first, second, third, or fourth pivot connecting structures.   
     
     
         2 . A hub according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said pivot connecting structures is comprised of a mechanical fastener mechanically communicating with at least one hub aperture disposed in one of said recess cutouts and a rod aperture in said frame rod. 
     
     
         3 . A hub according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one frame rod is selectively pivotable in angular position and selectively fixable in angular position at its connection to said hub. 
     
     
         4 . A hub according to  claim 3  wherein said mechanical fastener is a threaded screw member. 
     
     
         5 . A hub according to  claim 4  which is so configured such that only a single threaded screw member is necessary to functionally, pivotally connect a frame rod to said hub. 
     
     
         6 . A plurality of hubs according to  claim 5  interconnected to one another employing a plurality of frame rods thereby to form a frame which is configurable into a variety of two or three-dimensional frame configurations. 
     
     
         7 . A frame according to  claim 6  further including a plurality of display panel connector devices connected to said first connecting structures of said first polygonal portions of a plurality of said plurality of hubs; and
 said frame combined with at least one display panel connected to said frame via one or more of said display panel connector devices.   
     
     
         8 . The frame according to  claim 7  wherein said display panel connector devices are selected from the group consisting of: bolts, hooks, buttons, knobs, screws, protrusions, and rivets. 
     
     
         9 . A hub according to  claim 4  wherein said hub is a substantially unibody construction. 
     
     
         10 . A hub according to  claim 1  wherein said first, second, third, and fourth pivot connecting structures each comprise means for pivotally attaching a frame rod employing only a single screw per pivotally attached frame rod. 
     
     
         11 . A hub according to  claim 10  wherein said sixth polygonal portion includes a second connecting structure comprising an aperture capable of connecting to a structure selected from the group comprising: a frame rod and a magnet. 
     
     
         12 . A hub according to  claim 10  further including a magnet located on said sixth polygonal portion and in a generally coaxial relationship with said first connecting structure. 
     
     
         13 . A plurality of hubs according to  claim 11  interconnected to one another employing a plurality of frame rods thereby to form a frame which is configurable into a variety of two or three-dimensional frame configurations wherein at least one frame rod is attached to a hub via magnetic connection between said at least one frame rod and a magnet connected to an aperture of said hub. 
     
     
         14 . A plurality of hubs according to  claim 11  interconnected to one another employing a plurality of frame rods thereby to form a frame which is configurable into a variety of two or three-dimensional frame configurations wherein at least one frame rod is attached to a hub via a threaded connection between said at least one frame rod and said second connecting structure. 
     
     
         15 . A hub according to  claim 5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 , or  12  wherein said first surface area comprises a convexly rounded major surface and said generally central aperture is surrounded by a generally centered, generally planar minor surface surrounded by and contiguous with said convexly rounded major surface. 
     
     
         16 . A frame claimed in  claim 13  or  14  wherein said first surface area of said plurality of hubs comprises a convexly rounded major surface and said generally central aperture of said plurality of hubs is surrounded by a generally centered, generally planar minor surface surrounded by and contiguous with said convexly rounded major surface. 
     
     
         17 . A hub comprising:
 a substantially unibody, multisided figure comprising: a top side comprising a first surface area surrounding and contiguous with a first generally central aperture; a bottom side located generally opposite said top side; at least a first, second, and third recess cutout, each recess cutout formed in at least a first, second, and third side of said multisided figure, respectively; and at least a first, second, and third pivot connecting structure each located in said first, second, and third recess cutout, respectively;   each said pivot connecting structure being capable of pivotally connecting a frame rod to said hub employing a single mechanical fastener for each frame rod-hub connection.   
     
     
         18 . A hub according to  claim 17  wherein each said at least first, second, and third pivot connecting structures comprises a pair of generally aligned apertures, at least one aperture of said pair of apertures including a structural portion for cooperating with and retaining at least a portion of a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         19 . A hub according to  claim 18  wherein said first generally central aperture is capable of selectively retaining user removable connector devices selected from the group consisting of: bolts, hooks, buttons, knobs, screws, protrusions, and rivets. 
     
     
         20 . A hub according to  claim 19  further including a second generally central aperture located disposed in said bottom side generally coaxially aligned with said first generally central aperture, said second generally central aperture being capable of connecting to a structure selected from the group comprising: a frame rod and a magnet. 
     
     
         21 . A plurality of hubs according to  claim 21  interconnected to one another employing a plurality of frame rods thereby to form a frame which is configurable into a variety of two or three-dimensional frame configurations.