US3766932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible reticular structures
Assignee: PERET A CO OF IDEAS FOR IND B M IL
•
Filing: 1971-03-04
•
Granted: 1973-10-23
•
Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional collapsible structure formed by an array of bar-like elements each pivotally connected at its ends to one or more other such elements. The elements and their pivotal connections are arranged to permit the collapse of the three-dimensional structure into a configuration wherein the elements are grouped closely together and disposed in parallel, whereby the collapsed configuration has an overall length which is substantially the same as the length of a single one of the elements.
Inventors
- 👤 A Sidis
- 👤 H Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:42
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/344; E04B1/3441; E04B1/18; E04B1/19; E04B1/1903; E04C; E04C3/00; E04C3/005; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/32; E04H15/34; E04H15/44; E04H15/48; E04H15/50; E04B2001/1924; E04B2001/1927; E04B2001/1957; E04B2001/1966; E04B2001/1969; E04B2001/1981; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A collapsible, reticular, three-dimensional, jointed structure, self-supporting by virtue of its geometry and the design of its joints, said structure conforming to geometries based on polyhedra constituted by plane or spatial polygons having 2n sides and comprising a plurality of joining means and a plurality of rectilinear, substantially rigid, bar-like elements mutually connected together and articulated by said joining means, said joining means including integral guide and stop means which fully define and delimit the unique angular positions of their associated bar-like elements both with respect to each other and with respect to a central axis of symmetry of said joining means, and which guide and stop means enable said structure to be intrinsically self-supporting once completely erected, said joining means also including means for permitting a first portion of said plurality of bar-like elements to move with more than one degree of freedom relative to their associated joints, and for constraining a second portion of said plurality of bar-like elements to movement in one plane only, wherein, in the collapsed state of said structure, the array formed by said bar-like elements is of a length substantially equal to the length of a single bar-like element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A collapsible, reticular, three-dimensional, jointed structure, self-supporting by virtue of its geometry and the design of its joints, said structure conforming to geometries based on polyhedra constituted by plane or spatial polygons having 2n sides and comprising a plurality of joining means and a plurality of rectilinear, substantially rigid, bar-like elements mutually connected together and articulated by said joining means, said joining means including integral guide and stop means which fully define and delimit the unique angular positions of their associated bar-like elements both with respect to each other and with respect to a central axis of symmetry of said joining means, and which guide and stop means enable said structure to be intrinsically self-supporting once completely erected, said joining means also including means for permitting a first portion of said plurality of bar-like elements to move with more than one degree of freedom relative to their associated joints, and for constraining a second portion of said plurality of bar-like elements to movement in one plane only, wherein, in the collapsed state of said structure, the array formed by said bar-like elements is of a length substantially equal to the length of a single bar-like element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein the actual number of bar-like elements provided therefor is either equal to the theoretical number of bar-like elements as prescribed by the configuration of said structure, or different from said theoretical number, in which case one or more elements are either removed or added to provide for access to the structure, or connecting apertUres or passage ways between a plurality of said structures, or any combination thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional said structure and a plurality of joining elements connected between said structures, whereby said structures are combined to provide a more complex composite structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said joining means include locking means for immobilizing selected ones of said bar-like elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure according to claim 1, further including means connected thereto for anchoring said structure to the ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pliable covering skin attached to said structure at a plurality of positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure according to claim 6, wherein said pliable covering skin remains in situ when said structure is collapsed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A structure according to claim 6, wherein said skin or skins are attached to said structure after the erection thereof and are removed therefrom prior to the collapse thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of preformed sheets of covering material attached to each other and to said structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
163 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1, in which one of said joining means comprises first and second plate-shaped members having radial slots therein, said slots in said first plate-shaped member extending through the entire axial extent thereof, means for connecting said plate-shaped members in a face-to-face relation wherein said slots are disposed in alignment, one of said plate-shaped members having pairs of aligned notches disposed therein and projecting transversely of the walls of its said slots, one said pair of notches for each said slot, and in which each of a plurality of said bar-like elements has a lug shaped end portion and a pair of rigid pivot members extending transversely of said lug portion in opposed alignment, wherein said lug portions of said bar-like members are received in said respective slots, and said pairs of pivot members are received in said pairs of notches, whereby said bar-like members are pivotable with respect to each other on said connected plate-shaped members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1, in which one of said joining means comprises a plate shaped member having a plurality of radially disposed socket openings extending therethrough and positioned to define slots through the peripheral edge thereof, a circular member having a plurality of notches extending radially therethrough, means for connecting said plate-shaped and ring-shaped members together wherein said slots and notches are disposed in alignment, and in which each of a plurality of said bar-like elements has a pin, and a ball interconnected to one end of said bar-like element by said pin, said pins being received, respectively, through said openings, each said ball having a diameter larger than said openings, and each said pin having a diameter smaller than said slots and notches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A structure as set forth in claim 11, in which said circular member has a plurality or circumferential slot means in communication respectively with said notches for receiving said pins to releasably hold said bar-like elements against movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |