Deployable structures

Claim 1

A three dimensional structural module, foldable into a closed compacted state and deployable into an open, erect state: a. at least three circumferential scissors-like elements jointed together end-to-end by hinge means each at a circumferential inner apical point and at a circumferential outer apical point to form a closed circumference; b. at least three radial scissors-like elements joined together at one-end to one point to form a central inner apical point and at said one end to a second point to form a central outer apical point and said radial scissors-like element being joined at a second end to a circumferential inner apical point and to a circumferential outer apical point thereby forming a plurality of circumferential inner apical points and a plurality of circumferential outer apical points; c. each of said radial scissors-like elements at ends opposite said central inner and central outer apical point being joined to two circumferential scissors-like elements to form one of said circumferential inner apical points and one of said circumferential outer apical points; d. each of said scissors-like elements being formed from two rod-like members pivotally joined to each other at a pivot comprising a point intermediate the lengths of said rod-like members; e. all of said rod-like members being straight when said structural module is deployed; f. the lines defined by the intersection of the planes defined by each scissor-like element do not intersect each other and are parallel to each other; g. at connecting scissors-like units, the sum of the distance between the first pivot point of a first connecting scissors-like unit to each hinge means, connecting adjacent connecting scissors-like units is the same as the sum of the distance between the second pivot point of a second connecting scissors-like unit to said hinge means connecting adjacent connecting scissors-like unit.