Abstract: A structural module includes a first strut pair including a first strut and a second strut pivotably connected to each other at a first strut pair pivotable connection point, a second strut pair including a third strut and a fourth strut pivotably connected to each other at a second strut pair pivotable connection point, a first hub, a first end of the first strut and a first end of the third strut being pivotably connected to the first hub, a second hub, a first end of the second strut and a first end of the fourth strut being pivotably connected to the second hub, and a stop arrangement attached to at least one of the first hub, the first strut, and the third strut, the stop arrangement including an abutment end. The structural module is movable between a closed position in which longitudinal axes of struts of the first strut pair and the second strut pair are substantially parallel to one another. A collapsible structure and a method of erecting a collapsible structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tethermast and frag wall includes a fabric device having a fill volume tillable with a fill material on a flexible or compliant mast system. The fill volume may be a chambered curtain. The tethermast and frag wall is self supporting, easily deployed, and may be used in connection with a structure or may be deployed stand-alone. A tether system for an air beam structure utilizing a flexible tethermast, an external frag wall or frag curtain, soft couplings, air beam slings, or combinations thereof to reduce the effects of pressure waves, such as blast waves, onto and into an air beam structure and any inhabitants.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible structure and an expandable and collapsible scissor assembly and module therefor are provided. The scissor assembly includes a first strut having a first end and a second end. The scissor assembly also includes a second strut upper portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second strut upper portion being pivotably connected to the first strut at an upper strut connection point, and a second strut lower portion having a first end and a second end, the second end of the second strut lower portion being pivotably connected to the first strut at a lower strut connection point.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an attachment and an air beam comprising a hug strap attached to a hug strap pad, the hug strap adapted to connect with the attachment, and the hug strap pad adapted to attach to the air beam. A method of securing an attachment to an air beam comprising providing an air beam, attaching a hug strap to a hug strap pad, securing the hug strap pad (with the hug strap attached) to the air beam, and securing the attachment to the hug strap.

Abstract: A collapsible structure with a self-locking mechanism includes a first hub, at least two struts pivotable connected at a first ends thereof to the first hub and movable relative to each another between a folded position and an expanded position, and a tension member adapted to limit pivotable movement of at least two struts such that, when in the expanded position, the at least two struts define an angle of less than 180°. The structure further includes a locking hub and at least two locking struts pivotably connected at first ends thereof to the locking hub and, at seconds ends thereof, to connection points on respective ones of the at least two struts. A method of erecting a structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A frame element includes a first scissor including a first and a second strut pivotably connected to each other at a first pivot point, a second scissor including a third and a fourth strut pivotably connected to each other at a second pivot point, and a hub to which the first and the third strut are pivotably connected, the first and second scissors being pivotable about the hub between a closed position in which the first, second, third, and fourth struts are substantially parallel to one another and an open, locked position in which the first and third struts define a non-zero angle with each other and abutment portions of the second and fourth struts contact receiving portions of the third and first struts, respectively, and prevent the first and third struts from pivoting beyond the non-zero angle.

Abstract: A mechanically deployable, expandable and collapsible structure is provided. The structure includes at least one scissor assembly made up of a first and a second strut, a first spacer disposed between the first end of the first strut and the first end of the second strut when the scissor assembly is in the expanded position, and a second spacer disposed between the second end of the first strut and the second end of the second strut when the scissor assembly is in the expanded position. A tension member is connected to the first and second struts. The tension member is arranged such that the scissor assembly is moved from the folded position when there is slack in the tension member to the expanded position when the slack in the tension member is taken up.

Abstract: A folding frame assembly includes a folding frame including a plurality of pairs of struts connected end-to-end by a plurality of hub assemblies. Struts of each strut pair are pivotably connected at ends thereof to first and second ends of a hub assembly and are foldable relative to each other between a closed position in which the struts are substantially parallel to each other, the first ends of the hub assemblies are all substantially adjacent, and the second ends of the hub assemblies are all substantially adjacent, and an open position in which the struts define non-zero angles with each other, ends of the struts of each strut pair are separated from each other by the hub assemblies, and first and second ends of the hub assemblies are non-adjacent.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible structure includes a plurality of roller supports, each roller support including at least two ends separated by a non-zero distance and at least one roller disposed at one of the at least two ends of the roller support, and at least one folding assembly disposed between two of the plurality of roller supports.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible structural module is provided. The module includes at least three strut pairs, the at least three strut pairs being arranged end to end, at least three corners being defined by connected ends of the at least three strut pairs. The module also includes at least three legs pivotably connected at respective ones of the at least three corners to the connected ends of the at least three strut pairs, at least one of the at least three legs being a telescoping leg.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible structure includes a plurality of roller supports, each roller support including at least two ends separated by a non-zero distance and at least one roller disposed at one of the at least two ends of the roller support, and at least one folding assembly disposed between two of the plurality of roller supports.

Abstract: In a method of assembling an expandable and collapsible structure, at least a first strut pair and a second strut pair are provided. The first strut pair and the second strut pair are attached to a second hub jig such that a first end of a first strut of the first strut pair is disposed proximate a first end of a second strut of the second strut pair. The first end of the first strut of the first strut pair and the first end of the second strut of the second strut pair are pivotably connected to form pivotably connected first and second strut pairs. The first and second strut pairs are attached to a first hub jig. A second end of a first strut of the second strut pair is pivotably connected to a second end of a second strut of the first strut pair.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible structural module is provided. The module includes at least three strut pairs, the at least three strut pairs being arranged end to end, at least three corners being defined by connected ends of the at least three strut pairs. The module also includes at least three legs pivotably connected at respective ones of the at least three corners to the connected ends of the at least three strut pairs, at least one of the at least three legs being a telescoping leg.

Abstract: A shelter construction kit includes at least six composite panels which are identical prior to the positioning of access openings. Each of the six composite panels has a first side edge having an integrally formed male coupling and a second side edge having an integrally formed female coupling. Each of the first side edge and the second side edge extend outwardly at 45 degrees from the first flat face to the second flat face. When the first side edge of one panel is coupled to the second side edge of another panel in a first orientation the coupled panels are on a common plane. When the first side edge of one panel is inverted and coupled to the second side edge of another panel in a second orientation the coupled panels form a 90 degree corner. Roof/wall interface brackets are provided to secure the roof panels in place. Assembly instructions are provided describing how to couple the panels.

Abstract: A folding frame system includes a roof assembly including at least three pivotably attached strut pairs, adjacent pairs of the at least three pivotably attached strut pairs defining at least three corners of the roof assembly. The roof assembly is movable between a roof assembly closed position in which struts of the at least three strut pairs are disposed parallel to each other and a roof assembly open position in which struts of the at least three strut pairs are locked in non-parallel positions and ends of the struts of each strut pair of the at least three strut pairs define a rectangle. The folding frame system also includes a folding leg assembly disposed at each of the at least three corners of the roof assembly. Each folding leg assembly includes a leg strut assembly. The leg strut assembly includes a top leg strut and a tubular bottom leg strut in which the top leg strut is telescopingly slidable between a top leg strut closed position and a top leg strut open position.

Abstract: A protective shelter is shown which is installed at least partly in the surrounding earth. The shelter has a metal body with a top, bottom, opposing end walls and opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls of the body are slanted outwardly so as to create a flared bottom region which assists in retaining the body in an installed location with the surrounding earth. A horizontal rib, located on the body exterior at the approximate juncture of the top region and bottom region serves to add structural strength to the body and presents a protuberance which can be set in the earth to further assist in retaining the body in the installed location. An internal bulkhead within the closed interior of the structure provides further structural integrity and protects against falling or crushing loads.

Abstract: A Lightweight Pre-engineered prefabricated modular Building System comprised of nine pre-fabricated structural members and three prefabricated connectors which create the entire building main frame system. A multiple use principal structural member is utilized as columns and top and bottom cords as well as end rungs for trusses and truss legs. The connectors are right angle connectors; each employing a configuration of holes and slots for securing structural members to create a rigid attachment of rafters to columns. The same connectors can be employed to establish a shallow pitch or a steep pitch roof pitch through selection of the holes and slot positions used to bolt the structural frame together. Trusses are interchangeable anywhere in system. Eave peak members, purlins and girts are used to attach sheathing to the structural frame. Alternatively, a "V" shaped stiffener can be employed with the columns.

Abstract: In a family of collapsible structures, each collapsible structure has a collapsible beam. For each collapsible structure of the family of collapsible structures, the collapsible beam includes a plurality of curved strut pairs of the same length as the curved strut pairs as in every other collapsible structure of the family of collapsible strut pairs. The struts of each curved strut pair are pivotally connected to each other at points closer to the one end of the struts than the other end of the struts. Different collapsible structures of the family of collapsible structures have a different number of curved strut pairs than any other collapsible structure of the family of collapsible strut pairs.

Abstract: A sectional shelter is made of a set of panels of plastic material arranged side by side, along with a plastic roof cap. The panels are coupled by ribs projecting from one edge portion of each panel and a channel along the other edge portion. Retainers are pivotally mounted on the inside of the wall adjacent the channeled edge portion so that the edge portion carrying the ribs may be captured between the inside wall of the panel and the retainer. The shelter has curved and straight panels so that it may have various configurations. Door and window openings are formed in the wall panels and are closed by doors and windows fastened on the panels.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible shelter is formed from a series of interconnected expandable and collapsible modules. Each module is formed from interconnected strut pairs pivotably attached at their ends to hub assemblies. The hub assemblies have outer and inner portions that are engageable and disengageable. A pair of struts is placed in a desired angular relationship by a first member for constraining a range of movement of the outer portions of the hub assemblies relative to one another and a releasable member for releasably constraining a range of movement of the inner portions of the hub assemblies relative to one another.