Abstract: A foldable structure comprised of hinged panel segments is provided. These segments are comprised of a first panel pair comprised of a first and second polygonal panel, and a second panel pair comprised of a third and fourth polygonal panel. Segments are bounded by a first boundary plane defined by two sides of the first panel pair, and a second boundary plane defined by two sides of the second panel pair, Measurement of a boundary angle may be taken normal to the intersection of the first and second boundary planes. As the segment is continuously folded between a first position and a second position, said boundary angle remains substantially constant during folding.

Abstract: A foldable unit comprised of linkages in the form of tubular prisms is provided. The unit may be additionally comprised of polygonal panels. Linkages and panels correspond to a central polyhedral design that may be specified from a wide variety of geometric arrangements.

Abstract: An assembly comprised of at least one fixed panel and at least two moveable panels is provided. The moveable panels are capable of being controllably shifted relative both to each other and to the fixed panel such that first and second aligned and non-aligned positions can be achieved. The assembly is further comprised of two or more drive links which are, in turn, comprised of a center pivot which engages with the fixed panel and two or more outer pivots which engage with the movable panels.

Abstract: An assembly comprised of at least one fixed panel and at least two moveable panels is provided. The moveable panels are capable of being controllably shifted relative both to each other and to the fixed panel such that first and second aligned and non-aligned positions can be achieved. The assembly is further comprised of two or more drive links which are, in turn, comprised of a center pivot which engages with the fixed panel and two or more outer pivots which engage with the movable panels.

Abstract: A linkage comprised of at least four links is provided. Each of the links has a polygonal profile with each link having at least two hinged axes that do not intersect one another. Each link is connected to at least two other links by the non-intersecting axes such that the linkage can smoothly transform from an extended surface into a compact bundle. The linkage can be constructed into the form of a foldable chair, a foldable table or a foldable wall.

Abstract: A mechanism that is comprised of two or more four-bar linkages is shown. Each linkage shares a common link with each adjacent linkage and the movement of said two or more linkages is synchronized by mechanical means such that said mechanism may move between a collapsed and an extended state. Said mechanical means may be in the form of additional links or geared connections.

Abstract: A variable panel assembly is herein disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of panels and a plurality of links where by rotating one or more links, the assembly shifts between a largely uncovered configuration to a covered configuration, where in the first configuration the panel profiles are essentially aligned, and in the second configuration the panel profiles are offset relative to one another. Further disclosed herein are methods to control the movement of the assembly, both manual and motorized.

Abstract: An assembly comprising at least two movable panels, each having an elongated profile and at least two pivot connections is provided. The assembly also includes at least two links, each link comprised of at least two pivot connections, each of which is offset from one another both in the plane orthogonal to the axis of the pivots as well as offset from one another along the vector defined by the axis of the pivots itself. The assembly further includes a single fixed member to which the two or more links are pivotally attached. The movable panels are each pivotally attached to at least two of the two or more links. The assembly may take an extended configuration wherein the panels form a continuous surface having a polygonal profile in plan and a stepped profile in elevation. The assembly may take on a retracted configuration such that the panels are essentially stacked over one another to form a compact bundle having an elongated profile.

Abstract: A ring linkage is hereby disclosed that is comprised of at least six links, each link having at least two pivots located proximate to their ends, said links being arranged in a loop whereby each link is pivotally attached via its end pivots to two neighboring links. The motion of the linkage is synchronized by a multiplicity of mechanical elements that serve to synchronize the relative rotation of the links in the assembly such that when a given link rotates by an angle, every second link rotates by the same angle. These synchronizing elements may be either gears, cables or belts, thus the relative angle between the every second link in the ring linkage (as defined by lines passing through their respective end pivots) remains constant and unchanging even as the position of the linkage is changed.

Abstract: A folding linkage is hereby disclosed that is comprised of four links, each link having a bevel gear on its end, where each link is in geared contact with a neighboring link, such that both links are held together by a hub element that is small relative to the two links. An alternate embodiment of the invention has links that have a spur gear on each end, whereby each gear end is engaged with a central rack (linear gear).

Abstract: A linkage comprised of at least four links is provided. Each of the links has a polygonal profile with each link having at least two hinged axes that do not intersect one another. Each link is connected to at least two other links by the non-intersecting axes such that the linkage can smoothly transform from an extended surface into a compact bundle. The linkage can be constructed into the form of a foldable chair, a foldable table or a foldable wall.

Abstract: An assembly comprising at least two movable panels, each having an elongated profile and at least two pivot connections is provided. The assembly also includes at least two links, each link comprised of at least two pivot connections, each of which is offset from one another both in the plane orthogonal to the axis of the pivots as well as offset from one another along the vector defined by the axis of the pivots itself. The assembly further includes a single fixed member to which the two or more links are pivotally attached. The movable panels are each pivotally attached to at least two of the two or more links. The assembly may take an extended configuration wherein the panels form a continuous surface having a polygonal profile in plan and a stepped profile in elevation. The assembly may take on a retracted configuration such that the panels are essentially stacked over one another to form a compact bundle having an elongated profile.

Abstract: A variable panel assembly is herein disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of panels and a plurality of links where by rotating one or more links, the assembly shifts between a largely uncovered configuration to a covered configuration, where in the first configuration the panel profiles are essentially aligned, and in the second configuration the panel profiles are offset relative to one another. Further disclosed herein are methods to control the movement of the assembly, both manual and motorized.

Abstract: A linkage comprised of at least four links is provided. Each of the links has a polygonal profile with each link having at least two hinged axes that do not intersect one another. Each link is connected to at least two other links by the non-intersecting axes such that the linkage can smoothly transform from an extended surface into a compact bundle. The linkage can be constructed into the form of a foldable chair, a foldable table or a foldable wall.

Abstract: A system whereby a collapsible box may be formed in the same way that standard cardboard boxes are made by folding a single sheet of material is provided. Square and rectangular boxes may be constructed which may be collapsed down to compact size and easily popped open. Boxes so constructed remain fully assembled with all seams and edges attached even as they are repeatedly folded and unfolded. The box may be made of corrugated cardboard or plastic and easily folded to a fraction of their open volume. The box may open instantly, and when opened, it becomes structural—that is resistant to applied loads—by “popping” certain points outwards. An element or construction that is comprised of a sheet of material that has been provided with a network of hinges such that when the element is folded its edges maintain a right angle relationship is also provided.

Abstract: A puzzle assembly is shown and comprises a multiplicity of geared links that are arranged such that their turning axes are oriented along the edges of a polyhedral shape so that when a single link is turned, all links turn synchronously. In the assembly, there are two end positions of the geared links. In each end position, a set of link groups are formed, each of those groups corresponding to one face of the polyhedral shape so that each link group forms a circular track that is inscribed on that particular face. When the puzzle assembly is moved to a second end position, a new set of new link groups is formed corresponding to a different a different set of faces of the polyhedral shape. The puzzle assembly further comprises a number of “petal elements” equal to the number of geared links. The petals have a faceted form and a base piece that extends from that form for providing a sliding contact with the geared links. Each petal element is retained by a geared link.

Abstract: Improved reversibly expandable structures are formed from novel loop assemblies comprising a plurality of links, each of said links having at least one center pivot joint and a plurality of end pivot joints, each of at least two of said plurality of end pivot joints proximate to the outer edge of said loop assembly and connected to another link; each of said plurality of links being connected to another one of said plurality of links by at least two end pivot joints thereby forming a link pair, said loop assembly comprising at least three link pairs, each of said at least three link pairs connected to at least two other link pairs through at least one of said end pivot joints; each of said at least three link pairs connected to a central piece that is central to the loop assembly, said central piece being rotatable around a central axis, wherein the rotation of the central piece reversibly expands said loop assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism that is comprised of two or more four-bar linkages is shown. Each linkage shares a common link with each adjacent linkage and the movement of said two or more linkages is synchronized by mechanical means such that said mechanism may move between a collapsed and an extended state. Said mechanical means may be in the form of additional links or geared connections.

Abstract: A puzzle assembly is shown and comprises a multiplicity of geared links that are arranged such that their turning axes are oriented along the edges of a polyhedral shape so that when a single link is turned, all links turn synchronously. In the assembly, there are two end positions of the geared links. In each end position, a set of link groups are formed, each of those groups corresponding to one face of the polyhedral shape so that each link group forms a circular track that is inscribed on that particular face. When the puzzle assembly is moved to a second end position, a new set of new link groups is formed corresponding to a different a different set of faces of the polyhedral shape. The puzzle assembly further comprises a number of “petal elements” equal to the number of geared links. The petals have a faceted form and a base piece that extends from that form for providing a sliding contact with the geared links. Each petal element is retained by a geared link.

Abstract: A ring linkage is hereby disclosed that is comprised of at least six links, each link having at least two pivots located proximate to their ends, said links being arranged in a loop whereby each link is pivotally attached via its end pivots to two neighboring links. The motion of the linkage is synchronized by a multiplicity of mechanical elements that serve to synchronize the relative rotation of the links in the assembly such that when a given link rotates by an angle, every second link rotates by the same angle. These synchronizing elements may be either gears, cables or belts, thus the relative angle between the every second link in the ring linkage (as defined by lines passing through their respective end pivots) remains constant and unchanging even as the position of the linkage is changed.