Collapsible Patents (Class 52/649.5)
  • Patent number: 8769906
    Abstract: A reinforcement system for concrete structures, comprising a first set of reinforcement elements configured to be connected to and co-functioning with a second set of reinforcement elements, each of said first and second set of reinforcement elements comprises each a number of more or less uniformly shaped units, intended to be tied together' the first and/or second set of reinforcement elements being made of basalt or carbon fibers, embedded in a suitable matrix. At least the units forming said first set of reinforcement elements are delivered to the construction site in a flat packed, compact state, each unit of said first reinforcement elements being configured to be stretched out into longer lengths when placed in situ and preferably being interconnected to at least several of the other units of said first reinforcement elements by means of at least one flexible or foldable, more or less continuous band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ReforceTech Ltd.
    Inventors: Per Cato Standal, Leonard W. Miller
  • Patent number: 8613176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support structure system having a first support structure and having a second support structure, wherein the second support structure is at least partly received in the first support structure in at least one position of the support structure system; in that both support structures are able to be displaced or telescoped relative to one another; and in that the first and/or the second support structure is/are formed by a lattice support structure which can be inwardly folded and outwardly folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Prodelta Investments b.v.
    Inventors: Kamal Daas, Doron Livnat
  • Patent number: 8381460
    Abstract: An extendable beam has compact slideable segments with angular extensions connected by cables which are tensioned to strengthen the beam when the beam is extended by sliding the segments. Restraining parts slide along tracks on neighboring segments. Short fixed length cables are connected between tips of extensions and diagonally between extension tips and segments are tensioned when hinged extensions are deployed. Other cables are paid out and tensioned, connecting tips of extensions on adjacent segments. Internal pulleys and beam extension cables simultaneously slide adjacent segments to extend the beam. An external crane and lock extend the beam serially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick P. McDermott
  • Patent number: 8015759
    Abstract: A structural support for supporting equipment on a rooftop, which is connected to a frame and to equipment to be supported, comprises a mechanism connecting a base cap and a base connector of the structural support. One of the base cap and the base connector includes at least one plate and the other of the base cap and the base connector includes a pair of plates that receives the at least one plate allowing for pivoting adjustments of the base connector about the base cap when the at least one plate is received within an opening between the pair of plates to achieve desired positioning of the base connector. In one example, a pair of base cap plates is received by a pair of inwardly biased base connector plates. Once a desired position is achieved, a fastening assembly secures the position of the base connector. The structural mounting may also include, for example, a base support, a base flashing, and a rubber base gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Roofscreen Mfg.
    Inventor: Ryan W. Bruce
  • Patent number: 7694486
    Abstract: A deployable truss is formed from a plurality of column members connected at their ends where at least some of the column members are formed from column assemblies, each including a plurality of strut members that are at least connected to each other at a first and second end of the column assembly. For added rigidity, strut members of a column assembly may be connected to each other between the first and second ends using, for example, a rigidizable resin, a fixed spacer, or a deployable spacer. Connecting strut members between the ends of the column assembly provides mutual bracing to the strut members and decreases the free buckling length of the individual strut members. Spacers are preferably configured to radially space the strut members away from the longitudinal centerline of the column assembly to increase its moment of inertia, and hence its buckling strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Murphy, Thomas W. Murphey, Michael E. McEachen, Matthew M. Botke
  • Patent number: 7469513
    Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are adjacently hinged together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. The truss includes latching features that hold the truss member in a deployed configuration. A display structure can be formed by connecting a locking frame between two truss members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Eagle Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph L. Schipani, Richard K. Strayer, Mark Brauer
  • Patent number: 7464502
    Abstract: A modular folding shelter for use in seismic or weather disturbances is disclosed including a first force transferring member having a first plurality of lateral supports, the first plurality of lateral supports including crossmembers, at least one upper articulation point, and at least one lower articulation point, a second force transferring member having a second plurality of lateral supports, the second plurality of lateral supports including crossmembers, at least one upper articulation point, and at least one lower articulation point, a top member for receiving the at least one upper articulation point of the first plurality of lateral supports and the at least one upper articulation point of the second plurality of lateral supports, and a foldable base member for receiving the at least one lower articulation point of the first plurality of lateral supports and the at least one lower articulation point of the second plurality of lateral supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Leon Sardi Herrera
  • Patent number: 7137399
    Abstract: The invention is a collapsible structure comprising a plurality of panel elements, each having a coilable frame element and flexible material attached to the frame element. The panel elements are joined to define an enclosure having a roof portion and a bottom perimeter. The bottom perimeter rests on a supporting surface. The structure has at least one roof support rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one roof support rod is attached to a first location on the bottom perimeter, and the second end of the at least one roof support rod is attached to a second location on the bottom perimeter. The at least one roof support rod is in supporting contact with the roof portion of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: Robert M. Ransom, Todd P. Weston, Ryan L. Kubica, Scott D. Wehner
  • Patent number: 6901714
    Abstract: Tensegrity units may be used to form a tensegrity structure. Each tensegrity unit may include n face tension members, n continuous tension members, and n compression members. A bracket for the tensegrity unit may allow for adjustment of position of portions of the tension members when the tensegrity unit is not in a deployed state. The tension members may be coupled to the tensegrity unit so that there are no loose tension member ends. The unit may be deployed from a collapsed state by positioning the compression members and tension members in a proper orientation and adjusting the length of at least one compression member. Adjusting the length of at least the one compression member may allow tension to be applied to each tension member. A tensegrity structure may be formed from tensegrity units by joining a number of tensegrity units together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas Systems
    Inventor: Katherine A. Liapi
  • Publication number: 20020083675
    Abstract: A new hub element is disclosed for building reversible expandable three-dimensional truss structures. The hub element can directly connect a pin joint towards the center of a scissor linkage to a pivot located near the extremity of another out-of-plane scissor linkage. It has the advantages of being more compact than previously known hub elements and can be used to create foldable structures that are more structurally sound than previously possible. The use of this novel hub element can also reduce the number of pieces required for a given foldable structure, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Charles Hoberman
  • Publication number: 20010005966
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transformable linked structure, a deployable diagonal structure, a plane stowage-type deployable truss and a line stowage-type deployable truss with high rigidity and reliability constituted by the above-described transformable linked structure and the above-described deployable diagonal structure, and also provides a plane/line stowage truss structure extremely approximated to a spherical surface using the two types of deployable trusses. The present invention discloses a module linked structure for linking deployable trusses securely and a holding/releasing mechanism for realizing reliable holding and release. Further, the present invention provides a modular deployable antenna with high precision even if it is large-sized which is realized by spreading mesh on the plane/line stowage truss structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Akira Meguro, Jin Mitsugi, Kazuhide Ando