초록 ▼

Self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect trans

Self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect transfer of collapsing force to other crossing points which are pivotally joined. An improved hub structure for pivotally joining ends of the rod elements at the outer and inner apical points is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

A collapsible, self-supporting structure, comprising in combination: a network of column - like elements freely pivotally joined together to form the self-supporting structure, there being groups of said elements which intersect and are freely pivotally joined at their ends to define inner and outer

A collapsible, self-supporting structure, comprising in combination: a network of column - like elements freely pivotally joined together to form the self-supporting structure, there being groups of said elements which intersect and are freely pivotally joined at their ends to define inner and outer apical points, said outer apical points lying on the surface of revolution and said inner apical points being paired each with a corresponding outer apical point and being spaced inwardly from their corresponding outer apical points along radial lines normal to said surface of revolution; therebeing at least thrEe elements forming each of said groups which elements radiate from their corresponding apical points to join with other elements at other surrounding apical points, with those elements radiating from each inner apical point lying essentially in a common plane and radiating from such inner apical point to a plurality of surrounding outer apical points, whereby the network is characterized by a series of planes essentially within which lie elements radiating from and between a number of outer apical points; each pair of corresponding inner and outer apical points having a plurality of pairs of elements which radiate therefrom and cross in scissors-like fashion; there being first zones symmetrical with said surface of revolution defined by crossing points of certain of said pairs of elements and second zones symmetrical with said surface of revolution defined by crossing points of others of said pairs of elements, said first and second zones being disposed alternately throughout the structure; and first means for pivotally joining said certain pairs of elements and second means associated with said others of said pairs of elements for permitting a predetermined limited free sliding relation therebetween.