초록 ▼

A mesh storage apparatus comprises a conformal mesh member (14), which is attached to a retraction mechanism (10). Because the mesh member (14) has a point of attachment (20), rather than multiple points spread along one of its sides, the force of the retraction mechanism or another applied force co

A mesh storage apparatus comprises a conformal mesh member (14), which is attached to a retraction mechanism (10). Because the mesh member (14) has a point of attachment (20), rather than multiple points spread along one of its sides, the force of the retraction mechanism or another applied force collapses the mesh member along its major diagonal (13) into an elongated form, similar to that of a cable, rope, or strap, allowing for easy storage. It, therefore, takes advantage of the contractility of the mesh openings and the behavioral characteristics of conformal material under tension to store the mesh member (14) in a much more compact manner than with traditional storage apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for storing one or more conformal mesh members, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a storage device to which the one or more conformal members are attached,(b) applying force to points on the structure of said conformal mesh members such that an appropriate force is tra

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for storing one or more conformal mesh members, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a storage device to which the one or more conformal members are attached,(b) applying force to points on the structure of said conformal mesh members such that an appropriate force is transferred throughout the mesh structure causing the immediate structure surrounding each opening to elongate in one direction while contracting in a perpendicular direction and thereby collapsing into two substantially parallel lines along the elongated direction, further collapsing the entire mesh members into elongated forms similar to those of cables, ropes, or straps,(c) retracting said one or more conformal mesh members in their elongated form or forms into or through anobject for storage on or in said storage device, and(d) extracting said one or more conformal mesh members from or through said object for use,whereby the behavioral characteristics of conformal material are exploited to provide compact and convenient storage of the mesh members.