초록 ▼

A telescopically adjustable structure capable of defining or measuring an arbitrary three-dimensional volume and having twelve telescopically adjustable telescopic units, capable of maintaining a change in telescopic length and eight corner connection units for assembling the telescopic rods into a

A telescopically adjustable structure capable of defining or measuring an arbitrary three-dimensional volume and having twelve telescopically adjustable telescopic units, capable of maintaining a change in telescopic length and eight corner connection units for assembling the telescopic rods into a three-dimensional structure. A method of assembly may have the telescopic units adjusted to specified length prior to three-dimensional assembly or, alternately, the telescopic units may be assembled in collapsed telescopic form, and adjusted in assembled fashion. Particularly suited to provide a lightweight, low-cost, low-damage furniture or object double to check how the furniture volume might fit in a space or be transported to a space.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for defining or measuring an arbitrary three-dimensional volume, comprising: a plurality of telescopic units comprising: a first telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface dimension and an interior surface dimension, a secon

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for defining or measuring an arbitrary three-dimensional volume, comprising: a plurality of telescopic units comprising: a first telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface dimension and an interior surface dimension, a second telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface dimension smaller than said interior surface dimension of said first telescopic rod and an interior surface dimension, a locking mechanism which detachably connects said first telescopic rod with said second telescopic rod along a length of said second telescopic rod, allowing said telescopic unit to be adjustably lengthened or shortened to an arbitrary dimension, wherein said first and second telescopic rods each include an attachment feature along the length of each rod exterior surface located substantially toward an end of the length of each said rod; and a plurality of connection units having at least three hollow cylindrical portions having an interior dimension greater than said exterior dimension of said first telescopic rod, wherein said attachment feature at said first end area interacts with an aperture of said connection unit detachably connecting said first telescopic rod to said connection unit, wherein said connection units connect a plurality of said telescopic units at prespecified angles. 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second telescopic rods share a common axis. 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first telescopic rod has an attachment feature located in first and second end areas on the length of the rod, and said attachment feature at said second end area interacts with an aperture of said locking mechanisms detachably connecting said first telescopic rod to one of said locking mechanisms. 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second telescopic rod has an attachment feature located in a first area on the length of said rod, and a second end area is removably threaded through one of said locking mechanisms in a telescopically adjustable manner. 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said hollow cylindrical portions of said connection units are of equal circumference. 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a bushing is applied over said first area on the length of said second telescopic rod to provide an exterior diameter of said first area on said second telescopic rod equal to said exterior diameter of said first telescopic rod. 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said attachment feature is a spring locking mechanism. 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one aperture exists through a surface of each of said three hollow cylindrical portions. 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said connection units connects three telescopic units at perpendicular angles extending in three perpendicular directions. 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism is detachably connected to said attachment feature of said first telescopic rod, and detachably connected to a plurality of points along the length of said second telescopic rod. 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said locking mechanism has: a first interior dimension, wherein said first interior dimension of said locking mechanism is greater than said exterior dimension of said first telescopic rod, at least one hole extends from a surface having said first interior dimension to a surface having a first exterior dimension, wherein said first telescopic rod and attachment feature can be inserted into said interior dimension of said locking mechanism whereby said attachment feature extends from said first telescopic rod through said hole and past said first exterior dimension of said locking mechanism; a second interior dimension, wherein said second interior dimension of said locking mechanism is greater than said exterior dimension of said second telescopic rod, said interior dimension of said locking mechanism having a non-continuous dimension and connecting to closure tabs where said interior dimension ends; and wherein said second telescopic rod has portions extending along an axis of the second interior dimension of the locking mechanism through the locking mechanism and inside of said first telescoping rod. 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein two of said closure tabs extend away from the axis of said interior dimension of said locking mechanism in a parallel configuration, wherein each of said closure tabs comprises an aperture, a threaded shaft extends through the aperture of said parallel closure tabs, and a lever is attached to the ends of said threaded shaft in a "wishbone" configuration, wherein a rotation of the threaded shaft and lever unit by approximately 180째 can separate or join said closure tabs sufficiently to release or secure said second telescopic rod. 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein opening said locking mechanism telescopically releases said second telescopic rod for one of attaching, detaching or adjusting said second telescopic rod in relation to said first telescopic rod, and closing said locking mechanism prevents telescopic movement of the second telescopic rod in relation to said first telescopic rod. 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein "n" number of telescopic rods are substantially hollow and have various, concentrically nesting interior and exterior dimensions and share a common axis with said first and second telescopic rods. 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said telescoping units further include a telescopic measurement system comprising measurement markings and numbers on at least the exterior of said second telescopic rod, and a window through said second exterior dimension through to said second interior dimension of said locking mechanism through which said measurement markings can be viewed. 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said measurement markings on said telescopic unit are one of raised or depressed in relation to the exterior dimension surface of the telescopic rods. 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said raised or depressed measurement markings provide tactile user feedback at specific measurement intervals when telescopically adjusting the second telescopic rod in relation to the first telescopic rod through those measurement intervals. 18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said raised or depressed measurement markings provide audible user feedback at specific measurement intervals when telescopically adjusting the second telescopic rod in relation to the first telescopic rod through those measurement intervals. 19. A method for simulating a three-dimensional object of arbitrary size comprising the steps of: assembling a plurality of telescopic units with a plurality of connection units to create a form extending in three planar directions, wherein each telescopic unit comprises: a first telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface perimeter and an interior surface perimeter, a second telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface perimeter and an interior surface perimeter, a locking mechanism detachably connecting said first telescopic rod with said second telescopic rod along a length of said second telescopic rod, allowing said telescopic unit to be adjustably lengthened or shortened to an arbitrary dimension, and an attachment feature at a first end area of said telescopic unit, wherein said attachment feature at said first end area interacts with an aperture of a connection unit, said connection unit having hollow cylindrical portions for connecting said telescopic unit to another telescopic unit, for detachably connecting said first telescopic rod to said connection unit, opening said locking mechanisms, as needed, thereby allowing telescopic movement between said first and second telescopic rods, telescopically adjusting the position of said second telescopic rod in relation to said first telescopic rod to match each of said telescopic units to a desired, arbitrary length to simulate a volume, closing said locking mechanism to prevent telescopic movement of said second telescopic rod in relation to said first telescopic rod, and transporting said plurality of telescopic units and a plurality of connection units to an alternate location through a path. 20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the apparatus assembled according to the method may be disassembled for transport or storage, and reassembled at said alternate location. 21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said path includes such structural spaces as door ways, corridors, stairways, indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, motor vehicles, including airplanes, trains and boats, cargo areas and warehouses. 22. A method for simulating a three-dimensional object of arbitrary dimensions comprising the steps of: opening a locking mechanism on a telescopic unit, wherein each telescopic unit comprises: a first telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface perimeter and an interior surface perimeter, a second telescopic rod which is substantially hollow and having an exterior surface perimeter and an interior surface perimeter, a locking mechanism detachably connecting said first telescopic rod with said second telescopic rod, and an attachment feature at a first end area of said telescopic unit, wherein said attachment feature at said first end area interacts with an aperture of a connection unit, said connection unit having hollow cylindrical portions for connecting said telescopic unit to another telescopic unit, for detachably connecting said first telescopic rod to said connection unit, telescopically adjusting the length of said telescopic unit by adjusting the position of said second telescopic rod in relation to said first telescopic rod to create a desired, arbitrary length for said telescopic unit, closing said locking mechanism to prevent telescopic movement of said second telescopic rod in relation to said first telescopic rod, repeating the above steps on a plurality of telescopic units, and assembling said telescopic units with a plurality of connection units to create a form extending in three directions and simulating a desired volume, and transporting said plurality of telescopic units and a plurality of connection units to an alternate location through a path. 23. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein the apparatus assembled according to the method may be disassembled for transport or storage, and reassembled at said alternate location. 24. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein said path includes such structural spaces as door ways, corridors, stairways, indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, motor vehicles, including airplanes, trains and boats, cargo areas and warehouses.