Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Three-dimensional space-defining
Patent
1996-08-05
1998-06-09
Wood, Wynn E.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Three-dimensional space-defining
52109, 52645, 52 813, E04B 152
Patent
active
057618712
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to framework structures which can be utilized for antennas, power transmission line poles, net support poles, illumination towers, advertisement towers and other poles and towers; building structures, furniture, tents, space structures and like structures, and temporary construction works therefore; bridges and like structures, and temporary construction works therefore; and various toys.
PRIOR ART
Prior art structures which are capable of being expanded and contracted include the following structures (a) to (f): coupled together; unfolded; expanded from a point; element and an inflating fluid supplied into and discharged from the inflatable element for their inflating and shrinking; doors, hangers, etc.; and utilized for foldable chairs, jacks, etc.
PROBLEMS IN THE PRIOR ART
The above prior art structures, however, have the following drawbacks. The structures in (a) are capable of being only telescoped, i.e., developed form only uni-dimensionally. The structures in (b) cannot readily transmit a moment via a hinge. Besides, theoretically they are readily subject to buckling when they experience compressive forces.
The structures in (c) are capable of being changed in form from a uni-dimensional one to a three-dimensional one. However, they are subject to concentration of exerted force at their radial center. This means that they cannot readily transmit moment as a framework.
The structures in (d) are capable of being inflated and shrunk three-dimensionally and have high degree of freedom of inflating and shrinkage. However, they are scarcely rigid because they have resort to fluid for their inflating and shrinkage. The structures in (e) are for two-dimensional development, and their rotary parts are weak to stresses applied thereto from different planes. Therefore, the scope of their utility is limited.
The structures in (f) use structures in (e) limitatively in side-by-side stationary arrangements in such a manner that they are three-dimensionally rigid. Thus, they are applicable to jacks, chairs, etc. which can withstand three-dimensionally exerted loads. Theoretically, however, they cannot be pin-coupled structures in the direction of the side-by-side arrangement. Therefore, they are only rigid for moment transmission. In other words, the degree of freedom of their development is low, and they can only be brought from a two-dimensional form to a three-dimensional one and vice versa.
It can be summarized that the above prior art structures permit only uni-dimensional or two-dimensional form changes except for the structures utilizing fluid, and they are weak to forces exerted thereto from different planes. It may be desired to reinforce rigidity in an out-of-plane direction. Such an arrangement, however, results in a sacrifice that folding is impossible in that direction. Generally, it has been impossible to satisfy both the rigidity or mechanical strength and the degree of freedom of expansion and contraction.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention seeks to overcome the drawbacks discussed above in the prior art structures in (e) and (f) by permitting three-dimensional development. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a framework structure which is capable of being expanded and contracted from a uni-dimensional one to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional one and vice versa, which provides high mechanical strength as a three-dimensional torus framework structure with suitable provision of tension elements, and which has high degree of freedom of development, such as expansion and contraction, and in which a plurality of basic structural units are combined such that it can undergo a uni-dimensional or two-dimensional development to a tower-like, vault-like or dome-like intermediate form without loss of rigidity.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A framework structure according to the invention comprises a plurality of primary constituent units each including two rigid diagonal members constituting the diagonals of a quadrangular lateral
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Aleph Co., Ltd.
Wood Wynn E.
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