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US 11,578,835 B2Granted
Variable stiffness beam
OwnerMichael Sandersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A beam assembly includes a first beam member and a second beam member. The first and second beam members are both flexible when separated from each other. The first and second beam members each include compression and tension elements. The first and second beam members can be joined to form a stiff beam by interleaving the compression elements of the first and second beam members.
Claims11
A device, comprising:
- a first beam member including:
- first tension elements;
- and
- first compression elements;
- a second beam member including:
- second tension elements;
- and
- second compression elements, wherein the first and second beam members are configured to join together to form a beam assembly by interleaving the first and second compression elements, wherein:
- the first tension elements extend between adjacent first compression elements;
- the second tension elements extend between adjacent second compression elements;
- the first compression elements each include a first gap;
- the first beam member includes a plurality of first vertical protrusions each protruding from a respective first tension element;
- the second compression elements each include a second gap;
- the second beam member includes a plurality of second vertical protrusions each protruding from a respective second tension element;
- each first protrusion extends into a respective second gap when the first and second beam members are joined together;
- and
- each second protrusion extends into a respective first gap when the first and second beam members are joined together.
14 more elements
A device comprising:
- a first beam member including:
- a plurality of first flexible elements;
- and
- a plurality of first protrusions each protruding relative to the first flexible elements and each positioned between two first flexible elements;
- a second beam member including:
- a plurality of second flexible elements;
- and
- a plurality of second protrusions each protruding relative to the first flexible elements and each positioned between two second flexible elements, wherein the first and second beam members are configured to join together to form a beam assembly by interleaving the first and second protrusions;
- a first reinforcer coupled to a surface of the first beam member and including third protrusions protruding within the first protrusions;
- and
- a second reinforcer coupled to a surface of the second beam member and including fourth protrusions protruding within the second protrusions.
8 more elements
A device, comprising:
- a first beam member including:
- a plurality of first flexible elements,
- a plurality of first protrusions each protruding relative to the first flexible elements and each positioned between two first flexible elements;
- a plurality of first reinforcers each extending along a length of the first beam member and passing through the first protrusions;
- and
- a plurality of first slots positioned in the first protrusions;
- a second beam member including:
- a plurality of second flexible elements;
- a plurality of second protrusions each protruding relative to the first flexible elements and each positioned between two second flexible elements;
- a plurality of second reinforcers each extending along a length of the second beam member and passing through the second protrusions;
- and
- a plurality of second slots positioned in the second protrusions, wherein, the first and second beam members are configured to join together to form a beam assembly by interleaving the first and second protrusions, the first slots are configured to receive the second reinforcers when the first and second beam members are joined together, and the second slots are configured to receive the first reinforcers when the first and second beam members are joined together.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.