# US 12,006,686 B2 · Framework and system of interconnected frameworks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,686 B2 - Document ID: US12006686B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/267,563 - Filed: 2019-08-06 - Published: 2021-10-07 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-16 - Assignees: Frameflux Holdings B.V. - Applicants: Frameflux Holdings B.V. - Inventors: Yu Feng Wong; Thomas Roelof Hendrik Liebrand - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006686B2 ## CPC - E04C 3/04: of metal (E04C3/29 takes precedence; as reinforcing elements E04C5/06; manufacture B21) - E04C 2003/0486: {Truss like structures composed of separate truss elements} - E04C 2003/0491: {the truss elements being located in one single surface or in several parallel surfaces} - E04C 2003/0495: {the truss elements being located in several non-parallel surfaces} - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) ## Abstract A framework includes at least three posts, and at least three connecting ribs between the posts. First ends of the posts define a first plane, and second ends of the posts, that are opposite to the first ends thereof, define a second plane. At least one of the posts is adjustable to define, in combination with a further post of the at least three posts and two connecting ribs between the adjustable post and the further post, an adjustable trapezium that is configured to set a relative orientation between the first plane and the second plane and to thereby set an orientation of an adjoining framework. A system in which a plurality of said frameworks are interconnected. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A framework defining a building block for defining, in assembly with at least one adjoining framework, a supporting structure, said framework comprising: at least three posts; and at least three connecting ribs between the at least three posts; wherein first ends of the posts define a first plane; and wherein second ends of the posts, that are opposite to the first ends thereof, define a second plane; wherein at least one of the posts is length adjustable, wherein the at least one of the posts that is length adjustable defines, in combination with a further post of the at least three posts and two connecting ribs between the post that is length adjustable and the further post, an adjustable trapezium having a single length adjustable side defined by the post that is length adjustable; and wherein said adjustable trapezium is configured to set a relative orientation between the first plane and the second plane and to thereby set an orientation of the adjoining framework relative to the framework. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, further comprising at least one hinge between at least one connecting rib and at least one post; and wherein at least one post comprises two hinges, wherein each hinge is configured to connect said post to a respective connecting rib. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein at least one connecting rib at least one of: comprises two hinges, wherein each hinge is configured to connect said connecting rib to a respective post; and is length adjustable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, comprising one or more than one connector that is configured to connect said framework to an adjoining framework; and wherein at least one of: a plurality of connectors is arranged uniformly distributed on a circle; and the connector is arranged or arrangeable at or near an end of a post. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein the at least one post that is length adjustable comprises a drive configured to adjust the length of said post. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The framework of claim 3, wherein the at least one connecting rib that is length adjustable comprises a drive configured to adjust the length of said connecting rib. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein: the framework is collapsible into a collapsed state; and at least one post comprises two parts that are engageable and disengageable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein at least one connecting rib comprises two rib parts that are at least one of: moveable relative to each other; and engageable and disengageable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The framework of claim 3, wherein the at least one connecting rib that is length adjustable comprises the two rib parts that are moveable relative to each other. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein three posts define a triangular cross section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein: at least one hinge between the post and the connecting rib defines an offset; wherein at least one further hinge between the post and the connecting rib defines a further offset that is different from the offset defined by the at least one hinge; and wherein the hinge that defines the offset and the further hinge that defines the further offset are more preferably arranged at opposing ends of a post. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The framework of claim 11, wherein the at least three posts comprise at least four posts, and wherein at least two posts are length adjustable; and wherein the four posts define a rectangular cross section or a square cross section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The framework of claim 10, further comprising at least one connector configured to connect said framework to an adjoining framework; and wherein at least one of: a plurality of connectors is arranged uniformly distributed on a circle; and the connector is arranged or arrangeable at or near an end of a post; wherein the framework is collapsible into a collapsed state; wherein at least one post comprises two parts that are engageable and disengageable; and wherein, in a collapsed state of the framework, connectors on opposite sides of the framework are directed in opposite directions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The framework of claim 1, wherein the framework defines at least a portion of a supporting structure for mounting at least one stage apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system comprising a plurality of the frameworks of claim 1 interconnected; the system further comprising a controller that is configured to control the drive of at least one framework to thereby adjust the shape of said system via said framework; wherein the controller is configured to at least one of: control the drive of at least one post that is length adjustable; and control the drive of at least one connecting rib that is length adjustable.