Dynamic morphing support mechanism, and a deployable and stowable structure that incorporates the mechanism

A morphable support mechanism for a load-bearing support structure, the morphable support mechanism comprising:

• a first chain assembly comprising a plurality of first chain links hinged together in series, each of the first chain links comprising:
• first outward-facing structural features;
• and
• first inward-facing structural features opposing the first outward-facing structural features;
• and
• a second chain assembly comprising a plurality of second chain links hinged together in series, each of the second chain links comprising:
• second outward-facing structural features;
• and
• second inward-facing structural features opposing the second outward-facing structural features;
• wherein the first and second inward-facing structural features are configured to releasably couple together in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined deployment path;
• wherein the first and second inward-facing structural features are configured to separate and decouple from each other in response to concerted movement of the first and second chain assemblies along a predefined stowage path;
• and
• wherein the first and second inward-facing structural features interlock to be self-supporting when deployed, such that a deployed arrangement of the first and second chain assemblies is load-bearing.

A morphable load-bearing support structure comprising:

• a plurality of upper assemblies hinged together in series, each comprising:
• an upper assembly leading edge section;
• an upper assembly leading hinge structure located at the upper assembly leading edge section;
• an upper assembly trailing edge section;
• an upper assembly trailing hinge structure located at the upper assembly trailing edge section;
• an outer surface that defines a portion of a deployable working surface;
• and upper assembly structural interlock features opposing the outer surface;
• wherein the upper assembly leading hinge structure is configured to provide an upper assembly leading hinge axis of rotation, the upper assembly trailing hinge structure is configured to provide an upper assembly trailing hinge axis of rotation, and outer surfaces of a deployed number of the plurality of upper assemblies cooperate to form the deployable working surface;
• a plurality of lower assemblies hinged together in series, each comprising:
• a lower assembly leading edge section;
• a lower assembly leading hinge structure located at the lower assembly leading edge section;
• a lower assembly trailing edge section;
• a lower assembly trailing hinge structure located at the lower assembly trailing edge section;
• and lower assembly structural interlock features;
• wherein the lower assembly leading hinge structure is configured to provide a lower assembly leading hinge axis of rotation, and the lower assembly trailing hinge structure is configured to provide a lower assembly trailing hinge axis of rotation;
• a guide track arrangement configured to receive the upper and lower assemblies, the guide track arrangement accommodating sliding movement of the upper and lower assemblies;
• wherein the upper assembly structural interlock features and the lower assembly structural interlock features are configured to releasably couple together in response to concerted movement of the upper and lower assemblies along a deployment path defined by the guide track arrangement, and the upper and lower assemblies interlock to be self-supporting when deployed such that the deployable working surface is load-bearing;
• and
• wherein the upper assembly structural interlock features and the lower assembly structural interlock features are configured to separate and decouple from each other in response to concerted movement of the upper and lower assemblies along a stowage path defined by the guide track arrangement.