# US 2008/0187427 A1 · Load-bearing three-dimensional structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187427 A1 - Document ID: US20080187427A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/028,713 - Filed: 2008-02-08 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2000-08-17 - Assignees: Industrial Origami, Inc. - Inventors: Max W. DURNEY - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187427A1 ## CPC - B66F 9/075: Constructional features or details - B21D 5/00: Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves (B21D11/06 - B21D11/18 take precedence; corrugating sheet metal B21D13/00; as edge treatment B21D19/00) - B21D 39/037: {Interlocking butt joints} - B21D 47/01: beams or pillars - B21D 51/52: boxes, cigarette cases, or the like - B29C 53/063: {combined with folding} - E02F 3/38: Cantilever beams {, i.e. booms;, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for booms (for booms with cable suspension arrangements E02F9/14 takes precedence)}; Dipper-arms {, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for dipper-arms}; Bucket-arms {(E02F3/34 takes precedence)} - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A load-bearing three-dimensional structure including a skeletal structure formed by a sheet of material having a plurality of bend lines, each bend line including a plurality of folding displacements, wherein the sheet of material is bent along the bend lines into a box-section; and a reinforcing member configured for substantially surrounding a portion of the skeletal structure when bent into a box-section to reinforce the structural integrity of the skeletal structure. A method of manufacturing the three-dimensional structure is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A load-bearing three-dimensional structure comprising: a skeletal structure formed by a sheet of material having a plurality of bend lines, each bend line including a plurality of folding displacements, wherein the sheet of material is bent along the bend lines into a box-section; and a reinforcing member configured for substantially surrounding a portion of the skeletal structure when bent into a box-section to reinforce the structural integrity of the skeletal structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A three-dimensional structure according to claim 1 wherein each folding displacement has a central portion substantially parallel to and offset laterally from a desired bend line and at least one end portion extending away from the bend line. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The three-dimensional structure of claim 2 wherein distal ends of two opposing walls of the skeletal structure extend beyond the box-section and include concentric bores configured to receive a shaft therethrough. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional structure of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing member is formed by a sheet of material including a plurality of bend lines, each bend line including a plurality of folding displacements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The reinforcing member of claim 4 wherein the number of bend lines corresponds to the number of corners of the skeletal structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The reinforcing member of claim 5 wherein the folding displacement has a central portion substantially parallel to and offset laterally from a desired bend line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The reinforcing member of claim 5, wherein the skeletal structure is configured to form a flush surface when folded. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The reinforcing member of claim 6 further including face portions configured for mutual engagement when the reinforcing member is folded. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional structure of claim 1 further including a pair of support plates, the support plates configured for mounting to opposite peripheral faces of one of the reinforcing member and skeletal structure at the distal end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The three-dimensional structure of claim 9 wherein each support plate has non-linear inner edge configured for dispersion of stress forces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional structure of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing plate configured for interconnecting two or more three-dimensional structures. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The three-dimensional structure of claim 11 wherein outer edges of the reinforcing plate are shaped for concentrating stress forces away from an interconnecting region of the three-dimensional structures. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional structure of claim 1 wherein the bend lines form four faces and a flange section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The three-dimensional structure of claim 3 further including shin members, wherein each shin member is configured for impact resistance and disposed along a corner edge of one of the reinforcing member and skeletal structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional structure of claim 1 further including a gusset having peripheral tongue members, the gusset being configured to be wrapped along a peripheral edge by the skeletal structure, wherein the skeletal structure includes grooves for receiving the tongue members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A three-dimensional structure according to claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional structure is a linkage arm, further wherein the linkage arm is part of a digging arm assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A three-dimensional structure according to claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional structure is a leg, further wherein the leg is linkage arm in a digging arm assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The three-dimensional structure of claim 1 wherein the skeletal structure and reinforcing member are composed of the same material. ### Claim 19 A load-bearing three-dimensional structure comprising: a skeletal structure formed by a sheet of material having a plurality of slit portions defining bend lines, each slit portion including a plurality of slits, each slit having a central portion substantially parallel to and offset laterally from a desired bend line and with at least one end portion extending away from the bend line, the sheet of material being bent along the bend lines into a box-section, wherein the skeletal structure has at least one flange section, the flange section has a non-linear edge configured for dispersion of stresses along multiple axes or directions in a plane formed by engagement of the flange section with the skeletal structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The three-dimensional structure of claim 19 wherein the flange section is affixed by a weld. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The three-dimensional structure of claim 19 wherein the skeletal structure has two flange sections, each flange section has a non-linear edge and complementary shape to the edge of the other flange section. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The three-dimensional structure of claim 19 wherein the skeletal structure has two flange sections, one flange section overlaps the other flange section. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The three-dimensional structure of claim 22 wherein the first flange section is affixed to the other along a non-linear edge. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The three-dimensional structure of claim 23 wherein the non-linear edge has a wave-shape. ### Claim 25 A method for fabricating a load-bearing three-dimensional structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a skeletal structure formed by a sheet of material having a plurality of bend lines, each bend line including a plurality of folding displacements; folding the skeletal structure into a three-dimensional structure along the bend lines; fastening a free end of the skeletal structure; providing a reinforcing member having bend lines corresponding to the skeletal structure; folding the reinforcing member around the skeletal structure; and fastening a free end of the reinforcing member. ### Claim 26 (depends on 26) A three-dimensional structure according to claim 26 wherein the three-dimensional structure is one of a linkage arm as part of a digging arm assembly, loading beam, or enclosure.