Collapsible structure for vessel having interior sloping wall
AssigneeAluma Systems Incorporated
InventorsSTEPHEN WILSON, STEFAN TIPTIS
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Abstract
A collapsible support structure for assembly inside a vessel having a downwardly and inwardly sloping interior wall includes a base frame including a plurality of pivotably-connected beams and a plurality of base foot modules mounted thereto. The base frame is movable between an expanded configuration for bracing the base foot modules against the vessel, and a collapsed configuration in which the base frame has a width smaller than that of the expanded configuration. The base frame is moved between the expanded and collapsed configurations by pivoting the plurality of beams.
Claims35
A collapsible support structure inside a vessel having a downwardly and inwardly sloping interior wall, said structure comprising:
- a base frame comprising a plurality of pivotably-connected beams and a plurality of base foot modules mounted thereto;
- wherein said base frame is in an expanded configuration with said base foot modules bracing against said vessel, and said base frame is movable to a collapsed configuration by pivoting said plurality of beams, said collapsed configuration having a width smaller than a width of said expanded configuration.
A method of erecting a collapsible support structure inside a vessel with a downwardly and inwardly sloping interior wall, said method comprising:
- unfolding a base frame, comprising a plurality of pivotably-connected beams and a plurality of base foot modules mounted thereto, from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, said expanded configuration for bracing against said interior wall and said collapsed configuration having a width smaller than a width of said expanded configuration;
- positioning said base frame in said vessel so that a plurality of base foot modules brace said base frame against said downwardly-converging wall.
A collapsible support structure for assembly inside a vessel having a downwardly and inwardly sloping interior wall, said structure comprising:
- a base frame comprising a plurality of pivotably-connected beams and a plurality of base foot modules mounted to thereto, said foot modules having angled surfaces for engaging said interior wall;
- said base frame movable between collapsed and expanded configurations by pivoting said plurality of beams, wherein in said expanded configuration, said base frame may be positioned in said vessel so that said plurality of base foot modules brace said base frame against said interior wall, and wherein a width of said base frame in said collapsed configuration is less than a width of said base frame in said expanded configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.