Tensegrity Structures

Abstract

So-called “floating” tables and chairs, and other tensegrity structures, are comprised of rigid elements and tension elements. Tension elements (e.g., cables), such as those supporting the “top” of the structure and any applied load, can exert bending moments on the rigid elements (e.g., struts), resulting in bending stress and material fatigue. These bending moments can be reduced or eliminated by routing the cables around the struts such that the resultant forces on the struts are entirely compressive. By using pulleys to engage the cables with the struts, the theoretical force along the cable is constant. Therefore, when the cable approaches and leaves the pulley at the same angle to the longitudinal axis of the strut, the theoretical bending moment in the rod is zero, and it remains so regardless of applied load. High slenderness ratios can thereby be achieved for the struts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.