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US 4,064,662 AGranted
Collapsible tetrahedral structure
OwnerJohn M. O'Tooleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A collapsible rigid lodgment structure erectable from a single blank and collapsible to a relatively small, compact and transportable size is shown and described. The structure when collapsed can be folded by folds and bifurcations to have an area approximately one-fourth the area of the blank from which the structure is made. When erected, the structure is generally in the form of a tetrahedron. The structure when erected is suitable for expedient use as a hut or shelter.
Claims18
A collapsible, rigid lodgment structure comprising:
- a generally rectangular rigid blank folded along a first fold and a second fold, each fold parallel to and spaced approximately one-quarter the longitudinal distance from the rectangle shorter edges, the shorter edges being joined together;
- a first bifurcation running diagonally along one substantially quarter blank section defined by the first fold, and a second bifurcation running diagonally along the second quarter blank section defined by the second fold;
- a third bifurcation in a center section defined by the first and second folds, the third bifurcation being parallel to the first bifurcation;
- a fourth bifurcation in the center section being parallel to the second bifurcation;
- whereby, when the first and second folds are flattened so that the blank sections adjacent the folds are placed in a common plane, a tetrahedron is defined;
- and
- means for joining one-half of one of the blank's longitudinal edge with another half of the same longitudinal edge in a substantially weather proof line;
- whereby upon said joining a tetrahedron is formed.
5 more elements
A collapsible lodge structure comprising:
- a foldable blank having a diamond shaped portion and first, second, third and fourth isosceles triangular shaped portions;
- said first triangular shaped portion joined along one of its equal sides with a first side of said diamond shaped portion, and foldable along said side joining with said diamond shaped portion, and further foldable along an altitude of the first triangular-shaped portion;
- said second triangular shaped portion joined along one of its equal sides with a second side of said diamond shaped portion, and foldable along said side joining with said diamond shaped portion, and further foldable along an altitude of the second triangular shaped portion;
- said third triangular-shaped portion joined along one of its equal sides with a third side of said diamond shaped portion, and foldable along said side joining with said diamond shaped portion, and further foldable along an altitude of the third triangular shaped portion;
- said fourth triangular shaped portion joined along one of its equal sides with a fourth side of said diamond shaped portion, and foldable along said side joining with said diamond shaped portion, and further foldable along an altitude of the fourth triangular shaped portion;
- said first and said second triangular shaped portions being folded along their altitudes and joined together at a point opposite corresponding joinders with the diamond shaped portion, and said third and said fourth triangular shaped portions being folded about their corresponding altitudes and joined together at a point opposite the joinders of said third and said fourth triangular portions with said diamond shaped portion, whereby when the folds along the altitudes of the triangular shaped portions are flattened and the folds along the edges of the diamond shaped portion are folded, a tetrahedral structure is defined;
- means for joining the base of the first triangular-shaped portion with the base of the second triangular shaped portion, and for joining the base of the third triangular shaped portion with the base of the fourth triangular shaped portion.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.