Multi-way slide fastener and structural support

A multi-element slide fastenable structural support comprising:

• (a) at least three flexible tape extentions;
• (b) a plurality of links secured to each of said tape extentions;
• (c) said links having a first and second portions which extend from said column to which said links are secured;
• (d) a first and second interlocking means disposed on said first and second portions respectively;
• (e) said first portion of said links secured to each of said columns extend in substantially one direction from said column to which said links are secured;
• (f) said second portion of said links secured to each of said columns extend in substantially a second direction from said column to which said links are secured;
• (g) adjacent links of each of said columns positioned to recieve between said first portion of said adjacent links said second portion of one of said links secured to one of said other columns and between said second portion of said adjacent links said first portion of one of said links secured to another of said columns;
• (h) a slider for interspersing said links, whereby said adjacent links secured to each of said columns are interspersable with one of said extending portions of said links secured to said other columns disposed between said first and second extending portions of said adjacent links, respectively.

A method for joining a slide fastenable collapsible structural support having at least three tapes with multiple links secured thereto at pre-selected intervals, in a slider having guideways corresponding to said tapes comprising the steps of:

• (A) positioning tapes in said guideways,;
• (B) pulling said slider with respect to said tapes so that said links pass through said guideways;
• and
• (C) interlocking said links from each of said tapes as said links pass through said guideways, such that each of two adjacent links on each of said tapes have one link from two of said other tapes disposed between said two adjacent links contact both of said adjacent links.

A slide fastenable assembly comprising:

• (a) three tapes;
• (b) a plurality of elongated links secured to each of said tapes such that both ends of each of said links extend in substantially opposite directions from the tapes to which said links are secured;
• (c) a slider having guideways through which said links are adapted to pass;
• (d) interlocking means disposed on each end of said links;
• (e) a handle secured to said slider;
• and
• (f) said guideways are adapted for positioning said links, as said links pass through said guideways, such that said links are interspersed with two adjacent links from one of said tapes having between them at one end a link from a second of said tapes and at the other end a link from the third of said tapes, whereby said links are interlocked to form said assembly having a substantially triangular cross-section.