Adjustable truss

An adjustable truss structure comprising:

• (a) a plurality of tetrahedral truss elements;
• (b) two sets of hinges pivotally connecting at least two pairs of adjacent truss elements;
• (c) a pair of tension cables associated with each set of hinges;
• (d) cable clamping means affixed to at least one end of each hinge, wherein said clamping means releasably clamps said cables at intermediate points along said cables;
• (e) at least one hinge having an associated mechanical linkage for adjusting the angle between the truss elements associated with said hinge, said mechanical linkage being removable from the truss;
• and
• (f) actuating means associated with each mechanical linkage.

A method of constructing an adjustable truss structure, comprising the steps of:

• (a) arranging a plurality of truss elements on a surface;
• (b) pivotally connecting truss elements such that at least two pairs of adjacent truss elements are connected by hinges and not all hinges are parallel;
• (c) connecting tension cables to the ends of a plurality of said hinges;
• (d) selecting a hinge to be adjusted;
• (e) applying a force to at least one of the associated truss elements on either side of said selected hinge, to adjust the hinge angle defined by the relative positions of said associated truss elements;
• (f) clamping the tension cables to maintain the hinge angle selected in step (e);
• and
• (g) repeating the steps (d)-(f) for other hinges as necessary.

A method of constructing an adjustable truss structure, comprising the steps of:

• (a) arranging a plurality of truss elements on a surface;
• (b) pivotally connecting truss elements such that at least two pairs of adjacent truss elements are connected by hinges and not all hinges are parallel;
• (c) connecting tension cables to the ends of a plurality of said hinges;
• (d) applying tensile forces to selected tension cables such that truss elements lift off the surface into an erected form;
• and
• (e) clamping the tension cables to maintain the hinge angles achieved in step (d).

A method of constructing an adjustable truss structure, comprising the steps of:

• (a) arranging a plurality of truss elements on a surface;
• (b) pivotally connecting truss elements such that at least two pairs of adjacent truss elements are connected by hinges and not all hinges are parallel;
• (c) connecting tension cables to the ends of a plurality of said hinges;
• (d) applying tensile forces to selected tension cables such that truss elements lift off the surface into an erected form;
• (e) selecting a hinge to be adjusted;
• (f) applying a force to at least one of the associated truss elements on either side of said selected hinge, to adjust the hinge angle defined by the relative positions of said associated truss elements;
• (g) clamping the tension cables to maintain the hinge angle selected in step (f);
• and
• (h) repeating the steps (e)-(g) for other hinges as necessary.

A method of constructing an adjustable truss structure, comprising the steps of:

• (a) arranging a plurality of truss elements on a surface;
• (b) pivotally connecting truss elements such that at least two pairs of adjacent truss elements are connected by hinges, wherein the relative position of said adjacent truss elements define the hinge angle of the hinges connecting them, and not all hinges are parallel;
• (c) connecting tension cables to the ends of a plurality of said hinges;
• (d) applying tensile forces to selected tension cables such that truss elements lift off the surface into an erected form, and while applying said tensile forces, controlling the amount of said tensile forces applied to at least one of said hinges, so as to control the adjustment of the hinge angle of said at least one of said hinges;
• and
• (e) clamping the tension cables to maintain the hinge angles achieved in step (d).

A method of constructing an adjustable truss structure, comprising the steps of:

• (a) arranging a plurality of truss elements on a surface;
• (b) pivotally connecting truss elements such that at least two pairs of adjacent truss elements are connected by hinges and not all hinges are parallel, and such that a closed loop of truss elements is formed;
• (c) adjusting the hinge angles defined by the relative positions of truss elements in a first portion of the closed loop of truss elements, to permit said first portion to conform to the shape of the surface;
• and
• (d) adjusting the hinge angles defined by the relative positions of truss elements in a second portion of the closed loop of truss elements.