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US 6,374,565 B1Granted
Foldable member
AssigneeFoster-Miller, Inc.
InventorPeter A. Warren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable member in the shape of a tube with at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube and opposing sets of elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces, each slot of each set of elongated slots separated longitudinally along the length of the tube from each adjacent slot by a bridge element of tube material. A collapsible structure constructed of such foldable members.
Claims21
A foldable member comprising:
- at least a first tube;
- at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the first tube;
- and
- opposing sets of elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces,
- each slot of each set of elongated slots separated longitudinally along the length of the tube from each adjacent slot by a bridge element of tube material.
2 more elements
A collapsible structure comprising:
- a plurality of joined members;
- a selected number of said members each including:
- a tube;
- at least one predetermined hinge area along the length of the tube;
- and
- opposing sets of elongated slots in the tube at the hinge area thereof forming separated longitudinal strips of tube material between the slots which fold when subjected to localized buckling forces,
- each slot of each set of elongated slots separated longitudinally along the length of the tube from each adjacent slot by a bridge element of tube material.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.