Transfigurable self-erecting structure
AssigneeCarillon International Limited
InventorWai Hang Louie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-erecting structure includes a series of fabric panels each tautly spread by a length of steel wire or other resiliently flexible, filiform material. The steel wire may form a closed loop, an open loop or a mere arc. The wire is selectively inserted into at least two of several pockets or fabric straps positioned around the periphery of the panel. The selection of the wire-holding pockets or straps defines the shape of the spread-out panel. Parts of the fabric which are not encompassed by a wire are held folded over it and against the spread-out portion. The shape of the structure can be quickly modified by repositioning of the wires.
Claims15
A self-deploying structure which comprises at least one panel configurable into a plurality of shapes, said panel including:
- a sheet of fabric having a central area, a peripheral outer edge, and a marginal, peripheral area along said edge;
- a length of resiliently flexible, filiform material not confined by fixed attachment to said sheet;
- a plurality of releasable means, positioned about said peripheral area, for retaining said length;
- and
- said length being selectively insertable into at least two of said releasable means for retaining and for tautly spreading at least a portion of said sheet;
- and whereby the selection of one or more of said releasable means and the insertion of said length therein defines the shape of said structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.