Multi-tiered, expandable panel structures and methods of manufacturing the same
OwnerSean C. Dorsyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-tiered building structure. The multi-tiered building structure includes a panel member having a pattern of cuts, a pattern of legs, and a pattern of tabs configured to move the panel member between a nonexpanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially flat shape, and an expanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially stepped shape. The building structure also includes a support structure configured to accept at least one of the pattern of tabs of the panel member and maintain the panel member in the expanded position.
Claims29
A panel assembly comprising:
- a sheet of material configured to move between a nonexpanded position, wherein the sheet of material forms a substantially flat shape, and an expanded position, wherein the sheet of material forms a substantially stepped shape;
- a first side segment formed in the sheet of material and having an outer leg and an inner leg configured to allow the first side segment to bow when the sheet of material moves from the nonexpanded position to the expanded position;
- a second side segment formed in the sheet of material and having an outer leg and an inner leg configured to allow the second side segment to bow when the sheet of material moves from the nonexpanded position to the expanded position;
- an inner segment formed in the sheet of material and having a first leg and a second leg configured to allow the inner segment to bow when the sheet of material moves from the nonexpanded position to the expanded position;
- and
- a first end plate configured to connect to the sheet of material, and maintain the sheet of material in the expanded position.
A method of forming a wall structure comprising:
- providing a panel member having a substantially planar portion having front and rear surfaces, right and left side edges, and first and second distal ends;
- forming a plurality of spaced substantially parallel apertures through the panel portion from the front surface to the rear surface so as to define a pattern of legs, a pattern of tabs, and a pair of first and second panel surfaces facing each other;
- providing a support structure including a first end plate and a second end plate, each having a plurality of spaced apart apertures;
- pulling the panel member in opposite directions by the right and left side edges, thereby spreading apart the panel member along each cut, with the panel surface between the cuts bending apart to define front and rear planes;
- inserting the tabs of the panel member into corresponding apertures of the support structure to secure the panel member in its expanded position;
- and
- affixing sheathing adjacent to at least one of the front and rear planes of the panel member.
A building structure comprising:
- a panel member having a pattern of cuts, a pattern of legs, and a pattern of tabs configured to move the panel member between a nonexpanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially flat shape, and an expanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially stepped shape;
- and
- a support structure configured to accept at least one of the pattern of tabs of the panel member and maintain the panel member in the expanded position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.