Collapsible gridworks for forming structures by confining fluent materials
US4785604A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 1987 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02D17/202
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Collapsible gridworks for confining fluent materials within cells defined by the gridworks to form stable columns capable of withstanding substantial vertical and horizontal loading are each made up of a plurality of interwoven/intermeshed longitudinal and latitudinal strips. In the preferred embodiment, the strips include slots formed on alternating sides thereof, with the gridworks being formed by interweaving the slots on one side of the longitudinal strips with corresponding slots on the opposite side of the latitudinal strips such that the gridwork is defined by mechanically interlocking joints which permit motion for collapsing the gridwork into both a multilayer strip and a substantially flat sheet. The open state of the gridwork and both of its collapsed states are similarly stable and can be freely handled without fear of the gridwork falling apart. The strips may be extended in width to reinforce and stabilize stacked gridworks, with the widthwise extensions of the strips being slotted for such stacking. The strips may also be extended in length beyond the outermost walls of the gridwork and slotted such that two or more of the gridworks can be interconnected to one anoth…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.