Patent · US Expired

Deployable structure

US6941704B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
13References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 2003
Grant dateSep 13, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/5766
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A deployable structure includes a structural mechanism consisting of a plurality of rigid links 1 connected together by rotational joints 2 to form an array of Bennett linkages 20. The Bennett linkages 20 are interconnected so that the structural mechanism, including all the Bennett linkages 20, has a single degree of mobility. The structural mechanism has a profile with a curvature that varies during movement to deploy the structure from a state in which its profile is flat to a state in which its profile is curved. This allows is very convenient as the structure may be assembled, stored and/or transported in the flat state, prior to deployment into the curved state. As such the structure has many application including the frame for a tent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.