GB2167462A - Collapsible structure - Google Patents

Collapsible structure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2167462A
GB2167462A GB08424371A GB8424371A GB2167462A GB 2167462 A GB2167462 A GB 2167462A GB 08424371 A GB08424371 A GB 08424371A GB 8424371 A GB8424371 A GB 8424371A GB 2167462 A GB2167462 A GB 2167462A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
rods
hinge
flexible material
frame
erected
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08424371A
Other versions
GB8424371D0 (en
Inventor
Gilbert Edward Lewis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB08424371A priority Critical patent/GB2167462A/en
Publication of GB8424371D0 publication Critical patent/GB8424371D0/en
Publication of GB2167462A publication Critical patent/GB2167462A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
    • E04H15/34—Supporting means, e.g. frames
    • E04H15/36—Supporting means, e.g. frames arch-shaped type
    • E04H15/38—Supporting means, e.g. frames arch-shaped type expansible, e.g. extensible in a fan type manner

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)

Abstract

A collapsible structure has a plurality of rods of a resiliently flexible material which together form a frame, respective ends of the rods being hingedly mounted at nodal points, tensioning means extending between the nodal points to tension the rods and a reversible, flexible fabric or film attached to at least part of the length of the rods to provide a cover for the frame, the structure being erectable with either side of the reversible fabric facing outwardly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A collapsible structure The present invention relates to a collapsible structure and in particular to such a structure which can be erected to form a covered enclosure or collapsed for storage and re-erection.
A multitude of structures of differing types have been constructed in the past. However, the majority have been formed to provide a permanent structure.
According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible structure having a plurality of rods of a resiliently flexible material which together form a frame, respective ends of the rods being hingedly mounted at nodal pOintS, tensioning means extending between the nodal points to tension the rods and a reversible, flexible fabric or film attached to the rods to provide a cover for the frame, the structure being erectable with either side of the reversible fabric facing outwardly.
The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, when in an erected condition.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one form of hinge suitable for use in the structure illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 2a shows a connector and pin used in the hinge of Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second form of hinge suitable for use in the structure illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3a shows a connector and split ring used in the hinge of Figure 3, and Figure 4 is a view of the structure illustrated in Figure 1 when in a collapsed condition.
The collapsible structure of the invention is intended to provide for example living accommodation in times of disaster such as earthquakes or after hurricanes. The structure may be stored in a collapsed condition, transported to the disaster area and then readily erected. The structure of the invention is not of course restricted to use in times of disaster.
The erected configuration of the preferred structure illustrated is generally that of a hemispherical dome. The structure includes a frame having a plurality of rods 1 of a resiliently flexible material such as glass fibre. The opposed ends of each rod are connected to respective nodal hinges 3, two suitable hinges being illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
In Figure 2 the ends of the rods 1 are each received in a sleeve-like connector 6 and mounted for pivotal movement between opposed walls of a hinge base 10. The pivots are formed by split pins 7, the location of the pivot positions varying along the length of connectors 6, from pin to pin, as illustrated. Thus, when the hinge is in an erected condition (as shown), the connectors are radially spaced around the base 10 but when the hinge is in a collapsed condition the connectors lie on top of each other as may be seen from Figure 4.
In a second form of hinge illustrated in Figures 3 and 3a the ends of each of the rods 1 are again received in a sleeve-like connector 6, the end of each connector being of flattened form and having an aperture therein. A split ring 8 is passed through each aperture thus serving to connect them together in a hinge-like manner.
Whichever form of hinge is used, tensioning means is removably connected between the two nodal hinges 3 to stress the rods 1 and cause them to occupy the arched or curved configuration illustrated in Figure 1. With the tensioning means disconnected from one nodal hinge as in Figure 4, the rods 1 revert to the straighter condition shown.
The tensioning means may be a cord 4 as shown or alternatively a rod, fabric or film can be used.
The frame structure is covered in a reversible flexible material or film which is secured to each of the tensioning rods. The flexible material may consist of a base material to one side of which a metallic layer is applied. The base material may be woven or non-woven and the flexible material either in the form of a plurality of distinct layers or a lamination. The preferred flexible material is a composite one consisting of a layer of black polythene and a layer of a reflective metallised film.
The erection of the structure may be effected so as to present either surface of the flexible material outermost. For example, in certain conditions it would be desirable for the black polythene to be on the outer side whereas under other conditions the reflective metallic surface.
The erected structure may be anchored by means of pegs or weights to the ground surface.
CLAIM
Collapsible structure having a plurality of rods of a resiliently flexible material which together form a frame, respective ends of the rods being hingedly mounted at nodal points, tensioning means extending between the nodal points to tension the rods and a reversible, flexible fabric or film attached to at least part of the length of the rods to provide a cover for the frame, the structure being erectable with either side of the reversible fabric facing outwardly.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    SPECIFICATION A collapsible structure The present invention relates to a collapsible structure and in particular to such a structure which can be erected to form a covered enclosure or collapsed for storage and re-erection.
    A multitude of structures of differing types have been constructed in the past. However, the majority have been formed to provide a permanent structure.
    According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible structure having a plurality of rods of a resiliently flexible material which together form a frame, respective ends of the rods being hingedly mounted at nodal pOintS, tensioning means extending between the nodal points to tension the rods and a reversible, flexible fabric or film attached to the rods to provide a cover for the frame, the structure being erectable with either side of the reversible fabric facing outwardly.
    The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, when in an erected condition.
    Figure 2 is a perspective view of one form of hinge suitable for use in the structure illustrated in Figure 1.
    Figure 2a shows a connector and pin used in the hinge of Figure
  2. 2.
    Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second form of hinge suitable for use in the structure illustrated in Figure 1.
    Figure 3a shows a connector and split ring used in the hinge of Figure 3, and Figure 4 is a view of the structure illustrated in Figure 1 when in a collapsed condition.
    The collapsible structure of the invention is intended to provide for example living accommodation in times of disaster such as earthquakes or after hurricanes. The structure may be stored in a collapsed condition, transported to the disaster area and then readily erected. The structure of the invention is not of course restricted to use in times of disaster.
    The erected configuration of the preferred structure illustrated is generally that of a hemispherical dome. The structure includes a frame having a plurality of rods 1 of a resiliently flexible material such as glass fibre. The opposed ends of each rod are connected to respective nodal hinges 3, two suitable hinges being illustrated in Figures 2 and
  3. 3.
    In Figure 2 the ends of the rods 1 are each received in a sleeve-like connector 6 and mounted for pivotal movement between opposed walls of a hinge base 10. The pivots are formed by split pins 7, the location of the pivot positions varying along the length of connectors 6, from pin to pin, as illustrated. Thus, when the hinge is in an erected condition (as shown), the connectors are radially spaced around the base 10 but when the hinge is in a collapsed condition the connectors lie on top of each other as may be seen from Figure
  4. 4.
    In a second form of hinge illustrated in Figures 3 and 3a the ends of each of the rods 1 are again received in a sleeve-like connector 6, the end of each connector being of flattened form and having an aperture therein. A split ring 8 is passed through each aperture thus serving to connect them together in a hinge-like manner.
    Whichever form of hinge is used, tensioning means is removably connected between the two nodal hinges 3 to stress the rods 1 and cause them to occupy the arched or curved configuration illustrated in Figure 1. With the tensioning means disconnected from one nodal hinge as in Figure 4, the rods 1 revert to the straighter condition shown.
    The tensioning means may be a cord 4 as shown or alternatively a rod, fabric or film can be used.
    The frame structure is covered in a reversible flexible material or film which is secured to each of the tensioning rods. The flexible material may consist of a base material to one side of which a metallic layer is applied. The base material may be woven or non-woven and the flexible material either in the form of a plurality of distinct layers or a lamination. The preferred flexible material is a composite one consisting of a layer of black polythene and a layer of a reflective metallised film.
    The erection of the structure may be effected so as to present either surface of the flexible material outermost. For example, in certain conditions it would be desirable for the black polythene to be on the outer side whereas under other conditions the reflective metallic surface.
    The erected structure may be anchored by means of pegs or weights to the ground surface.
    CLAIM
    Collapsible structure having a plurality of rods of a resiliently flexible material which together form a frame, respective ends of the rods being hingedly mounted at nodal points, tensioning means extending between the nodal points to tension the rods and a reversible, flexible fabric or film attached to at least part of the length of the rods to provide a cover for the frame, the structure being erectable with either side of the reversible fabric facing outwardly.
GB08424371A 1984-09-27 1984-09-27 Collapsible structure Withdrawn GB2167462A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08424371A GB2167462A (en) 1984-09-27 1984-09-27 Collapsible structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08424371A GB2167462A (en) 1984-09-27 1984-09-27 Collapsible structure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8424371D0 GB8424371D0 (en) 1984-10-31
GB2167462A true GB2167462A (en) 1986-05-29

Family

ID=10567328

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08424371A Withdrawn GB2167462A (en) 1984-09-27 1984-09-27 Collapsible structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2167462A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2600107A1 (en) * 1986-06-11 1987-12-18 Concept Voiles Sarl Basket blind
GB2219564A (en) * 1988-06-08 1989-12-13 John Anthony Mason A universal canopy
GB2281570A (en) * 1993-09-04 1995-03-08 Sheerspeed Uk Limited Fabric tensioning device
WO2006021831A1 (en) * 2004-08-26 2006-03-02 Rrr Company (Hong Kong) Limited Pavilion
US11505963B2 (en) * 2019-12-06 2022-11-22 Jonathan Neff Systems and methods for a tent
EP4321710A1 (en) * 2022-08-10 2024-02-14 Mohammadmahdi Barari Reshtehroudi Self-supporting active bending structure

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1521060A (en) * 1974-11-28 1978-08-09 Fiddler M K Foldable shelter
GB1600135A (en) * 1977-08-16 1981-10-14 Kench G E Collapsible buildings comprising a series of arched members hinged together in a fan-like arrangement

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1521060A (en) * 1974-11-28 1978-08-09 Fiddler M K Foldable shelter
GB1600135A (en) * 1977-08-16 1981-10-14 Kench G E Collapsible buildings comprising a series of arched members hinged together in a fan-like arrangement

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2600107A1 (en) * 1986-06-11 1987-12-18 Concept Voiles Sarl Basket blind
GB2219564A (en) * 1988-06-08 1989-12-13 John Anthony Mason A universal canopy
GB2281570A (en) * 1993-09-04 1995-03-08 Sheerspeed Uk Limited Fabric tensioning device
GB2281570B (en) * 1993-09-04 1997-04-16 Sheerspeed Uk Limited Fabric tensioning device
WO2006021831A1 (en) * 2004-08-26 2006-03-02 Rrr Company (Hong Kong) Limited Pavilion
US11505963B2 (en) * 2019-12-06 2022-11-22 Jonathan Neff Systems and methods for a tent
EP4321710A1 (en) * 2022-08-10 2024-02-14 Mohammadmahdi Barari Reshtehroudi Self-supporting active bending structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8424371D0 (en) 1984-10-31

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