WO2001095299A1 - Collapsible structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a collapsible structure comprising a junction hinge member disposed within the interior of the structure, rigid brace members which radiate outwardly from the junction hinge to each corner of the structure, and tensile members which extend between the corners to define the outer perimeter of the structure.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE

Technical Field

THIS invention relates to a collapsible structure.

Backjground Art

Conventional three dimensional structures which are adapted to carry promotional

material in sheet form, comprise a plurality of rigid pole-like members which are

coupled together at junction points to form such structure. Transport and assembly of such arrangements are problematic. In as far as such structures are relatively rigid,

they could also present dangerous obstructions in certain conditions, such as at sports

events.

Objective of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel structure which it is believed

will overcome or at least alleviate the above problems associated with conventional arrangements. Disclosure of the Invention

According to the invention, a collapsible structure comprises a junction hinge member

disposed within the interior of the structure, rigid brace members which radiate

outwardly from the junction hinge to each corner of the structure, and tensile members

which extend between the corners to define the outer perimeter of the structure.

The structure of the invention may assume a number of forms, and could for example

be of an elongate shape which is triangular or rectangular in cross-section. In the case

of a rectangular structure, brace members will extend from the internal junction hinge

outwardly in opposed directions in sets of four members, one to each end corner of

the structure. In the case of a structure of triangular cross-section, brace members will

extend from the internal hinge in opposed directions in set of three member, one to each end corner of the structure.

Further according to the invention, each brace member is coupled to the hinge member

allowing limited universal pivotal movement thereof. Thus in one arrangement, a

hinge may comprise three or more leaf elements each hinged to an adjacent element,

with the ends of the brace of the members pivotally coupled to the leaf elements for

angular movement transverse to the movement of such leaf elements. Thus for

example, in one arrangement the leaf elements could be in the form of channel

formations with the ends of the brace members receivable within the concavity of such channel formations .

Still further according to the invention, the tensile members are flexible members and

may be in the form of straps, ropes, chains, or the like.

Also according to the invention, all or selected flexible tensile members will include

attachment means for releasably securing sheet material to such members. Thus for

example, the attachment means could be in the nature of a hook and loop arrangement

with one part of such an arrangement being secured to the flexible members, and the

other being provided by sheet material.

Also according to the invention the structure includes a light source disposed in the

zone of the internal junction hinge. Preferably the hinge member will be centrally

disposed in relation to the structure, and the light source will be disposed immediately

adjacent such hinge structure. In one arrangement, the light source will comprise a

pair of light emitting units disposed in opposing relationship one to each side of the

hinge structure.

Further included within the scope of the invention is a junction hinge member which

is suitable for use in the structure of the invention, such hinge comprising three or

more leaf elements arranged in side-by-side relationship, with each leaf element hinged

to an adjacent element, the leaf elements further defining connecting means for pivotally connecting the end of a brace member to a leaf element. In one embodiment

in accordance with the invention, each leaf element will be in the form of a channel

which is adapted to receive the end of a brace member therein, and with a pin element

being provided to pass through the channel formation and the brace member to couple the latter pivotally within the channel formation.

Also included within the scope of the invention is a plurality of structures in

accordance with the invention, coupled to one another in longitudinal alignment or

transverse relationship. For this purpose the structure of the invention will preferably

be in the form of a modular unit whereof at least some of the sides and/or ends are

equi-lateral. Examples of such structures are disclosed below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order more clearly to illustrate the invention embodiments thereof are described

below purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a structure in accordance with the

invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the structure in Figure 1 in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 3 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of two structures of

Figure 1 arranged in tandem for mounting sheet material.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a composite structure comprising a

plurality of the structures in Figure 1 coupled to one another;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a junction hinge forming part of the

structure in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a different embodiment of the hinge

in Figure 5; and

Referring to the drawings, a structure 10 in accordance with the invention comprises

two sets of three or more brace members 11, the braces 11 of the sets radiating

outwardly in opposed directions from the interior of the structure 10, and terminating

at the corners 10a of the structure 10 at each end thereof. The perimeter of the

structure 10 is further defined by tensile members 12, 13, which extend between the

ends of the braces 11, as illustrated. In the arrangement illustrated, the tensile

members 12 extend along the sides of the structure 10 and tensile members 13 define the ends of the structure 10. It has been found that with such an arrangement the brace members 11 are essentially in compression in use, while the tensile members 12, 13,

are under longitudinal tension. The tensile members 12, 13, can thus be of a flexible nature, for example in the form of straps, ropes, chains or the like.

The structure of the invention further includes a compound junction hinge 14 from

which the brace members 11 radiate outwardly and which permits such braces to be

pivoted from a collapsed configuration shown in Figure 2, to an erected configuration

shown in Figure 1, Figure 3. In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5, the hinge

comprises three leaf elements 15 which are arranged adjacent one another, with each

leaf 15 being hinged to an adjacent leaf by a hinge 16, and with the ends Ila of the brace members 11 being coupled to a leaf 15 for pivotal movement about an axis 11

which is transverse to the axis of the hinges 16. In this way, the braces 11 are capable

of limited universal movement which enables them to be folded so that they are

disposed generally parallel to one another in a compact bundle, Figure 2. As

mentioned above, the tensile members 12, 13, will preferably be of a flexible nature

so that these could likewise be collapsed into a compact form. With this arrangement,

the structure can be transformed to its collapsed configuration, Figure 2, simply by

loosening or removing some of the tensile members 13, by means of releasable

buckles 18 or the like.

As mentioned above, in the arrangement in Figure 5, the leaf members 15 are hinged to one another by means of a hinge 16 which comprises a pin 16a which passes through lugs 16b extending from the leaf members 15. In an alternative arrangement

shown in Figure 6, the hinge 14 is formed in a moulding process of a suitable synthetic resinous material, and the hinges 19 are defined by integral fold lines.

In a further alternative arrangement, not shown, the hinge 14 could for example

comprise a pair of adjacent hinged leaf elements 15 to which the ends of the brace

members are coupled for limited universal movement, for example by means of a ball

and socket-type coupling or the like. Alternatively, the arrangement could comprise

a body member to which the ends of the brace members are coupled by means of

universal couplings such as Hooke-type couplings. Doubtless other arrangements are possible.

The structure 10 of the invention is particularly suitable for displaying sheet material

20 such as printed cloth. In order to mount such sheet material 20, mounting means

such as a hook and loop fastener arrangement known by the trade mark "Velcro",

could be provided, with one part 21 thereof being secured to the tensile members 12,

13, of the structure 10, and the other part, not shown, secured to the sheet material 20.

Doubtless variations are possible with regard to the mounting means, and the

invention is in no way limited in this regard.

It is envisaged that the structure of the mvention shown in Figure 1, could be provided in an elongated form as shown in Figure 3, comprising two adjacent structures 10.

It will be understood that other variations are also possible. For example, in Figure

4, a composite structure is illustrated comprising a pair of spaced upright structures 23 of generally square cross-section, and an upper bridging structure 24 of triangular

cross-section which is removably secured to the upright structures 23. Such a structure

could for example find application as a start/finish point at sports events.

A further feature of the invention comprises the provision of a light source 22 within

the interior of the structure 10, adjacent the hinge member 14 , as shown in Figure 3.

Preferably a light emitting member 22a will be provided at each side of the hinge 14,

with the members 22a being directed in opposed directions. It has been found that with such an arrangement, shadows cast by the light source 22 onto the sheet material

20 will be minimized. It has been found that the light rays directed onto sheet material

20 will be primarily parallel to the braces 11 thus minimizing shadows.

The structure 10 of the invention is particularly suitable for presentations and

exhibitions where promotional material is to be displayed on a temporary basis. The

structure 10, being relatively flexible, will also find application alongside playing

fields and the like, niinimizing the risk of injury to players. The structure 10 of the

invention will doubtless find many other applications and it is not intended that the

invention should be limited in this regard in any way. Doubtless variations in detail of the invention exist without departing from the principles set out in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A collapsible structure comprising a junction hinge member disposed within the interior of the structure, rigid brace members which radiate outwardly from

the junction hinge member to each corner of the structure, and tensile members

which extend between the corners to define the outer perimeter of the

structure.

2. The structure according to claim 1 which is of triangular cross-section with

brace members extending from the hinge member in opposed directions in sets of three members, one to each corner of the structure.

3. The structure according to claim 1 which is of rectangular cross-section with

brace members extending from the hinge member outwardly in opposed

directions in sets of four members, one to each end corner of the structure.

4. The structure according to claim 1 which defines five or more sides in cross-

section with brace members extending from the hinge member outwardly in

opposed directions in sets of five or more members as the case may be, one to

each end corner of the structure.

5. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each brace member

is coupled to the hinge member allowing universal pivotal movement of the

free end thereof.

6. The structure according to claim 5 wherein the hinge member comprises three

or more leaf elements arranged adjacent one another with each leaf element

hinged to an adjacent element, and with the ends of the brace members being

coupled to a leaf element for pivotal movement about an axis which is

transverse to the axis of the movement of the leaves.

7. The structure according to claim 6 wherein each leaf element is in the form of

a channel formation with the ends of the brace members receivable within the

concavity of such channel formations.

8. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the tensile

members are flexible members in the form of straps, ropes, chains, or the like.

9. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the tensile

members include attachment means for releasably securing sheet material to

such members.

10. The structure according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means comprises a

hook and loop arrangement with one part of such arrangement being secured to the flexible members and the other part provided by the sheet material.

11. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10 including a light source

disposed in the zone of the junction hinge member.

12. The structure according to claim 11 wherein the hinge member is centrally

disposed in relation to the structure, and the light source is disposed

immediately adjacent such hinged structure.

13. The structure according to claim 11 and claim 12 wherein the light source

comprises a pair of light emitting units disposed in opposed relationship one

to each side of the hinge structure.

14. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in the form of a modular

unit whereof at least some of the sides and/or ends are equi-lateral.

15. A hinge member suitable for use in the structure claimed in any one of claims

1 to 14 comprising a body member, and attachment means for securing the

ends of brace members to the body member such that the free ends of the brace

members are capable of generally universal pivotal movement.

16. The hinge member according to claim 15 wherein the body comprises three or

more leaf elements arranged in side by side relationship with each leaf element

hinged to an adjacent element, the leaf elements defining connecting means for

pivotally connecting the end of a brace member to a leaf element.

17. The hinge member according to claim 16 wherein each leaf element is in the

form of a channel which is adapted to receive the end of a brace member

therein, and with a pin element being provided to pass through the channel

formation and the brace member, to couple the latter pivotally within the

channel formation.

18. A composite structure comprising a plurality of structures in accordance with

any one of claims 1 to 14 coupled to one another in longitudinal alignment, or

transverse relationship.