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WO1994013910A1 - Structure et procedes de fabrication - Google Patents

Structure et procedes de fabrication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994013910A1
WO1994013910A1 PCT/AU1993/000054 AU9300054W WO9413910A1 WO 1994013910 A1 WO1994013910 A1 WO 1994013910A1 AU 9300054 W AU9300054 W AU 9300054W WO 9413910 A1 WO9413910 A1 WO 9413910A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
opposite ends
mutually opposite
generally
panels
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/AU1993/000054
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English (en)
Inventor
Chris Iatrou
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 AU34858/93A priority Critical patent/AU3485893A/en
Publication of WO1994013910A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994013910A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/344—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
    • E04B1/345—Structures deriving their rigidity from concertina folds

Definitions

  • This invention relates to structures, such as shelters, and to methods of forming shelters. It has particular, although not exclusive, application to temporary and portable shelters such as tents, for providing relief from prevailing climatic conditions. For many people, outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, or spending time at the beach or at the snow are favourite pastimes. In many instances, these pastimes necessitate the use of some form of temporary shelter. For camping and hiking, oftentimes, the most convenient form of temporary shelter is a tent which is erected in situ as desired. Many tents are relatively complex in their construction however, and the erection of such tents (and their dismantlement after use) is often by no means a simple matter.
  • a structure formed from a sheet of a material the sheet being generally rectilinear in shape, and wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of folds so as to enable it to be expanded or compressed in a linear direction between its mutually opposite ends, and wherein, when in an expanded position, the sheet co-operates with an underlying surface so as to form a self-supporting enclosure having an opening generally in the region underlying each of its said mutually opposite ends, and wherein the sheet may be compressed linearly between its said mutually opposite ends so as to form a compact article.
  • the structure when viewed in cross-section along an axis extending between said mutually opposite ends of the sheet, the structure generally has the shape of an inverted letter "U".
  • the structure In the compressed state, the structure may generally take the form of a closed regular polygon when viewed along an imaginary line extending between the mutually opposed ends of the sheet.
  • Different fold patterns on the sheet will result in different configurations for the structure in the compressed state.
  • Preferred fold patterns are those which give rise to generally regular square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal or nonagonal configurations for the structure in the compressed state, when viewed in this perspective.
  • Other regular (and for that matter, irregular) polygonal configurations for the article in the compressed state are also possible.
  • the invention further provides a blank for forming a self-supporting structure, the blank comprising a sheet of a unitary material, and wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of folds so as to enable it to be expanded or compressed in a linear direction between its mutually opposite ends, and wherein, when in an expanded position, the sheet is capable of co-operating with an underlying surface so as to form a self-supporting enclosure having an opening generally in the region underlying each of its said mutually opposite ends, and wherein the sheet may be compressed linearly between its said mutually opposite ends, so as to form a compact article.
  • the invention further provides a structure formed from a generally rectilinear sheet comprising a plurality of panels, wherein the panels are joined together by joining means, and wherein the borders of adjoining panels co-operate with the joining means so as to define a plurality of folds on the sheet, which enable it to be expanded or compressed in a linear direction between its mutually opposite ends, and wherein, when in an expanded position, the sheet co-operates with an underlying surface so as to form a self-supporting enclosure having an opening generally in the region underlying each of its said mutually opposite ends, and wherein the sheet may be compressed linearly between is said mutually opposite ends, so as to form a compact article.
  • the panels are generally triangular in shape.
  • the means for joining adjacent panels is a hinge means.
  • a co-extruded flexible membrane, together with a means for bonding the membrane and the adjacent panels is a particularly preferred hinge means.
  • the invention further provides a blank for forming a self-supporting structure, the blank comprising a sheet of an integral material, the sheet comprising a plurality of panels joined together by joining means, and wherein the panels and the joining means co-operate so as to define a plurality of folds on the sheet, and wherein the folds enable the sheet to be expanded or compressed between its mutually opposite ends, and wherein, when in an expanded position, the sheet co-operates with an underlying surface so as to form a self-supporting enclosure having an opening generally in the region underlying each of its said mutually opposite ends, and wherein the sheet may be compressed linearly between its said mutually opposite ends, so as to form a compact article.
  • the invention further provides a method of forming a structure, comprising the steps of:
  • the invention additionally provides a further method of forming a structure, comprising the steps of:
  • the folds are imprinted onto the sheet by a roll-forming process.
  • the folds could be imprinted onto the sheet by stamping.
  • Fig 1 represents a blank for a structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig 2 represents a structure erected from the blank shown in Fig 1;
  • Fig 3 represents a plan view from above the structure shown in Fig 2;
  • Fig 4 represents a side view of the structure shown in Figs 2 and 3;
  • Fig 5 represents an end view of the structure shown in Figs 2 to 4;
  • Fig 6 represents an end view of the structure shown in Figs 2 to 5, in the compressed state
  • Fig 7 represents a side view of the compressed structure shown in Fig 6;
  • Fig 8 represents a plan view of a blank for a second embodiment of a structure according to the present invention
  • Fig 9 represents a perspective view of an erected structure formed from the blank shown in Fig 8;
  • Fig 10 represents a plan view from above of th erected structure shown in Fig 9;
  • Fig 11 represents a side view of the erected structure shown in Figs 9 and 10;
  • Fig 12 represents an end view of the erected structure shown in Figs 9 to 11;
  • Fig 13 represents an end view of the structure shown in Figs 9 through to 12, in the compressed state
  • Fig 14 represents a side view of the compressed structure shown in Fig 13;
  • Fig 15 represents a blank for a structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig 16 represents a perspective view of an erected structure formed from the blank shown in Fig 15;
  • Fig 17 represents a plan view from above of the erected structure shown in Fig 16;
  • Fig 18 represents a side view of the erected structure shown in Figs 16 and 17;
  • Fig 19 represents an end view of the erected structure shown in Figs 16 to 18;
  • Fig 20 represents an end view of the structure shown in Figs 16 to 19, but in the compressed state;
  • Fig 21 represents a side view of the compressed structure shown in Fig 20;
  • Fig 22 represents a view in cross-section, of a hinge means for use in conjunction with a panelised construction in accordance with the invention
  • Fig 23 is a view of the means depicted in Fig 22, showing its flexibility and ability to act as a hinge for use in conjunction with the invention.
  • Fig 1 depicts a blank 1 for a structure in the form of a shelter, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the blank 1 comprises a sheet 3 of a unitary material, which is rectilinear in shape.
  • the sheet 3 has been creased or folded diagonally in a latticework pattern, so as to form a plurality of diagonal folds generally denoted as 5.
  • the sheet 3 has also been creased or folded so as to provide a plurality of lengthwise folds denoted generally as 7.
  • the effect of this pattern of folds is such as to enable the sheet to be compressed between its mutually opposite ends 9 and 11.
  • the pattern of folds also results in the formation of a plurality of generally triangular panels 12 on the blank 1, and on an erected structure 25 formed from the sheet (discussed below) .
  • the sheet 3 may be compressed by pushing or pressing simultaneously at its mutually opposite ends 9 and 11. When compressed in this way, the sheet may be converted into a compact article 13, as shown in Fig 7.
  • An end view of the compact article 13 shown in Fig 7 is depicted in Fig 6, from which it will be seen that in this embodiment, the compact article 13 has a generally hexagonal configuration, when viewed from either of its ends 9 or 11, and along the axis of the line A-A shown in Figs 1 and 7.
  • compact article 13 does not form a complete hexagon, but is bounded by free arms 15, which are formed from mutually opposed ends 17 and 19 of sheet 3, suitably folded into position.
  • compact article 13 may be converted from the compressed state shown in Figs 6 and 7, to an expanded state (shown in Figs 2 through to 5), as follows.
  • the outwardly facing roof panels 21 and 23 of the compact article 13 may conveniently be gripped and stretched outwardly in linear and mutually opposed fashion, along the line A-A shown in fig 7. When this is done, the structure shown in perspective in Fig 2 is formed.
  • the structure (which is generally denoted as 25 in Figs 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings) is an elongate, three-dimensional open enclosure. At each of the ends 9 and 11 of the structure, there is provided an opening 10, to permit ingress and egress from the structure.
  • the structure 25 is generally configured in the form of an inverted letter "U", when seen in cross-section, that is, when viewed along the line A-A shown in Fig 2.
  • the lowermost extremities 28 of the structure 25 co-operate with an underlying ground surface (not shown in the accompanying diagrams), to form a base upon which the structure 25 rests.
  • the conformation of the structure 25 is such that it is self-supporting.
  • the self- supporting nature of the structure is achieved by the interaction of generally triangular panels, formed by the pattern of diagonal folds 5 and lengthwise folds 7 on the blank 1.
  • the particular configuration created by the interaction of these folds provides the structure 25 with a geometry such that, when in the expanded state, the structure 25 is self-supporting.
  • Part of the self- supporting nature of the structure is provided by the provision of periodic fold points 27 in the roof 29 of the structure 25.
  • Part of the structural strength is also conferred by the provision of pleats 31 formed along the lateral ends 17 and 19 of the structure.
  • the pleats serve to form a base 20, having a zigzag pattern along the ends 17 and 19 of the sheet 3 (shown more particularly in Fig 3), and thereby, to provide structural strength. In this way, a base is provided at each end 17 and 19 of the sheet 3, upon which the structure rests, in co-operation with the underlying ground surface.
  • the structure 25 in this first embodiment described above comprises five roof points 27 when viewed in cross-section, culminating in an apical roof fold point 35.
  • this construction results in the structure having a corrugated roof comprising peaks (represented by the apical points 35) and valleys 36.
  • the roof of the second embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs 8 to 14 comprises an even number of fold points, also designated 27 for ease of reference.
  • diagram references used for features depicted in Figs 1 to 7 will apply to refer to the same or corresponding features depicted in Figs 8 to 21.
  • the roof 29 comprises four fold points 27, but it will be seen that the roof 29 is formed so as to have a horizontal upper surface 37, rather than culminating in an apical point as shown in the first embodiment depicted in Figs 1 to 7.
  • the creation of a geometry whereby an odd number of roof points 27 is provided (when the structure is viewed in cross-section, as seen in Fig 5 in particular) will generally provide an apical point on the roof surface, and in turn, it will result in a structure which facilitates the drainage of a flowable material, such as water or snow, which finds its way onto the roof.
  • a compact article 39 is formed which has a generally pentagonal configuration when shown in end view.
  • the pentagon is not entirely closed, but has free arms 41.
  • FIG. 15 A third embodiment of a structure according to the present invention is depicted in Figs 15 through to 21.
  • the structure has six fold points 43. When compressed, it forms the structure depicted in Fig 20, which is heptagonal when viewed on end.
  • the invention has been described in terms of examples which comprise the use of a blank which is a unitary sheet of a single material. Such embodiments of the invention could be made by any of the following methods. In a first method, the sheet could be roll-formed with the pattern of folds being imprinted onto the sheet by a roller. Alternatively, the sheets could be have the fold patterns stamped onto them.
  • the panels of the sheet and structure could be individual members, and could be joined by joining means such as mechanical hinges fitted to adjacent panels, or by a joining material such as a flexible adhesive or membrane.
  • the panels could then be joined together so as to form a generally rectilinear integral sheet, which could in turn be folded so as to create the appropriate conformations required to form the structure.
  • a particularly preferred hinge mechanism can be provided in the following way.
  • a particularly preferred hinge means for this purpose is a co-extruded material.
  • One example of such a co-extrusion is Acrylate-Styrene-Acrylonitrile ("ASA") with ALCRYNTM.
  • ASA Acrylate-Styrene-Acrylonitrile
  • ALCRYN is a trade mark of E I Du Pont De Nemours and Company, and is a halogenated ethylene interpolymer alloy which is capable of being used in extrusion injection moulding processes.
  • ALCRYNTM behaves like a vulcanised rubber, and is generally weather, ozone and heat resistant.
  • Fig 22 depicts a cross-sectional view of a suitable hinge means for joining adjacent panels in the panelised version of the invention.
  • the hinge means 43 comprises a flexible membrane or web 45 bonded to two receptor portions 47.
  • the flexible membrane 43 shown in Fig 22 is made from the material ALCRYNTM referred to above.
  • Each of the receptor portions 47 is made of the material ASA referred to above, in the example depicted.
  • the receptor portions 47 each define a channel 49 in which the edge of a panel 51 can be received.
  • the panel 51 is received into the channel 49, so that the panel is in abutment with the end-wall 53 of the receptor portion.
  • the arms 55 of. the receptor portion each grip the sides 57 of the panel, as shown in Fig 22.
  • An adhesive or glue may be used to bond the panel 51 into securement with the receptor portion 47.
  • the flexible membrane is capable of bending, as shown in Fig 23.
  • a shelter constructed in accordance with the invention could be made from any of a number of suitable materials, including plastic materials, cloths, fabrics, paper, metals (and combinations of the aforegoing), as well as others, the nature of the intended use of the structure will largely determine in any instance, the character of the materials from which desirably, it should be constructed.
  • a plastic material would generally be preferred.
  • a particularly preferred construction material for that type of article would be a polypropylene.
  • the use of a suitable material would result in the provision of a readily erectable and collapsible shelter structure, for camping or as a beach shelter.
  • Structures of this type offer the particular advantage that they are generally quickly and easily erected, and are readily collapsible by a concertina action so as to from a compact article which may be conveniently stowed away as, for example, inside a bag, or in the boot of a motor vehicle.
  • a more sturdy or robust construction may be preferred, in which case, stronger and/or heavier materials may be used, in order to construct the structure.
  • a panelised construction in accordance with the invention is generally preferred, in these instances.
  • an extruded twin or multiple layered polycarbonate sheet may be used for the panels, which are joined by a hinge means, to form an integral sheet.
  • a suitable hinge mans would include the double channel co- extrusion of ASA and ALCRYNTM, discussed above.
  • One advantage of using a polycarbonate' material for the panels is that the degree of light transmission of the materials from which the panels are made, can be selected to suit individual circumstances and requirements.
  • Polycarbonates offer the possibility of having panels which are transparent, partially transparent or opaque. Polycarbonate materials can also be made to filter out ultra violet radiation.
  • sturdier panelised constructions could, for example, comprise panels made from two metal sheets (such as of steel or aluminium), encasing a polystyrene core.
  • This "sandwich panel” construction could be used to form structures having a higher degree of structural strength.
  • the polystyrene core in such panels would provide insulating properties.
  • the article in the compressed state, the article generally forms an almost closed loop having a polygonal conformation.
  • the compact article may be conformed such that it does not provide an article forming an almost closed polygonal loop, as is described above, but rather , a- more open structure.
  • the precise geometric conformation adopted by the structure in either the erected or compressed/collapsed states will depend upon the number and pattern of folds appearing on the sheet from which the structure is formed.
  • the structures described above have been described as unitary or single units, it will also be appreciated that separate ones of such units having the same configuration could be joined end to end, so as to create longer structures, such as tunnels.
  • Suitable joining means could be provided to link up the adjoining units, in that event.
  • a structure according to the present invention could also be used in conjunction with auxiliary structures and/or accessories.
  • the openings formed at each end of the structure could be covered with an end piece of a material, so as to provide total protection against the environment external to the structure itself.
  • poles could be used internally within the structure, so as to provide reinforcement for the strength of its roof, and ropes or other anchoring means could be used externally of the structure, so as to assist in holding it in position, and preventing it from being displaced by wind or other environmental factors.
  • shelters constructed according to the present invention could be used to provide a readily erectable shelter, which is then fixed permanently into place. This could be achieved, for example, by forming the structure primarily from a porous material (such as a fabric) capable of receiving a fixing liquid material (such as liquid cement, for example) .
  • a porous material such as a fabric
  • a fixing liquid material such as liquid cement, for example

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

Abstract

Structure formée à l'aide d'une feuille de matériau (25), la feuille étant généralement de forme rectiligne et comprenant une pluralité de pliures (57) de façon à lui permettre d'être détendue ou compressée dans le sens linéaire de ses extrémités mutuellement opposées (9, 11). Lorsqu'elle est en position détendue, la feuille (25) coopère avec une surface sous-jacente afin de former une enceinte à soutien indépendant possédant une ouverture généralement située dans la zone sous-jacente auxdites extrémités mutuellement opposées. La feuille peut être compressée linéairement entre lesdites extrémités mutuellement opposées (9, 11) de façon à former un article compact.
PCT/AU1993/000054 1992-02-12 1993-02-12 Structure et procedes de fabrication Ceased WO1994013910A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU34858/93A AU3485893A (en) 1992-02-12 1993-02-12 A structure and methods of forming same

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPL086992 1992-02-12
AUPL0869 1992-02-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994013910A1 true WO1994013910A1 (fr) 1994-06-23

Family

ID=3775979

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1993/000054 Ceased WO1994013910A1 (fr) 1992-02-12 1993-02-12 Structure et procedes de fabrication

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1994013910A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1012457C2 (nl) * 1999-06-28 2001-01-02 Tno Vouwhal.
GB2436084A (en) * 2006-03-17 2007-09-19 Kevin Tomes Folding and joining composite boards
WO2014020511A1 (fr) * 2012-07-31 2014-02-06 Michel Delcourt Système de construction pliable, portable et réutilisable pour la configuration de divers espaces habitables
CN111395539A (zh) * 2020-04-24 2020-07-10 山东建筑大学 一种折叠式建筑的施工方法
JP2021130955A (ja) * 2020-02-19 2021-09-09 帝人株式会社 屋根

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3939615A (en) * 1974-04-05 1976-02-24 Roger Sorkin Foldable roof construction element
US4074477A (en) * 1973-09-17 1978-02-21 Runyon John F Modular building structure
US4145850A (en) * 1973-09-17 1979-03-27 Runyon John F Folding modular building structure
GB2154621A (en) * 1984-02-24 1985-09-11 Mark Harold Lovell Collapsible portable building

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4074477A (en) * 1973-09-17 1978-02-21 Runyon John F Modular building structure
US4145850A (en) * 1973-09-17 1979-03-27 Runyon John F Folding modular building structure
US3939615A (en) * 1974-04-05 1976-02-24 Roger Sorkin Foldable roof construction element
GB2154621A (en) * 1984-02-24 1985-09-11 Mark Harold Lovell Collapsible portable building

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1012457C2 (nl) * 1999-06-28 2001-01-02 Tno Vouwhal.
WO2001000940A1 (fr) * 1999-06-28 2001-01-04 Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno Couverture repliable d'un hall
GB2436084A (en) * 2006-03-17 2007-09-19 Kevin Tomes Folding and joining composite boards
WO2014020511A1 (fr) * 2012-07-31 2014-02-06 Michel Delcourt Système de construction pliable, portable et réutilisable pour la configuration de divers espaces habitables
JP2021130955A (ja) * 2020-02-19 2021-09-09 帝人株式会社 屋根
CN111395539A (zh) * 2020-04-24 2020-07-10 山东建筑大学 一种折叠式建筑的施工方法

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