Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
052108000 | STRIPLIKE UNIT, REVERSIBLY FLEXIBLE AND RIGID | 9 |
20080196323 | EXTENDABLE/RETRACTABLE SUPPORT COLUMN - An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections of the linked chains engage individual sections of adjacent linked chains to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections of the linked chains disengage from the individual section of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up for compact storage. | 08-21-2008 |
20090064601 | STRUCTURAL MEMBER - A structural member includes a first meshing element having two prisms disposed in a side-by-side arrangement wherein a space between the prisms defines a first meshing element engagement cavity. Each prism in the first meshing element is connected to an adjacent prism via an arm of a hinge disposed intermediate the prisms. The structural member includes a second meshing element having two prisms disposed in a side-by-side arrangement where a space between the prisms defines a second meshing element engagement cavity. Each prism in the second meshing element is connected to an adjacent prism via an arm of a hinge disposed intermediate the prisms. A prism of the second meshing element is configured to be retained in a first meshing element engagement cavity and wherein a prism of the first meshing element is configured to be retained in a second meshing element engagement cavity such that the first and second meshing elements are movable into locking engagement and each meshing element extends substantially parallel to the other. | 03-12-2009 |
20130061541 | SLIT TUBE LOCKING LONGERON - According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges. | 03-14-2013 |
20130186011 | COLLAPSIBLE LONGERON STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the invention are directed toward rollable and collapsible structures. These structures, for example, can include a plurality of tubular longerons with a slit or gap that extends along the longitudinal length of the longerons. Such longerons can be combined in an arrangement that creates a structure. The structure can be collapsed and the longerons rolled either singularly or as a group into a stowed configuration. | 07-25-2013 |
20140123575 | SPOOL-MOUNTED COILED STRUCTURAL EXTENDING MEMBER - Structural extending members comprising single-tape and composite-tape structures and the means for forming them. Includes tapes with cross sections containing both concave and convex sides facing in the same direction. | 05-08-2014 |
20160023781 | TAPE SPRING DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURE - A deployable structure comprises: a support, a tape spring fixed to the support, able to pass from a wound configuration wound about an axis Z, to a deployed configuration, and a mobile arm able to rotate with respect to the support about the Z-axis, able to form a first contact with the tape spring so as to control the deployment of the tape spring. | 01-28-2016 |
20160024790 | RETRACTABLE TAPE SPRING IN-BUILDING METHOD FOR A DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURE AND TAPE SPRING DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURE - A retractable tape spring in-building method for a deployable structure comprising a main tape spring having an axis of deployment and of refurling substantially parallel to an unfurled axis X and comprising two ends, a secondary tape spring comprising two ends and a winding mandrel carried by a shaft parallel to an axis Z perpendicular to the axis X, the main tape spring being wound around the mandrel, a first end of the main tape spring being fixed to the mandrel, the method comprising the following steps: fixing a first end of the secondary tape spring a predefined distance away from a second end of the main tape spring, fixing a second end of the secondary tape spring on the mandrel. A deployable structure comprising a tape spring for a flexible structure is also provided. | 01-28-2016 |
20160032609 | CLAMPING MECHANISM, LOCKING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF OPERATING RECONFIGURABLE MANIPULATOR - A clamp mechanism is disclosed, clamping on a tube made of elastic material, provided with a band clamped on a tube. Inside the tube, in the location where the band clamps, a stiff element is located having a diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the tube. The band encompasses the tube over the length of at least the half of its circumference and is connected to a tensioning and releasing apparatus. A locking system for a manipulator is also provided including tubes substantially parallel to each other. Each tube is formed of curling strip wound on a drum rigidly connected to a structure. The manipulator has at least one reconfigurable parameter. The system includes a mechanism that is mounted on each one of tubes. Further, a method of operating a reconfigurable manipulator is disclosed including curled strip tubes, wherein the manipulator is provided with a locking system, which is released for reconfiguration of the manipulator and clamped for normal operation. | 02-04-2016 |
20160177567 | BI-STABLE MATERIAL TO DEVELOP STOWABLE HIGH STRENGTH COLUMN | 06-23-2016 |