Architectural structures having an expandable frame

Abstract

An architectural structure for constructing a variety of goods in a variety of configurations is provided. The architectural structure includes a plurality of paired slat-like members and a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state. Each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 515,415 filed Mar. 29, 2017 entitled “Agricultural Structures Having an Expandable Frame” which is a national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT / US2015 / 055520 filed Oct. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 064,079 filed Oct. 15, 2014 entitled “Rapid Install Partition System,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to an architectural structure that can be rapidly deployed. In particular, the present invention relates to an architectural structure having expandable paired slat-like members capable of constructing e.g., a room partition, furniture, a cubicle, a building frame or artwork.[0003]Standard architectural structures used e.g., to create room partiti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an architectural structure that requires minimal materials and which can be rapidly installed with unskilled labor. In accordance with an aspect, the architectural structure can be configured as a partition assembly in which the vertical structure or expandable structure is expandable by pulling and then locked into place with an intermediary hold that may also act as part of a work surface or a hanging mount for a depending skin assembly based on a particular design preference. The design of the architectural structure can be rapidly installed as a partition, an exterior wall or self-assembled furniture component, and requires unskilled labor and minimal use of materials. For example, assembly of the architectural structure uses plywood type materials that is low-cost, structurally efficient and environmentally sustainable. The foregoing architectural structure advantageously provides cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, unskilled and quick assembly, minimal shipping cost, factory controlled fabrication, a thoroughly more efficient product when used as an exterior partition, excellent acoustic control when used with insulation, and a visually pleasing aesthetics. Further, the architectural structure can be flat pack shipped, and when used as an open office work station, it is ergonomically efficient. For example, the serpentine design provides structural stability.

[0013]The slats of the present invention can also be made from materials similar to skis e.g., from cores made laminated strips of hardwoods like beech, birch, aspen, paulownia, fuma, ash, fir, maple, spruce, poplar, or bamboo, generally with strips of different woods being laminated together. Wood is used as it gives a lively feel with good vibration damping, it keeps its shape well, and has a fairly low resonance. Many other materials can be added to or used instead of wood for the core though, including: Carbon—light, lively, strong and very good under compression; Kevlar—strong, reasonably light, good under tension, and a good dampener; Aluminium Honeycomb—very light and strong; Fibreglass—relatively strong, light and inexpensive; Titanium—very light and strong, with good damping properties; Air—when used correctly, air can decrease the weight of a ski core without having any major effect on the core's strength; and Foam—if large amounts of foam are used in a core it is often done by using a composite torsion box to create most of the ski's strength and flex characteristics.

[0015]In accordance with an aspect, the architectural structure becomes significantly more structural when combined with rigid or rigid spray foam insulation allowing the plywood frame to be stabilized by the rigidity of the insulation. Because of the thin profile of the framing system, thermal heat transference is reduced and the increased area of the foam allows for better insulation R values. Electrical and plumbing can be incorporated prior to the installation of the foam via conduit runs through the architectural structure.

Problems solved by technology

Such assemblies are cumbersome, and the quality of the constructed assembly is subjected to discrepancies in material and skilled or unskilled labor involved.

With respect to conventional demountable and temporary display systems, they require multiple material components and connection assemblies which may be subjected to assembly failure when damaged.

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