SURFACE ADAPTIVE TENSION-COMPRESSION BASE STRUCTURE

摘要

A tension-compression base structure including tension elements (such as flexible cables or ropes) and compression elements (such as rigid legs) is provided with a slidably adjustable path for the tension elements around or within the compression elements, thereby enabling a degree of adaptability to support surfaces that may not be ideally flat, such as on outdoor terrain. Such a tension-compression base may be used to support a platform, a stool, or an item of equipment that may be desirably held in a preferred orientation irrespective of terrain irregularities, and as furniture may be configured to rock with a user's body as a form of active seating.

主权项

1. A tension-compression base structure comprising:
at least three compression elements, each having a first end and a second end; at least one tension element; a constraint at a first end of the structure holding each of the first ends of the compression elements in a desired configuration; wherein the at least one tension element connects one of the compression elements near a first end thereof to another of the compression elements near a second end thereof, holding the compression elements and the at least one tension element in a pre-stressed static equilibrium position; and wherein the at least one tension element is configured to be slidably adjusted with respect to at least the second ends of the tension elements.