Flexible volumetric structure

摘要

A flexible volumetric structure has a first spring that defines a three-dimensional volume and includes a serpentine structure elongatable and compressible along a length thereof. A second spring is coupled to at least one outboard edge region of the first spring. The second spring is a sheet-like structure capable of elongation along an in-plane dimension thereof. The second spring is oriented such that its in-plane dimension is aligned with the length of the first spring's serpentine structure.

主权项

1. A flexible volumetric structure, comprising:
a first spring defining a three-dimensional volume, said first spring including a serpentine structure elongatable and compressible along a length thereof, said first spring defining opposing outboard edge regions spanning said length; and a second spring coupled to at least one of said outboard edge regions, said second spring comprising a sheet-like structure capable of elongation and compression along an in-plane dimension thereof, said second spring oriented such that said in-plane dimension is aligned with said length of said serpentine structure, wherein the first spring and the second spring are each configured to return to an unloaded geometry after transitioning from an unloaded state to a loaded state, and wherein the serpentine structure is defined by a series of beams maintained in a spaced apart relation by a series of beam connectors aligned in two spaced apart columns along said length of said serpentine structure consisting of only one beam connector of the series of beam connectors between any two adjacent beams of the series of beams.