Expanding devices and structures and methods therefore

Abstract

A method for forming a structure is provided. The method including: forming at least one expandable member used in constructing the structure. The forming including: expanding a covering to define a cavity; and expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape.

1 . A structure formed from at least one expandable member, wherein the expandable member comprises: 
 a covering capable of expansion, the covering defining a cavity; and    expansion means for expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape.    
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded covering forms at least one of a beam, a wall panel, and a roof panel.  
   
   
       3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the covering is pleated when compact.  
   
   
       4 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second endplates, the covering being disposed between the first and second endplates.  
   
   
       5 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein the expansion means comprises: 
 a first inlet formed in one of the first and second endplates, the first inlet being in communication with the cavity; and    a source in communication with the first inlet for supplying foam in a liquid state to the cavity via the first inlet.    
   
   
       6 . The structure of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a second inlet formed in one of the first and second endplates, the second inlet being in communication with the cavity; and    a gas source in communication with the second inlet for supplying gas to the cavity via the second inlet for at least one of pre-expanding the covering and facilitating filling of the cavity with the foam.    
   
   
       7 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising, bulge prevention means for preventing bulging of the covering in a direction other than the expansion direction.  
   
   
       8 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tensile elements disposed in the cavity for carrying at least a portion of a tensile load on the member.  
   
   
       9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion means comprises: 
 first and second capsules disposed in the cavity, the first capsule having a first liquid therein, the second capsule having a second liquid therein, the first and second liquids when combined reacting to form the foam; and    means for mixing the first and second liquids.    
   
   
       10 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the means for mixing comprises: 
 the first and second capsules having a skin encapsulating the first and second liquids, respectively; and    a cable having the first and second capsules formed thereon, the cable having a mixing means disposed on the cable, the cable being capable of being withdrawn through the cavity such that the skin is broken and the mixing means facilitates mixing of the first and second liquids.    
   
   
       11 . The structure of  claim 10 , wherein the cable further comprises: 
 one or more wires for carrying at least a portion of a tensile load on the member, each of the one or more tensile elements being capable of being expanding in the expansion direction and being connected to one of the first and second endplates at a first end and being connected to the cable at a second end; and    means for fixing the second end to the other of the first and second endplates upon expansion of the one ore more wires.    
   
   
       12 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fasteners each having a first portion disposed in the cavity and a second portion disposed outside the cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the second portion comprises a thread.  
   
   
       14 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the first portion comprises means for securing the one or more fasteners in the foam after curing of the foam.  
   
   
       15 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the covering has a grommet corresponding to each of the one or more fasteners.  
   
   
       16 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first and second endplates have an interlocking means for locking a first end of the expandable member to another expandable member.  
   
   
       17 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member comprises two or more expandable members attached together to form a truss.  
   
   
       18 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member comprises a wall panel.  
   
   
       19 . The structure of  claim 18 , wherein the wall panel having a cutout portion for accommodating a beam.  
   
   
       20 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising means for securing the structure to a surface.  
   
   
       21 . A method for forming a structure, the method comprising: 
 forming at least one expandable member used in constructing the structure, the forming comprising: 
 expanding a covering to define a cavity; and  
 expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape.  
   
   
   
       22 . A truss comprising: 
 two or more beams attached together in a predetermined shape, each of the two or more beams comprising: 
 a covering capable of expansion, the covering defining a cavity; and  
 expansion means for expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape.