Foldable structures for a construction

Abstract

A roof, ceiling, dome, bridge, tunnel or similar structure for a construction, a system and method thereof, the structure configured to move between a folded position and an extended position, the structure comprising a folding structure unit with a first end and a second end, the first end being co-lineal with the second end when the structure is in an extended position, a first coupling and folding device between the first end and the second end, an actuating device connected from the first end to the second end, a first rod between the first end and the first coupling and folding device and a second rod between the second end and the first coupling and folding device, and wherein the actuating device and the coupling and folding device are configured to move the transportable and foldable structure from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position. A plurality of structures may be co-lineally connected between themselves. A plurality of structures may be connected in a parallel manner between themselves. A plurality of structures may be perpendicularly connected between themselves. Connection devices are also disclosed.

1 . A roof, ceiling, dome, bridge, tunnel or similar structure for a construction, the structure configured to move between a folded position and an extended position, the structure comprising:
 a first folding structure unit comprising
 a first end and a second end, the first end being substantially co-lineal with the second end when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first end and the second end; 
 an actuating device connected from the first end to the second end; 
 a first rod between the first end and the first coupling and folding device and a second rod between the second end and the first coupling and folding device; 
 wherein the actuating device and the coupling and folding device are configured to move the structure from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is a first fixing element capable of fixing the structure to a fixed element of the construction or fixing the first folding structure unit to a second folding structure unit by means of a fastening element or fixing the first folding structure unit to a second folding structure unit by means of a coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the second end is a second fixing element capable of fixing the structure to a second fixed element of the construction or fixing the first folding structure unit to a third folding structure unit by means of a fastening element or fixing the first folding structure unit to a third folding structure unit by means of a coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the second end is a coupling and folding device capable of fixing the structure to a third folding structure unit by means of a fixing element of the third folding structure unit. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end are a second and third coupling and folding device, the second coupling and folding device being capable of fixing the structure to a second structure unit by means of a fixing element of the second folding structure unit, and the third coupling and folding device being capable of fixing the structure to a third structure unit by means of a fixing element of the third structure unit. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end are a first and second fixing element, the structure further comprising:
 a second folding structure unit comprising
 a second coupling and folding device and a third coupling and folding device, the second coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the third coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the second coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and the third coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the second coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit to the third coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the second coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and a second rod between the third coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit are configured to move the second folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   a third folding structure unit comprising
 a first fixing element and a second fixing element, the first fixing element of the third folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the second fixing element of the third folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first fixing element of the third folding structure unit and the second fixing element of the third folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the first fixing element of the third folding structure unit to the second fixing element of the third folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the first fixing element of the third folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit and a second rod between the second fixing element of the third folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the third folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit are configured to move the third folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   wherein the first folding structure unit is fixed to the second folding structure unit by means of the first fixing means of the first folding structure unit and the second coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and wherein the first folding structure is configured to move between a folded and extended position with regards to the second folding structure;   wherein the second folding structure unit is fixed to the third folding structure unit by means of the third coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and the first fixing means of the third folding structure unit and wherein the third folding structure is configured to move between a folded and extended position with regards to the second folding structure; and   wherein the actuating device of the first folding and structure unit is connected with the actuating device of the second and third folding and structure units.   
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6 , the structure further comprising:
 a fourth folding structure unit comprising
 a first fixing element and a second fixing element, the first fixing element of the fourth folding structure being substantially co-lineal with the second fixing element of the fourth folding structure when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first fixing element of the fourth folding structure and the second fixing element of the fourth folding structure; 
 an actuating device connected from the first fixing element of the fourth folding structure to the second fixing element of the fourth folding structure; 
 a first rod between the first fixing element of the fourth folding structure and the first coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure and a second rod between the second fixing element of the fourth folding structure and the first coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure; 
 wherein the actuating device of the fourth folding structure and the coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure are configured to move the fourth folding structure from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; a fifth folding structure unit comprising 
 a second coupling and folding device and a third coupling and folding device, the second coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the third coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the second coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit and the third coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the second coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit to the third coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the second coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit and a second rod between the third coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the fifth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit are configured to move the fifth folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   a sixth folding structure unit comprising
 a first fixing element and a second fixing element, the first fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the second fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit and the second fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the first fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit to the second fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the first fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the sixth folding structure unit and a second rod between the second fixing element of the sixth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the sixth folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the sixth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the sixth folding structure unit are configured to move the sixth folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   wherein the fourth folding structure unit is fixed to the fifth folding structure unit by means of the first fixing means of the fourth folding structure unit and the second coupling and folding device of the fifth folding structure unit and wherein the fourth folding structure is configured to move between a folded and extended position with regards to the fifth folding structure;   wherein the fifth folding structure unit is fixed to the sixth folding structure unit by means of the third coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure unit and the first fixing means of the sixth folding structure unit and wherein the sixth folding structure is configured to move between a folded and extended position with regards to the fifth folding structure;   wherein the actuating device of the fourth folding and structure unit is connected with the actuating device of the fifth and sixth folding and structure units; and   wherein the first folding structure unit is fixed to the fourth folding structure unit in a parallel manner, the second folding structure unit is fixed to the fifth structure unit in a parallel manner and the third folding structure unit is fixed to the sixth structure unit in a parallel manner.   
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , the structure further comprising:
 a second folding structure unit comprising
 a first end and a second end, the first end of the second folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the second end of the second folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first end of the second folding structure unit and the second end of the second folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the first end of the second folding structure unit to the second end of the second folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the first end of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and a second rod between the second end of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit are configured to move the second folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   wherein the first end of the first folding structure unit is fixed with the first end of the second folding structure unit;   wherein the actuating device of the first folding and structure unit is connected with the actuating device of the second folding and structure unit;   wherein the first folding structure unit and the second folding structure unit form a first pair of structure units;   a third folding structure unit comprising
 a first end and a second end, the first end of the third folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the second end of the third folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first end of the third folding structure unit and the second end of the third folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the first end of the third folding structure unit to the second end of the third folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the first end of the third folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit and a second rod between the second end of the third folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the third folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the third folding structure unit are configured to move the third folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   a fourth folding structure unit comprising
 a first end and a second end, the first end of the fourth folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the second end of the fourth folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first end of the fourth folding structure unit and the second end of the fourth folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the first end of the fourth folding structure unit to the second end of the fourth folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the first end of the fourth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure unit and a second rod between the second end of the fourth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the fourth folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the fourth folding structure unit are configured to move the fourth folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   wherein the first end of the third folding structure unit is fixed with the first end of the fourth folding structure unit;   wherein the actuating device of the third folding and structure unit is connected with the actuating device of the fourth folding and structure unit;   wherein the third folding structure unit and the fourth folding structure unit form a second pair of structure units;   wherein the first folding structure unit is substantially parallel to the third folding structure unit and the second folding structure unit is substantially parallel to the fourth folding structure unit; and   wherein the first pair of structure units is intercalated with the second pair of structure units in regards to a first, second, third and fourth fixed element of the construction, wherein the first and second fixed elements of the construction are substantially co-lineal between themselves and are in opposite ends of the construction and wherein the third and fourth fixed elements of the construction are substantially co-lineal between themselves and are in opposite ends of the construction.   
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is a first fixing element, the structure further comprising:
 a second folding structure unit comprising
 a first fixing element in a first end and a second end, the first fixing element of the second folding structure unit being substantially co-lineal with the second end of the second folding structure unit when the structure is in an extended position; 
 a first coupling and folding device between the first fixing element of the second folding structure unit and the second end of the second folding structure unit; 
 an actuating device connected from the first fixing element of the second folding structure unit to the second end of the second folding structure unit; 
 a first rod between the first fixing element of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit and a second rod between the second end of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit; 
 wherein the actuating device of the second folding structure unit and the first coupling and folding device of the second folding structure unit are configured to move the second folding structure unit from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; 
   a fastening means comprising a lower part and an upper part, the fastening means comprising at least a first and second connections;   wherein the first fixing element of the first folding structure unit is fixed with the first connection of the fastening means and the first fixing element of the second folding structure unit is fixed with the second connection of the fastening means;   wherein the actuating device of the first folding and structure unit is connected with the actuating device of the second folding and structure unit.   
     
     
         10 . A structure for a construction configured to move between a folded position and an extended position, the structure comprising:
 a first end and a second end;   at least one coupling and folding device between the first and second end;   at least one bar between the first end and the second end interconnected with the at least one coupling and folding device;   wherein the at least one coupling and folding device are configured to move the bar from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position.   
     
     
         11 . A roof, ceiling, dome, tunnel, bridge or similar structure system for a construction, the system configured to move between a folded position and an extended position, the system comprising:
 a plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units interconnected between two ends of said substantially co-lineal folding structure units, wherein one end of a first and second of said plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units are fixed to a first fixed element and a second fixed element of the container, respectively;   wherein each of said plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units comprise
 a first coupling and folding device between their two ends, 
 an actuating device connected between their two ends; 
 a first and second rod between their two ends; 
   wherein each of said interconnected actuating devices and each of the coupling and folding devices are configured to move the structure from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units interconnected between two ends of said substantially co-lineal folding structure units, wherein one end of a first and second of said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units are fixed to a first fixed element and a second fixed element of the construction, respectively;   wherein each of said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units comprise
 a first coupling and folding device between their two ends, 
 an actuating device connected between their two ends; 
 a first and second rod between their two ends; 
   wherein each of said interconnected actuating devices and each of the coupling and folding devices are configured to move the structure from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; and   wherein said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units is substantially parallel to the first plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units interconnected between two ends of said substantially co-lineal folding structure units, wherein one end of a first and second of said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units are fixed to a first fixed element and a second fixed element of the construction, respectively;   wherein each of said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units comprise
 a first coupling and folding device between their two ends, 
 an actuating device connected between their two ends; 
 a first and second rod between their two ends; 
   wherein the actuating devices are interconnected between each of said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units and wherein said interconnected actuating devices and each of the coupling and folding devices are configured to move the structure from a folded position to an extended position and from an extended position to a folded position; and   wherein said second plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units is substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least two of said plurality of substantially co-lineal folding structure units are connected by means of a fastening means, wherein the fastening means comprises a lower part and an upper part and at least a first and second connections;
 wherein a first end of a first folding structure unit is fixed with a first connection of the fastening means and a first end of a second folding structure unit is fixed with the second connection of the fastening means.   
     
     
         15 . A method for installing a folded roof, ceiling, dome, tunnel, bridge or similar structure in a construction comprising:
 connecting a first end of the structure to a first fixed element of the construction;   actuating an actuating device so as to move a second end of the structure away from the first end by rotating a coupling and folding device and a first rod, until the first rod end is substantially co-lineal with a second rod; and   connecting a second end of the structure to a second fixed element of the construction.