Adjustable Structures

Abstract

An adjustable structure ( 1 ) comprising a first structural layer ( 10 ) defined by a first array of extendable and/or retractable rods or beams ( 11, 11 a, 11 b ) pivotally connected to each other at their ends and a second structural layer ( 20 ) connected to the first structural layer ( 10 ) and defined by a second array of extendable and/or retractable rods or beams ( 21, 21 a, 21 b ) pivotally connected to each other at their ends, wherein at least a portion of the second layer ( 20 ) is outside the volume defined by the first structural layer ( 10 ) and the extendable and/or retractable rods or beams in the second arrayare more densely packed than the extendable and/or retractable rods or beams in the first array.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A beam connector comprising a barrel, a line and a tension adjustor, wherein a portion of the line is held within the barrel and adjustable therealong by the tension adjustor. 
     
     
         39 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . An adjustable structure comprising an array of beams pivotally connected together by one or more tension joints that comprise two or more entwined or intertwined lines connected to adjacent beam ends, wherein at least one of the lines is adjustably connected to at least one beam by a tension adjustor. 
     
     
         62 . Structure according to  claim 61 , wherein the at least one line comprises an enlarged head portion at or adjacent one of its ends that engages the tension adjustor. 
     
     
         63 . Structure according to  claim 61 , wherein the tension adjustor threadedly engages a barrel to effect the adjustment. 
     
     
         64 . Structure according to  claim 63 , wherein tension adjustor comprises a first telescopic element that threadedly engages the barrel and radially engages a second telescopic element such that relative rotation therebetween is prevented while permitting axial telescopic movement therebetween. 
     
     
         65 . Structure according to  claim 64 , wherein the radial engagement between the first and second telescopic elements is provided by one or more radial pins or ridges secured to one of the telescopic elements and engages a slot in the other of the telescopic elements. 
     
     
         66 . Structure according to  claim 64 , wherein one of the telescopic elements comprises a grip feature for engaging with an adjustment tool for adjusting the tension adjustor. 
     
     
         67 . Structure according to  claim 61 , the array comprises a three-dimensional polygonal array. 
     
     
         68 . Structure according to  claim 67 , wherein the three-dimensional polygonal array comprises a triangular or pyramidal or tetrahedral or octahedral array. 
     
     
         69 . Structure according to  claim 61 , wherein one or more of the beam connectors further comprises an anti-rotation element. 
     
     
         70 . Structure according to  claim 61 , wherein each of the beams comprises a series of telescopic parts. 
     
     
         71 . Structure according to  claim 70  further comprising a drive motor coupled to a keyed drive shaft rotatably mounted to each rod or beam and slidably engaging a series of movable gears, wherein each movable gear is rotatably mounted to a respective telescopic part and secured to an end of a threaded shaft that threadedly engages one or more subsequent telescopic parts in the series to drive the extension or retraction of the telescopic parts of the beam. 
     
     
         72 . Structure according to  claim 71 , wherein the drive shaft, the fixed gear, the movable gears, the drive gears and the threaded shafts of each beam are contained within the telescopic parts. 
     
     
         73 . Structure according to  claim 61  further comprising a flexible skin or membrane secured to an outer portion of the structure. 
     
     
         74 . Structure according to  claim 61  further comprising a control system operatively connected to the or a drive means or one or more of the drive motors for adjusting, in use, the configuration of the structure. 
     
     
         75 . Structure according to  claim 74  further comprising one or more sensors operatively connected to the control system for providing signals indicative of one or more measured parameters. 
     
     
         76 . Structure according to  claim 61  further comprising a first structural layer defined by a first array of extendable beams pivotally connected to each other at their ends and a second structural layer connected to the first structural layer and defined by a second array of extendable beams pivotally connected to each other at their ends, wherein at least a portion of the second layer is outside the volume defined by the first structural layer and the extendable beams in the second array are more densely packed than the extendable beams in the first array. 
     
     
         77 . Structure according to  claim 61  further comprising a structural layer defined by an array of extendable beams pivotally connected to each other at their ends, an array of infill elements pivotally connected at their ends to a respective or adjacent extendable beam and a drive means configured to extend or retract the extendable beams, wherein the infill elements are extendable or retractable, in use, in response to the extension or retraction of the extendable beams. 
     
     
         78 . An adjustable structure comprising an array of beams pivotally connected together by one or more tension joints including three or more lines formed integrally or bonded together at one of their ends and connected to a respective beam end at the other of their ends, wherein at least one of the lines is adjustably connected to at least one beam by a tension adjustor.