Roll-out structure with self-tightening feature

Abstract

A slat for use in a roll-out sheet of construction material is provided. The slat has an elongated body extending longitudinally. A projection is disposed at a first lateral end of the body. A socket is disposed at a second lateral end of the body, opposite to the first lateral end. The projection and the socket are structurally complementary to each other. A wedge is formed with the projection as a self-tightening mechanism. A roll-out structure is also provided. The roll-out structure has at least two adjacent slats which are structurally the same. The projection of one of the slats is insertable into the socket of the other slat to connect them, and the projection is rotatable in the socket. The rotation of the projection in the socket allows the wedge to engage the socket, to lock the slats with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slat for use in a roll-out structure of construction material, comprising:
 an elongated body extending longitudinally;   a projection disposed at a first lateral end of the body;   a socket disposed at a second lateral end of the body, the second lateral end being opposite to the first lateral end, wherein the projection and the socket are structurally complementary to each other; and   a wedge associated with the projection.   
     
     
         2 . The slat according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ledge disposed at the first lateral end of the body; and   a shelf disposed at the second lateral end of the body,   wherein the ledge has a bottom surface and the shelf has a top surface, the bottom surface and the top surface being substantially vertically aligned with each other.   
     
     
         3 . The slat according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first beveled edge disposed at the first lateral end of the body and a second beveled edge disposed at the second lateral end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The slat according to  claim 1 , wherein both the projection and the socket are substantially cylindrical and have a circular lateral cross section. 
     
     
         5 . The slat according to  claim 4 , wherein the wedge is integrally formed with the projection and wherein the circumferential span of the wedge with respect to the center of the circular lateral cross section of the projection is at the range of 5°-30°. 
     
     
         6 . The slat according to  claim 5 , wherein the circumferential span of the wedge is 15°. 
     
     
         7 . The slat according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hole formed in the body. 
     
     
         8 . The slat according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening formed in the body, which opening is exposed to a bottom surface of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The slat according to  claim 1 , wherein the projection comprises a groove and the socket comprises an elevation, wherein the groove and the elevation are structurally complementary to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A roll-out structure of construction material, comprising at least a first slat and a second slat which are structurally the same, each slat comprising:
 an elongated body extending longitudinally;   a projection disposed at a lateral end of the body and a socket disposed at an opposite lateral end of the body, the projection and the socket being structurally complementary to each other, wherein the projection of the first slat is insertable into the socket of the second slat to connect the first slat to the second slat, wherein a gap is provided between the projection of the first slat and the socket of the second slat to allow rotation of the projection in the socket; and   a wedge associated with the projection, wherein the wedge of the first slat engages the socket of the second slat to lock the first slat and the second slat, upon rotation of the projection of the first slat in the socket of the second slat.   
     
     
         11 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 10 , wherein each slat further comprises:
 a ledge disposed at the lateral end of the body; and   a shelf disposed at the opposite lateral end of the body,   wherein the ledge has a bottom surface and the shelf has a top surface, the bottom surface and the top surface being substantially vertically aligned with each other.   
     
     
         12 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 10 , wherein each slat further comprises a first beveled edge disposed at the lateral end of the body and a second beveled edge disposed at the opposite lateral end of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 10 , wherein both the projection and the socket are substantially cylindrical and have a circular lateral cross section. 
     
     
         14 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 13 , wherein the wedge is integrally formed with the projection and wherein the circumferential span of the wedge with respect to the center of the circular lateral cross section of the projection is at the range of 5°-30°. 
     
     
         15 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the circumferential span of the wedge is 15°. 
     
     
         16 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one hole formed in the body. 
     
     
         17 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one opening, which opening is exposed to a bottom surface of the body. 
     
     
         18 . The roll-out structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the projection comprises a groove and the socket comprises an elevation, wherein the groove and the elevation are structurally complementary to each other.