Architectural structures having an expandable frame

Abstract

An architectural structure for constructing a variety of goods in a variety of configurations is provided. The architectural structure includes a plurality of paired slat-like members and a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state. Each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . An architectural structure comprising:
 a plurality of paired slat-like members wherein each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members;   a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state; and   a panel assembly that includes:
 a bracket attached to one of the plurality of paired slat-like members, and 
 a panel connected to the bracket. 
   
     
     
         2 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap capping a top end of each of the plurality of paired slat-like members. 
     
     
         3 . The architectural structure of  claim 2 , wherein the cap comprises the bracket supporting the panel. 
     
     
         4 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , wherein each panel of the panel assembly extends from the joined upper ends to the joined lower ends of each of the plurality of paired slat-like members. 
     
     
         5 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel assembly includes a plurality of brackets each attached to a respective plurality of paired slat-like members and a plurality of panels connected to each of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         6 . The architectural structure of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of panels overlaps an adjacent panel. 
     
     
         7 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes an overall width greater than a width between adjacent joined upper ends of the plurality of paired slat-like members, or an overall length greater than an overall length of said one of the plurality of paired slat-like members. 
     
     
         8 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a trapezoidal shaped panel, a mesh panel, a curved panel, a square shaped panel, a circular shaped panel, or a rectangular shaped panel. 
     
     
         9 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a slot for receiving and supporting the panel. 
     
     
         10 . The architectural structure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is press-fittingly engaged with the bracket. 
     
     
         11 . An architectural structure comprising:
 a plurality of sections, each section including a first elongate member and a second elongate member, and wherein the first and second elongate members are only connected to each other at their upper ends and lower ends, and wherein each section is connected to another section only about an expandable central region of the section; and   a panel assembly that includes:
 a bracket attached to one of the plurality of sections, and 
 a panel connected to the bracket. 
   
     
     
         12 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a cap capping each of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
         13 . The architectural structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cap comprises the bracket supporting the panel. 
     
     
         14 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , wherein each panel of the panel assembly extends from the joined upper ends to the joined lower ends of each of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
         15 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , wherein the panel assembly includes a plurality of brackets each attached to a respective plurality of sections and a plurality of panels connected to each of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         16 . The architectural structure of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of panels overlaps an adjacent panel. 
     
     
         17 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , wherein the panel includes an overall width greater than a width between adjacent joined upper ends of the plurality of sections, or an overall length greater than an overall length of said one of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
         18 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , wherein the panel is a trapezoidal shaped panel, a mesh panel, a curved panel, a square shaped panel, a circular shaped panel, or a rectangular shaped panel. 
     
     
         19 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , wherein the bracket includes a slot for receiving and supporting the panel. 
     
     
         20 . The architectural structure of  claim 11 , wherein the panel is press-fittingly engaged with the bracket.