Interlocking support for folded card structure

Abstract

A foldable structure includes an internal substructure and an external substructure. The internal substructure is configured to be alternatively positioned in a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. The external substructure is coupled to an outer portion of the internal substructure. The internal substructure includes a plurality of supports that are movable between a supporting position and a non-supporting position and are configured to releasably connect to each other. The supports are configured to allow the internal substructure to travel between the folded configuration and the expanded configuration when the supports are positioned in their respective non-supporting positions. The supports are configured to retain the internal substructure in the expanded configuration when the supports are positioned in their respective supporting positions.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A foldable structure comprising:
 an internal substructure configured to be alternatively positioned in a folded configuration and an expanded configuration;
 wherein the internal substructure comprises a foldable sheet comprising at least a pair of opposed bias tabs; 
 wherein each of the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs is movable between a supporting position and a non-supporting position; 
 wherein each of the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs is configured to allow the internal substructure to travel between the folded configuration and the expanded configuration when each tab is positioned in its respective non-supporting position; 
 wherein each of the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs is configured to retain the internal substructure in the expanded configuration when each tab is positioned in its respective supporting position; 
 wherein the opposed bias tabs are configured to releasably connect to each other in an interlocking engagement when the internal substructure is positioned in the expanded configuration and each tab is positioned in its respective supporting position; and 
   an external substructure coupled to an outer portion of the internal substructure.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the foldable sheet comprises at least one center fold crease; and
 wherein the at least one center fold crease extends through at least a first tab of the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs.   
     
     
         3 . The foldable structure of  claim 2 , wherein the internal substructure is inhibited from being folded about the at least one center fold crease when the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs are positioned in their respective supporting positions; and
 wherein the internal substructure is not inhibited from being folded about the at least one center fold crease when the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs are positioned in their respective non-supporting positions.   
     
     
         4 . The foldable structure of  claim 3 , wherein the internal substructure further comprises a plurality of foldable side sections; wherein the plurality of foldable side sections define a platform substructure when the internal substructure is in the expanded configuration; and wherein the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs reinforce the platform substructure when the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs are positioned in their respective supporting positions. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable structure of  claim 1 , wherein a first tab of the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs comprises a first interlocking element and a second tab of the at least a pair of opposed bias tabs comprises a second interlocking element that is operable to mate with the first interlocking element when the tabs are in the supporting position. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a decorative substructure secured to the internal substructure. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable structure of  claim 1 , wherein the internal substructure is substantially flat when positioned in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A foldable structure having: (a) a base configured to be alternatively positioned in a folded configuration and an expanded configuration; and (b) a plurality of foldable supports extending from the base, at least one of the plurality of foldable supports having a respective connector;
 wherein each foldable support is foldable between a supporting position and a non-supporting position relative to the base;   wherein the foldable supports are configured to permit the base to travel between its folded configuration and its expanded configuration when each foldable support is in its respective non-supporting position;   wherein the foldable supports are configured to inhibit the base from collapsing from its expanded configuration to its folded configuration when each foldable support is in its respective supporting position; and   wherein the respective connector of each of the at least one foldable support having a respective connector is configured to releasably engage at least one other foldable support when each foldable support is in its respective supporting position.   
     
     
         9 . The foldable structure of  claim 8  further comprising an external substructure comprising a collapsible wall coupled to the base,
 wherein the collapsible wall is configured to be alternatively positioned in a folded configuration and an expanded configuration respectively corresponding to the folded and expanded configurations of the base; and 
 wherein the base and the collapsible wall are configured to travel between their respective folded configuration and expanded configuration at the same time. 
 
     
     
         10 . The foldable structure of  claim 9 , wherein the foldable supports are configured to inhibit the collapsible wall from moving to its folded configuration when each foldable support is in its respective supporting position. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable structure of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible wall of the external structure defines a receiving cavity, wherein the base and foldable supports are securely retained in the receiving cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable structure of  claim 8 , wherein each of the foldable supports comprises a respective connector, and wherein the connectors are mating connectors. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable structure of  claim 8 , wherein each of the foldable supports comprises a respective connector, and wherein the connectors are configured to connect with each other in an interlocking engagement. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable structure of  claim 8 , wherein the base comprises at least one center fold line; and
 wherein the base is configured to fold about the at least one center fold line to substantially flatten the base when in the folded configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The foldable structure of  claim 14 , wherein each foldable support adjoins the base at a corresponding support fold line along the base;
 wherein each support fold line is oriented at an angle relative to the at least one center fold line; and   wherein each foldable support is configured to be substantially planar with an adjoining portion of the base when the foldable support is in its non-supporting position.   
     
     
         16 . The foldable structure of  claim 15 , wherein each foldable support is configured to rest at an angle relative to the base about the corresponding support fold line when the foldable support is in its supporting position. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable structure of  claim 16 , wherein each foldable support is configured to rest at an angle of between approximately 105 degrees and approximately 165 degrees relative to the base about the corresponding support fold line when the foldable support is in its supporting position. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable structure of  claim 17 , wherein the foldable supports are configured to fold in opposite directions relative to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable structure of  claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a brace section and a plurality of foldable side sections extending from the brace section;
 wherein the brace section and the plurality of side sections define a platform substructure when the base is in the expanded configuration; and   wherein the brace section and the plurality of foldable supports define a support substructure that reinforces the platform substructure when the base is in the expanded configuration and each foldable support is in its respective supporting position.   
     
     
         20 . The foldable structure of  claim 8  further comprising a decorative substructure;
 wherein the decorative substructure is configured to be alternatively positioned in a folded configuration and an expanded configuration respectively corresponding to the folded and expanded configurations of the base; and 
 wherein the base and the foldable supports are configured to support a weight of the decorative substructure when each foldable support is in its respective supporting position and the respective connector of each of the at least one foldable support having a respective connector is in engagement with the at least one other foldable support.