Interconnected deflectable panel and node

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11123973-B2
Application number	US-201715616620-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 7, 2017
Priority date	Jun 7, 2017
Publication date	Sep 21, 2021
Grant date	Sep 21, 2021

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an additively manufactured node having a socket. The apparatus includes a panel interconnected with node. The panel includes opposing surface layers and a core between at least a portion of the surface layers. The socket engages an end portion of the panel and shapes the surface layers on the end portion of the panel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an additively manufactured node having a socket; and
a deformable panel interconnected with the node, the panel comprising opposing surface layers and a core between at least a portion of the surface layers, wherein an end portion of the panel expands into the internal shape of the socket,
wherein the socket comprises a tapering feature configured to move the opposing surface layers on the end portion of the panel from a first relative spaced apart distance to a second relative spaced apart distance in response to inserting of the end portion of the panel into the socket, and wherein the second relative spaced apart distance is greater than the first relative spaced apart distance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface layers on the end portion of the panel are without at least a portion of the core between them.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the opposing surface layers on the end portion of the panel further extend beyond the core.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the panel further comprises an adhesive filler material comprising a plurality of microballoons between the surface layers on the end portion of the panel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a section of the core extends between the surface layers of the end portion of the panel, and wherein the section of the core comprises a notch.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein an adhesive extends from the notch into the socket.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a sealant between the panel and the socket to seal the adhesive in the socket.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the socket comprises a tapered portion that narrows with distance from the socket opening, and wherein the notch is compressed by the tapered portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the socket comprises a tapered portion that widens with distance from the socket opening, and wherein the notch expands in response to the end portion of the panel expanding into the internal shape of the tapered portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the opposing surface layers are spaced apart by a first distance prior to being interconnected with the node and by a second distance subsequent to be interconnected with the node, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance based upon the end portion of the panel expanding into the internal shape of the socket.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising an adhesive positioned between the opposing surface layers adjacent to the end portion of the panel, wherein the adhesive is configured to transition between an initial state and an expanded state, wherein the transition causes the end portion of the panel to expand into the internal shape of the socket.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive positioned between the opposing surface layers adjacent to the end portion of the panel, wherein the adhesive is configured to transition between an initial state and an expanded state, wherein the transition causes the end portion of the panel to expand into the internal shape of the socket.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an adhesive is configured to transition between an initial state and an expanded state in response to heat.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tapering feature comprises a first set of inner walls defining a first channel configured to receive a first one of the opposing surface layers and a second set of inner walls defining a second channel configured to receive a second one of the opposing surface layers.

Assignees

• Divergent Tech Inc

Inventors

• Bucknell John Russell
• El Naga Eahab Nagi
• Martinez Antonio Bernerd
• Macey Stuart Paul

Classifications

• F16B5/00

  Joining sheets or plates {, e.g. panels,} to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them ({F16B17/00 takes precedence;} by sticking together F16B11/00; dowel connections F16B13/00; pins, including deformable elements F16B19/00; covering of walls E04F13/00; fastening signs, plates, panels or boards to a supporting structure, fastening readily-detachable elements, e.g. letters to signs, plates, panels, or boards, G09F7/00) · CPC title

• F16B5/01

  by means of fastening elements specially adapted for honeycomb panels · CPC title

• F16B11/006

  by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48) · CPC title

• B29C70/763

  the edges being disposed in a substantial flat plane · CPC title

• B33Y80/00 Primary

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title