System and method for structure design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9896835-B2
Application number	US-201514946364-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2015
Priority date	Dec 23, 2009
Publication date	Feb 20, 2018
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides complex curved structures and methods of making the same without requiring specially made frames or the like. These structures may include complex multi-axis, spherical, semi-spherical, twisted, or other like curves, for example. In this illustrative embodiment, individually sized boxes are stacked or assembled to form the structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An architectural structure assembly configured to be assembled to make an architectural structure having an angled surface, the architectural structure assembly comprising:
a plurality of flat blanks configured to be folded into boxes;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to form a subsurface of predetermined configuration so that when folded the subsurfaces form the angled surface;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is uniquely sized so that when folded, each subsurface forms a portion of the angled surface at a singular predetermined location of the architectural structure;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks includes a plurality of side portions extending from the subsurface, the side portions being foldable relative to the subsurface;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is scored with at least one fold line, the fold line being arranged to form an edge line between the subsurface and each of the plurality of sides when the sides are folded; and
wherein each side of the plurality of sides is arranged to abut a corresponding side from another of the plurality of flat blanks when folded into the boxes such that the edge lines are contiguous and the boxes form the architectural structure.

2. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the subsurfaces of the plurality of flat blanks are configured to be curvable in more than one direction.

3. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to be folded into a hollow box.

4. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the subsurfaces of the plurality of flat blanks are configured to be curvable in at least two different, and non-parallel directions.

5. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks has a predetermined order of arrangement when folded into the boxes so the joined subsurfaces of the plurality of folded boxes form the angled surface.

6. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the subsurfaces of each of the plurality of flat blanks is unique.

7. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to receive an attaching means when folded into one of the boxes to couple adjacent folded boxes together to form the angled surface.

8. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to receive at least one fastener when folded into one of the boxes to couple the boxes together.

9. The architectural structure assembly of claim 8 , wherein each fastener is a magnet.

10. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the sides of each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured, when folded into the box, to couple to a side of an adjacent box, and includes a magnet to attach to the side of the adjacent box to form the angled surface.

11. The architectural structure assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks includes a unique identifier that indicates a position in the architectural structure when folded into the boxes.

12. An architectural structure assembly configured to be assembled to make an architectural structure having an angled surface, the architectural structure assembly comprising:
a plurality of flat blanks configured to be folded into boxes;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to form a subsurface of predetermined configuration so that when folded the subsurfaces form the angled surface;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is uniquely sized so that when folded, each subsurface forms a portion of the angled surface at a singular predetermined location of the architectural structure;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks includes a plurality of side portions extending from the subsurface, the side portions being foldable relative to the subsurface;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is scored with at least one fold line, the fold line being arranged to form an edge line between the subsurface and each of the plurality of sides when the sides are folded; and
wherein each side of the plurality of sides is arranged to abut a corresponding side from another of the plurality of flat blanks when folded into boxes such that the edge lines are contiguous and the plurality of boxes form the architectural structure;
wherein the subsurfaces of the plurality of flat blanks are configured to be curvable in more than one direction.

13. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to be folded into a hollow box.

14. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein the subsurfaces of the plurality of flat blanks are configured to be curvable in at least two different, and non-parallel directions.

15. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks has a predetermined order of arrangement when folded into boxes so the joined subsurfaces of the plurality of folded boxes form the angled surface.

16. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein the shape of the subsurfaces of each of the plurality of flat blanks is unique.

17. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to receive an attaching means when folded into a box to couple adjacent folded boxes together to form the angled surface.

18. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to receive at least one fastener when folded into a box to couple the plurality of boxes together.

19. The architectural structure assembly of claim 18 , wherein each fastener is a magnet.

20. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the sides of each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured, when folded into the box, to couple to a side of an adjacent box, and includes a magnet to attach to the side of the adjacent box to form the angled surface.

21. The architectural structure assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks includes a unique identifier that indicates a position in the architectural structure when folded into boxes.

22. An architectural structure assembly configured to be assembled to make an architectural structure having an angled surface, the architectural structure assembly comprising:
a plurality of flat blanks configured to be folded into boxes;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is configured to form a subsurface of predetermined configuration so that when folded the subsurfaces form the angled surface;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is uniquely sized so that when folded, each subsurface forms a portion of the angled surface at a singular predetermined location of the architectural structure;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks includes a plurality of side portions extending from the subsurface, the side portions being foldable relative to the subsurface;
wherein each of the plurality of flat blanks is scored with at least one fold line, the fold line being arranged to form an edge line between the subsurface and each of the plurality of sides when the sides are folded; and
wherein each side of the plurality of sides is arranged to abut a corresponding side from another of the

Assignees

• 3Form Llc

Inventors

• Hauptman Jonas
• James Paul
• Zesk Walter

Classifications

• E04F13/0871

  having an ornamental or specially shaped visible surface (E04F13/0867 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04F13/0875

  having a basic insulating layer and at least one covering layer · CPC title

• E04B9/0407

  being stiff and curved · CPC title

• E04B2001/8442

  Tray type elements · CPC title

• E04B1/34384

  Assembling details for foldable, separable, collapsible or retractable structures · CPC title