Patent ID: 8695393
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: B21D,B60T,G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A structure having a first shape that is capable of assuming a second shape upon one or more forces being applied to an external wall surface thereof, the structure comprising: a metallic rigid member having a hollow interior with an internal wall surface, the metallic rigid member having an external wall surface that is the external wall surface of the structure; and a flexible yet substantially incompressible retainer member disposed within the hollow interior of the metallic rigid member, the retainer member having an external wall surface that is adapted to the internal wall surface of the metallic rigid member, the flexibility of the retainer member allowing it to bend in the direction of the one or more applied forces to accommodate a change in shape of the structure from the first shape to the second shape, the substantial incompressibility of the retainer member inhibiting deformations in the internal wall surface of the metallic rigid member upon the one or more forces being applied to the external wall surface of the structure; wherein the metallic rigid member comprises first and second side walls and first and second front walls, an interior surface of each of the first side wall, second side wall, first front wall and second front wall of the metallic rigid member collectively forming the internal wall surface of the metallic rigid member; the retainer member comprising first and second side walls and first and second front walls, an exterior surface of each of the first side wall, second side wall, first front wall and second front wall of the retainer member collectively forming the external wall surface of the retainer member, the exterior surface of each of the first and second front walls of the retainer member comprising a plurality of spaced-apart gaps along a length thereof; wherein the retainer member comprises a plurality of spaced-apart holes that extend through the first and second side walls of the retainer member.