Patent ID: 6217975
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: B29C,B65G,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
An extendible sheet member which is selectively configurable in at least one of a first state and a second state the first state being a coiled state in which the member is coiled about a first axis, the second state being an extended state in which the member extends substantially parallel to a second axis disposed at an angle to the first axis,the member being made at least in part, from at least one material which is stronger in at least one of tension and compression at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree. with respect to the first and second axes than in the direction of said axes, due to at least one of a geometric and a molecular structure of said at least one material, whereby, when the member is extended in a direction substantially parallel to the second axis, the difference in at least one of tensile and compressive strength causes a contraction force in a direction at an angle to the second axis that biases the member to said second state.