Patent ID: 7805213
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: D03C,D03D

Abstract:
1. A method for constructing a three dimensional shell made up of a plurality of flexible battens, starting from a precise definition of a developable or non-developable three dimensional surface shell shape, comprising: a. calculating from said shape definition an iso-parametric mesh having said shape, b. optionally triangulating said mesh by adding a third parametric dimension, a whew, to a weft and a warp c. providing flexible batten material of predetermined thickness and width, and of length adequate to realize, as one of said battens, each of said mesh's iso-parametric curves as lengthened by the following step, d. calculating from said mesh, the distance from each said parametric curve's ends to their adjoining intersections with other of said parametric curves, and from each said intersection to the next intersection, taking into account the width and thickness of said batten material, and that said battens are to be woven alternately over and under each other, e. accumulating, for each said batten, a sum of the lengths between each said batten's ends and their adjoining intersections, plus the lengths between said batten's adjacent intersections, f. cutting each said batten according to said sum, g. if said surface is non-developable, employing means to modify each of the two lateral edges' lengths of each of said battens, so as to match the differences in length of the two said edges required by any non-developability of said surface in the locality of said batten, h. preparing said battens for fastening at each of their intersections with other of the said battens, and then i. fastening the battens together at said intersections using means to prevent slippage of said battens at the locations of said fastenings, and if said surface has not been triangulated, using means to prevent rotation as well as slippage at said locations, whereby said shell of said shape is constructed.