Patent ID: 8327604

Claim:
A substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly configured as a truss and having a non-rigid thin-sheet component, the thin-sheet panel assembly comprising the thin-sheet component which as selected plan area and shape and is a first chord of the truss, a backer having a plan area and shape substantially similar to the thin-sheet component and being a second chord of the truss, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component to maintain a curvature of the thin-sheet panel assembly against a restorative force therein, the backer being defined by a backer sheet, and the riser elements being defined by portions of the backer sheet that are bent away and partially separated from the backer sheet and have integral connections to the backer sheet, the riser elements being diagonal elements of the truss and configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantially rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, wherein the riser elements include apertures near the distal ends.