Apparatus for connecting panels
View Patent ↗Disclosed herein are connectors for panels. In one embodiment a panel connector comprises, a connector comprising a rib-hinging geometry, wherein the rib-hinging geometry comprises living hinges, and wherein the rib-hinging geometry is capable of expanding in area. In another embodiment, a panel assembly is disclosed. The panel assembly comprises, a connector comprising a rib-hinging geometry, wherein the rib-hinging geometry comprises living hinges, a socket comprising an internal geometry, wherein the connector can be assembled to the internal geometry, and wherein the rib-hinging geometry is capable of expanding in area.
1. A multiwall panel comprising:
multiple walls; and
a connector comprising a rib-hinging geometry, wherein the rib-hinging geometry comprises living hinges; and,
wherein, the connector, when connected to another connector and/or a structure, and when acted upon by tensile force, compressive force, and/or bending force, is configured to change shape so as to increase retention force;
wherein the multiwall panel comprises a negative force expanding connector and a positive force expanding connector, and wherein when a tensile force is applied, the negative force expanding connector increases in transverse width and when a compressive force is applied, the positive force expanding connector increases in transverse width.
2. The multiwall panel of claim 1 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge after assembly.
3. The multiwall panel of claim 1 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge before and after assembly.
4. The multiwall panel of claim 1 , further comprising an internal feature disposed in the rib-hinging geometry, wherein the internal feature is capable of limiting the displacement of the rib-hinging geometry.
5. The multiwall panel of claim 1 , further comprising a connector cap.
6. The multiwall panel of claim 1 , wherein the connector has a closed geometry.
7. The multiwall panel of claim 6 , wherein the connector has a bow-tie like geometry.
8. A panel connector comprising: a rib-hinging geometry, wherein the rib-hinging geometry comprises living hinges; and, wherein the connector, when connected to another connector and/or a structure, and when acted upon by tensile force, compressive force, and/or bending force, is configured to change shape so as to increase retention force; wherein the living hinges have a hinge thickness that is less than a thickness of a member connecting adjacent living hinges; wherein the connector comprises a negative force expanding connector and a positive force expanding connector, and wherein when a tensile force is applied, the negative force expanding connector increases in transverse width and when a compressive force is applied, the positive force expanding connector increases in transverse width.
9. The panel connector of claim 8 , wherein the rib-hinging geometry is selected from the group consisting of a negative-force expanding geometry, a positive-force expanding geometry, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.
10. The panel connector of claim 8 , further comprising an internal feature disposed in the rib-hinging geometry, wherein the internal feature is capable of limiting the displacement of the rib-hinging geometry.
11. The panel connector of claim 8 , further comprising a connector cap.
12. The panel connector of claim 8 , wherein the connector has a closed geometry.
13. The panel connector of claim 12 , wherein the connector has a bow-tie like geometry.
14. The panel connector of claim 8 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge after assembly.
15. The panel connector of claim 8 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge before and after assembly.
16. A multiwall panel, comprising: multiple walls; and a connector comprising a rib-hinging geometry, wherein the rib-hinging geometry comprises living hinges; and,
wherein the connector, when connected to another connector and/or a structure, and when acted upon by tensile force, compressive force, and/or bending force, is configured to change shape so as to increase retention force; wherein the living hinges have a hinge thickness that is less than a thickness of a member connecting adjacent living hinges; wherein the connector comprises a negative force expanding connector and a positive force expanding connector, and wherein when a tensile force is applied, the negative force expanding connector increases in transverse width and when a compressive force is applied, the positive force expanding connector increases in transverse width.
17. The multiwall panel of claim 16 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge after assembly; wherein the rib-hinging geometry is selected from the group consisting of a negative force expanding geometry, a positive force expanding geometry, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; and wherein the connector has a closed geometry.
18. The multiwall panel of claim 16 , wherein the connector has a bow-tie like geometry.