APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING PANELS
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 or 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 . The multiwall panel of claim 1 , wherein the living hinges have a uniform thickness.
9 . The multiwall panel of claim 1 , wherein the positive force expanding connector comprises a hexagonal geometry.
10 . A panel connector comprising:
a rib-hinging geometry, wherein the rib-hinging geometry comprises living hinges and wherein the rib hinging geometry comprises a negative force expanding geometry or a positive force expanding geometry; 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.
11 . The panel connector of claim 10 , 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.
12 . The panel connector of claim 10 , further comprising a connector cap.
13 . The panel connector of claim 10 , wherein the connector has a closed geometry.
14 . The panel connector of claim 13 , wherein the connector has a bow-tie like geometry.
15 . The panel connector of claim 10 , 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.
16 . The panel connector of claim 10 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge after assembly.
17 . The panel connector of claim 10 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge before and after assembly.
18 . 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 rib-hinging geometry comprises a negative force expanding geometry or a positive force expanding geometry; 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.
19 . The multiwall panel of claim 18 , further comprising an open cavity within the living hinge after assembly.
20 . The multiwall panel of claim 18 , 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.