Structures composed of compression and tensile members
A plurality of compression members are arranged to provide a shape. Each compression member has a first end, a second end and a body. At least one of the compression members has a body which is generally non-congruous with a straight line between its first and second ends. At least one tensile member is coupled to at least two compression members. At least one removable ligature can be coupled to at least two compression members, such that the structure is collapsible. At least one surface can be coupled to at least one compression member, forming at least one curved surface of a toroid.
1. A structure comprising:
at least two compression members arranged so as to be non-contacting to provide a shape, each compression member having a first end, a second end and a body, at least one of the compression members having a rigid and curved body, wherein the curved compression member is substantially non-buckled and the at least two compression members lie in intersecting planes; and
at least one tensile member coupled to the at least two compression members to hold the compression members spaced apart to form the structure.
2. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
the at least one tensile member is configured to restrict movement of the compression members.
3. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
the at least one tensile member is coupled to at least one end of each of the at least two compression members.
4. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one ligature, arranged so as to couple at least two compression members.
5. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
at least one of the compression members further comprises at least two separable compression members attached together.
6. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one extension member, coupled to at least one of the compression members, to extend the length of that at least one compression member along a direction generally in a Cartesian plane.
7. The structure of claim 6 further comprising:
a lamp, coupled to the at least one extension member.
8. The structure of claim 6 further comprising:
at least one surface member, coupled to the at least one extension member.
9. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one rigid surface member, contacting at least one of the compression members.
10. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one rigid surface member, contacting the at least one tensile member.
11. The structure of claim 9 or 10 wherein:
the structure comprises a table.
12. The structure of claim 9 or 10 wherein:
the structure comprises a shelf.
13. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one surface member, coupled to at least two points of the at least one tensile member.
14. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of tensile members, each tensile member being coupled to at least two compression members.
15. The structure of claim 14 further comprising:
at least one surface member, coupled to at least two of the tensile members.
16. The structure of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one surface member, coupled to at least one of the compression members.
17. The structure of claim 13 , 15 , 16 or 8 wherein:
at least one surface member is composed of a flexible substance.
18. The structure of claim 17 wherein:
the flexible substance comprises flexible cloth.
19. The structure of claim 13 , 15 , 16 or 8 wherein:
at least one surface member is composed of a rigid substance.
20. The structure of claim 19 wherein:
the rigid substance comprises rigid plastic.
21. The structure of claim 13 , 15 , 16 or 8 wherein:
the structure comprises a tent.
22. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
the compression members are arranged so as to approximate a platonic solid.
23. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
the compression members are arranged so as to approximate an Archimedean solid.
24. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
at least one compression member is composed of tubular steel.
25. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
the at least one tensile member is composed of high tension cable.
26. The structure of claim 1 wherein:
at least one of the compression members is composed of a rod.
27. A structure comprising:
at least two structures according to claim 1 , coupled together by at least one connecting member.
28. A structure comprising:
at least two compression members arranged so as to be non-contacting to provide a shape, each compression member having a first end, a second end and a body, that body of the at least one of the compression members being rigid and curved, which is generally non-congruous with a straight line between its first and second ends, wherein the curved compression member is substantially non-buckled and the at least two compression members lie in intersecting planes;
at least one tensile member coupled to the at least two compression members to hold the compression members spaced apart to form the structure; and
at least one removable ligature coupled to at least two compression members, such that the structure is collapsible.