The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 01, 1979
Filed:
Dec. 21, 1977
Paul Slysh, San Diego, CA (US);
LeRoy E Siden, San Diego, CA (US);
General Dynamics Corporation, San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A mechanism for deploying and retracting an isogrid structure particularly suited for use in supporting low weight reflective or absorbtive surfaces, characterized by a plurality of hinged isogrid panels stowed in an accordion folded stack arranged for automatic deployment into a long continuous strip or array. Two deployment arms in contact with the stack of panels are rotated to a position perpendicular to the stack, carrying with them a perforated deployment tape that is attached to the first panel. The tape is engaged to sprocket drives which draw the first panel from the stack. Thereafter, the panels are extended by the powered sprockets which engage perforations in the panel edges. A shutter sequentially releases pairs of panels during deployment. For retraction, the sprockets drive the panels back toward the stack where a creaser arm hinges pairs of panels which are thereafter folded into a stack by means of the shutter capturing and stowing each folded pair of panels.