Collapsible gridwork for forming structures by confining fluent materials

Abstract

Collapsible gridworks for confining fluent materials within cells defined by the gridworks to form stable columns capable of withstanding substantial vertical and horizontal loading are each made up of a plurality of interwoven/intermeshed longitudinal and latitudinal strips. In the preferred embodiment, the strips include slots formed on alternating sides thereof, with the gridworks being formed by interweaving the slots on one side of the longitudinal strips with corresponding slots on the opposite side of the latitudinal strips such that the gridwork is defined by mechanically interlocking joints which permit motion for collapsing the gridwork into both a multilayer strip and a substantially flat sheet. The open state of the grid work and both of its collapsed states are similarly stable and can be freely handled without fear of the gridwork falling apart. The strips may be extended in width in reinforce and stabilize stacked gridworks, with the widthwise extensions of the strips being slotted for such stacking. The strips may also be extended in length beyond the outermost walls of the gridwork and slotted such that two or more of the gridworks can be interconnected to one another by interweaving the slotted length extensions of the longitudinal and latitudinal strips.