Apparatus for connecting panels

Abstract

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.