Engineering the Impossible Floating Tensegrity Chair With No Legs!
You know when you've had a long day on your feet and you think to yourself, "I'd really like to sit in a chair with no vertical support because letting your guard down and relaxing is overrated." That's exactly what this creative engineer said to himself when he designed this "tensegrity" chair with NO LEGS!
What is tensegrity? Tensegrity, tensional integrity or floating compression is a structural principle based on a system of isolated components under compression inside a network of continuous tension, and arranged in such a way that the compressed members (usually bars or struts) do not touch each other while the prestressed tensioned members (usually cables or tendons) delineate the system spatially.
Basically, tensegrity is the art of balance and suspension to create an "impossible" structure or floating object.
The Tensegrity chair uses four ropes on each corner. These ropes look like legs but provide no vertical structural support, they provide tension and balance. The vertical support, what holds a person off the ground, is provided by the two central "legs" which are angled inward toward a central axis. Linking these two legs with a tightened rope enables the seat to be suspended between them - providing "lift" to the sitter. By balancing the tension of the central legs against the tension of the four corner ropes, the chair remains upright without tipping!
You'll notice he is sitting in this chair VERY gingerly! It looks to be made primarily of pine, which is great to work with but may not create an ideal environment to nap in!
The Tensegrity chair showcases the fascinating intersection of creativity and engineering, where balance and tension come together to defy traditional design principles. This "floating" structure might not be the most relaxing chair, but it’s a perfect example of how engineering can turn the improbable into reality.
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