the covering element fig1 shows element 80 attached to five tong linkages 95 96 97 98 and 99 these tong linkages are shown in their extended position fig1 and 15 show the tong linkages in their partially contracted and fully contracted positions respectively in turn compressing and folding up element 80 complex structures can be created from linking together the elements i e tong linkages with covering elements attached discussed above fig1 shows an expanding sphere 100 consisting of sixty tong linkages twelve pentagonal covering elements and twenty triangular covering elements expanding sphere 100 is shown in its fully compressed position fig1 shows the expanding sphere 100 in its partially folded position fig1 shows 100 in its fully extended position the covering elements providing a u201c skin u201d for the sphere that essential covers the entire outer surface 0029 fig1 20 and 21 show an alternate embodiment of the invention which is an expanding dome 110 consisting of thirty five tong linkages six pentagonal elements and ten triangular elements fig1 shows the expanding dome 110 in its fully folded position fig2 and 21 show 110 in its partially folded and fully extended positions respectively 0030 fig2 shows another alternate embodiment of the invention which is a expanding sphere 120 consisting of twenty four tong linkages and six square covering elements sphere 120 is shown in its fully compressed position fig2 shows sphere 120 in its extended position in alternative embodiments of the invention panels on the covering elements can be constructed of separate pieces of material that are attached.