Claims
- 1. A structure comprised of an exterior surface which is both vertically and circumferentially curved, wherein said exterior surface is clad with an integral, tensioned cladding membrane which has a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate portion disposed between said proximal end and said distal end, and wherein:
- (a) said tensioned cladding membrane is not contiguous with said exterior surface of said structure;
- (b) said tensioned cladding membrane consists essentially of coated fabric material;
- (c) said structure is comprised of a first tensioned cladding membrane attachment member which is contiguous with and attached to said proximal end, a second tensioned cladding membrane attachment member which is contiguous with and attached to said distal end, and a first standoff member which is contiguous with said intermediate portion of said tensioned cladding membrane and is disposed between said exterior surface of said structure and said intermediate portion; and
- (d) from said proximal end of said tensioned cladding membrane to said first standoff member, said tensioned cladding membrane forms an arc with a substantially concave curvature.
- 2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said exterior surface is substantially egg-shaped.
- 3. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein insulating material is disposed between said exterior surface of said structure and said tensioned cladding membrane.
- 4. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said structure is comprised of means for attaching said first stand-off member to said exterior surface of said structure.
- 5. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said first standoff member is a first standoff rib.
- 6. The structure as recited in claim 5, wherein said structure is comprised of a second standoff rib.
- 7. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said tensioned cladding membrane is comprised of a fabric substrate.
- 8. The structure as recited in claim 7, wherein said fabric substrate consists essentially of fiberglass fabric.
- 9. The structure as recited in claim 8, wherein said fiberglass fabric substrate is coated with a fluorocarbon polymeric material.
- 10. The structure as recited in claim 9, wherein said fiberglass fabric substrate is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
- 11. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said first tensioned cladding membrane attachment member and said second tensioned cladding membrane attachment member is comprised of a clamping rib.
- 12. The structure as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said first tensioned cladding membrane attachment member and said second tensioned cladding membrane attachment member is comprised of a clamping rib assembly mounted to a clamping rib.
- 13. The structure as recited in claim 12, wherein said clamping rib assembly is comprised of a clamping plate and a clamping channel.
- 14. The structure as recited in claim 13, wherein said clamping rib assembly comprises at least one stud, and at least one nut, and wherein:
- (a) said tensioned cladding membrane is placed between said clamping channel, and
- (b) said stud extends from said clamping plate through said tensioned cladding membrane and said clamping channel and is secured in place by said nut.
- 15. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said structur is comprised of a rib foot which is attached to said exterior surface.
- 16. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said structur is comprised of a semi-rigid cap channel.
- 17. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said structure is comprised of a second standoff member which is contiguous with said intermediate portion of said tensioned cladding membrane and is disposed between said exterior surface of said structure and said intermediate portion.
- 18. The structure as recited in claim 17, wherein said structure is comprised of a third standoff member which is contiguous with said intermediate portion of said tensioned cladding membrane and is disposed between said exterior surface of said structure and said intermediate portion.
- 19. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said structure is comprised of a fourth standoff member which is contiguous with said intermediate portion of said tensioned cladding membrane and is disposed between said exterior surface of said structure and said intermediate portion.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of applicants' application U.S. Ser. No. 07/841,714, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,193.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5261193 |
Wieber et al. |
Nov 1993 |
|
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
841714 |
Feb 1992 |
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