Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates generally to geodesic domes, and more particularly to a strutless polygonal building module having a center connecting device adapted to an efficient top-down method of assembling a plurality of said modules into a domical structure using a boom-free pole hoist.
The geodesic dome has long been used as the basic design principle in a number of structures, including both permanent and portable structures. Its modular design allows for the transportation and assembly of large structures on even marginally improved sites. However, the assembly of geodesic domes is not as simple or as streamlined as it might be. Currently, the construction of most large scale geodesic domes require either scaffolding, a supporting framework, a crane, swinging boom or other hoisting equipment, or some combination of this equipment, and the equipment itself requires its own assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, most dome assemblies entail the use of modules requiring a large number of connecting units including, for example, gussets, and connecting hubs and struts for the assembly of the individual triangular module sections or frame-wall sections.
Several solutions have been proposed to simplify and improve the construction of modular structures, including the design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,810 to Sumner, which teaches a domical structure constructed by mating right-hand and left-hand versions of scalene triangular panels. The panels are secured at their overlapping edges to form an integral reinforcing structure that requires no supporting framework. It may be constructed upwardly from its base or downwardly from its top.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,690 to Berger, et al discloses a domed structure constructed from flat triangular panels having abutment surfaces at their sides having continuous interengaging means adapted to insertively mate with adjacent panels. It is constructed upwardly from its base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,514 to Organ teaches a domical structure comprising preformed sub panels bent at the proper angles and having a series of flanges around their perimeter to allow the panels to be bolted together. The sub panels are formed into quarter sections that are bolted together in the field, along with floor sections to make a complete structure.
However, none of the foregoing designs or other known prior art disclose building modules, and more particularly a module having a center connecting device, specifically adapted for assembly in the top-down fashion. Additionally, none teaches a module including a disc member for containing wall-finishing materials within each building module prior to assembly into a structure. The present invention includes such structures and therefore represents an improvement over known portable dome structures and methods for constructing such structures.
The strutless building module of the present invention comprises a polygon having a plurality of inclined faces that converge at the module center. At the module center is a center connector comprising an integral center connector bolt and a connector washer held in position over the center connector bolt by a conventional, center-connecting nut.
The building module further includes sides that depend downwardly from associated module faces at an approximate angle of 83 degrees (83°). Adjoining module faces and sides intersect in an upper vertex, and the corresponding adjoining sides further intersect in a lower vertex. Each side has a plurality of insertion holes passing entirely through the side, wherein adjoining modules may be connected by placing modules side to side, upper vertex to upper vertex and lower vertex to lower vertex, and aligning the insertion holes so that an insertion bolt may be placed through the insertion hole and secured with a nut. The modules have an elevated center, which constitutes the convergence of the faces, each of which rises from the face's outer edge at an angle of approximately thirteen degrees (13°). First and second preferred embodiments of the inventive module comprise a pentagon and a hexagon, respectively.
The module optionally includes a disc member, concentric with the center connector washer and similarly held in place by a nut. This disc can be employed to provide increased structural integrity to the module and/or as means for holding insulating material, wallboard, paneling, wall covering, or the like, between the disc and the interior surface of the module. Additionally, if the modules are fabricated from materials suitably transparent for greenhouse house, the disc may be fabricated from transparent material, polarized, and electronically and/or mechanically driven to carefully control the passage of light into the structure. In this fashion, the structure may be converted into a biosphere tailored to the light cycle of certain plant species.
To provide the optimum strength for larger structures, the sides and the intersections of the module faces can be reinforced with a laminated hub-and-spoke configuration. The module may be fabricated from any of a number of suitable materials, including, among others, wire-mesh reinforced concrete, fiberglass, and several lightweight plastics. The geometry of the module lends itself to manufacture using a simple two part mold, making mass production not only possible but economical, rapid, and easily implemented in relatively undeveloped, unindustrialized circumstances.
The inventive strutless modules are connected at their sides by positioning a first module relation to an adjoining second module such that the respective sides of each module are approximated and the insertion holes are aligned. Bolts are inserted through each hole, a washer is placed over each bolt, and a nut is then placed and tightened down onto each bolt.
Also disclosed is a method of assembling the inventive modules. This method comprises a first step of erecting a boom-free hoist in a substantially vertical position such that its base is located at substantially the intended center of the dome structure. The hoist comprises a vertical support member which may be sunk into the ground or otherwise structurally supported. A comealong or ratchet winch is connected to the vertical support member near the base of the hoist using an eye bolt passing through the vertical support member. A cable connected to the winch via a hook passes upwardly to the upper end of the hoist and through a hoist pulley, then downwardly to a terminal heavy hook.
Next, an array of modules is then placed around the base of the hoist, and each of the modules is connected to form what will become the uppermost section of the dome, excluding the topmost module. Connection cables are assembled and connected at their lower ends to a center connecting bolt of one of the modules. The upper ends of the connection cables are connected to the heavy hook.
After connecting the connection cables to the center connectors and the heavy hook, the winch is positively operated to elevate this initial module layer above the ground. Construction continues in lifts as the hoist raises the dome to provide workers with a convenient and comfortable means to connect module after module to the lower sides of assembled modules.
There are numerous practical advantages of the inventive building module and method of assembling the module into a dome structure. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a strutless building module that can be manufactured in a simple two part mold.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a building module having a center connecting device that enables the module to be assembled by one or more persons using a simple lifting device, specifically a boom-free hoist, which may be selectively incorporated into the completed structure or removed.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a building module that has substantial structural strength without the need for frame members.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a building module that may be assembled into a dome structure using common hardware tools.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a building module that can incorporate wall materials, such as insulation, paneling, acoustic tiles or other sound attenuation materials, and the like, before assembly.
It is another object of this invention to provide a center connect module suitable for use in hanging greenhouse plants.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a center connect module adapted for use as a hub when the modules and disc members are transparent to sunlight so as to electronically and/or mechanically rotate polarized discs positioned within the interior center of the module to maintain a consistent and controllable amount of sunlight throughout the day.
It is another object of this invention to provide a top-down method of assembling a dome structure using the inventive strutless building module that exploits the advantages of the module and further provides flexibility in orienting the structure during construction.
Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide a top-down method of assembling a dome structure such that construction activity is almost entirely restricted to working at ground level with a minimum of lifting.
Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention does not reside in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
a is a top view of the strutless building module of the present invention, showing the module in its pentagonal embodiment;
b is a side elevation cross-sectional view of the module of
a is a top view of the strutless building module shown it in its hexagonal embodiment;
b is a side elevation cross-sectional view of the module of
Referring to
The first preferred embodiment of the building module of the present invention further includes five sides, 26a through 26e, each of which depends downwardly from it associated module face at an approximate angle 28 of 83 degrees. Adjoining module faces and sides intersect in an upper vertex 30, and the corresponding adjoining side further intersect in a lower vertex 32. Each side has a plurality of insertion holes 34 passing entirely through the side. When adjoining modules are placed side by side, upper vertex to upper vertex and lower vertex to lower vertex, the insertion holes are aligned so that an insertion bolt may be placed through the insertion hole for connection of the modules.
The geometry of the first preferred embodiment is completed by its elevated center, which constitutes the convergence of the faces, each of which rises from the face's outer edge 36, defined by a straight segment joining its two upper vertices, at an angle 38 preferably of approximately thirteen degrees (13°).
a is a top view of the strutless building module 40 shown it in its second preferred, hexagonal embodiment, and
As in the first preferred embodiment, the geometry of the second embodiment includes an elevated center, where the inclined planes of the module faces converge, each of the faces rising from the face's outer edge 64 at a preferred angle 66 of approximately thirteen degrees (13°), said outer edge defined by a straight segment joining the face's two upper vertices. Although 13° is the preferred angle for the faces, any angle ranging from 8° to 18° may work equally well.
a and 2b also illustrate an optional disc 67, shown in phantom in
Next, using the second preferred embodiment for purposes of illustration, an array of five modules, 108a through 108e, is positioned around the base of the hoist, and each of the modules is connected in the manner described above to form the uppermost section of the dome, excluding the topmost module. When thus connected, the modules form an upper course constituting a kind of skirt around the hoist. Five connection cables, 110a through 110e, are then assembled and the end of each cable is connected to the module center connector bolt of one of the modules and secured in place by the center connecting nut. The upper ends of the respective connection cables are connected at their respective upper ends to heavy hook 106. Preferably, rubber sleeves 112 are interposed between the upper and lower ends of the connection cables and positioned at the point where the cables rub the edges of the modules so that the cables do not cause damage to the modules as the dome is erected.
An alternative means of connecting modules would entail the use of adhesive material. This would provide a relatively clean finish but would detract from the flexibility afforded by the nuts and bolts assembly. Additionally, it would make the structure essentially permanent. C-clamps, or some variation thereof, are also alternative fastening means. Rather than connecting the modules using nuts and bolts, the clamp member could simply be fitted over the edges of adjoining modules and tightly screwed down. While not as elegant as a bolted structure, this too would virtually eliminate the need for tools in the assembly process and would still provide for flexibility during construction and for easy disassembly after construction.
It is worth noting that the module of the present invention may be fabricated from any of a number of suitable materials, including, among others, wire-mesh reinforced concrete, fiberglass, and several lightweight plastics, including generally transparent plastics suitable for use in greenhouse structures. The geometry of the module lends itself to manufacture using a simple two part mold, making mass production of the modules not only possible, but economical and rapid.
After connecting the connection cables to the center connectors and the heavy hook, the winch is positively operated to elevate the uppermost dome section of modules above the ground. This first elevated stage 140 is illustrated in
As will be readily appreciated, with few exceptions, the workers are always working safely on the ground and without any need of scaffolding, ladders, or a supporting framework. There is an absolute minimum of tools required in the construction. After erecting the boom-free hoist, a simple hand wrench is all that is required for construction. Furthermore, there are no complex construction techniques or skills required of the workers; little more than tightening bolts is entailed after positioning the hoist. This top-down construction has numerous advantages, not the least of which is that there is never any heavy lifting or transport of modules onto elevated work spaces. Besides the obvious safety advantages, the modules may be easily aligned and positioned for connection to the structure. In fact, the entire dome may be adjusted and repositioned at any point in construction before securing the dome to its base by pivoting or rotating the structure under the connecting cables. If, for some reason, it is decided that a precut door or window ought to face in a slightly different direction than was planned at the outset of construction, the dome's orientation can be substantially altered without any disassembly and reconstruction. This provides maximum flexibility and cuts down on the need to make unalterable decisions before commencing construction.
The boom-free hoist may be incorporated into the completed structure to function in a variety of ways. For example, it may simply be retained to provide support. Alternatively, or in addition, it may function as the primary vertical support for a spiral staircase or duct work. If an entirely open interior space is desired or required, the hoist may be removed. In the event the boom-free hoist is to be removed, provision must be made for connecting a final, uppermost module. Several options may be employed to connect the final module. As shown in
The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.
Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/557,693, filed Apr. 25, 2000 (Apr. 25, 2000), now abandoned.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1605472 | Schick | Nov 1926 | A |
2857026 | Jones | Oct 1958 | A |
3026651 | Richter | Mar 1962 | A |
3248831 | Jones | May 1966 | A |
3331168 | Frey | Jul 1967 | A |
3638806 | Hippach | Feb 1972 | A |
3857212 | Barnett | Dec 1974 | A |
4680901 | Armitage | Jul 1987 | A |
4703594 | Reber | Nov 1987 | A |
6430892 | Castano | Aug 2002 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09557693 | Apr 2000 | US |
Child | 11200346 | US |