CA2354412A1

CA2354412A1 - Door arrangement for tensioned membrane structure

Info

Publication number: CA2354412A1
Application number: CA002354412A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Philip D. Sprung
Original assignee: Sprung Instant Structures Ltd
Current assignee: Sprung Instant Structures Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-30
Filing date: 2001-07-30
Publication date: 2003-01-30
Also published as: US20030019166A1

Abstract

There is provided an opening structure for a tensioned membrane structure, which structure includes a an arcuate, angular or other non-flat end, said opening structures comprising: an end part comprising at least a part of the end; a pivot associated with the end part for pivotal movement of the ends relative to the structure part; a transport framework within the end part for maintaining the integrity of the tensioned membrane structure of the end part; and rollers operatively connected at the bottom of the framework for rolling movement of the end part.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to stressed membrane structures and to opening or door arrangements for such structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tensioned membrane structures have been in use for many years, and in many situations offer advantages over conventional structures. One area where such structures are very attractive is for use as aircraft hangars.
In order to function effectively as aircraft hangars, it is necessary that wide opening doors be provided for ingress and egress of aircraft.
There has been an ongoing need for doors which will meet this objective within the structural limitations of tension membrane structures. It is preferable that such doors retain the relocatabilitywhich has been the hallmark of tensioned membrane structures, while meeting structural criteria such as wind resistance.
The present invention arises against this background.
PRIOR ART
Applicant's prior U.S. Patent 5,283,993 illustrates a door arrangement for tensioned membrane structures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an opening or a door arrangement whereby an end of a tensioned membrane structure can be partly or fully opened while maintaining a tensioned condition of the end part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a tensioned membrane structure, showing in ghost lines an aircraft within the structure; Figure 2 is a plan view showing a plan view of the structure of claim 1 with doors in an open position; Figure 3 is a plan view of a door structure illustrating a partially opened situation; Figure 4 is a cross-section through a framework of the door structure illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a frame structure for door structure of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Tensioned membrane structure 10 comprises a framework including structural members 12 which support tensioned membrane 14.
Various bracing arrangements, such as cable bracing 16, may be utilized where required in structure 10.

Structure 10 may be provided with doors such as personnel doors 18 and sliding door 20. Various other features, such as skylight 22, may be included.
First and second end parts 24 and 26 respectively are preferably both provided with respective pivot connections 28 and 30 by which parts 24 and 26 are joined to main part 32 of structure 10.
Structure 10 will generally have a substantially semi-circular end 34, and it is desirable that at least a part of end 34 can be opened to allow access to the structure for large objects. In the preferred case both end parts 24 and 26 are rotatable, so that the entire end 34 of structure 10 can be opened to the full width of the structure 10.
In guiding the opening and closing of end parts 24 and 26, pivot connections 28 and 30 are preferably positioning and guiding pivots only and are not intended to support any part of the weight of the associated end part.
Figure 3 illustrates the positioning of the frame structure that would normally be a part of an end 34 of a structure 10, comprising the main structural members 36.
The door arrangement of the present invention preferably provides a support structure 38 associated with each structural member 36. As illustrated in Figure 4, the support structure 38 comprises horizontal beam 40, vertical beam 42 and diagonal beams 44 and 46.
Each support structure 38 is preferably provided with rollers which are preferably wheels and preferably at least two wheels 48 and 50.

It is the combination of the support structures 38 and wheels 48 and 50 which support the weight of end parts 24 and 26 in opening and closing the end parts.
Figure 5 illustrates an essentially complete frame for each of end parts 24 and 26. This consists of the normal structural members 36 of structure 10 and, as well, usual structural members 52, extending between structural members 36.
In addition, Figure 5 illustrates transverse bracing arrangements 54 between vertical beams 42 and shown consisting of horizontal members 56 and diagonal structure 58.
End parts 24 and 26 are thus each self supporting structures.
It is noted that bracing structure is required to provide rigidity and tension to the end parts 24 and 26, and variations on the support structure are therefore permissible so long as those criteria are maintained.
Connecting and/or sealing means (not shown) are preferably provided between end parts 24 and 26 in the closed position and between end parts 24 and 26 and main part 32 of structure 10 when the end parts are in the closed position.
As well, a drive arrangement (not shown) may be provided for opening and closing parts 24 and 26.
Parts 24 and 26 are preferably additionally stabilized in the open and closed positions by the use of conventional aircraft tie-down systems.

Claims

1. An opening structure for a tensioned membrane structure, which structure includes an arcuate, angular or other non-flat end, said opening structures comprising:
an end part comprising at least a part of said end;
a pivot associated with said end part for pivotal movement of said ends relative to said structure part;
a transport framework within said end part for maintaining the integrity of the tensioned membrane structure of said end part; and rollers operatively connected at the bottom of said framework for rolling movement of said end part.

2. The structure of claim 1 comprising two said end parts which together comprise said end of said tensioned membrane structure.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said two end parts each comprise half of said end.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein each said end part includes a framework for maintaining the integrity of each said part for all positions of said part.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein each said end part is a self-supporting structure.