CA2367090A1

CA2367090A1 - Structural system of torsion/toroidal elements and methods of construction therewith

Info

Publication number: CA2367090A1
Application number: CA002367090A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Anthony I. Provitola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-26
Filing date: 2000-03-20
Publication date: 2000-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-20
Also published as: EA200101004A1; EP1173644B1; EP1173644A4; OA11921A; WO2000058575A1; JP2002541360A; AP1751A; AP2001002280A0; EA003037B1; CN1345393A; EP1173644A1; WO2000058575B1; AU770845B2; MXPA01009703A; AU3901200A; CA2367090C; ATE522673T1; BR0010775A; CN1142348C; NZ514075A

Abstract

The present invention is a structural system of torsion/toroidal elements (184, figure 84) that can be connected to form structures with greater structural strength and efficiency, and which have the capacity to bear compression, tension and flexion loading by conversion of such loading to torsion loading of the connected torsion/toroidal elements. The present invention also includes method of construction using torsion/toroidal elements.

Claims

What I claim as my invention is:

Claim 1. (Amended) A structural system comprising:
(a) a plurality of toroidal torsion elements, and (b) means for connecting the toroidal torsion elements.
Claim 2. (Amended) The structural system of claim 1 in which the toroidal torsion elements are held firmly in position with respect to each other in a connection.
Claim 3. (Amended) A structural system comprising a plurality of toroidal torsion elements which are connected to form a structure.
Claim 4. (Amended) The structural system of claim 3 in which the toroidal torsion elements are held firmly in position with respect to each other in one or more connections.
Claim 5. (Amended) A structural system comprising a plurality of toroidal torsion elements which are connected so that the toroidal torsion elements are held firmly in position in one or more of the connections.
Claim 6. (Amended) A structural system of torsion elements comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural elements which function with torsion as a load bearing mode; and (b) means for connecting the structural elements such that the torsional load on one or more of the structural elements is transmitted to one or more of the other of the structural elements to which said one or more of the structural elements is connected, and so that the torsional load on said one or more of the other of the structural elements is in the opposite direction to the torsional load on said one of the structural elements;
with which a structural framework is formed wherein the loading of the structural elements is distributed within the structural framework as torsional stress.
Claim 7. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the portions of the structural elements within a connection are not coaxially aligned.
Claim 8. (Amended) The structural system of claim 2 in which the means for connecting structural elements is adjustable so that the position of one or more of the structural elements connected by said means for connecting may be changed with respect to other structural elements connected to said one or more of the structural elements by said means for connecting.
Claim 9. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is such that a structural element in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 10. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is such that a torsion element having been positioned in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 11. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the structural elements function with torsion as the principal load bearing mode.
Claim 12. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the [means for connecting torsion] structural elements each function with a load bearing mode that is at least 50% torsional.
Claim 13. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is such that a structural element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection.
Claim 14. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is such that a structural element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the structural element will not thereafter have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 15. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is such that after a structural element is moved in a connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the structural element wilt not have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 16. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 wherein one or more of the structural elements are toroidal in shape.
Claim 17. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is such that a structural element may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the structural element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 18. (Amended) The structural system of claim 6 in which the means for connecting structural elements is actuated, so that one or more structural elements may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the structural element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 19. (Amended) A structural system of torsion elements for constructing frameworks of all sizes, comprising: a plurality of torsion elements, each of which is a structural element which functions with torsion as a load bearing mode, connected so that the torsional load on one or more of the torsion elements is transmitted to one or more of the other of the torsion elements to which said one or more of the torsion elements is connected.
Claim 20. (Amended) The structural system of claim 19 in which the portions of the torsion elements within a connection are not coaxially aligned.
Claim 21. The structural system of claim 20 in which one or more connections are adjustable so that the position of one or more of the torsion elements in such a connection may be changed in such a connection with respect to other torsion elements in such a connection.
Claim 22. The structural system of claim 19 in which the connections are such that a torsion element in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 23. The structural system of claim 19 in which the connections are such that a torsion element having been positioned in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 24. (Amended) The structural system of claim 19 in which the elements function with torsion as the principal load bearing mode.
Claim 25. (Amended) The structural system of claim 19 in which the elements each function with a load bearing mode that is at least 50% torsional.
Claim 26. (Amended) The structural system of claim 19 wherein the loading of one or more of the torsion elements in a structure is distributed among one or more of the other torsion elements as torsional stress.
Claim 27. The structural system of claim 19 in which the connections are such that a torsion element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the torsion element will not thereafter have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 28. The structural system of claim 19 in which the connections are such that after a torsion element is moved in a connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the torsion element will not have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 29. (Amended) The structural system of claim 19 wherein one or more of the torsion elements are toroidal in shape.
Claim 30. The structural system of claim 19 in which the connections are such that a torsion element may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the torsion element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 31. Structural system of claim 19 in which one or more connections are actuated so that one or more torsion elements may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the torsion element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 32. The structural system of claim 19 in which the torsion elements are connected so that the torsional load on said one .

or more of the other of the torsion elements is in the opposite direction to that of said one of the torsion elements.
Claim 33. A structural system for constructing structural frameworks of all sizes, comprising: a plurality of torsion elements, each of which is a structural element which functions by torsional load bearing, which are connected so that the torsional load on one or more of the torsion elements is transmitted to one or more of the other of the torsion elements to which said one or more of the torsion elements is connected, with which a structural framework is formed wherein the loading of the torsion elements is distributed within the structural framework as torsional stress.
Claim 34. The structural system of claim 33, in which one or more connections are adjustable so that the position of one or more of the torsion elements in such a connection may be changed in such a connection with respect to other torsion elements in such a connection.
Claim 35. The structural system of claim 33, in which the portions of the torsion elements within a connection are not coaxially aligned.
Claim 36. The structural system of claim 33, in which the connections are such that a torsion element having been positioned in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 37. The structural system of claim 33, in which the elements function with torsion as the principal load bearing mode.
Claim 38. The structural system of claim 33, in which the torsion elements each function with a load bearing mode that is at least 50% torsional.
Claim 39. The structural system of claim 33, in which the connections are such that a torsion element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection.
Claim 40. The structural system of claim 33, in which the connections are such that a torsion element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the torsion element will not thereafter have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 41. The structural system of claim 33, in which the connections are such that after a torsion element is moved in a connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the torsion element will not have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 42. The structural system of claim 33 wherein one or more of the torsion elements are toroidal in shape.
Claim 43. The structural system of claim 33, in which the connections are such that a torsion element may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the torsion element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 44. The structural system of claim 33, in which one or more connections are actuated so that one or more torsion elements may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the torsion element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 45. The structural system of claim 33 in which the torsion elements are connected so that the torsional load on said one or more of the other of the torsion elements opposes the torsional load on said one of the torsion elements.
Claim 46. A method for constructing frameworks of all sizes with torsion elements comprising: connecting a plurality of torsion elements to form a framework so that the torsional load on one or more of the torsion elements is transmitted to the other torsion elements to which said one or more of the torsion elements is connected, wherein the loading of the torsion elements is distributed within the framework as torsional stress.
Claim 47. The method for constructing frameworks of claim 46 wherein the torsion elements are connected so that the torsional load on said other torsion elements is in the opposite direction to the torsional load on said one or more of the torsion elements.
Claim 48. The method for constructing frameworks of claim 46 wherein said structure is formed according to a plan for said structure.
Claim 49. The method for constructing frameworks of claim 46 further comprising a first step of fabricating a plurality of torsion elements.
Claim 50. (Amended) A system for constructing frameworks of all sizes, comprising:
(a) a plurality of torsion elements; and (b) means for connecting the torsion elements such that the torsional load on one or more of the torsion elements is transmitted to one or more of the other of the torsion elements to which said one or more of the torsion elements is connected;
wherein the loading of the torsion elements is distributed within a framework as torsional stress.
Claim 51. (Amended) A structural system of toroidal elements for structural frameworks comprising:
(a) a plurality of toroidal elements, including structural means for making said toroidal elements self supporting, said structural means excluding non-toroidal diametrical or non-toroidal chordal cross-bracing within the toroidal holes of said toroidal elements; and (b) means for connecting the toroidal elements, so that the resulting connections are not the result of interlinking or intersection of toroidal elements; whereby a structural framework is formed.
Claim 52. (Amended) The structural system of claim 1 in which one or more of the toroidal elements are torsion elements.
Claim 53. The structural system of claim 52 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is adjustable so that the position of one or more of the toroidal elements connected by said means for connecting may be changed with respect to other toroidal elements connected to said one or more of the toroidal elements by said means for connecting.
Claim 54. (Amended) The structural system of claim 1 in which the structural means for making said toroidal elements self supporting is a construction comprised of one or more torsion elements.
Claim 55. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that a toroidal element having been positioned in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 56. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that a toroidal element having been positioned in a connection by adjustment of the connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 57. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that any motion of a toroidal element in a connection will be regulated by the connection.
Claim 58. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that a toroidal element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection.
Claim 59. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that a toroidal element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the toroidal element will not thereafter have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 60. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that after a toroidal element is moved in a connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 61. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that after a toroidal element is moved by a connection in the connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 62. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is such that a toroidal element may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 63. The structural system of claim 51 in which the means for connecting toroidal elements is actuated, so that one or more toroidal elements may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement, so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 64. (Amended) A structural system of toroidal elements for constructing non-domical and non-spherical frameworks, comprising: a plurality of toroidal elements, including structural means for making said toroidal elements self-supporting, said structural means excluding non-toroidal diametrical or non-toroidal chordal cross-bracing within the toroidal holes of said toroidal elements; which are connected so that the resulting connections are not the result of interlinking or intersection of toroidal elements; whereby a structural framework is formed.
Claim 65. The structural system of claim 64 in which one or more of the toroidal elements are torsion elements.
Claim 66. The structural system of claim 65 in which one or more connections are adjustable so that the position of one or more of the toroidal elements in such a connection may be changed in such a connection with respect to other toroidal elements in such a connection.
Claim 67. The structural system of claim 64 in which the structural means for making said toroidal elements self-supporting is a construction comprised of one or more torsion elements.
Claim 68. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that a toroidal element having been positioned in a connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 69. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that a toroidal element having been positioned in a connection by adjustment of the connection will not have substantial movement in the connection.
Claim 70. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that any motion of a toroidal element in a connection will be regulated by and in the connection.
Claim 71. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that a toroidal element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection.
Claim 72. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that a toroidal element may be moved in a connection and that such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the toroidal element will not thereafter have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 73. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that after a toroidal element is moved in a connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection except as regulated by the connection.
Claim 74. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that after a toroidal element is moved by a connection in the connection such movement will be regulated by the connection so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 75. The structural system of claim 64 in which the connections are such that a toroidal element may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 76. The structural system of claim 64 in which one or more connections are actuated so that one or more toroidal elements may be moved by a connection and then held by the connection in the position resulting from such movement so that the toroidal element will not have substantial movement in the connection unless again moved by the connection.
Claim 77. The structural system of claim 64 in which the non-domical and non-spherical framework structures may range in size from nanostructures to an extremely large scale..
Claim 28. A structural system of toroidal elements for tower, domical and spherical structures comprising:
(a) a plurality of toroidal elements, including structural means for making said toroidal elements self-supporting, said structural means excluding non-toroidal diametrical or non-toroidal chordal cross-bracing within the toroidal holes of said toroidal elements; which are connected to form a plurality of level layers of toroidal elements in closed courses, wherein the connections between said plurality of toroidal elements are not the result of interlinking or intersection of toroidal elements; and (b) means of connecting said level layers of toroidal elements in a stack, so that the framework of a tower, domical or spherical structure is formed.
Claim 79. The structural system of claim 78 wherein one or more of the toroidal elements is a torsion elements.
Claim 80. The structural system of claim 78 wherein each of said level layers has the same number of toroidal elements.
Claim 81. The structural system of claim 78 wherein the toroidal elements comprising said level layers have the same size within each layer.
Claim 82. The structural system of claim 78 wherein each of said level layers has the same size and shape.
Claim 83. The structural system of claim 78 wherein the toroidal elements comprising said level layers have the same size from layer to layer.
Claim 84. The structural system of claim 78 wherein said means of connecting said level layers is such that each toroidal element comprising one of said level layers in the stack can be connected to one toroidal element comprising each of the other of said level layers in the stack which are adjacent to said one of said level layers.
Claim 85. The structural system in claim 78 wherein one or more of said level layers have a conical shape.
Claim 86. The structural system in claim 78 wherein the size of one or more of said level layers is smaller than another of said level layers which are adjacent to said one or more of said layers.
Claim 87. The structural system in claim 78 wherein the size of all the toroidal elements comprising one of said level layers is smaller than the size of the toroidal elements comprising another of said level layers which are adjacent to said one of said level layers.
Claim 88. The structural system in claim 78 wherein each of said level layers have a conical shape, and the solid angle of such conical shapes is the same from layer to layer in the stack.
Claim 89. The structural system in claim 78 wherein each of said level layers have a conical shape, and the solid angle of such conical shapes increases from the first of said level layers in the stack to the last of said level layers in the stack.
Claim 90. (Amended) The structural system of Claim 78 wherein a spherical structure is formed by connection of two domical structures at their bases.
Claim 91. The structural system of Claim 78 further comprising one or more intermediate latitudinal toroidal elements, wherein a spherical structure is formed by connection of the level layers of the bases of two domical structures which are in opposite polar orientation to said one or more intermediate latitudinal toroidal elements.
Claim 92. The structural system of Claim 78 further comprising one or more intermediate latitudinal toroidal elements, wherein any two of said level layers which are adjacent in the stack are connected to each other by being connected to said one or more intermediate latitudinal toroidal elements.
Claim 93. (Amended) The structural system of Claim 78 further comprising one or more intermediate longitudinal toroidal elements, wherein one or more of the toroidal elements included in said level layers are connected to said one or more intermediate longitudinal toroidal elements.
Claim 94. (Amended) The structural system of Claim 78 wherein the level layers which are adjacent in the stack are arranged so that each toroidal element in one of said adjacent level layers is connected to one of the toroidal elements in the other of said adjacent level layers.
Claim 95. (Amended) The structural system of Claim 78 wherein the level layers which are adjacent in the stack are arranged so that each toroidal element in one of said adjacent level layers is connected to two of the toroidal elements in the other of said adjacent level layers.
Claim 96. (Amended) The structural system of Claim 78 wherein the toroidal elements in level layers which are adjacent in the stack are interleaved so that each toroidal element in one of said adjacent level layers is connected to two of the toroidal elements in the other of said adjacent level layers ; whereby said level layers are interleaved.
Claim 97. (Amended) The structural system of Claim 78 wherein a spherical structure is formed by connection of two domical structures at their bases, so that each toroidal element in one of said bases is connected to two of the toroidal elements in the other of said bases; whereby the level layers at their bases are interleaved.
Claim 98. (Amended) A spherical structure of toroidal elements comprising: a plurality of toroidal elements of substantially the same size arranged in the planes of the surfaces of an imaginary regular poyhedron, with one or more of said toroidal elements being connected to others of said toroidal elements so that resulting connections are not the result of interlinking or intersection of toroidal elements; and wherein said toridal elements are substantially tangent to each other within the connection, except for space between said toridal elements required for the connection substantially at the midpoints of the edges of the imaginary regular polyhedron; wherein said toridal elements include structural means for making ~~~~~
elements self-supporting, said structural means excluding non-toridal diametrical or non toridal ~~~~~~~
the central holes of said toridal elements;.
Claim 99. The spherical structure of Claim 98 wherein said plurality of toroidal elements lie in the surface of the spherical structure.
Claim 100. The spherical structure of Claim 98 further comprising one or more additional toroidal elements connected to said plurality of toroidal elements, wherein said one or more additional toroidal elements lie in the surface of the spherical structure, so that said one or more additional toroidal elements bridge one or more spaces between said plurality of toroidal elements in the surface of the spherical structure.
Claim 101. The spherical structure of Claim 98 further comprising one or more additional toroidal elements connected to said plurality of toroidal elements, wherein said one or more additional toroidal elements are within the spherical structure, so that said one or more additional toroidal elements reinforce the spherical structure from within.
Claim 102. A toroidal element framework planning algorithm, which comprises:
the diagram shown in FIG. 106 showing the geometric relations among the angles and lengths; and the following relations to be solved by standard mathematical procedures for the quantities Li, Ej(dia) and Alpha, for a given RT, Tr, n and r; wherein the torus radius is RT, the toroidal tube radius is Tr, the number of elements is n, the angle of arc occupied by one element is Phi + 360/n, and the radius of a toroidal element is r: RO = RT + Tr RI = RT - Tr; Ro = RO - r; Ri = RI + r; Sin(Theta) = r/Ri;
Sin(Psi) = r/Ro; Li = r/Tan(Theta); Lo = ~
r/Tan(Psi); x = Ro * Sin(Phi - Psi), (* indicating multiplication between adjacent quantities); Ld = Ro * Cos(Phi - Psi) - Li;
Tan(Alpha) = (x - r)/Ld; Ej(dia) = (x - r)/Sin(Alpha).
Claim 103. (Amended) A method of constructing any given toroidal element framework from other toroidal elements which comprises: determining the component curvatures of the required toroidal shape; planning the toroidal framework using a toroidal element framework planning algorithm as in claim 102; positioning the constituent toroidal elements as prescribed by said planning algorithm; and connecting the constituent toroidal elements so positioned.
Claim 104. The methods of claims 103 in which a third step is added following the first two steps, which comprises constructing a jig/mold for positioning the toroidal elements from the specifications provided by the use of said planning algorithm.
Claim 105. The methods of claims 103 in which a third step is added following the first two steps, which comprises constructing the toroidal elements of the sizes prescribed by the use of said planning algorithm.
Claim 106. A jig/mold for positioning torsion/toroidal elements for construction of a toroidal element framework comprising:
(a) a surface plate; and (b) means for positioning torsion/toroidal elements on the surface plate; so that the torsion/toroidal elements are held in the positions so outlined for in order to be connected to form a toroidal element.
Claim 107. A jig/mold for positioning torsion/toroidal elements for construction of a toroidal element framework comprising:
(a) a surface plate; and (b) stops attached to the surface plate outlining the positions of the torsion/elements on the surface plate; so that the torsion/toroidal elements are held in the positions so outlined for in order to be connected to form a toroidal element.
Claim 108. The jig/mold of claim 106 or 107 in which the specifications for positioning of the torsion/toroidal elements is provided by the use of the toroidal element framework planning algorithm.
Claim 109. A toroidal dome framework planning algorithm which comprises: the diagrams shown in FIGS. 107 and 108 showing the geometric relations among the angles and lengths; and the following relations to be solved by standard mathematical procedures for the quantities e and p, and thus all dependent quantities;
wherein the number of base toroidal elements is n, the sphere radius is S, the horizontal element angle is f = 360/n, the declination of the base is t, the vertical element angle is e, and the element join angle is p, the relations among the angles and lengths labeled in FIGS. 107 and 108 is as follows: for the element radius, R = S * Sin(e/2); for the upper base radius, Ur = Cos(t + e); for the upper base height, Uh = S * Sin (t + e); for the lower base radius, Lr = S * Cos(t); for the lower base height, Lh = S * Sin(t); and the relation between e and p is given by the following simultaneous equations:
e = 2 .cndot. ArcSin[Tan(0.5 .cndot. .function.).cndot. Tan(45 - 0.5 .cndot.
p)]
p =
Claim 110. A method of construction of a dome with toroidal elements which comprises: determining the shape of the dome and the shape of the base of the dome; planning the toroidal dome framework using a toroidal dome framework planning algorithm as in claim 109; positioning the constituent toroidal elements as prescribed by said planning algorithm; and connecting the toroidal elements so positioned at the locations on said toroidal elements indicated by the use of said planning algorithm.
Claim 111. A method for providing structures utilizing torsion/toroidal elements, which comprises: fabricating a plurality of torsion/toroidal elements; and connecting the torsion/toroidal elements so that a structure is formed.
Claim 112. A horizontal arch comprising a plurality of toroidal compression members which are connected side-to-side, in an unbroken series, in an arc of a curve in a horizontal plane, and in a level layer, all of the compression members being either laterally connected to an adjacent compression member or to a fixed structure at the termini of the series; wherein the positions of the bottoms of all such compression members are fixed along the arc;
wherein adjacent compression members lean together toward the center of curvature of the arc, so that the sides of adjacent compression members are in contact above and within the perimeter of the arc; wherein horizontal cohesiveness of the compression members is augmented by the application of vertically downward loading on each compression member; and wherein vertical load bearing of the compressive members is augmented by the horizontal cohesiveness of the compression members against each other.
Claim 113. A structural element comprising a plurality of compression members which are toroidal in shape, each of said compression members having two sides, a first half, and a second half diametrically opposite the first half, said compression members being arranged on a surface, side-to-side, in a curved array, with the second half of each of said compression members being on said surface and being fixed in position, and each of said compression members being tilted into the curve of said curved array, said curve being a single curve without any reverse; wherein the positions of said first halves of each of said compression member in said curved array lie substantially in a plane; so that said compression members are forced together by the application of a load, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the curve of said curved array, on the first half of each of said compression members, whereby said curved array of compression members coheres as a structural element for bearing said load.
Claim 114 A structural element comprising a plurality of toroidally shaped compression members, each of said compression members having two sides, a first end, and a second end diametrically opposite the first end, said compression members being arranged on a surface, side-to-side, in a curved array, with the second end of each of said compression members being on said surface and being fixed in position, and each of said compression members being tilted into the curve of said curved array, said curve being a single curve without any reverse; wherein the positions of said first ends of each of said compression member in said curved array lie substantially in a plane; so that said compression members are forced together by the application of a load, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the curve of said curved array, at the first end of each of said compression members, whereby said curved array of compression members coheres as a structural element for bearing said load.
Claim 115. A structural element comprising a plurality of toroidally shaped compression members, each of said compression members having two sides, a first end, and a second end diametrically opposite the first end, said compression members being arranged on a surface side-to-side, in a curved array with the second end of each of said compression members being on said surface and being fixed in position, and each of said compression members being tilted into the curve of said curved array, said curve being a single curve without any reverse; so that said compression members are forced together by the application of a load, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the curve of said curved array, at the first end of each of said compression members, whereby said curved array of compression members coheres as a structural element for bearing said load.
Claim 116. The structural element of claim 112-115 wherein the curve of said curved array is a closed curve.
Claim 117. The structural element of claim 112-115 wherein each of said compression members are connected to an adjacent compression member.
Claim 118. The structural element of claim 112-115 wherein the surface on which said compression members are arranged is a plane.
Claim 119. The structural element of claim 112-115 wherein the compression members at the termini of said curved array are fixed structures.
Claim 120. The structural element of claim 112-115 wherein the positions of said first ends of each of said compression member in said curved array lie in a plane.
Claim 121. The structural element of claim 112-115 wherein the magnitude of the load on each compression member is substantially the same for all of the compression members.
Claim 122. A toroidal wheel comprising a toroidal framework of torsion elements, further comprising (a) a plurality of torsion elements which function with torsion as the principal load bearing mode; and (b) means for connecting the torsion elements so that the torsional load on one of the torsion elements is transmitted to one or more of the other of the torsion elements to which said one of the torsion elements is connected;
so that the toroidal framework is self-supporting.
Claim 123. The toroidal wheel of claim 122 wherein the toroidal framework of torsion elements is not supported by any spokes, hub, or wheel disk.
Claim 124. The toroidal wheel of claim 122 wherein the toroidal wheel is operated in a mount/drive.
Claim 125. The toroidal wheel of claim 122 further comprising support elements integrated with the toroidal framework of torsion elements.
Claim 126. The toroidal wheel of claim 122 further comprising a means for operating the toroidal wheel so that it can rotate in contact with a surface against which it is operated.
Claim 127. The toroidal wheel of claim 122 further comprising a means for driving the toroidal wheel in rotation in contact with a surface against which it is operated.
Claim 128. A toroidal wheel comprising a toroidal framework of torsion elements, further comprising (a) a plurality of torsion elements which function with torsion as the principal load bearing mode; and (b) means for connecting the torsion elements so that the torsional load on one of the torsion elements is transmitted to one or more of the other of the torsion elements to which said one of the torsion elements is connected;
wherein the toroidal framework is not supported by any spokes, hub, or wheel disk.