GB1603883A - Tenstile structures - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TENSILE STRUCTURES (71) We, MICHAEL RICHARD NEW BERRY of 8 Southsea Terrace, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and JOHN RICHARD WILKINSON of 9 Birmingham Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, both British subjects, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to tensile structures intended primarily although not exclusively for use in the construction of tents, marquees and related portable structures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tensile structure which is lightweight, compact and simple to erect. It is further intended to produce a structure of enhanced stability, free of complex constructional problems.

According to this invention there is provided a tensile structure comprising a plurality of interconnected inclined strut A-frame supporting members tensioned by at least one tensile element and arranged in a polygonal configuration with guylines or other means serving to locate the Aframes by pulling same outwardly against further guys inter-linking opposed frames, the whole rigid main structure being covered by material.

The A-frames are inclined struts which are tensioned by at least one tensile element. A roof covering is provided which is positioned over some of these tensile elements.

The main structure may also be provided with walls covering the vertical faces of the A-frames. A floor or groundsheet may be used upon the ground area enclosed by the structure. The walls or the floor may be used separately or together to replace some of the tensile elements or guys.

The resultant structure can be constructed in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials twitch versatile application characteristics. It may be produced as in 'fold-up' form wherein the framework is permanently joined together by hinged joints and the cover, groundsheet and guys are permanently attached to the framework.

This possibility can be realised in a wide range of different sized structures; the ratio of erected size to folded size being similar to that of a conventionally framed tent structure. Erection of the ' fold-up' tent is simpler and quicker than conventional tents since all the elements are permanently joined and self locating.

Since the structures can be produced in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials (any sheet material which is strong in tension) they have flexible application potential, for example in use as camping tents, shelters, basic housing, marquees, field units, schools, travelling exhibitions and theatres.

It is further possible to link any number of individual structures together to form multi-celled units of any size to extend the range of use.

Constructional simplicity and the use of repetitive panels permit the use of a wide range of covering materials without sacrificing structural stability.

By way of example only, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one structural framework, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the configuration depidted in Figure 1 with coverings, Figure 3 further illustrates the four Aframe configuration, Figure 4 illustrates inter-linking of identical structures, Figure 5 is a projected plan configuration, Figure 6 illustrates a plurality of linked structures, and Figure 7 shows a further configuration of linked structures, In the drawings the structures consist of inclined struts (1-8, Figure 1), tensile elements (9-24, Figure 1), and anchorage points (25-32, Figure 1). All elements are of fixed length.They also include a roof (la, Figure 2), walls (2a, Figure 2) and a floor (3a, Figure 2) all of which can be fixed or detachable. The roof can be used to replace tensile elements 9, 10, 11 and 12 (Figure 1). The walls can be used to replace one or more of tensile elements 13, 14, 15 and 16 (Figure 1). Either the walls or the floor can be used separately or together to replace tensile elements 17-24 (Figure 1).

Adjacent struts are inclined in opposite directions and adjacent ends are linked at joints 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 (Figure 1) to form a closed framework with alternating high points 33, 34, 35 and 36 (Figure 1) and low points 26, 28, 30 and 32 (Figure 1). The joints may be hinged to give a fold-up structure or rigidly fixed when erected to give a demountable structure. Where a structure is fold-up and a compact folded size is important the struts can be made in sections with a lockable hinged joint at points 37-44 (Figure 1).

Opposite pairs of high points (33 and 35, 34 and 36 Figure 1) are linked together by tensile elements 9 and 10 and each high point is linked to one of the anchorage points (see below). Opposite pairs of low points (26 and 30, 28 and 32 Figure 1) are linked together by tensile elements 11 and 12.

The structure is anchored at each of the low points and at points 25, 27, 29 and 31 (Figure 1). The anchorage points are linked horizontally by tensile elements 17-24 (Figure 1). The links between the high points and the relevant anchorage points may be vertical as in Figure 1 or inclined as in Figure 3.

In Figures 3 to 5, B represents the base line of a wall, S represents the inclined struts, P represents the line of projected plan, T represents a tensile element, H represents high points and L represents low points.

The projected plan form of the structure i.e. the geometric form obtained by projecting the line of the struts onto a horizontal plane, is a polygon. Figures 1, 3 and 4 show three of the possible configu- rations. Figure 1 is an octagon with one strut per plan side, Figure 3 is a square with two struts per plan side and Figure 4 is a rectangle with two struts per short side and four struts per long side. In each case the struts are inclined in a plane which is perpendicular to the projected plan.

The roof is attached at its penmeter to the struts (see Figure 2). It consists of two identical but handed sections which are repeated to give the characteristic wave form.

The walls are normally fixed between the struts and the perimeter of the projected plan (Figure 2) but other configurations are possible (Figures 3 and 5).

Any number of individual structures can be linked together to form multiple units (Figures 6 and 7).

Referring again to Figure 1, the structure is held rigid by the interaction of compressive and tensile members. The low points are anchored to points which are determined by the plan form and size. The high points are located by a combination of the struts linking them to the low points, the tensile members linking pairs of high points (9 and 10) and by the tensile members linking them to the anchorage points e.g. tensile member 13 links high point 33 to anchorage point 25. The anchorage points are located by the tensile members linking them to the low points e.g. anchorage point 25 is linked to low point 32 by tensile member 17 and to low point 26 by tensile member 18.

The roof is maintained in tension by the interaction of elements 9 and 10 pulling it up, elements 11 and 12 pulling it down and the rigid perimeter struts resisting these forces.

Thus all of the points are located positively by linked, fixed length members with three or four members acting on each point.

The procedure of erection is the same for all forms so for simplicity only one form is now described. For non fold-up forms elements must be supported whilst joints are made.

The struts are unfolded in pairs (1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6 and 7 and 8) are locked.

The location of one low point e.g. 32 is selected and that low point is anchored to the ground. Struts 4, 5, 6 and 7 are then pulled away from struts 1, 2, 3 and 8 as far as they will go and low point 30 is anchored to the ground. Struts 4 and 5 and struts 3 and 2 are pulled away from struts 6 and 7 and struts 1 and 8 respectively as far as they will go in one movement and low points 26 and 28 are anchored to the ground. In all cases the hinged joints and the groundsheet limit the maximum amount of travel and, therefore, the correct locations for the low points. Anchorage points 25, 27, 29 and 31 are then pulled away from the structure as far as they will go (fixed by the horizontal tensile members) and fixed to the ground. The structure is then erected.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A tensile structure comprising a plurality of interconnected inclined strut A-frame supporting members tensioned by at least one tensile element and arranged in a polygonal configuration with guylines or other means serving to locate the Aframes by pulling same outwardly against further guys inter-linking opposed frames, the whole rigid main structure being covered by material.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. fixed or detachable. The roof can be used to replace tensile elements 9, 10, 11 and 12 (Figure 1). The walls can be used to replace one or more of tensile elements 13, 14, 15 and 16 (Figure 1). Either the walls or the floor can be used separately or together to replace tensile elements 17-24 (Figure 1). Adjacent struts are inclined in opposite directions and adjacent ends are linked at joints 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 (Figure 1) to form a closed framework with alternating high points 33, 34, 35 and 36 (Figure 1) and low points 26, 28, 30 and 32 (Figure 1). The joints may be hinged to give a fold-up structure or rigidly fixed when erected to give a demountable structure. Where a structure is fold-up and a compact folded size is important the struts can be made in sections with a lockable hinged joint at points 37-44 (Figure 1). Opposite pairs of high points (33 and 35, 34 and 36 Figure 1) are linked together by tensile elements 9 and 10 and each high point is linked to one of the anchorage points (see below). Opposite pairs of low points (26 and 30, 28 and 32 Figure 1) are linked together by tensile elements 11 and 12. The structure is anchored at each of the low points and at points 25, 27, 29 and 31 (Figure 1). The anchorage points are linked horizontally by tensile elements 17-24 (Figure 1). The links between the high points and the relevant anchorage points may be vertical as in Figure 1 or inclined as in Figure 3. In Figures 3 to 5, B represents the base line of a wall, S represents the inclined struts, P represents the line of projected plan, T represents a tensile element, H represents high points and L represents low points. The projected plan form of the structure i.e. the geometric form obtained by projecting the line of the struts onto a horizontal plane, is a polygon. Figures 1, 3 and 4 show three of the possible configu- rations. Figure 1 is an octagon with one strut per plan side, Figure 3 is a square with two struts per plan side and Figure 4 is a rectangle with two struts per short side and four struts per long side. In each case the struts are inclined in a plane which is perpendicular to the projected plan. The roof is attached at its penmeter to the struts (see Figure 2). It consists of two identical but handed sections which are repeated to give the characteristic wave form. The walls are normally fixed between the struts and the perimeter of the projected plan (Figure 2) but other configurations are possible (Figures 3 and 5). Any number of individual structures can be linked together to form multiple units (Figures 6 and 7). Referring again to Figure 1, the structure is held rigid by the interaction of compressive and tensile members. The low points are anchored to points which are determined by the plan form and size. The high points are located by a combination of the struts linking them to the low points, the tensile members linking pairs of high points (9 and 10) and by the tensile members linking them to the anchorage points e.g. tensile member 13 links high point 33 to anchorage point 25. The anchorage points are located by the tensile members linking them to the low points e.g. anchorage point 25 is linked to low point 32 by tensile member 17 and to low point 26 by tensile member 18. The roof is maintained in tension by the interaction of elements 9 and 10 pulling it up, elements 11 and 12 pulling it down and the rigid perimeter struts resisting these forces. Thus all of the points are located positively by linked, fixed length members with three or four members acting on each point. The procedure of erection is the same for all forms so for simplicity only one form is now described. For non fold-up forms elements must be supported whilst joints are made. The struts are unfolded in pairs (1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6 and 7 and 8) are locked. The location of one low point e.g. 32 is selected and that low point is anchored to the ground. Struts 4, 5, 6 and 7 are then pulled away from struts 1, 2, 3 and 8 as far as they will go and low point 30 is anchored to the ground. Struts 4 and 5 and struts 3 and 2 are pulled away from struts 6 and 7 and struts 1 and 8 respectively as far as they will go in one movement and low points 26 and 28 are anchored to the ground. In all cases the hinged joints and the groundsheet limit the maximum amount of travel and, therefore, the correct locations for the low points. Anchorage points 25, 27, 29 and 31 are then pulled away from the structure as far as they will go (fixed by the horizontal tensile members) and fixed to the ground. The structure is then erected. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A tensile structure comprising a plurality of interconnected inclined strut A-frame supporting members tensioned by at least one tensile element and arranged in a polygonal configuration with guylines or other means serving to locate the Aframes by pulling same outwardly against further guys inter-linking opposed frames, the whole rigid main structure being covered by material.

2. A structure according to Claim 1

wherein the A-frames are tensioned by a plurality of tensile elements.

3. A structure according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the material covering is separated into a roof and individual wall covers.

4. A structure according to Claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein a floor or groundsheet occupies the ground area enveloped by the framework.

5. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the walls or the floor are used separately or in combination to replace some of the guy lines.

6. A structure according to any preceding claim produced in 'fold-up' form wherein the framework is permanently joined together by hinged joints and the cover, groundsheet and guys are permanently attached to the framework.

7. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein a plurality of individual framework structures are linked to form a multi-structured unit.

8. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein four A-frames are used with guylines extending from the apex to the ground, the projected planar configuration being an octagon.

9. A tensile structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.