IL30178A - An overhead annular covering in a dual cable system for polygonal,elliptical or circular plan buildings,such as sports grounds or the like - Google Patents

Description

AM OVERHEAD ANNULAR COVBBING IN A DUAL CABLE SYSTEM FOB POLYGONAL, ELLIPTICAL OB CIRCULAR PLA BUILDINGS. SUCH AS SPORTS GROUNDS OR THE LIKE ,ρ^ηητ- η E 33a nay g ¾3 »3g ya mum nyao rmia isio naH3i aiiBo ^unaa n;o .o^iay IK n^pg^K This invention relates to an annularly shaped overhead covering for sports grounds or generally other such buildings of a substantially polygonal or elliptical , particularly circular plan, as designed to be covered without using intermediate pillars. Such a covering is substantially characterized by a rigid or semi-rigid ring and a concentric central element in the form of a disc or ring, connected by two cable systems, one o? which is the supporting system and the other is the supported or tensioning system, forming frusto-cnnically extending surfaces, covering members as anchored to at least one of said stretched cable systems being superimposed on such surfaces.

According to one embodiment the covering comprises in combination two similar, concentric, substantially rigid rings of a predetermined height, one of which is made fast with the supporting frame of the building, while the other is overhanging to the former by the combined action of two stretched cable systems, the first system of which comprises the supporting cables extending from the top of the supporting ring and anchoring to the bottom of the supported ring, while the second cable system is a retaining system wherein the cables are anchored adjacent the lower edge of the supporting ring and at the upper edge of the supported ring, these cables being suitably tensioned.

Where the covering is related to sports grounds and the like, the supporting ring is the outer ring, and the supported ring is the inner ring, defining the uncovered zone over the playground, but such a zone could in turn be closed by a further stationary or dismantable or openable covering carried on the supported ring. Each of the cables, crossing relative to the adjoining cables pertaining to the other system, being incident or oblique to said adjoining cables* In the case of a circular plan the two cablessystems can be radially arranged, or so as to be substantially at right angles to the vertical planes tangential o the supporting and supported rings at application locations in the caee of an elliptical or polygonal plan.

In a further embodiment said two cable systems can be arranged so as to envelope the inner ring, being secured thereto at tangential points. This embodiment is advantageous in that the cables of each system would cross to one another, being interconnected thereby at crossing locations, thusa provided a more linked reticular carrying or supporting member,to which the coating for the outer cavering can be more easily attached.

Further, the supporting cable system preferably comprises a larger number of cables than the stiffening cable system, so as to have for such a coating closer bearing members.

According to a further embodiment, the covering comprises a supporting system including a plurality of reticularly arranged supported cables, cables supported by at least a supporting ring and mounted so asto shape the surface intended to make up the covering and which are then stiffened and tensioned by a second retaining cable system superimposed to the former, the latter cables being anchored to said covering.

This embodiment is particularly suitable for providing coverings in substantially circular buildings which are to present wide peripheral access apertures, such as for example sheds for accomodating stores, vehicles, aircraft hangars or the like.

In this case the retaining cable system will be anchored to an outer peripheral ring and ground at the central area. The covering surface vill then take the shape substantially approaching that of two sections of coaxial cones having a different aperture on a common base. However, "the same informing concept could be applied for providing a full covering which will have a configuration of a shape opposite to the former, when the supporting cables are stretched between a central post and a peripheral ring of different heights, while the retaining cable system comprises an annular network of cables located above the supporting cables, the linking cables being anchored in this case at the ends of the peripheral ring.

The accompanying drawings show by way of illustrative and not restrictive example some embodiments of the invention, and more particularly: Pig. 1 is a vertical cross-^section Α-Δ of a first embodiment of an annular covering for an elliptical plan building, wherein the two cable systems are substantially radially arranged; Pig. 2 is a top view of only the supporting cables; Pig. 3 is a similar view, wherein the only stiffening cables are shown; Pig. 4 is a top view showing the supporting cables for a second embodiment, wherein the stiffening cables are still substantially radially arranged, whereas the supporting cables are arranged so as to envelope the inner ring, defining the uncovered portion, or portion covered 'by an auxiliary covering system; ' Fig. 5 is a detailed view of section B-B in Fig. 4, wherein only the cables departing from points a, b, jc, d and e have been shown for a clearer representation of the drawing} Figs. 6 and 7 show, respectively, in a top view in Fig. 6 the arrangement for the supporting cables and in Fig. 7 the arrangement for the retaining cables, in the case of a second embodiment, wherein the covering for an annularly shaped building is contemplated; Fig. 8 is a top view of the supporting cable system as completed with the retaining cable system of said second embodiment; Fig. 9 is an axial vertical section showing the supporting structure for the covering in Figs. 6-8; ; Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a modification of said second embodiment for carrying out a full covering of a substantially circular plan building having its covering in the shape of a double cone dome; in one half of said figure only the supporting cables have been shown, whereas both of said two cable systems have been shown in the other half of said figure; and Fig. 11 is an axial section of the building according to the modified embodiment in Fig. 10.

Referring to the embodiment of Figs. 1-3, there is generally shown at 1 the framework of a building, particularly a sports ground or other similar building, to be covered only at a peripheral rim by an overhead covering without any inner bearing points.

Said supporting structure 1 is not shown, being conventional per se and receiving but substantially vertical stresses from the covering.

The covering comprises an outer peripheral ring preferably formed of the combination of two rings 2a and 2b, spaced apart from each other and connected by suitable means 2c,, so as to provide a single elliptical bond of a suitable height and forming the outer ring, generally designated at 2 in Figs. 2 and 3.

The connection between the outer rings 2a and 2b is peeferably by latticework members 2c,, and will be so designed as to take into account that said latticework shall also take up the horizontal or sub-horizontal thrusts Obviously, ring 2 could also be -made of a single member of a suitable height, but being less advantageous from an economical standpoint. Instoad, the inner ring 3 is made of a single member of improper height* ' ■'·;. V· At 4 and 5 the cables are shown for the two systems, 1 wherein cables 4 are the supporting cables, while cables 5 are the retaining and opposing cables. Thus, an overhead annular structure is provided, the structure of which is substantially rigid and statically defined and adapted to resist both the action of its own weight, water, snow or the like, and that of draughts which may also be directed from bottom to top.

In said covering system rings 2a and 2b, stiffened by members 2ct work under compression, w]i l« inner rings 3 works under tension.

The embodiment of Figs; 4 and § is substantially similar. Also in this case there are two outer rings 2a, 2b, joined to each other by connecting members 2c and an inner ring 3.

Said members have been designated by the same numerals as being identical and working in an equivalent manner. Also the retaining cables 5 are in the same radial arrangement as in the preceding arrangement shown in Fig. 3.

For clarity, only some cables 5 have been shown in Fig. 4.

The only difference is that the supporting cables 4a are so arranged as to envelope the inner ring 3 and, therefore, extending so that the orthogonal projections or plan views thereof envelope the conical projection of ring 3 these cables being anchored to said supported ring 3 at In both of the embodiments shown, the coating can be provided, by plane sheet elements, such as plate, plastic material, cement, asbestos or the like.

Said coating, as well as rain water gutters 6, can be secured to supporting cables 4 or 4aj to this purpose, in the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the number of these cables is larger than that of cables 5.

However, nothing would impede that the covering be wholly or partly also supported by said supported or stiffening cables 5.

Preferably, rings 2a, 2b, as well as ring 3, will be made of prefabricated segments, preferably steel segments, which ate then joined to one another at site by bolts or welding.

As hereinabove mentioned, on said supported ring 3 there could in turn be also carried any suitable covering system, either stationary, or openable, or dismantable.

Obviously, the supported ring could also be the outer ring and in this case the building would take a mushroom shape with an annular zone outward projecting.

Referring to the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6-9, and relating to an annular plan building, the supporting structure thereof comprises a plurality of peripheral pillars 11 carrying a ring 12 (Fig. 9)..

Supporting cables 13 are so arranged as to envelope a circular area 14 (Fig. 6) surrounding an inner open space 17, which is left exposed or may be occupied by a tower structure, conventionally made and however the camber for cables 13 when tensioned vill depend on the curving which for aesthetical purposes will be possibly desired to be given to ehe annular connecting area between the ceiling and the inner wall o? the so- covered annular building. When desiring to have a substantially planar surface, cables 13 are initially secured according to a substantially horizontal arrangement.

Cables 13 will be crosswise arranged so as to form a first cable network, to which the supporting function of the covering will be assigned.

At 15 there are designated the cables of the second system, such cables being anchored to the ground at a circle 16 internal to and coaxial with circle 14 enveloped by the first cable system 13 and are subsequently anchored to the peripheral ring 12. Said cables 15 form a second netwwrk pressing from the top onto the network formed of supporting cables 13, tensioning the latter and stiffening the supporting system for the covering, on which any coating system can then be applied.

After tensioning the retaining cables 15 through conventional or less turnbuckle means as carried on ring 12, the covering system still free of coating will present, as shown in Fig. 9, as an almost planar annular ceiling portion, somewhat inclined to the building axis, or approaching a semi-hyperboloid of rotation, being formed in combination by said two cable systems 13 and 15, while in the portion surrounding said circular area 17 the only retaining cables 15 downward extend to anchor to the ground at locations of When on assembling no substantial camber is assigned > to cables 13, at the ceiling and innermost vail said annular build ing will approximately present as comprising two frusto-conical surfaces , having a common base and being formed of right circular cones with downward apexes, the apex of which forming the ceiling has an aperture angle approaching 90° ^ whereas the lower apex has a very reduced aperture, pending to be almost equivalent to a eylinder* On increasing the camber, "(he axial section of the surface forming said walls will take up the configuration of a round surface having a semi-hyperbola as median section* In the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11 it is contemplated to have an entire covering for a building, at the center of which a sturdy pillar 18 is provided, such a building being defined by a plurality of peripheral pillars, or a continuous or discontinuous wall carrying a ring 12a.

For clarity, in Figs. 10 and 11 od.y a reduced number of cables are shown and the diameter for pillar 18 has been increased.

Supporting cables 13a are stretched between the upper edge of pillar 18 and ring 12, preferably according to a network arrangement.

In this esse, in order to accomplish the intended funntion, the reticular system of retaining cables 15a is mounted according to such an arrangement that said cables have as image in a plan view the cords enveloping a more or less wide circle 19, depending on the desired configuration for the covering, said cables 15a being mount4d so as to anchored to be capable of downward pulling the supporting cables.

Therefore, on assembling completion said covering will have a shape substantially of an inversed configuration, with respect to that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9.

In other terms, the covering will comprise an upper cantral member having a reduced aperture and connecting at base 19 to another lower conical member of a larger aperture, the apexes of both members being upward directed, being it possible to vary said aperture angles by varying the initial camber for the supporting cables 13a, so that the larger said camber, the larger the aperture angle for the conical surface defining the peripheral annular covering portion tending to approach a planar horizontal surface and the lesser ¾e aperture angle for the upper cone.

Obviously, the diameter of circle 19 can also be varied to obtain different aesthetical effects.

Rings 12 and 12a can be made of reinforced concrete or metal. In this case, they can be prefabricated as segments, interconnectable by suitable means upon laying.

Claims (3)

1. r WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An overhead covering for pofygonal, elliptical, particularly circular plan buildings, free of intermediate bearings, supported by at least a rigid supporting structure, characterized by the combination of a rigid or semi-rigid ring carried by said supporting structure and a central member or ring substantially coaxial, and two cable systems, one of which is the supporting system and the other is the suppooted or tensioning system, as stretched between said two members and forming frusto-conically extending surfaces, on which surfaces the covering elements, preferably sheet elements, are mounted and supported by said stretched cable systems.

2. An annular covering according to Claim 1, comprising the combination of two similar substantially concentric rings, one of which is the supporting ring and the toher the supported ring, interconnected by a first supporting cable system which are secured adjacent the upper edge to the supporting rin and adjacent the lower edge to the supported ring, and by a second retaining cable system which are anchored adjacent the lower edge to the supporting ring and adjacent the upper edge. to the supported ring, means being provided for tensioning said cables.

3. A covering according to Claim 2, wherein the supporting ring is the outer ring and provided by the combination of f rings at attachment locations* 5. A covering according to Claim 2 , wherein the number o the supporting cables is larger than the number of the retaining cables, so as to provide for a close bearing for the elements making up the external coating for the covering, particularly as plates* 6. A covering according to Claim 2, wherein the supporting cables envelope the wall of the inner ring, where they are anchored to the latter, tfiile the retaining cables are substantially radial* 7* A covering according to 61aim 1, wherein the rigid supporting structure comprises a plurality of peripheral supporting members, such as pillars, comprising the combination of a peripheral ring supported by a supporting structure and a first system of supporting cables reticularly stretched over the space to be covered and anchored at an end to said peripheral ring and at the other end either to said ring or to a supporting pillar located within the space circumscribed by said ring, said first system of cables being tensioned by a second system of retaining cables overlapping the former, which are stretched to press from top to bottom against the supporting cables, subjecting them to the intended tension and causing them to take the required shape, said retaining cables providing for stiffening the covering, particularly in the direction in which they operate in the covering load and the other stresses being involved* 8'. A covering according to Claim 7, wherein the system of supporting cables is anchored at both ends to the outer ring and are so mounted that said cables will circumscribe an inner circle enveloping the same, while the retaining cable ssare anchored at an end to the otter ring and at the other end to ground at a ring coaxial with said outer ring, but of a smaller radius, said supporting cables and retaining cables being so arranged as to form network members, preferably of the staggered link type. 9. A covering according to Claim 7, wherein said supporting cables are anchored at an end to the peripheral ring and at the other end to the top of a pillar internal to said ring and preferably extending in non-axial planes, whereas said retaining cables are anchored ai) both ends to said ring and are arranged so as to envelope a circle, the diameter of which is larger than that of the inner pillar, but smaller than that of the peripheral ring, being mounted at such heights that the can arrange over said supporting cables to pull them downwards. COHEN ZEDEK & SFISBACH P.O. Box 33116, Tel Aviv Attorneys for Applicant.