US20170175378A1

US20170175378A1 - Strut arrangement for a geodesic dome

Info

Publication number: US20170175378A1
Application number: US14/971,440
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee Budde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-16
Filing date: 2015-12-16
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

A strut disclosed herein, where multiple such struts are configured to form a geodesic dome, where each strut includes multiple elongate rod members with multiple fastener-through holes defined on each of the elongate rod members. The opposing ends of each elongate rod member comprises a bolt hole, where each of the opposing ends of one elongate rod member is joined and fastened to other opposing ends of the other elongate rod members to define a hub, thereby defining a framework for the geodesic dome. Each fastener-through hole is configured to fasten a covering material of a predefined configuration over the framework defined by the elongate rod members, thereby forming the geodesic dome.

Description

BACKGROUND

Geodesic domes are generally formed of multiple triangular plate like patterns arranged together, and such constructions are well known in the art. These dome shaped structures are assembled by combining triangle shaped patterns to an adjacent pattern to define a cohesive structure. A geodesic dome includes a formation of repetitive triangular patterns, which define the surface of the dome. The construction of the dome structure is characteristically defined by a sequence of struts which are linked to common hubs to generate the dome's framework. The surface area generated amongst one of the three adjoining struts or the triangles must essentially be portioned, bounded, and secured, as they are of a substantial dimension which is inter-reliant with the overall diameter of the geodesic dome.
In the conventional systems or prior arts, the geodesic domes are constructed in multiple ways, such as, one system discusses geometric tile members which are secured together to define a three-dimensional geometric shape, which are combined with other such geometrically shaped tiles of such three dimensional characteristics to form the dome. Another method comprises carefully arranging polygonal panels in such a way so that they slide into lateral pouches formed on each side of a strut. Some other conventional panels for geodesic domes are constructed in the form of sheet members, with inner and outer faces of the sheet member being connected to an intermediary backing member.
Most conventional geodesic domes are constructed by a method that includes multiple steps, and includes an intricate structure to connect neighboring tiles to the struts that back them up. However, in most of the above mentioned constructions, there are several major problems that exist, such as, instability of the framework of the dome structure owing to poor method of connecting and fastening of dome hubs, and none of the methods are focused on allowing a dimensional lumber, for example, a wooden framing member, to be in inserted and fastened into the completed or assembled geodesic dome frame.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a strut which can strengthen the hub of the geodesic dome structure, as well as provide provisions to insert and fasten dimensional lumber sections into the geodesic dome structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The strut disclosed herein addresses the above mentioned need for a device which can strengthen the hub of the geodesic dome structure, as well as provide provisions to insert and fasten dimensional lumber sections into the dome structure. The strut disclosed herein, where multiple such struts are configured to form a geodesic dome, where each strut comprises multiple elongate rod members with multiple fastener-through holes defined on each of the elongate rod members. The opposing ends of each elongate rod member comprises a bolt hole configured to receive a fastener member, where each of the opposing ends of one elongate rod member is joined and fastened to other opposing ends of the other elongate rod members to define a hub, thereby defining a framework for the geodesic dome. Each fastener-through hole is configured to fasten a covering material of a predefined configuration over the framework defined by the elongate rod members, thereby forming the geodesic dome.
In an embodiment, the elongate rod members are flanged elongate sections made of sheet metal. In an embodiment, the thickness of the sheet metal forming the elongate rod member is variable. In an embodiment, the strut further comprises a formed stiffening ridge defined proximal to the opposing ends of each of the elongate rod members, where the formed stiffening ridge is configured to provide additional strength to the hubs formed by the elongate rod members. In an embodiment, the hub defined by the elongate rod members is fastened via the fastener members which are inserted through each bolt hole positioned on one of the opposing ends of the adjacent elongate rod members connected together, for example, a bolt and nut of any type, but not limited to a machine screw and a wing nut. In an embodiment, the fastener-through holes for fastening the covering material are configured to define a reference template for the manufacturing of similar material pieces which need to be fastened over the struts. In an embodiment, the flanged elongate section which defines the elongate rod member further defines a channel configured to receive and attach a lumber section to provide additional strength to the geodesic dome and accept fasteners which hold covering material in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a strut assembly of a geodesic dome.

FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a bottom perspective view of a strut assembly of a geodesic dome.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of an elongate rod member.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a lumber covering material being positioned over the strut.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of lumber covering material being positioned over the strut, as shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrates a top and bottom perspective view of a strut assembly 100 of a geodesic dome. The strut assembly 100 disclosed herein, where multiple such strut assemblies 100 are configured to form a geodesic dome, where each strut assembly 100 comprises multiple elongate rod members 101 with multiple fastener-through holes 104 defined on each of the elongate rod members 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the opposing ends 101 a and 101 b of each elongate rod member 101 comprise a bolt hole 107, where each of the opposing ends 101 a and 101 b of one elongate rod member 101 is joined and fastened to other opposing ends 101 a and 101 b of the other elongate rod members 101 to define a hub 102, thereby defining a framework 103 for the geodesic dome. Each fastener-through hole 104 is configured to fasten a covering material 300 of a predefined configuration over the framework 103 defined by the elongate rod members 101, thereby forming the geodesic dome. In an embodiment, the hub 102 defined by the elongate rod members 101 is fastened via fastener members 105 and 106 which are inserted through each bolt hole 107 positioned on one of the opposing ends 101 a and 101 b of the adjacent elongate rod members 101 connected together, for example, the fastener members 105 and 106 may be a screw and nut of any type, but not limited to a machine screw 105 as shown in FIG. 1A, and a wing nut 106 as shown in FIG. 1B.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of an elongate rod member 101. In an embodiment, the elongate rod member 101, as further shown in the FIG.2 by reference numerals 101 a and 101 b, is a flanged elongate section made of sheet metal. In an embodiment, the thickness of the sheet metal forming the elongate rod member 101 is variable. The sheet metal section is flanged or folded into a generally rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the strut 100 further comprises a formed stiffening ridge 108 defined proximal to the opposing ends 101 a and 101 b of each of the elongate rod members 101, where the formed stiffening ridge 108 is configured to provide additional strength to the hubs 102 formed by the elongate rod members 101. In an embodiment, the flanged elongate section which define the elongate rod member 101 further defines a channel 109 configured to receive and attach a lumber section 301 as shown in FIG. 3, to provide additional strength to the geodesic dome, and to provide secure attachment for covering and finishing materials.
FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a covering material 300 being positioned over the strut assembly 100. In an embodiment, the fastener-through holes 104 for fastening the covering material 300 are configured to define a reference template for the manufacturing of similar covering material 300 which need to be fastened over the strut assemblies 100. The precisely positioned fastener-through holes 104 for fastening the covering material 300 allow for the use of a template when creating the triangular panels, and this aspect is not used in the conventional construction of geodesic domes. There are different patterns of fastener-through holes 104, for example, randomly oriented fastener-through holes 104 a, or closely positioned fastener-through holes 104 b as shown in FIG. 3. The fastener-through holes 104 b allow a user to identify the various different struts for assembly. The spacing of the fastener-through holes 104 that are positioned along the surface of the elongate rod members 101 allows for the fasteners to be inserted from the outer covering material, for example, plywood, into the dimensional lumber section 301 which occurs in the channel 109, and therefore can be easily manipulated to incorporate other covering materials 300 to be installed adjacently. The channel 109 provides the space for the dimensional lumber 301 to be snuggly seated and fastened within the channel 109 to provide added strength to the strut 100 as further exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4.
The multiple struts 100 from which the geodesic dome can be constructed allow for the use of commonly available dimensional lumber and covering materials to be installed once the metallic framework 103 is assembled. Such a procedure allows a technically difficult project to be completed using commonly available material with low level expertise, where a user can obtain readily available material from a lumber yard and cut and install the lumber and covering material. This also allows for the creation of various wall thickness of the finished structure, for example use of 2×4, 2×6, or 2×8, members. In an example, plywood and other covering materials can then be fastened into the wood through the fastener-through holes 104 existing on each of the elongate rod members 101 defining the strut assembly 100, thereby creating a livable structure, for example, a dwelling or greenhouse.
FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of the covering material 300 being positioned over the strut assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 3. In an example, strut assembly 100, as disclosed here, creates the metallic structure which is assembled of struts or elongate rod members 101 making a finished dome shape with its own strength. The elongate rod members 101 have channels 109 which face inwards in the geodesic dome which is defined by the elongate rod members 101. The lumber section 301, such as, 2×4 pieces, are inserted on the inside of the structure in the strut channels 109 where the lumber sections 301 are configured to snuggly fit. In an example, a covering material 300 such as plywood, is installed on the outside of the dome over the strut assembly 100 and the fasteners such as screws go through the plywood, through the fastener-through holes 104 in the elongate rod members 101 and fasten into the lumber sections 301, such as 2×4 pieces, which are in the channel 109 of the lumber sections 301.
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A strut, wherein a plurality of the struts are configured to form a geodesic dome, each strut comprises:

a plurality of elongate rod members, wherein opposing ends of each elongate rod member comprises a bolt hole configured to receive fastener members, wherein each of the opposing ends of one elongate rod member is joined and fastened to other opposing ends of the other elongate rod members to define a hub, thereby defining a framework for the geodesic dome; and

a plurality of fastener-through holes defined on the surface of each of the elongate rod members, wherein each fastener-through hole is configured to fasten a covering material of a predefined configuration over the framework defined by the elongate rod members, thereby forming the geodesic dome.

2. The strut of claim 1, wherein the elongate rod members are flanged elongate sections made of sheet metal.

3. The strut of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the sheet metal forming the elongate rod member is variable.

4. The strut of claim 2, wherein the flanged elongate section which define the elongate rod member further defines a channel configured to receive and attach a lumber section to provide additional strength to the geodesic dome.

5. The strut of claim 1, further comprising a formed stiffening ridge defined proximal to the opposing ends of each of the elongate rod members, wherein the formed stiffening ridge is configured to provide additional strength to the hubs formed by the elongate rod members.

6. The strut of claim 1, wherein the hub defined by the elongate rod members is fastened via the fastener members which are inserted through each bolt hole positioned on one of the opposing ends of the adjacent elongate rod members connected together.

7. The strut of claim 1, wherein the fastener-through holes for fastening the covering material are configured to define a reference template for the manufacturing of similar covering materials which need to be fastened over the struts.