US2343764A

US2343764A - Building construction

Info

Publication number: US2343764A
Application number: US384509A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fuller Richard Buckminster
Original assignee: DYMAXION Co Inc
Current assignee: DYMAXION Co Inc; DYMAXION COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1941-03-21
Filing date: 1941-03-21
Publication date: 1944-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 1961-03-07

Description

March 7, 1944. R. B. FULLER. 25343764 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 n' l l I Jil HI mul en un .HL nl' V l ELI!! QQ lNEN-ro R R/cHARo BucKM/NsTf/r FULLER BY ATTORNEY MaNhZ 1944. R. B FULLER 2,343,764

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION y FiledMarch 21A., 1941 I0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mardi 7, 1944- R. B. FULLER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR RICHARD BuclfM//vsm FULLER 'BY M ATTORNEY y R. B. FULLER l 2,343,764

BUILDING CONSTRUCTIN med Maren 21, 1941 1o sheets-,sheet 4 fg @ff/f.Y fum- 7K/ y l y 24 K? i fr sin Z; 'INVENTOR /cHARoBu/f-MwsT-ER FULLER l 2161!- mw ATTORNEY R. B. FULL-ER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FiledvMarch 21,' 1941 mmh 7, 1944.

A 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 vINVENTCR 'A cHA/PD BucKM/Msrfk FULLER.

f. ,IAM

ATToRNEY March 7, 1944. R. B. FULLER 2,343,764

` BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 v INVENTORl RlcHARo Bumm/sm? Puur/r VBYJ' I I ATT RNEY March 7', 1944. R` B, FULLER 2,343,754

v BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1941 1o sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR 0 J Plc/IARD BucKM/AsTER F 111.41m`

Ummm l M l ATTORNEY.

. B. FULLER y l 2,343,764

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION File March 21. 1941 1o sheets-sheet 8 mvENTon t lcHARo BucKM//vsme FULLER ATTORNEY March 7, 1944. R B, FULLER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR Flc/JARD BUc/fM/NSTER FULLER n ATTQRN EY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 KM] y ',lNvl-:Non

F/CHARD Buc/fM/Nsm? FULLER fuggi @/ic ATTORN EY l Patented ne. '7, 1944 1 2,343,764

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE BUILDING coNs'rnUc'rIoN t melma nuekinmster met, New Yerk, N. Y.; as-

signor' to The Dymaxion Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application March 2l, 1941, Serial No. 384,509

' 7 claims.` (ci. iss-34) v E y tion shown in the accompanying drawings, in`

This invention relates to prefabricated buildings, and more particularly to prefabricated shelter units capable of quick erection at low cost.

A considerable eiort is being made and has a description of the embodiments of my inven- Figure 1 is a iront elevation of a housing unit constructed in accordance with my invention.

been made in the past to develop a truly low costf Figure 2 is a plan view partly broken away to housing unit that would'be capable of mass proshow a built up floor for such a housing unit. duction. Most of'such housing units, however, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view onfan enhave conformed more or less strictly to convenlarged scale oi a detail, taken on the line 3-3 tional architectural concepts o! housing units, of Figure 2, to show the Junction Of the 11001' the 'principles oi which have made it extremely l0 with the sidewall.

' diiilcult to produce prefabricated houses capable Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view ofthe base of rapid mass production and easy erection in a layer of the iloor, taken on the line 4-4 of Figfew hours time. v p ure 2. A

The problem is not simplified by the fact that Figure 5 is a fractional horizontal sectional l such buildings must aiiord not only good protecview showing the laminated structure'of the tion against the weather, but should also provide curved side walls. comfortable as well as conveniently arranged liv- Figures 6, 7 and 8 are fractional vertical secing quarters. tional views of the wall structure showing the One object 4of my invention is to provide a bottom, intermediate and top of the side walls, shelter unit or building having curved walls that respectively, said views being taken approximateanswers these requirements and does not require ly on the line :r-:i: of Figure 5. the use of the ordinary internal framework or Figure 9 is a fractional vertical sectional view, stress members. taken on about the line 9-9 of Figure 5.

A further object is the provision oi a shelter Figure 10 is an elevation ofv a section of a slotunit of generally curved shape composed ci `a 25 ted channel bar that may be attached to 'the laminated shell, the diierent layers of which side walls as shown in Figures 5-8. strengthen the other -layers by reason of their Figure 11 is a top plan view of a wall bracket manner of assembly and the curvature of the that may be Supported by the channel bar Shown Shellin Figure 10.

Another object is the provision of a shelter unit Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view showing a in which an outer curved shell of sheet material shelf supported by one 0f these brackets xed iS strengthened and held more rigidly in place by in the slotted channel bar. sheets of resilient material sprung and held in Figure. 13 is a rear elevation of one oi' the the sprung position against the inside of the sheet e brackets that may be used for supporting shelves,

. material 35 cabinets or other wall fixtures.

A further object of the invention is 'the provi- Figure 14 is a vertical`sectional view through sion of a novel floor structure for a building that the eave portion of the building shell or wall. is weather prooi* and capable of quick assembly at Figure 15 is a vertical sectional View through 10W 00st fram Standard Sheet materialsapproximately the center of one of the roer Another oblect is the provision of a building 40 Panam .l having a curved' Side WalL Noland a Curved Figure 16 is a fractional seetiomu view, taken Gave Portion conneftin the roof a11d Side Wall en the une lt-ls ef Figure 15, te shew the that reinforces the entire structure. manner m which the roof panels and insulation A further objectvof the invention is the prO- are joined. vision of low cost housing units capable of pre- Figure'l'l. is a plan view of one of the rooi fabrication on a large scale, quick assembly, and pane1s l Y of being demountable for re-assembly at a diff Figure 18 is a fractional sectional view thrugh ferent loatiOnone oi theroof panel 'apertures forlight, taken Further objects of the invention are the proon the line |3' |3 of Figure 17 vision 0f an' adjustable ventilator system and 50 Figure 19 is avertical sectional viewthrough a mevebie partitions for ,Such a 'Shelter'unit 0r centrauy meated'vntilater at the top 4et the more.

building. ,d Figurev 20 is a fractional vertical sectional view Other objects and advantages of the invenof'a door frame, taken .on the line IG-IB of tion will be described and will be apparent from Figure 1. f i

Figure 21 is a fractionalhorlzontal sectional the side wall of the building shown in Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a fractional vertical sectional view of the side wall, taken approximately on the line 25-26 of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a fractional vertical sectional view 21--21 of Figure 25.

Figure 28 is a vertical sectional view of a,de tail of the wall structure. taken onV the line -2l of Figure 26,

Figure 29 is a vertical sectional view through the eave and roof portion oi' the building shown in Figure 24.

Figure 30 is a plan view of a portion ot one of the roof sections. r

Figure 31 is a perspective view of the lower portion of one of the roof sections.

Figure 32 is a vertical sectional view through a modified ventilator for .the building shown in Figure 24.

Figure 33 is a partially diagrammatic view of the interior of this building to illustrate a modilied movable partition arrangement.

The embodiment of my invention illustratedin Figures 1 to 21 of the drawings is composed of a number of rectangular sheets I of suitable sheet material, such as a lightweight plain or corrugated galvanized steel or other metal, curved to form, when assembled, a substantially cylindrical shell. Three horizontal rows of such sheets are shown in Figure 1, although a small or larger number` of rows may be used, and these sheets preferably overlap each other, with the upperp most sheet overlapping the sheet below it, and

the vertical edges overlapping each other. The sheets I0 may be bolted together where they overlap by means of the bolts I I" and nuts I2 shown in Figures to 8. A suitable anchoring means, such as the angle iron posts I3, may be driven into the of the side wall, Ataken approximately on the line II are preferably bent inwardly at right angles to form the inwardly projecting flange Il and the outer curved edges of the base layer door sheets I4 may belald on top of this inwardly projecting nange and sealed with a suitable asphaltic mastic Ila or other suitable material.

On top of sheets I4 may be placed a layer of flat sheet material. This second layer may be composed, for example, of a number of rectangular sheets Il oi' a suitable insulating board of more or less'porous or solid construction, with these rectangular sheets extending in a general direction at right angles to the direction of the sheets Il. 'I'hese sheets Il may be laid with their edges abutting each other or, if desired, the,edges may be grooved and overlapped. In order to provide as weater-proof afioor as possible, I prefer to coat, as by spraying or dipping. the sheets I 6 with a suitable asphaltum composition before they are laid in place.

A third layer may be applied on top of the sheets I 6 composed of al plurality of rectangular sheets I'I of pressed wool, plywood or other suitable finishing material. 'I'hese sheets II may be of generally rectangular shape, except for their curved outer edges, and laid ina. general direction extending at right angles to the direction of ground around the lower edge of the lower row of .sheets I0 and bolted to the sheets to hold them securely in place during and after erection of the unit. 'I'he sheets I0 are also preferably staggered with respect to the adjacent horizontal rows oi' sheets.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2. 3 and 4, a concrete or other permanent type of flooring may be provided for the building, although a more portable form of flooring may be used consisting` of a lower layer of sheet metal or other strong sheet material such as corrugated sheets of galvanized steel I4. These sheets may be generally rectangular in shape except for their outer edges which are curved to produce a generally circular floor, andthe sheets Il are preferably laid with their sides and ends overlappingthe sheets I8 or, in other words, in the same general direction as the bottom layer of sheets Il. 'I'he sheets I 0 and I1-may thus be arranged so that the joints of the different layers do not coincide in any portion of the floor.

This top layer of pressed wood, plywood or similar material may, if desired, be held in place by means of a suitable adhesive between the sheets II and Il, and if-desired a water-proof paper. canvas or layer of similar material may be interposed between the sheets I8 and the sheets I1. This provides a floor with a suitable finish for direct use, although if desired it may be covered, of course, by linoleum or other suitable floor coverings. I

The use of corrugated sheet metal' for one layer of the floor furnishes a certain amount of resiliency to the floor. and, in addition, the sheets' to each by reason of the corrugations. Such' sheets are also easier to4 lay ilat on the' earth because the earth may be ,readily conformed to their under surface.

While the outer edges of the sheets I8 and II may extend into contact with the side sheets I0, it is preferable to leave a small clearance at this point to prevent subsequent buckling of the sheets I8 and I'I after the floor is laid. l

Provision may also be made under the floor for heating by the use of a coil of pipe as shown in dotted lines at Hb in Figure 2. Buch a coil may be conveniently connected to the hotwater supply so that hot water passes through the coil before reaching faucets or other outlets in the building. By placing such a heating coil under the metal floor sheets I4, the heat is uniformly distributed by the high conductivity of these sheets over the entire iloor. If such a heating arrangement is employed, the various layers of the floor should not have too great'an insulating other suitable foundation may be provided for them. l

The lower edges of the lower row of said sheets effect mit shoum be constructenpf materials that vwill allow the heat to pass through into the'room.

The side wall structure may be 'composed of the curved sheets I0 of suitable material such as corrugated galvanized sheet steel as described above, these sheets being'held together where they overlap each other by means of the bolts Il and the asesores nuts I2. Suitable water-proofing or sealing means may be applied at these joints if desired.

The Vbolts II preferably project a substantial distance into the building, and when the sheets lIII are of generally rectangular shape and arranged in staggered fashion, additional inwardly projecting bolts may be afllxed to the centers of may, if desired, be special round headedhflnsh nuts that conceal entirely the ends of the bolts these sheets to provide evenly spaced vertical rows'of inwardly projecting bolts around the side walls.

Suitable insulating material in the shape of rectangular sheets, preferably of a height corresponding to the height of the vertical walls and sides and the center portions of each sheet are pressed against the sheet metal wall to spring the sheets of insulating material into place. Natural resilience of the sheet insulating material will tend to press the side edges against the bolts I I.

By applying sheets of insulating material all around the interior of the side walls in this fashion, a structure is provided in which a curved wall of sheet insulating material is formed. held securely in place by its own resilienceand stiflening the entire outer sheet metal wall.

Another layer comprising sheets I3 of plywood.-

pressed wood, or similar material may now be appliedv to the wall in a manner similar to thev application of the sheet insulating material. In other words, sheets I9 of a height extending substantially the entire distance of the vertical wall and of a width allowing just sufficient tolerance to t between the rows of bolts II in a curved posi. tion, may be similarly notched along theirsides at points corresponding to the positions of the bolts II, and sprung inwardly into place between the vertical rows of bolts. These sheets, referring to Figure 5, may be naturally fiat as shown in dotdash line, but when sprung into place between the rows of bdlts assume more or less of the curvature of the outer sheet metal wall made up of the sheets I0 and, of course, the similar curvature of the sheets I8 of insulating material.

The lower edges of the vsheets I6 and I9 rest on the outer upper surface of the floor sheets I1, thus giving a finished appearance to the interior and assisting in maintaining a tightr joint at the base of the side walls.

As shown in Figure 9, the notched edges of the sheet insulating material I8 and of the finish sheets I9 fit around the shanlcs of the bolts II so that the edges of. the sheets I9 abut each other or practically meet, as may be desired, presenting a smooth, pleasant .nish to the walls inside disturbed only bythe ends of the inwardly pro- .jecting bolts II vand the vertical seams where these sheets come together. Ii' desired, however, the sheets I8 and I9 may be sprung into placewithout notches in their sides, thus leaving wider. seams between the sheets.

To cover the seams between the side wall sheets, vertical channel members 20, or other' in place securely by the nuts 22. The nuts 22 I I. These channel strips 20 thus cover the vertical seams Isa between the side edges of sheets I9 and, i addition, hold these-edges securely in place against any accidental displacement.

Referring now to Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, the channel sections 20 or other cover members may, if desired, be utilized to support shelves, cabinets and various other types of fixtures. Forv example, the faces of these channel strips 20 may be provided with a number of spaced keyhole or cross-shaped slots 23 and various fixtures may thus be secured in these slots. For example, wall brackets 24 may be utilized having a pair of rearwardly projectingA ears 25,-26 with

suitable pins

21, 28 pressed through openings in thek brackets, or welded in place at right angles to the plane of the brackets 24. d y

By providing the

pins

21 and 28 in a staggered position relative to each other as illustrated, the

ears

25, 26 and .the pin 21 may be inserted in two adjacent cross-shaped slots 23 of the channel member 26 and then allowed to drop down into a position in which the pin 21 presses outwardly against the inside of the channel strip 20 and the pin 284 is forced inwardly against the exterior thereof, thus holding the bracket place. Y

These brackets maybe used for supporting shelves in a relatively fixed' position. For example, the brackets 24 may be provided with narrow vertical notches 28 to receive the down- 'wardly projecting portions of angle members 30 fixed to the lower surface of shelves 3|. The shelves 3| may thus be secured in place, being rigidly supported and held against sliding movement toward or away from the wall structure.

lReferring now'to Figures v14 to 18, inclusive, the roof of the housing unit may be composed of a number of pie-shaped sections 32 of galvanized sheet steel or other strong sheet mate-4 rial, connectedat their lower edges to the wall sheets I0 by means of the compound curved eavey sheets 33.A These eave sheets 33 may conveniently be made as single stampings of ganvanized sheet steel or other material curved to conform to the general cylindrical shape of the side wall sheets IIJ and also curved inwardly about a horizontal axis toward the center of the structure. The sheets 33 may overlap the uppermost edges ofthe upper row of-sheets I Il and be bolted together, with a suitable sealing material therebetween if desired, by means of the relative short bolts 34 and the nuts 35. i Y

The roof sections32 are 4preferably formed along their side edges with raised ridges 36 so that they may bebolted together along these side edges by means of the bolts 31 and the nuts 38. Since these bolts 31 project through the roof sections 32 only at the top of the ridges 36, a relatively water-proof joint is provided, particularly if a sealing means such as asphaltum is applied between the overlapped portions. The lower portion of the roof sections 32 may have the ridges 36 vtapered oil to a flat surface, as shown at 39, and the lower edges of the roof sections 32 may be bent downwardly to provide flanges 40. The upper edges of the eave sheets 33 may be formed with corresponding flanges 4I, so that these two flanges can be bolted ltogether' in overlapping position by means of the bolts 42 and nuts 43. l d

In order to insulate the roof, pie-shaped segments 44 of a suitable sheet insulating material may'be utilized corresponding in shape and size to the individual roof sections 32 or to two or more of such sections when bolted together. The side edges of these sheets 4I of roof insu# lating material may be notched similar to the insulating sheets to t around the shanks of the inwardly projecting bolts 31, or if larger sheets Il are used they may have holes to enable them to be pushed ilat against the roof with the bolts l1 projecting through the sheets. These sheets may be held in place by suitable cover strips I itting over the ends oi the bolts 31 and secured by the nuts 45a. 'I'he cover strips .Il preferably extend downwardly and are curved, as at I6, so lthat their lower edges fit in between the insulating sheets I8 and the nnish sheets il of the side walls, as shown at 4l. This provides a convenient means for holding the insulating material Il in place .inside the curved f eave sheets 33. r In order to provide the interior of the building with suilicient light, a number of the root sections 32, for example every alternate section, may be 4 provided with a suitable skylight 43. A simple circular opening may be formed in these sheets 32 with the edges thereof bent outwardly to form a cylindrical flange 50. An annular channel trame Il may be made to llt over the ilange 50 4and have stretched over its exterior a suitable transparent or translucent material. such as a sheet I2 of one of the transparent plastics known as Celoglassf The edge of this sheet oi' material is preferably curved down over the trame BI and held in place by an annular band of metal Il pressed on over the outside of the light transmitting material 52 and frame 5|.

Angular tabs 54 may be provided with their vertical sides welded or otherwise secured to the frame Il, for removably securing theseskylights to the roof by means of the rivets or bolts 55. If desired, the inside of the frame 5| may be filled with a suitable asphaltic water-prooilng material beforethe skylight is secured in place. 'I'he insulating sheets 4.4, of course, have suitable openings Il cut out to coincide with these Skylishts, and frames may be applied to these openings inside the building to conceal the edges of the openings in sheets 44. For example, an annular i'rame may be formed with the ilange 56a extending up into the frame Il and with the llanges Nb covering the .edges of the opening in insulating sheets Il. 'I'hese frames may be simply pressed infn place ndArotated until the tabs D Ic are caught under the'edses ot the cover Strips.

The roo! of the building may be provided at its :op with s suitable ventilator. This vani-imo:

may include a vertical cylindrical rin'g 51 notched along its lower edge so that the ridges It oi the roof sections 32 .may project therethrough. 'Ihis cylindrical ring 51 may be secured to the upper ends oi' the roof sections 32 by means of suitable bolts or rivets Il. l

Projecting upwardly and outwardly from the ring I1 are a number of brackets It which have secured to .their inwardly inclined upper ends Il tlie lower edges of a one-piece conical sheet metal top Il. The outer edges of the brackets Il may have-'secured thereto a curved cowling l2 extending a substantial distance above the lower edge of, the conical top Il and also extending down suiiiciently far to protect the upper ends of the roof sections 32 from theweather. 'The cowling l2 may be strengthened by a suitable rigid circular'A frame I3 at its top anda similar circular frame il at its A-space is thus provided between the lower edge od.' the conical sheet tl and cowling 82, so that circulation of air, either upwardly o`r downwardly, may take place while rain and snow is intercepted by the conical top 6I and deilected to drop down on the roof sections 32 at a point below the upper edges.

Inside the ring Il and extending between the ring and the conical member il is a cylindrical screen 65 which may be used to keep out insects.

With such a ventilator. it is desirable to provide special means for controlling the circulation oi air. To prevent too strong a draft upwardly or downwardly through the ventilator, a

.circular sheet of solid material. such as plywood.

pressed wood, or a suitable transparent or translucent material. forming a valve II may be held in the circular frame 81 and suspended by means of a cable 68 from the top of the conical ventilator top 6I. For example, the cable may pass over a pulley 69 ailixed near the undersuriace of the conical ventilator member 6I. and another pulley 10 may be provided to lead the cable down to a point where it can be grasped by a person inside the building to raise or lower the valve i6. Raising or lowering this ventilator valve, of course, controls the amount of air that is allowed to ilow in or out through the ventilator.

fIf desired. one end or cable 8l may be attached to a frame ll having a suitable collar arrangement 12 for attachment to valve 86. An electric fan 13 may thus be supported directly below the valve 86. Suitable lights 14 may also be provided in this suspension, if desired, to furnish indirect lighting or a direct lighting if the valve 66 is made ,of transparent or translucent material. Current for the ian and lights may be supplied through a flexible cable 'I5 from any suitable source (not shown).

The housing unit may also be provided with a suitable door 16 and a number of windows l1 in the side. Because of the curvature of the side wall, it is convenient to make the windows 11 circular in shape. y For this purpose, the middle row of sheetsi0 may have openings and flanges formed in them in a manner similar to the roof sections l2 that are provided with shlights. Silitable window frames may be mounted in these openings and provided, if desired, with external shields 18. suitably ilxed orl removable screens may be iltted into the frames, and windows arranged for opening. may be provided. The shields 1l aid in rendering the windows tight and proof against the weather, and at the same time serve as wind scoops when the windows are open to catch the cooler air outside the building so that it will be drawn in and then carried up through the ventilator.

A suitable door frame may be formed by the angle bars 'Il and Il bolted around the top, bottom and sides of the door opening to the edges of the sheets III by means of the bolts 82 and nuts I3. Atthe sides of the door frame, channel bars 8|v lining the inside o! the door may-also be held `in place by the bolts l2 and nuts I3. This pro vides a framework to* receive the door 1, which is-hinged .in the usual manner` at one side as shown at 8l be provided with adjustable louvres I5 for ventilation without opening the door, and a suitable window II. l

It may also be desirable to provide a canopy for the door which may be supported by a partially circular frame l1 having its ends suitably fing. 1). n desired,A the door may i secured to the vertical mus of ine building above the door frame. A layer of canvas, sheet metal or other suitable material 98 may be secured to the frame 81 around its periphery and secured to the wall of the building. preferably inside and sections 92 while their outer enges are being secured and before the ventilator is assembled.

under the lower edge of the sheet Ia just above the door frame.

Referring more particularly to Figures 22 and 23, the interior of the building may be divided into a number of rooms by means -of movable all extended to the center of the building, the

three upper sections 92 may be connected to\ gether, as shown in dotted lines 94 in Figure 22,

to form a triangle in' the center of the building.

Suitable sliding bolts 95 and corresponding sockets may be provided for thispurpose. Avsmall triangular hallway is thus furnished, with doors from each of the three rooms thus formed leading into this small hallway. This provides a convenient way of passing from any one room to either of the other two rooms. Various interior arrangements may be employed, and the building is well adapted for other uses than-as adwelling. In the layout shown in Figure 22, however, the room 96 is a kitchen with This temporary support may be easily made by bolting together inside the house ascaiolding composed of the channel bars 20. These bars are provided with numerous holes forboits and f are sufllciently strong to support the weightof the center of the roof. After the ventilator has been assembled in place, this scaiolding maybe taken down and the channel bars used for holding the side wall sheets I8 and I9 in place.

A building constructed in accordance with my I invention may be used as a dwelling, but is also a stove or electric burners at 91, a suitable sink at 98, and a table and chair arrangement at 99. These xtures may be readily attached to the channel bars 20 and supported thereby., The

room |00 is arranged as a bedroom with a suitient closets are formed at |06, |01, |00, |09 an It will be apparent that the external sheets I0 forming the outer shell of the building will be cutout to providev suitable openings. for the windows and door. Similarlmythe'sheet insulating material It and the internal finish sheets I9 may be cut out to provide for the ldoor and iwindows.

in erecting a building of the construction illustrated, it may be desirable to make a shallow excavation although, if the ground is reasonably level, -no excavation at all may be needed. The

lower tier of sheets I0 isrst assembled, being' ysecured together at their ends-and held in place by suitable anchoring means such as the posts I3. The floor can then be laid directly on the ground or on any suitable foundation by simply laying the diilerent layers of sheets -I4, I9 and I1,`and applying asphaltic or other sealing maf terial to the joints as needed.

While the oor is being laid, or thereafter, the second and third tiers' of sheets I0 and the eave sheets 33 may be assembled. 'I'he roof sections or sheets 32 are next bolted in place, and for this operation it is desirable to provide some tema slight degree instead of lying substantially at- Y porary support for-the inner ends of the roof 75 well suited for-other uses. For example, abuilding 2Q feet in diameter would have about 60 feet of wall space for shelves if the building is used for a store. Various other uses include schools, churches. wayside establishments, camps, boathouses, etc.

The building is also ,easily adapted to military use, because it may readily be surrounded by a suitable wall of concrete poured after the building is partially or completely erected and using the building wall as a part of the form.

Another modiiication of my invention is illustrated in Figures 24 to 33, inclusive, in which numeral IIB indicates side wall sheets similare.,

to the sheets |0 forming an external layer of the side walls of the lbuilding. In this case, however, the lower ledges of the combined roof and eave sheets or sections |||i are directly attached to the upper edges of the upper row. of sheets II5. Two horizontal -rows of rthe`si'de w'all sheets I|5 are illustrated, although. a single row of such sheets or any suitable number of rows may be employed, as desired.' These sheets are preferably` made of a relatively strong material, such as a galvanized sheet steel, and may have horizontal corrugations for reinforcement. The sheets preferably overlap and are sealed at their joints with a suitable water-proof material such as an asphaltic mastic, as described in connec- 'tion with the -building shown in Figure l.

'I'he side sheets |I5 are also preferably bolted together in the position illustrated in Figure 24 to form an outer shell for the house. Bolts-I I1 holding these sheets I|5 together may be secured in place by means of the nuts I I8, leaving asubstantial length of the bolt shanksv projecting inwardly from the sheets II5.A To support the inner layers o`f the side walls and permit easy installation of these inner layers after the outer shell of the house has been erected, collars I I9 of" suitable resilient material, such as rubber, may

|20 and the sheets |2| of suitable finishing material maybe fitted.

For example, the sheet insulating-material in the form of rectangular sheets |20 may be simply sprung into` place and forced in between the rows of bolts ||1 -carrying the collars H9. The edges,

of the sheets |20 may be notched,y if desired, to'

fit around the collars II9, although notching 'is not `necessary to obtain a good fit of the sheets |20 with the extra tolerances provided by the resilient collars II9. The sheets of nishing material IZI, such. as plywood, pressed wood or other suitable materiaLmay be similarly sprung into place but are illustrated as-sprung only to against the insulating sheets |20.

In' this manner, the resiliency of the sheets4 lar to the channel members 20, or other'vertical extending cover members, may be i'ltted over the ends of the bolts ||1 and secured inV place by means of the nuts |23.`

The roof sections can be formed from single sheets of suitable material, such as galvanized sheet steel, with raised ridges |24 along the side edges of these pie-shaped segments, tapering oit to a -flat sheet near the lower edges of the sections, as indicated at |25. 'Ihe lower portions of these roof sections or sheets are preferably curved, as illustrated at |20. about a substantially straight horizontal axis to form the building eaves. 'I'he lower edges of the sections H0 may terminate at the lower end of this curve or be curved down in a section vas shown at |21 that is not curved about a horizontal axis. In either case, this lower edge should be curved about a vertical axis to conform to the curvature of the sheets H0. 'Ifhus, the lower portions of the roof sections ||0 are .either formed with a denite compound curve or are curved first in one direction and then in another to produce substantially the same eifect. This compound curve arrangement at thepeaves serves to stiifen and strengthen the side wall sheets. lli, and also simplifies the erection of the building, providing an external construction of pleasing effect. with fewer horizontal seams 'or joints. f

A suitable number of roof sections ||0 are secured at their lower edges in overlapping position to the upper edge of the sheets H5 by means of suitable bolts |20, and these individual roof sections i0 are bolted together along their sides with the ridges |24 overlapping. as previously described. Suitable asphaltic water-proof material may be used to seal these joints, ifs/desired, and skylights |29 may be provided in the roof sections, as previously mentioned.

Under some conditions, it may be desirable to black-'out the interior of the building or shut di! the passage of light through one or more of the skylights |29. One convenient way of accomplishing this is to provide cover plates |30 fastened to rods |3| extending along Vthe tops of the ridges |24 and passim through the eye-bolts |32. Tltiese rods may extend down to the eave' of the house and be formed at their ends with suitable handles |33 to enable a person standing outside the house to rotate thecover plates |30 from a position covering the skyliihts |20 to a position in which the cover plates |30 lie fiat onthe next roof section ||0, as shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 30. f

Suitable insulating material may be provided underneath the roof sections I0, as illustrated at |34. This insulating material may be held in place by cover strips |35 bolted to the roof sections H0. and overlapping the edges of adjacent insulating sheets |34, as previously described.

. The'insulating sheets |34 may extend downwardly inside the curved eaveportion of the roof sections ||6 and abut the upper edges ci' eertical insulating sheets |20. It a relatively compressible sheet insulating material is employed, however, these roof insulating sheets |24 may ex, tend down far enough to overlap with the vertical sheets |20, and v,these sheets |20 and |34 where they overlap are simply compressed together at the points where necessary between the outside sheets H0 and the sheets |2| of finish material.

Referring now to Figure 32, the upper ends of the roof sections ||0 may project into an outwardly facing annular channelbar |30. Suitable sealing means, such as asphaltic material |31, may be applied around the channel of this annular bar or ring to make a water tight constructions' A number; of brackets |30 may be bolted to the annular. bar |30 to support at their upper ends a conical ventilator t'op |33. This conical top preferably has, a downwardly extending flange |40 around its outer edge. A suitable cylindrical screen |4| may be provided between the upper edge of the annular channel bar |30 and the lower surface of the conical top |33.

Suspended from the top oi' the conical piece |30 is a rod |42, and an annular ring-|43 surrounding this rod may be suspended from the root by means of brackets |44 bolted to the roof sections ||0. This provides a simple support for movable .fabric partitions |45 (Figures 32 and 33). Each of these fabric partitions or curtains may be supported at their inner end by a ring |40 [supported vfor rotation about the rod |42 by means of the nut and washer |4a. A second ring |41 may be provided to slide around on the ring |43 through an angle of approximately 120 between two of the brackets |44.

At the sidewalls. the curtains |40 may be sup ported by suitable pulleys |40 removably attached to one of the vertical channel bars |22. These pulleys also carry a suitable cord |40 running through a number of rings or loops |50 sewed or otherwise secured on the curtains |40 and extending down to the lower central corners |0| of; the curtains where the ends ofthese cords are attached to the curtains.

The curtain partitions |40 may thus be drawn back into a draped position bysimply pulling the cords |40 until the curtains lie along the inside of the roof and against the side wall of the build-A ing.4 The pulleys |40 may be moved around and attached to any suitable channel bar |22 to divide .the room up into different sizes of rooms as may be required. f l

or cord |54 running over the pulleys |00 and |00 and extending down to theY side wail within reach ot a person in the building. This form of sliding ventilator regulator is simple to adjust and is not 4readily tipped or otherwise moved out of place by sudden up or down drafts through the ventilator.

Various other modifications oi' my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

A particular advantage of a building shaped like the embodiment shown in the drawings is the marked ei'iiciency in heating. By reason of its shape, wind currents do not burble but flow smoothly around the outside of the building and do not carry away as much heat by convection as is carried away from the ordinary building cf angular-shape. In addition, the heating systern may he centrally located so that the' heat is uniformly distributed throughout the buildingA interior. Y

The construction illustrated and described also provides a building that can be readily taken apart and moved to a new location without sub-V stantial loss of materials. -At the saine time, the g use of .curved wall segments makes this possible using relativelylight weight construction materials. Y

The construction and shape of the building that nest together and may be packed into a .relatively small space for shipment.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms'ofdescription and not 3. A building wall comprising ,a curved layer o! sheet metal, and an inner layer of resilient sheet material comprising sheets sprung into a curved position to exertan outward pressure on said sheet metal layer.

4. A building side wall comprising a curved layer of horizontally corrugated sheet metal supporting substantially vertical rows of inlends itself to the use of many duplicate parts of limitation, and I have no intentionin the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents 'of the features' shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

I claim: h

`1. A housing unit comprising substantially cylindrical side walls of sheet material held together 'by tension members, and resilient sheet material sprung into place inside said iirst mentioned sheet material to exert an outward pressurev thereagainst, and increase the rigidity of said walls.

2. A housing unit comprising laminated curved side walls and roof constituting an integrated shell that is self-supporting without framework or internalstress members, said curved side walls comprising an outer layer of sheet metal, and inner layers of sheet materials sprung into and heldin a curved position conforming generally to the curvature of said sheet metal so that said sheetmetal layer is strengthened and held more rigidly in place.

wardly projecting members, an inner layer co'mprising sheets of resilient insulating material sprung into place between said members, and

an inner layer comprising resilient finish sheet material sprung into place between said members.

5. A building wall comprising a curved layer of sheet metal, inwardly projecting members having resilient sides, and an inner layer of resilient sheet material comprising a plurality of sucli sheets sprung into place between the resilient sides lof said members.

6. A. building wall comprising an outer layer of sheet material having apluralityl of vertical rows of inwardly extending members aixed. y