US3534750A - Stressed building structures - Google Patents
Stressed building structures Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3534750A US3534750A US789438A US78943869A US3534750A US 3534750 A US3534750 A US 3534750A US 789438 A US789438 A US 789438A US 78943869 A US78943869 A US 78943869A US 3534750 A US3534750 A US 3534750A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- arch
- principal
- fabric
- members
- arches
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
- E04H15/34—Supporting means, e.g. frames
- E04H15/36—Supporting means, e.g. frames arch-shaped type
- E04H15/38—Supporting means, e.g. frames arch-shaped type expansible, e.g. extensible in a fan type manner
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S135/00—Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
- Y10S135/905—Method of erecting shelter
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S135/00—Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
- Y10S135/906—Arched structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S52/00—Static structures, e.g. buildings
- Y10S52/13—Hook and loop type fastener
Definitions
- the field of the invention relates to tension-stressed membrane shells having a fabric-covered skeleton frame, adapted for quick erection, disassembly and portability.
- Prior Art in order to satisfy the need for portability, simplicity, economy and versatility in use, building structures in recent years have been constructed of a skeleton framework covered by a fabric wherein the overall structure assumes the configuration of a hyperbolic paraboloid, more popularly termed a saddle surface.
- the essential framework of the structure in order to form the saddle surface above described, generally consists of a pair of inclined parabolic arches pivotally connected to a supporting member and maintained in a noncoplanar position relative to one another.
- a fabric which is stretched over this framework will necessarily take on the shape of a saddle surface.
- Such a surface has opposite curvatures in opposite directions which work against each other thereby making the surface inherently stable.
- a saddle surface is a minimum surface in that its mean curvature is zero and therefore it cannot change its shape without stretching or destruction.
- frame and fabric shelters have many obvious distinctions and advantages over other conventional structures of a more permanent and rigid nature, including ease and speed of assembly, erection and modification, and ease and convenience in being transported in view of their light weight and collapsibility.
- the aerodynamic shape of the structure reduces deleterious effects of wind and, in addition, the semirigidity or resiliency of such a structural system enables it to absorb uneven impact wind loads without producing the high stresses that would occur in a rigid structure.
- the structures provide a wall fabric which is suspended from the parabolic arches to form side walls of the structure, the only way heretofore of forming an entrance into said structure while at the same time retaining portability has been by providing the side wall fabric with a slit to form a flapped entrance into the structure when not in use.
- a slit is usually sealed by means of a conventional zipper or button-type fastening means. This type of entrance is not only cumbersome and time consuming to use, but also provides only limited access to the structures.
- a selfsupporting building structure the exterior surface of which comprises, in part, a prestressed roof fabric which imparts to the overall structure the configuration of a hyperbolic paraboloid, more commonly referred to as a saddle surface.
- the roof fabric is stretched tightly over a supporting framework whose unique configuration is responsible for the utility of the building structure of the invention.
- the supporting framework consists generally of a pair of spacedapart channel-shaped supporting members on which are supported in pivotal arrangement, a pair of inclined principal arch members.
- the principal arch members are connected to vertical support members by means of a pivotal assembly and, together with the upper part of the supports, form a closed loop.
- Each pivotal assembly is so constructed as to permit each principal arch to move pivotally in the vertical direction and, if a three hinge arch assembly is used, it will also permit of the horizontal displacement of the arch bases.
- Tension in the saddle shaped roof fabric is maintained by a series of tensioning cables extending between the principal arch members and the supporting members, each tcnsioning cable being equipped with a turn buckle for adjustably urging the principal arches away from each other to create the proper tension in the roof fabric.
- the support members include a door thereby providing the primary entrance opening into the structure, said opening being particularly suited for personnel passage to and from the closure.
- the support memhere, by reason of their particular shape, further serve, in combination, as a crate into which the components of the structure can be packaged and transported from place to place in accordance with the requirements of a particular application.
- the framework further includes a pair of secondary arch members which are connected pivotally to the bottom portion of the support members to form a second closed loop defining the lower terminal edges of the structure.
- These secondary arch members while not needed for structural stability, are characterized by a unique construction which provides added versatility to the entire structure. Specifically, each secondary arch is adapted to pivot about parallel axes each of which is contained within the planes defined by the secondary arch. Thus, the secondary arches may be selectively raised and lowered about these axes to provide two rather large entrance openings into the enclosure.
- the exterior surface of the structure is further defined by two second fabrics, which are suspended at opposite sides between the peripheral edges of the principal and secondary arch members to form side walls of the enclosure. Both fabrics are removably joined to their respective arch members by a pile-type hook and loop fastening means to provide a strong and durable connection which is characterized by a uniform distribution of stress over the entire surface of the junction.
- the joining means are further constructed to facilitate rapid and efficient disassembly of the structure.
- the fabric covering becomes a principal structural element in achieving both static and dynamic stability.
- the shape and angular elevation of the principal arch members are extremely critical if maximum material efficiency is to be obtained from the structural elements comprising the framework of the structure. It will be realized that this condition can only be achieved by insuring that the principal arch members are subjected primarily to compression, or compression and tension if trussed, which in turn is dependent upon effective elimination of bending moments therein.
- the principal arch members are inclined with respect to the horizontal so that the resultant forces of all vertical loads as transmitted by the roof fabric lie substantially in the respective planes of the two arches.
- the parabolic curvature of said arches is so designed as to follow the shape of the moment diagram caused by such loadmg.
- the fabric as it is stretched upon the closedloop defined by the principal arches is formed into a doubly curved shape, which in a typical case is a hyperbolic paraboloid.
- This is a nondevelopable shape and has the characteristic of being nondistortable unless the material comprising the shape is ruptured or destroyed.
- the shape in its perfect form, which is attempted in the preferred embodiment below, comprises both a positive and a negative curvature at all points in the fabric sur face. Since the fabric is secured at all points around the loop and is tensioned thereon, these positive and negative curvatures are maintained, and at each point of the surface the sum of the different curvatures may be considered effectively zero.
- the shape described above is inherently stable with respect to wind moving across its surface, in that it minimizes the possible flutter effects that generally develop with fabric covers due to air pressure variations. Any tendency of the fabric to deflect downward is restrained by the tension transverse to the longitudinal lines. The curvatures of this surface also reduce aerodynamic effects of wind, and render the structure stable with respect to gusts and turbulence that would deflect it from its prestretched shape.
- a supplementary tension cable may be fastened to the hem of the roof fabric and drawn tight to peripherally cap the roof fabric over the principle arch members thereby further increasing the structural stability of the structure under various loading conditions discussed earlier.
- the roof fabric may be reinforced with supplemental steel cables aligned in the direction of one or both major axes of the loop or, if desired, a safety cable may be extended between cross bars connected transversely to the principal arches to prevent collapse of same should the roof fabric be destroyed.
- the principal arches may be trussed.
- this structure becomes securely maintained without any guy wires or other connection to the ground.
- the only necessary anchoring is from the support members to the ground at or near their base parts. Since external tensioning means are not required to maintain the shape and rigidity of this construction in this fully assembled condition the structure is suitable for air transport with the mere addition of a removably secured truss to maintain the support members in spaced relationship. Also with such a truss the structure could be maintained on water by pontoon supports.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the skeleton frame of the structure shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frame showing the support members and connection of the arches there;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 showing the inside of the support member and its connections to each arch;
- FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a pair of support members
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of support members joined to form a box for enclosing the structure of FIG. 1 in its disassembled condition;
- FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of an arch and a connection part
- FIG. 10A is a schematic plan of a trussed principal arch
- FIG. 11 is a partial elevation view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second alternate form of assembly of support member to a principal arch linkage assembly
- FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of a principal arch and two fabrics secured thereto;
- FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 with only one fabric secured to a secondary arch;
- FIG. 15 is an elevation view showing the structure in a first stage of erection according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 showing a second stage of erection
- FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 15 showing a third stage of erection
- FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 15 showing a fourth and final stage of erection.
- FIGS. 19-22 are end views respectively of FIGS. 15l8.
- FIG. 23 is an elevation view showing the structure of erection procedure B in a first stage of erection
- FIG. 24 is similar to FIG. 23 showing a second stage of erection
- FIG. 25 is similar to FIG. 23 showing a third stage of erection
- FIG. 26 is similar to FIG. 23 showing a fourth stage of erection
- FIG. 27 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 26 showing a suggested means for performing the step of erection shown in FIG. 26;
- FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 25 showing the fifth and final stage of erection
- FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the structure of this invention.
- the building structure of this invention indicated generally at 30, assumes the configuration of a saddle surface and is defined generally by support members 33, principal arches indicated by dotted lines, secondary arch members also indicated by dotted lines, and side wall and roof fabrics 32 and 31 respectively.
- the support members 33 define a substantially channel-shaped member which also includes an entrance passageway and a door 49.
- the basic framework for the structure is shown most clearly in FIG. 4 and 5 and, as shown therein, comprises a pair of space apart support members 33 and a pair of principal arch members 40 connected to each other by a pivotal linkage assembly which, in turn, is carried by the upper portion of the support members, said arches defining between them a closed loop 41.
- Each principal arch member includes a closed end portion 42, spaced apart legs 43 extending from and forming a continuation of the end portions, and terminal portions 44.
- Each principal arch has a substantially parabolic shape and lies in a plane which is inclined upward with respect to a horizontal plane.
- a safety cable 46 may be secured between the end portions of the arches for maintaining the inclined positions of each prior to attachment of the fabric. After attachment, the safety cable may be slackened and retained in that condition as a safety feature to prevent the roof arches from collapsing in the event the roof fabric is torn open.
- the utility of the building structure of this invention may be further enhanced by the inclusion therein of cross bars 47 which extend transversely of the principal arch members and are connected at their terminal ends to the legs of each principal arch member approximately half way between the end portion and the apex.
- An auxiliary supporting cable 46 extends longitudinally between the cross bars and can be utilized, for example, as a support to enable the suspension of heavy concentrated loads within the enclosure.
- the cross bars serve as the primary means for stiffening and strengthening the principal arch primarily to resist the effects of wind load.
- the principal arch members may be still further strengthened by forming them of trussed sections 40 which is shown in FIG. A.
- the supporting members 33 are basically rigid components, each comprising a horizontal base member 20, a vertical member 70 connected to the base member, and triangular side walls 51 connected perpendicularly to both the vertical member 70 and the base member 20. These members may be constructed of aluminum, wood, steel or any other suitable material having the necessary strength characteristics.
- the upright member 70 includes a door 49 for ingress and egress to the tent-like structure and the triangular side plates 51 of the support members 33 provide lateral stability to the entire structure thus permitting it to withstand large forces to which it may be subjected by snowfall or high velocity winds, or both.
- Each principal arch leg 43 is connected to the base member by a tension cable 63.
- the tension cable includes at the lower end a turnbuckle 64 which is connected to the hook 62 for permitting length and tension adjustment of the cable.
- the upper end of the tension cable is releasable secured to the principal arch leg 43 at joint 65. It should be noted that for particularly large structures where mobility in assembled condition is not a primary concern, the tension cables may be secured directly to the ground or foundation, instead of to the supporting member. for increased uplift resistance.
- each support member 33 Mounted near the bottom of each side of each support member 33 is a horizontal axis hinge 52 for pivotally joining the secondary arch member 45 to the supporting members, said secondary arch members in combination with the supporting members forming a second closed loop 4!.
- the lower secondary arches are not essential for structural stability but are intended, in part, as an anchorage to which the lower extremities of the wall fabrics 32 can be secured.
- Each secondary arch member serves as a gate for effecting a full-width opening into the structure which, depending on the overall size of the structure, may be suitable for vehicular entry and exit to and from the structure.
- each secondary arch includes an arcuate section 72 the terminal ends of which are connected pivotally to leg members 73.
- the leg members are, in turn, pivotally connected to the supporting members 33 by hinge 52 in the manner described above.
- Lifting of the arcuate section 72 to an inclined position as shown in FIG. 2 can be accomplished, for instance, by pulling cable 35 attached to said arcuate section about pulley 36 which may be attached to the principal arch member 40 as shown in FIG. 5 thereby causing the arcuate section 72 to pivot about points 38.
- the lifting of arcuate section 72 can be facilitated by using two or more cables at spaced apart locations.
- the entrance opening can be fashioned by lifting the entire secondary arch member 45 to the position shown on FIG. 3.
- the cables can be merely attached to the leg members 73 of the secondary arch members and lifted in the same manner as described above thereby pivoting the entire secondary arcli about pivot points 39. It will be recognized that the entrance opening formed in this manner provides considerably more headroom which may be advantageous when a particularly large object must be moved into the enclosure.
- erection methods Two methods of erection are shown which differ because of corresponding changes to the attaclrment of the linkage assembly 50 to the support members 33. In their alternate forms these methods will be referred to as erection methods alternates A and B.
- each support member above the door 49 is adapted to carry the linkage assembly 50 which connects together the leg portions of the principal arches into a closed loop.
- the linkage assembly 50 comprises a connector bar 54 having spaced apart collar members 56 which are rigidly connected to the bar 54.
- each collar member 55 further comprises a cylindrical sleeve 55A which is welded to a bifurcated member 55B. which, in turn, is provided with opposed holes 55C for receiving a bolt.
- the linkage assembly 50' has rigidly attached at each end thereof an angle 55'.
- the angle 55' is adapted to fit snugly against the rear and side of support member 33 and will be bolted to the top of said member 33 after elevation of the roof arches as will be explained.
- Each linkage assembly 50 and 50' further includes a vertical hinge 59 or in case of a three hinged principal arch (FIG. 10) a horizontal hinge 60 as well, together with swivel joint mechanism, indicated generally at 58, which extends outward from each end of the connector bar 54 for pivotally connecting the end portion of one leg of a principal arch thereto.
- each swiveljoint mechanism is constructed so as to permit the principal arch 40 to move in a substantially horizontal plane about pivot pin 60 and in a substantially vertical plane about pivot pin 59.
- an additional horizontal hinge connection 61 is provided at the close end of each principal arch to provide additional flexibility as conditions may demand. It will be recognized that the combination of horizontal hinges 60 and 61 permit lateral contraction or divergence of the principal arch legs without attendant strain thereto.
- Vertical hinge 59 permits vertical rotation of the principal arches for assembly purposes and for proper tensioning of the roof fabric.
- An important feature of this invention resides in the particular means for fastening the roof fabric and side wall fabric to the principal arches 40 and the secondary arches 45.
- the upper portion of the side wall fabric and the outer periphery of the roof fabric are secured around the full perimeter of the loop 4t defined by the principal arches 40. Attachment of these fabrics is normally achieved in a variety of ways, usually by the use of adhesive or mechanical means; however. it is a principal object of this invention that the structure be suitable for simple and rapid assembly and disassembly without the need for special tools. equipment. or scaffolding.
- a separable hook and loop fastening means has been found to be particularly satisfactory and as such constitutes an important feature of this invention.
- the fastening means contemplated by this invention comprises a first strip 83 of flexible material having a pile-like surface consisting of a multiplicity of tiny resilient upstanding loops.
- the strip 83 is attached to the entire outer periphery of each principle arch 40.
- a second strip 84 of flexible material having a pile-like surface consisting of a multiplicity of tiny resilient hooks adapted to interengage the loops of pile strip 83 is attached to the upper edge of the inner side of the wall fabric 32.
- this type of fastener has a very useful capacity in establishing a strong junction between the fabric and the arches which is characterized by virtually a total absence of gaps between points of connection.
- a fastener of this type will insure that stress loads to which the fabric is subjected will be uniformly distributed thus preventing the development of stress concentrations at any particular point, as would occur with a less than uniform junction.
- two items must be brought to precise mating at point connections. This is not true of the fastener described above and therefore relatively loose tolerances and greater speed of erection are permitted with the Velcro connector.
- the roof fabric 31 is attached in overlapping arrangement with the wall fabric 32 to the principal arch member 40 in the same manner as described above.
- a pile strip 83A having the same structure as pile strip 83 is secured to the upper edge on the outer side of the wall fabric 32 and pressed into mating contact with pile strip 84A which has the same structure as pile strip 84, the pile strip 84A being securely attached to the peripheral edge of the roof fabric 31.
- the lower edge of wall fabric 32 is attached to the periphery of the secondary arch by wrapping it around and under secondary arch 45 and joining it thereto by means of pile strips 83 and 84 which are attached to the contacting surfaces and pressed into mating engagement in exactly the same manner as described above.
- straps 80 are stitched to the roof fabric 31 in the form of a V" 80'.
- the straps are adjustably fastened by suitable fastening means to the upright side walls 51 in order to pretension the center section of roof fabric 31 in the transversal direction.
- hook and loop fastening means are also provided for securing the side wall fabric 32 to the support members 33.
- a pile strip 83 is disposed along the vertical edge of the support member 33 and a hook strip 84 is attached to the wall fabric 32 adjacent thereto. The connection is effected in the same manner as indicated above.
- the principal and secondary arches may be formed of numerous segments such as shown at 37 of FIG. which can be connected together by rigid releaseable joints therebetween.
- rigid releaseable joints For instance, tapered telescoping-type joints, connector sleeves and bolted or pin joints, have been found to be particularly well-suited for accomplishing this purpose.
- Various types of hinged connections are also suitable, such as for instance, universal joints, which in the case of those included in the secondary arches, may be locked to become rigid by the insertion of suitable locking pins.
- the support members 33 are capable of performing a particularly unique function in that the entire assembly may be dismantled and packaged in a container 66 formed by a simple reversal and fastening togetfiof the support members 33 as shown in FIG. 9.
- the entire structure is selfcontained and requires no additional parts either in form of tools or crating members. This feature is particularly important in applications which require a high degree of versatility and portability.
- FIG. 29 wherein an alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted.
- the side wall fabric is provided with a series of spaced apart openings window covers may be installed with a minimum expenditure of time and effort by pressing the strips 83' and 84' into mating engagement to effect the desired connection, all of which has been heretofore described in connection with effecting attachment of the wall and roof fabrics to the various components of the framework of the structure.
- the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 29 also contemplates providing the support member 33 with translucent reinforced plastic panels 82 located over the entrance doors 49. This feature is particularly useful in allowing light to penetrate the enclosure.
- FIG. 10A an embodiment of the invention has been schematically illustrated wherein the principal arches 40' are trussed for greater rigidity and strength.
- cross-bar 47 is pivotally connecting at the midpoint or apex of each arch.
- the structures of this invention can be assembled entirely on the ground and then raised into their final lifted position.
- the two alternate erection methods differ in the manner of raising the structure after it has been assembled on the ground and in the structure for attaching the principal arches to the connector bar 54 and support members 33.
- the support members 33 remain in their generally horizontal initial position, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 19 until the assembly of principal arches and fabric covers has been completed on the ground, at which time the entire structure is raised by tilting up the support members into their final upright positions.
- the support members are tilted up either both at the same time, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 21, or one after the other.
- collar member 55 rotates around connector bar 54 as the support member 33 is tilted into its final upright position.
- procedure 5 begins with placing the two support members 33 in their final, upright positions and by securely anchoring them by suitable means to the ground or to the foundation.
- lifting cables 76 are attached to the linkage assemblies 50' in the manner indicated in FIGS. 26 and 27 and the roof is lifted to a position on top of the support members 33 by means of a suitable winch and pulley assembly and secured thereby by bolts.
- the second side wall fabric is then secured to this second arch while it is in the lower position near the ground, and the roof fabric Bil is then drawn down to the closed end of arch 40A and secured around the entire periphery of the principal arch.
- FlG. 26 shows the completed assembly on the ground prior to its being raised.
- a selfsupported building structure comprising:
- a first and second secondary arch members pivotally connected to the support members so as to form a second closed loop spaced vertically apart from the first closed loop and defining the lower terminal edges of said structure;
- a first fabric suspended in tension from substantially the entire perimeter of said first loop to form the roof of said structure, the longitudinal component of said tension being sufficient to retain the principal arch members in substantially noncoplanar relationship to each other; and means for maintaining a controlled tension along the longitudinal axis of said first fabric so that the roof line defined thereby becomes a saddle surface of substantially hyperbolic paraboloid configuration.
- the building structure according to claim l. further including a second fabric extending between the first loop and second loop to form side walls of said structure.
- the building structure according to claim t further including means for removably joining the contacting surfaces of said fabrics to said principal and secondary arch members and to said supporting members to form an enclosed structure, said means effecting an uninterrupted connection between said contacting portions which is characterized by a uniform distribution of the stress resulting from said tension over the entire surface of the junction formed thereby.
- said joining means comprises a first strip of material defining a female member having a multiplicity of thin resilient loops projecting outward from the surface thereof, and a second strip of material defining a male member having a multiplicity of thin resilient hooks projecting outward from the surface thereof, the'hooks of the male member being adapted to interengage the loops of the female members upon being pressed into contact therewith, said male and female members being interchangeably secured to the contacting surfaces of said first and second fabrics and to the contacting surfaces of said principal arch members and the fabric in contact therewith.
- each principal arch pivots about three vertical axes. thereby rendering said. principal arch member relatively insensitive to lateral movement of said support means.
- each principal arch member includes means permitting movement about a vertical axis located at the closed end portion near the apex of the arcuate section of said arch member.
- said maintaining means comprises at least one substantially inextensible first tension cable secured at one end to one principal arch member and connected at the other end to one of the supporting members, and at least one substantially inextensiblc second tension cable secured at one end to the other principal arch member and connected at the other end to one of the supporting menbers, said tensioning cables biasing the principal arch members to diverge thereby maintaining tension in the roof cover along said longitudinal axis.
- the building structure according to claim 4 further including a cross bar connected transversely to each principal arch member, said cross bar serving to strengthen said principal arches.
- the building structure according to claim 12 further including a supporting cable attached longitudinally between said cross bars, said cable serving to prevent the collapse of said principal arch members in the event said first fabric becomes torn or destroyed.
- the building structure according to claim 4 further including at least one opening projecting through said second fabric at a point intermediate said first and second loops, said opening defining windows for said structure.
- the building structure according to claim id further including a window cover covering said opening and means for removably joining said cover along the outer edges thereof to that portion of said second fabric which defines the boundary of said opening.
- said joining means comprises a first strip of material defining a female member having a multiplicity of thin resilient loops projecting outward from the surface thereof and a second strip of material defining a male member having a multiplicity of thin resilient hooks projecting outward from the surface thereof, the hooks of the male member being adapted to interengage the loops of the female members upon being pressed into contact therewith, said male and female members being interchangeably secured to the contacting surfaces of said window pane and said second fabric.
- the building structure according to claim 4 further including a reinforced translucent panel positioned above said entrance opening for admitting external light into said structure.
Description
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US789438A US3534750A (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-07 | Stressed building structures |
DE19691900657 DE1900657C (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-08 | Tent construction |
DE19691966234 DE1966234A1 (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-08 | Tent construction |
GB165469A GB1257733A (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-10 | |
BE726762A BE726762A (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-10 | |
FR6900317A FR2000129A1 (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-10 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US71545468A | 1968-01-10 | 1968-01-10 | |
US789438A US3534750A (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-07 | Stressed building structures |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3534750A true US3534750A (en) | 1970-10-20 |
Family
ID=27109347
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US789438A Expired - Lifetime US3534750A (en) | 1968-01-10 | 1969-01-07 | Stressed building structures |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3534750A (en) |
BE (1) | BE726762A (en) |
DE (1) | DE1966234A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2000129A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1257733A (en) |
Cited By (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3726294A (en) * | 1971-07-13 | 1973-04-10 | C Huddle | Movable closure for pavilion |
US3773061A (en) * | 1972-05-19 | 1973-11-20 | H Berger | Modified prestressed membrane structure |
US3872634A (en) * | 1972-07-31 | 1975-03-25 | Seaman Corp | Rigid frame, tensioned fabric structure |
US4034772A (en) * | 1973-05-08 | 1977-07-12 | Tension Structures Co. | Vaulted membrane shelter |
US4061154A (en) * | 1976-05-06 | 1977-12-06 | Cox James L | Umbrella with interchangeable tops |
US4165757A (en) * | 1978-01-26 | 1979-08-28 | Sierra Designs | Arch supported tent |
US4236543A (en) * | 1979-06-26 | 1980-12-02 | Moss Charles W | Portable tent |
US4271642A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1981-06-09 | Karr Dale A | Tent with inflatable tube erector |
US4766918A (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1988-08-30 | Aspen Enterprises, Inc. | Convertible, inflatable shelter apparatus |
US4785838A (en) * | 1983-02-08 | 1988-11-22 | Negahdari Viki R | Multipurpose infant shade |
US4858634A (en) * | 1988-07-18 | 1989-08-22 | Mcleese Eddie S | Self erecting structure |
EP0379078A1 (en) * | 1989-01-16 | 1990-07-25 | Felix Arnold | Tent |
US5163461A (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1992-11-17 | Ivanovich Michael K | Self-erecting shelter |
US5446580A (en) * | 1994-01-24 | 1995-08-29 | Collins; Frederick L. | Privacy tanning screen |
US5642538A (en) * | 1995-09-18 | 1997-07-01 | Creative Toy Products, Inc. | Self-erecting play yard structure |
USRE35571E (en) * | 1988-07-18 | 1997-07-29 | Mcleese; Eddie S. | Self-erecting structure |
US5950649A (en) * | 1995-08-08 | 1999-09-14 | Gerig Grafik Design | Braceable, unsupported arch arrangement and protective roof comprising it |
US6363955B1 (en) * | 2000-01-10 | 2002-04-02 | Billwin Auto Accessories, Ltd. | Self-deploying tubular enclosure |
US20050091937A1 (en) * | 2003-11-04 | 2005-05-05 | Bigelow Robert T. | Cover for use with an inflatable modular structure |
US20070079855A1 (en) * | 2005-11-01 | 2007-04-12 | Li Wanda Y | Outdoor canopy |
US20070295380A1 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2007-12-27 | Willi Glaeser | Pavilion |
US20090121207A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-05-14 | James Patrick Bowerman | Configurable enclosure |
US20110197940A1 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2011-08-18 | Gerhard Allan Warner | Saddle shaped tent with portico |
US20150354269A1 (en) * | 2014-06-10 | 2015-12-10 | Harry Miller Company | Protection kits and protection methods for entranceways |
US10934740B2 (en) * | 2019-01-28 | 2021-03-02 | Seek Outside, Inc. | Tent shelter |
WO2023079434A1 (en) * | 2021-11-04 | 2023-05-11 | Thule Sweden Ab | Adaptable rooftop tent system |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3013178C2 (en) * | 1980-04-03 | 1982-11-25 | Hermann 8162 Schliersee Becker | Tent that can be suspended from elastically flexible rods by means of holding elements attached to the outside of the tent wall |
EP0101764A1 (en) * | 1982-08-17 | 1984-03-07 | Esso Textile Company Limited | Covers |
FR2589924B1 (en) * | 1985-11-14 | 1990-01-05 | Bachmann Sa | IMPROVED SHELTER SET |
CH670859A5 (en) * | 1986-08-25 | 1989-07-14 | Technikus J Felber Fa |
-
1969
- 1969-01-07 US US789438A patent/US3534750A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1969-01-08 DE DE19691966234 patent/DE1966234A1/en active Pending
- 1969-01-10 FR FR6900317A patent/FR2000129A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
- 1969-01-10 BE BE726762A patent/BE726762A/fr unknown
- 1969-01-10 GB GB165469A patent/GB1257733A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3726294A (en) * | 1971-07-13 | 1973-04-10 | C Huddle | Movable closure for pavilion |
US3773061A (en) * | 1972-05-19 | 1973-11-20 | H Berger | Modified prestressed membrane structure |
US3872634A (en) * | 1972-07-31 | 1975-03-25 | Seaman Corp | Rigid frame, tensioned fabric structure |
US4034772A (en) * | 1973-05-08 | 1977-07-12 | Tension Structures Co. | Vaulted membrane shelter |
US4061154A (en) * | 1976-05-06 | 1977-12-06 | Cox James L | Umbrella with interchangeable tops |
US4165757A (en) * | 1978-01-26 | 1979-08-28 | Sierra Designs | Arch supported tent |
US4236543A (en) * | 1979-06-26 | 1980-12-02 | Moss Charles W | Portable tent |
US4271642A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1981-06-09 | Karr Dale A | Tent with inflatable tube erector |
US4785838A (en) * | 1983-02-08 | 1988-11-22 | Negahdari Viki R | Multipurpose infant shade |
US4766918A (en) * | 1986-11-03 | 1988-08-30 | Aspen Enterprises, Inc. | Convertible, inflatable shelter apparatus |
USRE35571E (en) * | 1988-07-18 | 1997-07-29 | Mcleese; Eddie S. | Self-erecting structure |
US4858634A (en) * | 1988-07-18 | 1989-08-22 | Mcleese Eddie S | Self erecting structure |
EP0379078A1 (en) * | 1989-01-16 | 1990-07-25 | Felix Arnold | Tent |
US5163461A (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1992-11-17 | Ivanovich Michael K | Self-erecting shelter |
WO1994011600A1 (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1994-05-26 | Ivanovich Michael K | Self-erecting shelter |
US5446580A (en) * | 1994-01-24 | 1995-08-29 | Collins; Frederick L. | Privacy tanning screen |
US5950649A (en) * | 1995-08-08 | 1999-09-14 | Gerig Grafik Design | Braceable, unsupported arch arrangement and protective roof comprising it |
US5642538A (en) * | 1995-09-18 | 1997-07-01 | Creative Toy Products, Inc. | Self-erecting play yard structure |
US5809592A (en) * | 1995-09-18 | 1998-09-22 | Creative Toy Products, Inc. | Self-erecting play yard structure |
US6363955B1 (en) * | 2000-01-10 | 2002-04-02 | Billwin Auto Accessories, Ltd. | Self-deploying tubular enclosure |
US8578663B2 (en) * | 2003-11-04 | 2013-11-12 | Bigelow Aerospace | Cover for use with an inflatable modular structure |
US20050091937A1 (en) * | 2003-11-04 | 2005-05-05 | Bigelow Robert T. | Cover for use with an inflatable modular structure |
US20070295380A1 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2007-12-27 | Willi Glaeser | Pavilion |
US20070079855A1 (en) * | 2005-11-01 | 2007-04-12 | Li Wanda Y | Outdoor canopy |
US7740022B2 (en) * | 2005-11-01 | 2010-06-22 | Wanda Ying Li | Outdoor canopy |
US20090121207A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-05-14 | James Patrick Bowerman | Configurable enclosure |
US20110197940A1 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2011-08-18 | Gerhard Allan Warner | Saddle shaped tent with portico |
US8701689B2 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2014-04-22 | 0798555 B.C. Ltd. | Saddle shaped tent with portico |
EP2365160A3 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2015-05-13 | Gerhard Allan Warner | Saddle shaped tent with portico |
US20150354269A1 (en) * | 2014-06-10 | 2015-12-10 | Harry Miller Company | Protection kits and protection methods for entranceways |
US10934740B2 (en) * | 2019-01-28 | 2021-03-02 | Seek Outside, Inc. | Tent shelter |
WO2023079434A1 (en) * | 2021-11-04 | 2023-05-11 | Thule Sweden Ab | Adaptable rooftop tent system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB1257733A (en) | 1971-12-22 |
DE1900657A1 (en) | 1969-07-31 |
FR2000129A1 (en) | 1969-08-29 |
BE726762A (en) | 1969-06-16 |
DE1966234A1 (en) | 1972-03-23 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMERICAN VELCRO INCORPORATED, A CORP OF N H, NEW H Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VELCRO USA INC;REEL/FRAME:003950/0439 Effective date: 19820127 Owner name: VELCRO USA INC Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN VELCRO INC;REEL/FRAME:003950/0443 Effective date: 19810504 Owner name: AMERICAN VELCRO INC Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:VELCRO INC A CORP OF NEW HAMPSHIRE;REEL/FRAME:003950/0442 Effective date: 19810504 Owner name: VELCRO INC Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN VELCRO INC;REEL/FRAME:003950/0441 Effective date: 19810821 Owner name: AMERICAN VELCRO INCORPORATED 406 BROWN AVE.MANCHES Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:VELCRO USA INC;REEL/FRAME:003950/0439 Effective date: 19820127 |