US3535836A

US3535836A - Building construction

Info

Publication number: US3535836A
Application number: US864253A
Authority: US
Inventors: John F Blaski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-09-08
Filing date: 1969-09-08
Publication date: 1970-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1987-10-27

Description

0a. 27, 1970 F, BLASK, 3,535,836

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 8, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. 75m 5M. Vmw mwu,

awfa/awa a I ,Oct- 7. 1970 J. F. BLASK. 3,535,836

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 8, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PM, W0, JaWd/M United States Patent 3,535,836 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION John F. Blaski, 1844 Miner St., Des Plaines, Ill. 60016 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 734,826,

Apr. 24, 1968. This application Sept. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 864,253

Int. Cl. E04b 1/32; E04c 3/30 US. CI. 52-80 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The side walls and the roof of a building supported on the side walls are formed of a plurality of panels which are curved longitudinally and transversely as in a sector of the surface of a frustum of a right circular cone and are disposed in side-by-side and, essentially, edge-on relationship. The panels have inner and outer flanges formed along each longitudinal edge thereof which are in contiguous angularly displaced relationship.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application Of John F. Blaski, Ser. No. 734,826, filed Apr. 24, 1968, now abandoned entitled Building Construction; of the application of John F. Blaski, Ser. No. 415,748, filed Dec. 3, 1964, now abandoned for Building Construction;

of the application of John F. Blaski, Ser. No. 504,527, filed Oct. 24, 1965, now abandoned for Building Construction; and of the application of John F. Blaski, Ser. No. 729,866, filed Apr. 16, 1968, for Building Construction.

Background of the invention The field of the invention relates in general to a building construction, more specifically, to a prefabricated building construction formed from a plurality of sheetmetal panels having curvatures in two directions transverse to each other.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building construction. More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved prefabricated building construction formed from a plurality of sheet-metal panels of frustoconical configuration. In this connection it is an object to provide such a building construction which is adapted to be quickly and easily built by unskilled labor.

Quonset hut types of buildings made of corrugated metal pieces are known as, for example, in the Fouts Pat. No. 1,182,082. Buildings made of adjacent pieces of channel shaped cross section are known, for example, in Blaski Pat. No. 2,436,543, Canadian Pat. No. 695,513 and Belgian Pat. No. 532,015. Other flat panel constructions, diverse shaped, corrugated or simply curved flatly arranged pieces are known in patents Worthen No. 16,767, Thompson et al. No. 2,173,402, Blaski No. 2,271,451, Behlen No. 2,742,114 and Gatrell et al. No. 1,369,236.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building construction having a pair of curved sides and a curved roof supported by the sides. In this connection it is an object to provide such a building construction wherein the sides and the, roof are formed with the same radius and of frusto-conical configuration.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building construction characterized in its simplicity, strength and ruggedness.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the attached detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

3,535,836 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 Summary In a preferred form of the invention, a plurality of generally arcuate sheet-metal panels are provided which are curved longitudinally and transversely in the configuration of a sector of the surface of a frustum of a right circular cone and which have inner flanges and outer flanges formed along each longitudinal edge thereof, the inner and outer flanges being in contiguous angularly displaced relationship. Pairs of transversely adjacent panels are disposed in transversely adjacent relationship so that inner flanges thereof abut, and the abutting inner flanges are secured together to form substantially V shaped sections and to form channels between adjacent panels which are adapted to receive a sealant. The ends of the panels are otfset so that the substantially V shaped sections may be connected together in end-to-end relationship, with their ends overlapping, to form rows of V shaped sections. A plurality of such rows of V shaped sections are built up to provide a pair of curved side walls and a curved roof which is supported on these side walls, by disposing a plurality of V shaped sections in side-by-slide relationship so that the other inner flanges abut and by connecting the abutting inner flanges together. The upper edges of the side walls engage the underside of the roof and the roof is suitably secured to the upper edges of the side walls. The building constructions will have a length dependent upon the number of rows of panels employed. A sealant may be applied to the channels formed between adjacent panels so that the structure is sealed thereby.

For the purpose of providing a detailed description of the present invention reference will now be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building construction embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a generally rectangular sheet-metal plate, illustrating in dotted lines how the panel is to be curved for use in the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a panel utilized in the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified panel utilized in the side walls of the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing several interconnected panels as employed in the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 77 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a side wall and the roof of the building construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

While the invention has been shown and will be described in some detail with reference to a particular exemplary embodiment thereof, there is no intention that it be limited to such detail. Quite to the contrary, it is intended here to embrace all modifications, alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, a building construction 10 is illustrated which has been constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As may be seen, the building construction 10 includes a pair of curved side walls 11 and a curved roof 12 supported by the side walls. The building construction 10 is a modified and improved form of the building construction disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 729,866, filed Apr. 16, 1968, and allows for the formation of a building having a lower height with the same horizontal span. In its preferred form, the

building is constructed of a plurality of panels 14, the shape and configuration of which are substantially that of a sector of the surface of a frustum of a right circular cone, with flanges formed along the longitudinal edges of the panels. The panels 14, preferably, are formed in accordance with the teachings of the copending application Ser. No. 729,866. The panels 14 may be connected together longitudinally in end-to-end relationship to form rows of panels and the rows of panels may then be connected together transversely in side-by-side relationship to provide a generally corrugated Surface forming the curved side walls 11 and curved roof 12 of the building 10. Alternatively, the panels 14 may be connected together transversely in side-by-side relationship to form sections of panels and the sections of panels may then be connected together longitudinally in end-to-end relationship to form the curved side walls 11 and the roof 12. Since the foundation or base for the building does not comprise any part of the present invention, it has not been illustrated and will not be described. However, it will be readily apparent that any conventional foundation or base may be employed in connection with the building 10.

The panels 14 are constructed so that they are curved longitudinally and transversely, i.e., in transverse directions, and so that they have inner flanges and outer flanges formed along the longitudinal edges thereof which are in contiguous angularly displaced relationship. Referring to FIG. 4, a panel 14 utilized in the building 10 is shown which may be produced from a substantially rectangular plate 14' formed into an arcuate piece as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 3, the plate preferably being sheetmetal. As may be seen, the panel 14 has a pair of inner flanges 14a and 14b and a pair of

outer flanges

14c and 14d, the flanges being formed along the longitudinal edges of the panels in contiguous angularly displaced relationship. It will be readily appreciated that the plate 14 may be processed in various ways to form the panel 14.

In the construction of the side walls 11 and the roof 12 of the building 10, rows of panels may initially be formed and then the rows of panels may be connected together so that pairs of rows form substantially V shaped sections (see FIGS. 6 and 7). To facilitate the forming the rows of panels, the ends of the panels are offset so that they are adapted to overlap one another. Thus, a row of panels is formed by disposing the ends of a plurality of panels in overlapping relationship and by securing the ends of the panels together with suitable fasteners 18. Thereafter, the inner flanges 14a of rows of panels, which are constructed to mate, are disposed in face-to-face abutting relationship, i.e., the rows of panels are disposed in side-by-side relationship, and the inner flanges are secured together with suitable fasteners 18 to form substantially V shaped sections between pairs of transversely adjacent rows of panels. In like manner, the inner flanges 1412, which likewise are constructed to mate, of rows of panels are disposed in face-to-face abutting relationship secured together with suitable fasteners 18 to form substantially V shaped sections between pairs of transversely adjacent rows of panels. By combining a plurality of V shaped rows of panels, the desired side walls 11 and roof 12 may be formed. While any suitable fasteners 18 may be employed, the exemplary fasteners (FIG. 7) include bolts 18a which accommodate nuts 18b.

Alternatively, the inner flanges 14a of pairs of panels and the inner flanges 14b of pairs of panels may be disposed in face-to-face abutting relationship and may be secured together by fasteners 18 to form substantially V shaped sections. The V shaped sections may then be connected together in end-to-end relationship to form rows of V shaped sections. Again, by combining a plurality of rows of V shaped sections the desired side walls 11 and roof 12 may be formed.

As may be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, the upper edges of the side walls 11 engage the under surface of the roof 12 and the roof 12 extends outwardly of or overhangs the side walls. The roof 12 may, of course, be modified so that it does not extend outwardly of the side walls 11. In accordance with the present invention, the upper edges of the upper panels forming the side walls 11 are formed to flushly engage the under surfaces of the end panels forming the roof 12. The side walls 11 and roof 12 are suitably secured together by fasteners corresponding to the fasteners 18 which secure together adjacent panels 14. In order to provide flush engagement with the roof, the upper panels of the side walls are formed by cutting the panel 14, shown in FIG. 4, along a diagonal line, such as the dotted line 20, to form a panel 14 substantially as shown in FIG. 5. The upper edge 20" of the panel 14" is adapted to flushly engage the under side of an end panel forming the roof 12 as shown in FIG. 8 and is adapted to be readily secured thereto. For this purpose, upper flange 22" is formed along the upper edge 20" of the panel 14". Moreover, corresponding bolt holes are formed in the flanges 22 of the upper panels 14" forming the side walls and the portions of the end panels of the roof 12 engaged thereby to allow for bo lting together the side walls 11 and the roof 12.

With the panels 14 disclosed herein, substantially V shaped channels are formed between panels disposed in side-by-side relationship when the panels are connected together as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. More specifically, substantially V shaped channels are formed between flanges of adjacent panels and between the main body portions of adjacent panels which are contiguous with flanges 141;. For the purpose of sealing the building structure, a sealant 25 may be applied to the channels formed between transversely adjacent panels (see FIG. 7). Thus, it will be apparent that the panels 14 facilitate the positive sealing of the building construction 10 so that a watertight building is provided.

For the purpose of providing horizontal support to the building construction 10, adjustable ties 28 may be provided which are connected between opposite ends of the roof 12, or, alternatively, are connected to the opposite side walls '11. The tie 28, as will be readily apparent, will balance outwardly directed forces of the building construction 10'.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the building 10 may be readily fabricated from the

panels

14 and 14". Moreover, it will be readily apparent that the building constructed in accordance with the present invention may have a low ceiling height and a relatively wide horizontal span. Additionally, it will 'be appreciated that the resultant building construction is provided with a corrugated surface having outer and inner seams formed by abutting inner flanges of adjacent panels. The seams are generally arcuate and extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the building construction 10. Furthermore, a contiguous corrugated surface is provided which facilitates the drainage of rain, liquid or the like, that might accumulate on the surface of the building structure. Due to the double curvature of the panels, i.e., the longitudinal and transverse curvature, an exceptionally strong and rugged building structure may be constructed from relatively lightweight panels. Additionally, the panels are strengthened :by the provision of two flanges adjacent each longitudinal edge and channels are provided between adjacent panels wherein a sealant may 'be applied to provide a water-tight building. Furthermore, the structure may be strengthened by the addition of cross-ties 28.

'In the formation of the building 10, the side walls 11 and the roof 12 may be separately formed. The side walls 11 may then be positioned in place and the roof may be positioned on top of the side walls. Alternatively, a temporary tower or supporting column may be used to facilitate the building of double rows of panels forming a V shaped section for the side walls 11. The roof 12 may then be built up on the side walls 11. The building may be made to have any desired length, the length thereof merely being dependent upon the number of adjacent panels which are connected together.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a shell type building construction having inner and outer surfaces, the combination which comprises a pair of upstanding curved side walls, a convex-upwardly curved roof supported on the upper ends of the side walls, the side walls and roof each comprising a plurality of elongated panels disposed in side-by-side relation and a plurality of elongated panels disposed in end-to-end relation, each of said panels having oppositely disposed outer and inner longitudinal edge portions, first and second end portions, and a body portion between said longitudinal edge portions and said end portions, said outer and inner longitudinal edge portions of each of said panels being disposed relative to each other in substantially the relation of the longitudinal edge of the base, and the longitudinal edge of the top, respectively, of a sector of the surface of a frustum of a right circular cone, means operatively connecting together said outer longitudinal edge portions of adjacent panels in alternate pairs of said side-by-side panels in said side walls and in said roof, and means operatively connecting together said inner longitudinal edge portions of adjacent panels in alternate pairs of said side-by-side panels in said side walls and in said roof, and means securing the upper end portions of said side Walls to said roof in under lying relation to the bottom face of said roof.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of said inner and outer longitudinal edge portions comprises a flange contiguous to said body portion of said panel, said flanges of said inner and outer edge portions of each said panel have the same but oppositely directed angular relationship to said body portion of said panel, and said flanges on said adjacent pairs of panels are operatively secured together.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said outer longitudinal edge portion comprises a first flange contiguous to said body portion of said panel and a third flange contiguous to said first flange and disposed on the side thereof remote from said body portion, and said inner longitudinal edge portion comprises a second flange contiguous to said body portion of said panel and a fourth flange contiguous to said second flange and disposed on the side thereof remote from said body portion, said first and second flanges of said inner and outer longitudinal edge portions, respectively, of each panel have the same angularity relative to the body portion but are oppositely directed relative thereto, said first flanges on adjacent panels are operatively secured together, said second flanges on adjacent panels are operati-vely secured together, and said third and fourth flanges on said secured-together first and second flanges flare away from each other to form a channel.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of said panels has its end portions offset and in overlapping relationship with the ends of longitudinally adjacent panels.

5. The invention according to claim 1 including means for horizontally supporting the building construction.

6. The invention according to claim 1 including horizontal struts secured to opposite sides of the roof to provide hoizontal support to the building construction.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the curved roof overhangs the side walls.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein the radii of the side walls and of the roof are the same.

9. The invention according to claim 7 including the upper panels forming the side Walls having transverse flanges formed at the upper edges thereof which engage the under-side of panels forming the roof, means for securing together mating flanges of adjacent panels, and means for securing the transverse flanges of the upper side wall panels to panels in the roof engaged thereby.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 16,767 3/1857 Worthen 5286 1,182,082 5/1916 Fouts 5218 1,369,236 2/1921 Gatrell et al. 52-416 2,173,402 9/1939 Thompson et al. 52416 2,271,451 1/1942 Blaski 52-86 2,302,949 10/1942 Palmer 52 4s2 2,436,543 2/1948 Blaski 52--86 2,742,114 4/1956 Behlen 52262 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,878 5/1888 Great Britain. 8,777 5/1893 Great Britain.

532,015 3/1955 Belgium.

695,513 10/1964 Canada.

110,999 7/1940 Australia.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner I. L. RIDGILL, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.