United States Patent
US Patent 5502928: Tension braced dome structure
US 5502928 ยท granted 1996-04-02
| Patent Number | 5502928 |
|---|---|
| Title | Tension braced dome structure |
| Filed | 1994-07-27 |
| Granted | 1996-04-02 |
| Inventor(s) | Wesley R. Terry |
| Assignee | Birdair Inc |
| CPC Classification | E04B7/14, E04B7/00, E04B7/10 |
| Number of Claims | 3 |
Abstract
The present invention is a tension braced dome structure comprised of a top ridge having at least one upper ridge radial member and at least one circumferential member which is concentric with an edge member; wherein the upper ridge radial member and the circumferential member are capable of carrying compressive and tensile loading; and further comprising a tensegrity grid having at least one diagonal member, and at least one lower compression member, and at least one lower cicumferential member; wherein said diagonal member extends between the upper ridge radial member and the compression member; and still further having a means for resolving internal stresses as an integral part of the top ridge; and a means for adjusting tension in the diagonal member.
Claims Summary
1. A dome structure comprising:(a) A top ridge having at least one upper ridge radial member, a center of origin and a edge member, wherein said upper ridge radial member extends radially outward from said center of origin to said edge member, wherein said upper ridge radial member and said edge member intersect; and said upper ridge radial member being capable of carrying compressive and tensile loading;