Patent ID: 7237363
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: E04B

Abstract:
1. A domed building comprising: a plurality of interconnected flexible, shape retaining panels wherein each of the panels includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a pair of spaced apart side edges wherein each of the side edges is flared outwardly from said top edge to said bottom edge, a concave inner face and a convex outer face, a pair of elongate grooves extending into said inner face and forming a pair of ribs projecting from said outer face, said ribs and grooves each extending parallel to one of said side edges and with one of said grooves with one of said ribs of each of said panels being sufficiently longer and sufficiently larger than the other rib with the groove of an adjacent panel inserted into one of said grooves to be frictionally held therein, whereby said interconnected panels form a domed building wall; a top cap fitting over the upper edge of each of said panels; means securing said top cap in place secured to at least one of said panels; a tension ring biasing said bottom edges of said panels outwardly, said tension ring being formed from a flexible plastic conduit having pin means inserted into ends of said conduit to hold said conduit in a circular configuration; and said panels being secured to the tension ring by attachment clips, each said clip including a portion at least partially encircling the tension ring and a spring clip receiving the bottom edge of one of said panels, and at least some of the attachment clips including means for securing said clips to a support surface.