Abstract:
The bow module portable modular structure of the present invention includes: (a) a rigid, spaced apart, parallel array of arches, each lying in a vertical plane and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, wherein each arch is formed of a unitary generally semi-circular bow member having rigid bracing members mountable thereto within a perimeter of the bow member, and (b) a rigid, spaced apart, substantially parallel array of cross-bracing bows mountable to the array of arches so as to be generally perpendicular to each arch, the array of cross-bracing bows radially spaced apart about a center of curvature of each arch in the array of arches.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application No. 60/131,489 filed Apr. 29, 1999 titled Outdoor Portable Modular Structure. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of modular structures which may be portable for use outdoors and which may be readily assembled and disassembled, and in particular, a modular structure having primarily arched or bow-shaped members used to create a structure such as shed or shelter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modular skeleton-frame building structures are known in the prior art. As an example, such structures have a tubular steel frame covered with a sheathing of flexible materials such as plastic, canvas or the like. Many such prior art structures require a substantially large number of structural members to form an arcuate shaped frame and many of such structures cannot be disassembled quickly and easily by a relatively unskilled user. 
     In particular, in the prior art, applicant is aware of the following U. S. Pat. No. 3,690,078, No. 3,892,094, No. 3,798,851, No. 3,886,961, No. 4,404,980, and No. 5,335,684. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The structure of the present invention is primarily formed of arches (primary bows) and cross-bracing (secondary) bows. An arch or primary bow is formed by a bow member having rigid bracing around its perimeter. The bow member may be an elongate member such as a length of tubing which may be aluminum tubing. The bow member is bent or otherwise formed into preferably a semi-circular or generally semi-circular shape. The bracing may be formed by bending two linear elongate members (herein referred to as first and second bracing members), which may also be tubing, at discrete bend positions, preferably but not necessarily regularly spaced apart, along the length of the members. The first bracing member is bent at the bend positions sufficiently so that it fits within the interior perimeter of the bow member. The second bracing member is slightly less bent at its bend positions than the first bracing member so that it fits within the exterior perimeter of the bow member snugly adjacent that is, alongside, the first bracing member when the first bracing member is mounted under the bow member. The first bracing member is mounted under the bow member at the intersections of its bend positions with the interior perimeter surface of the bow member. The second bracing member is mounted to one side surface of the bow member at the intersections of its bend positions with the side surface. The intersections of the bend positions of the first bracing member with the bow member, and the intersections of the bend positions of the second bracing member with the bow member are spaced apart along the length of the bow member so that the bracing provided by the first bracing member is radially offset about the center of curvature of the bow member relative to the bracing provided by the second bracing member. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the structure of the present invention comprises a spaced apart parallel array of arches or primary bows wherein each arch lies in a generally vertical plane. The plurality of such parallel arches may each be identically constructed. For ease of reference, the arches and the vertical planes containing those arches are referred to herein as extending laterally across a structure constructed of a spaced apart array of such arches. The spaced apart array of arches extends longitudinally along a center longitudinal axis of such a structure. 
     In one embodiment, the spaced apart array of arches may be spaced apart 2 feet between each arch and the structure comprises 5 such arches so that the longitudinal distance between the opposite-most arches is 8 feet. In this embodiment, a plurality of cross-bracing bows, in one embodiment constructed similarly to the primary bows, are used as longitudinally extending cross-bracing members or stringers mounted generally perpendicularly to the arches so as to support the arches in their spaced apart array. The cross-bracing bows may be coupled to the arches at the intersections of the bows with the arches. 
     In another preferred embodiment, foot ends of each arch may be mounted to at least one cross-bracing bow so as to form a base on at least one edge of the structure. 
     Additional crisscrossed pairs of long cross braces may be provided to support the longitudinally spaced array of arches in their parallel generally vertical orientation. In one embodiment, the long cross braces may extend between opposite ends of adjacent cross-bracing bows. 
     In summary then, the bow module portable modular structure of the present invention includes: 
     (a) a rigid, spaced apart, parallel array of arches, each lying in a vertical plane and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, wherein each arch is formed of a unitary generally semi-circular bow member having rigid bracing members mounted or mountable thereto within a perimeter of the bow member, and 
     (b) a rigid, spaced apart, substantially parallel array of cross-bracing bows mounted or mountable to the array of arches so as to be generally perpendicular to each arch, the array of cross-bracing bows radially spaced apart about a center of curvature of each arch in the array of arches. 
     The rigid bracing members may advantageously be elongate, linear first and second bracing members each bent at bend positions spaced apart along their respective lengths. The first and second bracing members are mounted or mountable to the bow member at the bend positions. In particular, the bend positions of the first bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along an interior perimeter surface of the bow member. The bend positions of the second bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along a side surface of the bow member so as to be adjacent the first bracing member when mounted to the bow member. The bend positions of the first bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member radially spaced apart, relative to the center of curvature of the bow member, from the bend positions of the second bracing member when mounted to the bow member. 
     Further advantageously, each cross-bracing bow in the array of cross-bracing bows includes an elongate arcuate member having rigid bracing mounted or mountable thereto. In particular, the rigid bracing may be elongate, linear third and fourth bracing members each bent at bend positions spaced apart along their respective lengths. The third and fourth bracing members are mounted or mountable to the bow member at their bend positions. In one aspect of the present invention the bend positions of the third bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along an interior perimeter surface of the bow member, and the bend positions of the fourth bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along a side surface of the bow member so as to be adjacent the third bracing member when mounted to the bow member. The bend positions of the third bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member radially spaced apart, relative to the center of curvature of the bow member, from the bend positions of the fourth bracing member when mounted to the bow member. 
     In a further aspect, each arch has a foot end and an opposite elevated end. The elevated ends of opposite end arches on opposite ends of the array of arches are supported in an elevated position by elevating supports mounted or mountable to the elevated ends of the opposite end arches. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is, in front perspective view, the modular bowed structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is, in side elevation view, the bow member in the three stage construction of an arch of the modular bowed structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is, in side elevation view, the bow member and first bracing member in the second stage in the construction of the arch of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 a  is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 4 is, in side elevation view, the bow member and first and second bracing members in the third stage of the construction of the arch of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 a  is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 4 a.    
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 showing a spaced apart array of cross bow members mounted transversely along a single arch of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a left side elevation view of the structure of FIG. 1 covered by sheathing panels. 
     FIG. 8 is a right side elevation view of the structure of FIG. 1 covered by sheathing panels. 
     FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the structure of FIG. 1 is enlarged by opposed facing lean-to sides. 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is, in perspective view, a further alternative embodiment of the present invention providing an open-sided enclosure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As seen in FIG. 1, the modular bowed structure  10  of the present invention has arches  12  lying generally in parallel generally vertical spaced apart planes longitudinally spaced apart along a longitudinal axis A. Arches  12  extend laterally of longitudinal axis A generally orthogonally thereto. In the embodiment illustrated, but not intended so as to be limiting, the longitudinal spacing between arches  12  is 2 feet so that, the longitudinal distance spanned by a longitudinal spaced array of five arches  12  is 8 feet. Each arch  12  is constructed in three stages as seen progressively constructed in FIGS. 2-4. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, in one preferred embodiment, each arch  12  has a bow member  14  which forms the backbone of the arch. As seen in FIG. 3, a first bracing member  16 , formed by bending a linear rigid member at regular intervals along its length so as to fit into the arch of bow member  14 , is mounted at its bend positions  16   a  to bow member  14 , for example by means of bolts or screws  18  better seen in FIG. 3 a.  First bracing member  16  thus provides linear bracing of bow member  14  between bend positions  16   a.  Members  14  and  16  may be constructed of tubing as for example aluminum tubing. 
     As seen in FIG. 4, further bracing of bow member  14  is provided by a second bracing member  22 . Similar to first bracing member  16 , second bracing member  22  is an elongate, preferably linear, rigid member bent at regular intervals indicated as bend positions  22   a.  As better seen in FIG. 4 a,  member  22  is mounted to bow member  14 , alongside member  14  so as to be adjacent member  16 . Member  22  is mounted to the side of bow member  14  at bend positions  22   a  by means of bolts or screws  24 . Bend positions  22   a  are mounted to bow member  14  intermediate bend positions  16   a  so that the bracing of bow member  14  provided by members  16  and  22  is equally radially spaced apart about center of curvature  20 . Second bracing members  22  may also be tubing such as aluminum tubing. Bend positions  16   a  and  22   a  may be formed by manual crimping and bending of the tubing or by folding of the tubing in a jig. A better detailed view of the mounting of members  16  and  22  to bow member  14  at bend positions  16   a  and  22   a  is seen in FIG.  5 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, although not intending to be limiting, the distance between bend positions  16   a  may be 5 feet and the radius of curvature R 1  of first bowed members  14  may be 8 feet. Radius of curvature R 1  has a center of curvature  20 . 
     Arches  12  have at opposite ends elevated ends  26  and foot ends  28 . Elevated ends  26  are maintained elevated above the ground a distance D 1  by cross-bracing as better described below. Arches  12  are generally coplanar and in the resulting structure  10  arches  12  lie in generally vertical parallel planes and foot ends  28  rest on the surface of ground or other base or foundation material  30 . Center of curvature  20  for each arch  12  lies on a chord shown in dotted outline extending between elevated end  26  and foot end  28 . 
     Arches  12  are held rigidly in their parallel spaced apart array by longitudinal cross-bracing bows  32 . In FIG. 1 only two bows  32  are illustrated for sake of clarity, it being understood that a plurality of bows  32  are rigidly mounted spaced apart along the length of arches  12 , for example as better seen in FIG. 6 which illustrates a spaced apart array of bows  32  spaced apart along a single arch  12 . 
     Longitudinal cross-bracing bows  32  may advantageously be constructed in a manner similar to arches  12 . Thus each bow  32  has an arched or bowed bow member  34  which forms the backbone of the cross-brace braced by third and fourth bracing members  36  and  38  respectively. Member  36  is mounted to bow member  34  at regular intervals around the interior circumference of bow member  34 . Member  38  is mounted adjacent to member  36  at regular intervals around the side surface of bow member  34 . Both members  36  and  38  may be formed by bending an elongate linear member such as an elongate piece of aluminum tubing. The bend positions along both members  36  and  38  are used for mounting to the interior surface and side surface respectively of bow member  34 . Members  36  and  38  may be rigidly mounted to bow members  34  using bolts, screws or other fastening means. Again, member  38  bend positions are mounted to bow member  34  intermediate the member  36  bend positions whereat member  36  is mounted to bow member  34 . In this manner, the cross braces provided by members  36  and  38  are offset relative to each other along the length of bow member  34 . 
     Elevated ends  26  of the arches  12 ′ which form the arches at opposite ends of the spaced apart array of arches  12 , are supported elevated D 1  above ground  30  by vertical support members  40 . Vertical support members  40  may also be elongate rigid tubing such as aluminum tubing. 
     Arches  12  and bows  32  may be entirely constructed of aluminum tubing, for example of ½ inch inside diameter and ⅞&#39;s inch outside diameter. 
     A vent or plurality of vents  46  may be pivotally mounted preferably in the upper region of structure  10 . Vents  46  are pivotally mounted to the frame members, for example adjacent arches  12 , so as to provide interior ventilation by being pivotable from a closed position to an elevated open position, the latter as seen better in FIG.  1 . In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 structure  10  is covered by sheathing  48  which may be comprised of upper tarp sections  42  and lower net sections  44  or any combination, as someone skilled in the art would know to adapt for various climates and the various applications of the present structure. 
     In FIGS. 9 and 10, sheathing  48  is removed so as to expose the underlying structure  10 . However, it is understood that the entire structure may be covered or portions thereof and that the ends of the structure may incorporate windows, doors, releasably fastened by various means known in the art, and that the interior of structure  10  may be adapted so that netting or the like may be hung inside the structure, for example suspended from hanging rods  52 , when used as a golfing range shed. Thus a person may stand in the shed and hit golf balls into a net (not shown) hanging down from rods  40 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, but without intending to be limiting, to expand the interior volume of structure  10  and to increase the aesthetic appeal of the overall structure when covered in sheathing  48 , advantageously lean-to sides  50 , which may also be formed of curved and linear pieces of tubing, are fastened to the longitudinal ends of the array of arches  12 , that is, they may be fastened to the ends of bows  32 . In this fashion, structure  10  may be given a pleasing and volumetrically expanded rounded or dome-like exterior appearance when covered in sheathing  48 . Alternatively, vertical support poles  54  may be substituted for lean-to sides  50 . 
     Any further alternative embodiment, further cross bracing of arches  12  may be provided, in addition to bows  32 , by tensioned wire cables  56  or the like. 
     As seen in FIG. 11, a further alternative embodiment of the present invention uses arches  12  to support a canopy  58 . The foot ends  28  of arches  12  again support the lowermost ends of the arches  12 . The opposite elevated ends  26  which cannot be seen in FIG. 11 because of canopy  58 , support the upper edge  58   a  of the canopy suspended over a covered area  60 . Arches  12  are held in parallel spaced apart array by, for example, cross members  62 . An entryway  64  may be provided between adjacent arches  12  and a corresponding aperture in canopy  58  for access by a user to covered area  60 . Thus this alternative embodiment might be employed for covering golfers using a golfing range. 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.