RETRACTABLE DOME STRUCTURE AND METHOD

Abstract: A retractable dome structure such as a dome stadium utilizing a plurality of generally lune-shaped dome panels (20) mounted for movement between an open position in which they are stacked one above the other in superimposed relationship and a closed position in which they are disposed in a generally side-by-side relationship, and a mechanism (56) for guiding and moving said panels between said open and closed positions. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Description: RETRACTABLE DOME STRUCTURE AND METHOD The present invention relates to dome structures and more particularly to a retractable dome stadium. The desirability of providing an arena or stadium which can be fully open to the sun and fresh air in times of good weather and yet can be closed, or partially closed, in times of inclement weather or excessive wind, is widely recognized. To accomplish this goal is very difficult because of the massive size of such structures. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a relatively simple design for such a stadium which is capable of being fully open as well as fully closed, which utilizes conventional spaceframe technology, which does not require an excessive amount of land, and in which the panels that move are relatively small and lightweight, thereby simplifying the support and actuation thereof, as well as the speed of movement thereof. Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a retractable dome stadium embodying the principles of the present invention, showing the dome in a closed position; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the dome in an opening position; Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but taken at right angles thereto, the left portion of the figure showing the dome in its closed position and the right-hand portion of the figure showing the dome in its open position; Figures 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic sectional views taken generally in the same plane as Figure 4 and illustrating the sequence of movement of the dome panels from a closed to an open position; Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view taken generally in the same plane as Figure 3 and illustrating the manner in which the ends of the dome panels are supported and actuated, the panels being shown in their open stacked position; SUBSTITUTE SHEET Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a fragmentary view taken generally from line 10-10 in Figure 3, with parts broken away. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is applicable to virtually any type of structure, including stadiums or the like, but for exemplary purposes is illustrated embodied in the athletic stadium of Figures 1-4. The stadium generally comprises an activity surface in the form of a playing area 10, a plurality of tiers of seating 12, seating boxes 14, parking levels 16, pedestrian ramps 18 and like features common to most stadiums. The present stadium is unique in that it can be fully opened and closed utilizing an improved retractable dome arrangement, generally comprising a plurality of generally equal width lune-shaped dome panels 20 movable between a closed position such as shown in Figures 1 and 4 (left side) in which the panels are disposed in side-by-side relationship to define a generally spherical segment shaped dome, and an open position such as shown in Figures 2 and 4 (right side) in which the panels are stacked one above the other. A lune is the surface of a sphere included between two great circles disposed at a given included angle of inclination. The dome of the present invention approximates a circular segment of a sphere and it is the shape of a truncated lune which is used for each of the movable dome panels. The top of the stadium complex is provided with a deck 22 defining a generally circular opening 24 disposed in close and slightly overlapping relationship with the outer ends of panels 20 in all positions thereof. Panels 20 are supported intermediate their ends by a pair of arcuate support rails 26 each having an upper surface having a plurality of arcuate steps 28, one for each panel 20 (Figure 5-7), and which lie generally on a great circle of the imaginary sphere defined by the dome. The center of curvature of each step 28 is coincident with the center of the imaginary sphere with the radius of each step surface differing from the adjacent step surface by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of a panel 20. Each panel 20 has at least two supporting wheels 30 in alignment with each rail 26, and when the dome is closed each panel 20 is directly supported by rail 26 (Figure 5) with the adjacent edges of panels 20 slightly overlapping one another to provide SUBSTITUTE SHET a weatherproof joint. The two centermost panels 20 abut one another at an interface 32 (Figure 1) which can be provided with a suitable weatherproof seal. When panels 20 are moved downwardly and outwardly to the open position they roll from rail 26 onto the top surface (properly reinforced) of the next lower panel, and so on (Figure 6-7) until they reach the nested or stacked condition shown at the right side of Figure 4. Rails 26 are held in position by a suitable pair of arcuate supports 34, which can also be located on great circles of the imaginary sphere. Panels 20 are also supported on arcuate arches 40 disposed at each end thereof. Arches 40, illustrated generally in Figures 3 and 4, are substantially parallel to one another, being disposed in parallel vertical planes equally spaced from the center of the dome. The overall arc of each arch is the arc defined by the intersection of the vertical plane in which the arch lies and the imaginary sphere of the dome itself. Each arch 40 has a flat inclined arcuate surface 42 facing the ends of each panel 20 and being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. Surfaces 42 each lie on the plane of a great circle of the imaginary sphere of the dome, and each has on the face thereof a plurality of parallel arcuate slots 44 through which extend end supports 46 for each of the panels 20. Each support 46 extends for the full width of each panel 20 and is in turn supported on its lower surface by means of a plurality of rollers 48. Support 46 has upstanding outer flange 47 supported on opposite sides by a plurality of rollers 50 and 52 and at the upper edge of flange 47 is a rack 54 engaged by a pinion 56 driven by a plurality of motors 58. Slots 44, in plan, are arcs of a circle having the same center as the imaginary sphere of the dome, and are of a length to accommodate the maximum length of travel of the panel or panels (i.e., at opposite sides of the stadium) disposed therein. The motors 58 for each track are spaced apart a distance less than the length of rack 54 so that each panel will always be under the control of at least one motor. The same is true for the sets of rollers 48, 50 and 52. As best seen in Figures 8 and 9, each support 46 has rigidly affixed thereto a plurality of rods 60 each slidably received within a cylindrical bore 62 at the free end of each panel 20. Each rod 60 extends generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the panel and the inner free end thereof is connected to a suitable shock SUBSTITUTE SHEET absorbing and/or fluid-type compensating device 64 which is in turn affixed to panel 20. Device 64 can be of any desired construction and serves the purpose of dampening flopping movement of the panels under high wind conditions. They also can serve to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the entire structure. Panels 20 may be of any desired lightweight construction, such as a standard spaceframe construction, with the outer panel skin being either fabric or metal, or a combination of both. The structural design of the panels, rails, arches, tracks, etc. can be in accordance with standard engineering and architectural practices based on the anticipated structural and weather loading. In operation, if the dome is closed it is opened by first actuating the motors in the top tracks which control the centermost panel to cause it to start retracting. As it retracts, it rolls over the top of the next centermost panel until they are fully stacked (Figure 6) . Thereafter, the motors for both these panels are actuated to cause them both to retract together (Figure 7); and so on until the dome is fully opened, or at least opened to the desired extent. Both halves of the dome can be opened simultaneously if desired. The dome may be closed by simply reversing the opening sequence. Operating can be accomplished using conventional controls, sensors and the like. While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to provide the advantages above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without department from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: IT IS CLAIMED: 1. A retractable dome structure or the like, comprising: (a) means defining an activity surface; (b) a plurality of generally lune-shaped dome panels mounted for movement between an open position in which they are stacked one above the other in superimposed relationship and a closed position in which they are disposed in a generally side-by-side relationship, said panels overlying said activity area when disposed in said closed position; (c) means for moving said panels between said open and closed positions. 2. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first plurality of said panels is disposed on one side of said structure and a second plurality of said panels is disposed on the opposite side of said structure. 3. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the centermost panels of said first and second pluralities of panels abut one another when all said panels are in said closed position. 4. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a weatherproof seal disposed between said centermost panels. 5. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said dome generally approximates a spherical segment having an included angle of approximately 60 degrees when in the closed position. 6. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panels partially overlap one another in said closed position to provide a substantially weatherproof connection. 7. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panels are disposed in a generally concentric relationship in both said open and closed positions. 8. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein said panels move with a generally pivotal-like motion between said positions, the axis of said motion extending generally through the center of an imaginary spherical segment defined by said panels when they are disposed in said closed position. 9. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said panels is of truncated lune shape. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 10. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein each said lune-shaped panel is symmetrically truncated to an included angle of approximately 60 degrees of great circle arc. 11. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the included angle between the two great circles defining each said lune- shaped panel is between five and ten degrees. 12. A retractable dome structure as claimed- in claim 11 wherein said angle is approximately five degrees. 13. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a base structure defining a pair of generally parallel arches, said panels being movably supported on and being disposed between said arches. 14. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein said arches are disposed generally at the intersection of two spaced parallel vertical planes and an imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when they are disposed in said closed position. 15. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 14 wherein said vertical planes are equally spaced from the center of said imaginary sphere. 16. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 13 further comprising at least one track on each said arch for movably supporting the ends of one of said panels. 17. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 16 wherein said one of said panels has a support member connected to the free end thereof, said support member having an outer free end supported by said track. 18. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 17 wherein said track comprises a set of rollers engaging and supporting said support member. 19. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 18 wherein there are a plurality of sets of said rollers, said sets being disposed substantially along the path of movement of the adjacent end of said one of said panels. 20. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 19 wherein said sets are spaced apart a distance less than the width of said one of said panels. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 21. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 19 wherein said path is the arc of a circle having the same center as the center of an imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when in said closed position. 22. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 21 wherein said path lies in the plane of a great circle of said imaginary sphere. 23. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 19 wherein each of said sets of rollers comprises a pair of rollers opposing one another and pinching said support members therebetween. 24. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 23 wherein said pinching is in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said one of said panels. 25. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 23 wherein each of said sets of rollers further comprises a third roller engaging said support member. 26. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 25 wherein said third roller supports said one of said panels in a direction transverse to the plane of said one of said panels. 27. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 26 wherein said third roller engages the bottom surface of said support member. 28. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 19 wherein said support member has a transversely extending flange disposed at its outer free end. 29. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 28 wherein each of said sets of rollers comprises a pair of rollers opposing one another and pinching said flange therebetween. 30. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of said sets of rollers further comprises a third roller engaging said support member in a direction overcoming the effect of gravity. 31. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 17 wherein the inner free end of said support member is movably affixed to said one of said panels. 32. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 31 wherein said support means can move with regard to said panel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said one of said panels. 33. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 32 further comprising means to dampen said longitudinal movement. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 34. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 17 further comprising means defining a gear rack in the vicinity of the outer free end of said support member, a pinion gear drivingly engaging said rack and a motor for driving said pinion gear. 35. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 34 wherein there are a plurality of said motors, said motors being disposed substantially along the path of movement of the adjacent end of said one of said panels- 36. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 35 wherein said motors are spaced apart a distance less than the width of said one of said panels. 37. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 35 wherein said path is the arc of a circle having the same center as the center of an imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when in said closed position. 38. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 37 wherein said path is the arc of a circle having the same center as the center of an imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when in said closed position. 39. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a separate track for each of said panels. 40. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 39 wherein said tracks generally lie in the same plane and are disposed parallel to one another. 41. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 40 wherein said panels are of substantially equal thickness and said tracks are spaced apart a distance just slightly greater than said thickness. 42. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 40 wherein said path is the arc of a circle having the same center as the center of an imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when in said closed position. 43. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 42 wherein said path is the arc of a circle having the same center as the center of an imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when in said closed position. 44. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panels are of lightweight spaceframe construction. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 45. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 44 wherein said panels have a fabric skin. 46. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 44 wherein said panels have a metal skin. 47. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said panels is of substantially the same size and shape. 48. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one generally arcuate rail disposed generally transversely to said panels for movably supporting same intermediate the ends thereof. 49. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 48 wherein said rail has a plurality of steps on the upper surface thereof for supporting said panels, each step being of a length approximately equal to the width of the panel immediately supported thereby, taken along the line of intersection of said rail and panel. 50. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 49 wherein each said step is a generally circular cylindrical surface having a center coincident with the center of the imaginary sphere partially defined by said panels when in said closed position. 51. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 50 wherein said panels are of substantially equal thickness and said steps differ in radius by an amount approximately equal to said thickness. 52. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 50 wherein the depth of each said step is approximately equal to the thickness of the panel supported thereby when said panels are in said closed position. 53. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 49 further comprising at least one wheel on the bottom of each said panel adapted to rollingly engage the upper surface of said rail. 54. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 53 wherein said rail has a plurality of steps on the upper surface thereof for supporting said panels, each step being of a length approximately equal to the width of the panel immediately supported thereby, taken along the line of intersection of said rail and panel. 55. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 54 wherein the depth of each said step is approximately equal to the thickness of the panel supported thereby when said panels are in said closed position. SI/BSΓIΓUTE SHEET 56. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 55 wherein said wheel rollingly engages the upper surface of the next outer panel when it moves toward said open position. 57. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 48 further comprising an arcuate support disposed transversely to said rail and being connected thereto for supporting same. 58. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 48 wherein there are a pair of said rails disposed generally parallel to one another. 59. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a pair of generally parallel arcuate supports disposed transversely to said rails and being connected thereto for supporting same. 60. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a substantially flat deck having a generally circular opening therethrough, said panels generally defining a segment of an imaginary sphere when in said closed position, said sphere extending upwardly through said opening, the ends of said panels extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said opening. 61. A retractable dome structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panel on top of the stack in said open position is the panel disposed closest to the center of the structure when in said closed position. 62. A method of operating a retractable dome for a structure which comprises a group of generally parallel oveable panels for each side of the structure, said method comprising the steps of moving the panels in a group in generally the same direction to an open position in which they are stacked one above the other in superimposed relationship and moving the panels in a group in the opposite direction to a closed position in which they are disposed in a generally side-by-side relationship. 63. A method of operating a retractable dome as claimed in claim 62 wherein said panels in a group are moved to said open position by (a) moving the centermost panel outwardly over the next adjacent panel, (b) then moving both those panels over the next outermost panel, (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until all the panels are stacked over the last outermost panel. SUBSTITUTE SHEET 64. A method of operating a retractable dome as claimed in claim 63, wherein said panels are moved to said closed position by reversing the opening sequence. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: GORYL WILLIAM D, REPPAS GEORGE S, GORYL, WILLIAM, D., REPPAS, GEORGE, S.
Applicants: REPPAS GEORGE S, REPPAS, GEORGE, S.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: E04H3
IPC codes: E04B7, E04H3