Abstract:
A metal-framed geodesic structure (40) has pyramidal frames (1, 8, 12) made of sheet metal. Edges of the pentagonally pyramidal frames are positioned on top edges of rectangular base wall sections (14). The base wall sections are positioned uprightly and the pentagonally pyramidal frames are slanted radially inward towards a structural center about which the base wall sections and the pentagonally pyramidal frames are positioned circumferentially. Edges of the hexagonally pyramidal frames are positioned on top-corner edges of pentagonally pyramidal frames and slanted inward radially to positions of contact with edges of adjacent hexagonally pyramidal frames in a circumferential ring having a top pentagonally polyhedral center which can have skylights and a ventilation aperture (42) at its apex. While edges of the pentagonally pyramidal frames are being attached to edges of the hexagonally pyramidal frames, temporary positioning braces (45, 46) maintain the frames accurately and reliably in structural position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to geodesic structures and more particularly to a geodesic structure having pyramidal frames with metal-framed triangular components joined with sheet-metal joining means and assembled with temporary braces. 
     Geodesic structure has developed to include a variety of known forms and features since its introduction by Buckmeister Fuller and others. None, however, are known to have pentagonally and hexagonally pyramidal frames of metal that are attached with sheet-metal attachment extensions and positioned for construction with assembly braces in a manner taught by this invention. 
     Examples of different but related variations intended to employ advantageous characteristics of dome structure are described in the following patent documents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,807, issued to Chamayou dit Felix on Jun. 14, 1988, described a reticulation of arched polygonal elements for a curved motion-picture screen. U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,472, issued to Busick on Dec. 2, 1986, taught joining insulated panels with cementitious materials that were reinforced with wire mesh and supported on a framework while being assembled to form buildings. U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,441, issued to Wickens on Sep. 16, 1986, taught joining geodesic triangular units with metal straps in grooves. U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,345, issued to Nalick on Jul. 10, 1979, taught a geodesic structure having a combination of hexagonal and semi-hexagonal forms. U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,346, issued to Belt on Apr. 17, 1979, was limited to a triangular frame of three metallic channels having inwardly curled ends of channel walls. U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,337, issued to Tomassetti, Jr., et al. on Dec. 28, 1976, taught a domed structure of arched risers supported by a center post. U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,903, issued to Ahern on Jun. 26, 1973, taught flexible flaps with joining means on edges of panels. 
     Major problems with geodesic structure continue to exist. They are related primarily to joining angular forms and support of portions of geodesic structures during construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of these and other problems with conventional geodesic structure, objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention are to provide a metal-framed geodesic structure which: 
     Does not require a support form during construction of geodesic buildings; 
     Allows quick and inexpensive construction of geodesic buildings; 
     Is sturdy and long lasting; 
     Allows use of a wide selection of foam, plastic, wood, fibrous and metallic materials for panel structure; 
     Provides convenient skylights, window and door structure; and 
     Has an optional top ventilating conveyance for air conditioning. 
     This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a metal-framed geodesic structure having frames made of sheet metal. Triangular sections of the frames are joined at edges with sheet-metal fastening means to form pentagonally pyramidal frames and hexagonally pyramidal frames onto which triangular plates of desired building material are fastened with appropriate material-fastening means. Edges of five of the pentagonally pyramidal frames are positioned on top edges of five rectangular base-wall frames. The base-wall frames are positioned uprightly and the pentagonally pyramidal frames are slanted radially inward towards a structural center about which the base-wall frames and the pentagonally pyramidal frames are positioned circumferentially. Edges of five of the hexagonally pyramidal frames are positioned on top-corner edges of the five pentagonally pyramidal frames and slanted inward radially to positions of contact with edges of adjacent hexagonally pyramidal frames in a circumferential ring having a top pentagonally polyhedral center which can have skylights and a ventilation aperture at its apex. While edges of the pentagonally pyramidal frames are being attached to edges of the hexagonally pyramidal frames, positioning rods maintain the pentagonal frames and the hexagonal frames accurately and reliably in structural position. The positioning rods have bottom ends attached to a fastener bolt at the structural center and top ends attached to centers of the pentagonally pyramidal frames and the hexagonally pyramidal frames respectively. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     This invention is described by appended claims in relation to description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are described briefly as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway top view of a pentagonally pyramidal frame; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the FIG. 1 illustration; 
     FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway top view of a hexagonally pyramidal frame; 
     FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the FIG. 3 illustration; 
     FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway top view of a pentagonally pyramidal apex frame; 
     FIG. 6 side elevation view of the FIG. 5 illustration; 
     FIG. 7 is side plan elevation view of a base wall section; 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of the FIG. 7 illustration; 
     FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view of an angled attachment of two frame sections attached with sheet-metal attachment extensions from a metal fold in combination with a metal corner strap and metal-screw fasteners; 
     FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway side view of an in-line attachment of two frame sections attached with a sheet-metal extension from a metal fold in combination with a corner gusset, foam-in-place material and wall covering; 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of a section of two frame members attached with a sheet-metal extension having a metal-fold base with edge extensions welded to gussets on edges of the two frame members; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of two base sections connected together and anchored to a structural base with fastening members, consisting of a base clip and a nut and bolt. 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of a section of two frame members attached with a sheet-metal extension having a metal-fold base with edge extensions screwed to a gusset on one of the two frame members in addition to being welded to gussets on edges of the two frame members; 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of a section of two frame members attached with a sheet-metal extension having a metal-fold base with edge extensions riveted to a gusset of one of the two frame members in addition to being welded to gussets on edges of the two frame members; 
     FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway side view of an angled attachment of two frame sections attached with sheet-metal attachment extensions in an inverted Y shape having a looped leg in combination with a metal strap, metal-screw fasteners and adhesive material; 
     FIG. 16 is the FIG. 15 illustration with addition of edge gussets to which a metal strap is riveted to an inside surface and wall covering is screwed to an inside surface; 
     FIG. 17 is the FIG. 14 illustration with a bolt and nut and with addition of an inside plate member and without weld attachment; 
     FIG. 18 is a top view of a polyhedral base with a central brace fastener; 
     FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of a geodesic structure; 
     FIG. 20 is a flat plan view of arrangement of pentagonally pyramidal frames, hexagonally pyramidal frames and a pentagonally pyramidal apex frame; 
     FIG. 21 is a top view of a structure access section; 
     FIG. 22 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of oppositely disposed pentagonally pyramidal frames and hexagonally pyramidal frames supported by assembly-brace fasteners in a construction mode; 
     FIG. 23 is the FIG. 22 illustration with hydraulically expandable assembly-brace fasteners and with a pentagonally pyramidal apex frame in construction mode; 
     FIG. 24 is a partially cutaway end view of a mobile assembly-brace fastener from which hydraulic assembly braces are extended; 
     FIG. 25 is a vertical plan view of a geodesic structure having hanging supports of successive floor structure; 
     FIG. 26 is an exploded side view of a suspension support section of a hanging rod supported with sheet-metal extensions; and 
     FIG. 27 is a top view of the suspension support section of FIG. 26 an attachment section of a hanging beam supported with sheet-metal extensions. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Terms used to describe features of this invention are listed below with numbering in the order of their initial use with reference to the drawings. These terms and numbers assigned to them designate the same features wherever used throughout this description. 
     
         ______________________________________  1.  Pentagonally pyramidal frame  2.  Pentagonally triangular sections  3.  Sheet metal fold  4.  Sheet-metal attachment extensions  5.  Dome-wall material  6.  Regular pentagonal base  7.  Pentagonally pyramidal apex  8.  Hexagonally pyramidal frame  9.  Hexagonally triangular sections  10. Regular hexagonal base  11. Hexagonally pyramidal apex  12. Pentagonally pyramidal apex frame  13. Optional skylights  14. Base wall section  15. Wall section top edges  16. Wall section bottom edges  17. Base wall section end  18. Fastener orifices  19. Welds  20. Sheet-metal frame  21. Fastener screws  22. Adhesive material  23. Foam-in-place material  24. Outside covering  25. Wall board  26. End channel  27. Wall material  28. Corner gusset  31. Sheet-metal screw  32. Rivet  33. Washer  34. Fastener bolt and nut  35. Metal loop  36. End walls  37. Corner strap  38. Fastening member -- nut and bolt  39. Metal-framed geodesic structure  40. Polyhedral base  41. Flat plan view  42. Ventilation/skylight aperture  43. Structure access  44. Access-construction edges  45. Pentagonal-frame assembly brace  46. Hexagonal-frame assembly brace  47. Assembly-brace fastener  48. Temporary fastener bolt  52. Hydraulic lift  53. Apex-frame assembly brace  54. Mobile assembly-brace fastener  55. Suspension-support rods  56. Suspension-support member  57. Floors  58. Base clip  59. Metal suspension adaptors______________________________________ 
    
     Reference is made first to FIGS. 1-2 of the drawings. A pentagonally pyramidal frame 1 has pentagonally triangular sections 2 that has sheet metal-frame 20 with sheet metal fold 3 having sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 to which dome-wall material 5 is attached. The pentagonally pyramidal frame 1 has a regular pentagonal base 6 and a pentagonally pyramidal apex 7. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3-4, a hexagonally pyramidal frame 8 has hexagonally triangular sections 9 that are metal-framed with sheet metal fold 3 having sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 to which dome-wall material 5 is attached. The hexagonally pyramidal frame 8 has a regular hexagonal base 10 and a hexagonally pyramidal apex 11. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5-6, a pentagonally pyramidal apex frame 12 has pentagonally triangular sections 2 that are metal-framed with sheet metal folds 3 having sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 to which optional skylights 13 are attached. The pentagonally pyramidal apex frame 12 has a regular pentagonal base 6. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-8, a base wall section 14 made of dome-wall material 5 is framed with sheet metal fold 3 having sheet-metal attachment extensions 4. The base wall section 14 is generally rectangular with wall section top edges 15, wall section bottom edges 16 and base wall section end 17. 
     In FIGS. 1-8, the sheet metal fold 3 and the sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 illustrated are representative of a selection of sheet-metal forms, structure and attachments generally. Some are described in relation to FIGS. 11-17. Fastener screws 21, welds 19 sheet metal screws 31, rivets 32, and fastener nuts and bolts 34 indicate sheet-metal fastening means that can be employed. Also included are adhesive materials 22. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, structural forms of sheet metal folds 3 can include sheet-metal frame 20 with sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 through which fastener screws 21, welds or other fastener means can be screwed into dome-wall material 5 having appropriate material strength and consistency. Adhesive material 22, foam-in-place material 23 or other form-in-place material can be used in combination with outside covering 24 and wall board 25 for angled attachments with particular material selections. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, sheet-metal frame 20 can have sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 that are extended orthogonally for straight-wall attachments. Gussets 28 can be added as necessary for particular material requirements. 
     FIGS. 11-17 depict a selection of attachment formations for sheet metal fold 3 and sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 for constructing frames and geodesic structures with this invention. In FIG. 11, a sheet-metal fold 20 has sheet-metal attachment extensions 4 welded with welds 19 to an end gusset 26 on wall material 27 and welded with welds 19 to a corner gusset 28. The end gusset 26 and the corner gusset 28 can be glued to the wall material 27. 
     In FIG. 12, a wall material 27 with a corner gusset 28 is attached to an opposite side of the sheet-metal fold 3 of the FIG. 11 illustration. 
     In FIG. 13, a sheet-metal screw 31 is screwed through the corner gusset 28 and into the wall material 27 of the FIG. 11 illustration to enhance attachment strength for particular structural conditions. 
     In FIG. 14, a rivet 32 and a washer 33 are used in lieu of the sheet-metal screw 31 of the FIG. 13 illustration. 
     In FIG. 15, a metal loop 35 employs adhesive material 22 in contact with end walls 36 of the FIG. 9 illustration. 
     In FIG. 16, end channels 26 and a corner strap 37 are screwed on with fastener screws 21 for added structural integrity to the FIG. 15 illustration. The corner strap 37 is a form of sheet metal fold 3. 
     In FIG. 17, a fastener bolt and nut 34 are used optionally to the rivet 32 and washer 33 of the FIG. 14 illustration. Also, a fastening member, comprising a nut and bolt, 38 is attached to the wall material 27 of the FIG. 14 illustration for desired structural objectives. 
     Referring to FIGS. 18-21, a metal-framed geodesic structure 39 positioned on a polyhedral base 40 has five base wall sections 14 supporting five pentagonally pyramidal frames 1. Five hexagonally pyramidal frames 8 are positioned inwardly and upwardly from the pentagonally pyramidal frames 1 and a pentagonally pyramidal apex frame 12 is positioned at top center of the metal-framed geodesic structure 39. Outside edges of the pentagonally pyramidal frames 1 and outside edges of the hexagonally pyramidal frames 8 have lengths equal to lengths of the base wall sections 14 as depicted in a flat plan view 41. 
     Conventional geodesic structures are constructed using separate triangular sections whereas the present invention uses preassembled pentagonally frame sections 1 and hexagonally frame sections 8 that are metal framed with sheet metal fold 3 as taught by this invention. 
     Pyramidal heights of the pentagonally frame sections 1 and the hexagonally frame sections 8 can be different from each other and different for different structures for different design preferences and for different use conditions. The pyramidal heights are distances from the regular pentagonal bases 6 to pentagonally pyramidal apexes 7 and from the regular hexagonal bases 10 to the hexagonally pyramidal apexes 11 respectively. 
     The pentagonally pyramidal apex frame 12 can have a ventilation aperture 42 with sheet metal frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 5-6, 19-20, 23 and 25. 
     Structure accesses 43 comprising door framework and/or window framework are positioned preferably at select single or double access-construction edges 44 of the polyhedral base 40. 
     Referring to FIG. 22, pyramidal structure enhances structural integrity of frames in addition to facilitating positioning of the pentagonally pyramidal frames 1 with pentagonal-frame assembly braces 45 and the hexagonally pyramidal frames 8 with hexagonal-frame assembly braces 46 that are attached to an assembly-brace fastener 47 that is positioned proximate a structural center of the polyhedral base 40. The polyhedral base 40 can be structured of concrete that is preferably reinforced with steel or structural lumber. The assembly-brace fastener 47 can be a fastener bolt 48 to which the pentagonal-frame assembly braces 45 and the hexagonal-frame assembly braces 46 are fastened directly or can have wall structure also as depicted. 
     The pentagonal-frame assembly braces 45 and the hexagonal-frame assembly braces 46 are used dually for accurate positioning and for hoisting the pentagonally pyramidal frames 1 and the hexagonally pyramidal frames 8 to structural positions. 
     Referring to FIG. 23, hydraulic lifts 52 can be added to pentagonal-frame assembly braces 45 and to hexagonal-frame assembly braces 46 for ease of construction. Also, the pentagonally pyramidal apex frame 12 can lifted and positioned with an apex-frame assembly brace 53. 
     Referring to FIG. 24, a mobile assembly-brace fastener 54 can be employed for construction of metal-framed dome buildings that are elongate or variously irregular. 
     Referring to FIGS. 25-27, suspension-support rods 55 and suspension-support member 56 can be attached with sheet-metal frame 20, such as sheet metal folds 3 with extensions, using metal suspension adaptors 59 and other fastening means for support of floors 57, balconies and fixtures. 
     In addition to pentagonally and hexagonally pyramidal frames, other pyramidal frames also can be constructed with this invention. Particulary for elongate buildings, square pyramidal frames can be positioned on dome walls between parallel sides. Then at ends, half domes can be structured. 
     Practice of this invention, therefore, includes structure of a predetermined plurality of appropriate metal-framed pyramidal frames. An assembly-brace fastener 47 is positioned on a polyhedral base 40 and the pyramidal frames 1, 8, 12 and/or other frames are then positioned with the assembly braces 45, 46, 53 and other appropriate braces. All frames are fastened in construction positions with sheet-metal fastening means. Other construction work requiring positioning by such braces is completed. Then the braces are removed and finish work not requiring the braces is completed. 
     A new and useful metal-framed geodesic structure having been described, all such foreseeable modifications, adaptations, substitutions of equivalents, mathematical possibilities of combinations of parts, pluralities of parts, applications and forms thereof as described by the following claims and not precluded by prior art are included in this invention.