Patent ID: 7774992

Claim:
A system for use in constructing a geodesic dome, said system comprising: a strut, said strut comprising: an elongate vertical central member having an upper edge and a lower edge, two side edges, a first substantially planar side, and a second substantially planar side, an elongate first lower lateral leg extending along and projecting from the entire lower edge of said central member on said first substantially planar side, said elongate first lower lateral leg forming a first obtuse angle with said elongate vertical central member, an elongate second lower lateral leg extending along and projecting from the entire lower edge of said central member on said second substantially planar side, said elongate second lower lateral leg forming a second obtuse angle with said elongate vertical central member; and a tile, said tile comprising: a preformed plastic panel having a substantially polygonal shape having a predetermined number of side edges, said panel having: a superior surface having a non-planar, three-dimensional surface formed with planar surfaces extending up at an angle from respective side edges of the panel until they meet at a high point at the center of the panel; a plurality of side walls corresponding in number to said predetermined number side edges, said side walls depending from said superior surface, and each of said side walls having a recess formed therein along at least a portion of a lower edge thereof, each of said recesses sized and shaped to receive one of said lower lateral legs of said strut; said side walls, together with said superior surface, forming an interior cavity; and an inferior surface; wherein when said tile is seated upon said strut with one of said lower lateral legs of said strut received said recess in one of said side walls of said tile, said superior surface of said tile is located adjacent said upper edge of said elongate vertical central member of said strut.