NON-SYMMETRICAL TENSION-INTEGRITY STRUCTURES

• US 3,866,366 A
• Filed: 08/07/1973
• Issued: 02/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard Buckminster Fuller
• Original Assignee: Richard Buckminster Fuller
• Inventors: Fuller, Richard Buckminster
• Primary Examiner(s): Purser, Ernest R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Application Number:
  US05/386,302
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 52/81,648
• US Class Current: 52/81.2
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3211 Structures with a vertical rotation axis or the like, e.g. semi-spherical structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1927 of essentially circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1945 Wooden struts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1981 characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1996 Tensile-integrity structures, i.e. structures comprising compression struts connected through flexible tension members, e.g. cables
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3241 Frame connection details

Abstract

A building structure composed of column-like discontinuous compression members held by a plurality of tension elements, the column-like compression members being held in spaced relation by tension elements attached adjacent the ends of the column-like compression members. In the form shown, there are what can be termed two substructures, one at the top and one at the bottom, each substructure having pentagonal configurations of parallel lesser circles formed by column-like members and tension elements at its base, said pentagonal configurations being twisted relative to each other so as to provide rectangular openings therebetween. There are column-like compression members between the substructures held in spaced relation to each other and to the substructures by tension elements. The entire combination produces a generally spherical-like building structure.

Claims

1. In a generally spherical-like building structure, the combination including a like pair of substructures, each being comprised of a plurality of column-like compression members and a plurality of tension elements, the column-like members being held in axially spaced relationship to one another by the tension elements being attached adjacent the ends of spaced column-like members, pentagon lesser circle configurations at the base of each substructure, and a plurality of column-like members between said substructures and extending directly therebetween and holding said substructures in spaced relation, said column-like members being held in axially spaced relation thereto by tension elements so that pEntagon lesser circle configurations are displaced relative to each other.

2. In a building structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there is a top and bottom substructure, each substructure having a pentagonal-like configuration of column-like compression members located outside of said lesser circle configurations, said pentagonal-like configuration being reversed in the top substructure in relation to the bottom substructure.

3. In a building structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are rectangular-like apertures between said substructures.

4. In a building structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein there are rectangular-like facets between the substructures.

5. In a building structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the column-like members between the substructures has tension elements connecting one of the ends thereof to pentagon lesser circle configurations at the base of a first substructure and the other end thereof connected to a pentagonal-like configuratuion of column-like members outside of said lesser circle of the substructure other than said first substructure.

6. In a building structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the pentagonal-like compression members located outside of said lesser circle configurations are reversed relative to each other.

7. In a building structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tension elements are prefabricated and the column-like elements inserted therein thereafter.