Modular turntable for a building

• US 6,148,568 A
• Filed: 05/03/1993
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rex W. Beasley
• Original Assignee: Rex W. Beasley
• Inventors: Beasley, Rex W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Beth A.
• Application Number:
  US08/055,382
• Time in Patent Office: 2,759 Days
• Field of Search: 52/65, 472/29, 472/35, 104/43-46, 104/47, 104/40, 104/35, 108/139, 108/22, 248/349, 483/18, 414/223, 245/36.1, 245/37
• US Class Current: 52/65
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/346 Rotary buildings; Buildings with rotary units, e.g. rooms

Abstract

An improved turntable is provided for use in a building, such as in a residential or office environment, wherein the turntable is constructed from an assembly of modular components for facilitated installation within a relatively low profile space. The turntable comprises a plurality of modular, generally pie-shaped panel units of a lightweight skeletal frame construction. The panel units are joined along radial lines of separation by a plurality of wheel units each including a wheel bracket connected to the adjacent pair of panel units, and a pair of elevationally adjustable wheels for shared distribution of loads applied to the panel units. The wheels may in turn be positioned to ride upon an elevationally adjustable track. A traction drive surface is formed on the periphery of the assembled turntable in a position engaged by a drive roller of a low profile drive unit. The assembled panel units may be adapted for installation in an annular array disposed about a building column, and/or for assembly in concentric rings to define a turntable with extended surface area.

Claims

1. A turntable for installation into building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising at least one wheel unit having a wheel bracket connected to said adjacent pair of panel units, and a pair of support wheels carried by said wheel bracket and mounted on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby said adjacent pair of panel units being incapable of disassembly when said wheel unit is connected thereto; and

center hearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis.

2. The turntable of claim 1 wherein each of said panel units has a skeletal frame construction with a floor skin on an upper side thereof, said floor skin of each of said panel units cooperatively defining said rotatable floor surface when said panel units are assembled.

3. The turntable of claim 1 further including means for elevationally adjusting each of said support wheels.

4. The turntable of claim 1 wherein each pair of said support wheels is mounted in a position nested substantially within said adjacent pair of said panel units.

5. The turntable of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means further includes keyway means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units to prevent substantial relative vertical displacement therebetween.

6. The turntable of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means further includes clamp means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units to prevent substantial relative vertical displacement therebetween.

7. The turntable of claim 1 further including a circular wheel track for rolling support of said support wheels on said wheel units.

8. The turntable of claim 7 wherein said wheel track defines an annular wheel support surface, and includes means for elevationally adjusting said wheel support surface.

9. The turntable of claim 7 further including means for structurally connecting said wheel track with said center bearing means.

10. The turntable of claim 1 wherein said center bearing means includes means for elevationally adjusting the orientation of said assembled panel units.

11. The turntable of claim 1 wherein said modular panel units are identical.

12. The turntable of claim 1 wherein said modular panel units are assembled in concentric rings to provide an extended rotatable floor surface.

13. The turntable of claim 1 wherein each of said panel units includes a pair of radially extending support beams at opposite side edges thereof, and further wherein said wheel bracket of said at least one wheel unit is connected to adjacent radial support beams of said adjacent pair of panel units.

14. The turntable of claim 13 wherein said wheel bracket has a generally U-shaped construction defining a cavity for seated reception of said adjacent radial support beams.

15. The turntable of claim 14 further including means for fixedly securing said wheel bracket to said adjacent radial support beams.

16. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising a pair of support wheels mounted on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby;

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis;

said rotatable floor surface defining a peripheral edge; and

drive means for rotatable driving said assembled panel units about said central vertical axis, said drive means including a drive roller in bearing engagement with said peripheral edge.

17. The turntable of claim 16 further including a traction drive tread mounted removably on said peripheral edge for bearing engagement by said drive roller.

18. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units each having a skeletal frame construction including a pair of radially extending support beams at opposite side edges thereof;

means for interconnecting said panel units in side-by-side array to form a generally circular turntable defining a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

said interconnecting means comprising a plurality of wheel units each for interconnecting an adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, each of said wheel units including a wheel bracket for connection to adjacent radial support beams of said adjacent pair of panel units, and each of said wheel units further including a pair of support wheels carried by said wheel bracket on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units, said adjacent panel units being incapable of disassembly when said wheel unit is connected thereto;

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis; and

drive means for rotatably driving said assembled panel units about said central vertical axis.

19. The turntable of claim 18 wherein each of said wheel units includes means for elevationally adjusting each of said associated support wheels.

20. The turntable of claim 18 wherein each of said wheel units is mounted in a position nested substantially within said adjacent pair of said panel units.

21. The turntable of claim 18 further including a circular wheel track for rolling support of said support wheels on said wheel units.

22. The turntable of claim 21 wherein said wheel track defines an annular wheel support surface, and includes means for elevationally adjusting said wheel support surface.

23. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally Pie-shaped panel units each having a skeletal frame construction including a pair of radially extending support beams at opposite side edges thereof;

means for interconnecting said panel units in side-by-side array to form a generally circular turntable defining a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

said interconnecting means comprising a plurality of wheel units each for interconnecting an adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, each of said wheel units including a wheel bracket for connection to adjacent radial support beams of said adjacent pair of panel units, and each of said wheel units further including a pair of support wheels carried by said wheel bracket on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units;

center bearing means for rotatable supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis; and

drive means for rotatably driving said assembled panel units about said central vertical axis;

wherein said rotatable floor surface defines a peripheral edge, and further wherein said drive means includes a drive roller in bearing engagement with said peripheral edge.

24. The turntable of claim 23 further including a traction drive tread mounted removably on said peripheral edge for bearing engagement by said drive roller.

25. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising at least one wheel unit having a wheel bracket connected to said adjacent pair of said panel units, and a pair of support wheels carried by said wheel bracket on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby, said adjacent pair of panel units being incapable of disassembly when said wheel unit is connected thereto;

center bearing mans for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis;

track means defining a elevationally adjustable wheel support surface for rolling support of said support wheels of said wheel units;

means for connecting said track means to said center bearing means to retain said track support surface in a predetermined position relative to said assembled panel units; and

drive means for rotatably driving said assembled panel units about said central vertical axis.

26. The turntable of claim 25 wherein each of said wheel units includes means for elevationally adjusting each of said associated support wheels.

27. The turntable of claim 25 wherein each of said wheel units is mounted in a position nested substantially within said adjacent pair of said panel units.

28. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom alone radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising at least one wheel unit having a wheel bracket connected to said adjacent pair of said panel units, and a pair of support wheels carried by said wheel bracket on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby;

center bearing means for rotatable supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis;

track means defining an elevationally adjustable wheel support surface for rolling support of said support wheels of said wheel units;

means for connecting said track means to said center bearing means to retain said track support surface in a predetermined position relative to said assembled panel units; and

drive means for rotatable driving said assembled panel units about said central vertical axis;

wherein said rotatable floor surfaces defines a peripheral edge and further wherein said drive means includes a drive roller in bearing engagement with said peripheral edge.

29. The turntable of claim 28 further including a traction drive tread mounted removably on said peripheral edge for bearing engagement by said drive roller.

30. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, and wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising a wheel bracket connected to said adjacent pair of panel units, said wheel bracket having at least one support wheel for supporting said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby, said adjacent pair of panel units being incapable of disassembly when said wheel bracket is connected thereto; and

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis.

31. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a turntable unit defining an upwardly presented turntable surface area with a peripheral edge, said turntable unit having an underside surface with a plurality of support wheels mounted thereon in a generally annular array;

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the turntable unit for rotation about a central vertical axis; and

seismic tie-down means for preventing substantial vertical upward displacement of said turntable unit at said peripheral edge, relative to the building, said seismic tie-down means being disposed below said upwardly presented turntable surface area.

32. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising a pair of support wheels mounted on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby; and

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis and about a vertical column in a building;

said center bearing means comprising an annular bearing ring connected to said panel units and adapted for mounting about a vertical column in a building, and a circumferential array of bearing means for engaging an outer margin of said bearing ring.

33. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units comprising a pair of support wheels mounted on opposite sides of said radial line of separation for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby; and

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis,

said rotatable floor surface defining a peripheral edge and further including seismic tie-down means disposed below said rotatable floor surface for preventing substantial vertical upward displacement of said assembled panel units at said peripheral edge thereof, relative to the building.

34. A turntable for installation into a building, comprising:

a plurality of modular generally pie-shaped panel units adapted for assembly to cooperatively define a rotatable floor surface of generally circular shape, wherein each of said panel units is disposed between an adjacent pair of panel units and separated therefrom along radial lines of separation;

means for interconnecting each adjacent pair of said panel units along the radial line of separation therebetween, said interconnecting means for each adjacent pair of said panel units permitting flex movement of said adjacent pair of panel units along said radial line of separation therebetween;

each adjacent pair of said panel units further including at least one wheel unit connected thereto generally along said radial line of separation therebetween for shared load distribution of said adjacent pair of panel units and loads carried thereby; and

center bearing means for rotatably supporting the assembled panel units for rotation about a central vertical axis.

35. The turntable of claim 34 wherein said at least one wheel unit comprises a pair of support wheels mounted on opposite sides of said radial line of separation.