Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2002-03-26
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
C052S169110, C052S200000, C052S245000, C052S063000, C052S082000, C052S222000, C052S236200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06360496
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a circular building structure having particular utility as a dwelling.
Circular building structures have been proposed for many years. Examples of such structures include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,015,381 to Schmidt; 2,343,764 to Fuller; 2,499,478 to Feser; 3,707,812 to Roessl; 3,375,831 to Serbus; and 4,332,116 to Buchanan.
The Schmidt patent illustrates a circular building structure having a slab foundation and an upstanding perimeter wall structure enclosing a generally circular plan area. The perimeter wall is supported from the foundation. A central upstanding columnar roof support is provided and supported at its lower end by the foundation centrally of the area enclosed by the perimeter wall structure. The column is tubular. A support frame encircles and is supported from the upper end of the column at a level spaced above the upper portions of the perimeter wall structure. The support frame is spaced outwardly of the column. Downwardly and outwardly inclined roof rafter members are spaced about the column in generally radial planes with their upper innermost end portions anchored relative to corresponding upper marginal portions of the perimeter wall structure. A roof structure is secured over the rafter members and includes a central void area defined by upper marginal portions of the roof structure spaced outwardly from and extending about the upper end portion of the column. A cap structure is supported from the upper marginal portions of the roof structure and the upper end portion of the column forming a weather closure over the upper portion of the roof structure. The foundation supports a heater including a flue opening into the interior of the column. The roof structure includes inner lower panel structures underlying the rafters as well as insulation material disposed between adjacent rafters and overlying the inner panel structures but spaced from the upper marginal portions of the rafters, the spacing between adjacent rafters above the insulation material defining air circulation passages. The cap structure includes a ventilation outlet for venting the air circulation passages. A seal structure is provided to form an air seal against airflow between the column outer surface and the adjacent inner portions of the roof structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,534 to Porter illustrates another type of building structure, namely a hexagonal building structure, which has a steel frame including a connection which joins tension ring members, columns, and roof trusses together with threaded fasteners. The upper ends of the rafters are joined by a compression ring. The bottom of each column is secured to a base by means of an adjustable base plate. Rafters spanning between the tension ring and compression ring are located between adjacent trusses. The frame is adapted to receive prefabricated sandwich type panels for both roof and walls.
Still other types of building structures are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,559,868 to Gay and U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,902 to Wilson. The Gay patent illustrates a cellarless house which is constructed so that its exposed walls are adapted to provide envelope forming passages through which air can be circulated with interior temperature controlling effect. The Wilson patent relates to multi-walled structures embodying two or more spaced members arranged to provide an enclosed space therebetween for controlling the transmission of energy through the members for the purpose of capturing, storing and releasing energy.
Despite the existence of these structures, there is still a need for aesthetically pleasing building structures, having particular utility as a dwelling, which promote the togetherness of its occupants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing building structure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a building structure as above which may be used for a variety of purposes.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a building structure as above which has particular utility as a dwelling.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a building structure which is easy to construct and easy to maintain.
The foregoing objects are attained by the circular building structure of the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, a circular building structure comprises a plurality of columnar structures, each of which preferably extends from a point below ground level to a desired height above ground level, and wall structures positioned between the columnar structures and forming a substantially circular exterior or outer wall with the columnar structures which encloses an inner space. A central hub is positioned above the inner space. A plurality of trusses are provided to support a roof. Each of the trusses is joined to one of the columnar structures and to the central hub. The inner space is preferably divided into a perimetric space and an interior space. The perimetric space, if desired, may be divided by walls into a passageway, an entranceway hall, and a number of rooms. The interior space is. preferably left as a common area for eating, cooking, and other communal activities. If desired, semi-private areas may be created in the common area through devices such as planters.
Other details of the building structure of the present invention, as well as other objects and advantages attendant thereto, are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 481347 (1892-08-01), Cunningham
patent: 589563 (1897-07-01), Jensen
patent: 1157158 (1915-10-01), Harry
patent: 1473845 (1923-11-01), Gardon
patent: 2282756 (1942-05-01), Curran
patent: 2343764 (1944-03-01), Fuller
patent: 2463834 (1949-03-01), Von Breton
patent: 2499478 (1950-03-01), Feser
patent: 2559868 (1951-07-01), Gay
patent: 2753818 (1956-07-01), Green
patent: 3295265 (1967-01-01), Hida
patent: 3336704 (1967-08-01), Clay
patent: 3375831 (1968-04-01), Serbus
patent: 3707812 (1973-01-01), Roessl
patent: 4015381 (1977-04-01), Schmidt
patent: 4275534 (1981-06-01), Porter
patent: 4332116 (1982-06-01), Buchanan
patent: 4468902 (1984-09-01), Wilson
patent: 5444943 (1995-08-01), Schelfhorst
patent: 5540020 (1996-07-01), Santini
patent: 5615525 (1997-04-01), Kenworthy
patent: 5860258 (1999-01-01), Faith et al.
patent: 5934036 (1999-08-01), Gallagher
Bachman & LaPointe P.C.
Canfield Robert
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