Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Compound curve structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2001-07-31
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Compound curve structure
C052S086000, C052S641000, C052S644000, C135S124000, C135S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266932
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of modular structures which may be portable for use outdoors and which may be readily assembled and disassembled, and in particular, a modular structure having primarily arched or bow-shaped members used to create a structure such as shed or shelter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modular skeleton-frame building structures are known in the prior art. As an example, such structures have a tubular steel frame covered with a sheathing of flexible materials such as plastic, canvas or the like. Many such prior art structures require a substantially large number of structural members to form an arcuate shaped frame and many of such structures cannot be disassembled quickly and easily by a relatively unskilled user.
In particular, in the prior art, applicant is aware of the following U. S. Pat. No. 3,690,078, No. 3,892,094, No. 3,798,851, No. 3,886,961, No. 4,404,980, and No. 5,335,684.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The structure of the present invention is primarily formed of arches (primary bows) and cross-bracing (secondary) bows. An arch or primary bow is formed by a bow member having rigid bracing around its perimeter. The bow member may be an elongate member such as a length of tubing which may be aluminum tubing. The bow member is bent or otherwise formed into preferably a semi-circular or generally semi-circular shape. The bracing may be formed by bending two linear elongate members (herein referred to as first and second bracing members), which may also be tubing, at discrete bend positions, preferably but not necessarily regularly spaced apart, along the length of the members. The first bracing member is bent at the bend positions sufficiently so that it fits within the interior perimeter of the bow member. The second bracing member is slightly less bent at its bend positions than the first bracing member so that it fits within the exterior perimeter of the bow member snugly adjacent that is, alongside, the first bracing member when the first bracing member is mounted under the bow member. The first bracing member is mounted under the bow member at the intersections of its bend positions with the interior perimeter surface of the bow member. The second bracing member is mounted to one side surface of the bow member at the intersections of its bend positions with the side surface. The intersections of the bend positions of the first bracing member with the bow member, and the intersections of the bend positions of the second bracing member with the bow member are spaced apart along the length of the bow member so that the bracing provided by the first bracing member is radially offset about the center of curvature of the bow member relative to the bracing provided by the second bracing member.
In a preferred embodiment, the structure of the present invention comprises a spaced apart parallel array of arches or primary bows wherein each arch lies in a generally vertical plane. The plurality of such parallel arches may each be identically constructed. For ease of reference, the arches and the vertical planes containing those arches are referred to herein as extending laterally across a structure constructed of a spaced apart array of such arches. The spaced apart array of arches extends longitudinally along a center longitudinal axis of such a structure.
In one embodiment, the spaced apart array of arches may be spaced apart 2 feet between each arch and the structure comprises 5 such arches so that the longitudinal distance between the opposite-most arches is 8 feet. In this embodiment, a plurality of cross-bracing bows, in one embodiment constructed similarly to the primary bows, are used as longitudinally extending cross-bracing members or stringers mounted generally perpendicularly to the arches so as to support the arches in their spaced apart array. The cross-bracing bows may be coupled to the arches at the intersections of the bows with the arches.
In another preferred embodiment, foot ends of each arch may be mounted to at least one cross-bracing bow so as to form a base on at least one edge of the structure.
Additional crisscrossed pairs of long cross braces may be provided to support the longitudinally spaced array of arches in their parallel generally vertical orientation. In one embodiment, the long cross braces may extend between opposite ends of adjacent cross-bracing bows.
In summary then, the bow module portable modular structure of the present invention includes:
(a) a rigid, spaced apart, parallel array of arches, each lying in a vertical plane and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, wherein each arch is formed of a unitary generally semi-circular bow member having rigid bracing members mounted or mountable thereto within a perimeter of the bow member, and
(b) a rigid, spaced apart, substantially parallel array of cross-bracing bows mounted or mountable to the array of arches so as to be generally perpendicular to each arch, the array of cross-bracing bows radially spaced apart about a center of curvature of each arch in the array of arches.
The rigid bracing members may advantageously be elongate, linear first and second bracing members each bent at bend positions spaced apart along their respective lengths. The first and second bracing members are mounted or mountable to the bow member at the bend positions. In particular, the bend positions of the first bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along an interior perimeter surface of the bow member. The bend positions of the second bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along a side surface of the bow member so as to be adjacent the first bracing member when mounted to the bow member. The bend positions of the first bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member radially spaced apart, relative to the center of curvature of the bow member, from the bend positions of the second bracing member when mounted to the bow member.
Further advantageously, each cross-bracing bow in the array of cross-bracing bows includes an elongate arcuate member having rigid bracing mounted or mountable thereto. In particular, the rigid bracing may be elongate, linear third and fourth bracing members each bent at bend positions spaced apart along their respective lengths. The third and fourth bracing members are mounted or mountable to the bow member at their bend positions. In one aspect of the present invention the bend positions of the third bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along an interior perimeter surface of the bow member, and the bend positions of the fourth bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member along a side surface of the bow member so as to be adjacent the third bracing member when mounted to the bow member. The bend positions of the third bracing member are mounted or mountable to the bow member radially spaced apart, relative to the center of curvature of the bow member, from the bend positions of the fourth bracing member when mounted to the bow member.
In a further aspect, each arch has a foot end and an opposite elevated end. The elevated ends of opposite end arches on opposite ends of the array of arches are supported in an elevated position by elevating supports mounted or mountable to the elevated ends of the opposite end arches.
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Canfield Robert
Edwards Antony C.
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