Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Barrier or major section mounted for in situ repositioning;... – Rotatable about vertical axis
Patent
1986-05-21
1988-02-16
Ridgill, Jr., James L.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Barrier or major section mounted for in situ repositioning;...
Rotatable about vertical axis
E04B 716, E04B 1346
Patent
active
047246456
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an orientable or revolving architectural structure which is habitable.
This orientable structure, comprising an enclosure which can rotate, inside which a fixed skeleton or framework is housed, is especially advantageous in the construction of private houses. It can also be used in the construction of buildings for exhibitions, shows or displays--museums, in particular.
In the field of orientable structures, a technical system is known--particularly that of U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,189--which is used in panoramic restaurants and comprises a circular platform which can rotate and is situated inside a fixed enclosure of the `picture window` type.
In the field of private houses, another technical system is known--particularly that of patent documents FR-A-No. 2 491 598 and EP-A-No. 0 091 626--according to which the whole structure, i.e. both the external shell and the internal skeleton, can revolve on rails. This solution gives rise to difficulties, and entails very heavy construction costs and enormous energy consumption to enable the whole structure to be moved, owing to its weight, as well as high maintenance costs.
Lastly, it is known that patent document FR-A-No. 2 385 861 proposes another solution for the construction of an orientable dwelling, namely a spherical or approximately spherical house which can rotate about its vertical axis, the lower hemisphere of which is immersed in a tank filled with a supporting fluid. This system presents very many difficulties of stabilization and of practicability.
According to the invention, a new technical solution is recommended for an orientable structure comprising an enclosure or external shell which can rotate and a fixed skeleton housed inside the above-mentioned enclosure. This technical solution differs from the systems previously known and offers the advantage--particularly in comparison with wholly mobile structures--of lower construction costs, less weight to be moved and less energy required to rotate this weight.
The orientable architectural structure according to the invention is habitable and comprises (i) an external enclosure or shell, and (ii) an internal skeleton or carcass. The enclosure has or defines a surface of revolution and is able to rotate about its vertical axis and the space inside the enclosure contains a fixed skeleton.
To sum up, according to the invention the external shell of the architectural structure can rotate, whereas the interior remains fixed.
In the preferred embodiment according to the invention, the orientable architectural structure comprises
a steerable rotational enclosure which can rotate about its axis, comprising at least one glazed part selected from among the whole assembly of picture windows and French windows,
a fixed skeleton arranged inside the above-mentioned orientable enclosure,
a screening element situated outside the enclosure that can screen, at least partially, the above-mentioned glazed part according to the direction in which the enclosure is facing.
The enclosure or external shell defines a surface of revolution which can rotate about a vertical axis or axis inclined to the vertical. This surface can also have a cross section (in plan) which is oval or elliptic. Any rotational form is suitable, but for esthetic reasons and convenience in fitting out the interior, the use of forms of revolution that are approximately circular or oval in section, such as calottes or domes, is preferred. The sphere and the shell oval in section have, in particular, the advantage if integrating well with the natural surroundings and making it easier to fit out the interior space.
In practice, the calotte or dome of revolution which forms the enclosure is such that, in a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the enclosure, the angle corresponding to the arc generating the surface of revolution is larger than .pi./2 and smaller than .pi. (pi), and advantageously between 7/8.pi. and 2/3.pi..
The skeleton situated in the space inside the enclosure or external shell comprises at least one landing
REFERENCES:
patent: 1101372 (1914-06-01), Wisniewski
patent: 3091056 (1963-05-01), La Porte
patent: 3359682 (1967-12-01), Clark
patent: 3370380 (1968-02-01), Petros
Bassuk Lawrence J.
Hattis Russell E.
Ridgill, Jr. James L.
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