Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Shaped or strengthened by fluid pressure – Upstanding column
Patent
1997-05-09
1998-04-28
Canfield, Robert
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Shaped or strengthened by fluid pressure
Upstanding column
52 211, 52 217, 52 218, E04H 112, E04H 1520
Patent
active
057430497
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a support structure for architectural systems, more particularly for the erection of building structures such as edifice-like entities, trade fair booths, roofs or the like, comprising a plurality of supports standing on a base and serving for supporting a load.
In architectural systems such support structures are mostly a part of a building construction which withstands the effects of continuous loads, traffic and/or working loads and transfers same to the base. In the case of the erection of edifice-like entities, trade fair booths or sheltering roofs the base is normally in the form of the ground, which may be outdoors or within a building. As supports rods of wood, concrete or steel are employed, which transfer the load from the top to the bottom end. The supports should as far as possible be resistant to compression, buckling and flexure forces.
So far the erection of supporting structures has been relatively complicated and, owing to the relatively great weight of the support, difficult to perform and in some cases dangerous as well. Supporting structures, which are only erected temporarily and must be shipped to one site of use to another in turn, require much shipping space, even if the individual supports may be taken apart.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a support structure, which may be simply handled and whose individual parts require little shipping and storage space.
In order to achieve this object there is a provision such that the supports are constituted by air tightly sealed hollow bodies which comprise a wall of flexible material and in order to maintain a stiff structure are charged with compressed air.
It is in this manner that a supporting structure is produced, whose supports are constituted by pneumatic bodies. The shipping and storage thereof may be carried out in the pressure-less condition, the flexible walls of the hollow bodies rendering it possible to fold up the supports. The supports can assume their final shape on site because they are inflated with compressed air there. The internal pressure of the hollow bodies ensures a generally stiff structure, the weight of the individual supports being on the whole relatively low so that they may still be handled in the inflated state. While it would be possible to charge the individual supports in the factory with the intended volume of compressed air and then to hermetically seal off the hollow bodies after this, it is preferred for the supports to possess suitable filling openings, which in accordance with requirements render possible pumping up or discharge. Furthermore in this case by ad hoc pressurization it is possible to take into account the respective load applying.
Further advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
It is convenient for all supports to be designed in the form of pillars, which preferably at least partly possess a vertical support column, whose bottom end bears on a base and whose top terminal region has two cantilever arms on it, which extend obliquely, i.e. laterally and at the same time upward, preferably in such a manner that the pillar is forked in the top part and generally has the form of a letter Y.
In order to provide a secure placement of the support it is preferably mounted on a foot part, which may be attached to the base.
The supports charged with compressed air mostly bear compression forces. In order to bear tensile forces as well, it is recommended for the supports to be stayed on the base using flexible traction elements such as cables. Furthermore any cantilever arms present on a respective pillar are preferably connected to one another by such traction elements.
In the case of a design which is particularly simple and therefore low in price the individual components of the supports or, respectively, pillars are preferably designed as cylindrical longitudinal elements. The cross section is in this case more particularly circular. An optimized t
REFERENCES:
patent: 1964818 (1934-07-01), Hood
patent: 4156330 (1979-05-01), Fraioli
patent: 4685257 (1987-08-01), Richter
patent: 5195638 (1993-03-01), Zinbarg
Canfield Robert
Festo KG
LandOfFree
Support structure for architectural systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Support structure for architectural systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Support structure for architectural systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1523086