CA2591518C

CA2591518C - Modular dome-shaped panel to form a shelter

Info

Publication number: CA2591518C
Application number: CA2591518A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ronai Christian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-02
Filing date: 2007-05-02
Publication date: 2017-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-02
Also published as: CA2591518A1

Abstract

The invention refers to a rigid and weather proof dome-shaped panel which represents a rectangular portion of a spherical shell surrounded by four arc edges able to adapt to plane surfaces or to similar dome-shaped panels to form a shelter, a green house, a boat house... The dome-shaped panel can be made in sections that stack into each other for compact transportation, they provide four plane openings that correspond to four faces of a cube making them more compatible with conventional building shapes (in comparison to only one plane opening with a traditional dome structure), these openings can remain open, be enclosed by conventional materials, adapt to walls of conventional buildings, connect with similar dome-shaped panels or be used as a self supported dome roof.

Description

MODULAR DOME-SHAPED PANEL TO FORM A SHELTER
The invention refers to a self supporting weather proof dome-shaped panel that can be easily adapted in various configurations to many plane surfaces or to similar dome-shaped panels; in particular to a dome-shaped shelter with plane openings or plane walls such as a house extension or as a floating shelter for boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many types of building shapes exist today and the vast majority of them are square-shaped mainly because it is more convenient to work with plane materials than curved materials. In nature, curved and dome-shaped structures are more popular than square-shaped structures: Shell fish, insects, animal nest... Alternative construction methods have been considered, one example is a monolithic dome shell made of spray on concrete inside an inflated soft shell. The disadvantage with most existing dome-shaped structures is that they don't easily adapt to conventional buildings.
Furthermore, cutting a dome shell to add windows, door frame and other accessories is a considerable challenge so this is why a new dome-shaped structure that provide many plane openings is preferable; such plane openings can remain totally open, be enclosed by conventional materials or be adapted to a already existing plane surface like wall and floor; the new rectangular dome-shaped panel become modular when two or more dome-shaped panels are joined together to form a larger structure.
Accordingly, an improved self supported weather proof dome-shaped structure combining the advantages of two geometric shapes such as the strength of a dome-shape and the convenience of a cube-shape and where the dome-shaped panel represent either two or three faces of a cube.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel dome-shaped panel that is more compatible with conventional building shapes and materials, which can be fabricated with a reduce amount of material and be stacked within each other for compact transportation.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a desired radius of a dome-shaped panel, there is a specific rectangular shaped mold representing a segment of sphere. A molded spherical rectangle shell preferably made of a material that maintains the shape of the dome like reinforced plastic is surrounded by four arc edges in the form of lips. Rigid arc members can be secured to the lips of the spherical rectangle shell with an adhesive or other mechanical device to prevent deformation of the edges and to provide a solid edge to manipulate and to connect dome-shaped panels together or to plane surfaces. Two opposite edges are parallel to each other and the remaining opposite two edges are either perpendicular from each other creating a dome-shaped panel providing four plane openings or aligned with each other providing three plane openings.
The dome-shaped panel can also be fabricated with two or more molded shells;
in this case the rectangular mold provides a spherical rectangle shell defined by three edges designed to connect with rigid arc members and one edge designed to connect with another spherical rectangle shell. This provides shipment advantages since the dome-shaped panel can be assembled after transportation.
The edges of the spherical rectangle shell can also connect directly to plane surfaces or to rounded contour flat panels without the rigid arc members. The dome-shaped panel can also include an insulation system made of a plurality of elongated insulation boards fitting side by side against the concave face of the dome-shaped panel.
The present invention provides advantages over the prior art in that the new dome-shaped structure naturally adapts to flat surfaces like an existing building;
it can be stacked for transportation and quickly assembled in various configurations.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a dome-shaped panel 12 offering four plane openings, resting on the ground and on a vertical wall.
Figure 2 is a side view of a dome-shaped panel 10 offering three plane openings, resting on the ground.
Figure 3a is a side view of a dome-shaped panel 12 made with two spherical rectangle shells and equipped with flat panels.

3 Figure 3b is a side view of a dome-shaped panel 12 covering a rectangular building.
Figure 4 is a side view of two dome-shaped panels 12 connected by there perpendicular edges 22.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of two dome-shaped panels connected by there parallel edges 20, and various flat panels.
Figure 6 (a-b) is a side view of a dome-shaped panel 16 connected to a vertical wall and design to be used as an awning.
Figure 7 is an elevated perspective view of a two plane openings (360 degree) dome-shaped cylinder resting on the ground.
Figure 8 is a side view of a molded spherical rectangle shell 25c with surrounding edges equipped with lips, as it come out of the mold.
Figure 9 is a view of the rigid arc members 20-22 before they get assembled and secured to the edge lips of the spherical rectangle shell.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connection between two dome-shaped panels by there parallel arc members 20.
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of rigid arc member 22 connected to the spherical rectangle shell.
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connection between two spherical rectangle shells.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of various edge shapes of the spherical rectangle shell.
Figure 14 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a few insulation panels 65 pressed against the concave side of the spherical rectangle shell and against each other.
Figure 14 (b) is an inside view of one insulation panel 65 connected by adapters 64 to the parallel arc members 20.
Figure 15 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a rigid arc member 20, spherical rectangle shell, insulation panel and adapter.
Figure 15 (b) is a cross-sectional view of a flat panel and spherical rectangle shell, equipped with insulation panel 65 and adapter 64.
Figure 16 is a view of various rounded contour flat panels equipped with accessories.
Figure 17(a) is a side view of two dome-shaped panels 12 connected at there perpendicular edges 22 and equipped with flat panels.

4 Figure 17(b) is an elevated perspective view of a three plane openings dome-shaped panel 10 equipped with flat panels and resting on the ground.
Figure 18 is an elevated view of figure 1, showing how dome-shaped panel 12 naturally adapt to a conventional building; it is also an over view of figures 3 and 12 where the parting line between the two molded spherical rectangle shells 25c and 26 is slightly visible.
Figure 19 is showing how several dome-shaped panels 12 naturally stack into each other for transportation.
Figure 20 shows the assembly process of four dome-shaped panels 12 together, the connecting plates 30 are somewhat visible and ready to receive the last dome-shaped panel.
Figure 21 is a view of four joined dome-shaped panels 12 being used as a car shelter.
Figure 22 is a perspective view of figure 4 with two joined dome-shaped panels sustaining a heavy snow load; the wall thickness supporting that load is only 0.065inch and is made of fiber-glass.
Figure 23 is a view of six dome-shaped panels 12 connected together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Starting with two related simple figures; a square that fits into a circle, where the hypotenuse of that square equals the diameter of that circle, and the exact ratio between the length of a side of that square and the diameter of that circle equals 0,7071.
Referring now to FIG.1, a dome-shaped panel is shown resting on a wall 2 and on a floor 1; it represents a rectangular portion of a spherical shell able to replace and enclose two adjacent sides of a cube shell (not showed), where the diameter of the sphere shell is similar to the hypotenuse of a face of the cube shell; this dome-shaped panel provides four plane openings that can remain open or be enclosed by conventional materials FIGS.16-17, adapt to existing planar surface like walls 2 and floor 1 or connect to similar dome-shaped panels FIGS. 4-23. A dome-shaped panel 12 is composed of a spherical rectangle shell 25a and rigid arc members 20-22 FIG.9.
The molded spherical rectangle shell 25a is preferably made of a material that maintains the shape of the dome like reinforced plastic or fiber-glass with a gel coat finish, ideally the material includes U.V. rays protection and a fire retardant agent. The spherical rectangle shell 25a is surrounded by four arc edges in the form of lips 32-34 FIGS.10-11, designed to connect with rigid arc members 20-22 or flat panels 70-FIG.16.
The rigid arc members 20-22 FIG. 9a can be made of various materials such as tubular aluminum or steel; the rigid arc members 20 have the shape, the radius and the length that match the opposite and parallel lips 32 of the spherical rectangle shell 25a, this radius corresponds to a ring located at about 72% of the radius of the sphere from the center, like slicing the sphere and making rings perpendicular to the center, also the exact ratio between the length of a side of a square that fit into a circle equal 70.71% of the diameter of that circle. The rigid arc members 22 have the shape, the radius and the length that match the opposite and perpendicular lips 34 of spherical rectangle shell 25a, this radius correspond to a ring located at about 28% of the radius of the sphere from the center and is set mainly for convenience purposes and to take maximum advantage of each figure portions. This percentage is obtained when the geometrical center of each figure portions are separated by about 30% of the diameter of the sphere, in a direction where the two figure portions (which are; the cube shell missing two adjacent sides and the rectangular portion of sphere shell), are compressed into each other. The mold shape will dictate the location of the lips 32-34 in relation with the center of the sphere.
Referring now to FIGS. 10-11, the rigid arc members 20-22 are secured to the spherical rectangle shell lips 32-34 by mean of thick adhesive 48; for a better hold, the rigid arc members 20-22 are pierced at distanced intervals before the assembly to let the thick adhesive 48 invade the inside of arc members 20-22 to create a retaining expansion or mushroom 49. As it is shown in FIGS 15b-16, the spherical rectangle shell lips 32-34 can also be connected directly to flat panels with rounded contour 70-72. An alternative spherical rectangle shell lips shape 33a FIG.13 can be secured directly to an existing flat surface 1-2 and alternative spherical rectangle shell lips 33b provides an edge without a gutter.
As we can see in FIGS. 10-14-20 connecting plates 30 fixed with screws 78 at distanced intervals to rigid arc members 20 are holding two dome-shaped panels together and a compressible foam spacer 31 is fitted in between to seal the joint against the elements. Other means such as clamps can be used instead of connecting plates 30 to join rigid arc members together.

The dome-shaped panel 12 can be connected by it's rigid arc members 20 or 22 to many similar segments FIGS.4-5-23 forming a tunnel structure which can be used as a entrance for malls and other public buildings or as a aerodynamic boat shelter where fishing boats and other water craft like jet-ski can be driven in and out of;
also dome-shaped panels 12 can be used as a self supporting roof over a structure or building FIG.
3b or be used as a winter car shelter FIG. 21, ice fishing hut, spa and pool cover, show booth, shelter for special out-doors event, smoking shelter for bars and night club, publicity sign, bridge frame...
Referring now to FIG.2 and 17b, another embodiment is shown resting on the ground 1, this dome-shaped panel 10 provides three plane openings instead of four like dome-shaped panel 12; it represents a rectangular portion of a spherical shell able to replace and enclose three aligned sides of a cube shell (not showed), where the diameter of the sphere shell is similar to the hypotenuse of a face of the cube shell. For convenience purpose the geometrical center of each figure are separated by about 21% of the diameter of the sphere, in a direction where the two figure portions (which are; the cube shell missing three aligned sides and the rectangular portion of sphere shell), are compressed into each other. In this new embodiment, the opposite lips 34 of large spherical rectangle shell 25b FIG. 17b have the radius that corresponds to a ring located at about 28% of the radius of the sphere from the center; the opposite lips 34 are aligned in the same plane and are able to connect to the same plane surface instead of being perpendicular like in dome-shaped panel 12. The large spherical rectangle shell 25b can be fabricated in a split-able mold or with more than one spherical rectangle shell like in FIG.2 (see below).
FIG.14b illustrates a global view of a foam insulation panel 65 made of an elongated plane foam board designed to bend lengthwise and where the extremities connect with adapters 64 fixed with screws 78 to the parallel arc members 20 FIG.15a. ;
FIG.14a illustrates how each foam panels 65 are pressed against the concave side of a dome-shaped panel and than pressed against each other to match there cooperative edge formations 62-63. Insulation panel 65 can also be coated 66 on the exposed side for esthetic purpose. The foam isolation panels 65 are optional, not only they act as a temperature regulator, they also add strength to the dome-shaped panel since they support the concave side of the spherical rectangle shell 25.

FIGS 2-3a and 8 demonstrate how to mold dome-shaped panel 12 or 10 in various sections that can be easily shipped than assembled after transportation. This method also allows a wider range of shapes possibility out of a smaller size mold.
FIG.8 shows the rectangular molded spherical rectangle shell 25c defined by two opposite and parallel edge lips 32, one edge lip 34 and one recess edge 50 designed to connect to other spherical shell 26-27; this last edge 50 has the same radius as the concave side of the spherical rectangle shell 25c. A spherical rectangle shell 26 FIG.3a is a shell 25c which has been removed of its recess edge 50 and offer instead a straight edge 38.
FIG.12 show how the two edges 50 and 38 overlap and are secure to each other with an adhesive 48. A spherical rectangle shell 27 FIG.2 is a shell 25c which have been removed of its recess edge 50 and edge lip 34 to offer two opposite straight edges 38 designed to overlap and be secured to the recess edge 50 of two molded shells 25c during the final assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a spherical shaped cylinder 14 is shown in FIG.7 offering two plane openings; this spherical shaped cylinder is designed to be used as a tank or as a circular publicity sign. This spherical shaped cylinder 14 is composed of approximately five spherical shells 28 and two parallel rigid rings 20; a spherical rectangle shell 28 is a shell 25c which has been removed of its lip 34 to offer straight edges 38 designed to overlap and be secured to the recess edge 50 of other shells 28 during the assembly. It is to be understood that spherical rectangle shells 26-27-28 are described as a alteration of spherical rectangle shell 25c but each of them can be molded in their own respective mold so they don't need to be altered.
FIGS. 9c-15a shows how the opposite and parallel arc members 20 can be made in sections that correspond to lip 32 of spherical rectangle shells 25c-26-27, these sections can be connected together during the final assembly by a inner tube 17 fitting inside the tubular arc members 20. Also each of the parallel arc members 20 can be made in one section FIGS. 9a-b; in this case each spherical rectangle shell 25c- 26-27 can be secured to the arc members 20 during the final assembly.
In FIG.16 different types of prefabricated flat panels with rounded contour 70-72 are shown, they can be made of conventional materials and some flat panels can be equipped with a door 75 and windows 80; their rounded contour can either be secured to the rigid arc members 20-22 FIG.15a, or directly secured to shell lips 32-34 FIG.15b, this last figure is also showing optional ways of securing with a combination of thick adhesive 48 and large head screw 79.
Another embodiment illustrated in FIG.6a represents a dome-shaped panel 16 designed to be used as an awning; using a spherical rectangle shell 26, the rigid arc member 22 of dome-shaped panel 16 can be secured to a vertical wall 2 on a desired location and the edge 38 can be prevented from deforming by a rigid arc member 23 with a radius equivalent to the spherical rectangle shell secured to the edge 38;
or by a rigid arc member 24 with a smaller radius FIG.6b. A mold providing four lips designed to accommodate four rigid arc members can be made specifically for awnings.
Suspending cables or supporting post (not showed) connected to the distal end of rigid arc members 20 or to rigid arc members 23-24 can be added for more support.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
Claims:

1. A rigid weather proof spherical rectangle shell corresponding to a rectangular portion of a spherical shell able to enclose two adjacent missing sides of a cube shell, where the diameter of said spherical shell is equivalent to the hypotenuse of a face of said cube shell, the spherical rectangle shell is surrounded by four arc edges able to adapt to four plane surfaces and where two opposite of said four edges can adapt to parallel plane surfaces, the remaining opposite two of said four edges can adapt to perpendicular plane surfaces.

2. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 1 wherein said spherical shell and said cube shell are not sharing the same geometrical center since they are separated by a distance comprised between 25% and 35% of said spherical shell diameter, in a direction where said rectangular portion of said spherical shell and said two adjacent missing sides of said cube shell are compressed into each other.

3. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 1 wherein said four arc edges are shaped to accommodate rigid arc members or rounded contour flat panels that match the radius and length of said edges.

4. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 3 wherein said four arc edges are shaped to directly connect to flat surfaces.

5. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 3 wherein said rigid arc members or said rounded contour flat panels are secured to said arc edges.

6. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 1 further includes an insulation system made of a plurality of elongated and flexible insulation boards fitting side by side against the concave face of said spherical rectangle shell.

7. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 6 wherein said insulation boards have cooperating formations thereon that match each other and where the extremities of said insulation boards are secured adjacent said two opposite edges of said spherical rectangle shell that are able to adapt to parallel plane surfaces.

to

8. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 1 wherein said rectangular portion of said spherical shell is made in more than one section and where at least one of said sections is equipped with a recess edge to provide smooth and even overlapping.

9. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 8 wherein said overlapping sections are connected together.

10. A rigid weather proof spherical rectangle shell corresponding to a rectangular portion of a spherical shell able to enclose three aligned missing sides of a cube shell, where the diameter of said spherical shell is equivalent to the hypotenuse of a face of said cube shell, the spherical rectangle shell is surrounded by four arc edges able to adapt to three plane surfaces and where two opposite of said four edges can adapt to parallel plane surfaces, the remaining opposite two of said four edges can adapt to said third plane surface.

11. A spherical rectangle shell as defined in claim 10 wherein said spherical shell and said cube shell are not sharing the same geometrical center since they are separated by a distance comprised between 15% and 25% of said spherical shell diameter, in a direction where said rectangular portion of said spherical shell and said three aligned missing sides of said cube shell are compressed into each other.