Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of erecting a tent comprising two or more beam assemblies is provided. Each of the beam assemblies comprises a roof portion and a pair of legs for supporting the roof portion. A number of base members are secured to the ground at predetermined locations. The roof portions are pivotally connected to the base members and rotated upwardly from the ground while maintaining the connection to the base members. A first side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. A first leg is connected to the first side. The first leg is then connected to the base member. A second side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. The second leg is connected to the second side. The second leg is then connected to the base member.

Abstract: A building structure has a plurality of arches having supporting base plates with J-brackets at lower ends of the arches, a plurality of horizontally extending purlins rigidly connected between adjacent arches for cross-bracing adjacent arches, a plurality of panels connected between corresponding arches. The panels have reinforced lower corners and a first line secured to opposite reinforced corners and extending generally arcuately therebetween and a second line secured by the J-bracket to opposite reinforced corners and extending generally linearly therebetween.

Abstract: A rapidly erectable building structure includes a plurality of arches each having a pair of lower ends. Base mechanisms are provided for holding the lower ends of the arches to position them in longitudinally spaced, transversely extending, vertical positions. A plurality of panels of a flexible web material are stretched between the arches. Each panel has a pair of opposite side edges, a width corresponding to a longitudinal distance between adjacent ones of the arches and a length corresponding to a transverse distance spanned by the arches. A first pair of lines is connected to a first end portion of each panel and a second pair of lines is connected to an opposite second end portion of the same panel. The lines extend generally arcuately between the side edges of the panel and are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the transverse direction. The base mechanisms guide the terminal segments of each line so that they can be pulled together to thereby transversely tension the panels between the arches.