MODULAR DOME-LIKE STRUCTURE AND VOUSSOIRS AND KEYSTONE USED TO CONSTRUCT THE DOME-LIKE STRUCTURE
A modular dome-like structure comprises a semispheric wall. A lowermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of springers. An intermediate course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type. A second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type. An uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a third voussoir type. The modular dome-like structure may have a cap constructed using a plurality of fourth voussoir type and a keystone or the modular dome-like structure may have an oculus. The modular dome-like structure may further include a lateral opening in the semispheric wall. The lowermost course and the intermediate course may be laid in a stretcher bond.
The present invention relates to a dome-like structure and, in particular, to a modular dome-like structure and voussoirs and keystone used to construct the dome-like structure.
Description of the Related ArtThe advantages of using dome-like structures for emergency shelters are well known. Dome-like structures are resistant to high velocity winds and projectiles may glance off the dome-like structure minimizing the impact that the projectile has on the dome-like structure. United States Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0051418 which was published on Mar. 20, 2003 in the name of Crowder discloses a monolithic prefabricated dome-like structure that is wind and impact resistant. The pre-cast lightweight concrete dome-like structure is a blend of special aggregates and additives combined to resist the impacts of flying debris and extremes of weather. The curved exterior surface minimizes wind friction and deflects debris. It is however also desirable to provide a modular dome-like structure which may be used as an emergency shelter.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,186 which issued on Dec. 2, 2008 to Carter discloses a modular dome-like structure that may be used as an emergency shelter. The dome-like structure is constructed from a plurality of rectangular shaped blocks each having a rim and a trough molded therein. The rim has pins adjacent the corners of the blocks that engage apertures or holes of the fastening plates. Each fastening plate has four holes to enable it to snap together four blocks. Subsequent rows of blocks may have smaller dimensions so that the assembly curves inward forming the familiar domed shape of an igloo. Curved trapezoidal shaped blocks, also held together with fastening plates, are used to cap off the dome-like structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a modular dome-like structure and voussoirs and keystone used to construct the dome-like structure.
There is accordingly provided a modular dome-like structure comprising a semispheric wall. A lowermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of springers. An intermediate course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type. A second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type. An uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a third voussoir type. The modular dome-like structure may have a cap constructed using a plurality of fourth voussoir type and a keystone or the modular dome-like structure may have an oculus. The modular dome-like structure may further include a lateral opening in the semispheric wall.
A voussoir in an uppermost course of the semispheric wall may extend across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall. A voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall may extend across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course of the semispheric wall. The lowermost course of the semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall may be laid in a stretcher bond. The may be a tension strip about the lowermost course of the semispheric wall
There is also provided a modular half dome-like structure comprising a half semispheric wall. A lowermost course of the half semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of springers. An intermediate course of the half semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type. A second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed of a plurality of second voussoir type. An uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall is constructed of a plurality of a third voussoir type. A half cap of the half semispheric wall is constructed using plurality of a fourth voussoir type and a keystone. The modular dome-like structure may further include a lateral opening in the half semispheric wall.
A voussoir in an uppermost course of the half semispheric wall may extend across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall. A voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall extends across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall. The lowermost course of the half semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the half semispheric wall may be laid in a stretcher bond.
There is further provided a modular dome-like structure comprising an inner dome and an outer dome disposed about the inner dome. The modular dome-like structure may further include foam disposed between the inner dome and the outer dome.
There is still further provided a method of constructing a dome-like structure comprising:
constructing a lowermost course of a semispheric wall using a plurality of springers;
constructing an intermediate course of the semispheric wall using a plurality of a first voussoir type;
constructing a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and
constructing an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall using of a third voussoir type.
The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure may further include constructing a cap using a fourth voussoir type and a keystone. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure may include extending a voussoir in an uppermost course of the semispheric wall to across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure may include extending a voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure may include laying the lowermost course of the semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall in a stretcher bond. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure may further include coupling a voussoir in a lower course to a voussoir in an upper course with a tension strap to apply tension to the voussoir in the upper course to maintain the voussoir in the upper course in a position.
The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to the drawings and first to
The semispheric wall 12 includes a plurality of courses 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. Voussoirs in the courses are generally laid in a stretcher bond with the exception of a second to uppermost course 30 in which each voussoir, for example voussoir 34, is laid and extends across substantially three voussoirs, for example voussoirs 36, 37 and 38, in a third to uppermost course 28. Voussoirs in the second to uppermost course 30 and an uppermost course 32 are laid in a modified stretcher bond relative to one another in which a voussoir, for example voussoir 90, in an uppermost course 32 extends across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir 35 and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir 34 in the second to uppermost course 30. This results in a dome-like structure 10 not having continuous joint lines.
A lowermost course 18 of the semispheric wall 12 is constructed using springers, for example springer 40, which is best shown in
The voussoir 60 shown in
Referring back to
Voussoirs used to construct the second to uppermost course 30 of the semispheric wall are a second voussoir type used to construct the dome-like structure 10.
Voussoirs used to construct the third to uppermost course 28 and uppermost course 32 of the semispheric wall are a third voussoir type used to construct the dome-like structure 10.
Referring back to
Referring again back to
The recesses and protrusions of the springers and voussoirs used to construct the dome-like structure 10 are similar to the recesses and protrusions of the voussoirs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,797 which issued on Aug. 23, 2005 to Drew and the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that any suitable shape of recesses and protrusions may be used. The dome-like structure 10 may be used as an emergency shelter or for any other suitable purpose.
The dome-like structure 310 also includes voussoirs, for example voussoirs 328 and 330, which are provide with respective channels 332 and 334 on the extrados surfaces thereof. The channels in voussoirs in adjacent courses are aligned to form continuous channels 336 and 338 on an exterior of the dome-like structure 310. There may be hooks, for example hook 340, in the channels to facilitate the running of a tension strap 342 in the channel 338 for exterior reinforcement as shown in
Blocks, for example block 518, used to construct an outermost ring of the floor 514 have protrusions 520 and 522 on an upper load bearing surface thereof and protrusion 526 and 528 on an inner lateral side thereof. The protrusions 520 and 522 on the upper load bearing of the block 518 functions as keys to engage a springer of the dome-like structure 510. The protrusions 526 and 528 on the inner lateral side of the block 518 functions as keys to engage a recesses, e.g. keyholes, in an outer lateral side of a block 530 used construct a second to outermost ring of the floor 514. Referring now to
It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.
Claims
1. A modular dome-like structure comprising:
- a semispheric wall;
- a lowermost course of the semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of springers;
- an intermediate course of the semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type;
- a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and
- an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall being constructed of a third voussoir type.
2. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 further including a cap, the cap being constructed using a fourth voussoir type and a keystone.
3. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 further including an oculus.
4. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 further including a lateral opening in the semispheric wall.
5. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a voussoir in an uppermost course of the semispheric wall to extends across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall.
6. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall extends across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course
7. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lowermost course of the semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall are laid in a stretcher bond.
8. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 1 further including a floor and a tension strip about the floor.
9. A modular half dome-like structure comprising:
- a half semispheric wall;
- a lowermost course of the half semispheric wall being constructed using plurality of springers;
- an intermediate course of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type;
- a second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and
- an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a third voussoir type; and
- a half cap of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a fourth voussoir type and a keystone.
10. The modular half dome-like structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein a voussoir in an uppermost course of the half semispheric wall to extends across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall.
11. The modular half dome-like structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein a voussoir in a second to the outermost course of the half semispheric wall extends across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course.
12. The modular half dome-like structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lowermost course of the half semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall are laid in a stretcher bond.
13. A modular dome-like structure comprising:
- an inner dome; and
- an outer dome disposed about the inner dome.
14. The modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 13 further including foam disposed between the inner dome and the outer dome.
15. A method of constructing a dome-like structure comprising:
- constructing a lowermost course of a semispheric wall using a plurality of springers;
- constructing an intermediate course of the semispheric wall using a plurality of a first voussoir type;
- constructing a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and
- constructing an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall using of a third voussoir type.
16. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 15 further including constructing a cap using a fourth voussoir type and a keystone.
17. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 15 including extending a voussoir in an uppermost course of the semispheric wall to across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall.
18. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 15 including extending a voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course.
19. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in claim 15 including laying the lowermost course of the semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall in a stretcher bond.
20. The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 further including coupling a voussoir in a lower course to a voussoir in an upper course with a tension strap to apply tension to the voussoir in the upper course to maintain the voussoir in the upper course in a position.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 22, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 24, 2020
Inventors: James Joseph Drew (Richmond), Arley Stephen Drew (New Westminster)
Application Number: 16/088,054