BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention [0001] 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 Art [0002] The 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 March 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. [0003] United States Patent No. 7,458, 186 which issued on December 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 INVENTION

[0004] It 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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 [0007] 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. [0008] 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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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. [0011] 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

[0012] 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:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective, partially exploded view of a dome-like structure; [0014] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a springer of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an intrados surface of the springer;

[0015] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the springer of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the springer;

[0016] Figure 2C is an elevation view of the springer of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the springer;

[0017] Figure 2D is an elevation side view of the springer of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an end surface of the springer;

[0018] Figure 2E is a top plan view of the springer of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an upper load bearing surface of the springer;

[0019] Figure 2F is a bottom plan view of the springer of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing a lower load bearing surface of the springer;

[0020] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a first voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an intrados surface of the first embodiment of a voussoir;

[0021] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the first voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the first embodiment of a voussoir;

[0022] Figure 3C is an elevation view of the first voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the first embodiment of a voussoir;

[0023] Figure 3D is an elevation side view of the first voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an end surface of the first embodiment of a voussoir; [0024] Figure 3E is a top plan view of the first voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an upper load bearing surface of the first embodiment of a voussoir;

[0025] Figure 3F is a bottom plan view of the first voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing a lower load bearing surface of the first embodiment of a voussoir;

[0026] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a second voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an intrados surface of the second embodiment of a voussoir;

[0027] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the second voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the second embodiment of a voussoir;

[0028] Figure 4C is an elevation view of the second voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the second embodiment of a voussoir;

[0029] Figure 4D is an elevation side view of the second voussoir type of the domelike structure of Figure 1 showing an end surface of the second embodiment of a voussoir;

[0030] Figure 4E is a top plan view of the second voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an upper load bearing surface of the second embodiment of a voussoir; [0031] Figure 4F is a bottom plan view of the second voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing a lower load bearing surface of the second embodiment of a voussoir;

[0032] Figure 5A is a perspective view of a third voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an intrados surface of the third embodiment of a voussoir;

[0033] Figure 5B is a perspective view of the third voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the third embodiment of a voussoir;

[0034] Figure 5C is an elevation view of the third voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an extrados surface of the third embodiment of a voussoir; [0035] Figure 5D is an elevation side view of the third voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an end surface of the third embodiment of a voussoir;

[0036] Figure 5E is a top plan view of the third voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an upper load bearing surface of the third embodiment of a voussoir; [0037] Figure 5F is a bottom plan view of the third voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing a lower load bearing surface of the third embodiment of a voussoir;

[0038] Figure 6A is a perspective view of a fourth voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing an upper load bearing surface of the third embodiment of the voussoir; [0039] Figure 6B is a perspective view of the fourth voussoir type of the dome-like structure of Figure 1 showing a lower load bearing surface of the third embodiment of the voussoir;

[0040] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a keystone of the dome-like structure of Figure 1;

[0041] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the construction of another dome-like structure;

[0042] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the constructed dome-like structure of Figure 8;

[0043] Figure 10 is a sectional view of yet another dome-like structure comprising an inner dome and an outer dome;

[0044] Figure 11 is a perspective view of still yet another dome-like structure comprising a floor and a lateral opening;

[0045] Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the dome-like structure of Figure 11;

[0046] Figure 13 is a side, fragmentary view of the dome-like structure of Figure 11;

[0047] Figure 14 is a perspective, partially exploded view of a half of a dome-like structure;

[0048] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the half of the dome-like structure connected to an arched tunnel; and [0049] Figure 16 is a perspective view of two halves of a dome-like structure connected by an arched tunnel.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, a dome-like structure 10 is shown. The dome-like structure 10 generally comprises a substantially semispheric wall 12 and a cap 14. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the semispheric wall 12 by itself could also be considered a dome-like structure with an oculus 16. In this example, the dome-like structure is also provided with an outwardly extending arched structure 11 which serves as an entrance/exit.

[0051] 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.

[0052] A lowermost course 18 of the semispheric wall 12 is constructed using springers, for example springer 40, which is best shown in Figures 2A to 2F. The springer 40 has an intrados surface 42 and an extrados surface 44. The springer 40 also has an upper load bearing surface 46 and a lower load bearing surface 48. The upper load bearing surface 46 has a slope ai between the intrados surface 42 and the extrados surface 44 as best shown in Figure 2D. There are also protrusions 50 and 52 on the upper load bearing surface 46. The protrusions 50 and 52 function as keys to interlock the springer with voussoirs in a second to lowermost course 20 of the semispheric wall 12. In this example, the lower load bearing surface 48 has no slope or a substantially negligible slope βι between the intrados surface 42 and the extrados surface 44. In other examples, the springers may be on imposts. [0053] Figures 3 A to 3F show a first voussoir type, for example a voussoir 60, used to construct the dome-like structure 10 shown in Figure 1. The voussoir 60 has an intrados surface 62 and an extrados surface 64. The voussoir 60 also has an upper load bearing surface 66 and a lower load bearing surface 68. The upper load bearing surface 66 has a slope a ₂ between the intrados surface 62 and the extrados surface 64 as best shown in Figure 3D. There are also protrusions 70 and 72 on the upper load bearing surface 66. The protrusions 70 and 72 function as keys to interlock the voussoir 60 with other voussoirs. The lower load bearing surface 68 has a slope β ₂ between the intrados surface 62 and the extrados surface 64 as best shown in Figure 3D. There are also recesses 74 and 76 in the load bearing surface 68 which function as keyholes. [0054] The voussoir 60 shown in Figures 3 A to 3F is used to construct the second to lowermost course 20 of the semispheric wall 12. The slope β ₂ of the lower load bearing surface 68 accordingly has substantially the same grade as the slope ai of the upper load bearing surface 46 of the springer 40. This allows one of the protrusions 50 and 52 of the springer 40 to be received by one of the recesses 74 and 76 of the voussoir 60 when the springers and voussoirs are laid in a stretcher bond during the construction of the semispheric wall 12 of the dome-like structure 10. A grade of the slope a ₂ of the upper load bearing surface 66 of the voussoir 60 is steeper than the grade of the slope ai of the upper load bearing surface 46 of the springer 40. This provides an arc to the semispheric wall 12. [0055] Referring back to Figure 1, voussoirs substantially identical to the voussoir 60 are used to construct the second to lowermost course 20 of the semispheric wall 12. Voussoirs substantially similar in configuration to the voussoir 60 are used to construct intermediate courses 22, 24, and 26 of the semispheric wall 12. However, voussoirs used to construct each successive one of the courses 22, 24, and 26 have upper load bearing surfaces and lower load bearing surfaces with slopes of increasingly steeper grades. This provides an arc to the semispheric wall 12. A slope of an upper load bearing surface of a voussoir in a course, for example the course 22, has substantially the same grade as a slope of a lower load bearing surface of a voussoir in the successive course 24. This facilitates interlocking of the voussoirs during the construction of the semispheric wall 12.

[0056] 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. Figures 4A to 4F show the voussoir 34 used to construct the second to uppermost course 30 of the semispheric wall 12 in greater detail. The voussoir 34 has an intrados surface 210 and an extrados surface 212. The voussoir 34 also has an upper load bearing surface 214 and a lower load bearing surface 216. The upper load bearing surface 214 has a slope oi3 between the intrados surface 210 and the extrados surface 212 as best shown in Figure 4D. There are also protrusions 230, 232 and 234 on the upper load bearing surface 214. The protrusions 230, 232 and 234 function as keys to interlock the voussoir 34 with voussoirs in the uppermost course 32 of the semispheric wall 12. A center one of the protrusions 230 is an entire key while outer ones of the protrusions 232 and 234 are each half of a key. This allows a voussoir in an uppermost course to extend across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course. There are also recesses 240, 242 and 244 on the lower load bearing surface 216. The recesses 240, 242 and 244 function as keyholes to interlock the voussoir 34 with voussoirs the third to uppermost course 28 of the semispheric wall 12. A center one of the recesses 240 is an entire keyhole while outer ones of the recesses 242 and 244 are half a keyhole. This allows a voussoir in the second to uppermost course to extend across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course.

[0057] 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. Figures 5 A to 5F show the voussoir 90 used to construct the uppermost course 32 of the semispheric wall 12 in greater detail. The voussoir 90 has an intrados surface 92 and an extrados surface 94. The voussoir 90 also has an upper load bearing surface 96 and a lower load bearing surface 98. The upper load bearing surface 96 has a slope oi3 between the intrados surface 92 and the extrados surface 94 as best shown in Figure 5D. There is also a protrusion 100 on the upper load bearing surface 96. The protrusion 100 functions as a key to interlock the voussoir 60 with other voussoirs. The lower load bearing surface 98 has a slope β ₃ between the intrados surface 92 and the extrados surface 94 as best shown in Figure 5D. There are also recesses 104 and 106 in the load bearing surface 98 which function as keyholes. Voussoirs, for example the voussoirs 36, 37 and 38, used to construct the third to uppermost course 28 of the semispheric wall 12 are substantially similar in configuration to the voussoir 90. However, the upper load bearing surface and the lower load bearing surface of the voussoir 90 have slopes with a steeper grade than slopes of the upper load bearing surfaces and the lower load bearing surfaces of the voussoirs 36, 37 and 38. This provides an arc to the semispheric wall 12.

[0058] Referring back to Figure 1, the cap 14 of the dome-like structure 10 includes a plurality of a fourth voussoir type, for example a voussoir 110, used to construct the dome-like structure and a keystone 130. The voussoir 110 is shown in greater detail in Figures 6 A and 6B. The voussoir 110 has an upper load bearing surface 112 and a lower load bearing surface 114. There is a shoulder 116 on the upper load bearing surface 112. The shoulder 116 extends outwardly from a first plurality of load bearing segments 118a, 118b, and 118c to a second plurality of load bearing segments 120a, 120b, and 120c. The lower load bearing surface 114 has a plurality of load bearing segments 122a, 122b and 122c. There is a respective one of recesses 124a, 124b, and 124c in each of the load bearing segments 122a, 122b and 122c. The keystone 130 is shown in greater detail in Figure 7 and has a head 132 and a stem 134. There is a plurality of load bearing segments, for example load bearing segments 136a and 136b, disposed about a periphery of the head 132. There is also a plurality of load bearing segments, for example load bearing segments 138a and 138b, disposed about a periphery of the stem 134. [0059] Referring again back to Figure 1, during construction of the dome-like structure 10, the recesses 124a, 124b and 124c receive a respective protrusion of a voussoir in the uppermost course 32 of the semispheric wall 12 to thereby interlock voussoirs used to construct the semispheric wall 12 with voussoirs used to construct the cap 14. The keystone 130 is then set with the head 132 sitting on shoulders of the voussoirs used to construct the cap 14 and the stem 134 extending through an opening 126 defined by the voussoirs used to construct the cap 14. The load bearing surfaces of the head 132 of the keystone 130, for example load bearing segments 136a and 136b shown in Figure 7, mate with corresponding ones of the first plurality of load bearing segments, for example load bearing segments 118a, 118b and 118c shown in Figure 6 A, of the voussoir 110 used to construct the cap 14. The load bearing surfaces of the stem 134 of the keystone 130, for example load bearing segments 138a and 138b shown in Figure 7, mate with corresponding ones of the second plurality of load bearing segments, for example load bearing segments 120a, 120b, and 120c shown in Figure 6 A, of the voussoir 110 used to construct the cap 14.

[0060] 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 United States Patent Number 6,931,797 which issued on August 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.

[0061] Figure 8 shows another dome-like structure 310 being constructed. The domelike structure 310 is generally constructed using springers, voussoirs, and a keystone similar in configuration to those used in the construction of the dome-like structure 10 shown in Figure 1. Referring back to Figure 8, the dome-like structure 310 also includes voussoirs, for example voussoirs 312 and 314, which are provided with respective a hook 316 and 318 on extrados surfaces thereof. The hook 316 may be in a recess 320 in the extrados surface as shown for voussoir 312 or the hook 318 may be on the face of the extrados surface as shown for voussoir 314. The hooks 316 and 318 may be used to couple the voussoirs 312 and 314 with a tension strap 322. The tension strap 322 is anchored to the voussoir 312 in a lower course to maintain the voussoir 314 in an upper course in an offset placement as another voussoir 324 is being positioned in the upper course. It is possible to use a bridge 326 disposed between the voussoirs 312 and 314 to apply the appropriate tension. The tension strap may alternatively be used for reinforcement.

[0062] 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 Figure 10. The domelike structure 310 also includes voussoirs, for example voussoirs 344, with an internal cavity 346 to facilitate the installation of electrical fixtures.

[0063] Figure 10 shows a dome-like structure 410 which comprises an inner dome 412 and an outer dome 414. The inner dome and the outer dome are constructed using springers, voussoirs, and a keystone similar in configuration to those used in the construction of the dome-like structure 10 shown in Figure 1. Referring back to Figure 10, there is a layer of foam 416 disposed between the inner dome 412 and the outer dome 414. The foam 416 may be injected into a space between the inner dome 412 and the outer dome 414 prior to setting a keystone 418 of the outer dome 414. The dome-like structure 410 may be suitable for storing explosives, for example, munitions 420 as the foam will absorb the shock of an explosion. [0064] Figure 11 shows a dome-like structure 510 comprising an arched lateral opening 512. The dome-like structure 510 is constructed using springers and voussoirs similar in configuration to those used in the construction of the dome-like structure 10 shown in Figure 1. Referring back to Figure 11, the dome-like structure 510 may be used as a pizza oven or for any other suitable purpose. The dome-like structure 510 sits on a floor 514. There is a tension strap 516 about a perimeter of the floor 514 which functions to keep the floor 514 in tension. The floor 514 is best shown in Figures 12 and 13.

[0065] 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 Figure 13, the block 530 used to construct the second to outermost ring of the floor 514 also has a protrusion 532 on an inner later side thereof. The protrusion 532 on the inner lateral side of the block 530 functions as a key to engage a recesses in an outer lateral side of a block 534 used construct third to outermost ring of the floor 514. The block 534 used to construct the third to outermost ring of the floor 514 has a protrusion 536 on an inner later side thereof. The protrusion 536 on the inner lateral side of the block 534 functions as a key to engage a recesses, e.g. keyhole, in an outer lateral side of a block 538 used construct fourth to outermost ring of the floor 514 which is thereby constructed from a plurality of inter-engaged rings of blocks. There is also an annular block 540 and cylindrical block 542 at the center of the floor 314 which complete the floor. There is also recess 544 in an outer lateral wall of the block 518 which receives the tension strip shown in Figure 9.

[0066] Figure 14 shows a partially constructed half dome-like structure 610 which may be used as an apse or vault or for any other suitable purpose. The half dome-like structure 610 is constructed using springers and voussoirs similar in configuration to those used in the construction of the dome-like structure 10 shown in Figure 1. The keystone 612 of the half dome-like structure 610 is a half of the keystone used in the construction of the dome-like structure 10 shown in Figure 1. The half dome-like structure 610 may be connected to an arched tunnel 614 as shown in Figure 15. The arched tunnel 614 may be constructed as disclosed in United States Patent Number 9,481,993 which issued on November 1, 2016 to Drew and the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still alternatively, as shown in Figure 16, the half dome-like structure 610 may be connected by the arched tunnel 614 to another half dome-like structure 616. The structures shown in Figure 14 to 16 may be used for any suitable purpose and may be provided with a quadrilateral opening 618, which in this example functions as a door, or a stepped opening 620, which in this example functions as a window.

[0067] 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.