| US4998552A | 1991-03-12 | |||
| US3766932A | 1973-10-23 | |||
| AU5884073A | 1975-02-06 | |||
| AU5053772A | 1974-07-04 | |||
| US3992830A | 1976-11-23 | |||
| GB1111191A | 1968-04-24 | |||
| US4290244A | 1981-09-22 | |||
| AU4777672A | 1974-04-26 | |||
| US4887397A | 1989-12-19 | |||
| AU6209186A | 1987-04-02 | |||
| US3197927A | 1965-08-03 | |||
| US2716993A | 1955-09-06 | |||
| GB2208081A | 1989-02-22 | |||
| AU8624875A | 1977-05-05 | |||
| AU1590476A | 1978-01-19 | |||
| US3881284A | 1975-05-06 |
| 1. | Claim 1.0 A method of construction of prefabricated modular framework that when connected and interlocked in their respective positions all of the connecting points of the individual frames and the respective connecting devices will then be located in such • a position that they will all be intersected by the imaginary surface of the shape of a cycloidal semispheroid where the total height of the completed interlocked framework will be the same as the primarycircle diameter of the radially rotated cycloidal curve which forms the imaginary surface of the cycloidal semispheroid . Claim 2.0 A method of prefabricating modular frames that when interlocked in certain related positions the resultant structure is a rigid frame work with the primary shape of a cycloidal semispheroid. Claim 3.0 A method of making joining devices of variable angles and sizes that when used . in certain positions and in conjunction with various shapes of prefabricated framework the resulting structure is a rigid framework with the primary shape of a cycloidal semispheroid. Claim 4.0 A method of determination and manufacture of angled joining devices that when placed in a certain configuration and used in conjunction with a framework the joining devices are all intersected by the i aginary surface of a cycloidal semispheroid . Claim 5.0 A method of construction of a system of prefabricated framework and associated joining devices that is commenced from the top or roof of the structure first which roof is raised to its final height by the addition of the lower level framework until the base frames are secured by connecting rods whereby the final structure becomes rigid and has the basic configuration and form of a cycloidal semispheroid or the shape of any similar radial spheroid. Claim 6.0 A method of locating an air pressure relief opening at the highest point of a cycloidal semispheroid structure 210 that allows immediate atmospheric balance between internal and external airflows . Claim 7.0 A method of attaching a semispheroidal framework or building to the ground by the use of rods driven into the ground at an angle which is towards the revolving point or central axis of the semispheroidal structure. Claim 8.0 A method of colour coding framework and joining devices used in the construction of a structure with one particular colour being used for the element of the structure , that are erected on the same level of the structure. Claim 9.0 A method of packing and making element of a building structure which is in the basic form of a cycloidal semi spheroid in such a manner that the final transportable package of the modular framework an"d associated devices has no greater dimension than that of the largest frame or element of the largest frame used in the structure. Claim 10.0 A method "of connecting framework at variable heights where the number of sides of the resultant structure is twice the number of frames used at any particular height or level of the structure and the resultant structure is 230 in the form of a rigid framed cycloidal semispheroid. |
Modular Framed Construction
DESCRIPTION
A method of modular frame construction in the form of a cycloidal semi-spheroid which is used for the purposes of building temporary or permanent accommodation and over¬ head shelters for any use or activity.
The invention relates to the world wide requirement and demand for a form of accommodation and shelter that may be easily erected in a short time and that is easily transported in a compact modular kit form and that is capable of withstanding very high wind forces once it is constructed.
The use for this invention occurs where normal housing construction is difficult, too expensive or not physically possible and where mass accommodation is required to replace housing destroyed by the occurrence of natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, tidal waves, floods and fires.
The invention includes the design and formation of frames of various shapes and dimensions as described and which are constructed of materials such as aluminium and aluminium alloys, all forms of steel, metal alloys, all forms of plastics and other synthetic materials and timber.
This invention is a method of construction that uses modular constructed frames that lock together with the use of joining devices in such a manner that results in a cycloidal semi-spheroidal framed structure that may be covered with various types of weather proofing and which results in a structure of considerable load bearing strength with high wind resistance characteristics and is a high capacity form of shelter for human accommodation or any other shelter uses.
The modular system is packaged in such a manner so that it is easily transported by any means.
The system of construction is colour coded so that the process of construction may be simply understood.
The completed structure is made in such a manner that it has a far greater capability of resisting high wind loads from all radial directions than other structures used for the puropses of human habitation and temporary shelter.
The structure is aerodynamically arranged so that high wind velocities will cause the structure to be pressed toward the ground surface along it's base frames.
All of the frames and connecting points are located on a cycloidal curve which results in a far greater inter¬ locked truss structure compressive strength capability and a higher load bearing capability than any similar concentric dome or sphere configuration.
The configuration of the structure allows it to be erected in a very short time period in almost any terrain.
The completed rigid frame structure may also be transported by means such as boats, ships, trucks and helicopters to any location.
Fig.3 is a composite plan of the individual frame shapes and their relative dimensions showing their lower, upper and diagonal chords or elements and also the left and right hand side chords or elements or parts of the frames.
The angles m,n,o,p,q are determined by the cycloidal semi-spheroid height and the semi-spheroid base diameter
as shown in Fig.l in conjunction with the number of base circumferential chords required in the structure. The example in Fig.l and Fig.2 has twelve circumferential chords or sides.
The frames fit together in such a manner that the resultant structure conforms to the dimension and shape of a cycloidal semi-spheroid.
Fig.l is an elevation of the cycloidal semi-spheroid frame construction layout and Fig.2 is a half plan of the frame construction and the configuration of layout.
Both plans show the layout of how the frames fit together to form the overall structure.
The frames are designated in Fig.l, Fig.2 and Fig.3 as fl,f2,f3,f4,f5.
The upper right hand corner of a frame fl is connected to the lower left hand corner of a frame f2 through the use of angled joining devices as shown in Fig.4
Similarly the upper left hand corner of a frame fl is connected to the lower right hand corner of a frame f2 with a joining device as shown in Fig.4
The angle of construction and connection of the joining device (A°) is determined and shown in Fig.4 as one hundred and eighty degrees minus the angle (b°) as shown in Fig.l ( A° = 180° - b°)
The upper right hand corner of a frame f2 connects to the lower left hand corner of a frame f3 and the upper left hand corner of a frame f2 connects to the lower right hand corner of a frame f3 and so on until all frames shown as f5 interconnect with themselves and the f4 frames to
complete the configuration of the final structure.
90 The invention includes the interlocking and joining devices which are secured in and on the frames to create a very strong self supporting structure in the shape of a cycloidal semi-spheroid.
Fig.4 is a cross section of a joining device at sample position (C) located between a frame fl and a frame f2 as shown in Fig .1
Fig.4 shows the layout of the joining devices which may be tubular or solid rods and which fit inside the upper and lower corner points of the various frames to enable 100 interlocking of the overall cycloidal semi-spheroidal structure.
The size of the angle A° as shown in Fig.4 will vary with the order of the frame types being connected with the joining devices, that is, the joining device between frames fl and frames f2 will have a different angle A° than that of the joining devices used to connect frames f3 to frames f4.
The combination of the variable angle A° in the joining devices and the connection of all frames (f1 ,f2,f3,f4,f5) HOin the method as described will result in a vertical section of the completed semi-spheroidal structure having all of it's frame connecting points or joining devices located on the curve of a cycloid the shape of which is related to the semi-spheroid base diameter, the cycloidal primary circle radius and the required cycloidal semi-spheroid height.
The cycloid path is shown on Fig.l as a dot-ted line and is indicated by the letter 'P'.
The framed structure can be built with any diameter 120 and any height and there may be any number of circum¬ ferential chords or sides.
The interlocked frame structure is constructed on the ground by first connecting all f5 frames then adding f4 frames, then f3 frames, then f2 frames, then fl frames which are then secured at the base with connecting rods and at this stage the resulting structure will be in the shape of a cycloidal semi- spheroid integrated framework.
The structure is then secured to the ground by driving 130 bars or rods at an angle towards the centre of the semi-spheroid and radially securing the bottom chords or rails to the ground surface thus providing the maximum resistance to any lift or upward force applied to the structure by high velocity winds, mechanical means or any other natural forces.
Once secured to the ground the framed structure is covered, roofed or clad with such materials as flexible canvasses, synthetic materials, cotton or plastic sheetings .
140 The covering is made so that when placed on the top of the erected semi-spheroid framework the material falls to the base over the frames and is then secured to the frames of the structure by flexible cords that are tied and sewn at various positions to create the most appropriate tensions on the material covering the semi-spheroid structure.
The covering is stitched or bonded together to form the shape of the semi-spheroid and zipped or corded openings are placed in the cover for the purposes
150 of entrances, ventilation and natural lighting.
Each or any number of the frames of the structure may be cladded in hard or solid panels which are fixed to the frames by various devices resulting in part or the whole of the framed semi-spheroid structure being covered and having a solid appearance.
Upon production all of the frames, joining devices and coverings are packed and/or stacked in such a manner that the dimensions of the transportable package will be no more than one hundred millimetres greater than 160 the dimensions of a rectangular box formed by the use of the largest frame of the structure as the base of the box and the height of the largest frame of the structure as the height of the rectangular box.
Once fully constructed the cycloidal semi-spheroid structure is then easily dismantled and repacked as herein described so that it may be relocated and reconstructed as and when required.
The erected framework will have a rigid capability that will allow it to be transported in its as erected 170 form.
The processes of construction and dismantling of the framed structure are kept in order and co-ordinated by the colour coding of all components as described herein.