Frame and building structure and method of constructing same

Claim 2

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars connected by joints at their ends, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in position in repetitive progression, so as to provide a plurality of groups of arches, wherein a. all arches of a group are positioned similarly to each other, and b. each arch of the entire series is differently positioned from each arch that is adjacent to it; D. bars connecting each joint with the adjacent staggered joints of each immediately adjacent arch; and E. means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame, said arch-tying means comprising F. a multiplicity of cross-members associated with each group of arches and respectively with localities of the bars of each arch that are intermediate the ends of the bars, G. each cross-member extending lengthwise of the frame and connecting together, in succession, said intermediatE localities of positionally corresponding bars of the arches of the group to which the cross-member relates.

Claim 3

A building having a frame as defined in claim 1 and comprising H. enclosure means extending generally along the contour of said curved surface and supported by said cross-members, interiorly of the frame.

Claim 4

A building having a frame as defined in claim 1, in which the arch-tying means also comprises I. a second multiplicity of cross-members associated with each group of arches and respectively with the joints between the bars of each arch, J. each cross-member of said second multiplicity extending lengthwise of the frame and connecting together, in succession, the positionally corresponding joints of the arches of the group to which said last-mentioned cross-member relates; said building comprising K. enclosure means extending generally along the contour of said curved surface and supported by the cross-members of one of the aforesaid multiplicities of cross-members.

Claim 5

A building having a frame as defined in claim 1 and comprising L. enclosure means supported by the frame, for substantially enveloping the space defined by said surface.

Claim 6

A building having a frame as defined in claim and comprising

Claim 7

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars connected by joints at their ends, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in position in repetitive progression, so as to provide a plurality of groups of arches, wherein a. all arches of a group are positioned similarly to each other, and b. each arch of the entire series is differently positioned from each arch that is adjacent to it; D. bars connecting each joint with the adjacent staggered joints of each immediately adjacent arch; and E. means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame, said arch-tying means comprising F. a multiplicity of first cross-members associated with each group of arches and respectively with localities of the bars of each arch that are intermediate the ends of the bars, G. each said first cross-member extending lengthwise of the frame and connecting together, in succession, said intermediate localities of positionally corresponding bars of the arches of the group to which the said first cross-member relates; and I. a multiplicity of second cross-members associated with each group of arches and respectively with the joints between the bars of each arch, J. each said second cross-member extending lengthwise of the frame and connecting together, in succession, the positionally corresponding joints of the arches of the group to which said second cross-member relates.

Claim 8

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars connected by joints at their ends, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in position in repetitive progression, so as to provide a plurality of groups of arches, wherein a. all arches of a group are positioned similarly to each other, and b. each arch of the entire series is differently positioned from each arch that is adjacent to it; D. bars connecting each joint with the adjacent staggered joints of each immediately adjacent arch; and E. means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame, said arch-tying means comprising F. a multiplicity of first cross-members associated with each group of arches and respectively with localities of the bars of each arch that are intermediate the ends of the bars, G. each said first cross-member extending lengthwise of the frame and connecting together, in succession, said intermediate localities of positionally corresponding bars of the arches of the group to which the said first cross-member relates; and I. a multiplicity of second cross-members associated with each group of arches and respectively with the joints between the bars of each arch, J. each said second cross-member extending lengthwise of the frame and connecting together, in succession, the positionally corresponding joints of the arches of the group to which said second cross-member relates.

Claim 9

A building having a frame as defined in claim 5 and comprising H. enclosure means extending generally along the contour of said curved surface and supported by said first cross-members, interiorly of the frame.

Claim 10

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars which are connected by joints at their ends and are centrally tangent to said surface, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in alternating position so that the joints of alternate arches, respectively in two groups, lie in parallel axially extending lines; D. bars diagonally interconnecting all of the joints whereby each joint is thereby connected to each adjacent staggered joint of each immediately adjacent arch; and means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame, said arch-tying means comprising F. members circumferentially spaced around the frame and extending axially thereof, and attached to alternate arches at localities of the arch bars intermediate the joints.

Claim 11

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars which are connected by joints at their ends and are centrally tangent to said surface, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in alternating position so that the joints of alternate arches, respectively in two groups, lie in parallel axially extending lines; D. bars diagonally interconnecting all of the joints whereby each joint is thereby connected to each adjacent staggered joint of each immediately adjacent arch; and means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame, said arch-tying means comprising F. members circumferentially spaced around the frame and extending axially thereof, and attached to alternate arches at localities of the arch bars intermediate the joints.

Claim 12

A building frame as defined in claim 8, in which said members comprise G. two sets of said members respectively associated with said groups of arches, the members of each set connecting together the arches of the associated group.

Claim 13

A building having a frame as defined in claim 9 and comprising H. sheet enclosure extending generally along the contour of said curved surface and supported from said bars, interiorly of the frame.

Claim 14

A building as defined in claim 10 in which the arch-tying means of the frame also comprises I. a second pair of sets of second members extending axially of the frame, said sets of said second pair being respectively associated with said groups of arches, and J. the said second members of each set being attached to joints of the arches of the associated group.

Claim 15

A building as defined in claim 11, in which M. said enclosure is mounted on the members of the first-mentioned two sets that are attached at intermediate localities of the arch bars.

Claim 16

A building frame as defined in claim 8, in which the arch-tying means also comprises I. second members circumferentially spaced around the frame and extending axially thereof, and attached to joints of alternate arches.

Claim 17

A building having a frame as defined in claim 13, in which said second members comprise J. two sets of said second members respectively associated with said groups of arches, the said second members of each of said last-mentioned two sets connecting together the arches of the associated group; said building comprising K. sheet enclosure extending generally along the contour of said curved surface and supported from said joints, exteriorly of the frame.

Claim 18

A building having a frame as defined in claim 8, and comprising L. enclosure means supported by the frame, for substantially enveloping the space defined by said surface.

Claim 19

A building as defined in claim 15, in which said enclosure means comprises M. sheet enclosure extending along the contour of said curved surface and disposed interiorly of the frame.

Claim 20

A building frame as defined in claim 8, which includes N. truss structure at an end of the frame, connected to the end arch thereof.

Claim 21

A building frame as defined in claim 17, in which said truss structure comprises O. a horizontal beam in the area bounded by said end arch, and P. members tying said beam to joints of said arch.

Claim 22

A building frame as defined in claim 17, in which said truss structure comprises Q. a polygonal arch substantially coplanar with the end arch and having a different curve therefrom, and R. members connecting said differently curved polygonal arch with said end arch and with the next adjacent arch.

Claim 23

A building frame as defined by claim 8, in which V. the bars of the arches and the diagonal bars are tubular members having flattened end portions, a. said flattened end portions of all said bars that are connected at each joint being flatwise abutted, and b. said frame comprising a bolt traversing and holding together said abutted end portions at each joint, to constitute the joint.

Claim 24

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars which are connected by joints at their ends and are centrally tangent to said surface, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in alternating position so that the joints of alternate arches, respectively in two groups, lie in parallel axially extending lines; D. bars diagonally interconnecting all of the joints whereby each joint is thereby connected to each adjacent stagGered joint of each immediately adjacent arch; E. means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame; S. bracing means along each of three mutually adjacent arches at a locality intermediate the ends of the frame, said bracing means comprising T. members rigidly connecting the center of each bar of said three arches with both of the immediately adjacent pair of joints of the arches immediately adjacent to such bar, and U. members rigidly connecting the joints of each last-mentioned pair to each other.

Claim 25

A building frame defined by a surface curved about a linear axis, comprising: A. a series of polygonal arches spaced along the axis in generally parallel relation to each other, B. each arch comprising endwise successive bars which are connected by joints at their ends and are centrally tangent to said surface, and C. successive arches being circumferentially staggered in alternating position so that the joints of alternate arches, respectively in two groups, lie in parallel axially extending lines; D. bars diagonally interconnecting all of the joints whereby each joint is thereby connected to each adjacent stagGered joint of each immediately adjacent arch; E. means tying the arches of each group to each other along lines extending axially of the frame; S. bracing means along each of three mutually adjacent arches at a locality intermediate the ends of the frame, said bracing means comprising T. members rigidly connecting the center of each bar of said three arches with both of the immediately adjacent pair of joints of the arches immediately adjacent to such bar, and U. members rigidly connecting the joints of each last-mentioned pair to each other.