Pneumatically supported structure

Claim 2

A pneumatically-supported structure, comprising a polyhedral foundation having a plurality of spaced apart anchor joints with pairs thereof defining sides of the structure; elongated anchor elemntts spanning diagonally opposite anchor points under tension and secured to said foundation said anchor elements meeting at a diagonal intersection; and a flexible gas-retentive covering enclosing the space within said foundation and retained against outward force by said elements upon internal pneumatic pressurization of the enclosure, said covering being formed by flexible segments each spanning the space between two such anchor elemnts, adjacent segments being seamed along said anchor elements and said anchor elements being received within said covering; and means for maintaining an air pressure along an internal surface of said covering greater than atmospheric pressure.

Claim 3

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of genreally vertical posts spaced apart along at least one of said sides and spanned by said cover.

Claim 4

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one rigid arch spanning anchor points along at least one of said sides and sealingly connected to said cover.

Claim 5

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 3, further comprising a plurality of vertically extending posts spaced horizontally apart along said one of said sides and reaching from the ground to said arch for supporting same.

Claim 6

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 3 wherein said arch lies generally in a plane inclined outwardly from said enclosure, said structure further comprising a plurality of vertically extending tension elements reaching from the ground to said arch.

Claim 7

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 3 wherein a plurality of such arches are provided along respective sides of the structure, said arches and said covering being so constructed and arranged that said covering is supported by said arches above grade level upon depressurization of said enclosure.

Claim 8

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1, further comprising an interior framework within said enclosure for supporting said covering upon depressurization of said enclosure.

Claim 9

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1, further comprising an elongated supporting mast within said enclosure and movably acting upon said anchor elements for maintaining at least parts of the length thereof under tension while enabling a portion of said enclosure to be opened to the atmosphere.

Claim 10

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1 wherein said coveRing is formed with a plurality of discrete air-flow compartments, further comprising means for inducing a flow of air from the interior of said enclosure through said compartments, and duct means for collecting the air traversing said compartments.

Claim 11

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 9, further comprising valve means in an upper portion of said enclosure for selectively connecting the interior of said enclosure to said compartments and to said atmosphere.

Claim 12

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 10 wherein said duct means forms part of said foundation, said foundation further comprising air-supply means for delivering air to said enclosure.

Claim 13

The pneumatically-supported structure definein claim 10 wherein said duct means forms part of said foundtaion, said foundation further comprising air-supply means for delivering air to said enclosure.

Claim 14

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1, further comprising a window element receivable in said enclosure and comprising a base plate, and a frame member rising from said base plate and curved to conform to the configuration of said enclosure, said frame member being spanned by at least one shell, the central gravity of said window element lying within the outline of said base plate.

Claim 15

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1 wherein said anchor elements each comprise a pair of parallel wires and means for holding the wires of each pair together.

Claim 16

The pneumatically-supported structure defined in claim 1 wherein said anchor elements each comprise a plurality of bands and means for holding the bands of each element together.

Claim 17

A pneumatically supported structure comprising a foundation, a flexible covering overlying said foundation, means for maintaining a pressure along an inner surface of said covering in excess of atmospheric pressure to pneumatically support said covering, said covering being of double-wall construction and forming passages between walls thereof, said passages running downwardly from locations close to the top of said structure to locations close to the bottom thereof, and means for circulating air through said structure and said passages whereby air enters said passages at said locations close to the top of said structure and emerges from said passages close to the bottom thereof, said structure being further provided with openings around said foundation for admitting fresh air to the entrance of said structure.

Claim 18

A pneumatically supported structure comprising a foundation, a flexible covering overlying said foundation, means for maintaining a pressure along an inner surface of said covering in excess of atmospheric pressure to pneumatically support said covering, said covering being of double-wall construction and forming passages between walls thereof, said passages running downwardly from locations close to the top of said structure to locations close to the bottom thereof, and means for circulating air through said structure and said passages whereby air enters said passages at said locations close to the top of said structure and emerges from said passages close to the bottom thereof, said structure being further provided with openings around said foundation for admitting fresh air to the entrance of said structure.

Claim 19

A pneumatically-supported structure, comprising a foundation having a plurality of spaced apart anchor points with pairs thereof defining sides of the structure; elongated anchor elements spanning diagonally opposite anchor points and secured to said foundation; a flexible gas-retentive covering enclosing the space within said foundation and retained against outward force by said elements upon internal pneumatic pressurization of the enclosure; and at least one rigid arch spanning anchor points along at least one of said sides and sealingly connected to said cover; said arch being provided with a sealing edge formed with longitudinally extending corrugations, a sealing strip overlying said edge, and means for maintaining one edge of said covering in sealing engagement with said strip.

Claim 20

A pneumatically-supported structure, comprising a foundation having a plurality of spaced apart anchor points with pairs thereof defining sides of the structure; elongated anchor elements spanning diagonally opposite anchor points and secured to said foundation; a flexible gas-retentive covering enclosing the space within said foundation and retained against outward force by said elements upon internal pneumatic pressurization of the enclosure; and at least one rigid arch spanning anchor points along at least one of said sides and sealingly connected to said cover; said arch being provided with a sealing edge formed with longitudinally extending corrugations, a sealing strip overlying said edge, and means for maintaining one edge of said covering in sealing engagement with said strip.

Claim 21

A pneumatically-supported structure, comprising a foundation having a plurality of spaced apart anchor points with pairs thereof defining sides of the structure; elongated anchor elements spanning diagonally opposite anchor points and secured to said foundation; a flexible gas-retentive covering enclosing the space within said foundation and retained against outward force by said elements upon internal pneumatic pressurization of the enclosure; a window element receivable in said enclosure and comprising a base plate, and a frame member rising from said base plate and curved to conform to the configuration of said enclosure, said frame member being spanned by at least one shell, the center of gravity of said window element lying within the outline of said base plate; and a tension wire extending around said frame member for anchoring same to said covering, and a further wire spanning said frame member at the lower End thereof for retaining said frame member against said base plate.

Claim 22

A pneumatically-supported structure, comprising a foundation having a plurality of spaced apart anchor points with pairs thereof defining sides of the structure; elongated anchor elements spanning diagonally opposite anchor points and secured to said foundation; a flexible gas-retentive covering enclosing the space within said foundation and retained against outward force by said elements upon internal pneumatic pressurization of the enclosure; a window element receivable in said enclosure and comprising a base plate, and a frame member rising from said base plate and curved to conform to the configuration of said enclosure, said frame member being spanned by at least one shell, the center of gravity of said window element lying within the outline of said base plate; and a tension wire extending around said frame member for anchoring same to said covering, and a further wire spanning said frame member at the lower End thereof for retaining said frame member against said base plate.