Abstract The collapsible dome framework is composed of a series of foldable resilient rods or ribs, hinged together at their ends to form, in their expanded condition, the common sides of adjacent polygons bowed outwardly in a joined polyhedral pattern in the surface plane of the dome, the rods being foldable in one direction with respect to said dome while their opposite ends are folded in umbrella fashion in the other direction to collapse the dome frame into a compact bundle substantially half the length of the link rods. The free ends of the peripheral link rods at the bottom of the dome are connected together by a peripheral tie line which holds them properly constrained at the corners of a suitably reduced polygon formed thereby at the base of the dome; and when the framework is collapsed, the outer ends of these peripheral link rods can be folded into said bundle. The tie line at the base of the framework may be constituted by the base hemline of the flexible sheet material which is formed into a dome shape to fit inside said dome framework when fully expanded, and is provided with ties for suspending it from the outwardly foldable hinges so that it may be folded compactly alongside or around the collapsed framework, ready to be expanded fully in place, when the dome framework is unfolded and all the links are sprung outwardly into the fully expanded dome.
A collapsible dome frame having at least one hinge coupling comprising a plurality of angularly spaced hinges radiating therefrom and opening in one direction into the plane of said dome, a plurality of foldable rods of resilient material connected at their opposite ends to hinges in adjacent hinge couplings to form the common sides of adjacent polygons in a polyhedral pattern in said domE, the peripheral hinge couplings near the bottom of the dome having at least one foldable rod connected to their hinges and extending downwardly to the base of the dome, and means for limiting the spread of the outer ends of said downwardly extending rods so that said rods when unfolded into their fully extended positions can be sprung into a bowed position into the plane of said dome.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A collapsible dome frame having at least one hinge coupling comprising a plurality of angularly spaced hinges radiating therefrom and opening in one direction into the plane of said dome, a plurality of foldable rods of resilient material connected at their opposite ends to hinges in adjacent hinge couplings to form the common sides of adjacent polygons in a polyhedral pattern in said domE, the peripheral hinge couplings near the bottom of the dome having at least one foldable rod connected to their hinges and extending downwardly to the base of the dome, and means for limiting the spread of the outer ends of said downwardly extending rods so that said rods when unfolded into their fully extended positions can be sprung into a bowed position into the plane of said dome.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A collapsible dome frame as defined in claim 1, said spread limiting means being a tie line holding the lower ends of said downwardly extending rods in properly spaced peripheral relation in the shape of a polygon formed by the lower sides of the peripherally adjacent polygons in the polyhedral pattern at the bottom of said dome.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A collapsible dome frame as defined in claim 1, said spread limiting means being a hinge coupling at the lower end of each of said downwardly extending rods and foldable rods connected peripherally between them in the shape of a polygon formed by the lower sides of the peripherally adjacent polygons in the polyhedral pattern at the bottom of said dome.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A collapsible dome frame as defined in claim 1, and a flexible sheet cover of corresponding dome shape and having tying means at suitable points to said dome frame for support thereon in expanded condition and collapsing therewith in a compact bundle without untying therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A collapsible dome frame and cover as defined in claim 4, said cover having a base hemline forming said spread limiting means.