Rigid frame, tensioned fabric structure

Claim 2

A tensioned fabric structure having a rigid frame comprising, a plurality of curvilinear truss members forming a domed framework and each having a generally polygonal cross section, each said truss member being supported at its lower end on a foundation and connected at its upper end to at least one other of said truss members, each said truss member having a lower upright curved haunch portion connecting with a relatively flattened upper curved portion, a fabric membrane supported on and covering over said framework, said membrane having warp yarns running horizontally and fill yarns running vertically of said structure, and cable means extending between the bases of said truss members and attached to said membrane between said truss members for tensioning said membrane to form a stable structure.

Claim 3

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, in which the fabric membrane has a substantially saddle shape between truss members.

Claim 4

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein the truss members are substantially triangular in cross section, said triangular cross section having an apex engaging said fabric membrane.

Claim 5

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein a stringer truss is connected between the upper ends of spaced pairs of said curvilinear truss members to form a bay section.

Claim 6

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 4, in which the stringer truss has its intermediate portion bodily offset from its ends.

Claim 7

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 4, in which the stringer truss has a triangular shaped cross section, said triangular cross section having an apex directed toward the interior of said structure.

Claim 8

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 6, in which the stringer truss has its intermediate portion bodily offset from its ends.

Claim 9

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein the truss members have inner and outer chords and each cable means tensioning said membrane defines an arcual path in a vertical plane forming a curved opening at the bottom of said membrane.

Claim 10

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 8, in which said fabric has a substantially saddle shape between truss members and said cable means conforms to said saddle shape.

Claim 11

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein each cable means tensioning said membrane defines an arcual path projected in a vertical plane.

Claim 12

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 4, wherein said fabric membrane has a first radius of curvature at the apex in a vertical plane perpendicular to the curvilinear truss members delineating said bay sections, said radius being less than the largest radius of the truss members delineating said bay sections.

Claim 13

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 4, wherein said fabric membrane has a second radius of curvature in a plane perpendicular not only to the truss members but also to a second plane tangential to the center of the haunch curves, said radius being larger than the radius of curvature of the haunch portions of said truss members.

Claim 14

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 8, wherein the curved bottom openings formed in the fabric between truss members by each cable means are closed by a planar fabric curtain having an upper and lower margin and extending between the inner chords of adjacent truss members and upwardly from the foundation, the upper margin of said curtain being secured to a compression member extending between the inner chords of adjacent truss members.

Claim 15

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 13, in which a fabric filler panel extends outwardly from said compression member and seals against the inner surface of said fabric membrane covering.

Claim 16

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 13, in which tensioning means connect said curtain to the inner chords of adjacent truss members and to the compression member.

Claim 17

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 14, in which tensioning means connect said curtain to the inner chords of adjacent truss members and to the compression member.

Claim 18

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 14, in which said fabric filler panel is of bias cut fabric having its inner edge longitudinally pretensioned and its outer edge adapted to seal against said fabric membrane covering when longitudinally tensioned.

Claim 19

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 17, in which means is provided to attach the inner edge of the filler panel to said compression member, and means are provided at the ends of said filler panel to apply and maintain tension in its outer margin.

Claim 20

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 17, in which said filler panel has laTeral stiffener bars encased therein.

Claim 21

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 17, in which the means to apply and maintain tension in the outer edge of said filler panel are bars encased in the ends of said panel and adapted to be secured to said adjacent truss members.

Claim 22

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 8, wherein the curved bottom openings formed in the fabric between truss members by each cable means are closed by an underlapping fabric curtain extending between at least two adjacent truss members and upwardly from the foundation beyond the upper extent of the curved bottom openings, said curtain having fabric channel brackets secured to said curtain and fitting over the outer chords of said truss members for holding said curtain against lateral movement, and fabric anchor yokes connecting said brackets to the truss members to hold the curtain against vertical movement.

Claim 23

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 21, in which an anchoring cable extends along the bottom edge of said curtain, and tensioning means is provided to connect said cable at intervals to the foundation.

Claim 24

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 21, in which said fabric anchor yoke has a tab secured to one of said fabric channel brackets and two arms having inner and outer ends extending laterally around the outer chord of a truss member, and a retainer pin securing the outer ends of said arms to said truss member.

Claim 25

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 22, in which said fabric anchor yoke has a tab secured to one of said fabric channel brackets and two arms extending laterally around the outer chord of a truss member, and a retainer pin securing the outer ends of said arms to said truss member.

Claim 26

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 22, wherein the tensioning means comprises a link chain secured to said cable means, an anchor means, a clamp means having a hook portion and a head portion, said head portion being selectively interconnected to said anchor means, said hook portion engaging a selected link in said chain.

Claim 27

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 25, wherein means are provided for adjustably positioning said hook portion with respect to said anchor means.

Claim 28

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 25, wherein a series of link chains are secured to the cable means attached to said membrane, a series of second anchor means are provided and second clamp means having a hook portion and head portion interconnect the chains in said series to said second anchor means, said hook portion in said second clamp means engaging a selected link in said series of chains and the head portion of said second clamp means being selectively interconnected to said second anchor means.

Claim 29

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 25, wherein said anchor means comprises a plate having at least one T-slot therein and said head portion presents a stud selectively insertable through said T-slot and engageable behind said plate.

Claim 30

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein certain of said truss members form polygonal end sections viewed in plan.

Claim 31

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein certain of said truss members form polygonal end sections viewed in plan and at least one bay having an upper end is formed between the end sections.

Claim 32

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 29, wherein a head member is connected to the upper ends of said truss members, said head member affording a vent opening.

Claim 33

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 30, wherein a stringer truss spans the upper end of the bay, and a head member is connected to one end of the stringer truss and to the upper ends of the truss members in the adjoining end section.

Claim 34

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein said fabric membrane, when removed from the framework, may be bundled securely onto a pair of lading bars, said membrane having lateral sides, said lateral sides being folded to the longitudinal centerline of said memBrane to present longitudinally opposed ends, the opposed ends of said folded cover being rolled about said lading bars, and strap means securing the resulting bundle.

Claim 35

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 1, wherein an adjustable tensioning assembly is provided to connect the cable means to said truss members.

Claim 36

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 34, wherein said tensioning assembly comprises ear means to which the cable means extending to the truss member at which said tensioning assembly is located are connected, a plurality of fixed notches presented from said truss member, an anchor bar secured to said ear means and receivable in selected notches.

Claim 37

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 35, wherein a loop is presented from said tensioning assembly and opposing lugs are presented from said truss members in spaced relation with respect to said loop.

Claim 38

A tensioned fabric structure having a rigid frame comprising, a plurality of curvilinear truss members forming a domed framework and each having a generally polygonal cross section, each said truss member being supported at its lower end on a foundation and connected at its upper end to at least one other of said truss members, each truss member having a lower upright haunch portion connecting with a relatively flattened upper portion, a fabric membrane supported on and covering over said framework and having a substantially saddle shape between truss members, cable means extending between the bases of said truss members and attached to said membrane between said truss members for tensioning said membrane, the saddle shape of the membrane being curved in directions longitudinally and laterally of said truss members, and the radii of said curvatures being so related to the radii of curvatures of the truss members that the applied tension at any point of said membrane is substantially equal in directions longitudinally and laterally of said truss members to form a stable structure.

Claim 39

A tensioned fabric structure having a rigid frame comprising, a plurality of curvilinear truss members forming a domed framework and each having a generally polygonal cross section, each said truss member being supported at its lower end on a foundation and connected at its upper end to at least one other of said truss members, each truss member having a lower upright haunch portion connecting with a relatively flattened upper portion, a fabric membrane supported on and covering over said framework and having a substantially saddle shape between truss members, cable means extending between the bases of said truss members and attached to said membrane between said truss members for tensioning said membrane, the saddle shape of the membrane being curved in directions longitudinally and laterally of said truss members, and the radii of said curvatures being so related to the radii of curvatures of the truss members that the applied tension at any point of said membrane is substantially equal in directions longitudinally and laterally of said truss members to form a stable structure.

Claim 40

A tensioned fabric structure as in claim 37, wherein the lower portions of said truss members each extend substantially upright and then curve inwardly to form a haunch portion which connects with a relatively flattened curved upper portion.