Patent US3877824A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3877824A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dome hubs for geodesic construction
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-08-02
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-08-02
Abstract
Abstract Goedesic structures generally comprise a plurality of members arranged to form polygon spaces and joined together by dome hubs. The overall structure commonly takes the form of a hemisphere. Prior dome hubs for small portable structures have been found too weak when the structure is subjected to high winds or when snow accumulates unevenly or when the snow on one side thaws and slides off. The weakness has been found due to individual members suffering tensile stresses and withdrawing from dome hub sockets. The present invention provides lightweight easily assembled dome hubs which lock the structural members against inadvertent withdrawal.
Inventors
- 👤 Rae Goldwin Jury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:32
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B7/00; E04B7/08; E04B7/10; E04B7/105; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/34; Y10T403/341; Y10T403/345; Y10T403/347; Y10T403/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An improved dome joint structure for use with a building dome of the type having a large number of similar geodesic members, said joint structure including a central spider having a polygonal central portion and a plurality of radiating arms integrally formed with the central portion for receiving and holding the ends of geodesic members, in which the improvement comprises a. each of said arms is of partial tubular configuration and has thread of serrated formations on the exterior surface thereof; b. the interior dimensions of each said arms is substantially equal to the external dimension of the end of a geodesic members; c. a nut is provided for each arm having thread or serrated formations on the interior surface thereof, matching the formations on the exterior surface of the arm, said nut when rotated after insertion of the end of a geodesic member into the arm serving to deform the partial tubular configuration of the arm inwardly against the end of the geodesic member to hold the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An improved dome joint structure for use with a building dome of the type having a large number of similar geodesic members, said joint structure including a central spider having a polygonal central portion and a plurality of radiating arms integrally formed with the central portion for receiving and holding the ends of geodesic members, in which the improvement comprises a. each of said arms is of partial tubular configuration and has thread of serrated formations on the exterior surface thereof; b. the interior dimensions of each said arms is substantially equal to the external dimension of the end of a geodesic members; c. a nut is provided for each arm having thread or serrated formations on the interior surface thereof, matching the formations on the exterior surface of the arm, said nut when rotated after insertion of the end of a geodesic member into the arm serving to deform the partial tubular configuration of the arm inwardly against the end of the geodesic member to hold the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A dome joint structure as in claim 1 wherein each of said arms is provided with a transverse bar or ridge disposed on the interior surface and intermediate the length thereof to be engaged with an associated notch adjacent the ends thereof of the geodesic members to be received within said arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dome joint structure as in claim 1 wherein the interior surfaces of said arms are tapered to receive correspondingly tapered ends of geodesic members to be received therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A dome joint structure as in claim 1 wherein the exterior surfaces and the thread or serrated formations thereon of said arms are tapered so as to be deformed inwardly against the ends of geodesic members received therein to enhance the rigidity of the assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A dome joint structure as in claim 1 wherein the exterior surfaces and the thread or serrated formations thereon of said arms and the interior surfaces of said nuts are tapered so the said arms are deformed inwardly against the ends of the geodesic members received therein to enhance the rigidity of the assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dome joint strucTure as in claim 1 wherein all of said arms lie in a substantially common plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dome joint structrue as in claim 6 wherein all of said arms are slightly angulated away from said common plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dome joint structure as in claim 1 wherein said central spider is formed of a plastics material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dome joint structure as in claim 1 wherein said nuts are formed of a plastics material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |