Patent US3959937A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3959937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular dome structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-06-17
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Granted: 1976-06-01
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Expires: 1994-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A dome structure is provided which is constructed of identical ring-shaped elements of arbitrary size relative to the radius of the dome, the ring elements extending along four or five meridian lines that pass through the zenith of the dome and with additional elements positioned in curved rows lying progressively further from the zenith and with each element attached at its periphery to four other elements. The elements are constructed with tapered peripheries to lie solidly against one another, and with radially extending ribs that prevent deformation of the ring members into an oval shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Spunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:44
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B1/3211; E04B2001/3223; E04B2001/3235; E04B2001/3241; E04B2001/3247; E04B2001/327; E04B2001/3276; E04B2001/3288; E04B2001/3294
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements with substantially circular peripheries, each of the same diameter, said elements disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, and most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along four imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and at least three sets of additional elements arranged in progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements with substantially circular peripheries, each of the same diameter, said elements disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, and most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along four imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and at least three sets of additional elements arranged in progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The dome structure described in claim 1, wherein: the bottom most of said rows forms an arch and the region under said bottom most rows is left substantially unobstructed to the view, whereby to form a naturally arched view way.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements with substantially circular peripheries, each of the same diameter, said elements disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, and most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along five imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and sets of additional elements arranged in progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements with substantially circular peripheries, each of the same diameter, said elements disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, and most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along five imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and sets of additional elements arranged in progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The dome structure described in claim 3, wherein: the bottom most of said rows forms an arch and the region under said bottom most rows is left substantially unobstructed to the view, whereby to form a naturally arched view way.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements with substantially circular peripheries, each of the same diameter, said elements disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome, and most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; each of a plurality of said elements including four ribs extending radially from the center of the ring to the periphery thereof, said ribs being adjustable in position to contact different locations along the periphery of the element, and some of said elements having ribs positioned at different relative angles to one another than the ribs of different elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements with substantially circular peripheries, each of the same diameter, said elements disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome, and most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; each of a plurality of said elements including four ribs extending radially from the center of the ring to the periphery thereof, said ribs being adjustable in position to contact different locations along the periphery of the element, and some of said elements having ribs positioned at different relative angles to one another than the ribs of different elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements of substantially the same size disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, with said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along four imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and at least four sets of additional elements arranged in at least four progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements of substantially the same size disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, with said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of only four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along four imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and at least four sets of additional elements arranged in at least four progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements of substantially the same size disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, with most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along five imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and sets of additional elements arranged in progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dome structure comprising: a multiplicity of elements of substantially the same size disposed on the surface of an imaginary dome that has a predetermined pole location, with most of said elements fastened near their peripheries to the peripheries of four other of said elements to form the frame of a dome; said elements including a first plurality of elements arranged along five imaginary meridian lines that pass through said pole location, and sets of additional elements arranged in progressively lower rows, with an element in each row positioned with its upper end bridging the gap left between a pair of elements in the next higher row.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-01 | 1979-12-01 | 1980-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-01 | 1983-12-01 | 1984-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-01 | 1987-12-01 | 1988-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |