Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of constructing a vaulted membrane structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of upright semi-rigid support arches each with curved bights, consecutively spaced apart with their ends mounted on a support means; at least one intermediate support arch interposed between two of said support arches, at least one shallow longitudinal arch, attached to and extending between said two support arches, in perpendicular relationship, as it passes under at least one intermediate support arch to form a vaulted frame in space; a flexible membrane operatively attached to and extending between said upright arches, is tensioned between said arches to form the roof of the structure; said method comprising the following steps: a. fabricating the roof membrane in sections or as a whole for operatively attachment to said arches, b. operatively attaching said membrane to said arch members in their flat unbowed state, c. attaching each end of the shallow longitudinal arch member to a support arch member, d. bowing the support arch members by moving at least one of their opposite ends toward the other to raise the structure to its erected position, e. forcing said support arches apart to tension said roof membrane, f. securing the structure to said support means, g. installing optional tension members between said arches and said support means or between two points of one arch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of constructing a vaulted membrane structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of upright semi-rigid support arches each with curved bights, consecutively spaced apart with their ends mounted on a support means; at least one intermediate support arch interposed between two of said support arches, at least one shallow longitudinal arch, attached to and extending between said two support arches, in perpendicular relationship, as it passes under at least one intermediate support arch to form a vaulted frame in space; a flexible membrane operatively attached to and extending between said upright arches, is tensioned between said arches to form the roof of the structure; said method comprising the following steps: a. fabricating the roof membrane in sections or as a whole for operatively attachment to said arches, b. operatively attaching said membrane to said arch members in their flat unbowed state, c. attaching each end of the shallow longitudinal arch member to a support arch member, d. bowing the support arch members by moving at least one of their opposite ends toward the other to raise the structure to its erected position, e. forcing said support arches apart to tension said roof membrane, f. securing the structure to said support means, g. installing optional tension members between said arches and said support means or between two points of one arch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein said roof membrane is operatively attached to said support arches after step (d) and before step (e).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the common ends of the support arch members are attached to a common sub-base means after step (b) but before step (d).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein said roof membrane is tensioned by adding compression force to said shallow longitudinal arch member and moving the common ends of said support arches apart in step (e).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 3 wherein at least one sub-base means is moved towards the other in step (d) and secured to said support means in step (f).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of said arch support members are secured to each other by a tension member directly or indirectly through a sub-base means after step (d) and before step (e).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The erection method in claim 1 wherein said shallow longitudinal arch is attached to at least one intermediate support arch member, under which it passes, by at least one tension member in step (e).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein said support arches are forced apart in step (e) by elongating at least one shallow longitudinal arch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method described in claim 7 wherein said support arches are also forced apart in step (e) by decreasing the length of the tension member between the shallow longitudinal arch and the intermediate support arch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the fabricating of the roof membrane in step (a) includes at least one end closure membrane which is operatively attached to the end support arch after step (f).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method described in claim 2 wherein an end closure membrane is fabricated integrally with the roof membrane in step (a) and tensioned in place in step (f) and readjusted in step (g).