Exoskeletal structure and methods for its construction

Claim 2

A self-supporting structure comprised of a plurality of rigid, corrugated surface convoluted sectors of a hypothetical surface of revolution rigidly attached together at their longitudinal edges, the convolutions being continuous and symmetrical about one axis of the structure and wherein the corrugated surface of the sectors comprises alternately convex and concave convolutions extending widthwise of the structure and with the concave convolutions being a constant, predetermined fraction of the diameter of the convex convolutions and the convolutions diminishing in diameter progressively by a fixed percent in the direction from the middle of the building toward its ends.

Claim 3

A self-supporting structure as recited in claim 5 wherein the surface is elliptical in plan and elevation and the center point for the curve of each convolution is offset from a hypothetical elliptical line extending from one end of the structure to the other by a predetermined, decreasing sequence of distances beginning with the convolution closest to the middle of the structure.

Claim 4

A modular, self-supporting structure comprised of a plurality of rigid, corrugated, sectors of a hypothetical surface of revolution, the sectors having alternately concave and convex convolutions and being rigidly attached together along their longitudinal edges, the convolutions running parallel to each other and perpendicular to the length of the structure, the diameter of the concave convolutions being a constant, predetermined fraction of the diameter of adjacent convex convolutions and the convolutions diminishing in diameter progressively by a fixed percent in the direction from the middle of the building toward its ends and wherein the surface is semi-elliptical in plan and elevation taken along its length and partially circular when viewed from its end, and the center point for the curve of each convolution is offset from a hypothetical elliptical line extending from one end of the structure to the other by a predetermined, decreasing sequence of distances beginning with the convolution closest to the middle of the structure.

Claim 5

A modular, self-supporting structure comprised of a plurality of rigid, corrugated, sectors of a hypothetical surface of revolution, the sectors having alternately concave and convex convolutions and being rigidly attached together along their longitudinal edges, the convolutions running parallel to each other and perpendicular to the length of the structure, the diameter of the concave convolutions being a constant, predetermined fraction of the diameter of adjacent convex convolutions and the convolutions diminishing in diameter progressively by a fixed percent in the direction from the middle of the building toward its ends and wherein the surface is semi-elliptical in plan and elevation taken along its length and partially circular when viewed from its end, and the center point for the curve of each convolution is offset from a hypothetical elliptical line extending from one end of the structure to the other by a predetermined, decreasing sequence of distances beginning with the convolution closest to the middle of the structure.

Claim 6

A self-supporting structure as recited in claim 3 wherein the elements each extend from the lateral midline of the surface to its end.

Claim 9

A method of constructing a self-supporting structure as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of molding the convolutions in each element comprises the steps of molding each convolution to be semicircular in cross-section with the center for each convolution curve being offset from a hypothetical elliptical line extending from one end of the structure to the other by an arithmetically decreasing sequence of distances beginning with the convolution closest to the middle of the structure.