US4241550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Domical structure composed of symmetric, curved triangular faces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-06-23
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1998-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A domical structure is provided in concert with, and as an embodiment of, a novel means for subdividing the spherical surface into spherical triangles which are appropriate as constructional elements. The method of subdivision permits a high degree of standardization in terms of limiting the number of different elements utilized and it results in element proportions and dimensions which allow the most efficient utilization of standard construction materials.
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Sumner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:19
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B7/00; E04B7/08; E04B7/10; E04B7/102; E04B2001/3294
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for subdividing a symmetric right spherical triangle comprised of an arcuate hypotenuse and two arcuate sides to obtain surface elements for a domical structure comprising the steps of: bisecting the 60 degree angle of an approximately 90°-60°-36° spherical triangle with a first arc that intersects the opposite side of the spherical triangle, drawing a first arcuate line from this intersection to the hypotenuse of the triangle, said arcuate line meeting said hypotenuse of the spherical triangle at approximately a 90 degree angle, said first arc and said first arcuate line dividing the spherical triangle into a first pair of left and right handed smaller spherical triangles and a third triangle having an apex angle the same as the apex angle of said spherical triangle, bisecting the approximately 60 degree angle of each of said first pair of triangles and said third triangle with a second arc that intersects the opposite side of each first pair of triangles and said third triangle, and drawing second arcuate lines from these intersections to the hypotenuse of each of a second pair of triangles and said third triangle, said second arc meeting the hypotenuse of each of said second pair of triangles and said third triangle at approximately a 90 degree angle, thereby dividing each of said second pair of triangles and said third triangle into two similar triangles and further third triangles with said third triangles each having an apex angle the same as the triangle from which it is formed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for subdividing a symmetric right spherical triangle comprised of an arcuate hypotenuse and two arcuate sides to obtain surface elements for a domical structure comprising the steps of: bisecting the 60 degree angle of an approximately 90°-60°-36° spherical triangle with a first arc that intersects the opposite side of the spherical triangle, drawing a first arcuate line from this intersection to the hypotenuse of the triangle, said arcuate line meeting said hypotenuse of the spherical triangle at approximately a 90 degree angle, said first arc and said first arcuate line dividing the spherical triangle into a first pair of left and right handed smaller spherical triangles and a third triangle having an apex angle the same as the apex angle of said spherical triangle, bisecting the approximately 60 degree angle of each of said first pair of triangles and said third triangle with a second arc that intersects the opposite side of each first pair of triangles and said third triangle, and drawing second arcuate lines from these intersections to the hypotenuse of each of a second pair of triangles and said third triangle, said second arc meeting the hypotenuse of each of said second pair of triangles and said third triangle at approximately a 90 degree angle, thereby dividing each of said second pair of triangles and said third triangle into two similar triangles and further third triangles with said third triangles each having an apex angle the same as the triangle from which it is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
A roof for a triangular shaped domical structure comprising: an assemblage of right spherical triangular structural elements formed into a domical configuration, said elements approximating 90°-60°-30° triangles having sides formed as portions of arcs of great circles and comprising a number of right and left hand versions of a single triangular pattern, said elements being derived from a projection of a hexicosahedron and comprising one hundred and thirty-five triangles in number to provide a domical configuration forming a quarter section of a hemisphere, fifteen of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a first pattern approximating a 90°-54.4°-36° triangle, thirty to said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a second pattern approximating a 90°-62.8°-27.8° triangle, thirty of said elements comprise right and left hand versions of a third pattern approximating a 90°-60.7°-30° triangle, and sixty of said elements comprise right and left hand versions of a fourth pattern approximating a 90°-59.6°-31° triangle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A roof for a triangular shaped domical structure comprising: an assemblage of right spherical triangular structural elements formed into a domical configuration, said elements approximating 90°-60°-30° triangles having sides formed as portions of arcs of great circles and comprising a number of right and left hand versions of a single triangular pattern, said elements being derived from a projection of a hexicosahedron and comprising one hundred and thirty-five triangles in number to provide a domical configuration forming a quarter section of a hemisphere, fifteen of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a first pattern approximating a 90°-54.4°-36° triangle, thirty to said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a second pattern approximating a 90°-62.8°-27.8° triangle, thirty of said elements comprise right and left hand versions of a third pattern approximating a 90°-60.7°-30° triangle, and sixty of said elements comprise right and left hand versions of a fourth pattern approximating a 90°-59.6°-31° triangle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
A roof for a triangular shaped domical structure comprising: an assemblage of right triangular structural elements formed into a domical configuration, said elements approximating 90°-60°-30° triangles and comprising a number of right and left hand versions of a singular triangular pattern, said elements comprising one hundred thirty five in number to provide a domical configuration forming a quarter section of a hemisphere, fifteen of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a first pattern approximating a 90°-54.4°-36° triangle, thirty of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a second pattern approximating a 90°-62.8°-27.8° triangle, thirty of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a third pattern approximating a 90°-60.7°-30° triangle, and sixty of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a fourth pattern approximating a 90°-59.6°-31° triangle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
A roof for a triangular shaped domical structure comprising: an assemblage of right triangular structural elements formed into a domical configuration, said elements approximating 90°-60°-30° triangles and comprising a number of right and left hand versions of a singular triangular pattern, said elements comprising one hundred thirty five in number to provide a domical configuration forming a quarter section of a hemisphere, fifteen of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a first pattern approximating a 90°-54.4°-36° triangle, thirty of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a second pattern approximating a 90°-62.8°-27.8° triangle, thirty of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a third pattern approximating a 90°-60.7°-30° triangle, and sixty of said elements comprising right and left hand versions of a fourth pattern approximating a 90°-59.6°-31° triangle.
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) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |