US4265260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible vault structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-06-22
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Granted: 1981-05-05
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Expires: 1999-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A flexible vault structure is provided which includes a plurality of stressed poles which are held in their stressed condition by a member, usually a membrane, strung between the poles. The vault structure can be used as a storage vessel, tent, kite or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Gillis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:17
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/32; E04H15/64; E04H15/34; E04H15/42; E04H15/425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A vault structure having an arcuate shape in cross section, a generally rectangular shape in plan, said vault structure extending from a plane and having no member from side-to-side in said plane comprising in combination: a. A plurality of rod-like members, b. each of such rod-like members being held in tension by stress means and thereby formed into a generally arcuate shape and a plurality of said rod-like members extending from the level of the plane on one side, over the top of the arcuate structure to the level of the plane on the opposite side, c. said stress means comprising a flexible member attached to said rod-like members by means of a sliding connection and d. said stress means forming a plurality of geometric cords with respect to said arcuate rod-like members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A vault structure having an arcuate shape in cross section, a generally rectangular shape in plan, said vault structure extending from a plane and having no member from side-to-side in said plane comprising in combination: a. A plurality of rod-like members, b. each of such rod-like members being held in tension by stress means and thereby formed into a generally arcuate shape and a plurality of said rod-like members extending from the level of the plane on one side, over the top of the arcuate structure to the level of the plane on the opposite side, c. said stress means comprising a flexible member attached to said rod-like members by means of a sliding connection and d. said stress means forming a plurality of geometric cords with respect to said arcuate rod-like members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vault structure of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is a membrane of a flexible material such as a plastic sheet, typically polyethylene, vinyl and the like, or a woven fabric such as cotton, nylon or polyester.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vault structure of claim 1 wherein the sliding connection comprises a clip fastened to a fabric with a flexible loop encompassing a plurality of pole crossings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vault structure of claim 1 wherein the sliding connection comprises a series of sleeves extending from one pole crossing to the next.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the sliding connection comprises a plurality of clips located on each side of a pole connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the sliding connection includes a plurality of short sleeves, one sleeve being adjacent to each pole at each pole crossing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2938524A
Cited
US3892094A
Cited
US3951159A
Cited
US3986519A
Cited
US4068404A
Cited
US4128104A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-04 | 1984-11-03 | 1985-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-04 | 1988-11-03 | 1989-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-04 | 1992-11-03 | 1993-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |