US4307554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structures and methods of construction thereof
Assignee: SHELTER ENGINEERING Ltd
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Filing: 1979-05-08
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 1999-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatically supported structure is constructed by securing a flat sheet of elastic membrane to a foundation, and then stretching the membrane to form the structure by inflating the membrane with air under pressure. During the stretching by inflation, the membrane may be partially constrained by rigid or flexible members. Plastic foam material may be applied to the inner or outer surface of the membrane once the membrane has been stretched, the plastic material being preferably polyurethane. After inflation, the membrane can be further stretched by forcing members within the confines of the membrane, against sections of the stretched membrane. Preferably, the plastic membrane is a sheet of butyl rubber.
Inventors
- 👤 Alistair J. Morrison
- 👤 Gary J. MacDonald
- 👤 Brian R. Boulton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:33
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/20; E04H15/22; E04G; E04G11/00; E04G11/04; E04G11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of constructing a self supporting structure comprising the steps of securing a flat sheet of elastic membrane to a foundation, stretching the membrane to form a pneumatically supported structure by inflating the membrane with air under pressure, maintaining at least most of both surfaces of the membrane exposed during said inflation, thereafter applying to the pneumatically supported structure at least one coating of a plastic foam material, and then applying a layer of cementitious material over the coating of foamed plastics material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of constructing a self supporting structure comprising the steps of securing a flat sheet of elastic membrane to a foundation, stretching the membrane to form a pneumatically supported structure by inflating the membrane with air under pressure, maintaining at least most of both surfaces of the membrane exposed during said inflation, thereafter applying to the pneumatically supported structure at least one coating of a plastic foam material, and then applying a layer of cementitious material over the coating of foamed plastics material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1, and during the stretching by inflation, partially constraining the membrane by rigid members to alter the shape of the stretched membrane from its shape without said members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1, and during the stretching by inflation, partially constraining the membrane by flexible members to alter the shape of the stretched membrane from its shape without said members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, and after inflation further stretching the membrane by forcing members, located within the confines of the membrane, against sections of the stretched membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1, and wherein said at least one coating of a plastics foam material is applied to the internal surface of the membrane once the membrane has been stretched.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the plastics material is polyurethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 5, and removing the membrane after the foamed plastics coating is applied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein the elastic membrane is a sheet of butyl rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, and applying wherein said at least one coating of a plastics foam material is applied to the external surface of the membrane once the membrane has been stretched.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein the plastics material is polyurethane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 9, and removing the membrane after the foamed plastics coating is applied.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the elastic membrane is a sheet of butyl rubber.
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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) | 1984-12-28 | 1985-06-29 | 1985-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-28 | 1989-06-29 | 1989-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-28 | 1993-06-29 | 1993-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |