US3866366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-symmetrical tension-integrity structures
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-08-07
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A building structure composed of column-like discontinuous compression members held by a plurality of tension elements, the column-like compression members being held in spaced relation by tension elements attached adjacent the ends of the column-like compression members. In the form shown, there are what can be termed two substructures, one at the top and one at the bottom, each substructure having pentagonal configurations of parallel lesser circles formed by column-like members and tension elements at its base, said pentagonal configurations being twisted relative to each other so as to provide rectangular openings therebetween. There are column-like compression members between the substructures held in spaced relation to each other and to the substructures by tension elements. The entire combination produces a generally spherical-like building structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Buckminster Fuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:18
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B1/3211; E04B1/18; E04B1/19; E04B2001/1924; E04B2001/1927; E04B2001/1945; E04B2001/1981; E04B2001/1996; E04B2001/3235; E04B2001/3241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In a generally spherical-like building structure, the combination including a like pair of substructures, each being comprised of a plurality of column-like compression members and a plurality of tension elements, the column-like members being held in axially spaced relationship to one another by the tension elements being attached adjacent the ends of spaced column-like members, pentagon lesser circle configurations at the base of each substructure, and a plurality of column-like members between said substructures and extending directly therebetween and holding said substructures in spaced relation, said column-like members being held in axially spaced relation thereto by tension elements so that pEntagon lesser circle configurations are displaced relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a generally spherical-like building structure, the combination including a like pair of substructures, each being comprised of a plurality of column-like compression members and a plurality of tension elements, the column-like members being held in axially spaced relationship to one another by the tension elements being attached adjacent the ends of spaced column-like members, pentagon lesser circle configurations at the base of each substructure, and a plurality of column-like members between said substructures and extending directly therebetween and holding said substructures in spaced relation, said column-like members being held in axially spaced relation thereto by tension elements so that pEntagon lesser circle configurations are displaced relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a building structure as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there is a top and bottom substructure, each substructure having a pentagonal-like configuration of column-like compression members located outside of said lesser circle configurations, said pentagonal-like configuration being reversed in the top substructure in relation to the bottom substructure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a building structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are rectangular-like apertures between said substructures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a building structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein there are rectangular-like facets between the substructures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a building structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the column-like members between the substructures has tension elements connecting one of the ends thereof to pentagon lesser circle configurations at the base of a first substructure and the other end thereof connected to a pentagonal-like configuratuion of column-like members outside of said lesser circle of the substructure other than said first substructure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a building structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the pentagonal-like compression members located outside of said lesser circle configurations are reversed relative to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a building structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tension elements are prefabricated and the column-like elements inserted therein thereafter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |