Geodesic dome panel assembly and method

Abstract

A structure including a geodesic dome utilizing both strut framing members and sheathing wherein the strength of the structure is carried within the sheathing and where the strut framing cooperates to provide fastenability. The connection methods attach separate strut members to a common sheathing member and attach separate sheathing members to a common strut member. The method of structure can be panelized where the panel sheathing includes spaced tabs which overhang the panel to mate with a corresponding sheathing recess and exposed strut portions of an adjacent panel. The sheathing tabs are trapezoidal in shape of sufficient angle to allow lateral movement of panels into position without interference from overlapping tabs of adjacent panels. The interleaving panel edge configuration automatically aligns and interlocks adjacent panels into final position pending connectors. Connectors include nails, screws, or pins placed through the sheathing into the strut framework from outside the structure inwardly or inside the structure outwardly. No fasteners are placed from sheathing to sheathing or from strut to strut. A panel secondary strut layout pattern is arranged to form secondary apexes along the dihedral ridge, thus providing a positive tension and compression connection across the dihedral ridge. The introduction of a shear plate at the verticies of each panel provides additional strength by collectively forming a shear ring surrounding each apex of a completed structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.