Back to results
US 6,145,527 AGranted
Flexible structure and method
OwnerRobert E. Gillisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible structure is described having one or more deformable, resilient poles and one or more tension webs associated therewith and coupled thereto to maintain the pole(s) in a selected shape under tension and to impart strength and rigidity to the structure. A flexible membrane may also be provided to define a sheltered space. Also disclosed is a method for making such a structure.
Claims20
A flexible structure comprising:
- at least one deformable, resilient pole;
- a flexible member supported by said pole and defining a sheltered space;
- and
- a tension web assembly coupled to said pole, said tension web assembly generating forces independently of said flexible member to maintain said pole in a selected shape under tension.
1 more element
A flexible dome structure comprising:
- a plurality of deformable, resilient poles arranged in crossing relationship;
- a tension web assembly coupled to at least some of said poles at a plurality of spaced locations and maintaining said poles in a generally arcuate dome shape under tension;
- and
- a flexible membrane coupled to said tension web assembly to define a sheltered space.
1 more element
A method for forming a flexible structure comprising:
- providing at least one deformable, resilient pole element;
- said pole element supporting a flexible member defining a sheltered space;
- and
- coupling a tension web assembly to said pole element, said tension web assembly generating forces independently of said flexible member to maintain said pole element in a selected shape under tension.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.