Spherical structure

Abstract

The invention concerns a spherical structure It comprises a number of interlocking 5- and 6-sided panels that is joined together at the corners with locking discs.

Description

DescriptionTitle of Invention: SPHERICAL STRUCTURETechnical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a spherical structure comprising a number of interlocking segments.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for construction such a structure.Background Art

[0003] Such structures are well known in the art and is normally designed to be lightweight and easily transportable. They will therefore often find use as temporary shelters for field observations.

[0004] In W02005026461A1 there is described a soccer ball type room structure capable of being easily transported and constructed and capable of forming a living space for communing with nature. The structure comprises a plurality of regular hexagonal first panels and a plurality of regular pentagonal second panels having the sides of the same length as those of the first panels. These are combined with each other to form the living space inside.

[0005] In CN106812349A there is described a transparent field observation device which comprises a hemispherical tent body, wherein the tent body is built by splicing regular hexagon wallboards, regular pentagon wallboards and semi- regular-hexagon wallboards made of transparent materials.

[0006] In US8752340B1 there is described a dome structure constructed of interlocking pieces constructed of plastic with a hollow or insulated interior. The pieces interlock via their alternating male and female edges and are secured at their vertices with wishbone locking connectors. The pieces are generally in the shape of simple polygons and overhang at their edges to prevent water leakage. In constructing a dome, the floor is first constructed from interlocking floor pieces and a perimeter track is constructed from special interlocking track pieces that can be filled with water or sand.Summary of Invention

[0007] The purpose of the invention is to make a structure that is easy to manufacture and assemble while sturdy and lightweight.

[0008] The invention will be especially suited in the use for simulators where pictures are projected onto its walls where it is important to have a smooth inner surface.

[0009] The invention is set out in the appended set of claims.Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] In the following the invention is illustrated as a combination of five and six-sided panels (pentagons and hexagons). However, the invention can be used to combine any type of panels, for example can all panels have three sides. Other combinations are also possible such as 5-sided and 7-sided.

[0011] The parts use a number of protrusions and indentations to lock the various parts together. In the following the words tab and blank will be used as these are the terms commonly used in jigshaw puzzles. It should be noted that which part has tabs and which has blanks may be the opposite of the design described hereinafter as this will be based on practical manufacturing concerns. Also, they may be located randomly and not in fixed positions.

[0012] Fig.1[Fig. 1 shows a structure according to the invention,Fig 2 shows a detail where the panels meet,Fig 3 shows a first (inner) locking disc,Fig. 4 shows a second (middle) disc,Fig 5 shows a third (outer) disc,Fig 6 shows the assembled parts as viewed from the inside of the structure,Fig 7 shows the assembled parts as viewed from the outside of the structure, andFig 8 is an exploded view of the order of assembly.Description of Embodiments

[0013] The invention will now be described in more detail while referring to the enclosed drawings where

[0014] In Fig. 1 there is shown the structure according to the invention. The structure comprises a 5-sided panel 1 corresponding surrounded by 6-sided panels 12. The panels are joined along their sides.

[0015] In Fig. 2 there is shown a detail of a junction of panels 11 and 12. The panel 11 has sides 13a that abuts against the sides 13b of neighbour panels 12. In a preferred embodiment a panel side has at least one blank 14a, 14b that interfaces with corresponding tabs 18a, 18b cut in the side of a neighbouring panel, in this case panel 12, to lock the panels together.

[0016] These are only examples. As can be seen in the lower part of Fig., panel 11 has tabs while panel 12 has blanks.

[0017] Each corner of the panels has an arc-shaped cutout 15. The cutout has a tab 16.

[0018] At the points marked 17 a screw or bolt 24 (Fig. 8) is welded or otherwise attached to the outer surface of panels. As shown in Fig 2 there are one point in each panel corner. When panels are assembled, they will be located at 120 degrees intervals. The panels are assembled using a number of discs mounted at the comers between panels. These are shown in Figs 3 - 5 and 8. In Fig. 3 there is shown a first or inner disc 20. The disc has blanks 21. The inner disc 20 is assembled in line with the panel such that the tab 16 for example in panel 11 will interface with the blank 21 and lock the disc to the panel.

[0019] In Fig. 3 there is shown a second or middle disc 30. The disc also has blanks 31 . The use of these will be described in more detail below. This disc is preferably of a larger diameter than the inner disc 20 and will therefore cover part of the panels. Holes 32 is arranged to be in line with the screws 24 (Fig. 8).

[0020] Finally, there is a third or outer disc 30. The disc has holes 42 arranged to be in line with hole32 when assembled, as shown in Fig 8 (line 25). When the discs30 and 40 are assembled the screw 24 extends through the holes 32 and 42 and secured with a nut 25 (Fig. 8).

[0021] Fig 6 is a view of the assembled panels as shown from the inside. Fig. 7 is a similar view but viewed from the outside of the structure.

[0022] Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of the assembly.

[0023] Before assembling the structure, its size is decided as that will determine the curvature, size and / or the number of panels that will be used. The panels are cut to shape with the required number of tabs and blanks. The panels are now formed to the required curvature. The inner and middle discs are joined together for example by gluing or welding. Three panels are now joined together with the inner disc serving as locking means to lock the panels together. Correct position is achieved by entering the screws 24 through the hole 32.

[0024] Then more panels are added, with the disc assembly used to interlock the panels, forming the finished structure. The support bands 27 are fitted between the panel comers such that the tabs 28 on the support band locks into the blanks 31 in the middle disc 30 at one side and with the corresponding middle disc at the next junction of panels. This covers the joints between the panels and serve as an extra support to make the structure more rigid. Finally, the upper disc 40 is placed on top of the disc 30 to hold the assembly together This further secures the support bands 17. The screws protruding through the holes 42 are secured with the nut 25.

[0025] The inside of the structure may be coated with a reflective substance such as paint or epoxy to make an inner surface that is smooth and suitable for projecting images.

[0026] The panels may be made of any suitable material but preferably aluminium as that is both a lightweight and strong material.

[0027] All panels are preferably of similar design, whether they are 5- or 6-sided. The only exception is the bottom panels which may be sheared off to fit a base.

[0028] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the tabs and blanks can be distributeddifferently and the numbers may vary. The location of blanks and tabs can also be varied and they can for example be distributed with one type along a side of the panel or they can alternate between tabs and blanks.] i

Claims

Claims

1. A spherical structure comprising a number of many-sided panels (11 , 12) mounted adjacent each other and joined together at their comers using locking means, characterized in that each panel (11 , 12) has a part-circular cutout at its corner such that when three adjacent panels are assembled the cutouts will form a circle and that a locking disc (20) is placed in the circle.

2. A spherical structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the panels (11 , 12) are 3-sided.

3. A spherical structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the panels (11 , 12) are a combination of 5-sided and 6-sided panels.

4. A spherical structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the disc has three blanks (21 ) that locks to a corresponding tab (16) in each panel.

5. A spherical structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that a side (13a) of a panel comprises locking means (14a, 14b) that interface with corresponding locking means (18a, 18b) in a side (13b) of an adjacent panel.

6. A spherical structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking means comprises tabs and blanks.

7. A spherical structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a second disc (30) joined to the first disc.

8. A spherical structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the second disc (30) comprises means (31 ) for interfacing with a support beam (27, 28).

9. A spherical structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third disc (40) that covers the first and second discs.

10. A spherical structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises screws (24) fastened to the panel (11 or 12) extending through holes (32, 42) in the middle and outer disc and capped with a nut (25).11 . Method for assembling a spherical structure comprising the following steps:- Calculating the size of the structure and the number and size of panels,- Cutting each panel (11 , 12) to the desired shape and curvature, including cutting indentations (14a, 14b) and protrusions (18a, 18b) in the sides (13a, 13b) of the panels,- Assembling the structure by locking the indentations and protrusions together including the provision of locking discs (20) placed in the corners joining three panels.

12. Method according to claim 11 comprising:- Attaching a second disc (30) to the first disc (20),- attaching a support band (27, 28) extending along the junction of panels, and- attaching a third disc (40) over the first and second disci

Images