Patent · US Expired

Small building structure

US4091584A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
5References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 9, 1977
Grant dateMay 30, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A40/25
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A skeletal building frame and buildings configured therefrom that can be assembled and disassembled by unskilled personnel with a minimum of tools and connectors. A preferred embodiment is a module fabricated from lightweight, low cost polyvinyl tubing consisting of a rectangular base connected at its corners by elbows, a ridgepole supported by vertical members connected to the base end members, and a plurality of arcuate ribs formed by passing straight tubes through lateral openings in the ridgepole, bending the ends of the tubes downward and inserting in vertically disposed openings in the side members of the base. The tensions created from the bending of the straight tubes are utilized to maintain the integrity of the skeletal frame. The frame may be covered with translucent plastic film or fiberglass panels and utilized as a greenhouse, storage shelter, garage and the like. The frame may be fabricated in a variety of sizes and extended by joining two or more modules.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.