Patent US3853721A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3918233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Construction system
Assignee: ROBERTSON-CECO Corp A DE CORP
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Filing: 1974-02-04
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A construction system is disclosed utilizing a prefabricated plank which can be assembled in contiguous, aligned relationship with other similar planks to form a construction section. The individual planks are of varying geometric shapes and are of a composite construction having a structural core with a flexible membrane covering. The core may be formed from foamed plastic, concrete or the like and the membrane a flexible plastic or light gauge metal. The membrane covering includes an edge flap portion adapted to overlie the marginal edge of the next adjacent plank to provide a continuous weatherproof seal between planks. The flaps are sealable by flexible fasteners carried on the membrane flap and marginal portion in the form of interlocking rib and groove elements. The groove and ribs may take various shapes such as a barb and socket and may also include provision for a marginal expansion joint to facilitate assembly of the membrane covering and eliminate expansion and contraction problems caused by temperature changes. In the corner area between adjacent planks, a compressive fastener seals between the converging edge seals to effect a weatherproof exterior. Another form of the edge seal is heat and pressure bended to weatherproof the system. The interlocking flexible structure is also adaptable to seal overlapping corrugated metal building panels. The individual planks can be assembled to form a roof, wall or any construction section. The present invention also discloses the construction of a geodesic dome using the planks of the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Graves Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:30
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04D; E04D3/00; E04D3/35; E04D3/358; E04B; E04B7/00; E04B7/08; E04B7/10; E04B7/105; E04D3/351; E04D3/352; E04D3/36; E04D3/3601; E04D3/361; E04D3/363; E04D3/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
The method of constructing a waterproof structure comprising: erecting a supporting substructure having a plurality of support points arranged in a geometric pattern, arranging a plurality of prefabricated, substantially rigid panels in contiguous edge-to-edge relationship, each panel having edges disposed adjacent at least three of the support points, each panel having a waterproof surface, at least a portion of the panels including a waterproof flexible flap extending from the waterproof surface such that at least one flap is provided for each adjacent pair of panel edges, the flaps extending along the respective edges of the panels between and terminating at the support points, sealing the flexible flaps to the waterproof surface of the acjacent panels to form a continuous waterproof surface except for openings at the support points, and fastening the panels to the support points of the substructure through the openings and sealing the openings at the support point to provide a continuous waterproof structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
The method of constructing a waterproof structure comprising: erecting a supporting substructure having a plurality of support points arranged in a geometric pattern, arranging a plurality of prefabricated, substantially rigid panels in contiguous edge-to-edge relationship, each panel having edges disposed adjacent at least three of the support points, each panel having a waterproof surface, at least a portion of the panels including a waterproof flexible flap extending from the waterproof surface such that at least one flap is provided for each adjacent pair of panel edges, the flaps extending along the respective edges of the panels between and terminating at the support points, sealing the flexible flaps to the waterproof surface of the acjacent panels to form a continuous waterproof surface except for openings at the support points, and fastening the panels to the support points of the substructure through the openings and sealing the openings at the support point to provide a continuous waterproof structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the panels are fastened to the support points by positioning a cap disposed above the waterproof surface, and overlying the openings so as to cover the openings and extend over the adjacent panels, and passing a fastener through the cap and through the opening and engaging the fastener with the substructure at the support point to clamp the panels between the cap and the substructure, and the openings are sealed by a mastic between the cap and the fastener and the surface of the panels which is flowed to form the seal as the cap is pulled toward the substructure by the fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible flaps are sealed by mechanically engaging tongue and groove fasteners on the adjacent edges of the panels.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of constructing a geodestic dome or the like comprising: erecting a supporting substructure of a plurality of strut members forming support points defining regular polygonal sections; arranging a plurality of prefabricated panels each conforming to the polygonal sections, each panel including one part of a mechanically sealable tongue and groove fastener along each edge of the panel, the fastener parts terminating near the ends of the respective edges of the panels, at least one fastener part on each adjacent pair of edges being on a flexible flap sized to bridge the space between the adjacent panels, each panel having a waterproof surface between the fastener parts; mechanically engaging the fastener parts along adjacent edges of the panels to form a continuous waterproof surface except foR openings at the corners of the adjacent panels; and fastening the panels to the substructure without penetrating the waterproof surface and sealing the openings at the corners to form a complete waterproof surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of constructing a geodestic dome or the like comprising: erecting a supporting substructure of a plurality of strut members forming support points defining regular polygonal sections; arranging a plurality of prefabricated panels each conforming to the polygonal sections, each panel including one part of a mechanically sealable tongue and groove fastener along each edge of the panel, the fastener parts terminating near the ends of the respective edges of the panels, at least one fastener part on each adjacent pair of edges being on a flexible flap sized to bridge the space between the adjacent panels, each panel having a waterproof surface between the fastener parts; mechanically engaging the fastener parts along adjacent edges of the panels to form a continuous waterproof surface except foR openings at the corners of the adjacent panels; and fastening the panels to the substructure without penetrating the waterproof surface and sealing the openings at the corners to form a complete waterproof surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the panels are fastened to the substructure by bolt means passed through a cap member and then through the corner openings, the cap member extending over the corners of the panels to connect the panels to the substructure and over the ends of the engaged fastener parts of all of the panels forming the corner openings, the cap member containing a flowable sealing means which is flowed around the bolt member and around the ends of the fastener parts to form the completed waterproof surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |