U.S. patent application number 12/258423 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for tapered hexagon building block.
Invention is credited to Terah Earl Woodcock.
Application Number | 20090113815 12/258423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40586703 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090113815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Woodcock; Terah Earl |
May 7, 2009 |
Tapered Hexagon Building Block
Abstract
A tapered hexagon building block and a method for building
spherical and hemispherical structures from the building block
disclosed. The building block can have both a male and a female
element for use as an interlocking mechanism for added strength and
fitting guidance during construction. The block can be sized for
use both as a toy and for use in building temporary or permanent
spherical and hemispherical structures. The blocks can be composed
of any suitable building material such as the group composed of
glass, wood, metal, plastic, quartz, sand, ceramic, clay, brick,
concrete, carbon, compressed soot, or any other such building
material suitable for the use of the specific structure. The block
can be solid or hollow and can be made of any clear material with
thin walls to promote the passage of light or solid and opaque to
block the passage of light. The block can be sized to accommodate
the size of the spherical, or hemispherical structure desired, and
the structures formed with the blocks can be assembled with or
without permanent bonding agents or other connecting devices. Due
to the nature of the tapered hexagon shape of the block, the
structure formed becomes stronger with each successive layer of
blocks added as a result of compression strength. When the blocks
are made with a semisolid or malleable material, the blocks within
the structure meld together under pressure from the structure mass
to form a single solid spherical or hemispherical component.
Inventors: |
Woodcock; Terah Earl; (Santa
Fe, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILSON DANIEL SWAYZE, JR.
3804 CLEARWATER CT.
PLANO
TX
75025
US
|
Family ID: |
40586703 |
Appl. No.: |
12/258423 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61000708 |
Oct 26, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/81.1 ;
52/608 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/327 20130101;
E04B 1/3211 20130101; E04B 2/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/81.1 ;
52/608 |
International
Class: |
E04B 7/08 20060101
E04B007/08; E04C 1/00 20060101 E04C001/00 |
Claims
1. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure, comprising: a building block; wherein the building block
is tapered; wherein the building block is hexagonal; wherein the
building block includes a first three sides and a second three
sides opposing the first three sides; wherein the first three sides
are near identical to the second three sides.
2. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein the building block is adapted to
be used in a spherical structure.
3. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein the building block is adapted to
be used in a hemispherical structure.
4. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first
three sides includes a concave surface.
5. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the second
three sides includes a concave surface.
6. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first
three sides includes a convex surface.
7. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the second
three sides includes a convex surface.
8. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first
three sides includes a flat surface.
9. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the second
three sides includes a flat surface.
10. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first and
second sides includes an inside flat surface.
11. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first and
second sides includes a inside concave surface.
12. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first and
second sides includes an outside convex surface.
13. A building block apparatus adapted to be used to form a
structure as in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first and
second sides includes a outside flat surface.
14. A structure formed from building blocks, comprising: a first
block; a second block for cooperating with the first block to form
a portion of the structure; wherein the first building block is
tapered; wherein the first building block is hexagonal; wherein the
first building block includes a first three sides and a second
three sides opposing the first three sides; wherein the first three
sides are near identical to the second three sides.
15. A structure formed from building blocks as in claim 14, wherein
the second building block is tapered; wherein the second building
block is hexagonal; wherein the second building block includes a
first three sides and a second three sides opposing the first three
sides; wherein the first three sides are near identical to the
second three sides.
16. A structure formed from building blocks as in claim 14, wherein
the structure is a spherical structure.
17. A structure formed from building blocks as in claim 14, wherein
the structure is a hemispherical structure.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This is based upon provisional patent Ser. No. 61/000,708
with the filing date of Oct. 26, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a building block
apparatus, and more specifically a tapered hexagon building block,
with either flat, concave or convex outside and inside arc
surfaces, or a combination thereof, that forms a tessellation of
hexagons in a mosaic pattern to build geometric structures in the
shape of a sphere or hemisphere. Due to the shape of the tapered
hexagon building block, when fitted together with sufficient other
such building blocks, the naturally occurring structure is that of
a sphere or hemisphere.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Architects, engineers and science fiction writers have long
dreamed of glass domed cities, both on earth and for construction
on earth's moon and on other planets when eventually colonized. The
purpose of the dome is to provide a controlled atmosphere and
environment that is both desirable and perhaps necessary. The
benefits of living in a glass domed city include, among many other
things, an enclosed space free of structural supports, an
environment free from exposure to the elements, a temperature and
moisture controlled atmosphere, and protection from devastating
natural catastrophes such as those created by tornadoes and
hurricanes through the inherent structural strength of the
aerodynamic structure.
[0004] According to public records, the first architectural
structure that can be called a "geodesic dome" was designed by
Walther Bauersfeld, chief engineer of the Carl Zeiss optical
company, in the early 1920s. The dome was patented and constructed
by the Dykerhoff and Wydmann firm as a planetarium on the roof of
the Zeiss plant in Jena, Germany, and opened to the public in about
1922.
[0005] Some thirty years later Richard Buckminster Fuller further
investigated this concept and named the structure the "geodesic
dome" from field experiments with Kenneth Snelson and others at
Black Mountain College in the late 1940s. Then, in 1954 Fuller
patented the "Geodesic Dome" (U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,235) in which he
devised a method of assembling triangular components to form a
"three-way grid` of structural members to construct geodesic
structures. In three successive patents issued in 1959, (U.S. Pat.
Nos. 2,881,717, 2,919,074 and 2,914,074) Fuller further refined the
method of construction geodesic domes that remain in use today.
Again in 1965 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,927), Fuller further refined the
invention with a hexagon framework that pieces together for
constructing geodesic domes. Today, the larger, more modern
geodesic structures now use this method of construction.
[0006] Since Fuller's initial patent, thousands of geodesic domes
have been constructed around the world. Other inventors, building
on Fuller's ideas, have patented other variations in methods and/or
apparatus for constructing the geodesic dome. Since Fuller's first
patent, architects and engineers have managed to built small
examples of geodesic dome architecture for practical use on a
limited scale.
[0007] Dome examples include Fantasy Entertainment Complex, Kyosho
Isle, Japan, which boast a dome that is 710 feet in diameter, the
Multi-Purpose Arena dome, Nagoya, Japan, is 614 feet in diameter,
and the great Mall of America dome covers about 80 acres of floor
space, has 500 stores, 80 restaurants and an indoor amusement park.
Others include Biosphere 2 which is a large glass laboratory dome
that covers a little more than three acres, and the Eden
greenhouses in Cornwall, UK are a composition of geodesic domes
that cover about five acres. In a departure from Fuller's
traditional dome construction, an unusual stadium dome, located in
British Columbia, is composed of a fabric shell held up by air
pressure. In this stadium, sixteen large fans provide the air
pressure to support the dome.
[0008] One thing that the larger traditional geodesic domes have in
common, is that they require an elaborate supporting structural
framework. Fitted triangles arranged into varying geometrical
patterns, or hexagonal patterns, are attached to a proportionally
curved framework. In existing structures, many flat panels are
formed into triangles, pentagons, hexagons or other polygons and
are pieced together to form the curved surface. Today's geodesic
designs are remarkable in that in most, if not all, structures,
none of the individual pieces are curved, but are arranged together
in such a manner as to form the somewhat rounded structure.
[0009] Additionally, the supporting framework for the dome must be
assembled along with the construction of an elaborate scaffolding
that provides a platform for the assembly of the framework and
application of the covering. The scaffolding erected during the
Eden Project was so elaborate that designers and contractors
received construction awards as the first of its size. The need for
the supporting framework and the scaffolding during construction,
makes it virtually impossible to construct domes of a significant
size. Such requirements also makes it impossible to construct a
dome over an existing city or even over a large portion of an
existing city.
[0010] Notwithstanding Fuller's work and the continuing work of
other inventors, a practical method of covering an area the size of
a large city with a glass dome has eluded creative minds, until the
present invention. The present invention consist of a simple
tapered hexagon building block that fits together with other such
blocks to form a round surface, geodesic sphere or hemisphere. The
structure does not need a supporting framework and can be assembled
without the need of constructing an elaborate scaffolding
platform.
[0011] When building large structures, sections of the tapered
hexagon building blocks may be assembled on the ground and fitted
into position with large cranes and, as the structure increases in
size, with construction helicopters. The size of the domed
structures that can be constructed is virtually without upper
limits. Theoretically, with use of the tapered hexagon building
block, dome size may even approach and/or exceed 10 miles in
diameter and five miles high, the height of Mt. Everest from sea
level.
[0012] The use of translucent building blocks, such as glass blocks
for both interior and exterior construction is well known, as is
solid building blocks. However, in the present state of the art in
accordance with the present invention, there is no similar tapered
hexagon building block designed to independently construct
spherical or hemispherical structures.
[0013] Notwithstanding the conspicuous absence of tapered hexagon
building block in the state of the art, other inventors have
created both hollow and solid glass bricks. For instance, in 1811,
C. W. McLean patented, U.S. Pat. No. 250,635, a "Glass Building
Blocks For Sea Walls." In 1884, F. H. Shaw patented, U.S. Pat. No.
298,418, "Bricks Made of Glass," and in 1889 G. Falconnier, U.S.
Pat. No. 402,073, patented a "Glass Building Block" for vertical
walls in which one design was six sided but not hexagonal in
shape.
[0014] A more recent "Building Block" was patented in 1937 by J. C.
Keaney, U.S. Pat. No. 2,086,185, in a hexagonal shape for
constructing vertical walls. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,281,524, 4,636,413,
4,651,486, 4,719,735, 4,753,622, 4,852,321, 4,922,678, 5,067,295,
claim various building block designs, all designed for vertical
walls and/or for cornering vertical walls. The absence of the
tapered hexagonal design within the state of the art within more
than 127 years of building blocks designs, attest to the fact that
the "tapered hexagonal building block" was historically, and is,
far from the "logical next step."
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a translucent or opaque, tapered hexagon building block and a
method for building spherical and hemispherical structures. The
building block consist of a pair of outside and inside flat or
rounded arc surfaces with edges that are hexagonal in shape. The
block has three pairs (six sides) of identical opposing tapering
walls that together form a tapered hexagon shape and connect the
outside and inside arc surfaces to form a hollow or solid, tapered
hexagon building block. Each block may be fitted with both a male
and female locking mechanism on opposing sides, that may be about
one-fourth the length of the block, as a guide during construction
and to lock the blocks together for a permanent fit.
[0016] The outside and inside arc surfaces have a preselected
outside and inside arc length, either flat, convex or concave, or a
combination thereof. The ratio of the outside arc length and inside
arc length are predetermined. The ratio is based upon one degree of
arc, or upon any multiple number of degrees of a circle, or a
fractional length of one degree of arc as required for the size of
the desired geodesic sphere or geodesic dome project.
[0017] The copasetic inside and outside arc length, with any size
ratio, may be designed in a configuration that is necessary for the
size and stability of the spherical or hemispherical project
desired. A sufficient number of blocks fitted together, in any arc
length and size ratio, will form either a sphere or a
hemisphere.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a geodesic sphere composed
of the tapered hexagon building blocks.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a geodesic hemisphere
composed of the tapered hexagon building blocks sitting on a raised
foundation representing a possible construction format for a domed
city.
[0020] FIG. 3A is a front, FIG. 3B, a side view, FIG. 3C a back
view, FIG. 3D a top view, and FIG. 3E an isometric view of the
tapered hexagon building block, in a design ratio of 2:1. FIG.
3B(a) illustrates a convex outside arc surface and FIG. 3B(b) a
concave inside arc surface, FIG. 3B(c) shows the male and FIG.
3B(d) the female interlocking mechanism.
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4E are five side views of the hexagon building
block, in a design ratio of 2:1, showing varying inside and outside
edge configurations. FIG. 4A illustrates a convex outside arc
surface and a concave inside arc surface, FIG. 4B shows a convex
outside arc surface and a flat inside arc surface, FIG. 4C shows a
flat outside arc surface and a flat inside arc surface, FIG. 4D
shows a flat outside arc surface and a concave inside arc surface,
and FIG. 4E illustrates a flat outside arc surface and a convex
inside arc surface.
[0022] FIGS. 5A-5H are five side views of the hexagon building
block, with a convex outside arc surface and a concave inside arc
surface, illustrating various design ratios of block lengths in
relationship to the arc length of the outside arc surface of the
block. FIG. 5A illustrates a 2:1 ratio, FIG. 5B shows a 3:1 ratio,
FIG. 5C shows a 6:1 ratio, FIG. 5D shows a 9:1 ratio, FIG. 5E shows
an 12:1 ratio, FIG. 5F shows a 16:1 ratio, FIG. 5G shows a 24:1
ratio, and FIG. 5H illustrates a 30:1 ratio. In each illustration,
the first number represents the relationship of the length of the
block in regard to the "1" which represents the block outside arc
length.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention consist of a translucent or opaque,
tapered hexagon building block and a method of constructing curved,
FIGS. 1 & 2, spherical, FIG. 1, and hemispherical, FIG. 2,
structures. The illustration in FIG. 1, demonstrates a spherical
structure constructed with multiple units of the tapered hexagon
building block. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a geodesic
dome (hemisphere), sitting on a supporting foundation, constructed
with the tapered hexagon building blocks in a manner that might be
used to span a city.
[0024] The building block consist of a pair of outside, FIG. 3B(a),
and inside flat or rounded arc surfaces, FIG. 3B(b), with edges
that are hexagonal in shape, FIG. 3A. The block has three pairs
(six sides) of identical opposing tapering walls, FIG. 3A, that
together form a tapered hexagonal configuration which connect the
outside and inside arc surfaces to form either a hollow or a solid,
tapered hexagon building block, FIG. 3E. Each block may be fitted
with both a male, FIG. 3B(c), and female, FIG. 3B(d), locking
mechanism on opposing sides that may be any size or, preferably,
one-fourth the length of the block.
[0025] The tapered hexagon building block, as illustrated in FIG.
4A-4E, represents a design ratio of 2:1, and demonstrates, but does
not limit, varying outside and inside edge configurations that may
be employed in the design of the block. The outside and inside arc
surfaces have preselected copasetic arc lengths which may be flat,
convex, or concave or any intermixed combination thereof. The
combinations may be either a convex outside and a concave inside,
FIG. 4A; a convex outside and a flat inside, FIG. 4B; a flat
outside and a flat inside, FIG. 4C; a flat outside and a concave
inside, FIG. 4D; a flat outside and a convex inside, or any other
combination thereof. The outside and inside surface arc lengths are
based upon one degree of arc, or upon any multiple number of
degrees, or a fractional length of one degree of arc, depending
upon the size of the spherical or hemispherical project desired. As
illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5H the building block may be any length to
arc ratio that promotes stability for the size of the project.
[0026] Accordingly, a block with a one inch outside surface arc
would require 360 blocks fitted together to form a circle of blocks
with a 360 inch outside circumference (30 feet) [360 degree
circle.times.one inch outside surface arc length=360 inch outside
circumference]. With a 4:1 building ratio (four inches long for
each outside surface arc inch), a block with an outside one inch
arch length is four inches long, and has an inside surface arc
length of 0.93018 inches. The 360 block configuration has an inside
circumference of 334.8673 inches, 27.9056 feet, and a diameter of
9.5493 feet. [360 degree circle.times.0.983018 inch inside arc
length=334.8673 inch inside circumference.] Sufficient blocks
fitted together would form a small hemisphere, FIG. 2, about 4.7747
feet high.
[0027] On a somewhat larger scale for example, a block with a 10
inch outside surface arc length, FIG. 3B(a), requires 360 blocks to
fit together to form a circle of blocks with a 3,600 inch, 300
feet, outside circumference. With a randomly chosen 10:1 building
ratio, FIG. 5F, (10 inches long for each outside surface arc inch),
a block with a 10 inch arc length, would be 100 inches long (8.3333
feet), and have an inside surface arc length of 8.2547 inches,
0.6879 feet. The 360 block configuration has an inside
circumference of 2,971.6821 inches, 247.6402 feet, and an inside
diameter of 78.8264 feet. [360 degree circle.times.8.2547 inch
inside arc length=2,971.6821 inch, or 78.8264 feet, inside
diameter.]
[0028] In a reverse building mode, in order to construct a larger
geodesic dome, FIG. 2, with a one-half mile diameter and a
one-fourth mile height, requires only a simple calculations to
determine the required size of the tapered hexagon building block.
A one-half mile diameter hemisphere dome, 2,640 feet, equals
8,293.7876 feet in circumference. [3.14159 (pi).times.2,649 feet
diameter=8,293.7876.] The outside circumference divided by 360
degrees (one arc degree) equals 23.0383 feet arc length per tapered
hexagon building block. A 23.0383 foot arc length block; with a 2:1
construction ratio, would be about 46.0766 feet long. A block of
this size may be difficult to manufacture in sufficient quantities
in today's technology. Therefore, the building block may be divided
into any number of fractional units of the one degree of arc, the
total of which would equal the 23.0383 foot composite tapered
hexagon building block.
[0029] Additionally, block length is not limited to demonstrated
ratios as shown in FIG. 5A-5H, but may be any ratio that provides
the desired stability for the size of the project contemplated.
Projects that may be of substantial size, measured in kilometers or
miles in diameter and/or circumference, may have less, or even
greater ratios for both structural stability and for anchoring the
structure to the earth. The outside and inside arc length of such a
project would be measured in fractions of one degree of arc that
would fit together to form the requisite one degree of arc
composite block. Additionally, the building block is not limited in
size, but may be large enough to provide interior interactive
space. The interactive space may be used for storage, electrical
generation from solar energy, living accommodations, or other such
uses.
* * * * *