DOOR ARRANGEMENT FOR TENSIONED MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

PORTE POUR STRUCTURE A MEMBRANE TENDUE

English Abstract

There is provided an opening structure for a tensioned membrane structure,
which structure includes a an arcuate, angular or other non-flat end, said
opening
structures comprising: an end part comprising at least a part of the end; a
pivot
associated with the end part for pivotal movement of the ends relative to the
structure part; a transport framework within the end part for maintaining the
integrity
of the tensioned membrane structure of the end part; and rollers operatively
connected at the bottom of the framework for rolling movement of the end part.

Claims

-5-
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An opening structure for a tensioned membrane structure, which structure
includes an arcuate, angular or other non-flat end, said opening structures
comprising:
an end part comprising at least a part of said end;
a pivot associated with said end part for pivotal movement of said ends
relative to said structure part;
a transport framework within said end part for maintaining the integrity of
the tensioned membrane structure of said end part; and
rollers operatively connected at the bottom of said framework for rolling
movement of said end part.
2. The structure of claim 1 comprising two said end parts which together
comprise
said end of said tensioned membrane structure.
3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said two end parts each comprise half of
said
end.
4. The structure of claim 2 wherein each said end part includes a framework
for
maintaining the integrity of each said part for all positions of said part.
5. The structure of claim 4 wherein each said end part is a self-supporting
structure.

Description

CA 02354412 2001-07-30
-1-
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to stressed membrane structures and to opening or
door
arrangements for such structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tensioned membrane structures have been in use for many years, and
in many situations offer advantages over conventional structures. One area
where such
structures are very attractive is for use as aircraft hangars.
In order to function effectively as aircraft hangars, it is necessary that
wide
opening doors be provided for ingress and egress of aircraft.
There has been an ongoing need for doors which will meet this objective
within the structural limitations of tension membrane structures. It is
preferable that
such doors retain the relocatabilitywhich has been the hallmark of tensioned
membrane
structures, while meeting structural criteria such as wind resistance.
The present invention arises against this background.
PRIOR ART
Applicant's prior U.S. Patent 5,283,993 illustrates a door arrangement for
tensioned membrane structures.

CA 02354412 2001-07-30
-2--
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an opening or a door arrangement
whereby an end of a tensioned membrane structure can be partly or fully opened
while
maintaining a tensioned condition of the end part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a
top plan view of a tensioned membrane structure, showing in ghost lines an
aircraft
within the structure; Figure 2 is a plan view showing a plan view of the
structure of claim
1 with doors in an open position; Figure 3 is a plan view of a door structure
illustrating
a partially opened situation; Figure 4 is a cross-section through a framework
of the door
structure illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a perspective view
illustrating a frame
structure for door structure of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Tensioned membrane structure 10 comprises a framework including
structural members 12 which support tensioned membrane 14.
Various bracing arrangements, such as cable bracing 16, may be utilized
where required in structure 10.

CA 02354412 2001-07-30
-3--
Structure 10 may be provided with doors such as personnel doors 18 and
sliding door 20. Various other features, such as skylight 22, may be included.
First and second end parts 24 and 26 respectively are preferably both
provided with respective pivot connections 28 and 30 by which parts 24 and 26
are
joined to main part 32 of structure 10.
Structure 10 will generally have a substantially semi-circular end 34, and
it is desirable that at least a part of end 34 can be opened to allow access
to the
structure for large objects. In the preferred case both end parts 24 and 26
are
rotatable, so that the entire end 34 of structure 10 can be opened to the full
width of the
structure 10.
In guiding the opening and closing of end parts 24 and 26, pivot
connections 28 and 30 are preferably positioning and guiding pivots only and
are not
intended to support any part of the weight of the associated end part.
Figure 3 illustrates the positioning of the frame structure that would
normally be a part of an end 34 of a structure 10, comprising the main
structural
members 36.
The door arrangement of the present invention preferably provides a
support structure 38 associated with each structural member 36. As illustrated
in Figure
4, the support structure 38 comprises horizontal beam 40, vertical beam 42 and
diagonal beams 44 and 46.
Each support structure 38 is preferably provided with rollers which are
preferably wheels and preferably at least two wheels 48 and 50.

CA 02354412 2001-07-30
-4--
It is the combination of the support structures 38 and wheels 48 and 50
which support the weight of end parts 24 and 26 in opening and closing the end
parts.
Figure 5 illustrates an essentially complete frame for each of end parts 24
and 26. This consists of the normal structural members 36 of structure 10 and,
as well,
usual structural members 52, extending between structural members 36.
In addition, Figure 5 illustrates transverse bracing arrangements 54
between vertical beams 42 and shown consisting of horizontal members 56 and
diagonal structure 58.
End parts 24 and 26 are thus each self supporting structures.
It is noted that bracing structure is required to provide rigidity and tension
to the end parts 24 and 26, and variations on the support structure are
therefore
permissible so long as those criteria are maintained.
Connecting and/or sealing means (not shown) are preferably provided
between end parts 24 and 26 in the closed position and between end parts 24
and 26
and main part 32 of structure 10 when the end parts are in the closed
position.
As well, a drive arrangement (not shown) may be provided for opening
and closing parts 24 and 26.
Parts 24 and 26 are preferably additionally stabilized in the open and
closed positions by the use of conventional aircraft tie-down systems.

Representative Drawing