Cladding for a domed structure

Abstract

Cladding for a domed structure bridges gaps between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding preferably utilizes adjustable cladding panels and bridges to bridge the gap between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding is particularly suited for doubly curved surfaces.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A building, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a first panel coupled to the support structure;    a second panel coupled to the support structure, wherein at least a portion of the second panel is separated from the first panel by a gap; and    a clip coupled to the support structure adapted to couple the first panel to the second panel, wherein the size of the clip is adjustable.    
     
     
         2 . The building of    claim 1   , wherein the first and second panels are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         3 . The building of    claim 1   , wherein the support structure comprises a free span support structure.  
     
     
         4 . The building of    claim 1   , wherein the support structure comprises a space frame structure.  
     
     
         5 . The building of    claim 1   , wherein the first panel includes a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the second panel includes a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, and the clip includes a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the seam members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned in an overlapping relationship.  
     
     
         6 . The building of    claim 5   , wherein the plane members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         7 . A roofing system for a building, comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel, wherein at least a portion of the second panel is separated from the first panel by a gap; and    a clip adapted to couple the first panel to the second panel, wherein the extension of the clip above the first and second panels the first and second panels is adjustable.    
     
     
         8 . The roofing system of    claim 7   , wherein the first and second panels are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         9 . The roofing system of    claim 7   , wherein the first panel includes a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the second panel includes a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, and the clip includes a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the seam members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned in an overlapping relationship.  
     
     
         10 . The roofing system of    claim 9   , wherein the plane members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         11 . A coupling for use in joining sections of a roofing system, comprising: 
 a base member; and    a seam member extending from the base member adapted to join the sections of the roofing system, wherein the extension of the seam member from the base member is adjustable.    
     
     
         12 . A building, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a first panel coupled to the support structure, the first panel including a plane member and a seam member extending in an approximately orthogonal direction from the plane member;    a second panel coupled to the support structure and the first panel, the second panel including a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the outline of the cross sectional shape of the seam member of the second panel is approximately trapezoidal, and wherein at least a portion of the plane member of the first panel is separated from the plane member of the second panel by a gap; and    wherein the seam members of the first and second panels bridge the gap.    
     
     
         13 . The building of    claim 12   , further comprising: 
 a clip coupled to the support structure and the first and second panels, the clip including a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the outline of the cross sectional shape of the seam member of the clip is approximately trapezoidal; and    wherein the seam members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned in an overlapping relationship.    
     
     
         14 . The building of    claim 13   , wherein the plane members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         15 . The building of    claim 13   , wherein the plane members of the first and second panels are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         16 . The building of    claim 12    wherein the support structure comprises a free span support structure.  
     
     
         17 . The building of    claim 12   , wherein the support structure comprises a space frame structure.  
     
     
         18 . A roofing system for a building, comprising: 
 a first panel including a plane member and a seam member extending in an approximately orthogonal direction from the plane member;    a second panel coupled to the first panel, the second panel including a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the outline of the cross sectional shape of the seam member of the second panel is approximately trapezoidal, and wherein at least a portion of the plane member of the first panel is separated from the plane member of the second panel by a gap; and    wherein the seam members of the first and second panels bridge the gap.    
     
     
         19 . The roofing system of    claim 18   , further comprising: 
 a clip coupled to the first and second panels, the clip including a plane member and a seam member extending from the plane member, wherein the outline of the cross sectional shape of the seam member of the clip is approximately trapezoidal; and    wherein the seam members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned in an overlapping relationship.    
     
     
         20 . The roofing system of    claim 19   , wherein the plane members of the first panel, second panel and clip are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         21 . The roofing system of    claim 18   , wherein the plane members of the first and second panels are positioned within a doubly curved surface.  
     
     
         22 . A method of constructing buildings, comprising the steps of: 
 constructing a space frame structure; and    constructing a roofing structure onto the space frame structure, the roofing structure including a plurality of roofing panels having substantially vertically aligned seam members that are coupled by roofing clips; wherein the roofing structure is constructed by the following;    deforming the seam members of adjacent roofing panels;    adjusting the size of the clips; and    coupling the deformed seam members using the adjusted clips.