Assembly jig and use thereof for assembling dome section panels curved in two dimensions

Abstract

An adjustable jig for assembling curved section panels of a dome structure includes a support surface, multiple arm guide members disposed on the support surface and multiple drives independently moving each of the guide members to position the arm guide members along an arc of a desired curvature. Each arm guide member further includes an adjustable bracket positioning horizontal and vertical components of the curved section panels and a gripping device securing these horizontal and vertical components.

1 . An apparatus for assembling section panels of a dome structure, comprising:
 a support surface;   a plurality of guide members disposed on the support surface, each guide member further comprising an adjustable bracket positioning horizontal and vertical components of the section panels and a gripping device selectively securing horizontal and vertical components of the section panels; and   a plurality of drives independently moving each of the guide members to position the guide members along an arc of a desired curvature.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide members are arm carriages. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the arm carriages houses a pair of the adjustable brackets. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein a distance between the adjustable brackets on each arm carriage is adjustable to accommodate the vertical components, such that the distance between the adjustable brackets defines a first dimension of the section panels. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable brackets are configured to rotate to engage ends of the vertical components. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable brackets are configured to rotate to engage ends of the vertical components. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping device selectively securing the vertical and horizontal components is a clamp. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drives independently moving each of the guide members are configured to position the guide members along an arc that defines a second dimension of the section panels. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the drives independently moving each of the guide members is configured to move the guide members individually along designated curved paths, the curved paths being concentrically arranged. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a worm gear. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a hydraulic mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a pneumatic mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the means for independently moving each of the guide members is configured to move the guide members individually along designated straight paths, the straight paths being radially arranged on a semi-circular surface. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a worm gear. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a hydraulic mechanism. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the drives independently moving each of the guide members comprises a pneumatic mechanism. 
   
   
       17 . A method for assembling a dome section panel curved in two dimensions comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of guide members positioning horizontal and vertical components of the dome section panel, each guide member further comprising adjustable brackets positioning the horizontal and vertical components;   adjusting a distance between the adjustable brackets to accommodate dimensions of vertical ribs of the dome section panel;   adjusting positions of the guide members to define a desired radius of curvature;   placing a lower horizontal frame plate of the dome section panel on a lowermost of the adjustable brackets;   securing the lower horizontal frame plate;   placing an upper horizontal frame plate on an uppermost of the adjustable brackets;   securing the upper horizontal plate;   placing a lower posterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the lower horizontal frame plate, on the lowermost of the adjustable brackets;   fastening the lower posterior shoulder plate to the lower horizontal frame plate;   placing an upper posterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the upper horizontal frame plate, on the uppermost of the adjustable brackets;   fastening the upper posterior shoulder plate to the upper horizontal frame plate;   placing the vertical ribs between the lowermost and the uppermost horizontal frame plates, oriented perpendicular to the horizontal frame plates;   placing a lower anterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the lower horizontal frame plate, on the lowermost of the adjustable brackets;   fastening the lower anterior shoulder plate to the lower horizontal frame plate;   placing an upper anterior shoulder plate, oriented perpendicular to the upper horizontal frame plate, on the uppermost of the adjustable brackets; and   fastening the upper anterior shoulder plate to the upper horizontal frame.