Tile And Strut Construction System For Geodesic Dome

Abstract

The present invention sets forth a tile and strut construction system for a geodesic dome. The tile has a generally triangular shape, with the corners cut out to accommodate hubs which retain supporting struts in position. The tile has a faceted 3-dimensional upper surface, integrally molded reinforcing ribs, and a recess in the lower surface at each of its 3 edges.

1 . A tile for use in constructing a geodesic dome, said tile comprising a preformed unitary panel having a substantially polygonal shape having a predetermined number of side edges, said panel having:
 a plurality of side walls corresponding in number to said predetermined number of side edges, said side walls defining a central portion of the tile which is bound by said side walls, each side wall comprising an outer side, an inner side, and an upper side and a lower side, and each of said side walls having a stepped recess formed therein along the juncture of a lower edge of said outer side of said side wall and said lower side of said side wall;   a superior surface connected to each of said side walls, said superior surface having a non-planar, three-dimensional surface formed with planar surfaces extending up at an angle, with lower edges of said planar surfaces being located toward respective side edges of the panel, said planar surfaces extending upward as they approach the center of the panel;   a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed of the same material used to form said side walls and said superior surface, said reinforcement ribs being formed unitarily with said side walls and said superior surface.   
     
     
         2 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said panel further includes at each of the corners where two sides of said polygonal shape meet, a cut-away portion sized and shaped for accommodating a strut-retaining hub of a frame of a geodesic dome. 
     
     
         3 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said planar surfaces of said superior surface extend upwardly from said upper side of said side walls and meet at a high point at the center of the panel, and said side walls, together with said superior surface, form an interior cavity. 
     
     
         4 . A tile, as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of reinforcement ribs are located within said interior cavity. 
     
     
         5 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said panel further includes reinforcement elements embedded in the material thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said side walls are beveled, such that, when viewed from the side, the side walls are each wider at the top than at the bottom. 
     
     
         7 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said recesses extend along the full length of the lower edge of their respective side wall. 
     
     
         8 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , further including an inferior surface comprising a smooth, solid finished surface unitarily formed with the remainder of said panel. 
     
     
         9 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an inferior surface formed by a separate sheet of finishing material, said separate sheet comprising an upper surface, a lower surface having a desirable finish, and side edges,
 said separate sheet having a size and shape whereby said side edges of said separate sheet correspond with said side walls of said tile;   said upper surface of said separate sheet having a plurality of first structural elements located thereon;   said inferior surface of said panel having a plurality of second structural elements located thereon;   each of said plurality of first structural elements being located in a corresponding position a respective one of said plurality of second structural elements and being designed to mate therewith,   whereby placing said separate sheet of finishing material against said inferior surface of said tile enables said plurality of first structural elements to mate with said plurality of second structural elements to thereby retain said separate sheet of finishing material in position under the tile to provide a desirable finish on the underside of the tile.   
     
     
         10 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a flange extends from said superior surface on each of the side edges of the panel, said flange extending outwardly beyond each of said side walls of said tile. 
     
     
         11 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said recesses do not extend the full length of the lower edge of their respective side wall. 
     
     
         12 . A tile, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said planar surfaces of said superior surface are trapezoidal planar surfaces each having a longer parallel edge, a shorter parallel edge and two non-parallel side edges, the trapezoidal planar surfaces being equal in number to said number of side walls and having the longer parallel edge of each trapezoid abutting a lower end of the inner side of a respective side wall of the panel, the trapezoid planar surfaces each extending up at an angle until the shorter parallel edge of each of the trapezoids all abut side edges of a polygonal planar top segment that has the same number of side edges as the number of side walls, said top segment serving to connect said trapezoidal planar surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . A tile, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of reinforcement ribs are located on top of said superior surface of said panel. 
     
     
         14 . A tile, as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said reinforcement ribs are of uniform height. 
     
     
         15 . A tile, as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the height of said reinforcement ribs tapers from a larger height for the portion of the ribs nearest to the side walls of the panel to a smaller height for the portion of the ribs closest to the center point of said panel. 
     
     
         16 . A tile, as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said ribs are located over the entire superior surface of said panel. 
     
     
         17 . A tile, as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said ribs are located over only said trapezoidal planar surfaces, and the central polygonal planar top segment is free from ribs. 
     
     
         18 . A tile, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said recesses extend along the full length of the lower edge of their respective side wall. 
     
     
         19 . A tile, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the longer parallel sides of each of said trapezoidal planar surfaces extend along the entire length of the side walls of the panel and the non-parallel side edges of adjacent trapezoidal planar surfaces abut one another. 
     
     
         20 . A tile, as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the longer parallel sides of each of said trapezoidal planar surfaces extend along only a portion of the length of the side walls of the panel, leaving gaps between the non-parallel side edges of adjacent trapezoidal planar surfaces, each of said gaps being respectively filled with first and second substantially triangular pieces,
 wherein said first substantially triangular piece is located in the same plane as the lower side of the side walls with two of its three sides abutting respective adjacent side walls and the third of its three sides abutting a first side of said second substantially triangular piece,   and wherein said second substantially triangular piece is oriented at an angle, with its first side in the same plane as the lower side of the side walls, and said second substantially triangular piece extending upwardly with its second and third sides abutting the non-parallel side edges of respective adjacent trapezoidal planar surfaces, with the highest point of said second substantially triangular piece contacting a corner of said polygonal planar top segment.