Modular dome-like structure and voussoirs and keystone used to construct the dome-like structure

Abstract

A modular dome-like structure comprises a semispheric wall. A lowermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of springers. An intermediate course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type. A second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type. An uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall is constructed using a plurality of a third voussoir type. The modular dome-like structure may have a cap constructed using a plurality of fourth voussoir type and a keystone or the modular dome-like structure may have an oculus. The modular dome-like structure may further include a lateral opening in the semispheric wall. The lowermost course and the intermediate course may be laid in a stretcher bond.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular dome-like structure comprising:
 a semispheric wall;   a lowermost course of the semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of springers;   an intermediate course of the semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type;   a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and   an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall being constructed of a third voussoir type.   
     
     
         2 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  further including a cap, the cap being constructed using a fourth voussoir type and a keystone. 
     
     
         3 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  further including an oculus. 
     
     
         4 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  further including a lateral opening in the semispheric wall. 
     
     
         5 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a voussoir in an uppermost course of the semispheric wall to extends across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall. 
     
     
         6 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall extends across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course 
     
     
         7 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lowermost course of the semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall are laid in a stretcher bond. 
     
     
         8 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 1  further including a floor and a tension strip about the floor. 
     
     
         9 . A modular half dome-like structure comprising:
 a half semispheric wall;   a lowermost course of the half semispheric wall being constructed using plurality of springers;   an intermediate course of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a first voussoir type;   a second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and   an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a third voussoir type; and   a half cap of the half semispheric wall being constructed using a plurality of a fourth voussoir type and a keystone.   
     
     
         10 . The modular half dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 9  wherein a voussoir in an uppermost course of the half semispheric wall to extends across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the half semispheric wall. 
     
     
         11 . The modular half dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 9  wherein a voussoir in a second to the outermost course of the half semispheric wall extends across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course. 
     
     
         12 . The modular half dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the lowermost course of the half semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall are laid in a stretcher bond. 
     
     
         13 . A modular dome-like structure comprising:
 an inner dome; and   an outer dome disposed about the inner dome.   
     
     
         14 . The modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 13  further including foam disposed between the inner dome and the outer dome. 
     
     
         15 . A method of constructing a dome-like structure comprising:
 constructing a lowermost course of a semispheric wall using a plurality of springers;   constructing an intermediate course of the semispheric wall using a plurality of a first voussoir type;   constructing a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall using a plurality of a second voussoir type; and   constructing an uppermost course and third to uppermost of the semispheric wall using of a third voussoir type.   
     
     
         16 . The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 15  further including constructing a cap using a fourth voussoir type and a keystone. 
     
     
         17 . The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 15  including extending a voussoir in an uppermost course of the semispheric wall to across substantially one-quarter of a first voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall and substantially three-quarters of a second voussoir in the second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall. 
     
     
         18 . The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 15  including extending a voussoir in a second to uppermost course of the semispheric wall across substantially three voussoirs in a third to uppermost course. 
     
     
         19 . The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in  claim 15  including laying the lowermost course of the semispheric wall and the intermediate course of the semispheric wall in a stretcher bond. 
     
     
         20 . The method of constructing a modular dome-like structure as claimed in any one of  claims 15  to  19  further including coupling a voussoir in a lower course to a voussoir in an upper course with a tension strap to apply tension to the voussoir in the upper course to maintain the voussoir in the upper course in a position.