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A self-bracing shelter includes a frame and a skin. First and second subframes are arranged in vertical planes, each including first and second feet and a central portion. A ridge beam extends axially between the first and second subframes and includes opposite first and second ends that extend axia

A self-bracing shelter includes a frame and a skin. First and second subframes are arranged in vertical planes, each including first and second feet and a central portion. A ridge beam extends axially between the first and second subframes and includes opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively, such that the opposite ends of the beam are located outside a footprint of a planform defined by the feet of the subframes. A first pair of outer tension members is connected between the first end of the beam and the first subframe on opposite sides of the beam. A second pair of outer tension members is connected between the second end of the beam and the second subframe on opposite sides of the beam.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A self-bracing shelter comprising: a frame and a skin connected to said frame to define an internal space; said frame comprising: first and second subframes arranged in respective vertical planes, each subframe comprising first and second feet adapted to engage a support surface and a central por

1. A self-bracing shelter comprising: a frame and a skin connected to said frame to define an internal space; said frame comprising: first and second subframes arranged in respective vertical planes, each subframe comprising first and second feet adapted to engage a support surface and a central portion that extends between and interconnects said first and second feet, wherein each of first and second subframes comprises an apex and defines an arch;a ridge beam that extends axially between and interconnects the first and second subframes, said ridge beam located adjacent said apex of each subframe and comprising opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively, such that said opposite first and second ends of said ridge beam are located outside a habitable footprint of a planform defined by said feet of said first and second subframes;a first pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said first pair connected at an outer end to said first end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said first pair connected at an inner end to said first subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said first pair of outer tension members are connected to said first subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;a second pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said second pair connected at an outer end to said second end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said second pair connected at an inner end to said second subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said second pair of outer tension members are connected to said second subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;wherein said first and second pairs of outer tension members urge the first and second sub-frames outwardly away from each other;said first and second subframes each comprising a segmented arch subframe comprising: left and right upper linear segments that converge to define said apex; left and right lower linear segments connected respectively to the left and right upper linear segments and that are arranged vertically; and left and right shoulders defined respectively where said left and right upper linear segments join said left and right lower linear segments;wherein: said inner ends of said first pair of outer tension members are respectively connected to said first subframe adjacent said left and right shoulders of said first subframe; and,said inner ends of said second pair of outer tension members are respectively connected to said second subframe adjacent said left and right shoulders of said second subframe. 2. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ridge beam is located at and secured to said apex of each subframe, said ridge beam located either under said apex and inside said arch defined by each subframe or on top of and outside said arch defined by each subframe. 3. A self-bracing shelter comprising: a frame and a skin connected to said frame to define an internal space; said frame comprising: first and second subframes arranged in respective vertical planes, each subframe comprising first and second feet adapted to engage a support surface and a central portion that extends between and interconnects said first and second feet, each of said first and second subframes comprising an apex and defining an arch;a ridge beam that extends axially between and interconnects the first and second subframes, said ridge beam located adjacent said apex of each subframe and comprising opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively, such that said opposite first and second ends of said ridge beam are located outside a habitable footprint of a planform defined by said feet of said first and second subframes;a first pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said first pair connected at an outer end to said first end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said first pair connected at an inner end to said first subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said first pair of outer tension members are connected to said first subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;a second pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said second pair connected at an outer end to said second end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said second pair connected at an inner end to said second subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said second pair of outer tension members are connected to said second subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;wherein said first and second pairs of outer tension members urge the first and second sub-frames outwardly away from each othera first pair of inner tension members attached to and extending between said first and second subframes and arranged in a crossing diagonal “X-shaped” pattern on a first lateral side of frame;a second pair of inner tension members attached to and extending between said first and second subframes and arranged in a crossing diagonal “X-shaped” pattern on a second lateral side of frame. 4. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second subframes each comprise a segmented arch subframe each comprising: left and right upper linear segments that converge to define said apex;left and right lower linear segments connected respectively to the left and right upper linear segments and that are arranged vertically. 5. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second subframes each comprise a continuous arch subframe. 6. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said first pair of inner tension members comprises a first inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a first one of said feet of said first subframe and said second subframe, and a second inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a first one of said feet of said second subframe and said first subframe;said second pair of inner tension members comprises a first inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a second one of said feet of said first subframe and said second subframe, and a second inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a second one of said feet of said second subframe and said first subframe. 7. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 3, wherein said skin comprises a fabric skin. 8. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 7, wherein said skin comprises triangular vestibule panels located between the ridge beam and the first and second pairs of outer tension members. 9. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 8, wherein said vestibule panels comprise respective reinforced edges that provide said first and second pairs of outer tension members. 10. A self-bracing shelter comprising: a frame and a skin connected to said frame to define an internal space; said frame comprising: first and second subframes arranged in respective vertical planes, each subframe comprising first and second feet adapted to engage a support surface and a central portion that extends between and interconnects said first and second feet;a ridge beam that extends axially between and interconnects the central portion of the first and second subframes, said ridge beam comprising opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively;a first pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said first pair connected at an outer end to said first end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said first pair connected at an inner end to said first subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said first pair of outer tension members are connected to said first subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;a second pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said second pair connected at an outer end to said second end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said second pair connected at an inner end to said second subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said second air of outer tension members are connected to said second subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;wherein said first and second pairs of outer tension members urge the first and second sub-frames outwardly away from each other;and wherein said skin comprises a fabric skin fabricated with diagonal webbing reinforcement to increase resistance to longitudinal loads on said self-bracing shelter. 11. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 10, wherein said opposite first and second ends of said ridge beam are located outside a habitable footprint of a planform defined by said feet of said first and second subframes. 12. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said first and second subframes comprises an apex and defines an arch, and wherein said ridge beam is located adjacent said apex of each subframe. 13. The self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second subframes comprise segmented, foldable metal or composite assemblies. 14. A self-bracing shelter comprising: a frame and a skin connected to said frame to define an internal space; said frame comprising: first and second subframes arranged in respective vertical planes, each subframe comprising first and second feet adapted to engage a support surface and a central portion that extends between and interconnects said first and second feet;a ridge beam that extends axially between and interconnects the central portion of the first and second subframes, said ridge beam comprising opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively;a first pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said first pair connected at an outer end to said first end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said first pair connected at an inner end to said first subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said first pair of outer tension members are connected to said first subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;a second pair of outer tension members, each tension member of said second pair connected at an outer end to said second end of said ridge beam and each tension member of said second pair connected at an inner end to said second subframe, wherein said respective inner ends of said second pair of outer tension members are connected to said second subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam at a location spaced laterally from said ridge beam;wherein said first and second pairs of outer tension members urge the first and second sub-frames outwardly away from each other;and wherein said first and second subframes comprise curved inflatable tubular structures. 15. A method of providing a self-bracing shelter, said method comprising: erecting a frame and connecting a fabric skin to said frame to define an internal space, said step of erecting a frame comprising:arranging first and second subframes in respective vertical planes, each subframe comprising first and second feet adapted to engage a support surface and a central portion that extends between and interconnects said first and second feet;connecting a ridge beam to said first and second subframes so that said ridge beam extends axially between and interconnects the central portions of the first and second subframes, said ridge beam comprising opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively;connecting a first pair of outer tension members between said first end of said ridge beam and said first subframe, wherein respective outer ends of said first pair of outer tension members are connected to said first end of said ridge beam and respective inner ends of said first pair of outer tension members are connected to said first subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam and spaced laterally outward from said ridge beam, to urge said first subframe outwardly away from said second subframe;connecting a second pair of outer tension members between said second end of said ridge beam and said second subframe, wherein respective outer ends of said second pair of outer tension members are connected to said second end of said ridge beam and respective inner ends of said second pair of outer tension members are connected to said second subframe on opposite lateral sides of said ridge beam and spaced laterally outward from said ridge beam, to urge said second subframe outwardly away from said first subframe;providing a first pair of inner tension members attached to and extending between said first and second subframes and arranged in a crossing diagonal “X-shaped” pattern on a first lateral side of frame;providing a second pair of inner tension members attached to and extending between said first and second subframes and arranged in a crossing diagonal “X-shaped” pattern on a second lateral side of frame. 16. The method of providing a self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said step of providing said first pair of inner tension members comprises providing a first inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a first one of said feet of said first subframe and said second subframe, and providing a second inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a first one of said feet of said second subframe and said first subframe; and,said step of providing said second pair of inner tension members comprises providing a first inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a second one of said feet of said first subframe and said second subframe, and providing a second inner tension member that extends between a location adjacent a second one of said feet of said second subframe and said first subframe. 17. The method of providing a self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 15, wherein said opposite first and second ends of said ridge beam are located outside a habitable footprint of a planform defined by said feet of said first and second subframes. 18. The method of providing a self-bracing shelter as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of said first and second subframes comprises an apex and defines an arch, and wherein said ridge beam is located adjacent said apex of each subframe.