Polygonal bell tent frame - has inflatable radial ribs converging on apex for flat ends to be superimposed between plates secured by through bolts

摘要

The demountable building takes the form of a polygonal bell tent with support by radial inflatable tubular ribs (1). The ribs converge on the pointed overhead apex of the tent, their ends (5) being flattened (4) to be superimposed in a bolted (10) joint. The major faces of the flattened ends are vertical, the ribs being divided into two converging groups (6,7) of which the respective ends alternate in the joint. Welding may be used to seal the ends, and the joint may use bolts with nuts (12) to connect rectangular metal cover plates (8,9). The bolts may pass through aligned holes (11) in the plates and rib ends, and the plate length (L) may exceed that of individual ends. The latter feature allows each effective rib end (13) to be sited within the boundary of the cover plates.