The present invention provides a method for prefabricating, transporting, and rapidly assembling a portable, rigid, dome-shaped structure, with the structural integrity to enable the suspension of extensive hardware and supplies. Said structure would be shaped for acoustic purposes, extremely durable, and allow for extensive climate control. Said structure would be able to be fabricated in a wide range of sizes and shipped to remote locations.

An enclosing structure (1) comprising a backfill (2) and a roof (3), wherein the roof rests on the backfill and is attached to it.

A double-shelled load-bearing structure module of any geometric shape, is formed from top and bottom secondary shell elements. A double-shelled load-bearing structure in the form of a primary shell structure is joined with the module, made of individual assembled load-bearing structure modules of this kind having statically necessary filling rods. The secondary shell elements have, in each corner, a connection pocket, which is open at the top or bottom or is open at the top and bottom, of appropriate size for connecting a plurality of load-bearing structure modules. The connection pocket, at least on the outside, on the outer vertical surfaces of the secondary shell elements, is delimited by preferably metal profiles or metal sheet. Connection tabs can also be disposed in each corner instead of connection pockets. The connection tabs are formed from angular surfaces, preferably metal sheet, protruding towards the intermediate space between the secondary shell elements.

A shelter system is shown and described. A hub for a shelter system is shown and described. A frame for a shelter system is shown and described. In one embodiment, the shelter system includes a frame and cover. The shelter may include a hub system. The frame may be collapsible. The cover is configured to fit with the frame. The hub may include a receiver slot, a receiver sleeve and an attachment projection. The result is a shelter system with reduced set up time, effort and requirements and improved strength and ease of use. The inventions may also be considered a shelter kit and/or a shelter and hub method.

A double-shelled load-bearing structure module of any geometric shape, is formed from top and bottom secondary shell elements. A double-shelled load-bearing structure in the form of a primary shell structure is joined with the module, made of individual assembled load-bearing structure modules of this kind having statically necessary filling rods. The secondary shell elements have, in each corner, a connection pocket, which is open at the top or bottom or is open at the top and bottom, of appropriate size for connecting a plurality of load-bearing structure modules. The connection pocket, at least on the outside, on the outer vertical surfaces of the secondary shell elements, is delimited by preferably metal profiles or metal sheet. Connection tabs can also be disposed in each corner instead of connection pockets. The connection tabs are formed from angular surfaces, preferably metal sheet, protruding towards the intermediate space between the secondary shell elements.

A strut connector is described. In particular, a strut connector for connecting at least two struts, the strut connector defining a periphery and comprising at least one first connecting means adjacent the periphery thereof configured to connect one or more of the struts for securing the struts to the strut connector at any point about the periphery. This provides increased flexibility to allow complex geodesic shapes to be constructed.

A frame structure using a tube subjected to bending processing by a pushing bending apparatus is provided to solve the problem of a simple body constituting the small-sized interior space. The frame structure forms a plane of frames by bundling a plurality of tubes or bars, each of which is bent to form a waveform of a constant amplitude around a linear axis in a same plane, to contact maximum amplitude portions of the tubes or bars each other, each maximum amplitude portion being in the same position in the longitudinal direction.

A frame structure using a tube subjected to bending processing by a pushing bending apparatus is provided to solve the problem of a simple body constituting the small-sized interior space. The frame structure forms a plane of frames by bundling a plurality of tubes or bars, each of which is bent to form a waveform of a constant amplitude around a linear axis in a same plane, to contact maximum amplitude portions of the tubes or bars each other, each maximum amplitude portion being in the same position in the longitudinal direction.

A batten bar is configured to secure first and second adjacent flat panels to a structural framework. The batten bar includes first and second inside legs, first and second outside legs, and a plurality of apertures disposed along the length of the batten bar. The first and second inside legs define a central channel. The first outside leg and the first inside leg define a first seal recess configured to receive and retain a first seal. The second outside leg and the second inside leg define a second seal recess configured to receive and retain a second seal. In an installed configuration, the first inside leg and the first outside leg are configured to contact the first flat panel along a first common plane, and the second inside leg and second outside leg contact the second panel along a second common plane.

DE 86 22 844 01 discloses a tent having a carrying framework and a tarpaulin arranged thereon, wherein the carrying framework is formed by a scissor type system of rods having the tarpaulin arranged thereon.