b. Patent Claims

1. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the main structural elements are interconnected in a geodesic pattern of approximate great circle arcs intersecting to form a three-way grid defining substantially equilateral triangles.

2. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the main structural elements are arranged in a geodesic pattern of approximate great circle arcs intersecting to form a three-way grid defining substantially equilateral triangles, said main structural elements being interconnected by sliding interlocking joints.

3. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the main structural elements form a substantially uniform overall pattern of great circles arcs intersecting in a three-way grid.

4. A building framework of generally spherical form constructed of intersecting trusses arranged in a geodesic pattern of approximately great circle arcs.

5. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the main structural elements are aligned with great circles of a common sphere, and are interconnected in a pattern the sides of each element of which are substantially equal in length.

6. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the longitudinal center lines of the main structural elements lie substantially in great circle planes whose intersections with a common sphere form grids comprising substantially equilateral spherical triangles.

7. A building framework constructed in accordance with claim 6, in which the main structural elements are interconnected to form a truss the outermost points of which lie substantially in a common spherical surface.

8. A building framework constructed in accordance with claim 7, in which the innermost points of the truss lie substantially in a common spherical surface within and concentric with the first-named spherical surface.

9. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the main structural elements consist of interconnected elements the longitudinal centerlines of which lie substantially in great circle planes whose intersections with a common sphere form grids comprising substantially equilateral spherical triangles.

10. A building framework constructed in accordance with claim 9 in which the meeting edges of teh grids form a portion of a spherical Icosahedron.

11. A building framework of generally spherical form in which the main structural elements consist of interconnected sheets longitudinal centerlines of which lie substantially in great circle planes whose intersections with a common sphere form grids comprising substantially equilateral spherical triangles.

12. A building framework constructed in accordance with claim 11 in which the corners of said sheets are notched for interlocking engagement with the notches of adjacent sheets.

13. A building framework constructed in accordance with claim 11, in which the corners of said sheets are notched for interlocking engagement with the notches of adjacent sheets and in which the corners of the notches lie substantially in great circle planes whose intersections with a common sphere form grids of substantially equilateral spherical triangles.

R. Buckminster Fuller, “Building Construction (“Geodesic”) Patent, 2,682,235”, United States Patent Office, June 29, 1954, p.1-12