技术问题语段：
The technical problem addressed in this patent is the difficulty and expense of constructing masonry ovens and other dome structures using traditional methods. The invention provides a modular dome structure that can be easily assembled, transported, and erected quickly and simply. The invention includes a plurality of hinged blocks that can form an arch when facing surfaces of adjacent blocks abut one another. The arch segment can be movable from a flat configuration to an arched configuration. The invention also includes a plurality of wall modules that can be interconnected to form the dome's wall. The wall modules have angled or tapered surfaces to form the arch segments. The invention provides a simpler, easier, and more cost-effective way to erect dome and arch structures.
技术功效语段：
This patent is about a new way to make dome and arch structures, like masonry ovens, that are easier and faster to assemble and install. The invention involves using hinged blocks that can be shaped into arches when faced with the surfaces of adjacent blocks. These blocks can be interconnected to form the dome or arch structure, and the interconnection can be done with specialized equipment or by hand. The invention also includes a method for erecting these structures, which involves simply assembling the blocks and interlocking them together. This new method simplifies the process of creating and installing masonry ovens and other dome and arch structures.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
1. A modular dome structure comprising a plurality of wall modules abutting one another to form a wall of the dome and a base upon which the wall modules are mounted, wherein each wall module comprises a plurality of blocks hingedly interconnected together and shaped so as to form an arch segment of the dome wall when facing surfaces of adjacent blocks of the wall module abut one another.
2. The modular dome structure of claim 1 , wherein each block of each wall module comprises a brick formed at least in part of a refractory material with a flexible spine at least partially embedded therein to provide the hinged interconnection.
3. The modular dome structure of claim 2, wherein each wall module comprises a first, mounting end which is mounted to the base and a second end opposite the first end.
4. The modular dome structure of claim 3, wherein at least one of the blocks in each wall module tapers toward the inside of the dome such that the wall module forms an arch segment.
5. The modular dome structure of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the flexible spine extends from the first end of the wall module to its second end.
6. The modular dome structure of claim 5, wherein each wall module comprises a first registration feature at its first end, in registration with a second registration feature of the base to locate the wall module on the base.
7. The modular dome structure of claim 6, wherein one of the registration features comprises a key and the other registration feature comprises a keyway.
8. The modular dome structure of any one of claims 3 to 7 comprising a lid mounted on the free end of each wall module.
9. The modular dome structure of claim 8, wherein the structure comprises a chimney or flue in fluid communication with a door opening the aperture for evacuating combustion gases.
10. The modular dome structure of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the flexible member or spine comprises one or more wires, e.g. one or more twisted multifilament wires.
11. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim, wherein the blocks of adjacent wall modules describe an interlocking pattern.
12. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim comprising one or more doorframe modules between a pair of the wall modules, the doorframe module(s) describing an opening of the dome structure.
13. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim, comprising a movable or removable door for selectively covering the opening of the dome structure.
14. The modular dome structure of claim 13, wherein the door comprises one or more tabs removably received within a corresponding one or more slots of the base.
15. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim comprising a removeable hood mounted over the wall modules.
16. The modular dome structure of claim 15, wherein the hood comprises one or more connectors connected to a corresponding one or more connectors of the base for locating and/or securing the hood thereon or thereto.
17. The modular dome structure of to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the hood comprises one or more tabs received within a corresponding one or more slots of the base for locating and/or securing the hood thereon or thereto.
18. The modular dome structure of any one of claims 15 to 17 comprising a thermally insulative and/or fire-retardant material between the inner wall of the dome and the hood.
19. The modular dome structure of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the hood comprises a thermally insulative and/or fire-retardant material.
20. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim comprising a fire resistant filler in one or more spaces described between adjacent blocks.
21. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises an aperture for receiving or communicating with a gas burner.
22. The modular dome structure of any preceding claim comprising an insulating material in or beneath the base and/or surrounding the wall modules.
23. An oven comprising the modular dome structure of any preceding claim.
24. A method of assembling a modular dome structure, the method comprising forming each of a plurality of wall modules into an arch segment by pivoting each of a plurality of hingedly interconnected blocks thereof about their hinged connection until facing surfaces of adjacent blocks of the wall module abut one another and mounting the wall modules to a base such that the arch segments abut one another to form a wall of the dome.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein mounting the wall modules to the base comprises mounting a first, mounting end of each wall module to the base.
26. The method of claim 25 comprising mounting a first wall module to the base by registering a registration feature of the first wall module with an initiating registration feature of the base.
27. The method of claim 26 comprising mounting a second wall module to the base, after the first wall module, by registering a registration feature of the second wall module with a second registration feature of the base and moving the second wall module relative to the base toward the first arch segment from an unlocked position to a locked position, in which the first and second arch segments are interlocked with one another.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the second arch segment is mounted to the base on a first side of the first arch segment, the method comprising mounting a third wall module to the base, on second side of the first arch segment opposite the first side,
by registering a registration feature of the third wall module with a third registration feature of the base and moving the third wall module relative to the base toward the first arch segment from an unlocked position to a locked position, in which the first and third arch segments are interlocked with one another.
29. The method of any one of claims 25 to 28 comprising mounting a lid on a free end of each arch segment.
30. The method of claim 29 comprising mounting a chimney or flue to the modular dome structure in fluid communication with the aperture for evacuating combustion gases.
31. An arch segment comprising a plurality of bricks hingedly interconnected together by a flexible (member or) spine moulded within each brick, wherein the bricks are shaped such that the arch segment is movable from a first, substantially flat configuration to a second, arched configuration when facing surfaces of adjacent bricks abut one another.
32. The arch segment of claim 31 , wherein at least one of the bricks tapers toward an intended inner side of the arch segment.
33. The arch segment of claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the flexible spine extends from a first, mounting end of the arch segment to a second, free end thereof.
34. The arch segment of claim 31 or claim 32 comprising a pair of flexible spines extending from a first, mounting end of the arch segment to a second, free end thereof.
35. The arch segment of claim 33 or claim 34 comprising a registration feature at its first end for registration with a registration feature of a base to which the arch segment is mounted, in use.
36. The arch segment of any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the flexible spine comprises one or more wires.
37. The arch segment of any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein at least one brick is offset relative to an adjacent brick such that the arch segment interlocks, in use, with another arch segment to provide an interlocking structure. 38. The arch segment of any one of claims 31 to 37, wherein each brick comprises a refractory material with a flexible spine at least partially embedded therein to provide the hinged interconnection.
39. A method of manufacturing an arch segment, the method comprising introducing a pliable material into a mould describing a plurality of brick cavities, inserting a flexible spine into the mould, such that it is embedded within the pliable material in each brick cavity, and removing from the mould, after the pliable material has hardened or set, a moulded arch segment including a plurality of bricks within which the flexible spine is moulded such that the bricks are hingedly interconnected together.
40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the flexible spine is one of a pair of flexible spines which are inserted into the mould, such that they are embedded within the pliable material in each brick cavity.