Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome Building Design
A structural design for a spherical building made of interlocking triangular frames that distribute weight efficiently to create large, stable, and lightweight spaces.
Original patent title: “Building construction”
A structural design for a spherical building made of interlocking triangular frames that distribute weight efficiently to create large, stable, and lightweight spaces. Granted to Individual in 1954 with 120 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a method for constructing a spherical structure using a network of interconnected struts arranged in a geodesic pattern. By using triangles, the design ensures that force is distributed across the entire frame rather than concentrating on single points. This allows the structure to support its own weight and external loads, such as wind or snow, without needing internal support columns. It enables the creation of large, open interiors using relatively lightweight materials.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover traditional rectangular building construction methods.
- Does not cover non-triangular structural frameworks.
- Does not cover the specific chemical composition of the building materials used.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
Fuller realized that by using the inherent strength of the triangle, the structure becomes stronger as it gets larger, defying the traditional rule that bigger buildings require exponentially more material.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
The Montreal Biosphere
Epcot's Spaceship Earth
Military radar domes
Portable disaster relief shelters
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This design revolutionized structural engineering by proving that massive, stable buildings could be constructed with minimal material. It became an iconic symbol of mid-century design and remains a standard for temporary shelters, radar domes, and sustainable architecture.
Filed
December 12, 1951
Granted
June 29, 1954
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Architects and civil engineers continue to use geodesic principles for sustainable housing and specialized enclosures. Companies specializing in modular construction and rapid-deployment shelters frequently utilize these geometric principles.
Market impact
The patent enabled a new category of lightweight, large-span architecture that was previously impossible. It shifted the industry toward efficient, material-conscious design and remains a foundational reference for modern sustainable and modular building practices.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a method for constructing a spherical structure using a network of interconnected struts arranged in a geodesic pattern. By using triangles, the design ensures that force is distributed across the entire frame rather than concentrating on single points. This allows the structure to support its own weight and external loads, such as wind or snow, without needing internal support columns. It enables the creation of large, open interiors using relatively lightweight materials.
The clever bit
Fuller realized that by using the inherent strength of the triangle, the structure becomes stronger as it gets larger, defying the traditional rule that bigger buildings require exponentially more material.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover traditional rectangular building construction methods.
- Does not cover non-triangular structural frameworks.
- Does not cover the specific chemical composition of the building materials used.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
This patent is in the public domain
See the Freedom to Build guide — what is free to use, what is not, and how to cite this patent.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$21K – $67K
Midpoint $42K · expired or expiring · industry ×0.7
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Buckminster, F. R. (1954). Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome Building Design (U.S. Patent No. 2,682,235). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2682235/geodesic-dome-fuller
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome Building Design cover?
A structural design for a spherical building made of interlocking triangular frames that distribute weight efficiently to create large, stable, and lightweight spaces.
Who owns patent US 2682235?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 1954.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 2682235 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 120 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This design revolutionized structural engineering by proving that massive, stable buildings could be constructed with minimal material. It became an iconic symbol of mid-century design and remains a standard for temporary shelters, radar domes, and sustainable architecture.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover traditional rectangular building construction methods.
Same assignee
More from Individual
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