Rotatable building structure

Abstract

A rotatable building structure contains a vertical central core for supporting suspended floor units surrounding the core. An annular platform extends from the core at corresponding floor units for providing accessibility to and from the central core. The floor units contain a drive mechanism for rotational displacement. A wind tool deployable from the floor unit provides alternative wind power assist for rotating the floor units.

1 . A rotatable building structure comprising at least one central core, at least one floor unit attachable to said central core, said floor unit being adapted for rotatable displacement about the central core, an annular platform extending horizontally from the central core, said platform being accessible from the floor unit for providing passage to the central core.  
   
   
       2 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a plurality of floor units define a circular periphery about the central core.  
   
   
       3 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 2  comprising multiple levels of floor units, each level of floor units being independently displaceable.  
   
   
       4 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the annular platform provides accessibility to the floor units from the central core.  
   
   
       5 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the multiple levels of floor units are structurally separated for withstanding seismic loading.  
   
   
       6 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the central core includes an upper and a lower rail, said rails being adapted to suspendedly accommodate the floor unit, the floor unit further being displaceable along said rails.  
   
   
       7 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the floor units define a noncircular periphery about the central core for providing a changeable profile during rotational displacement.  
   
   
       8 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the floor units are rotatably displaceable by a drive-force.  
   
   
       9 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the floor units include a deployable wind vane for providing an auxiliary power source.  
   
   
       10 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 1  including multiple vertical cores.  
   
   
       11 . A rotatable building structure comprising at least one vertical core, a plurality of floor units suspended from and surrounding the vertical core, said floor units being positionable at vertical increments along the core corresponding to floor levels, an annular platform fixedly connected to the vertical core, said platform corresponding to the respective floor units and being accessible from the floor units, said core further having a passageway from the platform to the interior of the core.  
   
   
       12 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the interior of the core contains at least one of an elevator shaft and a stairway.  
   
   
       13 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the floor units are suspended from at least one rail member mounted to the core and includes a roller bearing for cooperative interaction with the rail member for rotational displacement of the floor unit.  
   
   
       14 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the floor unit includes a drive mechanism for displacing the floor unit with respect to the core.  
   
   
       15 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 11  further including a wind tool deployable from the floor unit for providing a wind generated force.  
   
   
       16 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the platform extends below and partially supports the floor units.  
   
   
       17 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the interface between the platform and the floor unit includes slide means for permitting displacement of the floor unit along the platform.  
   
   
       18 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the floor units are connected along a horizontal plane with respect to the central core at selected heights along the central core.  
   
   
       19 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the floor units are mounted asymmetrically along a horizontal plane with respect to the central core.  
   
   
       20 . A rotatable building structure as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the floor units define a peripheral boundary wall, said wall being aerodynamically designed and selectively repositionable for reducing the effect of wind loads.