U.S. patent application number 10/453282 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for sliding roof shade.
Invention is credited to Chazal, Felix.
Application Number | 20040074157 10/453282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32074977 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040074157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chazal, Felix |
April 22, 2004 |
Sliding roof shade
Abstract
Sliding roof shed, especially apt to provide shelter from the
sun, rain, hail, snow to large surfaces such as parking lots in
shopping centers or the like, which consists of a supporting
structure defined by L profiles separately arranged, among which
the surface to be covered is defined, from which the vertical post
is integral of the ground and the remaining longitudinal beam is
away from the ground as much as necessary. A laminar sheltering
surface is placed between two horizontal posts, away from each
other, which may be defined by a cloth, canvas, plastic sheet or
the like, rectangular frame, which presents, in correspondence with
its lateral edges, several interface accessories each of which
holds at least one wheel that slides on a rail affixed to the
above-referred longitudinal beam. Devices helping operator move the
sheltering surface may be added, such as a rod affixed to its free
extremes or a mechanism having steel wires affixed to its edge,
together with an operating handle. The lower edge of this surface
may be tensed with a descending pitch so as to enable rainwater
drainage.
Inventors: |
Chazal, Felix; (Miami,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FELIX CHAZAL
3620 NW 64 ST.
MIAMI
FL
33166
US
|
Family ID: |
32074977 |
Appl. No.: |
10/453282 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/66 ; 135/20.1;
52/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 10/0607 20130101;
E04B 7/14 20130101; E04H 6/025 20130101; E04B 1/3416 20130101; E04B
7/166 20130101; E04F 10/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/066 ;
052/073; 135/020.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/346; E04B
007/16; E04B 001/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2002 |
AR |
P020103692 |
Claims
I claim:
1. SLIDING ROOF SHED, especially apt to cover large surfaces such
as parking lots or the like, characterized by the fact that it
consists of an L-shaped supporting structure arranged separately
from one another, among which the surface to be covered is defined,
said "L" includes a vertical post integral of the ground and a
longitudinal beam that is as far away from the ground as may be
necessary, between two of these longitudinal beams a sheltering
laminar surface is placed, which in its lateral edge presents
holding devices in a sliding system capable of sliding on a rail
set on the structure of the support.
2. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the said supporting structure is defined by L profiles
made of one of the following materials: iron, steel, plastic,
aluminum, concrete, wood.
3. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that several of the above-mentioned holding devices in the
rail are affixed to the longitudinal beam in the supporting
structure, each the these holding devices having two semi-profiles
joined to each other by means of bolts, thus forming a C-shaped
rail inside of which the sliding device is set.
4. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the said sheltering surface comprises a part of folding
laminar material of a rectangular shape, made of one of the
following materials: cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, frame.
5. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the said sheltering surface includes different interface
accessories duly affixed to its lateral edges and in each of which
at least one wheel is affixed, which defines the above-referred
sliding medium and is capable of sliding on a rail mounted in the
sliding surface.
6. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the longitudinal beam presents one of the following
sections: T, double T, round.
7. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the referred sliding medium is defined by a wheel affixed
to a metal L profile which, in turn, is affixed to a ring that is
also affixed to the edge of the sheltering surface.
8. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the said sliding medium is defined by two/four wheels
joined to one another by an axle that is affixed to metal strip
which, in turn, is affixed to an interface accessory that is also
affixed to the edge of the sheltering surface.
9. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the back edge in the sheltering surface is tensed in a
descending direction so as to create a pitch for drainage.
10. SLIDING ROOF SHED, in pursuance of claim 1, characterized by
the fact that to the sheltering surface is linked at least one
device capable of helping the operator in making it slide on the
rail, selected from: a bar affixed to the front edges of the
sheltering surface, a steel wire, a rod attached to a handle and
affixed to the edge of the sheltering surface.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention consists in a sliding roof shed of the kind
used to provide shelter from the sun or rain to automobiles and the
like. Specifically, it refers to sheltering roofs having a folding
surface of a laminar material similar to canvas, frame, cloth or
similar product which includes a system to retract the said canvas
and thus remove the sheltering medium whenever appropriate. This is
of particular use in areas where there are strong winds or storms
hail and/or very strong winds due to the fact that, because of the
possibility of retracting the sheltering surface, the structure is
protected from unnecessary wear and, in certain cases, damage to
the structure is avoided. Moreover, its retraction is useful when
necessary in cases of pruning, maintenance works to adjacent
buildings or facilities, and it allows for the protected surface to
be left in the open air if so desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In practice, there are numerous sheltering systems,
basically differing from one another in their application. In the
specific case of sheltering systems for large surfaces, such as
parking lots, at present fixed systems are used. This involves
sheds having immovable structures that usually include posts
supporting sheltering structures, whether they be fixed or
flexible. These include plastic roofs or cloths that are used to
shelter cars from the sun.
[0003] These fixed structures are inconvenient inasmuch as they
cannot be easily removed when appropriate due to the circumstances.
For example, in maritime areas or in those where weather conditions
tend to cause strong storms of winds, rain or hail, sheltering
surfaces are normally damaged, sometimes ruined and, because of
their characteristics, they cannot be easily removed when the storm
strikes.
[0004] This invention aims at presenting a sheltering system that
allows not only for removing the sheltering surface in a few
minutes, but also for enabling the drainage of rainwater
eliminating accumulations that might cause damage. This provides
the great advantage that the structure's owner can easily and
comfortably remove it in cases of potentially damaging strong
winds, rainstorms or snow until the storm has subsided in order to
place it position once again. Nevertheless, it should be noted
that, due to its external design, fixing mechanism, and pitch,
drainage is secured through the back centerline, as explained
below.
[0005] In the state of the art there exist the so-called home
canvas canopies which comply with the requirements stated herein,
as they form sheltering surfaces that may be removed when
necessary. An example thereof is the U.S. Design Pat. No. 422,668.
However, unlike what has been indicated here, these canopies do not
include sliding systems of easy operation as the one that will be
explained in detail below, but they involve fixing systems by means
of ropes, cables and/or wires that are not easily removable. As a
matter of fact, this kind of canvas roofs could not be applied to
large surfaces such as parking lots because it would be troublesome
and it would require a long time to remove a large surface canopy
that has been affixed with ropes to a traditional tubular
structure.
[0006] Furthermore, it should also be noted that there are very
solid roof structures that might very well undergo all kinds of
winds and rainstorms; however, they have a very high cost as
compared to the solution presented herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In brief, we may say that this invention consists in a
sliding roof shed, especially apt to provide shelter from the sun
and rain to large surfaces, such as parking lots in shopping
centers or the like, which comprises a supporting structure defined
by projecting and semi-projecting L profile structures, separately
distributed, among which the surface to be covered is defined, of
which the vertical post is integral to the ground and the remaining
longitudinal beam is away from the ground as much as required.
Between the two separate longitudinal beams a laminar sheltering
surface is fixed, which may be made out of cloth, canvas, frame, a
plastic sheet or the like, for example in a rectangular way. This
laminar sheltering surface presents, in line with the lateral
edges, several rings or accessories to which at least one wheel or
skid, mounted onto a rail holding it to the above-mentioned
horizontal posts in the supporting structure, is attached.
[0008] As will be explained and illustrated in detail later, the
sheltering surface can be very easily removed in just a few
seconds, because the two edges in the sheltering surface are moved
by wheels or skids running on rails designed to that effect, no
effort being necessary. Therefore, in the event that strong winds
or a strong rainstorm strikes, and this situation creates the need
for the sheltering surface to be removed in only a few minutes, all
sheltering panels can be quickly removed from a large surface such
as a parking lot and, furthermore, they may be as quickly placed in
position again, once the storm has subsided, by correctly adjusting
them.
[0009] The rail on which the wheels or skids slide may be a C
profile, while the number of wheels or skids may be one or more.
The post in the supporting structure may be a round profile, double
T, square or rectangular section tube or a different one, which
includes, as a part of its structure, the C profile rail, as will
be explained below.
[0010] Summing up, the present invention is referred to a SLIDING
ROOF SHED, especially apt to cover large surfaces such as parking
lots or the like, consisting of an L-shaped supporting structure
arranged separately from one another, among which the surface to be
covered is defined, said "L" includes a vertical post integral of
the ground and a longitudinal beam that is as far away from the
ground as may be necessary, between two of these longitudinal beams
a sheltering laminar surface is placed, which in its lateral edge
presents holding devices in a sliding system capable of sliding on
a rail set on the structure of the support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] The figures attached hereto are the illustration of the
invention's preferred designs, but they can by no means be
construed as a restriction to the scope of the invention, which
shall only be clearly defined by the claims attached.
[0012] FIG. 1 presents a perspective overview of the proposed
sliding roof, which has an unfolded sheltering surface, and
illustrates its application for a parking lot. Also shown are the
options of the back drainpipe, an additional object to e
protected.
[0013] FIG. 2 offers another perspective view similar to the
previous one, although this time the non-retracted sheltering
surface is shown. In this example we can see a supporting structure
having five posts among which four panels are defined, which may be
separately removed. The last panel shows that the sliding movement
may be in two directions.
[0014] FIG. 3 presents an overhead view, where the position of a
car parked below structure in FIG. 1 is graphically shown. The
pitch, drainage systems, and supporting devices are also shown.
[0015] FIG. 4 offer a graphical cut that illustrates in detail the
canvas, panel or frame, together with its ring, the sliding wheel,
and the C profile affixed to the post that, in this case, presents
a double-T profile.
[0016] FIG. 5A shows a round horizontal post to which a profile
made in two halves is attached; this profile embraces the post and
defines the rails on which the wheels affixed to the canvas or
cloth slide by means of the above-referred rings.
[0017] FIG. 5B shows a different option, similar to the one of the
previous figure, this time defining the space between the rails and
the profile surface supported on the round one.5
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cut similar to FIG. 4, although this time it
shows an alternative for the profile's attachment, defined by the
rail affixed to the double-T profile in the post.
[0019] FIG. 7 offers a graphical perspective view showing the edge
of the canvas or cloth, having two possibilities for the ring's
affixing to the said cloth, in one by means of a circular hole
having a washer, and in the other by means of a hole made in a
device that staples the cloth and reinforces it.
[0020] FIG. 8 offers an alternative showing that in the C-profile
of the rail slide two or four (two in the front and two in the
back) wheels instead of one as in the case of FIG. 4, joined by an
axle to which the ring is affixed.
[0021] FIG. 9 shows the alternative with a skid (nylon or Teflon)
sliding on the rail; in this case there may or may not be an
interface ring. The difference from previous cases is that the
internal rail has a concave shape holding the skid, thus the
sliding movements and positions can be made in different
directions.
[0022] FIG. 10 shows an option for the hooking system, which
replaces the one illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8, by means of a
ring.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In complete agreement with what has been described and
illustrated so far, we will now describe the most general features
of the invention in order to proceed forward to its details. Thus,
we will begin by describing FIG. 1 that shows the set proposed
which, indicated by reference number 1, comprises a supporting
structure 2 defined by a conformed double-T profile structure,
reinforced or tubular, which includes a vertical post 3 affixed to
floor 5 in the traditional way, and another 4 that is slightly bent
in an ascending way and separated from floor 5 as much as
necessary. In this type of structures intended to shelter
automobiles, the said height may vary, for example, between 2.20 m
and 3 m. Both post 3 and 4 may be of different kinds, for example,
they may be profiles of aluminum, steel or iron, with a T,
double-T, or round section, among others. The supporting structure
is completed by transversals 6 that join the extremes of
longitudinal beams 4, and some other similar ones 7 that join their
opposing extremes. As sown in FIG. 2, only two of these
transversals 7 may be used in correspondence with the extremes of
the structure, which does not mean that other posts or middle beams
can be added.
[0024] According to what has just been said, the illustrated
supporting structure, which is only one example of the many options
available, forms an upper framework defined by five longitudinal
beams 4 that define four rectangular sectors, each of which is
covered by their pertaining panel 8 that defines the sheltering
surface. This may be made out of canvas, plastic cloth, ordinary
cloth, frame or any other flexible laminar material that may be
appropriate for the function designed. This sheltering surface 8
can be in an active position (FIG. 1), that is to say, covering the
space between longitudinal beams 4, or in a passive position, that
is, retracted (FIG. 2). As it will be explained later, the
difference between the two positions is achieved by a simple and
quick operation, no special effort being required.
[0025] The above-referred sheltering surface 8 presents, on its
lateral 9, a portion of double seam or welt 10 in which several
equidistant holes 11 are made in all of the surface and in each of
which an interface ring or accessory 12 is set to which, in turn,
an L profile 13 is affixed. This L profile 13 presents a hole 14 in
one of its wings, where ring 12 is set, and the remaining wing has
a sling wheel 15 mounted thereon. The said wheel may be of any
adequate kind, whether it be a roller bearing or a plastic, nylon,
appropriate Teflon or similar wheel.
[0026] Thus, the lateral sides of each panel 8 present several
rings to which, in turn, a wheel 15 is attached. Although these
rings are illustrated, in practice other interface accessories may
be used between the sliding medium and the cloth or frame.
[0027] The internal side of each longitudinal beam 4 has a series
of fixed profiles whose shape is shown, for example, in FIG. 4. In
this figure we can see a cut of a T profile 4 section that has two
holes 16 by means of which a profile 18 is affixed through bolts
17; actually, it consists of two 18'-18" half-profiles, each of
which has a flat portion 19 and two extreme portions 20 whose
section resembles an "L". When one is placed on top of the other,
as clearly shown by FIG. 4, a single profile is defined that has a
flat central section 19 and two C profiles in the extremes, each of
which defines the rim of rail 21 that is the sliding surface of
wheels 15. The above-mentioned 18'-18" profiles are joined to one
another and to longitudinal beam 4 by means of bolts 17.
[0028] It should further be noted that support 18 of rail 21 is a
short profile, having only a few centimeters in length, which is
affixed along longitudinal beam 4 so as to define the affixing
points in profile 21, which forms a rail and runs all along the
said longitudinal beam 4 where wheels 15 run.
[0029] From the above description the operation of the shelter
proposed is clearly explained. Once the structure has been put
together, when the sheltering surface 8 is to be extended onto
rails 21, all that is required is a pull from its free extreme and
the wheels will then run smoothly on the surface of profile 21, no
special effort being necessary. Furthermore, on the free extreme of
the sheltering surface a rod similar to the ones used in Venetian
blinds may be installed in order to help the operator retract and
extend each panel 8 as if it were a curtain; a steel wire, a nylon
rope, etc. may also be installed with a handle on post 3 which,
when operated, will retract or extend panel 8. These options are
not illustrated due to the fact that they are well known in the
state of the art.
[0030] FIGS. 5A and B illustrate two alternatives for the above
referred supporting profile 18. In the case of FIG. 5A,
longitudinal beam 4 is defined by a round profile to which two
18'-18" half-profiles are affixed, which represent a semi-central
sector, and two straight extreme wings perforated to affix them to
the round profile by means of bolts (not illustrated). In each
semi-circular area a C profile 20 is set, which may form the same
profile (for example, if it were made of aluminum or plastic) or it
may be welded as a separate part. FIG. 5B is similar to the
previous one, differing only in that each 18'-18" semi-profile has
two joined short portions that have a extreme joined by a
semi-circle and, from the remaining one, an L profile stretches
out, which forms the already referred portions of extreme 20 that
hold them to rail 21. In this last case, because of the said short
straight portion 22, C profile 20 is slightly away from
longitudinal beam 4.
[0031] We will now refer to the structure illustrated in FIG. 6 in
which longitudinal beam 4 is a double-T profile, each 18'-18"
semi-profile defines an irregular profile that includes a long flat
portion supported on the wing of the double-T profile, and includes
a perpendicular wing 24 with a hole 25 for the bolt (not
illustrated) that joins the semi-profiles, a short wing 23 that
helps hold longitudinal beam 4 to the set, and a C-shaped section
that defines the above referred portion 20 in the structure.
[0032] It is obvious for any expert in the art that there exist
numerous different kinds of profiles that provide a solution for
creating a rail on which the wheel affixed to canvas 8 may run and
the illustrated ones, although preferred, are by no means the only
ones considered in this invention.
[0033] It should further be noted that wheel 15 may be replaced by
a set of two or four wheels, as the ones illustrated in FIG. 8,
that enable the canvas to slide more effectively on rail 21. In
this case, wheels 15 are joined by axle 26 that is affixed to strip
27 which, in turn, links it to ring 12.
[0034] In the option illustrated in FIG. 9, within the C profile,
formed by profiles 18' and 18", rail 30 is placed in a
semi-circular way; this rail has an open lateral portion 31 and
holds inside skid 32 having the shape of a circular segment, joined
by extension 33 to the hooking system in panel 8.
[0035] In the option illustrated in FIG. 10, ring 12 connected to
panel 8 can be hooked to the L profile 13 that has in its
horizontal section a C-shaped ending 34, which in turn allows for
ring 12 to be hooked to the system.
[0036] Finally, each sheet 8 may be tensed in the middle point of
its back edge in such a way so as to create a pitch that will
prevent rainwater accumulation and thus allow for a correct
drainage.
* * * * *