CA2801114A1

CA2801114A1 - Telescopic awning/carport enclosure

Info

Publication number: CA2801114A1
Application number: CA 2801114
Authority: CA
Inventors: Mihai V. Scarlete
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-03
Filing date: 2013-01-03
Publication date: 2014-07-03

Abstract

The present invention discloses a solution for a permanent house-extension involving the reversible transformation between an awning and a car port. The invention provides a solution for complying with most of the diverse municipal bylaws governing the restricted use of removable carports during winter months, and regarding the front-retreat regulations for buildings. The invention consists of a telescopic structure, based on a series overlaying sections that can roll onto each other on individual parallel tracks. The structure allows extension to the size of an enclosure adapted to the length of a car, and can be reversibly rolled back in the overlaid stacked position to reduce the total length of the structure to the size of an awning permanently attached to the house. The structure improves the present design for telescopic structures due to its simultaneous utility in both the extended and retracted states. Each of the individual sections is positioned on individual tracks on a set of wheels engaging each section to its own corresponding track.
The sliding motion can be manually driven or can be motorized. The tracks are fixed into the ground or on the foundation structures, and can have parallel linear or regularly curved shapes. The cover-top can be continuous or can be profiled with discontinuities to accommodate wing pressure. The invention provides a permanent extension to a house, as an alternative solution to the existent removable carports, and provides in addition improved aesthetics, as well as extra value for the homeowner and for the municipality in the form of potential taxable revenue.

Description

Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to outdoor enclosures and more specifically to a telescopic enclosure providing a plurality of transparent rolling sections that can roll on their own designated tracks to extend into a car port and reversibly contract to the size of an awning. The sections could be arches or planar.
The present invention is comprised of a set of overlapping transparent sections positioned on parallel tracks. The sections can be selectively moved to any position on the parallel tracks. Each section is positioned within an independent track via a set of wheels engaging in a set of individual spaced apart track for each section.
The set of tracks is fixedly positioned to the ground or foundation structures in a spaced apart parallel configuration. Each section can roll to the desired position on its respective track.

2. Description of the Prior Art Aqua Shield Inc. discloses in the US patent 6637160 Telescopic Enclosures optimized for Pool Covers and Sunrooms. Their patented design allows the enclosure to slide over swimming pools or patios. To be observed that in the fully compressed format, the structure in patent 6637160 has no utilization. In addition, based on my knowledge, no structure of the type I claim in the present invention has been built in canda, nor the rest of the world. The US patent 6637160 presents a comprehensive review of prior art, in addition to the provided solution within this invention. In their description of prior art, there are other enclosures designed to enclose pool areas and deck areas, but no structures designed to reversibly switch between two useful structures, such as the carport/awning.

Section 2.1 below is extracted from the prior art description of US patent 6637160, for easier documentation:
Section 2.1. Prior Art cited in US patent 663 7160 Typical of these is US. Pat. No. 3,979,782 issued to Lamb on Sep. 14, 1976.
Another patent was issued to Kumode on Nov. 27, 1979 as US. Pat. No.
4,175,361. Yet another US. Pat.
No. 4,381,629 was issued to Ahn on May 3, 1983 and still yet another was issued on Apr. 21, 1987 to Martin et al. as US. Pat. No. 4,659,136.
Another patent was issued to Ozdemir on Aug. 4, 1987 as US. Pat. No.
4,683,686. Yet another patent was issued to Wardell eta/on Aug. 20, 1996 as US. Pat. No. 5,546,972 and still yet another patent was issued to Lonnberg on Nov. 3, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,204.
Another patent was issued to Last on Dec. 8, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,343.
Another patent was issued to Last on Sept. 14, 1999 as US. Pat. No. 5,950,253.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,782 Inventor: Joe Lamb Issued: Sep. 14, 1976 A protective swimming pool covering apparatus is disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a flexible impervious cover sheet capable of being extended and retracted over a swimming pooL Each lateral side of the cover sheet is adapted with a longitudinally beaded side edge which is slidably held in a longitudinal open channel or track cut into a slide way member fixed to the longitudinal margins of the swimming pool.
The longitudinal opening of the slide way means is sized such that it is slightly smaller than the diameter of the beaded side edge such that under normal operating conditions the bead will be slidably held within the track or channel. However, under conditions of excessive lateral stress, the bead will be sufficiently compressed and be pulled through the opening and away from the channel. In addition, the end sections of the slide way means is adapted with a stationary channeled guide piece having a pair offlared end sections and a longitudinal side opening. The stationary guide piece is mounted such that the channels of the guide piece and the slide way means are in aligned registry with each other. The longitudinal side opening of the stationary guide piece is substantially smaller than the longitudinal side opening of the slide way means making disengagement of the bead from the channel opening substantially more difficult than that from the slide way means.
US. Pat. No. 4,175,361 Inventor: Masami Kumode Issued: Nov. 27, 1979 An openable canopy housing having a series of movable, telescoping transparent arched panels which form the combination roof and sides. Part of the roof of the housing is formed by a horizontal beam which runs the length of the structure. The transparent panels can be selectively opened or closed to provide a structure which can be used for indoor as well as outdoor use.
US. Pat. No. 4,381,629 Inventor: Min H. Ahn Issued: May 3, 1983 A greenhouse comprising walls defining an area. A roof covers a portion of the area. Track means are interposed between the roof and the walls so that the roof may be moved along the track to cover a selected part of the area.
US. Pat. No. 4,659,136 Inventor: John Martin et al.
Issued: Apr. 21, 1987 An improved apparatus for covering at least a part of the open bed of a land or marine vehicle or the like includes an enclosure structure telescopically collapsible and extendable with an access opening and door assembly rearward longitudinally movable portion thereof An improved end gate assembly is selectively positionable and releasably securable at a number of continuously variable longitudinal locations on the open bed, corresponding with the movable rearward section of the enclosure.
The apparatus also includes an improved track assembly for the telescopically collapsible and extendable enclosure sections, with apparatus for substantially preventing or minimizing the accumulation of corrosion, water or other foreign materials that would hinder the smooth and free operation of the enclosure structure.
US. Pat. No. 4,683,686 Inventor: Veli Ozdemir Issued: Aug. 4, 1987 A removable enclosure cover for a swimming pool or the like is disclosed. The enclosure cover includes a plurality of rigid frame members of rectangular panel sections. The frame members are spaced apart and extend parallel to one another transversely across the pool area. A flexible material is stretched between the frame members. A pair of spaced parallel channel-shaped track members extend along the sides of the pool and guide means is attached to the lower ends of each of the frame members. The guide means has rollers which extend into the interior of the track members. One roller rolls along the bottom of the track members and is mounted on a vertically movable carriage, permitting the frame members to be moved together to one end of the pool deck and collapsing the flexible material to uncover the pool. A threaded adjustment is provided for raising and lowering the carriage with the roller thereon so that the top portion of the track may be clamped between the roller carriage and the bottom of the frame member. The other roller is adapted to engage the sides of the track member to longitudinally guide the frame members.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,972 Inventor: Jacqueline R. Wardell et al.
Issued: Aug. 20, 1996 A collapsible cover system and kit therefore are removably mounted to a plurality of spaced stake sockets secured within longitudinally extending areas on opposite sides of a swimming pool or hot tub. Stakes, disposed in the stake sockets, are slidingly connected to two lengths of spaced guide tracks that extend along the sides of the pool or hot tub. Inverted bow-shaped members having free ends are removably secured to carrier means that slidingly connect the bow-shaped members to the guide. In additional embodiments the spaced guide tracks are deposed either in a trough that may be covered when the particular rail sections are not in use, or hingedly deposed adjacent a trough into which rail particular rail sections may be stored when they are not in use.
US. Pat. No. 5,829,204 Inventor: Benth Lonnberg Issued: Nov. 3, 1998 An arrangement for openable roofs, especially for glazed verandas and balconies. The arrangement is a horizontal supporting section (10) which defines an elongated guiding channel (11) having an elongated side opening (12), and a horizontal roofing panel (20) which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the supporting section (10). The roof panel (20) has a lateral edge (21) that extends into the guide channel (11) of the supporting section (10). A plurality of separate guiding and spacing members (40) are mounted spaced from each other in a direction of the guiding channel (11), on the lateral edge (21), received in the guiding channel (11), and abuts against the inner wall of the guiding channel (11) to thereby ensure that there is a play both upwards and downwards in the side opening (12) between the panel (20) and the supporting section (10). The guiding and spacing members (40) are designed so as to allow a turning movement of the panel (20). Compressible sealing means (50) are arranged in the guiding channel (11) between the side opening (12) and the guiding and spacing members (40).
US. Pat. No. 5,845,343 Inventor: Harry Last Issued: Dec. 8, 1998 A track assembly for allowing movement of a flexible enclosure cover over an area to be enclosed as, for example, a body of water in a swimming pool. The assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks mounted on opposite sides of the area to be enclosed with each being comprised of an elongate strip. Each track strip comprises a cable receiving channel with a gutter or debris trough located generally beneath the channel for collection of debris. Preferably, a slider can be located in the cable receiving channel for locking to the cable and for securement of the cover to the cable. The track can be constructed to also allow for lubrication of the cable receiving channel enabling a slider mechanism to freely move therein.
When a slider is used, it extends into each channel at approximately a 45-degree angle with respect to a vertical direction. In accordance with this construction, debris which might otherwise collect in the cable receiving channel will drop into the gutter and will not interfere with movement of the slider mechanism or the leading edge of the cover. The slider may be adjustably secured to a rigid body which is, in turn, secured to the leading edge of the cover, and which allows side-to-side adjustment of the leading edge.
Adjustment in the 45 degree. angulated plane could reduce bending moment forces on the slider and track.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,253 Inventor: Harry Last Issued: Sep. 14, 1999 A track assembly for allowing movement of a flexible enclosure cover over an area to be enclosed as, for example, a body of water in a swimming pool. The assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks mounted on opposite sides of the area to be enclosed with each being comprised of an elongate strip. Each track strip comprises a cable receiving channel with a gutter or debris trough located generally beneath the channel for collection of debris. Preferably, a slider can be located in the cable receiving channel for locking to the cable and for securement of the cover to the cable. The track can be constructed to also allow for lubrication of the cable receiving channel enabling a slider mechanism to freely move therein.
When a slider is used, it extends into each channel at approximately a 45 degree. angle with respect to a vertical direction. In accordance with this construction, debris which might otherwise collect in the cable receiving channel will drop into the gutter and will not interfere with movement of the slider mechanism or the leading edge of the cover. The slider may be adjustably secured to a rigid body which is, in turn, secured to the leading edge of the cover, and which allows side-to-side adjustment of the leading edge.
Adjustment in the 45 degree. angulated plane could reduce bending moment forces on the slider and track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. la is an illustrative view of the present invention showing sliding sections frilly deployed. (four sections shown, the number of sections can be any number between 2 and unlimited. This embodiment comprises the smaller section attached to the wall of the building. This embodiment is preferred when the slope of the driveway is inclined towards the building.
FIG. lb is an illustrative view of the present invention showing sliding sections almost fully collapsed, or nested (four sections shown).
FIG. 1 c is an illustrative front view (street view) of the present invention showing sliding section of various arched profiles, from a half of a circle to various ellipse curvatures (four sections shown).
FIG. ld is an illustrative top view, showing the mobility of the independent sections (illustrated for two sections in this figure, but the independent mobility is a characteristic of each section, excluding only the fixed section permanently attached to the wall of the building.
FIG. 1 e. The arched profile is not mandatory, linear profiles are also covered by this invention.
FIG. if. The continuous profiling of the cover is not mandatory, sectioned covers to allow for venting and/or to diminish wind pressure are also covered by this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following section describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. The preferred embodiment is not limiting the invention to those particular cases.
FIG. la-f shows an illustrative view of the present invention attached to a proximate building-wall, such as a residence. The figure showing multiple movable arched (Fig. 1c) or planar (Fig. 1 e) sections, fully deployed (Fig. I a) and almost fully nested/collapsed onto each other (Fig. lb). Sections slide on a set of individual and parallel tracks presented in Fig.ld. The top view of the sections shows generally rectangular and transparent panels, such as in Fig. 1 d. Four sections are shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment comprising the larger section attached to the wall of the building. This embodiment is preferred when the slope of the driveway is inclined towards the street.
FIG. 3 shows a possible street view of a building extended with an imaginary structure at its fully extended length (car port).

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a car port for attachment to a building or for covering an area, comprising: a) a telescopic structure permanently attached to a building and comprising a number of overlaying sections, that can be elongated to the size of a car port, and reversibly repacked by overlaying the sections to the size of an awning; b) wherein said plurality of sections are sized so that members of smaller size are disposed toward the interior of members of larger diameter so that are able to telescope one within each other; c) wherein said members are flat or approximate the shape of one of a circumference of half a circle or an ellipse; d) means for a plurality of rollers disposed on each section, whereby each sections is movable independently; d) means for a plurality of horizontal rails whereby the rollers are rollable thereon and the rails are able to be attached to a foundation;

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein sections approximate the shape of the circumference or of a half of an ellipse.

3. The apparatus of claims 1 and 2, wherein said plurality of sections are sectioned or profiled in such a way to allow dispersion of wind pressure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sections are extended to the ground via downwardly disposed anchor plates for contacting the rails.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, said means for a plurality of horizontal rails further comprise a base plate upon which plate said rails are mounted and said rails are attached to a foundation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for adding additional rails further comprises a slot disposed in the edge of said base plate for receiving the edge of another base plate.

7. Then apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a stop rod and an end plug disposed in the end of said rail.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a cover for being placed over the tops of said rails for protection from the elements and a spacer for being placed between said rails to enable an individual to walk over them.

9. The apparatus of claims 1-8, wherein said sections are transparent.

10. The apparatus of claims 1-9, wherein said parallel tracks are linear or have constant curvature, as well as any mixture of linear and curved sections.

11. The apparatus of claims 1-10, wherein the exterior section, with the largest dimension, is the first one attached to the wall, or the last one, at the end of the extended structure.

12. The apparatus of claims 1-11, wherein the sections are transparent or opaque.

13. The apparatus of claims 1-11, wherein the transparent sections are glazed or not.

14. The apparatus of claims 1-11 and 13, wherein the glazing provides UV
protection.

15. The apparatus of claims 1-11 and 13, wherein the glazing provides greenhouse effect.

16. The apparatus of claims 1-11 and 13, wherein the top-cover captures the solar energy, and is used to transform it in electricity (solar cells, photovoltaic captors).

17. The apparatus of claims 1-11 and 13, wherein the top-cover captures the solar energy, and is used to transform it in heat (heat exchange), that can be used to heat the enclosure or the adjacent building.