GB2300655A - Self-tensioning roof canopy - Google Patents

Self-tensioning roof canopy Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2300655A
GB2300655A GB9509912A GB9509912A GB2300655A GB 2300655 A GB2300655 A GB 2300655A GB 9509912 A GB9509912 A GB 9509912A GB 9509912 A GB9509912 A GB 9509912A GB 2300655 A GB2300655 A GB 2300655A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
flexible covering
canopy
apex
framework
struts
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9509912A
Other versions
GB9509912D0 (en
Inventor
Rene Charles Brent
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9509912A priority Critical patent/GB2300655A/en
Publication of GB9509912D0 publication Critical patent/GB9509912D0/en
Publication of GB2300655A publication Critical patent/GB2300655A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
    • E04H15/58—Closures; Awnings; Sunshades

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)

Abstract

The canopy comprises a flexible covering (1) which has an apex (2) and spaced corners (3). It is held in its extended state by the internal framework (4). The framework (4) consists of adjustable length struts (5), one end of each being pivotally attached to common axis (6). The distance between the point at which the adjustable length struts (5) intersect the common axis (6) and apex (2) has a dimension inferior to the perpendicular distance (7) between the mean plane of the spaced corners (3) and apex (2). The upper end of axis (2) bears on the inner side of flexible covering (1) at its apex (2) and is releasably attached to the flexible covering (1) at this point. The outer ends of the adjustable length struts (5) are releasably attached to the corner points (3) on the perimeter (8) of the flexible covering (1).

Description

SELF TENSIONING ROOF CANOPY The present Invention relates to roof canopies used with dismountabie shelters which can be reduced to a small packed state for ease of transport and erected in an extended state to provide shelter from the elements.
The present Invention also relates to awnings or tent like structures used as temporary or permanent components in buildings to provide areas such as patios with shelter from the elements.
The present Invention also relates to lightweight roof canopy structures comprising of a flexible covering material and supporting framework.
Canopy roofs of flexible material have many applications and are in common use in one form or another.They can however be expensive,rather heavy, complicated to assemble due to an excessive number of parts and may lack rigidity when assembled.
The present Invention provides a demountabie canopy comprising a flexible covering shaped so as to have an apex and a plurality of spaced comers which is held in an extended state by an intemally positioned framework.
Which framework consisting of a plurality of adjustable length stuts,one end of each strut being pivotally attached to a common axis.
The distance between the point at which the adjustable length struts intersect the common axis and the end of the axis adjacent to the apex of the flexible covering having a dimension inferior to the perpendicular distance between the mean plane of the spaced comers of the extended canopy and the apex of the flexible covering.
The upper end of which common axis is brought to bear on the inner side of the flexible covering at its apex and may be releasably attached to the covering at this point.
The outer ends of the struts are releasably attached to the comer points on the perimiter of the flexible covering.
Which flexible covering is brought in tension by lengthening by adjustment of the adjustable length struts,by which adjustment a stable rigid structure is formed when the flexible covering has acheived its fully extented state.
A fully extended state is acheived when spacing of the spaced comers by lenthening by adjustment of the struts is constrained by the nnlte dimension of the perimeter of the flexible covering. Further lengthening by adjustment of the struts and due to the obtuse angle by which each strut meets the common axis,will result in the common axis being thrust in a directlon away from the mean plane of the spaced comers,thus forcing the end of the common axis adjacent to the apex of the flexible covering into which apex,causing tension in the flexible covering along lines between the apex and each of the spaced comers.
Which tension in tum acting upon the each strut in a way so as to further space the spaced comers which are in tum constrained from further spacing by the finite perimeter of the flexible covering.
Further lengthening by adjustment of the struts will cause greater forces to be developed within the flexible covering and the intemal framework creating greater rigidity in the resulting structure.
Thus both flexible covering and intemal framework are interdependant structural elements vital to the dimensional stability and resistance to exterior forces of the present invention.
The present invention can therefore be said to be a self tensioning canopy,since no extemal forces need to be applied for it to maintain its extended form.
This is to be distinguished from a previously erected framework supporting a relatively loose cover spread over it or a tent which for example may be supported by posts and held taught by ropes attached to extenal points fixed in the ground or other supporting surface.
It is also to be distinguished from an umberella type structure since the intemal framework of the present invention is only attached at certain points on the flexible covering as opposed to the frame work in an umberella which bears upon the covering of the umberella along the length of some of its elements and also requires an extra set of support members radiating from the common axis in order to spread the umberella.The present invention does not require these extra members.Loads on the intemal framework of the present invention are only In compression and not in bending as is the case in an umberella.
The present Invention in its fully extended state embodies a degree of rigidity such that it may be mounted on any suitable base by attachment to any part of the intemal framework of the present invention,which attachment for example could be to the ends of the struts,to the common axis or at any point along the struts.
The present invention In its fully extended state embodies a degree of rigidity such that it may provide stability to the base used to position It above the ground as Is the case when four poles are used to support it when only two poles would be required to be held upright the other two poles would be prevented from falling over by the canopy itself.
A further method of supporting the canopy,for example could be to suspend it by wires passing through the flexible covering and attached to the intemal framework.
An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows in perspective the canopy and internal framework In a skeletal view with the flexible covering being of a transparent nature.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the same canopy illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 3 shows an under view of the same canopy Illustrated in figure 1.
Figure 4 shows the canopy illustrated in figure 1 in cross section through A,A.
The drawings refered to here are not to scale.
Refering to the drawing, the canopy comprises a flexible covering(1 ) which has an apex(2) and spaced corner3).lt is held in its extended state by the intemal framework(4).
The framework(4) consists of adjustable length struts(5),one end of each being pivotally attached to common axis(6).
The distance between the point at which the adjustable length struts(5) intersect the common axis (6) and apex(2) has a dimension inferior to the perpendicular distance(7) between the mean plane of the spaced comers(3) and apex(2).
The upper end of axis(2)bears on the inner side of fexible covering(1 ) at its apex(2) and is releasably attached to the flexible covering(1 ) at this point.
The outer ends of the adjustable length struts(5) are releasably attached to the comer points(3) on the perimiter(8) of the flexible covering(1).
The abtuse angle(9) formed at the intersection of the struts(5) and common axist6)causes axis(6) to be thrust in a direction toward apex(2)when the adjustable length strubt5)are lengthened by adjustment,which in tum will cause greater tension in the flexible covering(1 ) along lines between apex(2) and spaced comers(3) causing the spaced comers (3) to be lifted so as to be further spaced and in tum producing greater tension in the perimeter(8)resulting in more compression on struts(5)and greater rigidity in the canopy.

Claims (5)

  1. Claim (1) A self tensioning roof canopy comprising a flexible covering and internally positioned framework,Which framework consisting of a plurality of adjustable length W struts,one end of each strut being pivotally attached to a common axis, the distance between the point at which the adjustable length struts intersect the common axis and the end of the axis adjacent to the apex of the flexible covering having a dimension inferior to the perpendicular distance between the mean plane of the spaced comers of the extended canopy and the apex of the flexible covering,which covering shaped so as to have an apex and a plurality of spaced corners which is held in an extended state by said intemally positioned framework forming a stable,rigid roof canopy,that may be dismantled or collapsed into a packed state for ease of transport and extended into a fully extended state for use as protection against the elements, maintaining said state without dependence upon extemal forces that may be appiied by the base or support surface on to which it may be mounted.
  2. 2 A self tensioning roof canopy as claimed in claim (1) which in its fully extended state embodies a degree of rigidity such that it may be mounted on any suitable base by attachment to any part of the internal framework of the present invention,which attachment may be to the ends of the struts,to the common axis or to any point along the struts.
  3. 3 A self tensioning roof canopy as claimed in claims (1) or (2, which in its fully extended state embodies a degree of rigidity such that it may provide stability to the base used to position it above the ground as is the case when four poles are used to support it when only two poles would be required to be held upright the other two poles would be prevented from falling over by the canopy itself.
  4. 4 A self tensioning roof canopy as claimed in claims (1 ),(2) or (3) which in a fully extended state it would be sufficiently structurally stable to be suspended by other means such as wires passing through the flexible covering and attached to the internal framework.
  5. 5 A self tensioning roof canopy substantaify as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB9509912A 1995-05-10 1995-05-10 Self-tensioning roof canopy Withdrawn GB2300655A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9509912A GB2300655A (en) 1995-05-10 1995-05-10 Self-tensioning roof canopy

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9509912A GB2300655A (en) 1995-05-10 1995-05-10 Self-tensioning roof canopy

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9509912D0 GB9509912D0 (en) 1995-07-12
GB2300655A true GB2300655A (en) 1996-11-13

Family

ID=10774555

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9509912A Withdrawn GB2300655A (en) 1995-05-10 1995-05-10 Self-tensioning roof canopy

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2300655A (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4637415A (en) * 1984-01-06 1987-01-20 Pierre Dalo Light shelter in the form of a tent comprising a roof constituted by a canvas
EP0237937A1 (en) * 1986-03-14 1987-09-23 Röder GmbH Self-erection tent
US4947884A (en) * 1989-05-24 1990-08-14 Lynch James P Collapsible canopy with auto erect roof support structure
WO1992012313A1 (en) * 1991-01-04 1992-07-23 Lynch James P Collapsible canopy framework having captured scissor ends with non-compressive pivots
US5275188A (en) * 1991-08-09 1994-01-04 Tsai Ming L Modified folding tent

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4637415A (en) * 1984-01-06 1987-01-20 Pierre Dalo Light shelter in the form of a tent comprising a roof constituted by a canvas
EP0237937A1 (en) * 1986-03-14 1987-09-23 Röder GmbH Self-erection tent
US4947884A (en) * 1989-05-24 1990-08-14 Lynch James P Collapsible canopy with auto erect roof support structure
WO1992012313A1 (en) * 1991-01-04 1992-07-23 Lynch James P Collapsible canopy framework having captured scissor ends with non-compressive pivots
US5275188A (en) * 1991-08-09 1994-01-04 Tsai Ming L Modified folding tent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9509912D0 (en) 1995-07-12

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)