NZ526819A - Rollable roof canopy - Google Patents

Abstract

A rollable roof canopy system including a framework and a cover (10). The framework is a cantilevered structure with vertical support poles (9) and overhanging tubular support outriggers (4). The cover is of a rollable material. The framework may be collapsed by pivoting.

Description

Patents Form No. 5 Complete Specification New Zealand Patents Act 1953 5268 19 Number Date J: JAJJ/- 2 Of)"? Applicant : _„l__ : im cMy yon A/ L__ Address J, ~7 CoQK S"*T 7 iX*/*4/?U Af ~Z Nationality //^"KJ hereby declare the invention, for which I (or we) pray that a patent may be granted to me (or us), and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 4 JUL 2003 _RECEf\/Fn 1 This invention relates to a Tollable roof canopy system which consists of a reliable cover upon a cantilevered type frame work that is able to be pivoted away, suitable for a wide range of canopy/shelter applications with flexibility and simplicity in design.

The cover may be rolled up and the cantilevered frame pivoted away to either side as a solution to solve the following problems, to name but a few: • Access through space restricting driveways and thoroughfares.

• Shade or sunshine over pools and spas.

• Exposure to the weather being rain, hail, snow, frosts for cars, boats, caravans, buses, pools, hay, machinery, shop frontages, stalls etc.

• Wear and tear to the cover when not in use.

• Damage from vandals.

• Damage when opening vehicles doors against support poles, as in the standard roofing structures, which use two rows of support poles.

• Cluttered driveways and car parks.

• Obstructed views.

Previously used structures similar to this invention would be that of the standard carport, shade or weather covers or roofs that are permanently ridged structures with two rows of vertical supports, being a row of vertical supports along each side upon which is a fixed roof. They do not have the ability to have the roofing materials rolled up and the framework to be moved or pivoted in any way or form.

INTELLECTUAL PX>?E.ViY OFFICE OF N.Z.

AUG 2C03 The object of the present invention is to provide a removable shelter/canopy and to make it convenient to move the cover and frame as to go someway to avoiding the above disadvantages as stated above.

Preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Fig.l, shows the 'peaked' out rigger (4) end elevation view, in the "out" position, and the cover (10) in the unrolled state with the optional supports, (13), (14). Fig. 2, shows the 'arched' out rigger (4) end elevation view, in the "out" position, and the cover (10) in the unrolled state and the optional supports, (13), (14). Fig. 3, shows the plan view of the cover (10) in the unrolled state and no optional supports (13, (14).

Fig. 4, shows the plan view of the cover (10) in the rolled up position to the outer edge of the out riggers (4) and no optional supports, (13), (14).

Fig. 5, shows the plan view of the out riggers (4) with no optional supports, (13), (14), the cover rolled up and in the not quite pivoted away position, (shown not fully pivoted away for clarity).

Fig. 6, shows the detail of the movable joints (15) and (22) with the spacers (16) and (17). The crank handle (11), it's flexible joint (19) made out of a flexible type tube, coupling (20) and the drive bolt (21), also the rope and pulley (12) option attached to the longitudinal cover support (1) by the drive bolt (21). The way they, being (11, 19, 20, 21, 12) interact with the longitudinal cover support (1) to roll up and unroll the cover (10) and also showing how the coupling (20) is placed into the end of support (1).

In the form shown, the out riggers supports (4) are of a round tubular section, and are fitted within the main support poles/pivots (9) also of a round tubular section using an upper and lower bush (18) to make up the difference in sizes between the main support poles/pivots (9) and the outrigger supports (4) stem. This enables the out riggers supports (4) to be pivoted in either direction into the inner side of the framework above the main support pole/pivots (9). The out rigger supports (4) are held at the appropriate height above the base level by the outrigger collars (7) and the collar bolts (6).

Upon the out rigger supports (4) are attached two longitudinal cover supports, centre (2) and outer (3) by the means of movable joints (15), this allows the pivoting action to be applied by allowing the items (4, 3, 2) to move separately to each other. Additional longitudinal cover supports (13) and (14) may be added to assist in a greater cover (10) support in more severe weather conditions i.e.; snow, heavy rain down pours, these are also attached by the means of movable joints (15).

The outer longitudinal cover support (3) has the cover (10) attached to it. The longitudinal cover support (3) is held above the outrigger supports (4) by means of a spacer (17) at each of its movable joints (15). This prevents the cover (10) from being torn or worn between the outer longitudinal cover support (3) and the out rigger support (4) while in the transition from pivoting inwards or outwards. There is an upright spacer (16) attached above the longitudinal cover support (3) at each of the movable joints (22) to prevent the cover (10) from rolling off the side of the longitudinal cover support (3). The longitudinal cover support (2) is attached by p::o; / OrriCE Oi- K.Z.

RECEIVED means of a movable joint (15) at the peak of the out rigger support (4) to create a centre support and also to stop the ponding or gathering of water in the cover (10). The cover (10) unrolled in the open state, is held down along the inner edge above the main support pole/pivot (9) by means of a tie down fastener (5) between each main support pole/pivot (9) collar bolt (6) and the inner longitudinal cover support (1). This also pulls the cover (10) taut as the corner bend of the out rigger support (4) and acts as a means of a two-way tensioner i.e.: vertical tension is applied to hold the longitudinal cover support (1) and cover (10) down, and horizontal tension is applied to pull the cover (10) taut. The inner edge of the cover (10) is attached to the longitudinal cover support (1) and is able to be rolled up, travelling over top of the centre longitudinal cover support (2) to the outer end of the out rigger supports (4), thus rolling up the cover (10) around the longitudinal cover supports (1) outer circumference. This is done by the means of a crank handle (11), flexible joint (19) and coupling (20), or a rope and pulley (12) option both being able to be attached to the longitudinal cover support (1) by the bolt (21), thus to rotate the longitudinal cover support (1). The crank (11) has a flexible joint (19) and a coupling (20) with the coupling being able to be fitted within the longitudinal cover support (1) at either end to roll up or unroll the cover (10). The crank handle (11), flexible joint (19) and coupling (20) are removable from the either end of the longitudinal cover support (1) when not in use. A chain and grooved pulley system or a powered winder could also be an option to rotate the longitudinal cover support (1) to roll up or unroll the cover (10). Once the rolled up cover (10) is over at the outer edge, the out riggers supports (4), longitudinal cover supports (1), (2), (3) and cover (10), can all be pivoted back to above the main support poles (9) in either direction. The outrigger supports (4) are held firmly in place i.e.: stopped from pivoting, by a through pin (8), or a latch system. The through pin (8) goes through the main support pole/pivot (9) then through the out rigger support (4) stem via a hole to lock the framework either in the out position or in the pivoted away position.

The description of the rollable roof canopy is that of a covered, cantilevered (over hanging from the main supports) type framework, being of a round tubular section. The main supports (9) are of a round tubular section and are set in a vertical manner with the longitudinal cover supports (1,2,3,14,15) on top of the said cantilevered type framework. The cover (10) is of a flexible material, to enable the said cover (10) to be rolled up or unrolled. The cover (10) is placed on top of the longitudinal cover supports (1,2,3,14,15,) which are of a round section to prevent damage to the cover (10). The framework (4) and main vertical supports (9) being of a round tubular steel section are fitted together i.e.; the outrigger (4) within the main support pole/pivots (9), thus allowing the pivoting action to be applied as in a revolving joint, so as to make the shelter/canopy movable, hence the ability to be pivoted away allowing the framework (4), the longitudinal cover supports (1,2,3) and optional longitudinal cover supports (14,15), and the cover (10) to be neatly stored away beside each other, above the vertical supports (9).

In operation, the items of the rollable roof canopy's design are put together in the configuration is to provide a removable shelter/canopy using a flexible cover (10) in which the cover (10) would be of a PVC material or a shade cloth depending on the application in which the roof is to be used. The said cover (10) is able to be rolled

Claims (7)

up or unrolled around the outer circumference of one of the longitudinal cover supports (1) by revolving the said longitudinal cover support (1) by the means of a crank handle (11) with a flexible joint (19), a coupling (20) and a drive bolt (21). The flexible joint (19) allows for any missaliament that occurs between the longitudinal cover support (1) and the crank handles shaft (11) whilst turning the crank (11) to revolve the longitudinal cover support (1). The rope and pulley (12) system option may also be attached instead of the crank handle (11) to one of the ends of the said longitudinal cover support (1) by the drive bolt (21). The action to roll or unroll the cover (10) using the rope and pulley (12) system works when, one side of the rope (12) which is joined at the ends hence making the rope (12) endless and having been wound around the pulley (12) several times to create a capstan like affect, is pulled in the downward direction, thus revolving the longitudinal cover support (1) in the direction to either, roll up or unroll the said cover (10) depending on which side of the rope is pulled. The cover (10) hence is able to be rolled to the outer edge of the out rigger supports (4) away from the main support pole/pivots (9), thus allowing the out rigger supports (4) to be cleared of the said cover (10). The outrigger supports (4) are then able to be pivoted in either direction back in towards the vertical type supports (9), hence the cantilevered framework as a whole is able to be pivoted away. The crank handle (11), flexible joint (19) and coupling (20) are able to be removed from the end of the longitudinal cover support (1) for convenience, where as the rope and pulley (12) system is best left attached, as the height above the ground would be a hindrance for the removal and replacement of the said rope and pulley system (12). It would be appreciated that the invention broadly consists in the parts, elements and features described in this specification, and is deemed to include any equivalents known in the art, which if substituted for the described integers, would not materially alter the substance of the invention. WHAT I CLAIM IS;

1. A rollable roof canopy system including a framework and a cover, wherein said framework is a cantilevered structure with vertical support poles and overhanging tubular support outriggers and said cover is of a rollable material.

2. A rollable roof canopy system as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two or more, preferably 2 to 6, tubular vertical support poles, and two or more, preferably 2 to 6, outrigger supports, the number of vertical support poles being the same as the number of outrigger supports, depending on the said structures requirements as in size, to form the said rollable roof canopy system

3. A rollable roof canopy system as claimed in claim lor claim 2, wherein, in use, the cantilevered structure is able to be pivoted.

4. A rollable roof canopy system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the said framework includes an outrigger part, which is of a peaked or arched configuration or straight and on an upward or downward incline INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF l\).Z 2 2 SEP 2003 RECEIVED

5

6. A rollable roof canopy system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in use the said framework is concreted into the ground or attached to a suitable wall or suitable building.

7. A rollable roof canopy system substantially as described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS