US3766691A

US3766691A - Convertible pool enclosure

Info

Publication number: US3766691A
Application number: US00204279A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Ray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-02
Filing date: 1971-12-02
Publication date: 1973-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-23
Also published as: CA966970A

Abstract

A swimming pool enclosure comprising a plurality of arched supporting beams which extend from ground level up over an area to be enclosed, and a series of panel members arranged between each adjacent pair of supporting beams and hinged to one another for movement along such beams between extended enclosing positions and retracted open positions, the panels in the latter positions being folded and stacked relative to one another.

Description

United States Patent [191' Ray [ CONVERTIBLE POOL ENCLOSURE [76} Inventor: George D. Ray, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Libertyville, 111. 60611 [22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,279

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,788,849 4/1957 Lingard 160/188 3,572,002 3/1971 Nichols 52/86 2,979,012 4/1961 Kummerman 160/188 1,612,499 12/1926 Etheredge 160/206 1,945,729 2/1934. Callender 160/206 2,493,815 1/1950 Guilbert 160/206 2,942,658 6/1960 Wilson 52/66 3,510,996 5/1970 Popil 52/64 3,118,148 1/1964 Taylor et al. 52/63 3,662,410 5/1972 Lankheet 52/67 1,676,500 7/1928 McGinnis 160/35 7/1967 Elder ..l60/206 3,333,621 3,280,888 10/1966 Davis 160/35 3,501,783 3/1970 Broadman.. 4/172.l4

3,271,788 9/1966 Bender 4/172.14 2,268,192 12/1941 Davis et al. 160/199 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 287,024 9/1915 Germany 52/71 68628 7/1956 Germany 160/206 796,534 4/1936 France 160/35 1,261,919 4/1961 France 160/206 Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant ExaminerLeslie A. Braun Attorney-Lee J. Gary et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A swimming pool enclosure comprising a plurality of arched supporting beams which extend from ground level up over an area to be enclosed, and a series of panel members arranged between each adjacent pair of supporting beams and hinged to one another for movement along such beams between extended enclosing positions and retracted open positions, the panels in the-latter positions being folded and stacked relative to one another.

13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 23, 1973 NR mm Wm g m m w% W i 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 23, 1973 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 23, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ANN 1 CONVERTIBLE POOL ENCLOSURE BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a convertible enclosure and is intended primarily as a swimming pool enclosure although it has other useful applications. The structure includes a plurality of arched beams which are supported at each end at or below ground level and extend up over a swimming pool so as to provide a frame supporting structure for retractable closure panels. The closure panels are movable between extended or enclosing positions and open or retracted positions. Such panels are preferably made of translucent plastic material and when in their extended positions they form the walls and roof of the enclosure. When the panels are moved to their retracted positions approximately 95 percent of the enclosure is opened leaving in position above the ground only the arched supporting structure which may be designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The arched supporting beams are arranged in parallel relation to one. another and have channels formed in the sides thereof which serve as tracks for the movable closure panels. A series of closure panels is provided between each adjacent pair of supporting beams, and the panels in a given series are hinged to one another in end-to-end relation. Such a series of interconnected panels may be moved along the tracks in a corresponding pair of supporting beams to enclosing positions wherein the panels are extended and form the walls and roof of the enclosure. The series of panels may also be moved in an opposite direction along the tracks to open or retracted positions wherein the panels are stacked in a folded relationship with one another. A compartment for housing the retracted panel members may be located at ground level or beneath the ground so as to be completely hidden. At least one of the panels in any given series thereof is associated with drive means for actuating the series of panels between extended and retracted positions.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved convertible pool enclosure which is capable of completely enclosing a swimming pool area to permit use thereof in any climate and which can be opened automatically by retracting a plu rality of hingedly connected closure panelsinto storage positions wherein they are folded relative to one another thereby opening approximately 95 percent of the enclosure.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF Tl-IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible swimming pool enclosure constructed in accordance with the present invention; f

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, showing three of a series of hingedly connected panel members of a length sufficient to span the distance between an adjacent pair of arched supporting beams so as to be movable in tracks provided by such beams, one of the panels shown comprising an actuator panel having drive means associated therewith;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing drive mechanism associated with a selected one of the closure panels;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the manner in which a guide roller is associated with one of the panels in a floating manner so as to accommodate variations in spacing between adjacent supporting beams;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing the manner in which a plurality of closure panels may be retracted into a compartment located below ground level at the lower ends of a corresponding pair of supporting beams;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing escape and recapture mechanism for controlling a plurality of secondary rollers which are associated with the closure panels and which are moved out of the tracks formed in the supporting beams during the folding of the closure panels into their retracted positions;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the position of the escape mechanism when a primary roller hub member moves therepast;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the position of the escape mechanism as a primary roller hub member is moved out of the storage compartment in a direction opposite to the direction of movement shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional viewtaken substantially along the line 1111 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing structure for producing a seal between the edge of a movable closure panel and the edge of a stationary supporting beam.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the mannerof making and using my invention. I shall describe, in'conjunction with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a convertible pool enclosure 20 for enclosing a swimming pool P. The enclosure 20 comprises a plurality of arched supporting

beams

22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and 22e which extend over the pool as well as over a paved deck area D surrounding the pool. In the particular embodiment described, five arched supporting beams 22 are shown, but the number thereof may vary. The beams 22 are arranged parallel to one another and are spaced apart to accommodate retractable closure panels therebetween. In the particular embodiment being described the spacing between adjacent supporting beams is 15 feet, and thus the total length of the enclosed area is 60 feet which would be appropriate for example for a swimming pool 40 feet in length. It will be understood however that the number of supporting beams and the spacing between adjacent beams can be varied to suit particular applications.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the supporting beams 22 are arcuate in their configuration and are symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of the pool enclosure, i.e., they are symmetrical about a longitudinal roof beam shown at 24. However, one of the advantages of the present invention is that it permits use of supporting beams of various selected contours which need not be symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of the pool enclosure.

The area between adjacent supporting beams 22 is occupied by closure panels 26 which serve as the walls and roof of the enclosure when in their extended or raised positions and which can be retracted into underground storage compartments in order to open approximately 95 percent of the enclosure. In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, the longitudinal roof beam 24 extends the full length of the enclosure 20 from the apex of the supporting beam 22a to the apex of the supporting beam 22e. Consequently, two oppositely disposed series of closure panels 26 are provided between each pair of supporting beams. For example, a first series of closure panels 26a is provided to the left side of the longitudinal roof beam 24 (as viewed in FIG. 1) between the arched supporting beams 22a and 22b, and a second series of closure panels 26a is provided to the right side of the longitudinal beam 24 between the supporting beams 22a and 22b. Similarly, a first series of closure panels 26b is provided to the left side of the longitudinal beam 24 between the supporting beams 22b and 220, and a second series of closure panels 26b is provided to the right side of the longitudinal beam 24 between the supporting beams 22b and 220. Similar series of closure panels are provided on each side of the longitudinal beam 24 between the arched supporting beams 22c and 22d and between the arched supporting

beams

22d and 22e, although the spaces between the latter three supporting beams are shown open in FIG. 1 to indicate that the closure panels located therebetween are in their retracted positions.

The series of closure panels 26a are hingedly connected to one another, and at least one of the panels is associated with drive means for moving the series of hinged panels between extended and retracted positions. In the particular embodiment shown, the leading or uppermost panel shown at 28a is associated with drive means for actuating that panel and all of the other interconnected panels in the corresponding series. As will be described more fully hereinafter, the supporting beams 22a and 22b include channels which serve as tracks for guiding the series of panels 26a as the latter are moved between extended and retracted positions.

Thus, when the structure is to be closed, the leading panel 28a is driven to its uppermost position as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the'panel 28a is positioned adjacent the longitudinalroof beam 24. It will be understood that when the leading panel 28a is driven to its uppermost position, all of the other interconnected panels 26a will be pulled to their extended positions so as to enclose the entire area between the arched supporting beam 22a and 22b from the ground level or deck at the left side of the enclosure up to the apex of the enclosure at the longitudinal roof beam 24. In a similar manner, the uppermost leading panel of the series of panels 260' may be driven to its uppermost position adjacent the opposite side of the longitudinal roof beam 24 so as to enclose the area between the supporting beams 22a and 22b from the ground level or deck at the right side of the enclosure up to the apex of the enclosure at the longitudinal roof beam 24.

In order to retract the series of panels 26a, a decklevel closure door indicated generally at 30 in FIG. I is opened and the drive means associated with the leading panel 28a is operated in reverse to drive the panel 28a downwardly thereby pushing the entire series of hingedly interconnected panels 260 downwardly into an underground storage compartment where the panels are automatically stacked in folded relationship with one another in a manner to-be described more fully later herein. In a similarmanner, all of the various series of panels may be retracted into corresponding underground compartments leaving in position above ground only the supporting beams 22 and the longitudinal beam 24.

It will be understood that in the particular embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 there are provided two oppositely disposed series of closure panels between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams for a total of eight series of closure panels each of which is associated with its own independent drive means. As shown for purposes of illustration in FIG. 1, four of the series of closure panels are in their upper extended positions while the remaining four series of panels are retracted. If desired, the longitudinal roof beam 24 may be eliminated and only a single series of interconnected panels provided between each adjacent pair of arched sup porting beams. For example, the two separately powered series of

panels

26a and 26a may be replaced with a single series of interconnected panels which is stored below ground level on a selected side of the enclosure. In the last-mentioned application, the leading panel is driven from the underground storage compartment up over the top of the arched supporting beams and down to the deck D at the opposite sides of the supporting beams, and of course the total length of the series of interconnected panels must be sufficient to extend from one side of the deck D along the length of the arched beams to the opposite deck Depending upon the power requirements of the drive means, one or any desired additional number of the panels in a given series may be directly associated with drive means. When using an arrangement of the type last above-mentioned, it will be understood that the storage compartment is located on only one side of the pool deck and must be of a larger capacity as compared to an arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 where two opposed series of panels retract in opposite directions to opposite sides of the pool deck D. In addition, where desired, the storage compartments may be located immediately above ground level rather than underground. While underground storage provides improved appearance, the storage of the panels in folded relationship in accordance with the present invention permits use of relatively compact storage compartments.

FIG. 2 shows by way of example three panels comprising the actuator panel 28a and two

additional panels

30 and 32. The end supporting beam 22a includes a channel 34 having individual tracks described hereinafter for accommodating various rollers and drive means associated with the corresponding ends of the panel members. The adjacent supporting beam 22b includes two channels 36 and 38 for accommodating the rollers and drive means associated with the adjacent end of the respective series of panels located on either side of the beam.

The drive means associated with the leading panel 28a will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

A drive motor 40 is supported on framework 42 of the panel 28a and operates through a gear box 41 to rotate a drive shaft rod 44 and drive shaft 46 which are interconnected by a universal joint 48 (see FIG. 2). As best shown in FIG. 4, the drive shaft 46 is journalled in a frame member 49 by means of a bearing 50 and has mounted on the end thereof a wide gear member 52. The gear 52 drives a gear 54 to which is affixed a tubular sleeve 56. The sleeve 56 has a drive sprocket 58 fixedly mounted thereon and the latter cooperates with a fixed drive chain 60. The fixed drive chain 60 is positioned in a track provided therefor in the arched supporting beam 22a and the chain extends from the lower end of the supporting beam up to the longitudinal roof beam 24 whereby rotation of the drive sprocket 58 by the motor 40 will cause the actuator panel 28a to be driven along the arched supporting beam between the upper and lower positions described hereinabove. It will be seen from FIG. 2 that the motor 40 also actuates a drive shaft rod 62 which rotates a drive sprocket 58' at the opposite end of the panel 28a in the same manner as described above with respect to the drive sprocket 58. It will thus be understood that each powered closure panel is provided with drive means comprising a motor and a pair of drive sprockets one at each end of the panel, and each such drive sprocket cooperates with a corresponding fixed chain which is positioned in a channel provided in a corresponding arched supporting beam.

FIG. 4 further illustrates a primary roller 64 which is rotatably mounted by a bearing 65 on an outer end portion 66 of the sleeve 56. The primary roller 64 is movable in a track 68 provided therefor in the supporting beam 22a. As shown in FIG. 2, a second primary roller 64 is mounted in alignment with the roller 64 at the opposite end of the closure panel 28a and the roller 64 moves in a track provided therefor in the supporting beam 22b. The tubular sleeve 56 (see FIG. 4) is rotatably mounted on a shaft 69 by means of a bearing 70 and the tubular sleeve 56 is capable. of axial floating movement relative to the shaft 69 and bearing 70- thereby permitting axial floating movement of the drive sprocket 58 and the primary roller 64. It will be noted that the'relatively narrow gear 54 is capable of axial floating movement relative to the wider gear 52 without affecting the operative driving relationship therebetween. An important advantage in mounting the drive sprocket and guide rollers so as to permit axial floating movement thereof is that such components can then readily adjust to any small variations in the spacing between the adjacent arched supporting beams such as the beams 22a and 22b.

In order to supply electrical power to the motor 40 as the latter moves with the actuator panel 28a along the length of the. arched supporting beams there is provided a channel in the supporting beam 22a comprising a housing 72 of insulating material (see FIG. 5), and a pair of copper strips as shown at 74 and 76 which extend along the length of the supporting beam 22a. A tubular member 78 extends outwardly through the center of the primary roller 64 and carries on the end thereof a pair of

arcuate spring members

80 and 82 each of which mounts a pair of brushes one at each end thereof. The tubular member 78 is also capable of axial floating movement relative to the shaft 69 as shown by the pin and slot connection at 83 in FIG. 4, the tube 78 being supported inside the end portion 66 of the rotating drive sleeve 56 by means of a bearing 83'. The four brushes are yieldingly held in engagement against the two

copper strips

74 and 76 so as to receive electrical power therefrom as the actuator panel 28a moves along the length of the supporting beam 220. Such power is conducted to the motor 40 by means of electrical leads which pass through the tubular member 78.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the actuator panel 28a is provided with a pair of drive sprockets 58 and 58' and a pair of primary rollers 64 and 64' as described above, and it should be understood that the term primary" roller is used herein to describe a roller which does not leave its guide track during folding of the various panels into retracted positions as will be described later herein. The

primary rollers

64 and 64 are located in oppositely disposed relation adjacent what may be termed the leading corners of the panel. A further pair of

primary rollers

84 and 84 are mounted on the panel 28a in oppositely disposed relation adjacent the trailing corners thereof, and thus the actuator panel 28a is guided and stabilized by the four

primary rollers

64, 64', 84 and 84. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary roller 84 is mounted on the end of a shaft 86 which is rotatably journalled by a bearing 88 in a tubular sleeve member 90 which in turn is capable of axial floating movement relative to a housing member 92. In the foregoing manner, the

primary rollers

84 and 84 are also capable of axial floating movement to compensate for any variations in the spacing of the corresponding pair of arched supporting beams 22a and 22b.

Because the actuator panel 28a is guided by means of four primary rollers as above described, it will be understood that the panel 28a does not fold when the series of panels powered by the panel 28a are folded into retracted positions in an underground storage compartment. However, the remaining panels in such series are capable of such folding action, and thus either the leading or trailing edge of each such remaining panel must be capable of moving out of its normal path in order to permit folding and stacking of the several panels. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 30 has a pair of oppositely disposed primary rollers 94 and 94' associated with its leading edge and a pair of

secondary rollers

96 and 96 associated with its trailing edge. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the secondary rollers leave their guide track during a folding operation and then are returned to the guide track when the panels are again moved to extended positions.

The actuator panel 280 is hingedly connected to the next panel member 30 by means of a pair of links 98 and 98'. As shown in FIG. 6, the link 98 is pivotally connected to the sleeve 90 by means of a pin 100, and it is pivotally connected in a similar manner to a sleeve associated with the primary roller 94. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the link 98 is pivotally connected to the sleeve 90 by the pin 100, and is pivotally connected to a sleeve 102 of the panel 30 by means of a pin 104. It will thus be understood that the

panels

28a and 30 may be folded relative to one another, and as viewed in FIG. 3 such folding action can be visualized as an upward movement of the left hand portion of the panel 28a about the pivot pin and an upward movement of the right hand portion of the panel 30 about the pivot pin 104 thereby bringing the two panels into approximately parallel or folded relationship with one another. FIG. 3 further shows a pair of

scissors arms

106 and 108 which are pivotally connected to the

respective panels

28a and 30 by

pins

110 and 112 and which are pivotally connected at their outer ends to one another by a pin 114. The

scissors arms

106 and 108 serve to prevent lateral shifting movement of the two panels relative to one another. As shown in FIG. 2, a connecting link 98 and a pair of

scissors arms

106 and 108 are also provided at the opposite end of the

panels

28a and 30.

The

panels

30 and 32 are also hingedly connected to one another as best shown in FIG. 3. The panel 30 is provided with three lug members 116, 118, 120 and the panel 32 is provided with a pair of lug members 122 and 124. The lugs 122 and 124 fit into corresponding spaces between the three lug members 116, 118 and 120, and a hinge pin 126 serves to interconnect the same. It will thus be understood that the

panels

30 and 32 may be folded relative to one another, and as viewed in FIG. 3 such folding action can be visualized as a downward movement of the left hand portion of the panel 30 about the pivot pin 126 and a downward movement of the right hand portion of the panel 32 about the same pivot pin thereby bringing the two panels into approximately parallel or folded relationship with one another.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will now be seen that a given series of interconnected panels comprises three basic types of panel members. One type is the actuator panel 28a which is motor-driven through a pair of sprocket wheels- 58 and 58' and which is guided for movement along the arched supporting beams by four

primary rollers

64, 64, 84 and 84. Secondly, there is the panel 30 which is connected to the actuator panel 28a by the pair of pivot links 98 and 98' and which is guided by a pair of oppositely disposed primary rollers 94 and 94' positioned adjacent the leading corners of the panel and a pair of oppositely'disposed

secondary rollers

96 and 96 which are located adjacent the trailing corners of the panel. It should be noted that the secondary rollers move in a track 127 (see FIG. 4) which is laterally offset from the primary roller track 68. Thirdly, there is the panel 32 which is connected at its opposite ends to'the panel 30 by a pair of hinge pins such as the hinge pin shown at 126 in FIG. 3 and which is guided by'means of a single pair of oppositely disposed primary rollers such as'the roller shown at 128 in FIG. 2.

Apart from the actuator panel 28a which does not fold during retraction of a series of panels, itwill be seen that each of the-remaining panels has one edge'associated with a pair of primary rollers which do not leave their corresponding guide tracks in the respective arched supporting beams and an opposite edge which is associated with a pair of secondary rollers designed to leave their corresponding guide tracks to permit a folding operation. Thus, the leading edge of the panel 30 is controlled by the primary rollers 94 and 94' and the trailing edge is controlled by the secondary rollers 96 and 96', the panel 30 thus being guided by a total of four rollers. The leading edge of the panel 32 is not provided with rollers since it is controlled by the secondary rollers 96 and 96' associated with the trailing edge of the panel 30, whereas the trailing edge of the panel 32 is controlled by a'pair of oppositely disposed primary rollers such as the roller shown at 128 in FIG. 2. In a similar manner, the entire series of panels driven by the actuator panel 28a comprises alternate panels of the type shown at 30 and 32 and alternate types of 8 hinged connecting means as shown at 98 and at 126 in FIG. 3. Thus, every other panel is of the type shown at 30 having two primary rollers and two secondary rollers, and every other panel is of the type shown at 32 having only a pair of primary rollers.

It will be noted from FIG. 3 that sealing members are provided tocreate a seal between each of the adjacent panels when the same are in their extended positions. The sealing means between

thehinged panels

28a and 30 comprises a pair of surface seals 130 and 132 which are mounted respectively on the outer trailing edge of the panel 28a and the outer leading edge of the panel 30. The seals 130 and 132 extend along the full length of their respective panels and firmly engage one another to provide an effective seal when the panels are in their extended positions as shown. In addition,

secondary seals

134 and 136 are mounted respectively on the

panels

28a and 30 inwardly of the surface seals, and such secondary seals also extend substantially along the entire length of the panels. The secondary seals are arranged to abut firmly against one another when the panels are in their extended positions. It will be understood that the surface seals 130 and 132 are made flexible so as to accommodate the necessary deformation thereof when the

panels

28a and 30 are folded relative to one another about the hinge pins 100 and 104.

Sealing means is also provided between the panel 30 and the panel 32' as shown in FIG. 3. A seal member 138 is secured to the outer leading edge of the panel 32 so as to extend substantially the full length of the panel, and a complementary seal member 140 is secured to the outer trailing edge of the panel 30. The seals 138 and 140 are arranged to abut firmly against one another when the panels are in their extended positions as shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the seal 140 includes a lip portion 142 which overlies the outer leading edge of the panel 32 and thus also overlies the seal member 138 to provide more effective sealing action.

The mechanism for effecting automatic retractionof a series of panels into folded or stacked relation will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. As noted previously in connection with FIG. 4, the arched supporting beam 22a, as well as the other arched supporting beams, provides two separate laterally offset roller tracks, one track for the primary rollers as shown at 68 and a second track for the secondary rollers as shown at 127. The track 68 for'the primary rollers extends down to the extreme lower end of the supporting beam 22a and serves to retain each of the primary rollers so that the latter cannot escape from the track. On the other hand, the track 127 for the secondary rollers is opened in the area of the underground storage cavity so as to permit the escape of the secondary rollers.

The actuator panel 28a is driven downwardly to retract the panels into an underground storage cavity shown at 144 in FIG. 7, the motor 140 being reversible and thereby being selectively operated to push the interconnected panels in the series down into the cavity 144. As the various primary rollers move into the cavity 144 they remain in the primary roller track 68. On the other hand, the secondary rollers are deflected out of their track 127 by means of a secondary roller exit cam 146. Before describing theexit cam mechanism in detail, it may be observed from FIG. 7 that as a pair of oppositely disposed secondary rollers engage the exit cam 146, the rollers are deflected out of their track and caused to move to a rest position on a corresponding one of the various roller support plates provided in the storage cavity as shown at 148, 150, 152 and154. Such deflection of each pair of secondary rollers out of their normal track causes the various panels to be folded and stacked relative to one another in an efficient and compact manner.

Thus, with reference to the first panel 156 which is pushed to the storagecompartment, thepair of leading primary rollers 158 remain in the track 68 and come to rest against a stop plate 159, while the next pair of secondary rollers 160 are deflected out of their track and caused to swing over to the support plate 148 thereby causing the panel 156 to assume a position generally perpendicular to the track 68. For convenience of description, each of the various hinges of the type shown at 126 in FIG. 3 will be identified by that same reference numeral in FIG. 7, and the various hinge links of the type shown at 98 in FIG. 3 will be identified by that number in FIG. 7. Thus, the next panel 162 which is equipped with only a pair of primary rollers 164 and which is connected to the panel 156 by a hinge 126 is caused to fold into a position approximately parallel to the first panel 156. The succeeding panels are folded and stacked seriatim on top of one another in the same manner described hereinabove as each pair of primary rollers remains in the .track 68 while each pair of secondary rollers is deflected and caused to swing out of their tracks and over-to a corresponding supportplate of the type shown at 148, 150, 152 and 154. The actuator panel 280 is equipped with two'pairs of primary roll- 68. However, the distance between the leading and trailing edges of the actuator panel is less than for the remaining closure panels so that it readily fits within the upper portion of the storage cavity. When the panels are to be extended the actuator panel 28a is driven upwardly along the corresponding pair'of arched supporting beams 22a and 22b and in turn pulls the remai ning panels'in the series upwardly into extended positions. During thelatter operation the various secondary rollers are guided back into the track 127.

The exit cam 146' and related mechanism will now be described in conjunction with FIGS. 8-11. As shown in F IG. 8,the secondary roller track 127 has a portion of its outer wall removed between the wall edges 166 and 168 so as to permit the secondary rollers to leave the track during stacking of the panels in the storage coma partment. For example, as the secondary roller 160 reaches the position shown at 160a it rolls up a ramp 170 on a cam support frame 171 and along the cam plate or shoe 146 to theposition shown at 16% after which it moves along a guide plate 172. In the foregoing manner each of the secondary rollers is guided out of the secondary roller track 12-7 and due to the resultant folding of the panels moves to one of the storage positions shown in FIG. 7. It will further be noted that during subsequent extension of the panels the various secondary rollers are guided back into the track 127 by the reentry cam plate '174.

When the primary rollers approach the storage compartment 144 they remain in the roller track 68 as shown in FIG. 7 and in order to reach their storage positions the hub member associated with each primary roller will deflect the cam plate 146 out of the way in the manner shown in FIG. 9. The cam plate 146 is pivotally mounted on the pin 176 and in its normal position overlies a bellcrank member 178 comprising a first arm 180. and a second arm 182. The bellcrank arm 182 is connected to a bellcrank lever 184 by means of a link 186, and the lever184 is biased in a clockwise direction about its pivot 187 by a tension spring 188 which is anchored at one end to a lug 190 on the frame 171 and is connected at its other end tothe lever 184 as shown at l9.2. The lever 184 acts through the link 186 to bias the lever 178 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 176 thereby yieldingly holding the lever 178 in its normal position as shown in FIG. 8 with the arm 180 engaged against a stop 194. In the foregoing manner, the cam plate 146 is yieldingly held in the position shown in FIG. 8 with a force sufficient to guide the secondary rollers up to the guide plate 172 in the manner hereinabove described. However, when for example a primary roller hub 196 associated with the primary roller 158 engages the cam plate 146, the primary roller is retained in its track and thus the primary roller hub 196 overcomes the force of the spring 188 and deflects the cam plate 146 and supporting lever 178 to the positions shown in FIG. 9.

The cam plate 146 is yieldingly held in engagement with the bellcrank lever'l78 by means of a tension spring 198 and bellcrank lever 200. The lever 200 is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the arm 180 by a pin 202 and the lever 200 is biased in a clockwise direction about its pivot 202 by the tension spring 198 which has one end anchored to the frame lug 190 and its opposite end connected to one end of the lever 200 at 204'. The opposite end of the lever 200 is connected to the cam plate 146 by a link206, the latter being connected to the lever 200 by a pin208 and to the cam plate 146 by a pin 210. v

During movement of the panels out of the storage compartment 144 each of the primary roller hubs must again move past the secondary roller carn plate 146. During such movement the primary roller hub 196 will engage and depress the curved bellcrank arm 182 so as to deflect the latter out of the path of the roller by overcoming'the force of the spring 188. The primary roller hub 196 .will also engage the cam plate 146 and by overcoming the force of the spring 198 will move the cam plate 146 in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown .in FIG. 10.. After the hub 196 has passed beyond-the bellcrank arm 182 and the cam plate 146 thelatter members and related components will be returned to the positions shown in FIG. 8 by the

springs

188 and 198. v v

The end walls of the enclosure as indicated generally at 212 in FIG. 1 may take any desired form but preferably are capable of being closed so that when the various roof panels are in their closed positions the pool P will be completely enclosed. It will be understood that heating, cooling and air exchange equipment is preferably utilized in conjunction with the convertible enclosure of the present invention so as to provide a climatecontrolled environment extending pool use to a full 12 months a year. The end wall 212 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of fixed transparent panels 214 and an open area shown at 216 which may be closed by a plurality of foldable doors or the like (not shown). It is also preferable that the roof closure panels be transparent. For example, with reference to the panel 30 shown in FIG. 2, the panel is comprised of a rectangular aluminum frame 218 and a sheet 220 of transparent acrylic material.

The convertible enclosure of the present invention is designed so that it is effectively sealed against the outside atmosphere when the various closure panels are in their closed positions. The seals between adjacent end portions of the pivotally connected panels have previously been described in conjunction with FIG. 3, the seals between the

panels

28a and 30 being indicated at 130, 132, 134 and 136 and the seals between the

panels

30 and 32 being indicated at 138 and 140. In addition, FIG. 12 shows a seal between the edge portion of one of the arched supporting beams such as the beam 22a and the adjacent edge portion of one of the pivotally connected closure panels such as the

panels

28a, 30 and 32. There is shown an edge portion 222 (see also FIG. having mounted thereon a continuous sheet metal plate 224 which extends along the beam edge portion 222 and comprises an outer wall 226 and a depending lip portion 228. A nylon brush 230 is mounted inside the wall 226 to extend continuously along the length thereof. A corresponding edge portion of a movable closure panel is shown at 232, and the latter has mounted thereon a sheet metal seal plate 234 the outer end of which projects partly into the brush 230 for cooperation therewith to provide an effective seal while permitting movement of the plate 234 relative to the brush 230 during extension or retraction of the various closure panels.

It will be understood that each of the panel edge portions is provided with a seal plate of the type shown at 234, and there is a small gap between the adjacent end portions of the various individual seal plates 234. Accordingly, an additional seal plate shown in dotted lines at 236 in FIG. 12 is secured to alternate closure panels. The seal plate 236 is attached to a given panel and is of a length sufficient to overlap the adjacent panel edge portion thereby closing the gap between the adjacent seal plates 234. Th seal plate 236 cooperates with the brush 230 in the same manner as the seal plate 234.

The manner of mounting and retracting the closure panels of the present invention is particularly advantageous for the reason that during movement of the closure panels toward a storage compartment, as shown at 144 in FIG. 7, the panels do not begin to fold relative to one another until they reach the exit cam 146 which is located within the storage compartment. Prior to reaching such a position the panels remain fully extended. The roller track structure provided in conjunction with the supporting beams is also considerably simplified by use of the exit cam 146 and related escape and recapture mechanism described hereinabove in conjunction with FIGS. 8-11. It should also be noted that the drive mechanism of the present invention permits the various series of panels to be stopped in any desired intermediate positions between the fully extended and fully retracted positions in order to provide side walls for protection against wind while leaving the upper portion of the structure substantially open, or for any other desired purpose.

With reference to the connecting link shown at 98 in FIG. 3 for interconnecting the

panels

28a and 30, as there shown the link is connected to a sleeve 90 at one end by a pin 100 and to a sleeve 102 at its other end by a pin 104. However, in accordance with an alternative embodiment it may be desirable to provide a pair of spaced pins for each of the foregoing connections rather than the single pins 100 and 104. With an arrangement of the latter type no pivotal movement will be possible between the link 98 and the sleeves and 102, and thus when the

panels

30 and 32 are folded relative to one another the pivotal movement will necessarily occur about the axes of the

sleeves

90 and 102 and not about the ends of the connecting link.

I claim:

1. A convertible swimming pool enclosure comprising, in combination, a plurality of arched supporting beams arranged in parallel spaced apart relation to extend over a swimming pool area to be enclosed, each said supporting beam extending upwardly over said pool area from one side to the other side thereof, the ends of each said supporting beam being fixedly supported on opposite sides of said pool area and the intermediate portions of said arched supporting beams defining a stationary curved roof frame structure extending in arched fashion over said pool area at a height substantially above the latter, panel guide means associated with said supporting beams, a plurality of rigid closure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of said supporting beams, said closure panels each being of a size sufficient to span the distance between said pair of supporting beams and being pivotally connected to one another for movement along the curved path of said supporting beams under the control of said panel guide means, said guide means being in engagement with opposite end portions of said closure panels to maintain said panels approximately tangent to said curved path whereby said closure panels when in their extended positions define a substantially smooth curved surface corresponding approximately to the curvature of said supporting beams, a storage area for said closure panels adjacent a side of said pool area, and motor drive means connected with said plurality of closure panels for moving the same between extended positions wherein they enclose the area between said supporting beams and storage positions wherein they are retracted into said storage area in folded relation to one another, said panel guide means including folding means which effects folding of said rigid closure panels relative to one another, said folding means being proximate said storage area whereby when said closure panels are moved toward said storage area a closure panel will begin to fold only after it has reached a position proximate said storage area.

2. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of closure panels comprises two independent series of closure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams, a first series of pivotally connected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose the area between approximately one-half of the length of said supporting beams and a second series of pivotally connected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose the area between the other one-half of the length of said supporting beams, said first and second series of panels being in oppositely disposed relation and being movable outwardly away from one another and downwardly when moved to their storage positions and being movable upwardly and toward one another when moved to their extended positions, and a pair of storage compartments, one located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed and the other located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on the opposite side of said area.

3. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type de fined in claim 1 wherein at least one selected closure panel of a series of interconnected closure panels has motor drive means mounted thereon, and said motor drive means being movable with said selected closure panel and serving to drive the same along said supporting beams between said extended and said storage positions, said selected closure panels thereby serving to actuate the other closure panels in said series between their extended and storage positions.

4. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 3 wherein said selected closure panel carries sprocket wheel means rotated by said motor drive means, and stationary drive means extending along the length of said supporting beams which is operatively engaged with said sprocket wheel means whereby upon rotation of said sprocket wheel means said selected closure panel and other panels connected thereto will be driven along said supporting beams between said extended and storage positions.

5. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said panel guide means comprises a roller track formed in each of said supporting beams and wherein said plurality of closure panels are provided with a plurality of rollers which move in said tracks along the length of said supporting beams when said closure panels are moved between their extended and storage positions.

6. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 6 wherein said rollers are mounted for axial floating movement to accommodate variations in the spacing between said two supporting beams.

7. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 including at least one underground storage compartment located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed, said plurality of closure panels being retractable into said underground storage compartment in folded relation to one another.

8. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting beams comprise arched beams which are symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of said area to be enclosed.

9. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of closure panels comprises two independently driven series of closure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams, a first series of pivotally connected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose the area between approximately one-half of the length of said supporting beams and a second series of pivotally connected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose the area between the other onehalf of the length of said supporting beams, said first and second series of panels being in oppositely disposed relation and being movable outwardly away from one another and downwardly when moved to their storage positions and being movable upwardly and toward one another when moved to their extended positions,

a pair of storage compartments one located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed and the other located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on the opposite side of said area, first motor drive means mounted on a selected one of said first series of panels and movable therewith for actuating said first series of panels between their extended and storage positions, and second motor drive means mounted on a selected one of said second series of panels and movable therewith for actuating said second series of panels between their extended and storage positions.

10. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams, said panel guide means being at least partially opened adjacent the lower ends of said panel guide means to permit one end of each of a plurality of said panels to leave the path of said supporting beams in order that the panels will be folded upon one another in said storagearea, and escape means located proximate said storage area for deflecting one end of each of a plurality of said panels out of said guide means to effect the folding of said panels in said storage area.

11. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams, a plurality of primary and secondary rollers on said closure panels, each of a plurality of said panels having one end controlled by a primary roller and its opposite end controlled by a secondary roller, said panel guide means comprising a primary roller track and-a secondary roller track, said secondary roller track being at least partially opened adjacent the lower ends of said supporting beams to permit said secondary rollers to leave the path of said supporting beams while said primary rollers remain guided along the approximate path of said supporting beams in order that the panels will be folded upon one another in said storage area, and escape means located proximate said storage area for deflecting said secondary rollers out of the path of said supporting beams to effect automatic folding of said panels in said storage area.

12. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 11 wherein said escape means deflects said secondary rollers completely out of said secondary roller track, and reentry means for guiding said secondary rollers back into said secondary roller track during movement of said panels to their extended positions.

13. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 12 where said escape means is yieldingly biased to its normal operative position so as to be temporarily movable out of said position when engaged by primary roller hub means associated with said primary rollers.

Claims

3. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein at least one selected closure panel of a series of interconnected closure panels haS motor drive means mounted thereon, and said motor drive means being movable with said selected closure panel and serving to drive the same along said supporting beams between said extended and said storage positions, said selected closure panels thereby serving to actuate the other closure panels in said series between their extended and storage positions.

9. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of closure panels comprises two independently driven series of closure panels disposed between each adjacent pair of arched supporting beams, a first series of pivotally connected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose the area between approximately one-half of the length of said supporting beams and a second series of pivotally connected panels when in their extended positions serving to enclose the area between the other one-half of the length of said supporting beams, said first and second series of panels being in oppositely disposed relation and being movable outwardly away from one another and downwardly when moved to their storage positions and being movable upwardly and toward one another when moved to their extended positions, a pair of storage compartments one located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on one side of said area to be enclosed and the other located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams on the opposite side of said area, first motor drive means mounted on a selected one of said first series of panels and movable therewith for actuating said first series of panels between their extended and storage positions, and second motor drive means mounted on a selected one of said second series of panels and movable therewith for actuating said second series of panels between their extended and storage positions.

10. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams, said panel guide means being at least partially opened adjacent the lower ends of said panel guide means to permit one end of each of a plurality of said panels to leave the path of said supporting beams in order that the panels will be folded upon one another in said storage area, and escape means located proximate said storage area for deflecting one end of each of a Plurality of said panels out of said guide means to effect the folding of said panels in said storage area.

11. Convertible enclosure apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said storage area is located proximate the lower ends of said supporting beams, a plurality of primary and secondary rollers on said closure panels, each of a plurality of said panels having one end controlled by a primary roller and its opposite end controlled by a secondary roller, said panel guide means comprising a primary roller track and a secondary roller track, said secondary roller track being at least partially opened adjacent the lower ends of said supporting beams to permit said secondary rollers to leave the path of said supporting beams while said primary rollers remain guided along the approximate path of said supporting beams in order that the panels will be folded upon one another in said storage area, and escape means located proximate said storage area for deflecting said secondary rollers out of the path of said supporting beams to effect automatic folding of said panels in said storage area.