GB2140479A

GB2140479A - Folding shelters

Info

Publication number: GB2140479A
Application number: GB08411681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guerrero Jesus Villa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-05-10
Filing date: 1984-05-08
Publication date: 1984-11-28
Also published as: IT8420872A1; GB8411681D0; IT1173979B; IT8420872A0

Abstract

An extensible structure designed to be covered by a flexible roof and applicable to the construction of roofs, tunnels and the like comprises a plurality of U-shaped profiles (1,11) hinged together (5,14) and provided at their lower ends with wheels (6,14) and covered at their upper ends by a canvas (7,16) with the interposition of stress absorbing bands (8, 9, 10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Extensible structure The present invention refers to an extensible structure designed to conform to tunnels, roofs and the like to be picked up or unfolded at a given moment.

In some situations or sites, it is necessary to cover an area for a certain period of time, while during other periods of time such covering is not necessary, an important feature being that of being able to pick up such covering rapidly and above all, once pickedup, it can occupy a minimum space. This type of structure is preferably useful for the terrace of a bar, the tunnel for the exit of athletes in stadiums, in covering swimming pools, tennis courts and the like.

In general terms, the extensible structure of the present invention comprises a plurality of U-shaped profiles, the laterals of which constitute the legs of the assembly while the central portion of the U constitutes the supporting element for the canvas or the like.

Each U-shaped profile is hinged to the adjacent profile, wherefore a straight or arched longitudinal alignment of structures can be formed.

Specifically each U-shaped profile has, at the free ends of its lateral portions, rolling elements facilitating movement of the entire assembly, while each profile is hinged either at its central zone or at its lateral portions to the adjacent profile, thereby facilitating the accordion-type spreading out or picking up thereof.

The following Figures are accompanied to the present invention: Figure 1 illustrates a side elavational view of a mode of embodiment of the extensible structure of the present invention, in which the lateral portions of the profiles are in a vertical position, while its arched shaped central portion constitutes the canvas support.

Figure 2 corresponds to a plan view of the mode of embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 corresponds to a front elevational view of one of the profiles, provided at the ends of its lateral portions with the corresponding sliding wheels.

Figure 4 corresponds to a side elevational view of a second mode of embodiment of the present invention, in which the central portion of the Ushaped profiles is straight, while the lateral portions are inclined when the assembly is unfolded.

Figure 5 corresponds to a front elevational view of a U-shaped profile, the central portion of which is straight.

Figure 6corresponds to a plan view of an alignment of U-shaped profiles of the straight central portion which are hinged precisely at their straight central portions, the free ends of the lateral portions being hinged to an intermediate piece during joining thereof to the sliding wheels.

In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 1, the central portion of the U-shaped profiles 1 is arched and such profiles are joined together in a zig-zag manner as represented in Figure 2, so that the end 2 of the first profile 1 is located at the level of the average zone existing between the end 3 of the first profile 1 and the end 4 of the second profile 1, when the structure is open.

Joining between each profile 1 having an arched central portion and the adjacent profile takes place by hinges 5 conferring thereto a large radius of turn, practically between 0 and more than 1800, wherefore this structure can adopt any shape, form a straight extension to a curved extension.

To facilitate movement of the entire assembly, the free ends of each lateral portion of the profile 1 are provided with small sliding wheels 6.

The assembly is covered by a closure element 7 which should adopt the characteristics of malleability and resistance to atmospheric agents to, in the first place, facilitate closing and, in the second, to prevent persons or elements found thereunder from suffering accidents.

The element 7 is supported on the arched central portions of the profiles 1 by virtue of straps 8,9 and 10 having characteristics similar to those of element 7 and which, besides, serve as absorbers of the stress excesses which can be produced when opening the structure.

In the second mode of embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the central portion of the U-shaped profile 11 is straight. Each straight portion of the profile 11 is hinged by hinges 12 to the adjacent profile 11.

Each profile 11, at its free ends, receives the coupling of pieces 13 which facilitate the articulated turn of the mentioned lateral portions of the profile 11 with the wheels 14 which are common to both profiles 11.

In this embodiment, the stability during opening of the assembly is facilitated by incorporating tie rods 15 which are hinted at their central zone and which are coupled to the central zones of the lateral portions of two adjacent profiles 11.

The assembly is covered by an element 16 acting as element 7 of the first embodiment, which can also incorporate the straps 8, 9 and 10 serving as absorbers of the stress excesses which can be produced when opening the structure.

1. Extensible stucture designed to be covered by a flexible roof resistant to atmospheric agents and specially applicable in the construction of roofings, tunnels and the like, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of U-shaped profiles aligned in zig-zag in staight or wavy conformations, by hinging the profiles together, the central portions of which have attheirfree ends sliding wheels, while the lateral portions arranged in an upper position are covered by a canvas or the like with the interpositioning of stress absorbing bands.

2. Extensible structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral portions of each profile are hinged, located in a vertical position, to the lateral portions of the adjacent profile, while the central arched-shaped portions are in an alternative angular position.

3. Extensible structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight central portions of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Extensible structure The present invention refers to an extensible structure designed to conform to tunnels, roofs and the like to be picked up or unfolded at a given moment. In some situations or sites, it is necessary to cover an area for a certain period of time, while during other periods of time such covering is not necessary, an important feature being that of being able to pick up such covering rapidly and above all, once pickedup, it can occupy a minimum space. This type of structure is preferably useful for the terrace of a bar, the tunnel for the exit of athletes in stadiums, in covering swimming pools, tennis courts and the like. In general terms, the extensible structure of the present invention comprises a plurality of U-shaped profiles, the laterals of which constitute the legs of the assembly while the central portion of the U constitutes the supporting element for the canvas or the like. Each U-shaped profile is hinged to the adjacent profile, wherefore a straight or arched longitudinal alignment of structures can be formed. Specifically each U-shaped profile has, at the free ends of its lateral portions, rolling elements facilitating movement of the entire assembly, while each profile is hinged either at its central zone or at its lateral portions to the adjacent profile, thereby facilitating the accordion-type spreading out or picking up thereof. The following Figures are accompanied to the present invention: Figure 1 illustrates a side elavational view of a mode of embodiment of the extensible structure of the present invention, in which the lateral portions of the profiles are in a vertical position, while its arched shaped central portion constitutes the canvas support. Figure 2 corresponds to a plan view of the mode of embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 3 corresponds to a front elevational view of one of the profiles, provided at the ends of its lateral portions with the corresponding sliding wheels. Figure 4 corresponds to a side elevational view of a second mode of embodiment of the present invention, in which the central portion of the Ushaped profiles is straight, while the lateral portions are inclined when the assembly is unfolded. Figure 5 corresponds to a front elevational view of a U-shaped profile, the central portion of which is straight. Figure 6corresponds to a plan view of an alignment of U-shaped profiles of the straight central portion which are hinged precisely at their straight central portions, the free ends of the lateral portions being hinged to an intermediate piece during joining thereof to the sliding wheels. In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 1, the central portion of the U-shaped profiles 1 is arched and such profiles are joined together in a zig-zag manner as represented in Figure 2, so that the end 2 of the first profile 1 is located at the level of the average zone existing between the end 3 of the first profile 1 and the end 4 of the second profile 1, when the structure is open. Joining between each profile 1 having an arched central portion and the adjacent profile takes place by hinges 5 conferring thereto a large radius of turn, practically between 0 and more than 1800, wherefore this structure can adopt any shape, form a straight extension to a curved extension. To facilitate movement of the entire assembly, the free ends of each lateral portion of the profile 1 are provided with small sliding wheels 6. The assembly is covered by a closure element 7 which should adopt the characteristics of malleability and resistance to atmospheric agents to, in the first place, facilitate closing and, in the second, to prevent persons or elements found thereunder from suffering accidents. The element 7 is supported on the arched central portions of the profiles 1 by virtue of straps 8,9 and 10 having characteristics similar to those of element 7 and which, besides, serve as absorbers of the stress excesses which can be produced when opening the structure. In the second mode of embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the central portion of the U-shaped profile 11 is straight. Each straight portion of the profile 11 is hinged by hinges 12 to the adjacent profile 11. Each profile 11, at its free ends, receives the coupling of pieces 13 which facilitate the articulated turn of the mentioned lateral portions of the profile 11 with the wheels 14 which are common to both profiles 11. In this embodiment, the stability during opening of the assembly is facilitated by incorporating tie rods 15 which are hinted at their central zone and which are coupled to the central zones of the lateral portions of two adjacent profiles 11. The assembly is covered by an element 16 acting as element 7 of the first embodiment, which can also incorporate the straps 8, 9 and 10 serving as absorbers of the stress excesses which can be produced when opening the structure. CLAIMS

3. Extensible structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight central portions of each profile are hinted together and each free end of the lateral portions are joined to the wheels by incorporating an articulation element, and furthermore between the central zones of the lateral portions of two adjacent profiles there are positioning braces having a central articulation.