Retractable spa enclosure

• US 6,604,327 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan K. Stahl, Greg L. Hoover
• Original Assignee: Ameracover Pool Enclosures, Inc.
• Inventors: Reville, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McDermott, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US10/004,169
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 52/64, 52/67, 52/69, 52/71, 527/303, 527/304, 527/321, 52/86, 52D/IG.17, 491/25, 492/54, 492/57, 492/58, 492/60
• US Class Current: 52/64
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/165 having movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/58 with both swinging and sliding movements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/60 for other use

Abstract

A retractable trackless spa enclosure includes at least two sections, a first section being slightly smaller than a second section. The first section may be retracted into the second section in reverse telescoping fashion. Both sections are mounted on wheels so that the spa may be more easily moved. Both sections of the enclosure may also include a sliding door for access/egress. In addition, the front end panel of the front section is pivotally mounted on rollers that move within a track. The pivotal mounting allows the front end panel to be rotated in its frame, so that it can be moved to a position horizontal to the ground, thereby providing sufficient clearance for the enclosure to pass over the spa. When the enclosure is retracted, the front end panel can be moved to a position adjacent the end wall of the rear section, so that an open-ended alcove is formed. The frame of the structure is formed from extruded aluminum, and is therefore very lightweight. The roof utilizes unique purlins that enable the roof to meet snow load requirements with a minimum of material. The panels inserted into the frame will typically be clear plastic.

Claims

1. A retractable enclosure comprising:

at least a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section comprising a frame formed from a plurality of frame elements,

a plurality of panels received in said frame elements,

at least one door for access into and egress from said enclosure, and

wheels affixed to said frame of at least one of said sections;

wherein

said first section is smaller than said second section, so that when said enclosure is moved to a retracted position, said first section is received in an interior of said second section, and

a front wall of said first section of said enclosure is pivotally and slidably mounted in a wall track mounted on said frame, such that said front wall pivots from a vertical position to a horizontal position, and said front wall is positionable in said vertical position at any point along a length of said wall track.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein:

said wall track comprises upper and lower horizontal channel sections, and front and rear vertical channel sections, said channel sections each comprising means for securing a plurality of rollers in said channel sections, each said roller having an axle secured to said front wall;

such that

a pair of said rollers mounted in said lower horizontal sections travels up a front side of said vertical channel sections when said front wall is pivoted from said vertical position to a horizontal position, and said pair of said rollers slides from a front end of said front section to a rear end of said front section.

3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein:

said frame includes side members on sides of said first section and said second section, said side members have affixed thereto slide frame elements that receive at least one section alignment assembly, said section alignment assemblies each comprise a rod with a first end fixedly secured in a first section of said frame, a second end of said rod includes a roller movably received in a channel of a second section of said frame, said section alignment assemblies forming movable alignment joints that hold said first section in proper alignment with said second section;

wherein

as said first section is moved relative to said second section, said rollers of said section alignment assemblies move within said channels of said frame.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein:

at least one door is included in said first section or said second section.

5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein:

at least one purlin of a roof of said enclosure comprises

a bottom wall,

two side walls,

a rounded top side, and

an upper interior support bar, and a lower interior support bar, each said interior support bar extending for a length of said purlins;

wherein

on a top side of said upper interior support bar and on a bottom side of said lower interior support bar are arced screw mounts.

6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein:

said frame elements are formed from extruded aluminum.

7. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein:

said panels are formed from clear plastic.

8. A retractable enclosure comprising:

at least a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section comprising a frame formed from a plurality of frame elements,

a plurality of panels received in said frame elements,

at least one door for access into and egress from said enclosure;

wherein

said first section is smaller than said second section, so that when said enclosure is moved to a retracted position, said first section is received in an interior of said second section, and

a front wall of said first section of said enclosure is pivotally and slidably mounted in a wall track mounted on said frame, such that said front wall pivots from a vertical position to a horizontal position, and said front wall is positionable in said vertical position at any point along a length of said wall track.

9. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

said wall track comprises upper and lower horizontal channel sections, and front and rear vertical channel sections, said channel sections each comprising means for securing a plurality of rollers in said channel sections, each said roller having an axle secured to said front wall;

such that

a pair of said rollers mounted in said lower horizontal sections travels up a front side of said vertical channel sections when said front wall is pivoted from said vertical position to a horizontal position, and said pair of said rollers slides from a front end of said front section to a rear end of said front section.

10. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

wheels are affixed to a frame of at least said first section to enable said first section to easily move into said second section when said enclosure is moved to said retracted position.

11. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

said frame includes side members on sides of said first section and said second section, said side members have affixed thereto slide frame elements that receive at least one section alignment assembly, said section alignment assemblies each comprise a rod with a first end fixedly secured in a first section of said frame, a second end of said rod includes a roller movably received in a channel of a second section of said frame, said section alignment assemblies forming movable alignment joints that hold said first section in proper alignment with said second section;

wherein

as said first section is moved relative to said second section, said rollers of said section alignment assemblies move within said channels of said frame.

12. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

at least one door is included in said first section or said second section.

13. The enclosure of claims 8, wherein:

at least one purlin of a roof of said enclosure comprises

a bottom wall,

two side walls,

a rounded top side, and

an upper interior support bar, and a lower interior support bar, each said interior support bar extending for a length of said purlins;

wherein

on a top side of said upper interior support bar and on a bottom side of said lower interior support bar are arced screw mounts.

14. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

said frame elements are formed from extruded aluminum.

15. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

said panels are formed from clear plastic.

16. A retractable enclosure comprising:

at least a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section comprising a frame formed from a plurality of frame elements,

a plurality of panels received in said frame elements,

at least one door for access into and egress from said enclosure, and

wheels affixed to a frame of at least said first section;

wherein

said first section is smaller than said second section, so that when said enclosure is moved to a retracted position, said first section is received in an interior of said second section, and

said frame includes side members on sides of said first section and said second section, said side members have affixed thereto slide frame elements that receive at least two section alignment assemblies, said section alignment assemblies comprise a rod with a first end fixedly secured in a first section of said frame, a second end of said rod includes a roller movably received in a channel of a second section of said frame, said section alignment assemblies forming movable alignment joints that hold said first section in proper alignment with said second section;

wherein

as said first section is moved relative to said second section, said rollers of said section alignment assemblies move within said channels of said frame.

17. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein:

at least one door is included in said first section or said second section.

18. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein:

at least one purlin of a roof comprises

a bottom wall,

two side walls,

a rounded top side, and

an upper interior support bar, and a lower interior support bar, each said interior support bar extending for a length of said purlins;

wherein

on a top side of said upper interior support bar and on a bottom side of said lower interior support bar are arced screw mounts.

19. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein:

said frame elements are formed from extruded aluminum.

20. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein:

said panels are formed from clear plastic.

21. A retractable enclosure comprising:

at least a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section comprising a frame formed from a plurality of frame elements,

a plurality of panels received in said frame elements,

at least one door for access into and egress from said enclosure, and

wheels affixed to a frame of at least said first section;

wherein

said first section is smaller than said second section, so that when said enclosure is moved to a retracted position, said first section is received in an interior of said second section, and

at least one purlin of a roof comprises

a bottom wall,

two side walls,

a rounded top side, and

an upper interior support bar, and a lower interior support bar, each said interior support bar extending for a length of said purlins;

wherein

on a top side of said upper interior support bar and on a bottom side of said lower interior support bar are arced screw mounts.

22. The enclosure of claim 21, wherein:

said frame elements are formed from extruded aluminum.

23. The enclosure of claim 21, wherein:

said panels are formed from clear plastic.

24. A retractable enclosure comprising:

at least a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section comprising a frame formed from a plurality of frame elements,

a plurality of panels received in said frame elements,

at least one door for access into and egress from said enclosure;

wherein

said first section is smaller than said second section, so that when said enclosure is moved to a retracted position, said first section is received in an interior of said second section, and

said frame includes side members on sides of said first section and said second section, said side members have affixed thereto slide frame elements that receive at least two section alignment assemblies, said section alignment assemblies comprise a rod with a first end fixedly secured in a first section of said frame, a second end of said rod includes a roller movably received in a channel of a second section of said frame, said section alignment assemblies forming movable alignment joints that hold said first section in proper alignment with said second section, so that as said first section is moved relative to said second section, said rollers of said section alignment assemblies move within said channels of said frame.

25. The enclosure of claim 24, wherein:

at least one door is included in said first section or said second section.

26. The enclosure of claim 24, wherein:

at least one purlin of a roof comprises

a bottom wall,

two side walls,

a rounded top side, and

an upper interior support bar, and a lower interior support bar, each said interior support bar extending for a length of said purlins;

wherein

on a top side of said upper interior support bar and on a bottom side of said lower interior support bar are arced screw mounts.

27. The enclosure of claim 24, wherein:

said frame elements are formed from extruded aluminum.

28. The enclosure of claim 24, wherein:

said panels are formed from clear plastic.

29. A retractable enclosure comprising:

at least a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section comprising a frame formed from a plurality of frame elements,

a plurality of panels received in said frame elements,

at least one door for access into and egress from said enclosure;

wherein

said first section is smaller than said second section, so that when said enclosure is moved to a retracted position, said first section is received in an interior of said second section, and

at least one purlin of a roof comprises

a bottom wall,

two side walls,

a rounded top side, and

an upper interior support bar, and a lower interior support bar, each said interior support bar extending for a length of said purlins;

wherein

on a top side of said upper interior support bar and on a bottom side of said lower interior support bar are arced screw mounts.

30. The enclosure of claim 29, wherein:

said frame elements are formed from extruded aluminum.

31. The enclosure of claim 29, wherein:

said panels are formed from clear plastic.