Structure having a convertible roof and sidewall

• US 8,381,452 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cabrio Companies LLC
• Original Assignee: Cabreeco Companies LLC
• Inventors: Forsland, Kent Harry, Anderson, Elav William
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E
• Assistant Examiner(s): KENNY, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/043,162
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 52/64, 52/66, 52/67, 449/4
• US Class Current: 52/66
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/0046 Loggias
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/166 characterised by a translation movement of the movable roof part, with or without additional movements

Abstract

A foundation system and a roof system are especially useful for flexible indoor/outdoor space structures. The foundation system has adjustment features for leveling of flexible structures. The roof system features independent roof segments. The foundation system includes one or more foundation members which have a frame, a base and an adjustable height member. Also disclosed are drive, connection, level sensing and control elements for the foundation system. The roof system includes a fixed bean with roller tracks, a set of overlapping roof segments, and a header beam also with roller tracks.

Claims

1. A convertible structure comprising:

a fixed frame including an elongated first support positioned at a peak of the convertible structure and an elongated second support downwardly and laterally offset from the first support, the first and second supports having lengths that are generally parallel;

the convertible structure including first and second side wall regions positioned on opposite sides of the elongated first support, the second side wall region being positioned adjacent the elongated second support, the convertible structure also including a first roof region positioned between the elongated first support and the first side wall region, and the convertible structure further including a second roof region positioned between the elongated first support and the elongated second support;

a plurality of combined side wall and roof units each including a first side wall panel and a first roof panel which are integrated together so as to be movable together as a unit, the combined side wall and roof units being movable relative to one another along the length of the elongated first support between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the combined side wall and roof units enclosing the first side wall region and the first roof region when in the extended configuration, and the combined side wall and roof units substantially overlapping one another when in the retracted configuration such that the first side wall region and the first roof region are open;

a plurality of second roof panels that each span a distance between the first elongated support and the second elongated support, the second roof panels being movable relative to one another along the lengths of the elongated first and second supports between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the second roof panels being movable between the extended and retracted configurations independent of the combined side wall and roof units, the second roof panels enclosing the second roof region when in the extended configuration, and the second roof panels substantially overlapping one another when in the retracted configuration such that the second roof region is open; and

a plurality of second wall panels mounted beneath the second elongated support, the second wall panels being movable relative to one another along the length of the elongated second support between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the second wall panels being movable between the extended and retracted configurations independent of the second roof panels, the second wall panels enclosing the second side wall region when in the extended configuration, and the second wall panels substantially overlapping one another when in the retracted configuration such that the second side wall region is open.

2. The convertible structure of claim 1, wherein the elongated first support and the elongated second support include horizontal beams having ends supported by vertical posts.

3. The convertible structure of claim 2, wherein at least some of the posts are supported on vertically adjustable footings.

4. The convertible structure of claim 3, wherein the vertically adjustable footings include screws for adjusting support heights of the footings.

5. A convertible structure comprising:

a fixed frame including an elongated first support positioned at a peak of the convertible structure and an elongated second support downwardly and laterally offset from the first support, the first and second supports having first dimensions that are generally parallel;

the convertible structure including first and second side wall regions positioned on opposite sides of the elongated first support, the second side wall region being positioned adjacent the elongated second support, the convertible structure also including a first roof region positioned between the elongated first support and the first side wall region, and the convertible structure further including a second roof region positioned between the elongated first support and the elongated second support;

a plurality of combined side wall and roof units each including a first side wall panel and a first roof panel which are integrated together so as to be movable together as a unit, the combined side wall and roof units being movable relative to one another along the first dimension of the elongated first support between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the combined side wall and roof units enclosing the first side wall region and the first roof region when in the extended configuration, and the first side wall region and the first roof region being open when in the retracted configuration;

a plurality of second roof panels that each span a distance between the first elongated support and the second elongated support, the second roof panels being movable relative to one another along the first dimensions of the elongated first and second supports between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the second roof panels being movable between the extended and retracted configurations independent of the combined side wall and roof units, the second roof panels enclosing the second roof region when in the extended configuration, and the second roof region being open when in the retracted configuration; and

a plurality of second wall panels mounted beneath the second elongated support, the second wall panels being movable relative to one another along the first dimension of the elongated second support between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the second wall panels being movable between the extended and retracted configurations independent of the second roof panels, the second wall panels enclosing the second side wall region when in the extended configuration, and the second side wall region being open when in the retracted configuration.

6. The convertible structure of claim 5, wherein the elongated first support and the elongated second support include horizontal beams having ends supported by vertical posts.

7. The convertible structure of claim 6, wherein at least some of the posts are supported on vertically adjustable footings.

8. The convertible structure of claim 7, wherein the vertically adjustable footings include screws for adjusting support heights of the footings.