Structure having convertible roof and walls

• US 9,915,062 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2016
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cabrio Structures LLC
• Original Assignee: Convertible Living LLC
• Inventors: Forsland, Kent Harry, Peters, Michael Dennis, Schraw, Luke Duane
• Primary Examiner(s): MINTZ, RODNEY K
• Application Number:
  US15/278,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20170145682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 52 66, 52 67, 52 6, 52 64, 52 72, 52 795, 52 68, 52 69, 52 70, 52 71, 4494
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/24 the supporting parts consisting of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/343 Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport movable roof parts E04B7/16; floatable buildings B63B; small prefabricated buildings, transportable as a whole, E04H1/12; small garages E04H6/02; tents or canopies, in general E04H15/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/34305 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3455 Wheeled arch-type structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/199 Details of roofs, floors or walls supported by the framework
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/166 characterised by a translation movement of the movable roof part, with or without additional movements

Abstract

A movable enclosure is configured to selectively enclose an area. The enclosure includes at least one side wall and an end wall attached thereto. The side wall comprises a number of individual panels that are independently movable along a track secured to the ground. The panels are selectively collapsible such that they may travel along the track and overlap one another when in a collapsed or stowed position. The enclosure may be configured in any number of intermediate positions wherein the panels are partially collapsed. Roof panels may be attached to the side walls for movement therewith, or alternatively, the roof panels may operate independent of the side walls to extend and retract between an open and collapsed configuration.

Claims

1. A building structure comprising:

a fixed structural frame defining an enclosable region having a perimeter defined by a first dimension and a second dimension and including a first header extending horizontally above head level along the first dimension, the fixed structural frame including a first track or tracks mounted to a top side of the first header and a second track or tracks mounted below the first header;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted on the first header of the fixed structural frame above head level and that each span the second dimension of the enclosable region, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are slidably mounted to the first track or tracks and movable along the first dimension relative to the first header of the fixed structural frame to convert the convertible roof between an open roof configuration and a closed roof configuration, at least two of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another to form a stack or stacks when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration; and

a convertible side wall including a plurality of side wall sections that are mounted under the first header of the fixed structural frame, the plurality of side wall sections including movable side wall sections that are slidably mounted to the second track or tracks and movable relative to the fixed structural frame along the first dimension independent of all of the roof sections to convert the side wall between an open side wall configuration and a closed side wall configuration, a substantial portion of the side wall being open when the side wall is in the open side wall configuration.

2. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the enclosable region includes a floor, and wherein the convertible side wall extends from the first header to the floor.

3. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the fixed structural frame includes the first header and a second header, the first header extending horizontally above head level along the first dimension, the second header extending horizontally above head level along the second dimension, wherein the plurality of roof sections are mounted on the first header, and wherein additional side wall sections are mounted under the second header.

4. The building structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the movable side wall sections includes a light transmissible component.

5. The building structure of claim 1, wherein each of the roof sections includes a peak and first and second panel portions on opposite sides of the peak that pitch away from the peak.

6. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the roof sections include a first set that covers a first half of the first dimension of the enclosable region and a second set that covers a second half of the first dimension of the enclosable region, wherein the first set of roof sections stack adjacent a first end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and wherein the second set of roof sections stack adjacent a second end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration.

7. The building structure of claim 1, further comprising vertical posts that support the first header, and wherein the vertical posts and the first header are visible from inside and outside the building structure and have a metal construction with a finish coating.

8. The building structure of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of the stack or stacks is positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration.

9. The building structure of claim 8, wherein the fixed structural frame defines an overhang portion positioned over a verandah region, and wherein the portion of one of the stack or stacks is supported on the overhang portion and covers the verandah region.

10. A building structure comprising:

a fixed structural frame defining an enclosable region having a perimeter defined by a first dimension and a second dimension that is transverse relative to the first dimension, the first dimension extending between first and second ends of the enclosable region, the fixed structural frame defining a first overhang portion positioned over an outside location located outside the perimeter of the enclosable region adjacent the first end of the enclosable region, the fixed structural frame including a header extending horizontally above head level along the first dimension with a first track or tracks mounted above the header;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted above head level and that each span the second dimension, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are slidably mounted to the first track or tracks and are movable along the first dimension, the convertible roof being convertible between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the movable roof sections being movable relative to the fixed structural frame along the first dimension to convert the convertible roof between the open configuration and the closed configuration;

wherein the roof sections include a first set that covers a first half of the first dimension of the enclosable region and a second set that covers a second half of the first dimension of the enclosable region, wherein the first set of roof sections stack in a first stack adjacent the first end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and wherein the second set of roof sections stack in a second stack adjacent the second end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration; and

a majority of the first stack being positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region and supported on the first overhang portion to form a first verandah outside the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration.

11. The building structure of claim 10, further comprising:

a second track or tracks mounted below the header;

a convertible side wall including a plurality of side wall sections that are mounted to the fixed structural frame, the plurality of side wall sections including movable side wall sections that are slidably mounted to the second track or tracks and movable relative to the fixed structural frame along the first dimension independent of all the roof sections to convert the side wall between an open side wall configuration and a closed side wall configuration, a substantial portion of the side wall being open when the side wall is in the open side wall configuration.

12. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the fixed structural frame defines a second overhang portion positioned over a second outside location located outside the perimeter of the enclosable region adjacent the second end of the enclosable region;

and

wherein a majority of the second stack is positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region and supported on the second overhang portion to form a second verandah outside the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration.

13. A building structure comprising:

a fixed structural frame defining an enclosable region having a perimeter defined by a first dimension and a second dimension that is transverse relative to the first dimension, the fixed structural frame including a header extending horizontally above head level along the first dimension;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted on the header of the fixed structural frame above head level and that each span the second dimension of the enclosable region, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are mounted on the header of the fixed structural frame and movable along the first dimension relative to the header of the fixed structural frame to convert the convertible roof between an open roof configuration and a closed roof configuration, at least two of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another to form a stack or stacks when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration; and

a convertible side wall including a plurality of side wall sections that are mounted under the header of the fixed structural frame, the plurality of side wall sections including movable side wall sections that are movable relative to the header of the fixed structural frame along the first dimension independent of all the roof sections to convert the side wall between an open side wall configuration and a closed side wall configuration, a substantial portion of the side wall being open when the side wall is in the open side wall configuration;

wherein the plurality of roof sections are slidably mounted on a top side of the header, and wherein the movable side wall sections are slidably mounted to a bottom side of the header.

14. The building structure of claim 13, further comprising a first track or tracks mounted to the top side of the header and a second track or tracks mounted to the bottom side of the header, wherein the plurality of roof sections are slidably mounted to the first track or tracks and the plurality of side wall sections are slidably mounted to the second track or tracks.

15. A building structure comprising:

a fixed structural frame defining an enclosable region having a perimeter defined by a first dimension and a second dimension that is transverse relative to the first dimension, the first dimension extending between first and second ends of the enclosable region, the fixed structural frame including a header extending horizontally above head level along the first dimension;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted on the header of the fixed structural frame above head level and that each span the second dimension of the enclosable region, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are mounted on the header of the fixed structural frame and movable along the first dimension relative to the header of the fixed structural frame to convert the convertible roof between an open roof configuration and a closed roof configuration, at least two of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another to form a stack or stacks when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration; and

a convertible side wall including a plurality of side wall sections that are mounted under the header of the fixed structural frame, the plurality of side wall sections including movable side wall sections that are movable relative to the header of the fixed structural frame along the first dimension independent of all the roof sections to convert the side wall between an open side wall configuration and a closed side wall configuration, a substantial portion of the side wall being open when the side wall is in the open side wall configuration;

wherein the roof sections include a first set that covers a first half of the first dimension of the enclosable region and a second set that covers a second half of the first dimension of the enclosable region, wherein the first set of roof sections stack adjacent the first end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and wherein the second set of roof sections stack adjacent the second end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration.

16. A structure comprising:

a header extending horizontally above head level along a first dimension;

a first track or tracks mounted on a top side of the header;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted on the header above head level and that each span a second dimension that is transverse relative to the first dimension, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are slidably mounted to the first track or tracks on the header and movable along the first dimension relative to the header to convert the convertible roof between an open roof configuration and a closed roof configuration, at least two of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another to form a stack or stacks when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration;

a second track or tracks mounted below the header; and

a convertible side wall including a plurality of side wall sections that extend a majority of a height of the convertible side wall, the plurality of side wall sections including movable side wall sections that are slidably mounted to the second track or tracks and are movable relative to the header along the first dimension independent of all the roof sections to convert the side wall between an open side wall configuration and a closed side wall configuration, a substantial portion of the side wall being open when the side wall is in the open side wall configuration.

17. A structure comprising:

a header extending horizontally above head level along a first dimension that corresponds to a length of an enclosable space;

a first track or tracks mounted above the header;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted on the header above head level and that each span a second dimension that is transverse relative to the first dimension, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are slidably mounted to the first track or tracks and movable along the first dimension relative to the header to convert the convertible roof between an open roof configuration and a closed roof configuration, at least two of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another to form a stack or stacks when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration;

a second track or tracks mounted below the header; and

a side wall including a bank of side panels extending substantially the entire length of the enclosable space, the bank of side panels including movable side panels that are slidably mounted to the second track or tracks and that are movable relative to the header along the first dimension independent of all the roof sections to convert the bank of side panels between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a substantial portion of a region corresponding to the bank of side panels being open when the bank of side panels is in the open configuration.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein when the bank of side panels is in the open configuration and the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration, the enclosable space is configured to approximate an open air space.

19. The structure of claim 17, wherein the side panels extend substantially from the header to a ground surface.

20. The structure of claim 17, wherein the roof sections are peaked.

21. The structure of claim 17, wherein the convertible roof is at least 50 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration.

22. The structure of claim 17, wherein the convertible roof is at least 60 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration.

23. The structure of claim 17, wherein at least one of the stack or stacks of roof sections includes at least 4 of the roof sections.

24. The structure of claim 17, wherein at least two of the side panels substantially overlap one another to form a stack or stacks when the bank of panels is in the open configuration, and wherein at least one of the stack or stacks of side panels includes at least three of the side panels.

25. The structure of claim 17, wherein at least two of the side panels substantially overlap one another to form a stack or stacks when the bank of panels is in the open configuration, and wherein at least one of the stack or stacks of side panels includes at least four of the side panels.

26. The structure of claim 17, wherein the enclosable space has a footprint less than 2000 square feet.

27. The structure of claim 17, wherein the enclosable space has a footprint less than 1500 square feet.

28. The structure of claim 17, wherein the enclosable space has a footprint less than 1000 square feet.

29. The structure of claim 17, wherein the movable roof sections include rollers that ride on the tracks and hold-downs which extend under the tracks.

30. The structure of claim 17, wherein the second track or tracks is/are mounted to a bottom side of the header.

31. The structure of claim 17, wherein the convertible roof is at least 40 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open roof configuration.

32. The structure of claim 31, wherein the side wall is at least 40 percent open when the bank of side panels is in the open configuration.

33. The structure of claim 31, wherein the side wall is at least 50 percent open when the bank of side panels is in the open configuration.

34. The structure of claim 31, wherein at least one of the stack or stacks of roof sections includes at least 3 of the roof sections.

35. The structure of claim 17, wherein the structure is integrated with an existing building.

36. The structure of claim 35, wherein the header extends between walls of the existing building.

37. The structure of claim 17, wherein the header is part of a frame including columns that support the header, and wherein the header and the columns are visible from inside and outside the structure.

38. The structure of claim 37, wherein the header and the columns are constructed of a metal material.

39. The structure of claim 38, wherein the metal material is coated with an aesthetic coating layer.

40. A building structure comprising:

a fixed structural frame defining an enclosable region having a perimeter defined by a first dimension and a second dimension that is transverse relative to the first dimension, the fixed structural frame including a first header extending horizontally above head level along the first dimension, the fixed structural frame also including a second header that extends along the second dimension and connects to the first header at a corner of the enclosable space, the first header including a main portion that extends along the enclosable region and an overhang portion that extends past the second header over an outside location located outside the perimeter of the enclosable region;

a track or tracks mounted above the first header, the track or tracks extending lengthwise along both the main portion and the overhang portion of the first header;

a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that are mounted above head level and that each span the second dimension, the plurality of roof sections including movable roof sections that are slidably mounted to the track or tracks and are movable along the first dimension, the convertible roof being convertible between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the movable roof sections being movable relative to the fixed structural frame along the first dimension to convert the convertible roof between the open configuration and the closed configuration, at least two of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another to form a stack or stacks when the convertible roof is in the open configuration;

a side wall that extends along the second dimension and that is supported beneath the second header; and

a majority of at least one stack of the stack or stacks being positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region and extending past the side wall and the second header when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, the at least one stack being positioned on the overhang portion of the first header and forming a first verandah outside the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration.

41. The building structure of claim 40, wherein an entirety of the at least one stack is positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region and is positioned outside past the side wall and the second header when the convertible roof is in the open configuration.