Telescopic enclosure

• US 6,637,160 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aqua Shield
• Original Assignee: Aqua Shield
• Inventors: Brooks, Bob
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HORTON, YVONNE MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US09/902,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 52/65, 52/66, 52/63, 52/67, 135/96, 135/115, 135/116, 135/119, 135/124, 135/129, 491/63, 495/05, 450/2, 450/3, 449/8, 160/272, 160/273.1, 296/100.03, 296/105, 296/100.17
• US Class Current: 52/66
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/0046 Loggias
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/34305 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/166 characterised by a translation movement of the movable roof part, with or without additional movements
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/165 having movable parts

Abstract

The present invention 10 discloses a plurality of movable transparent arcuate sections 12 that can roll on their own designated tracks 14 to enclose or expose a sun room or pool area 18. Thus, the present invention 10 is comprised of a plurality of overlapping transparent arcuate arches or sections 12 positioned on parallel tracks 14. The arches 12 can be selectively moved to any position on the parallel tracks 14. The two distal end arches have removable end closure panels 20. Each of the transparent panel members 22 or arch 12 are positioned within a frame member 16 having a plurality of wheels 36 engaging the spaced apart track members 14. Track members 14 are fixedly positioned to the ground or foundation structures 58 in a spaced-apart parallel configuration. Each side of an arch 12 consists of a plurality of wheels 36 fixedly positioned between spaced apart track elements 14 having hook-like terminations 53 to prevent dislocation of the frame member 16 from the track member 14. Each arch 12 is slidably positioned on its respective track 14 before plugs 54 are inserted into each track rail distal end.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an enclosure for attachment to a building or for covering an area, comprising:

a) a plurality of arcuate panels, said panels having a first and second end, and a first and second side, wherein said panels are generally rectangular, planar panels;

b) a plurality of arcuate frame members, said frame members having a first and second end, and a first and second side for receiving said panels, and an inner and an outer surface;

c) a pair of end panels for attachment to the ends of the enclosure to complete the enclosure;

d) means-for a plurality of horizontal frame members whereby the ends of the arcuate frame members are secured;

e) means for a plurality of rollers disposed on said horizontal frame members whereby said horizontal frame members are movable thereon;

f) means for a plurality of horizontal rails whereby the rollers are rollable thereon and the rails are able to be attached to a foundation; and

,

g) wherein said plurality of arcuate panels and said plurality of arcuate frame members are sized so that arcuate panels and arcuate frame members of smaller diameter are disposed toward the interior of said panels and frame members of larger diameter so that said panels and frame members are able to telescope one within each other, wherein said arcuate panels approximate the shape of one of a circumference of half a circle or one-fourth an ellipse and said end panels are generally flat and removable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arcuate panels approximate the shape of the circumference of half an ellipse.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of arcuate frame members further comprise a generally rectangular shaped housing having a pair of horizontally disposed U-shaped receptacles on said outer surface thereof for receiving said first and second sides of said arcuate panels and an inwardly extending flap disposed on said inner surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, herein said rectangular shaped housing has a slot therein, said slot disposed on said inner surface thereof for receiving said flap.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, herein said means for a plurality of horizontal frame members further comprise a downwardly disposed U-shaped frame having a plurality of rollers disposed internal said U-shaped frame, said rollers being used for contacting said means for a plurality of horizontal rails.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said U-shaped frame further comprises a downwardly disposed anchor plate thereon for contacting the rails.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said anchor plate further comprises a hook disposed on the lower end of said anchor plate.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said U-shaped frame further comprising an upwardly disposed U-shaped receptacle thereon for receiving said first end of said arcuate panels.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, said means for a plurality of horizontal rails further comprise a base plate upon which plate said rails are mounted and said rails are attached to a foundation.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said rail has an enlarged, exposed edge for receiving said hook of said anchor plate so that said anchor plate is secured to said rail.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for adding additional rails to said rail base plate whereby the number of rails varies.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for adding additional rails further comprises a slot disposed in the edge of said base plate for receiving the edge of another base plate.

13. Then apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a stop rod and an end plug disposed in the end of said rail.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a cover for being placed over the tops of said rails and a spacer for being placed between said rails to enable one to walk over said rails.

15. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of hooks and straps for securing said arcuate panels to said arcuate frame members.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said arcuate panels are transparent.