Structure with rolling roof top cover

Abstract

A structure with a rolling roof cover, for example, a gazebo with a retractable cover, where the retractable cover is connected by a pull cord to a winding device, wherein operation of the winding device allows the user to open or retract the cover. The cover can be opened and closed very easily and provides flexibility to the user.

Description

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200520071712.9, filed May 16, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to covered structures and in particular to structures with a rolling roof top or cover.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

On various kinds of covered leisure structures currently used for outdoor activities, the cover or roof on top is difficult to dismantle once the structure has been assembled. At times, people do not wish to be shaded from sunlight, or people want to be shaded from sunlight only when the sun is too hot. In other words, current covered leisure structures are still disadvantaged by flexibility limitations.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A structure having a retractable cover, comprising a first corner pole having a first top end and a first bottom end; a second corner pole having a second top end and a second bottom end; a crossbeam having a first end and a second end; a first beam having a first front end and a first rear end; a second beam having a second front end and a second rear end; a reel; a cover having a leading edge; a pull cord; a winding device; a first pulley; and a second pulley,

• • wherein said first top end, said first end, and said first front end are contiguous to one another and joined to form a first front junction; said second top end, said second end, and said second front end are contiguous to one another and joined to form a second front junction; said first corner pole and said second corner pole are located in a first plane; said first beam and said second beam are parallel to each other and located in a second plane different from said first plane; said first corner pole and said first beam are located in a third plane different from said first plane and said second plane; said second corner pole and said second beam are located in a fourth plane different from said first plane, said second plane, and said third plane; said cover is wound about said reel, and said reel and said crossbeam are parallel to each other; said first pulley and said second pulley are joined to said structure; said pull cord connects said leading edge of said cover with said winding device through said first pulley and said second pulley, and
  • wherein operation of said winding device in one direction results in expansion of said cover in a direction towards said crossbeam, and wherein operation of said winding device in an opposite direction results in retraction of said cover in a direction towards said reel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a rolling-roof gazebo when the roof is retracted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a rolling-roof gazebo when the roof is open and expanded.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of a rolling-roof gazebo and an embodiment of a cover expand-retract system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a covered structure (such as a gazebo or awning, for example) whose cover or roof can be expanded and retracted (sometimes referred to herein as a “rolling-roof”).

Preferred structures are gazebos having a plurality of corner poles and a plurality of crossbeams. Preferred embodiments of gazebos are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 1, a gazebo comprises corner poles 1 (four corner poles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), crossbeam 2, and beams 3. A rear crossbeam 2-2 (not shown in FIG. 1 but shown in FIG. 3) may also be employed. Additional reinforcement crossbeams 5 may also be employed and may function as a support for cover 4. There is a winding device 6 (for example, a crank) joined to one corner pole.

Referring to FIG. 3, cover 4 is wound around reel (or scroll) 12, where one edge of cover 4 joins with reel 12 and a leading edge (not shown) of awing cover 4 is exposed on the outside. Reel 12 may be joined to crossbeam 2-2 if crossbeam 2-2 is also employed. The reel 12 may be spring-loaded (for example, with torsion springs), to provide function as an automatic retracting system. Winding device 6 is joined to one corner pole (not shown in FIG. 3). A shaft 4.1 may be joined to the leading edge of cover 4, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also shows pulleys (or spools or crown blocks), for example, pulleys 8 and 9, as well as pull cord 7 (for example, a rope or cable).

Pull cord 7 on one end is connected to winding device 1 and runs through pulleys 8 and 9 along (or disposed within) the corner pole to which winding device 1 is attached, crossbeam 2, and then finally ends connected at the other end to the leading edge of cover 4 or to the shaft 4.1 (shown in FIG. 3).

When shaft 4.1 is utilized, shaft 4.1 may contain at its ends rollers 10 (or wheels), and beams 3 may comprise slide rails 3.1 in which rollers 10 may be slideably mounted.

Operation of said winding device 1 in one direction (to retract length of the pull cord 7) results in expansion (or rolling open) of said cover 4 in a direction towards crossbeam 2 (direction arrow B of FIG. 2), and operation of said winding device in an opposite direction (to release length of the pull cord 7) results in retraction (or rolling closed) of said cover 4 in a direction towards said reel 12 (direction arrow A of FIG. 1).

FIG. 1 illustrates a four corner pole structure in which the cover 4 has been fully retracted (or rolled closed). FIG. 2 illustrates a four corner pole structure in which the cover 4 has been fully expanded (or rolled open).

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate “stand-alone” structures, but the present invention also includes structures in which only two front corner poles are employed, such as covered structures extending from a building or other structure on which reel 12 (and optionally crossbeam 2-2) may also be joined.

Claims

1. A structure having a retractable cover, comprising:

a first corner pole having a first top end and a first bottom end;

a second corner pole having a second top end and a second bottom end;

a crossbeam having a first end and a second end;

a first beam having a first front end and a first rear end;

a second beam having a second front end and a second rear end;

a reel;

a cover having a leading edge;

a pull cord;

a winding device;

a first pulley; and

a second pulley,

wherein said first top end, said first end, and said first front end are contiguous to one another and joined to form a first front junction, said second top end, said second end, and said second front end are contiguous to one another and joined to form a second front junction, said first corner pole and said second corner pole are located in a first plane, said first beam and said second beam are parallel to each other and located in a second plane different from said first plane, said first corner pole and said first beam are located in a third plane different from said first plane and said second plane, said second corner pole and said second beam are located in a fourth plane different from said first plane, said second plane, and said third plane, said cover is wound about said reel, and said reel and said crossbeam are parallel to each other, said first pulley and said second pulley are joined to said structure, said pull cord connects said leading edge of said cover with said winding device through said first pulley and said second pulley, and

wherein operation of said winding device in one direction results in expansion of said cover in a direction towards said crossbeam, and wherein operation of said winding device in an opposite direction results in retraction of said cover in a direction towards said reel.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said reel is spring-loaded.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first plane, said second plane, and said third plane are normal to one another, and said first plane, said second plane, and said fourth plane are normal to one another.

4. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a second crossbeam having a first end and a second end, wherein said second crossbeam and said crossbeam are parallel to each other, said first end of said second crossbeam and said first rear end of said first beam are contiguous to each other and joined to form a first rear junction, and said second end of said second crossbeam and said second rear end of said second beam are contiguous to each other and joined to form a second rear junction.

5. The structure of claim 4, wherein said second crossbeam is contiguous to said reel.

6. The structure of claim 4, wherein said second crossbeam is joined to said reel.

7. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein said shaft is joined to said leading edge of said cover, said shaft and said crossbeam are parallel to each other, and said pull cord is joined to said shaft.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein said first end of said shaft comprises a first roller, said second end of said shaft comprises a second roller, said first beam comprises a first slide rail, said second beam comprises a second slide rail, said first slide rail and said second slide rail are parallel to each other, said first roller is slideably mounted in said first slide rail, and said second roller is slideably mounted in said second slide rail.

9. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first pulley is joined to said first corner pole or said crossbeam and is contiguous to said first front junction.

10. The structure of claim 1, wherein said second pulley is joined to said crossbeam.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first corner pole and said second corner pole are parallel to each other.

12. The structure of claim 4, further comprising a third corner pole having a third top end and a third bottom end and a fourth corner pole having a fourth top end and a fourth bottom end, wherein said third corner pole and said fourth corner pole are located in a fifth plane, said third top end is contiguous to and joined with said first rear junction, and said fourth top end is contiguous to and joined with said second rear junction.

13. The structure of claim 12, wherein said fifth plane, said second plane, and said third plane are normal to one another, and said fifth plane, said second plane, and said fourth plane are normal to one another.

14. The structure of claim 12, wherein said third corner pole and said fourth corner pole are parallel to each other.