Patent Application
20220178140
The current invention generally relates to protective canopies and systems to protect items that are stored outside from the elements, such as hail, rain, sun, snow and/or other weather elements. The current invention includes canopies that protect inventory, such as cars, trucks, recreational vehicles and other vehicles, or any other type of inventory that may be located or stored outside and that may otherwise be fully exposed to the elements. The current invention also includes canopies that protect individuals or groups of people.
Many car dealerships store significant inventory outside, and oftentimes, this inventory comprises fleets of cars and trucks parked in large parking lots. Such inventory has typically been stored outside because it would be commercially impractical to build warehouses having a sufficiently large area to house fleets of vehicles. However, when fleets of vehicles are stored outside, they are exposed to the elements, such as hail, rain, sun and wind, which may cause damage to the vehicles. Vehicles stored outside may also be more susceptible to vandalism or theft. The foregoing also applies to rental car companies which maintain an inventory of rental vehicles outside. The foregoing also applies to recreational vehicles, boats, planes, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, farm machinery or any other items or inventory that may be stored outside.
The damage caused by, for example, a severe hailstorm can result in a significant financial burden. Indeed, hail damage to a fleet of several hundred vehicles can cost in the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. And while insurance may cover some or all of this damage, the insurance itself may be a significant expense. Furthermore, recent weather patterns indicate that hailstorms, and other extreme weather conditions are occurring more frequently and are increasingly more severe and destructive.
For example, in 2019 there were 5,392 major hailstorms (hailstones one inch or more in diameter) in the U.S. Texas topped the list with 872 damaging hailstorms. Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado rounded out the top five states by number of major hail events. Beyond the foregoing, other states in the “hail alley” region of the United States are susceptible to hailstorms (as are certain areas in foreign countries).
Vehicles damaged by severe weather also expose the owner to skyrocketing insurance premiums. Indeed, after paying out billions of dollars of losses from hailstorms in the past few years, many insurance carriers have left the market and the rest are exponentially raising their insurance premiums.
Beyond the foregoing, vehicles parked at a residence e.g., in a driveway, are also susceptible to hail damage or damage from other weather elements. There have been fitted car covers that are reinforced or bulky that may be put on a car in anticipation of a hailstorm. However, such car covers have the drawback that they must be put on before hail starts falling, and this may be difficult because hailstorms may occur without much, if any, advance warning.
Beyond the foregoing, hailstorms and other severe weather may adversely impact events where people gather, such as family functions, sporting events or other gatherings. And where a hailstorm may occur without warning, if there is no building or other structure in which the people may take refuge, they may be exposed to hail stones which can cause injury.
Accordingly, there is a need for protective canopy system that helps protect fleets of vehicles, or any other items or inventory stored outside, from severe hailstorms and other weather elements, e.g., to mitigate damage caused by severe hailstorms. There is also a need to protect an individual's vehicle parked at home, or to protect any other item that may be stored outside. Beyond vehicles, this need extends to any other items or inventory that may be stored outside and exposed to damaging weather. There is also a need to provide protection against hailstorms for individuals or people that may be gathered outside. There is also a need to install protective systems and/or take them down that is efficient and not cost prohibitive.
The current invention addresses the above-noted and other shortcomings by the various inventive aspects described herein. The current invention is described in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments, as well as in the claims, appearing later. The following Summary of the Invention describes aspects of the current invention.
An aspect of the current invention is an innovative weather-protection solution that provides protection to vehicles or other inventory located outside; and that provides an optimal return on investment and lowers insurance costs. In this manner, the protective system of the current invention protects inventory from more than just hailstorms; it also prevents the chaos and business interruption that may otherwise occur when inventory is damaged and needs repair.
The current invention is more than hail mitigation; it is also protection from catastrophic hail damage and the rising costs of lot coverage insurance. To this end, an aspect of the current invention regards an innovative design, installation and removal process.
Another aspect of the current invention involves the fact that its components result in a cost-effective system that avoids expense and design complexity that may be found in existing systems. To this end, the protective system of the current invention preferably uses fewer component parts that allow for the system to be readily installed and results in a less intrusive system in relation to the parking lot or other location in which it is installed.
Another aspect of the current invention regards a screen or mesh material and canopy system that may form the protective canopy. It is preferred that the screen or mesh material prevents many hailstones from impacting the inventory below, and is also fire resistant and exhibits sufficient tensile strength.
Another aspect of the current invention regards a support system for supporting the canopy system. The support system may comprise a number of pole or column assemblies that are designed to support the weight of the canopy system, as well as to withstand forces created by wind, hail and certain amounts of snow. It is preferred that relatively few support columns be used to simplify the system and to be less obtrusive to the parking lot or other location at which the system is installed.
Another aspect of the current invention involves the manner in which the protective system may be readily installed or set up, and later disassembled or taken down. The screen and support systems preferably include components that allow the screen to be readily installed and taken down. For example, the screen or sections of the screen may include a webbing around its perimeter with loops that accommodate quick-click type fasteners, e.g., carabiners. The quick-click fasteners may engage cables, and the cable ends may engage turnbuckles and/or shackles that are attached to columns and that allow tightening of the cables to raise the screen to the desired level. These components may be readily disassembled when taking down the protective system, e.g., in wintertime when the risk of damaging hailstorm decreases and the risk of significant snow accumulation increases.
Another aspect of the current invention regards an embodiment that may be used to protect an individual's vehicle parked at home, e.g., in a driveway, from hailstorms or other severe weather. In this aspect, the current invention may also be used to protect other items (or people) located outside of a residence or other location.
Another aspect of the current invention regards an embodiment that may be used to protect gatherings of people from hailstorms or other severe weather.
Other aspects of the invention are described herein.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the current invention described herein may be more fully appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same or similar components.
The protective, canopy or screen system 10 of the current invention is now described with reference to the figures, where similar components are identified with the same or similar reference numerals in the various figures. Protective, canopy or screen system 10 generally protects inventory, such as vehicle(s) 20, that are stored outside and that are exposed to different types of weather that may cause damage, such as hailstorms. However, it should be noted that the scope of the current invention is not limited to the protection of vehicles. Instead, the scope extends to the protection of any item or inventory that may be located or stored outside; the scope also extends to the protection of individuals or groups of people who may be located outside. As such, this the specification may, at times, focus on the protection of vehicles, the scope of the invention extends to anything or anyone located outside.
For example,
As shown in
It should be noted that system 10 may be used to protect other types of inventory or items stored outside and susceptible to weather damage. As such, while this specification describes the protection of vehicles, the scope of the current invention is not limited to protecting just vehicles, and includes any items or inventory that are stored outside, e.g., any item that may ultimately be used outside by the end consumer.
Protective system 10 is preferably removable fixed canopy designs suitable for regions of the world that receive an average annual snowfall of less than 12 inches. For a cold weather climate such as Colorado, which receives significant snowfall during the winter months, a removable design is preferable to prevent overloading the canopy panels with snow accumulation.
In general, canopy system 10 may be positioned over vehicles 20 that are stored outside. The overall dimensions of canopy system 10 may vary depending on the number and location of vehicles to be protected. Canopy system 10 may be secured on the ground 40, which may comprise a parking lot 22, field or other type of surface. The overall dimensions of system 10 may vary significantly from several feet, to tens of feet, to hundreds of feet or to thousands of feet; or to acres of area.
For example, one or more systems 10 may be used to cover acres of parking lot 22 space, thereby protecting tens or hundreds or more vehicles. For example, as shown in
Each of protective systems 10A-D are shown in
As shown, screen sections 110 may be connected to columns 210, which may include corner columns 212, edge columns 214 and interior or middle columns 216. Columns 210 are preferably embedded in the ground 40 as described in more detail later. Another aspect of the current invention is structural analysis performed so that columns or poles 210 may withstand significant lateral forces that are imparted by the weight of screen sections 110, as well as any wind loading in a downward direction which also imparts lateral forces on columns 210. The lateral loading analysis of the current invention is also described in more detail later on.
Protective system 10 may generally include canopy or screen system 100, and support system 200 that supports and/or positions screen 100 at the desired height and location. Support system 200 may include column, pole or support assemblies 210 that are preferably tall enough so that canopy 100 is positioned above the vehicles 20 to be protected. For example, columns, supports or poles 210 may be between 8-10 feet tall, though other heights are within the scope of the invention. The height or length of supports 210 may vary depending on the type vehicles or other inventory to be protected. For example, shorter poles 210 may be used where system 10 protects compact cars, while taller poles 210 may be used where system 10 protects trucks, SUVs and RVs. Furthermore, the height of support system 200 may vary within one canopy system 10.
Screen or canopy system 100 and support system 200 are preferably strong enough to withstand extreme weather, such as storms coming off the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, as generally shown in
Canopy or screen system 100, and screen sections 110, are now further described with reference to
Screen 102 may comprise various types of materials, weave patterns and other properties that preferably withstand and/or protects against various weather elements. As noted above, the fabric(s) chosen preferably withstands hail, snow and wind, as well as prolonged exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays. The material(s) comprising screen 112 preferably lasts several years, though other service durations for screen 102 are within the scope of the current invention.
In a preferred embodiment, the style of mesh or screen material 112 may be S800 knotless netting, comprising 12 Gauge Raschel Fabric, 12 Needles Per Inch Honeycomb Netting of 11 courses per inch (CPI) or stitches per inch (SPI), with an approximately ¼″×⅜″ mesh Opening. Mesh or netting 112 may be various colors, but for example, it may be dyed black fire retardant. The yarns comprising mesh or screen material 112 may be flame retardant polyester, e.g., 85% 1000 Denier Dacron Polyester and 15% 150 Denier Dacron Polyester, having a fire retardant finish such as NFPA 701. The netting specifications of mesh or screen 112 may have a break of 180 lbs (warp)/82 lbs (fill), with a single selvedge around its perimeter to avoid fraying.
As noted above, it is preferred that mesh or screen material 112 include a fire retardant. For the above-referenced embodiment of screen material 112, the following flammability test results were obtained. One fabric sample, identified as Style #2586-120, Black Lot #7387, was tested in accordance with the National Fire Prevention Association No. 701, “standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films, 2004 Edition, (Test 1, Small Scale)”. The results are as follows:
For the above-described embodiment, the fabric sample tested met the minimum requirements of the above standard. In general, it is preferred that the average percent weight loss not exceed 40%, the weight loss of individual specimens not exceed mean value plus three standard deviations, and the average residual flame not exceed 2.0 seconds.
In the above-described configuration, mesh or screen material 112 may have a yield of about 43.4 square feet/pound and a weight of about 0.023 pounds/square foot. However, other mesh or screen materials 112 with different properties may be used within the scope of the current invention, and the foregoing is only an example.
For example, screen material 112 may be reinforced using Kevlar or other types of fibers that have superior tensile strength. In any event, it is preferred that mesh material 112 provide significant strength against hailstorms and other weather elements while still having a relative light weight. It is also preferred that mesh material 112 exhibits significant tensile strength so that it may withstand the tensile forces it experiences when being strung up between columns 210 and when withstanding the force of hailstorms or accumulated snow.
This area coverage to weight ratio is preferred given the significant areas of parking lot 30 that mesh material 112 may be used to cover. The benefits of a relative light weight per unit area to be covered is discussed in more detail later on in connection with the setup and take down of protective system 10.
As another example of variations to the above-described mesh properties, the fineness of the mesh, or mesh opening size, may vary. Furthermore, the size of the mesh opening may also vary. For example, the mesh openings may be triangular as shown in
It should be noted that the shape of the mesh openings may vary depending on the tensile load exerted upon the pertinent screen section 110 when being attached to columns 210. To this end, the mesh openings in the six screen sections 110 in
Regardless of the mesh opening size and/or shape, it is preferred that screen or mesh material 112 is sufficiently fine so that most or many or large hailstones do not readily pass through screen 102 and strike the protected inventory, such as vehicles 20. The current invention preferably accounts for an accumulation of hail averaging 2.0″ deep. With the above-mentioned ¼″×⅜″ mesh opening, hail pellets that are rice sized and smaller may shake through the net as the storm progresses and melting effects take place. Small pellets shaking through the canopy do not pose a damage threat to the vehicles, however, it does affect maximum load design considerations as fugitive pellets shaking through the net could help reduce the load experienced by the canopy.
Screen or mesh 112 also preferably exhibits sufficient strength to withstand the load exerted by certain amounts of snow that may accumulate thereon. For example, screen sections 110 may be strong enough to withstand a load of 15 psi.
With the current invention, in the event of a very extreme weather event, parts of screen sections 110 with the greatest spans may settle down onto the roofs of a few cars near the middle, similar to a sandbag. The settling process is slow and non-destructive, while also providing additional load capacity.
The mesh material 112 of the current invention is an advancement over existing systems which involve a metal mesh screen. This is because the screen sections 110 of the current invention are more flexible, are less expensive and are more easily deployed and/or stored.
As noted above, screen sections 110 preferably includes border 114 that may be attached to the perimeter of screen or mesh material 112, as shown in
Borders or webbing 114 may comprise a suitably strong material such as nylon, though other materials may be used. Attachments 118 may comprise the same material and may be attached to webbing 114 by a sewing or stitching operation or other suitable method. It is preferred that webbing 114 and loops 118 withstand the tensile forces that are imparted upon them when screen sections 110 are raised up between columns 210.
As shown in
Support system 200 is now further described with reference to
Column assemblies 210, and the manner in which they may be secured in the ground 40, are now further described with reference to
For example, columns 230 may comprise pipe steel that is ASTM A53 grade B with a yield strength of 35 KSI up to 12″ diameter as per AISC. As an alternative, round HSS per ASTM A500 with a yield of 42 KSI may also be used. For poles having a diameter of up to 20″, round HSS steel of ASTM A500 grade B with a yield strength of 46 KSI may be used. As another alternative, where columns 230 are rectangular, it is preferred that HSS steel at ASTM A500 grade B with a yield strength of 50 KSI, square tubing up to 16″. Because columns 230 are exposed to the environment, it is preferred that poles 230 comprise galvanized steel, or are treated with a rust-inhibiting primer or some other anti-corrosive coating.
It is preferred that the soil comprising the ground 40 around footing 240 is appropriate for securely positioning column assemblies 210, and an engineering study of the soil on which protective system 10 is to be erected may be preferred. To this end, adverse soil condition, standing water and ground water should be avoided, and the soil surrounding footing 240 should be of uniform consistency. Pole, support or column 230 may be inserted into the ground 40 at the appropriate depth and footing 240 may be poured.
The upper region of column or pole assembly 210 is now described with reference to
The components between pole assemblies 210 and screen sections 110 are now further described with reference to
As described previously, cable 250 may be positioned through a number of quick links or fasteners 254 along a side of screen section 110 as shown in
An advantage of the current invention is that preferably avoids the need for structural elements, like beams or other rigid elements, as are used in other existing systems.
As shown in
As shown in the figures, any number of cables 250 may be connected to pole assembly 230 to support one or more screen sections 110. In addition to cables 250 that extend along a side of a screen section, additional cables 250 may extend diagonally across the mesh material 112 of a given screen section 110 to provide further support.
The positioning of pole or column assemblies 210 and their associated properties are now further described with reference to
An advantage of system 10 of the current invention is that it preferably involves fewer column assemblies 210 than other existing systems. This is an advantage because it decreases the cost of system 10, makes its installation easier and poses less of an imposition to the parking lot or other location where system 10 is installed.
An aspect of the current invention is the design of pole assemblies 210 at these different locations, taking into account the different forces they may encounter. To this end, the locations and characteristics of the pole assemblies 210 are preferably designed to withstand the lateral forces exerted on pole assemblies 210 in the XY plane due to the weight of screen sections 110, as well as the downward wind force that may be exerted on screen sections 110. In connection with designing and installing the current invention at various locations, a finite element analysis or other analysis may be performed. This analysis may take into account the local weather conditions that are associated with a particular location for system 10, e.g., winds loads, volume of hail that falls during hailstorms, etc. This analysis may also take into account local permitting or building code requirements of the city or other location at which the system 10 is being installed. As such, the characteristics of system 10 may be designed to optimize the protection against local weather conditions and to address local building requirements.
In light of a finite element or other analysis, the configuration of pole assemblies 210, e.g., pole diameter, footing depth, etc., may vary depending on their location, distance from adjacent pole assemblies 210, size of the screen section 110 and other factors. As a result of this analysis, preferred embodiments of pole assemblies 210 according to the shape and size of the protective system 10 (or subsystem 10A-10D) they support, as well as their location therein, are now described. It should be noted that any dimensions or properties noted below are for example purposes only, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Instead, the current invention includes any and all dimensions and properties of pole assemblies 210 that exhibit sufficient properties to suspend screen or canopy system 100, or screen sections 110, in place.
The configurations of pole assemblies 210 supporting protective subsystem 10A are now described with reference to
The configurations of corner, edge and middle pole assemblies 212, 214, 216 supporting protective subsystem 10B are similarly described in
The configurations of corner, edge and middle pole assemblies 212, 214, 216 supporting protective subsystem 10C are similarly described with reference to
The configurations of corner, edge and middle pole assemblies 212, 214, 216 supporting protective subsystem 10D are similarly described with reference to
One or more pole assemblies 210 may extend further up and include a lighting assembly such as those typically seen in parking lots, security cameras or other items. In these embodiments, it is preferred that pole assembly 210 include the necessary electrical, fiber optic or other utilities to support these functions.
While the above-referenced poles 230 are described as fixed height piping or other tubing, in other embodiments, poles 230 may be adjustable in height. In these other embodiments, poles 230 may reflect a telescoping design.
While the above-referenced poles 230 are described as being sunk in footing 240, other types of pole assemblies 210 may be used with the current invention. For example, footing 240 or some other type of subterranean anchoring component may be installed in ground 40, so that its top is flush with, or extends above, the ground 40. In this embodiment, the anchoring component may include a bracket or other type of device to which the bottom of pole 230 may be attached. The anchoring component may extend above the surface of ground 40. Alternatively, the top of footing 240 may be flush with ground 40, but the anchoring component may be recessed below the top surface of footing 240, so that if poles 230 are removed, the remaining parts of support system 200, i.e., footing 240 and associated anchoring component, are flush with ground 40. In this manner, when poles 230 are removed, the remainder of support system 200 is still flush with ground 40, which would allow, e.g., parking lot 22 to have no obstacles to drive around.
Various types of attachments may be used in this embodiment, e.g., male/female brackets, flange with hole and bolt, cup mounted on top of footing 240 which is dimensioned to receive the outer diameter or other outer configuration of the bottom of pole 230 or post extending from the top of footing 240 which is dimensioned to engage the inner diameter or other inner configuration of the bottom of pole 230. Other attachment mechanisms may be used within the scope of the invention.
In other embodiments of the current invention, pole assemblies 210 may simply rest on the ground 40 where the weight of canopy or screen 100, and the tension or lateral stability between poles 210 that screen 100 creates, may serve to hold pole assemblies 210 in place. But for additional stability, in this embodiment, pole assemblies may be secured to the ground 40 by stakes, cables or other means. These embodiments may be particularly suitable for smaller-scale systems 10, such as those installed over a residence driveway as discussed later.
As described below, the canopy or screen system 100 of protective system 10 may be taken down when desired, e.g., for the winter months when the chances of hailstorms and other types of weather decrease, and the chances of significant snow drifts accumulating on system 10 increase. To this end, screen sections 110 may be manually retracted. Because snow and snow drifts on various types of inventory, such as vehicles, generally do not damage them; and because snow drifts accumulating on screen system 100 may result in significant weight and create forces beyond its design limits, it is preferred that screen system 100 may be readily taken down during certain times of the year, or when otherwise desired. Indeed, designing screen system 100 to accommodate potentially thousands of pounds of accumulated snow could or would increase material cost unnecessarily.
Whether screen system 100 is taken down periodically may generally depend on where protective system 10 is located. In the Denver, Colo. area, for example, winters may involve significant snowstorms from the Rocky Mountains, so it may be preferred to take down screen system 100 for the winter. In other “hail alley” locations, such as Texas or southern Texas, where significant snow drifts may not necessarily accumulate, it may be desired that screen system 100 remain in place year round. And regardless of location and prevailing weather patterns, it may be desirable to take down screen system 100, e.g., where protective canopy or screen system 10 is intended to be temporary.
The protective system 10 may be installed in the springtime (to cover the vehicles during hail season), and removed in the fall (before the snowy season begins). In a preferred embodiment, system 10 may accommodate a snow load of 30 psf of snow, so most out-of-season snowstorms are not a concern.
In preparation for winter, the canopy sections 110 may be removed and rolled up in sausage like bundles that are about 24 inches in diameter. Each bundle may include one 60 foot wide panel section.
The manual retraction process of screen sections 110 may be completed with a crew of several workers, a scissor lift and a pair of ladders. Roughly two acres of canopy may be retracted in a standard work day with the foregoing resources. For a proposed design of approximately 4.00 acres (177,900 sq. ft.) in area, retraction may be completed in two-three work days if two work crews are dispatched.
A benefit of protective system 10 is that the extension/retraction process may be completed with minimal need to move the vehicles 20 underneath, thereby minimizing site downtime and man hours lost. The only items that must be stored are the screen sections or netting panels 110 during the winter months.
Protective system 10 is preferably strong enough to resist almost all hailstorms. If an unseasonably late or early snow occurs, the snow management options depend on the depth of snow, where light snows (less than 4″) may be left to melt away; and heavier snows may be removed by unhooking one side of the fabric to allow the snow to fall out. If snows deeper than about 8″ are forecasted, it is preferred that screen sections 110 be taken down.
The design of the current invention facilitates an efficient taking down of screen system 100. To that end, the use of quick links or carabiners or other type of readily removable fastener 254 readily allow removal of screen sections 110 from cables 250. Turnbuckles 258 may also be loosened so that there is slack in cables 250 between column assemblies 210 to also facilitate removal of screen sections 110 from cables 250. In some embodiments, pole assembles 210 may remain installed in the ground. But because the design of the current invention permits fewer pole assemblies 210 to be used than other systems, the fact that pole assemblies 210 may remain installed preferably does not impede use of the area that had been covered.
The current invention also addresses situations where it is desirable to remove column assemblies 210 (and/or other components of support system 200). This may occur, for example, where protective or canopy system 10 is installed on a parking lot 22, and it is desired to remove system 10 so that the entire parking lot 22 may be driven on. In this situation, the above-described embodiments where poles 230 may be removed from subterranean footing 240 may be preferred. But as noted above, even where pole assemblies 210 remain installed when screen system 100 is taken down, it is preferred that the remaining pole assemblies 210 do not significantly impede use of the area that had been covered.
With the configuration described above, it is preferred that canopy system 10 is strong enough to resist and/or protect against various types of weather elements that would otherwise damage the vehicles 20 or other items being protected. For example, it is preferred that canopy system 10 resists most types of hailstorms that can damage a fleet of exposed vehicles 20. As an example, canopy system 10 preferably withstands hail loads of about 2″ hail depth. However, other levels of protection against hail are within the scope of the invention.
In connection with designing a particular canopy system 10 for a particular location, screen or mesh material 112 may be tested so that screen system 100 provides sufficient protection for the particular location. For example, mesh material 112 may be tested by dropping weights representative of hailstones from distances to simulate hailstorms.
Canopy system 10 also preferably withstands hailstorms or snow storms and accumulations of ice and/or snow. For example, in certain embodiments, system 10 may withstand snow loads of up to about 30″ of powder snow. However, other levels of protection against snow are within the scope of the invention. Where ice and/or snow accumulate on system 10, and screen sections 110 sag due to the weight, it is preferred that the mesh material 112 is sufficiently strong so that any sag occurs gradually. In this manner, if the amount of sag is large enough that mesh material 112 contacts the vehicles or other items being protected, any contact would be gradual and not sudden, i.e., any contact would not be similar to an impact that may cause damage to the items being protected.
The ability of canopy system 10 to withstand hail and snow also preferably allows it to withstand and/or protect against variable wind loads. For example, system 10 may withstand winds loads of up to about 100 mph. However, other levels of protection against wind speeds are within the scope of the invention. As noted above, the amount of wind loading that may occur at a particular location due to prevailing local weather conditions, and/or the factor of safety that may be required by local building codes, may be taken into account when designing and installing system 10 at a particular location.
The installation and disassembling of protective system 10 is now further described. The actual installation of system 10 may be preceded by a design and/or approval process. System 10 may be installed as follows.
The column assemblies 210 may be installed at the desired locations. Cables 250 may be strung up between column assemblies 210, e.g., in the XY directions, and diagonally. At this point, cables 250 may be initially strung up with some amount of sag, and cables 250 may be tightened later on as described above. A forklift or scissor lift may be used to assist.
Screen section 110 may be laid out on the ground with fasteners or quick links 254 attached to successive loops 118. Screen section 110 may be lifted into place and quick links 254 may engage a cable 250 in an initial X/Y direction. Screen section 110 may be lifted over any diagonally extending cables 250 and stretched to the remaining X/Y direction cables 250. All sides of screen section 110 may pulled tight and so that quick links or other fastener 254 may engage the remaining cables 250. The foregoing may be repeated for each screen section 110 of system 10 to be installed. Flaps or gap-filler screen sections 122 may be installed to cover any gaps between main screen sections 110. Flaps 122 may be connected to main screen sections by suitable means, e.g., zip-ties, additional quick links or other fasteners. Where desired, side panels that extend downward from main horizontal screen sections 110 may be installed to protect from hail coming in from the side.
Canopy system 10 may be taken down as follows. In general, the reverse of the foregoing steps may be performed. In some of the foregoing embodiments, only column assemblies 210 may remain.
The manner in which screen sections 110 may be stored is now further described. Screen section 110 may be disengaged from three of its four sides, and then it may be folded up, or retracted in an accordion manner up to and around the remaining perimeter cable 250. A cover may then be installed around the bunched-up netting while being stored.
Alternatively, an automated retraction device may be used, where one of the perimeter sides of a screen section is attached to the spindle of a retraction machine. The other three sides are disengaged from their respective cables, and the retraction machine may draw in the netting around its spindle.
During the winter months, when the likelihood of hailstorms decreases, and the likelihood of significant snow accumulations increases, protective system 10 may be taken down, or the screen sections 110 may be retracted. This is preferred because when hail damage is not a threat, there is generally little or no need to have a covering over vehicles 20 on which significant amounts of snow may accumulate. Indeed, snow accumulating on vehicles 20 themselves poses little or no threat of damage. And if protective system 20 were left intact throughout the winter months, it would likely be that screen system 100 and mesh or screen material 112 would need to comprise stronger materials to avoid breaking. However, because the cost of mesh or screen material 112 generally increases with its strength, a year-round protective system 10 would generally be more expensive. And this extra expense would generally be unnecessary. In view of the foregoing, it is preferred that protective system 10, or the screen sections 110, may be quickly and efficiently taken down for the winter months.
Other embodiments are now described with reference to
The current invention has been described above with a focus on a protective canopy to be installed to protect a fleet of vehicles. However, it bears reiteration that protective system 10 may be used to protect any type of items or inventory or individuals or groups of people against hailstorms and/or other severe weather elements.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/121,874, filed Dec. 5, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63121874 | Dec 2020 | US |
