Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6286268
-
Patent Number
6,286,268
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Date Filed
Friday, July 14, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 11, 200122 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- Slack; Naoko
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 73
- 052 74
- 052 222
- 052 74506
- 135 119
- 135 122
- 135 900
- 135 907
- 160 328
- 160 378
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A structural system and methodology for erecting a shading structure. The system and methodology provides for a rapid and fool proof installation of the shading element over a canopy structure. The shading element is coupled into a locking mechanism on a perimeter beam which rotates to increase effective the effective surface area of the canopy structure thereby providing the correct amount of tension to the shading element, thereby completing the installation process.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to mechanical structures and associated methodology for providing shade and ultraviolet (UV) protection in various outdoor environments play areas, auto parking, sports fields, theme parks, country clubs and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Shade structures are well-known in the art and provide shade—hail, snow, water, heat and UV protection in numerous applications: automobile dealerships, auto parking facilities, water parks, playgrounds, swimming pool areas, tennis courts, outdoor eating areas, amusement parks, and the like. Providing shade has become increasingly significant throughout the United States and abroad because of ever changing and indeterminate weather conditions and the increasing awareness of skin cancer caused by the harmful UV rays from sunlight. Conventional shade structures typically comprise a mechanical support structure made of reinforced steel, and a covering made of high density polyethylene cloth having UV additives. The support structure is designed to handle loading due to wind, snow, hail and other elements in accordance with the local building codes. The structures are often designed in different configurations depending on the desired application. Thus, for example, a dome structure may be used with the roofs on surrounding buildings are curved or there are curved lines present in the design of the building. A hip structure is commonly used to enhance the roofline of surrounding buildings. A pyramid structure is often used when the desired shade area is square.
Another common structure is a cantilever. In this structure as illustrated generally in
FIG. 1
, each of a set of central support posts
100
a-n
are provided with a pair of outwardly-extending trusses
102
a-b.
Each truss
102
is generally triangular in shape and includes a plurality of cross support beams
104
in a known configuration. The shade
106
extends from an apex
108
outward to an edge
110
of each truss
102
. In the prior art, the shade
106
typically includes a cable or rope
112
inside an outside pocket
114
. During installation, the shade is positioned over the trusses and pulled taut, and the cable is then secured to an outer perimeter beam
116
in each truss section using a fastener or other mechanical locking means.
With this design, however, it is often difficult to position the shade in an attractive and secure manner along the outer perimeter beam in each truss section. If the shade is not secured properly, it may be damaged during subsequent use and thus compromise the aesthetic appearance and physical integrity of the structure.
The present invention addresses this problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a rapid and “fool proof” method for installing the shading element or fabric over the canopy structure.
The perimeter beam connecting each truss section is adapted to swivel or pivot between a first and second position. In the first, installation position, an end of a shading element is loosely positioned within a locking device of the perimeter beam. Thereafter, the beam is rotated outwards and downwards into the second, locking position pulling the shade fabric taut. In this position, the shade fabric extends around an outer periphery of the beam and is locked within the locking structure. This configuration provides secure tensioning of the shade fabric that is aesthetically pleasing. In particular, the edge of the shade is secured and hidden within the locking structure of the perimeter beam when viewed from the outside edge of the structure.
Additionally, a methodology is provided for installing a shading element the comprises the steps of placing the fabric on a canopy structure, spreading the fabric out over the top of the structure and positioning it in approximate final position, inserting the edge of the shading element into a locking channel in a pivoting perimeter beam, and pivoting the beam around a pivot point to a locking position, thereby pulling the fabric taunt and completing the installation process all in one motion.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects and features of the present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention as will be described. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference should be made to the following Detailed Description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a prior art cantilever shade structure;
FIG. 2
is an elevation view of an outer portion of an individual truss illustrating the perimeter beam in cross-section in a first, installation position;
FIG. 2A
is a close-up view of the perimeter beam illustrating how the shade fabric end is retained in a locking mechanism of the beam;
FIG. 3
is an elevation view of the perimeter beam after it has been swiveled into its second, locking position tension and secure the shade;
FIG. 4
is an illustration methodology for the present invention in block diagram form; and
FIGS. 5A-5E
are close-up views of various perimeter beams illustrating how the shade fabric end is retained in various different locking mechanisms of the design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 2
,
2
A and
3
illustrate the invention in use in a cantilever shade structure. This is not a limitation of the invention, however, as the invention may be used in any structure (regardless of configuration) having a perimeter beam that may be positioned as is now described.
FIG. 2
illustrates a cross-section of a cantilevered shade structure (not shown) consisting of a cantilevered truss section
201
. Truss section
201
further comprises of a top truss arm
202
, a bottom truss arm
208
joined together at edge
210
. Cross support beam
204
may be added to provide additional structural support to the truss section
201
. An outer perimeter beam
216
is mechanically attached to edge
210
such that beam
216
may swivel or pivot around a fixed point
224
. Beam
216
spans the distance between two separate truss section edges, thereby connecting them.
Various mechanical attachment methods may be utilized as the mechanical pivot point, such as a nut and bolt configuration, a fixed pin configuration or other such means known in the mechanical arts. A shading element such as fabric
206
is placed on top of upper truss arm
202
to provide the shading portion of the structure.
While not meant to be limiting, canopy structure and the truss structure
201
shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
are typically steel structures designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the 1997 Uniform Building Code. All steel tubing is typically triple coated for rust protection using the in-line zinc electroplating process. Tubing is internally coated with zinc and organic coating to prevent corrosion.
While not meant to be limiting, the shading element or fabric
206
typically consists of a high-density polyethylene fabric or some similar material with ultra violet additives. This provides the fabric with a high strength, low shrinkage factor that can withstand wide temperature ranges. Additional properties of the fabric are that it is flexible, abrasion resistant and possesses ultra violet radiation immunity when properly treated. Its properties make it resistant to cleaning agents, acid rain, mildew, rot, chlorine, saltwater, and industrial pollutants. It is constructed using a monofliament and tape construction and Rachel knitted to ensure the fabric will not unravel if cut. Typically, all corners of fabric
206
are strengthened with non-tear vinyl material and a protective webbing is sewn into all areas where steel cable
212
or an alternative rigid material enter and exits the cloth pockets. The rigid material runs the length of the edge of fabric
206
Although not meant to be limiting, steel cable or wire rope
212
is typically ¼ inch nominal diameter, 7 strand, 19 wires per strand, with a nominal tensile strength of 9,000 pounds. Cable
212
is typically secured with approved fittings and hardware.
FIG. 2A
illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of one end of beam
216
in the installation position. In
FIG. 2A
, fabric
206
is shown with a rigid member, such as steel cable or wire rope
212
, placed into an outside pocket
214
along one end of fabric
206
. Other such rigid members may be used instead, such as a plastic member, or a metal strip. These can be attached, inserted or sewn into the fabric in the outside pocket
214
. Beam
216
further comprises of a fabric-locking mechanism
230
that accepts pocket
214
with cable
212
and restrains it as beam
216
is rotated or pivoted outward and downward into the locked position.
In
FIG. 2A
, fabric-locking mechanism
230
is comprised of two tubular structures, upper tube
220
and lower tube
222
. Tubes
220
and
222
are attached to beam
216
and are parallel to each other and extend the length of beam
216
. A gap between tubes
220
and
222
is determined by the thickness of the edge of fabric
206
that contains pocket
214
with cable
212
so that as beam
216
is pivoted outward and downward, pocket
214
with cable
212
is “caught” within the locking mechanism's
230
gap and locked into it.
Fabric locking mechanism
230
may be designed differently to facilitate the invention and the present discussion is not meant to be limiting.
FIGS. 5A-D
illustrate different examples of potential locking mechanisms
230
.
FIG. 5A
shows “lip” structure
520
whereby the cable is positioned below lip
530
and as beam is rotated into position lip
520
secures pocket
214
.
FIG. 5B
shows clamping structure
505
that secures the fabric to beam
216
.
FIG. 5C
shows male/female coupling means
510
, whereby fabric pocket
214
is inserted into the receiving portion
512
of beam
216
.
FIG. 5D
shows movable and adjustable locking means
525
, whereby as beam
216
is rotated an inner portion covers and secures pocket
214
with the portion of beam
216
.
When beam
216
is in the installation position as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 2A
, fabric
206
with cable
214
may be inserted between tubes
220
and
222
or inserted into any of the other locking mechanisms as above described.
FIG. 2A
further illustrates beam
216
comprising of a second hole
226
for a second attaching means that is used to secure beam
216
to end
210
when beam
216
is in the locked position. In
FIGS. 2 and 2A
, beam
216
is shown in the installation position, and thus hole
226
is devoid of an attaching means such as a nut and bolt. When the present invention is pivoted into the “locked” position, as described below in
FIG. 3
, a nut and bolt or similar mechanical securing device will be inserted through hole
226
such that the lower portion of beam
216
is attached or locked to lower truss arm
208
at edge
210
.
FIG. 3
illustrates the present invention in the “locked” position. In
FIG. 3
, beam
216
has been rotated outward and downward about pivot hole
224
until hole
226
is lined up with hole
228
, providing a passage through which an attachment means may be inserted through both holes. By inserting the attachment means such as a nut and bolt configuration through holes
226
and
228
and tightened the nut and bolt configuration, beam
216
is secured to edge
210
such that no further pivoting may occur. Additionally, the attachment means in pivot hole
224
is tightened or secured such that beam
216
is rigidly attached to edge
210
through both points
224
and
228
. When beam
216
is in the “locked”, fabric
206
is pulled taunt. Cable
212
is “locked” into position between locking mechanism
230
by the tension on fabric
206
, the tension being provided by the fabric being presented on increased surface area of beam
216
upon the rotation of beam
216
around pivot
224
and “locked” into position.
FIG. 4
illustrates in block the present inventive methodology
400
from the installation position to locking position. In step
402
, a canopy structure is assembled to receive fabric
206
. Beam
216
is placed in the “installation position” in step
405
. In step
410
, fabric
206
is positioned on top of the upper truss in the approximate layout designed for the canopy-shading portion. Once approximately positioned, fabric
206
is elongated and loosely positioned over the upper truss arm
202
in step
415
to cover the desired portion of upper truss arm
202
. In this step, fabric
206
is not pulled taunt.
Once the fabric covers the desired portion of upper truss arm
202
, the end of fabric
206
with pocket
214
and cable
212
is inserted into locking mechanism
230
, which in the present example comprises of placing pocket
214
in between tubes
220
and
222
, coupling the length of the edge of fabric
206
with beam
216
in step
425
. Once successfully inserted in between the locking tubes, beam
216
is rotated outward and downward around pivot point
224
in step
430
.
While in rotation, the end of fabric
206
with cable
212
remains in between locking mechanism
230
. The rotation of beam
216
wraps the end portion of fabric
206
around the outer portion of beam
216
increasing the effective surface area that fabric
206
covers. As step
430
occurs, beam
206
begins to pull fabric
206
taunt, and pocket
214
with cable
212
is locked into place by locking mechanism
230
through the tension produced on fabric
206
caused by the increased surface area that fabric
206
is exposed to.
Once upper hole
226
is aligned with hole
228
on edge
210
, beam
216
is in the “locked” position. An attachment means such as a nut and bolt is inserted through holes
226
and
228
to secure beam
216
in the locked position in step
435
. Finally, once beam
216
is locked into place, pivot bolt
224
is secured and any extraneous wire
212
may be removed to ensure a smooth and ascetically pleasing appearance in step
440
.
The present invention provides numerous advantages. Assembling the structure with the present invention provides a system and methodology for ensuring a uniform and consistent position for the shading fabric over the canopy structure. Using the present invention, the canopy is tightened to the correct specifications the first time, providing a uniform, taunt, secure fit over the length of the canopy structure. The uniform fit ensures an ascetically pleasing appearance for the structure, proper shading protection, and structural support due to decreased wind resistance.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments disclosed above may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. In a shade structure having a shading element, at least a pair of support posts each of which support at least one outwardly-extending truss, and a perimeter beam that extends between two or more trusses, the improvement comprising:a fastener for securing the perimeter beam for pivotal movement between a first, installation position and a second, locking position; and a channel extending along a length of the perimeter beam for receiving an edge of the shading element such that when the perimeter beam is pivoted about the fastener from the first, installation position to the second, locking position the shading element edge is tensioned.
- 2. The shade structure of claim 1 further comprising of a second fastener for securing the perimeter beam into the locking position such that when the perimeter beam is pivoted into the locking position, the second fastener is inserted through a receiving hole in the perimeter beam and the truss.
- 3. The Shade structure of claim 1 wherein the edge of the shading element further comprises of a rigid member sewn into a pocket at the edge of the shade.
- 4. The Shade structure of claim 1 wherein the shading element further comprises of high density polyethylene.
- 5. The Shade structure of claim 1 wherein the shading element further comprises of an ultra violet coating.
- 6. A method of erecting a shading element on a structure having the shading element, at least a pair of support posts each of which support at least one outwardly-extending truss, and a perimeter beam that extends between two or more trusses, the steps comprising of:spreading the shading element over the top of the trusses in the approximate final position; inserting an edge of the shading element into a channel extending along a length of the perimeter beam; and pivoting the perimeter beam about a fastener, the perimeter beam pivoting from a first installation position to a second locking position.
- 7. The method in claim 6 wherein the step of pivoting the perimeter beam further comprises the step of pivoting the perimeter beam less than one complete rotation into the locking position.
- 8. The method described in claim 6 further comprising the steps of:sewing a rigid member into the edge of the shading element; and receiving the rigid member into the channel of the perimeter beam when the edge of the shading element is inserted into the channel.
- 9. The method described in claim 6 further comprising the steps of locking the perimeter beam by inserting a mechanical attachment means into a hole between the perimeter beam and the truss.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4887626 |
Dalo et al. |
Dec 1989 |
|
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
WO-9606244-A1 |
Feb 1996 |
SE |