Back to results
US 10,948,003 B2Granted
Quick release tensioning device
AssigneeLandscape Structures Inc.
InventorFelipe Pena
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tensioning system for a shade structure is presented. The tensioning system comprises a shade membrane coupling portion configured to couple to a shade membrane of the shade structure. The tensioning system also comprises a movement axis, along which the shade membrane coupling portion moves. In a first direction, the shade membrane coupling portion applies tension to the shade membrane and, in a second direction, releases tension applied to the shade membrane. The tensioning system also comprises a force translation mechanism configured to receive a rotational force and translate it into linear movement of the shade membrane coupling portion along the movement axis in the first and second direction.
Claims20
A shade structure, comprising:
- a frame that comprises:
- four supports, each support being coupled to a surface at an anchor location;
- four rafters, each rafter coupled to one of the supports at one end and extending therefrom, the four rafters at least partially defining one or more surface areas over which two membranes expanse;
- and
- a frame element having:
- a first end coupled to a first set of two of the four rafters at ends of the first set of two rafters, and opposite the ends of the first set of two rafters coupled to the supports, and wherein every angle measured between the frame element and either one of the first set of two of the four rafters is greater than 90 degrees;
- and
- a second end coupled to a second set of two of the four rafters at an end of the second set of two rafters, and opposite the ends of the second set of two rafters coupled to the supports, and wherein every angle measured between the frame element and either one of the second set of two of the four rafters is greater than 90 degrees;
- and
- a tensioning system that couples the two membranes to a particular one of the four rafters, the tensioning system being substantially concealed within the particular one of the four rafters, and wherein the tensioning system comprises:
- a movement slot formed in the particular one of the four rafters, and wherein a movable element of the tensioning system is removably attached to the membrane and extends from and moves along the movement slot, and wherein when the movable element moves along the movement slot in a first direction then the tensioning system applies tension to the two membranes, and wherein when the moveable element of the tensioning system moves along the movement slot in a second direction then the tensioning system releases tension applied to the two membranes;
- and
- a rotatable mechanism that, when rotated, causes said movement of the moveable element of the tensioning system along the movement slot in said first and second directions.
10 more elements
A method of assembling a shade structure, the method comprising:
- installing a frame on a surface, the frame including four rafters each having a first end connected to a separate support pole, and each rafter also having a second end attached to another portion of the frame so as to form an angle of greater than 90 degrees measured between the second end of the rafter and the another portion;
- supporting a shade membrane on the frame through an attachment of the shade membrane to the frame at no more than one moveable tensioning point, the one moveable tensioning point being part of a movable element of a tensioning system that is substantially concealed within a portion of the frame;
- and
- supporting a second shade membrane on the frame through an attachment of the shade membrane to the frame at no more than one moveable tensioning point, the one moveable tensioning point being part the moveable element.
1 more element
A shade structure comprising:
- three supports displaced from one another and arranged so as to be at least substantially perpendicular to a ground level;
- three rafters each coupled at a first end to a different one of the three supports, and wherein a second end of each of the three rafters is attached to another portion of the shade structure so as to form only angles of greater than 90 degrees measured between the rafter and the another portion;
- a shade membrane connected to or proximate to at two of the three rafters in at least three different locations;
- a second shade membrane connected to or proximate to at least two of the three rafters in at least three different locations;
- and
- a tensioning system substantially concealed within one of the three rafters, the shade membrane and second shade membrane being connected to the tensioning system, and wherein the tensioning system is one of said at least three different locations and the only one of said locations that is adjustable so as to change a level of tension applied to the two shade membranes.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.