Retractable closure for roof opening
AssigneeEarl Wright Company
InventorsRoger E. Lewis, Webb W. Hayes, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A building structure having a roof opening which is covered by a retractable closure. The retractable closure includes a plurality of panels which are pivotally mounted about the margin of the roof opening. The panels are sized and shaped so that they fit together and cover the opening when in their closed positions, and when the panels are in their open positions the roof opening is completely unobstructed. Tracks on the roof support the panels and resist vertical load forces. Support towers and guy lines are provided to bear a part of the load forces as the panels are closed. Drive means is provided for opening and closing the panels conjointly or independently to achieve a range of roof opening capability.
Claims9
A retractable closure for an opening in the roof of a building structure, including a plurality of roof panels positioned on the roof outside the roof opening, means for mounting the panels on the roof at respective upright pivot axes for pivotal movement across the opening between opened and closed positions, said pivot axes being spaced at intervals about the periphery of the roof opening, with each of the panels being sized and shaped to extend across a portion of the opening when the panels are in the closed position and with the roof opening substantially unobstructed when the panels are in the open position, means for pivoting the panels across the opening, and means for vertically supporting the panels when they are over the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.