Retractable enclosure
OwnerRichard Anthony Schepsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular retractable enclosure is provided. The retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are provided to couple the vertical framing sections and are tensioned to load the first framing members in longitudinal compression. The framing members are fastenable to each other. The second framing members can be held together using splice plates. The retractable enclosure may also include a drive system. A related method of constructing a retractable enclosure is also provided.
Claims15
A retractable enclosure comprising:
- a) at least a first bay and a second bay, the first and second bays configured to move between retracted and extended positions, the first and second bays telescopically overlapping when in the retracted position;
- b) tracks supporting the first bay and enabling movement of the first bay between the retracted and extended positions;
- and
- c) a drive system for moving the first bay along the tracks between the retracted and extended positions, the drive system including
- i) a motor assembly including a motor and a drive pulley, the drive pulley provided proximate to a first position on the tracks,
- ii) at least one return pulley provided proximate to a second position on the tracks spaced apart from the first position, and
- iii) a cable linking the drive and return pulleys, the cable coupled to the first bay,
- wherein operation of the motor assembly circulates the cable between the drive and return pulleys causing the first bay to move along the tracks between the first and second positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.