Shade structure for a small aircraft

Abstract

The present invention is an enclosure for sheltering a small aircraft, and provides an arcuate roof frame supported by a base frame. The roof frame has a fixed roof portion engaging a movable roof portion and a hydraulic system for adjusting the position of the movable roof. The fixed and movable roof portions are mutually engaged by a hinge system enabling vertical arcuate motion of the movable roof portion relative to the fixed roof portion. A fabric or thin sheet material cover is mounted over the fixed and the movable roofs so as to protect an aircraft stored within the shelter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An aircraft sheltering apparatus comprising: an arcuate roof frame comprising spaced apart arcuate roof members joined by transverse roof beams and covered by a roof skin, the arcuate roof frame supported by a supporting frame above a base frame adapted for resting on a supporting surface; the arcuate roof frame providing a fixed roof portion pivotally engaging a movable roof portion; a force producing means engaged between the fixed and movable roof portions for adjusting, through a vertical arc, the movable roof portion between a lowered position adapted for enclosing an aircraft within the apparatus, and a raised position adapted for providing egress to the aircraft.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein the fixed roof portion and the movable roof portion are mutually engaged by a sliding and hinging means enabled for directing swinging motion of the movable roof portion relative to the fixed roof portion.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein the force producing means is a hydraulically operated system enabled for linear extension and retraction and pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the fixed roof portion, and pivotally mounted at another end thereof to the movable roof portion.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein the transverse roof beams are of linear in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein the transverse roof beams are bowed in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of    claim 2    wherein the sliding and hinging means comprises a pair of elongated links, each of the links providing a slot having a first slot leg aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongated link, and a second slot leg extending at an angle to the first slot leg, such that the movable roof portion is adapted to move with three distinct sequential motions; away and up, linearly away, and rotational, all relative to the fixed roof portion.