Adaptable roof system

Abstract

There is set forth a retractable roof system of a specified arrangement including a first elongated track and a second elongated track, and a beam extending between the first elongated track and the second elongated track. The beam is described as supporting a cover. There is also set forth apparatus for moving the beam in relation to the first elongated track and the second elongated track.

1 . A retractable roof comprising:
 a set of first and second elongated tracks, the second elongated track disposed adjacent to said first elongated track, said second elongated track being spaced apart from said first elongated track;   a set of adjacently disposed beams including a first beam, said retractable roof being adapted so that each beam of said set of beams extends generally transversely between said first elongated track and said second elongated track, the set of beams supporting a flexible cover for covering an area below said cover;   a set of trucks for supporting said first beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the set of trucks including a first truck supporting a first beam end of said first beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second beam end of said first beam on said second elongated track;   a motor assembly for moving said first beam along said set of tracks in a travelling direction, the motor assembly including a first motor disposed on said first truck for moving said first truck along said first elongated track, and a second motor disposed on said second truck for moving said second truck along said second elongated track;   wherein said retractable roof further comprises a motor control system for controlling a movement of said first and second trucks along said set of elongated tracks, the motor control system adapted to energize said first motor and said second motor so that said first beam supported by said first and second trucks is moved along said set of elongated tracks in a travelling direction, the retractable roof being operable in an operating state in which an energization level of said first motor is different than an energization level of said second motor.   
   
   
       2 . The retractable roof of  claim 1 , wherein disposed on said first truck is a linkage driven by said first motor. 
   
   
       3 . The retractable roof of  claim 1 , wherein said first elongated track supports a rack assembly, and wherein said first truck includes a pinion gear driven by said motor. 
   
   
       4 . The retractable roof of  claim 1 , wherein said retractable roof further includes a lifting apparatus, said lifting apparatus including a vertically extending member supporting a cable attached to said flexible cover, the vertical extending member extending above an elevation of said set of first and second elongated tracks. 
   
   
       5 . The retractable roof of  claim 1 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a fluid distribution pipe supported at a position above said flexible cover, said fluid distribution pipe including holes, wherein said retractable roof is operable so that a spray fluid or deicing fluid is provided to said cover through said holes. 
   
   
       6 . A retractable roof comprising:
 a set of first and second elongated tracks, the second elongated track disposed adjacent to said first elongated track, said second elongated track being spaced apart from said first elongated track;   a set of adjacently disposed beams including a first beam and a second beam, said retractable roof being adapted so that each beam of said set of beams extends generally transversely between said first elongated track and said second elongated track, the set of adjacently disposed beams supporting a cover for covering an area below said cover;   a first truck assembly for supporting said first beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the first truck assembly including a first truck supporting a first end of said first beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second end of said first beam on said second elongated track;   a second truck assembly for supporting said second beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the second truck assembly including a first truck supporting a first end of said second beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second end of said second beam on said second elongated track;   a first motor assembly for moving said first beam along said set of tracks in a travelling direction, the first motor assembly including a first motor disposed on said first truck of said first truck assembly for moving said first truck along said first elongated track, and a second motor for moving said second truck along said second elongated track;   a second motor assembly for moving said second beam along said set of tracks in a travelling direction, the second motor assembly including a first motor disposed on said first truck of said second truck assembly for moving said first truck along said first elongated track, and a second motor for moving said second truck along said second elongated track.   
   
   
       7 . The retractable roof of  claim 6 , wherein said cover is a flexible cover and wherein said retractable roof further comprises a lifting apparatus including a vertically extending member supporting a cable attached to said flexible cover, the vertical extending member extending above an elevation of said set of first and second elongated tracks. 
   
   
       8 . The retractable roof of  claim 6 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a fluid distribution pipe supported at a position above said cover, said fluid distribution pipe including holes, wherein said retractable roof is operable so that a spray fluid or deicing fluid is provided to said cover through said holes. 
   
   
       9 . A retractable roof comprising:
 a set of first and second elongated tracks, the second elongated track disposed adjacent to said first elongated track, said second elongated track being spaced apart from said first elongated track;   a set of adjacently disposed beams including a first beam, said retractable roof being adapted so that each beam of said set of beams extends generally transversely between said first elongated track and said second elongated track, the set of beams supporting a flexible cover for covering an area below said flexible cover;   a set of trucks for supporting said first beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the set of trucks including a first truck supporting a first beam end of said first beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second beam end of said first beam on said second elongated track;   a motor assembly for moving said first beam along said set of tracks in a travelling direction, the motor assembly including a first motor for moving said first truck supporting said first beam end along said first elongated track, and a second motor for moving said second truck supporting said second beam end along said second elongated track;   wherein said first truck includes apparatus enabling said first beam to move in a plurality of directions, the plurality of directions selected from a group of directions consisting of (a) linearly in a direction along said first elongated track, (b) rotationally about an axis extending vertically from said first elongated track; (c) rotationally about an axis extending generally in parallel with said first elongated track, (d) rotationally about an axis of said first beam, and (e) linearly in a direction of said first beam; and   wherein said retractable roof further comprises a motor control system for controlling a movement of said first and second trucks along said set of elongated tracks, the motor control system operable to energize said first motor and said second motor so that said first beam supported by said set of trucks is moved along said set of elongated tracks in a travelling direction, wherein said motor control system is operable to determine whether an error condition indicative of one of said beam ends leading the other with reference to said travelling direction by an undesired extent is satisfied, and wherein said motor control system is further operable to adjust an energization level of said motor control assembly if said error condition is satisfied.   
   
   
       10 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said roof is adapted so that an adjustment of said energization level includes increasing an energization level of a motor for driving a lagging one of said beam ends. 
   
   
       11 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said apparatus enabling said first beam to move in said plurality of directions enabled said first beam to move in each of the directions of (a) linearly in a direction along said first elongated track, (b) rotationally about an axis extending vertically from said first elongated track; (c) rotationally about an axis extending generally in parallel with said first elongated track, (d) rotationally about an axis of said first beam, and (e) linearly in a direction of said first beam. 
   
   
       12 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said roof is adapted so that an adjustment of said energization level includes decreasing an energization level of a motor for driving a leading one of said beam ends. 
   
   
       13 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a lifting apparatus including a vertically extending member supporting a cable attached to said flexible cover, the vertical extending member extending above an elevation of said set of first and second elongated tracks. 
   
   
       14 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said each beam of said set of adjacently disposed beams includes a non-horizontal section sloped for encouraging drainage. 
   
   
       15 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said first truck includes a position sensing unit for sensing a position of said first truck along said first elongated track. 
   
   
       16 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said first truck includes a pinion gear and rack assembly engaging said first elongated track. 
   
   
       17 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said first motor is disposed on said first truck. 
   
   
       18 . The retractable roof of  claim 9 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a fluid distribution pipe supported at a position above said flexible cover, said fluid distribution pipe including holes, wherein said retractable roof is operable so that a spray fluid or deicing fluid is provided to said cover through said holes. 
   
   
       19 . A retractable roof comprising:
 a set of first and second elongated tracks, the second elongated track disposed adjacent to said first elongated track, said second elongated track being spaced apart from said first elongated track;   a set of adjacently disposed beams including a first beam and a second beam, said retractable roof being adapted so that each beam of said set of beams extends generally transversely between said first elongated track to said second elongated track, the set of beams supporting a flexible cover for covering an area below said flexible cover;   a first truck assembly for supporting said first beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the first truck assembly including a first truck supporting a first end of said first beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second end of said first beam on said second elongated track;   a second truck assembly for supporting said second beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the second truck assembly including a first truck supporting a first end of said second beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second end of said second beam on said second elongated track;   a first motor assembly for moving said first beam along said set of tracks in a travelling direction, the motor assembly including a first motor for moving said first truck along said first elongated track, and a second motor for moving said second truck along said second elongated track;   a second motor assembly for moving said second beam along said set of tracks in a travelling direction, the motor assembly including a first motor for moving said first truck along said first elongated track, and a second motor for moving said second truck along said second elongated track;   a first motor control unit for controlling said first motor assembly;   a second motor control unit for controlling said second motor assembly;   wherein said first truck assembly includes an apparatus enabling said first beam to move in multiple directions with respect to said set of first and second elongated tracks;   wherein said second truck assembly includes an apparatus enabling said second beam to move in multiple directions with respect to said set of first and second elongated tracks;   a system control unit communicatively coupled with said first motor control unit and said second motor control unit, the system control unit being operable for communication with said first motor control unit and said second motor control unit motor, the system control unit further being operable for controlling sequenced motion of said first beam.   
   
   
       20 . The retractable roof of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said first and second elongated tracks changes in elevation. 
   
   
       21 . The retractable roof of  claim 19 , wherein each of said first and second elongated tracks is curved as seen from a top view. 
   
   
       22 . The retractable roof of  claim 19 , wherein said first beam includes a non-horizontal section for encouraging drainage. 
   
   
       23 . The retractable roof of  claim 19 , wherein said first elongated track and said second elongated track are substantially straight and disposed in substantially parallel relation to one another. 
   
   
       24 . The retractable roof of  claim 19 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a lifting apparatus including a vertically extending member supporting a cable attached to said flexible cover, the vertically extending member extending above an elevation of said set of first and second elongated tracks. 
   
   
       25 . The retractable roof of  claim 19 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a fluid distribution pipe supported at a position above said flexible cover, said fluid distribution pipe including holes, wherein said retractable roof is operable so that a spray fluid or deicing fluid is provided to said cover through said holes. 
   
   
       26 . A retractable roof comprising:
 a set of first and second elongated tracks, the second elongated track disposed adjacent to said first elongated track, said second elongated track being spaced apart from said first elongated track;   a set of adjacently disposed beams including a first beam, said retractable roof being adapted so that each beam of said set of beams extends generally transversely between said first elongated track and said second elongated track, the set of beams supporting a flexible cover for covering an area below said flexible cover;   a set of trucks for supporting said first beam of said set of beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the set of trucks including a first truck supporting a first end of said first beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second end of said first beam on said second elongated track;   a motor assembly for moving said set of trucks supporting said first beam along said set of first and second elongated tracks;   a lifting apparatus for lifting said flexible cover while said set of trucks is moved along said set of first and second elongated tracks.   
   
   
       27 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said lifting apparatus includes a vertically extending member supporting a cable attached to said flexible cover, the vertical extending member extending above an elevation of said set of first and second elongated tracks. 
   
   
       28 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said lifting apparatus includes a vertically extending member supporting a cable attached to said flexible cover, the vertical extending member extending above an elevation of said set of adjacently disposed beams. 
   
   
       29 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said set of adjacently disposed beams includes a first beam and a second beam, wherein the retractable roof is operable so that said motor assembly can move said first beam relative to said second beam, the lifting apparatus including a vertically extending member supported on said second beam and a weighted pulley assembly supported by said vertically extending member, said lifting apparatus having a first cable connected between said weighted pulley assembly and said flexible cover and a second cable connected between said weighted pulley assembly and said first beam so that movement of said first beam relative to said second beam mediates motion of said weighted pulley assembly and said flexible cover. 
   
   
       30 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said lifting apparatus includes a vertical member extending from said first beam from a location of said first beam intermediate of ends of said first beam, wherein said retractable roof comprises a cable supported by said vertical member and connected to said flexible cover. 
   
   
       31 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said lifting apparatus includes a vertical member extending from said first beam, wherein said retractable roof comprises a cable connected to said flexible cover, said retractable roof system having a weight supported by said vertical member and coupled to said cable for lifting of said flexible cover. 
   
   
       32 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a motor control system for controlling a movement of said first and second trucks along said set of elongated tracks, the motor control system adapted to energize said first motor and said second motor so that said first beam supported by said set of trucks is moved along said set of elongated tracks in a travelling direction, wherein said motor control system is operable to determine whether an error condition indicative of one of said beam ends leading the other with reference to said travelling direction by an undesired extent is satisfied, and wherein said motor control system is further operable to adjust an energization level of said motor control assembly if said error condition is satisfied. 
   
   
       33 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , further comprising a system control unit communicatively coupled with said first motor control unit and said second motor control unit, the system control unit being operable for communication with said first motor control unit and said second motor control unit motor, the system control unit further being operable for controlling sequenced motion of said first beam. 
   
   
       34 . The retractable roof of  claim 27 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a lifting apparatus including a vertical member extending from said first beam, wherein said retractable roof comprises a cable connected to said flexible cover, said retractable roof system having a motor supported by said vertical member and coupled to said cable for lifting of said flexible cover. 
   
   
       35 . A retractable roof comprising:
 a set of first and second elongated tracks, the second elongated track disposed adjacent to said first elongated track, said second elongated track being spaced apart from said first elongated track;   a set of adjacently disposed beams including a first beam, said retractable roof being adapted so that each beam of said set of beams extends generally transversely between said first elongated track to said second elongated track, the set of beams supporting a cover for covering an area below said cover;   a set of trucks for supporting said first beam of said set of adjacently disposed beams on said first and second elongated tracks, the set of trucks including a first truck supporting a first end of said first beam on said first elongated track and a second truck supporting a second end of said first beam on said second elongated track;   a fluid distribution pipe supported at a position above said flexible cover, said fluid distribution pipe including holes;   wherein said retractable roof is operable so that a spray fluid or deicing fluid is provided to said cover through said holes.   
   
   
       36 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , further comprising a flexible pipe attached to said fluid distribution pipe. 
   
   
       37 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , further comprising a reservoir for holding said deicing fluid. 
   
   
       38 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , further comprising a reservoir for holding said deicing fluid and a flexible pipe providing fluid communication between said reservoir and said fluid distribution pipe. 
   
   
       39 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , wherein said retractable roof further comprises a motor control unit for controlling a movement of said first and second trucks along said set of elongated tracks, the motor control system adapted to energize said first motor and said second motor so that said first beam supported by said set of trucks is moved along said set of elongated tracks in a travelling direction, wherein said motor control unit is operable to determine whether an error condition indicative of one of said beam ends leading the other with reference to said travelling direction by an undesired extent is satisfied, and wherein said motor control system is further operable to adjust an energization level of said motor control assembly if said error condition is satisfied. 
   
   
       40 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , further comprising a reservoir for holding said deicing fluid and a flexible pipe providing fluid communication between said reservoir and said fluid distribution pipe. 
   
   
       41 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , further comprising a reservoir for holding said deicing fluid, and a water and deicer fluid separating processor to which fluid incident on said cover is channeled, the retractable roof being operable so that said deicer fluid after being separated from said water is sent from said water and deicer processor to said reservoir. 
   
   
       42 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , wherein said cover is flexible. 
   
   
       43 . The retractable roof of  claim 35 , wherein said fluid distribution pipe is supported by said first beam.