Convertible Enclosure

Abstract

A movable enclosure is configured to selectively enclose an area. The enclosure includes at least one side wall and an end wall attached thereto. The side wall comprises a number of individual panels that are independently movable along a track secured to the ground. The panels are selectively collapsible such that they may travel along the track and overlap one another when in a collapsed or stowed position. The enclosure may be configured in any number of intermediate positions wherein the panels are partially collapsed. Roof panels may be attached to the side walls for movement therewith, or alternatively, the roof panels may operate independent of the side walls to extend and retract between an open and collapsed configuration.

1 . A building structure comprising:
 a fixed structural frame defining an enclosable region having a perimeter defined by a length and a width, the enclosable region including a first end separated from a second end by the length of the enclosable region, the enclosable region also having a side that extends along the length of the enclosable region between the first and second ends;   a convertible roof including a plurality of roof sections that each span the width the enclosable region, at least some of the roof sections being movable roof sections that are slidably mounted to roof tracks which are elevated above head level and that extend in a direction along the length of the enclosable region, the roof sections each including at least one light transmissible component, the convertible roof being convertible between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the movable roof sections being moveable relative to the fixed structural frame along the roof tracks to convert the convertible roof between the open configuration and the closed configuration, at least some of the roof sections substantially overlapping one another when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and the enclosable region being at least 40 percent uncovered when the roof sections are in the open configuration;   a convertible side wall provided at the side of the enclosable region, the convertible side wall being convertible between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the convertible side wall including a plurality of side wall sections, at least some of the side wall sections being movable side wall sections that are slidably mounted to side wall tracks that extend in a direction along the length of the enclosable region, the side wall sections each including at least one light transmissible component, the movable side wall sections being movable along the side wall tracks independent of the roof sections, the side wall sections being moveable relative to the fixed structural frame along the side wall tracks to convert the convertible side wall between the open configuration and the closed configuration, at least some of the side wall sections substantially overlapping one another when the convertible side wall is in the open configuration, and the side of the enclosable region being at least 40 percent open when the convertible side wall is in the open configuration; and   a convertible end wall provided at the first end of the enclosable region, the convertible end wall being convertible between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the convertible end wall including a plurality of end wall sections, at least some of the end wall sections being movable end wall sections that are slidably mounted to end wall tracks that extend in a direction along the width of the enclosable region, the end wall sections each including at least one light transmissible component, the movable end wall sections being movable along the end wall tracks independent of the roof sections and the side wall sections, the end wall sections being moveable relative to the fixed structural frame along the end wall tracks to convert the convertible end wall between the open configuration and the closed configuration, at least some of the end wall sections substantially overlapping one another when the convertible side wall is in the open configuration, and the first end of the enclosable region being at least 40 percent open when the convertible end wall is in the open configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the enclosable region is at least 50 percent open when the convertible side wall is in the open configuration, and wherein the first end of the enclosable region is at least 50 percent open when the convertible end wall is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the roof sections includes a peak and first and second panel portions on opposite sides of the peak that pitch away from the peak. 
     
     
         4 . The building structure of  claim 3 , wherein the roof sections nest when the convertible roof is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein the roof sections include a first set that covers a first half of the length of the enclosable region and a second set that covers a second half of the length of the enclosable region, wherein the first set of roof sections stack adjacent the first end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and wherein the second set of roof sections stack adjacent the second end of the enclosable region when the convertible roof is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The building structure of  claim 5 , wherein when the convertible roof is in the closed configurations the first and second sets of roof sections meet at an interface that includes a first gutter positioned under a second gutter. 
     
     
         7 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least three of the side wall sections all overlap one another when the convertible side wall is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The building structure of  claim 7 , wherein at least three of the end wall sections all overlap one another when the convertible end wall is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least four of the side wall sections all overlap one another when the convertible side wall is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The building structure of  claim 9 , wherein at least three of the end wall sections all overlap one another when the convertible end wall is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein all of the side wall sections are movable side wall sections. 
     
     
         12 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed frame structure includes a horizontal side beam supported by vertical posts, wherein the horizontal side beam extends along the side of the enclosable region, wherein at least some of the roof tracks are mounted on a top side of the horizontal beam, wherein the side wall tracks are mounted beneath the horizontal beam, and wherein the side wall sections are hung beneath the side wall tracks. 
     
     
         13 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein a space above the enclosable region is at least 70 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein a space above the enclosable region is at least 80 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein a space above the enclosable region is at least 90 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein a space above the enclosable region is 100 percent open when the convertible roof is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein the roof sections form a stack when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and wherein at least a portion of the stack is positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region. 
     
     
         18 . The building structure of  claim 17 , wherein the fixed structural frame defines an overhang portion positioned over an outside location, and wherein the portion of the stack outside the perimeter of the enclosable region is supported on the overhang portion to form a verandah outside the enclosable region. 
     
     
         19 . The building structure of  claim 1 , wherein the roof sections form a stack when the convertible roof is in the open configuration, and wherein at least majority of the stack is positioned outside the perimeter of the enclosable region. 
     
     
         20 . The building structure of  claim 19 , wherein the fixed structural frame defines an overhang portion positioned over an outside location, and wherein majority of the stack outside the perimeter of the enclosable region is supported on the overhang portion to form a verandah outside the enclosable region.