Retractable Enclosure

Abstract

Described herein is a retractable enclosure that includes a sequence of upright arches, such that the arches are substantially parallel and such that the two ends of each upright arch are disposed on a base. The arches are configured to leave a gap between adjacent arches. The retractable enclosure also includes a plurality of extendable covers attached to the arches such that at least one extendable cover is disposed between adjacent arches and such that each extendable cover can assume an extended state and a retracted state. The gap between adjacent arches can be mostly closed when the at least one extendible cover therebetween is in its extended state.

1 . A retractable enclosure comprising:
 a sequence of upright arches, each arch having two ends, such that the arches are substantially parallel and such that the two ends of each upright arch are disposed on a base, the arches configured to leave a gap between adjacent arches; and   a plurality of extendable covers attached to the arches such that at least one extendable cover is disposed between adjacent arches and such that each extendable cover can assume an extended state and a retracted state, wherein the gap between adjacent arches can be mostly closed when the at least one extendible cover therebetween is in its extended state.   
     
     
         2 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein a) each extendible cover has a cover that is wound about an axis to assume the retracted state and unwound about the axis to assume the extended state. 
     
     
         3 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein each cover is translucent. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein each axis is perpendicular to the arches and substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the first upright arch of the sequence is capped with a translucent, substantially vertical wall. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein the last upright arch of the sequence is capped with another translucent, substantially vertical wall. 
     
     
         7 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein a beam parallel to each axis connects the tops of the sequence of arches. 
     
     
         8 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the base is disposed above ground level. 
     
     
         9 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one rolling cover consists of one rolling cover. 
     
     
         10 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one rolling cover consists of two rolling covers. 
     
     
         11 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein one of the two rolling covers is disposed on one side of the sequence of arches and the other one of the two rolling covers is disposed on the other side of the sequence of arches. 
     
     
         12 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of a pair of adjacent arches and a cover therebetween has an electromagnet and the other one of the pair of adjacent arches and the cover therebetween has a strip that is attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is activated and the cover is in the extended state. 
     
     
         13 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one solar panel between the arches and disposed on the external portion of the enclosure to gather solar energy. 
     
     
         14 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one solar panel is coupled to a motor to change the direction the at least one solar panel is facing. 
     
     
         15 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one blower supported by at least one of the upright arches, the blower capable of blowing air to remove material off the external surface of the enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one water nozzle suspended from at least one of the upright arches for watering a field or court enclosed by the retractable enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a nozzle support member;   at least one water nozzle supported from the nozzle support member for watering a field or court enclosed by the retractable enclosure; and   a track on which the nozzle support member runs to move the at least one water nozzle for reaching various parts of the field or court for watering.   
     
     
         18 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle support member is U-shaped and has rollers for running on the track. 
     
     
         19 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one solar panel between the arches and disposed on the external portion of the enclosure to gather solar energy. 
     
     
         20 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one blower supported by at least one of the upright arches, the blower capable of blowing air to remove material off the external surface of the enclosure.