Modular canopy structures that can be fitted with a retractable roof, production methods, assembly methods and corresponding uses

Abstract

The application relates to a canvas comprising: members of a first type, said members being inserted into the canvas and comprising, on each of their ends, a means of sliding inserted into a structure, the members having a sliding device that can modify the length of the members during the sliding, members of a second type which are inserted into the canvas, said members being flexible so as to allow formation of a flow curve, two attachment members to be inserted into the canvas and located on the ends of the canvas, said members comprising a device allowing the canvas to be maintained in the deployed state, the members of the first and second type being alternately arranged in parallel when they are inserted in the canvas, so as to form an “accordion” configuration. The application also includes modular structures, means of attachment as well as assemblies thereof.

1 . Accordion-type folding canvas comprising:
 a plurality of members of a first type, said members to be inserted into said canvas, said members of the first type comprising, at each end, a means for sliding or moving to be inserted into a structure, the said members of said first type having a sliding device so as to be able to modify their length during said sliding or movement, in this way preventing blocking,   a plurality of members of a second type, said members to be inserted into said canvas, said members of the second type being flexible so as to allow formation of a flow curve when said canvas is in an extended position.   two attachment members, to be inserted into said canvas and located on the ends of the canvas, said attachment members comprising a device allowing maintain said canvas in a deployed position,   
       said members of the first type and said members of the second type to be alternately arranged, in parallel, when they are inserted in the canvas, so as to form an “accordion” configuration, when the canvas is in a folded or extended position, said attachment members replacing said members of the second type in alternation at said ends of the canvas. 
     
     
         2 . Accordion-type folding canvas comprising:
 a plurality of members of a first type, said members to be inserted into said canvas, said members of the first type comprising, at each end, a means for moving to be inserted into a structure, the said members of said first type having a sliding device so as to be able to modify their length during said movement,   a plurality of members of a second type, said members to be inserted into said canvas, said members of the second type being flexible so as to allow formation of a flow curve,   two attachment members, to be inserted into said canvas and located on the ends of the canvas, said attachment members to be attached in a fixed manner to a structure in order to maintain said canvas in a deployed position, and   
       said members of the first type and said members of the second type to be alternately arranged in parallel when they are inserted in the canvas, so as to form an “accordion” configuration. 
     
     
         3 . Folding canvas according to  claim 2 , in which said attachment members replace said members of the first type or second type in alternation at said ends of the canvas. 
     
     
         4 . Canvas according to  claim 1 , in which said members of said first type are upper members and said members of said second type are lower members. 
     
     
         5 . Canvas according to  claim 1 , in which said sliding device includes two cylinders, inserted one into the other. 
     
     
         6 . Canvas according to  claim 1 , in which said sliding device includes two cylinders, inserted one into the other so that, if one end of one of said members of the first type is moved in an uneven fashion at its opposite end in relation to said structure during movement of the canvas in relation to said structure, said member of the first type will get longer thanks to said sliding device, thereby preventing blockage during movement of said canvas. 
     
     
         7 . Canvas according to  claim 1 , in which said means of sliding or movement include casters. 
     
     
         8 . Canvas according to  claim 1 , in which said members of said second type are connected together by at least one guide, to one of said ends of said members of said second type, at least one of said guides being arranged in a fashion generally perpendicular to said members of said second type. 
     
     
         9 . Canvas according to  claim 8 , in which said members of said second type are connected together by two guides, one at each of said ends. 
     
     
         10 . Canvas according to  claim 9 , in which said guides are cables inserted into eyelets located on said ends of said members of said second type. 
     
     
         11 . Structure comprising:
 a canvas as defined in  claim 1 ; and   at least two support members, said support members each comprising at least one groove to receive said means of sliding or moving of said members of the first type of said canvas in order to maintain said canvas and allow it to move between a folded position and an extended position.   
     
     
         12 . Structure according to  claim 11 , in which said support members comprise two support members connected together by two cross members in a fashion generally parallel to said members of the first and second type, said support members and said cross members forming a frame that maintains the canvas. 
     
     
         13 . Structure according to  claim 12 , which also comprises at least two vertical rods allowing retention of said frame and said canvas at a desired height. 
     
     
         14 . Structure according to  claim 1 , in which said cross members each include at least one groove. 
     
     
         15 . Structure according to  claim 1 , in which said cross members each include at least one groove. 
     
     
         16 . Structure according to  claim 14 , in which at least the two of said support members are interchangeable with said cross members. 
     
     
         17 . Structure according to  claim 15 , in which at least the two of said support members are interchangeable with said cross members or with at least two of said vertical rods. 
     
     
         19 . Structure according to  claim 1  in which said support members, said cross members and said vertical rods are to be connected together using connectors, said connectors containing branches to be inserted into cavities of said support members, said cross members and/or said vertical rods, said connectors to be located at the corners of said frame and sized so that the branches are hidden inside said support members, said cross members and/or said vertical rods when they are inserted into them. 
     
     
         20 . Structure according to  claim 19 , in which said connectors have three branches, one branch being positioned vertically and two branches being positioned horizontally, said horizontal branches forming a 90-degree angle between them and with said vertical branch. 
     
     
         21 - 72 . (canceled)