Louvered Roof System

Abstract

A louvered roof system is provided that is capable of selectively fully or partially covering a designated area to block direct sunlight, rain, snow, etc. while allowing a selected amount of airflow to the designated area. The louvered roof system includes a pair of longitudinally extending rails having a plurality of movable louver assemblies extending between the rails. The movable louver assemblies are rotatable relative to the rails and longitudinally movable along the rails. A drive assembly rotates and moves the louver assemblies relative to the rails. The drive assembly includes separate rotation and drive mechanisms for selectively rotating the louver assemblies and moving the at least one movable louver assembly along the rails. Insulation may be provided on the louver assemblies to aid in insulating the designated space. The louver assemblies may be maintained rotated to a closed position by magnets securing each louver assembly to adjacent louver assemblies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A louvered roof system for selectively covering a designated area, comprising:
 a first rail and a second rail, the rails extending along a longitudinal direction and in parallel relationship with one another;   a plurality of louver assemblies extending between said first and second rails in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, the plurality of louver assemblies mounted for longitudinal movement along said first and second longitudinally extending rails;   wherein each of the plurality of louver assemblies comprises a first gear mechanism and a second gear mechanism, wherein the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism each have a T-shaped shaft gear with an inwardly directed projection, wherein the T-shaped shaft gear is rotatably mounted on a control shaft connected to the first gear mechanism and to the second gear mechanism, and wherein the T-shaped shaft gear slides along a length of the control shaft;   an expandable and contractable drive assembly connected to the plurality of louver assemblies and configured to cause forward and rearward longitudinal movement of the plurality of louver assemblies along the first and second rails, wherein a longitudinal separation between the louver assemblies is adjustable responsively to expansion and contraction of the drive assembly, and wherein each louver assembly is rotatably connected to the drive assembly such that said each louver assembly is rotatable relative to the first and second rails about a respective rotation axis arranged in the transverse direction; and   wherein the drive assembly comprises a scissor mechanism arranged within one of the first and second rails, wherein an end of each louver assembly of the plurality of louver assemblies is carried by the scissor mechanism and is pivotable relative to the scissor mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The louvered roof system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly further comprises:
 a longitudinally movable carriage attached to the scissor mechanism; and   a rotatable lead screw in threaded engagement with said carriage such that rotation of the lead screw selectively drives the carriage longitudinally frontward or rearward to expand or contract the scissor mechanism, respectively.   
     
     
         3 . The louvered roof system of  claim 2 , wherein the carriage is connected to a specific
 louver assembly of the plurality of louver assemblies arranged frontward of other louver assemblies of the plurality of louver assemblies.