Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Framework
Utility Patent
1999-04-01
2001-01-02
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Framework
C052S073000, C052S074000
Utility Patent
active
06167897
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an all-metal canopy comprising factory formed component parts which are pre-assembled at the factory into modular units for field construction. These units allow multi-unit installation and field expansion. The canopy utilizes an interlocking connection between a canopy panel and a expansion strut used in the canopy which allows simple installation, provides a structural moment resistant connection and accurately controls the placement of the panel on the expansion strut.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
In providing a canopy for a structure, building owners, designers, architects and the like have had fabric covered frameworks available. However, such fabric covered frameworks (as well as some of the generally rigid polymer coverings) which have been available fail to provide adequate long term protection from the elements. For example, they provide little or no resistance to high winds and snow and ice load. They tend to be vulnerable to degradation from ultraviolet (UV) light and mildew. Many of these are custom designed, so future expansion of the canopy without entire replacement of the fabric or polymer covering is not possible and there is often a high level of skill required to properly install the canopy, due to the complexity of the components and the stretching and fitting of the covering materials. These canopies as known in the prior art often have a useful life in the range of 5 to 12 years, provided, of course, that there is no premature failure due to a wind or snow load catastrophe.
As an alternative, the use of metal cladding, including standing seam roof panels, has become more popular. Although metal cladding provides a better life expectancy than cloth or polymer, they also significantly magnify the installation effort, to the extent that in many cases a professional roofing or renovation contractor is needed to install the system. Also, metal cladding systems typically do not come in a modular format, so the canopy must be fabricated on site. This necessarily means that the experience and craftsmanship of the individual installer becomes paramount, and it is difficult to expand, alter or even duplicate a canopy once it is installed.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide the components for construction of a canopy, where the individual components are provided in modular units with some pre-assembly, so that the canopy may be easily installed and may be altered or expanded at some later time just as easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This advantage of the present invention is provided by a novel expandable metal canopy for a structure comprising an expansion strut and at least one panel assembly to be associated with the expansion strut at the point of installation. The expansion strut is directly adapted to be affixed to a wall of the structure. It has a flange along a top edge thereof, a flange along a pair of opposing side edges thereof, a flange along a lower edge thereof and a plurality of outwardly angled tabs along the strut. The at least one panel assembly comprises at least two panels. Each of the panels has an upwardly extending flange along each of its sides, with adjacent panels aligned with corresponding flanges in abutting relationship. First and second end pieces are affixed to an outside edge of the panel assembly along the outside edge of the outermost panels in the panel assembly. The end pieces having a bottom edge and a side edge. A trim strip is affixed to the bottom edge of the at least two said panels and a seam cap is affixed atop the abutted flanges internal to the panel assembly. When the flange along the top edge of each of the panel assemblies is inserted into and affixed to the top edge flange of the expansion strut, the bottom edge of the end pieces seats itself atop the bottom edge flange of the expansion strut, the outwardly angled tabs support the panels from below and the side edge of the end pieces bears laterally against the expansion strut and may be affixed to the side edge flange thereon.
In the preferred embodiments, the expansion strut and the panel assembly are formed from metal, particularly 16 gauge, grade A527 steel.
When viewed normal to the surface, the panels are preferably rectangular. While the preferred embodiment will have a planar upper surface for the panels, some embodiments will have convex upper surface, with the curvature occurring from the top edge to the bottom edge, rather than across the panel from side to side. In the preferred embodiment with a planar upper surface, the upper surface will be aligned at an angle of from about sixteen degrees to about thirty degrees from horizontal when the panel assembly is affixed to the expansion strut. When the convex upper surface is used, a chord drawn between the top and bottom edges will be aligned effectively with the horizontal at an inclination in the same range.
It is preferred to use a piece of end trim at each end of the canopy over the respective end pieces. It is also preferred to use a hold down cleat which runs across the at least two said panels parallel to the top edge flange, especially a hold down cleat having a flange formed on an upper portion thereof. In such an embodiment, a head trim strip is used to seal the panel assembly to the expansion strut along the top thereof, particularly one wherein the head strip has a front edge adapted to engage the upper flange of the hold down cleat and a rear edge which is adapted to be fastened to the top edge flange of the expansion strut. It is preferred to interpose a strip of a sealant tape between the top edge flange and the head trim strip.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4100703 (1978-07-01), Sickler
patent: 4561227 (1985-12-01), Asutin
patent: 5148640 (1992-09-01), Reilly
patent: 6044593 (2000-04-01), Puls
Reagan Dale
Resso Frank
Innovative Metals Company, Inc.
Oldham & Oldham Co. L.P.A.
Stephan Beth A.
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