Lateral release mechanism for movable roof panels
US7594360B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE04B7/166
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A movable roof member includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to permit the roof member to move in a predetermined path with respect to the underlying structure of the supporting edifice. The transport mechanism includes structure for supporting both ends of the roof member, which bridges an otherwise open area of the edifice. In order to permit some flexure and movement of the roof member with respect to the underlying edifice, as will inevitably occur as a result of natural forces such as winds, a lateral release system is provided for maintaining the transport mechanism in a predetermined orientation while simultaneously permitting a limited amount of movement of the roof member in a direction that is nonparallel to the predetermined path of movement. The lateral release system has been found to be most effective when it is provided at but one end of the roof member. The lateral release system preferably includes a linear slide bearing that in the preferred embodiment has a longitudinal axis that is oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the predetermined path of travel of the roof member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.