초록 ▼

A retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are

A retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are provided to couple the vertical framing sections and are tensioned to load the first framing members in longitudinal compression. The framing members are fastenable to each other. The second framing members can be held together using splice plates. The retractable enclosure may also include a drive system. A related method of constructing a retractable enclosure is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A retractable enclosure comprising two or more bays configured to telescopically overlap when in a retracted position, each of the two or more bays comprising: at least a first vertical framing section and a second vertical framing section;a plurality of first framing members disposed between the

1. A retractable enclosure comprising two or more bays configured to telescopically overlap when in a retracted position, each of the two or more bays comprising: at least a first vertical framing section and a second vertical framing section;a plurality of first framing members disposed between the first vertical framing section and the second vertical framing section to space apart the first vertical framing section from the second vertical framing section; anda plurality of assembly rods coupling the first vertical framing section with the second vertical framing section,wherein each of the assembly rods fastens a respective one of the first framing members between the first vertical framing section and the second vertical framing section, andwherein each of the assembly rods is tensioned to load the plurality of first framing members in longitudinal compression. 2. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first framing members are generally horizontal. 3. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first framing members have a generally uniform longitudinal cross-section. 4. The retractable enclosure of claim 3, wherein the first framing members comprise longitudinal channels for retaining the assembly rods. 5. The retractable enclosure of claim 4, wherein the first vertical framing section and the second vertical framing section include apertures for receiving ends of the assembly rods. 6. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, further comprising clamping elements coupled to at least one end of each of the assembly rods to engage the first vertical frame section and exert force urging the first vertical frame section toward the second vertical frame section. 7. The retractable enclosure of claim 6, wherein the clamping elements are adjustable. 8. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, wherein each of the vertical framing sections comprises a plurality of second framing members. 9. The retractable enclosure of claim 8, wherein the second framing members have a second generally uniform longitudinal cross-section. 10. The retractable enclosure of claim 8, wherein adjacent second framing members in each vertical framing section are coupled by splice plates. 11. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, wherein the second framing members include slots at each end for receiving the splice plates, and wherein the splice plates are secured within the slots using wedges. 12. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, wherein the second framing members include first apertures, and the splice plates include second apertures aligned with the first apertures, and the first and second apertures receive ends of the assembly rods. 13. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, further comprising tracks supporting a first bay of the two or more bays and enabling movement of the first bay between the retracted position and an extended position. 14. The retractable enclosure of claim 13, further comprising a drive system for moving the first bay along the tracks between the retracted and extended positions. 15. The retractable enclosure of claim 14, wherein the drive system comprises: a motor assembly including a motor and a drive pulley, the drive pulley provided proximate to a first position on the tracks;at least one return pulley provided proximate to a second position on the tracks spaced apart from the first position; anda cable linking the drive and return pulleys, the cable coupled to the first bay,wherein operation of the motor assembly circulates the cable between the drive and return pulleys causing the first bay to move along the tracks between the first and second positions. 16. The retractable enclosure of claim 15, wherein the first bay comprises a plurality of wheel assemblies, the wheel assemblies movably connecting the first bay to the tracks. 17. The retractable enclosure of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies is coupled to the cable. 18. The retractable enclosure of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of engagement elements secured spaced apart along the cable, and wherein the drive pulley comprises a sprocket drive pulley having a plurality of recesses spaced around its circumference, the recesses configured to receive the engagement elements. 19. A method of constructing a retractable enclosure, comprising: constructing a bay, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of first framing members, a plurality of second framing members, and a plurality of assembly rods,joining the plurality of second framing members together to form a first vertical framing section and a second vertical framing section,placing the plurality of first framing members between the first vertical framing section and the second vertical framing section so that the vertical framing sections maintain a spaced apart relationship,fastening the first framing members to the first vertical framing section and the second vertical framing section with the plurality of assembly rods, andtensioning the plurality of assembly rods to load the plurality of first framing members in longitudinal compression; andrepeating the step of constructing to form two or more bays, wherein the two or more bays are configured to telescopically overlap when in a retracted position. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising placing at least one of the two or more bays on parallel tracks enabling movement between the retracted position and an extended position. 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting panels to enclose space within each of the two or more bays. 22. A retractable enclosure comprising two or more bays configured to telescopically overlap when in a retracted position, each of the two or more bays comprising: a plurality of framing members joined together to form first and second vertical framing sections;a plurality of horizontal framing members arranged between the vertical framing sections to space apart the first vertical framing section from the second vertical framing section, each of the horizontal framing members comprising a longitudinal channel; anda plurality of assembly rods, each of the assembly rods being received in the longitudinal channel of a respective one of the horizontal framing members and having a first end connected to a respective one of the framing members of the first vertical framing section and a second end connected to a respective one of the framing members of the second vertical framing section, so as to fasten the respective one of the horizontal framing members between the first and second vertical framing sections,wherein the assembly rods are tensioned to load the horizontal framing members in longitudinal compression between the first and second vertical framing sections.