US4886084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panelized fabric covered structure
Assignee: OMAR Inc 273 PRESUMPSCOT STREET PORTLAND MAINE 04104 A CORP OF MAINE
•
Filing: 1987-10-01
•
Granted: 1989-12-12
•
Expires: 2007-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A panelized fabric-covered structure with removable and replaceable fabric panels including an expandable frame having a plurality of frame members for holding a fabric cover, a fabric cover including a plurality of discrete fabric panels each having at least one enlarged edge, and a connector for connecting the enlarged edges of the fabric panels to each other and to the frame and allowing the panels to slide and seat as the frame is expanded.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Lawrence
- 👤 C. William Moss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:40
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H15/00; E04H15/18; E04H15/32; E04H15/64; E04H15/642; E04H15/644; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A panelized fabric-covered structure with removable and replaceable fabric panels comprising: an expandable frame, including a plurality of rigid, substantially vertical frame members interconnected by a plurality of rigid transverse frame members, for holding a fabric cover; means for attaching said substantially vertical frame members to a supporting surface; a fabric cover including a plurality of discrete fabric panels each having at least one enlarged edge; connector means for connecting said enlarged edges of said fabric panels to each other and to said frame; said connector means including a channel member for engaging said enlarged edge of said fabric panels, said channel member including a longitudinal bore larger than said enlarged edge with an opening smaller than said enlarged edge for allowing said panels to slide and rotate in said connector means to seat said panels in said frame and in relation to each other; means for adjusting the length of said transverse members to tension said panels in the direction of said transverse members; and means for adjusting the length of said substantially vertical frame members to tension said panels in the direction of said members to provide a taut fabric cover tensioned in transverse directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A panelized fabric-covered structure with removable and replaceable fabric panels comprising: an expandable frame, including a plurality of rigid, substantially vertical frame members interconnected by a plurality of rigid transverse frame members, for holding a fabric cover; means for attaching said substantially vertical frame members to a supporting surface; a fabric cover including a plurality of discrete fabric panels each having at least one enlarged edge; connector means for connecting said enlarged edges of said fabric panels to each other and to said frame; said connector means including a channel member for engaging said enlarged edge of said fabric panels, said channel member including a longitudinal bore larger than said enlarged edge with an opening smaller than said enlarged edge for allowing said panels to slide and rotate in said connector means to seat said panels in said frame and in relation to each other; means for adjusting the length of said transverse members to tension said panels in the direction of said transverse members; and means for adjusting the length of said substantially vertical frame members to tension said panels in the direction of said members to provide a taut fabric cover tensioned in transverse directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said fabric panels include a reflective surface for reflecting radiant energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said frame members include channel members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 3 further including a cap member for sealing the opening in said channel members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said enlarged edge includes a welt attached to an edge of said fabric panels to provide sliding engagement with said channel member to allow said fabric panels to be removed and replaced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said channel member includes a partially open annular conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 6 in which said enlarged edge includes a substantially cylindrical welt attached to an edge of said fabric panels to provide sliding and rotational engagement between said fabric panels and said connector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 7 in which said welt is wider than the opening in said annular section to provide interlocking sliding and rotational engagement between said fabric panels and said connector means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 7 in which said welt includes a continuous elongate member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said frame includes a plurality of arch members each having at least two legs and facing a common center and a plurality of transverse members interconnecting said arch members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 10 in which each said arch member includes at least one substantially vertical member for holding a rigid structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The panelized fabric covered structure of claim 10 further including means for pivotally attaching at least one of said arch members to a supporting surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 10 further including means for adjusting the height of said arch members to expand said frame and tension said fabric panels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 13 in which said means for adjusting the height of said arch members provides independent adjustment of the length of each leg of each said arch member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 10 in which each said transverse member extends from the apex of an arch member toward said common center.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 15 further including a central hub member for interconnecting said transverse members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 16 in which said frame includes a central support member for supporting said hub member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said fabric panels are interchangeable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 10 further including a connecting structure for attaching an arch member of said panelized fabric-covered structure to an arch member of a second panelized fabric-covered structure to interconnect two closely spaced fabric-covered structures.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 19 in which said connecting structure includes at least one fabric panel for attachment to two closely spaced, substantially opposing arch members, one disposed in each panelized fabric-covered structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 19 in which said second structure is identical to said panelized fabric-covered structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said cover includes a plurality of spaced layers of fabric panels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 22 further including insulation means for filling the space between at least two of said layers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 22 further including means for circulating air between said layers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 22 in which the top fabric layer includes translucent fabric panels for transmitting sunlight.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 22 in which the bottom fabric layer includes fabric panels having a dark surface for absorbing radiant energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 22 in which the bottom fabric layer includes fabric panels have a reflective surface for reflecting radiant energy.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 1 in which said cover includes a central opening for venting said structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 28 further including a screened cover for said opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The panelized fabric-covered structure of claim 28 further including a cap for covering said central opening and venting said structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2388701A
Cited
US2822898A
Cited
US2961802A
Cited
US3075654A
Cited
US3161553A
Cited
US3137097A
Cited
US3277219A
Cited
US3143939A
Cited
US3252469A
Cited
US3473272A
Cited
US3475768A
Cited
US3619432A
Cited
US3668287A
Cited
US3572002A
Cited
US3751862A
Cited
US3886961A
Cited
US3773061A
Cited
US3982361A
Cited
US4115480A
Cited
US4064663A
Cited
US4593710A
Cited
US4603528A
Cited
US4736551A
Cited
US4644706A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |