The present invention is directed toward a movable roof structure and more particularly toward a telescoping movable roof structure for a patio, swimming pool, building or the like.
Numerous types of facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts and patios are frequently used in the open air during fair weather. During inclement weather, however, it would be desirable to provide such facilities with a cover or roof. In order to fulfill both desires, roofs have been proposed in the past which are collapsible or movable so that a closed top can be provided if desired or the same can be opened. Such movable roofs are also sometimes desirable with various other types of buildings.
The proposed prior art movable roof structures known to Applicant are not believed to have been satisfactory. They have either been too complex and, therefore, too difficult and expensive to construct or have been capable of opening only a small portion of the roof.
For example, while the structures shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,566,555; 3,589,084 and 4,073,098 are not very complex, they provide for the movement of only a single panel member or section and accordingly only a portion of the roof can be opened. The structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,889 is capable of opening the entire roof but only because the roof is relatively small as only one roof panel is also moved in this structure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,006,374 and 2,094,801 show movable roof structures comprised of a plurality of panels which are adapted to telescope with respect to each other so that a larger portion of the roof can be opened. This is a similar concept to Applicant's invention. However, the structure shown in these two latter patents can be used only on a particular predetermined structure. They can be adapted to other structures only by making changes to the roof system itself or the supporting structure or both. This, of course, increases the cost of the roofing system since each must be specially designed.