Mobile Roof System The Related Art

The invention relates to roof systems used for closing ceilings of stadiums called long-span, indoor type sports halls, tennis courts and venues preferred to be opened and closed whenever desired so.

The invention particularly relates to mobile roof systems providing control of the distance between the beams carrying roof membrane by means of switches, having feature of opening and closing by means of moving only one beam by use of ropes and preventing blockage of membrane between beams by help of membrane retraction mechanism during opening.

Background of the Invention

Today venues such as stadiums, indoor sports halls, tennis courts etc. are covered with roof systems in order to insulate against external factors mainly weather conditions. In some of them, the entire or part of the roof is of feature allowing opening-closing. In the known applications beams, generally moving on parallel rail systems as it is overhead crane are used. Beams are to move in synchronization so as to move on parallel rails in this way. Otherwise, the beams are stuck between the rails and lose their capability to move. The embodiment disclosed under a Russian patent numbered RU2556098 (E04B 7/16) and entitled "mechanism to move flaps of moving part of stadium roof" can be given a sample similar to the descriptions given above. In the said embodiment, the distance between the beams is managed by hydraulic components. Hydraulic components are also preferred several other automatic systems. Hydraulic motions are performed by help of software having electronically controlled command systems and synchronization. For that reason, the costs are considerably high.

In conclusion, existence of need for mobile roof systems providing control of the distance between the beams carrying roof membrane by means of switches, having feature of opening and closing by means of moving only one beam by use of ropes and preventing blockage of membrane between beams by help of membrane retraction mechanism during opening and inadequacy of existing solutions have made necessary to make development in the related art. Purpose of the Invention

The present invention relates to pendulum mobile roof systems meeting the needs mentioned above, eliminating all disadvantages and providing some additional advantages.

Main purpose of the mobile roof system being subject of the invention is to provide opening-closing of the roof by means of a linear movement of the switch caps carrying the beams carrying the roof membrane on walk way. While movement of one single beam is adequate for opening-closing, the motion transmission between other beams is provided by means of switches. The requirement of moving switch caps in the same rate at both sides of the beam where the movement is initiated is provided by means of equipment ropes. Switches keep the distance between other beams and thus provide synchronization. Another purpose of the invention is to prevent the blocking of membrane retraction mechanism located between beams and damage thereon due to such blocking between beams and thus prevent suspension of opening operation.

In order to achieve the above mentioned purposes, a mobile roof system is developed to be used for closing ceilings of stadiums called long-span, indoor type sports halls, tennis courts and venues preferred to be opened and closed whenever desired so. The developed mobile roof system comprises at least a membrane, at least two beams carrying the membrane, one, the fixed one, and other one, moving one, at least two walkways parallel to each other whereon the moving beam moves, at least two switch caps whereon moving beam stays and which provides motion thereof on walkway by means of walk wheel, at least a moving mechanism providing synchronized movement of two switch caps carrying the same beam at the same level. The said moving mechanism basically contains at least an engine, at least a drum rotating driven by motion from the engine and at least a driving rope connected to drum and transmitting motion to beams. The structural and characteristics features of the invention and all advantages will be understood better in detailed descriptions with the figures given below and with reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations. Brief Description of the Drawings In order to make the embodiment and additional members being subject of the present invention as well as the advantages clearer for better understanding, it should be assessed with reference to the following described figures. Figure 1 is general view of the mobile roof system in open status.

Figure 2a is general view of the mobile roof system in close status.

Figure -2b is membrane view of the mobile roof system in close status.

Figures - 3a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j: are the detailed views of drawing in Figure 2a.

Figure 4 is close view of moving mechanism provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure 5a is close view of vertical pulley of the moving mechanism provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure -5b: is close view of horizontal pulley of the moving mechanism provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure 6a is general view of walking way provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure -6b is general view of walking way with buffer provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure 7 is general view of beam provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention. Figure 8a, b Are general views of switch cap in mobile roof system of the invention when on the walking way from different angles.

Figure 8c is general view of switch cap in plain form provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure 9 is the cross-section view of mobile roof system area on the walkway.

Figure 10 is general view of switch provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention.

Figure 1 1 is general view of membrane retraction mechanism provided in the mobile roof system disclosed under the invention. Part References

Mobile Roof System 500 Switch

Short side 501 Switch arm

Long side 502 Positioning wheel

Walkway 503 Positioning rail

Beam trolley profile 503a Positioning path

Walking rail 504 Ramp 103 Guide rail way 505 Park area guide rail

104 Motion field 505a Park area

105 Buffer 506 Security spring

01 Beam 507 Security spring platform

02 Membrane 508 Joint

00 Switch cap 600 Membrane retraction mechanism

301 Walking wheel 601 Eave pillar support

302 Beam trolley wheel 602 Rear pillar support

303 Arm support 604 Eave pillar

304 Beam connection sheet 606 Rear pillar

305 Rope clip 607 Ball joint bearing

306 Eyebolt rope clip 608 Pillar balance system

307 Double norsman lifting 609 Balancing lower part

308 Single Norsman lifting 610 Balancing upper part

309 Rope sag pulley 61 1 Balancing lever

310 Walking wheel aid 612 Rope fork

400 Motion mechanism 0 Fixed beam

401 Engine 1 Beam no. 1

402 Electric board 2 Beam no. 2

403 Remote control 3 Beam no. 3

407 Reductor 4 Beam no. 4

408 Drum 5 Beam no. 5

409 Vertical pulley 6 Beam no. 6

410 Horizontal pulley 7 Beam no. 7

412 Equipment rope 8 Beam no. 8

413 Driving rope 9 Beam no. 9

413-A Upper driving rope 10 Beam no. 10

413-B Lower driving rope

Detailed Description of the Invention

Mobile roof systems (A) used in closing the ceilings of stadiums caller broad span, indoor sports halls, tennis courts and venues preferred to be opened/closed optionally basically consist of at least a membrane (202), at least two beams (201 ) carrying the membrane (202), one, the fixed one, and other one, moving one, at least two walkways (100) parallel to each other whereon the moving beam (201) moves, at least two switch caps (300) whereon moving beam (201 )stays and which provides motion thereof on walkway (100) by means of walk wheel (301 ). As in the present applications, the mobile roof system (A) being subject of the invention is capable to shift between open and close positions respectively as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The said shifting motion of the mobile roof system (A) is performed by a motion mechanism (400) consisting of at least an- engine (401 ), at least a drum (408) driven by engine (401 ) and at least a driving rope (413) connected to the drum (408) and transmitting the motion to the beams (201 ). The most important characteristic of the motion mechanism (400) shown in general view in figure 4 is that it provides synchronised motion of two switch caps (300) carrying the same beam (201 ) at the same speed and thus prevents blocking in the walkway (100). The preferred embodiment contains two fixed beams (0) facing one another and the beams (201 ) connected to them move towards or in opposite directions of each and thus provide opening and closing. To achieve it, additionally the mobile roof system (A) consists of at least a equipment rope (412) providing motion transmission between the beams (201 ), at least a vertical pulley (409) providing direction shifting of the driving rope (413) and/ or equipment rope (412) on vertical plane, and at least a horizontal pulley (410) providing direction shifting of the driving rope (413) and/ or equipment rope (412) on horizontal plane. Figures 5a and 5b shows general views of respectively vertical pulley (409) and horizontal pulley (410). Double norsman lifting (307) and single norsman lifting (308) function as means of connection between or interconnection driving rope (413) and equipment rope (412) and provide tightening thereof. Figures 3e and 3c show respectively double norsman lifting (307) and single norsman lifting (308).

As seen in Figure 4, while electric board (402) controls required power transmission to the engine (401 ), remote control unit (403) controls remote distance controlling of the engine (401 ). A limit switch fixed by means of a limit switch support specifies the movement limits of the motion mechanism (400). For such action, the limit switch is triggered by limit switch arm. Reductor (407) provides the connection between the engine (401 ) and the drum (408) and also changes the motion value gained from the engine (401 ). Rope sag pulleys (309), another component of the motion mechanism (400) support equipment rope (412) by driving rope (413) at certain points and thus prevent sagging.

Figure 6a shows general view of walking way (100) consisting of at least a walking rail (102) acting as bearing of the walking wheel (301 ) on the walking way (100). Walking wheel aid (310) provided on walking wheel (301 ) as shown in figure 8c grasps walking rail (102) and prevents derailing of switch cap (300) from walking way (100) direction. The beam trolley wheels (302) also located on the switch cap (300) in a manner facing walking wheel (301 ) grasp the beam trolley profile (101 ) provided on the walking way (100) as seen in Figure 8b, and thus restrict the vertical motions of the switch cap (300). The buffer (105) seen in figure 6b prevents movement of switch cap (300) on the walking way (100) in the area where mounted. The beam connection sheet (304) located on the switch cap (300) shown in figure 8a acts as means for connection of the beam (201 ) and the switch cap (300) as shown in Figure 7. The rope clip (305) located on the switch cap (300) acts as means for connection to driving rope (413) or equipment rope (412). Also the eyebolt rope clip (306) located on the switch cap (300) acts as means for connection of driving rope (413) and equipment rope (412) in similar way at the same time. The switch (500) shown in Figure 10 in general view are located between the beams (201 ) to adjust the distance between them and basically consists of two switch arms (501 ) interconnected to the joint (508) in a moving manner. Positioning wheel (502) connected to joint (508) goes into the positioning path (503a) consisting of two positioning rails (503) parallel to each other while beams (201 ) are in motion, and takes the route. Positioning path (503a) keeps the switch (500) in linear form and thus the distance between the beams (201 ) can be fixed. The ramp (504) provided on the positioning path (503a) controls entrance and exit of positioning wheel (502) in the positioning path (503a). Security spring (506) provides orientation of the positioning wheel (502) to and getting away from the ramp (504). Park area (505a) consisting of two park area guide rails (505) parallel to each other are in the area where the positioning wheel is positioned when the beams (201 ) are retracted. Security spring platform (507) shown in Figure 3i acts as means for assembly of security spring (506) and provides space for personnel. Arm support (303) provides connection of switch arm (501 ) to switch cap (300) in a moving manner.

The membrane folding rope located between beams (201 ) supports membrane (202) and thus provides tightening. Membrane retraction mechanism (600) shown in Figure 1 1 provides lifting of the membrane (202) upon adjacent beams (201 ) approach each other and thus provides retraction. Membrane retraction mechanism (600) in the very general way consists of at least two eave pillars (604) connected to two adjacent beams (201 ) in moving manner at one end through eave pillar supports (601 ) and to each other on other ends through balancing lower part (609) and at least a membrane retraction rope located at membrane (202) or membrane folding rope. Membrane retraction mechanism (600) also contains two rear pillars (606) connected to two adjacent beams (201 ) on one end by means of rear pillar supports (602) in a moving manner and on the other end connected to eave pillars (604) in a moving manner by means of ball joint bearing (607) and keeping the eave pillars (604) in a non-falling position. Pillar balance system (608) keeping eave pillar (604) in balance basically consists of a balancing lower part (609), a balancing upper part (610) connected to balancing lower part (609) in a manner to move thereon and two balancing levers (61 1 ) providing motion transmission between the balancing upper part (610) and eave pillar (604). The connection between balancing lower part (609) and membrane retraction rope is provided by rope fork (612). The connection between membrane retraction rope and membrane folding rope is provided by sprig eyebolt sheet also providing tightening for eyebolt sheet or membrane folding rope.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, while the guide rail way (103) provided on the walkway (100) provides area of motion for the switch (500), motion field (104) determines the area where it moves on switch cap (300) during opening-closing of the switches (500). Operation: The figures 3a- 3j gives the details of the drawing given in Figure 2a. Figure 9a shows cross-section view of the area on the walking way (100) of the mobile roof system (A). Switch cap (300) having preferably two walking wheels (301 ) capable to move in both directions on the walking way (100) is located on both ends of each moving beam (201 ). The beams (201 ) except fixed beams (0) move in the walking rail (102) on the walking way (100) along both sides of the ceiling. While walking wheels (301 ) on the switch cap (300) provide walking of the beams (201 ) on walking rails (102) in linear route, the beam trolley wheels (302) prevent derailing of beams (201 ) from walking rail (102) in vertical direction by wind effect moving beams (201 ) by means of moving in beam trolley profile (101 ). In addition, walking wheels (301 ) and beam trolley wheels (302) prevent coming out of the mobile roof system (A) from the carrying system during a potential earthquake.

In a preferred embodiment, half of the beams (201 ) in the ceiling of rectangular shape are on one side and the other half on the other side and open or close the mobile roof system (A) by means of moving along long edge of the rectangular ceiling. The beams (201 ) join and depart in the exact middle of the ceiling. Walking distances and speeds are approached or departed equally. The distance between moving beams (201 ) is always equal when roof is closed. This is provided by switches (500). They also keep membranes (202) strained between two beams (201 ). When mobile roof system (A) is open, the beams (201 ) move towards short edges from middle. During such movement, the beams (201 ) approach each other upon folding of the switches in the middle. The operation is continued until beam no. 5(5) and beam no. 6(6) join respectively beam no. 4(4) and beam no. 7(7), and thus mobile roof system (A) is open.

The membrane (202) is folded into two in the middle and is lifted up by membrane retraction mechanism (600) in order to not block membrane (202) between beams (201 ) when the beams (201 ) approach each other. The winding of equipment rope (412) is as follows. One end of the equipment rope (412) passes through the horizontal pulley (410) located on the top of each other located in the corner where short edge (a) and long edge (b) join and then extends to vertical pulley (409) located in the corner opposite to long edge (b). It is rotated from vertical pulley (409) and return 180 degrees and thereafter it returns to horizontal pulley (410) remaining in the lower pat in the corned where the short edge (a) and long edge (b) join and passes through the horizontal pulley (410) in the lower part and passes through the horizontal pulley (410) located in the lower part of the horizontal pulleys (410) located on each other in the opposite corner of the short edge (a) and then comes to the vertical pulley (409)in the corner where other short edge (a') and long edge (b') join and returns from vertical pulley (409) and comes to the upper one of the horizontal pulleys (410) in the place where short edge (a) and long edge (b') join and passes through that horizontal pulley (410) and connects to other end of the equipment rope (412) by means of double norsman lifting (307). Equipment rope (412) operates closed circuit.

Equipment rope (412) is tightened by means of double norsman lifting (307) and works when tightened. The equipment rope (412) located in the top is fixed to switch cap (300) connected to beam no. 5 (5) by means of eyebolt rope clip (306) while it is fixed to switch cap (300) connected to beam no. 6 (6) by means of rope clip (305). The equipment rope (412) located in the lower part is fixed to switch cap (300) connected to beam no. 6 (6) by means of eyebolt rope clip (306) while it is fixed to switch cap (300) connected to beam no. 5 (5) by means of rope clip (305). For that reason, when the equipment rope (412) is moved forward or backward, beam no 5 (5) and beam no. 6(6) get closer to or depart from each other. As the equipment rope (412) works as closed circuit, beam no. 5(5) and beam no. 6(6) moves at the same speed. Beam no. 1 (1 ), Beam no. 2 (2), Beam no. 3 (3) and Beam no. 4 (4) move together with beam no. 5(5) while beam no. 7 (7), beam no. 8 (8), beam no. 9 (9) and beam no. 10 (10) move together with beam no. 6(6). The beams (201 ) of both groups are on switch caps (300) successively and move back or forth together with the switches (500). Because switch arms (501 ) forming the switches (500) are of the same length, beam (201 ) groups always move together and in parallel direction.

When mobile roof system (A) is open, the switches (500) are in folded from the middle position. When mobile roof system (A) is close, the switches (500) open and switch arms (501 ) are in the same direction. In such case, the beams (201 ) are in the highest distance from each other.

When mobile roof system (A) closes, firstly beam no. 5(5) moves together with beam no. 6(6) and they travel to middle of the middle of the roof mutually. When beam no. 5 (5) gets farther from the beam no. 4 (4) just after it and beam no. 6(6) from beam no. 7 (7) just after it, the switch arms (501 ) of the folded switch (500) rotate around the joint (508) and come into linear position. After switch arms (501 ) come in linear position, the positioning wheel (502) goes into positioning path (503a). Just at that point the beam no. 4 (4) and beam no. 7 (7) start to move by driving of the switches (500) in linear position. Positioning wheels (502) behind the beam no. 4 (4) and beam no. 7 (7) start to move and travel up to and lean against security spring (506) and with ramp's (504) directing, they go between the positioning rails (503). In this case the switch arms (501 ) take exact linear position and all switches (500) between successively coming beams (201 ) follow the same path and this order continues until mobile roof system (A) closes. Positioning rails (503) remains in close position when mobile roof system (A) closes, and distances between the beams (201 ) remain equal all the times. Thus the membrane (202) between the beams(201 ) becomes tightened.

When mobile roof system (A) opens, firstly beam no. 5(5) moves together with beam no. 6(6) in a manner to get farther from each other and travel towards short edges (a, a') in the middle of the roof. Meanwhile, beam no. 4 (4) staying behind the beam no. 5(5) and beam no. 7 (7) saying behind beam no. 6 (6) are pushed and driven to move by help of switches (500) in linear position. Similarly, beams (201 ) staying successively push each other by means of switches (500) and travel towards short edges (a, a'). Positioning wheels (502) move linearly in positioning path (503a) between positioning rails (503) and keep the switch arms (501 ) in linear position in respect to each other. While the beams (201 ) move towards park area located around short edge (a, a') in this way, when the ramp (504) located in park direction just behind the security spring (506), the ramp (504) derail the positioning wheel (502) out of positioning path (503a) and direct for folding of the switch (500). The switch (500) between two beams (201 ) continue to fold until switch caps (300) touch each other. Thus, the distance between two beams (201 ) is finished. As a result of movement of all beams (201 ) in the same way, mobile roof system (A) is opened. The beams (201 ) approaching short edges (a, a') lean against the buffer (105) in front of the fixed beams (0) and stand in line.

Mobile roof system (A) is moved by engine (401 ) driven and reductor (407) drum (408). There is electric board (402) as well as remote control unit (403) for the engine (401 ) control and protection systems. Limit switches fixing open-close limits of mobile roof system (A) is mounted on the limit switch support located on motion field (104). Limit switch arm is located on switch caps (300) of beam no. 5 (5). Drum has two driving ropes (413) having exit in same direction, one upper driving rope (413-A) on the same groove in diameter size and lower driving rope (413-B). When the drum (408) rotates to a direction, upper driving rope (413-A) winds onto the drum (408) while lower driving rope (413-B) unwinds from the drum (408). When drum (408) rotates in opposite direction, the contrary operation occurs. In this case the upper driving rope (413-A) wound onto the drum (408) unwinds and lower driving rope (413-B) winds onto the drum (408). In other words, when the end of upper driving rope (413-A) gets farther from the drum (408), the end of the lower driving rope (413-B) moves towards the drum (408). When rotation direction of the drum (408) changes, end motions of the upper driving rope (413-A) and lower driving rope (413-B) change direction too.

After the upper driving rope (413-A) wound on the drum (408) passes through the upper one of the two horizontal pulleys (410) located in the corner where short edge (a') and long edge (b') meet, it is connected to the single normans lifting (308) located on the end and the eyebolt rope clip (306) located on the switch cap (300) of the beam no. 5 (5). The upper driving rope (413-A) here moves in parallel to the upper equipment rope (412). After the lower driving rope (413-B) wound on the drum (408) passes through the lower one of the two horizontal pulleys (410) located in the corner where short edge (a') and long edge (b') meet, it is connected to the single normans lifting (308) located on the end and the eyebolt rope clip (306) located on the switch cap (300) of the beam no. 6 (6). The lower driving rope (413-B) here moves in parallel to the lower equipment rope (412). When the drum (408) starts to move, upper driving rope (413-A) moves the beam no. 5(5) and lower driving rope (413-B) moves the beam no. 6 (6) towards each other or in opposite direction. The beam no. 5 (5) and beam no.6 (6) working in synchronization by help of the equipment rope (412) as explained above and other beams (201 ) working after them open or close the mobile roof system (A). Since driving ropes (413) are required to be tight when working, they are tightened by single normans lifting (308) provided on the ends.

When the mobile roof system (A) is close, the ends of the eave pillars (604) located in the retraction mechanism (600) connected to balancing lower part (609) are in positions close to membrane (202) as shown in Figure 3b. During that time the membrane (202) is tight between the beams (201 ). When mobile roof system (A) opens, ends of eave pillars (604) connected to the beams (201 ) start to get closer to each other. Meanwhile, the ends connected to balancing lower part (609) of the eave pillars (604) raise up. Thus the rope fork (612) connected to balancing lower part (609) raises and lifts the membrane (202) by means of membrane retraction rope. Therefore, when the mobile roof system (A) opens, the membrane (202) is not blocked between the beams. When the mobile roof system (A) closes, the opposite operation occurs and rope fork (612) lowers and beams (201 ) get farther from each other and membrane (202) tightens again. During these operations, the rear pillars (606) keep the eave pillars (604) up while pillar balancing system (608) keep them in balance.