Abstract:
An adjustable patio cover and storm protection device capable of remote operation which acts as a security screen that prevents access through a doorway or window to which it is coupled, reduces the amount of light able to pass through the doorway or window, and also acts as a storm barricade when in its closed or down/vertical position, and which acts as an awning or sun shade that provides shade for the area in front of the door or window to which it is coupled when it is in its open or up/horizontal position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to corresponding provisional applications U.S. Ser. No. 61/120,924, filed Dec. 9, 2008 in the name of the applicants of this application. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to patio awnings and security screens/storm barricades, and more specifically, to a device capable of remote operation that functions as a security screen, reducing light and preventing access into a building, and that also functions as a storm barricade when in its closed or down/vertical position, and that functions as a patio cover or awning capable of providing shade when in its open or up/horizontal position. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Home security has taken numerous shapes and forms over the ages. Many inventions have sought to accomplish security in various forms with various constraints in mind, such as appearance, ease of operation, and cost. Some of the most easily used forms of home security, as well as the most cost effective, have been in the form of security screens. However, designing these security screens to be aesthetically pleasing in their open position has proven to be a difficult task. 
   Additionally, various shading devices, including different designs of patio covers or awnings, are present on the market. However, many of the various forms of shading devices have lacked the function of being removable or retractable, preventing the user from moving or hiding the shading device when desired. Furthermore, constructing a patio cover has also proven to be difficult and expensive task. 
   Furthermore, in geographic areas that are prone to seasonal storms, the availability of an effective, remotely operable retractable storm barricade enables property owners to have their residences readily securable at all times of the year and also enables property owners to secure their residences against the weather without being forced to travel to the residence itself and without having to take part in the physically demanding task of boarding up every entry way and window. The property owners would also be able to remotely raise the storm barricades once the storm event has subsided, thereby allowing increased light into the structure and reducing potential mildew growth. 
   Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide an effective remotely operable security screen that provides a retractable patio awning when the security screen is in its unused position, and that also provides a permanent yet retractable and remotely operable storm barricade. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one embodiment, a patio cover and storm protection device is disclosed. The device is preferably a flexible garage door-like apparatus comprising a screen and a pair of tracks that curve from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal and abutting the external façade of a doorway or window. The substantially horizontal portion(s) of track will be preferably slightly pitched as to cause rain and precipitation to be directed away from the façade of the building structure when the screen is in its substantially horizontal position. The device acts as a patio door security screen as well as a storm barricade for a window or a doorway when in its closed or down/vertical position and also acts as an awning or patio cover when in its open or up/horizontal position. The device will be capable of being operated in the same fashion as a standard garage door, in which an electric motor drives the screen from one position to another. The device is preferably also capable of being operated remotely, thereby allowing a vacationing homeowner to lower the screen and create a storm barricade in an emergency despite being miles away from home. In this embodiment of the device, the length of the screen may be longer than the height of the substantially vertical portion of the tracks, thereby providing more shade in its open or up/horizontal position than it would otherwise. In such a situation, the device in its closed or down/vertical position will also have a small portion of the screen remain in a substantially horizontal position, thereby causing the device to act as both a smaller awning and as a patio door security screen/storm barricade at the same time. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a patio cover and storm protection device is disclosed. The tracks upon which the screen travels on the exterior of the building structure preferably have a shade fixture between the tracks and located at the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks so that the shade produced while the screen is in its open or up/horizontal position is increased and extended beyond the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks. This feature increases the stability of the device in the event of strong winds in that the screen of the device is completely flush with the façade of the building structure when in its closed or down/vertical position yet has no horizontal component exposed to the wind. Accordingly, even if the shade fixture or the tracks were damaged or destroyed by strong winds, the wind is unable to “grab” the screen itself, and the door or window covered by the screen remains covered and continues to protect the interior of the building structure. 
   In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a patio cover and storm protection device is disclosed. The device will preferably have an additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of track that lead inside the building structure above the top of the window or door frame to which it is coupled. Accordingly, the device will preferably have three different positions: one position being up and substantially horizontal on the exterior of the structure, thereby providing shade; one position being down and substantially vertical, thereby providing a security screen/storm barricade and preventing access through the door or window; and one position being up and substantially horizontal within the building structure to which it is attached, thereby being hidden from view. 
   In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a patio cover and storm protection device is disclosed. The device preferably will have various water diverting mechanisms to ensure that water does not flow toward the façade of the building and to protect the various components of the device, namely the track rollers and the tracks upon which they run, from water damage. To prevent water from flowing toward the façade of the building, a small fascia will preferably be located above the curved portion of the tracks so that water is drained away from the façade of the building structure and onto the substantially horizontal screen, which then causes the water to run toward the top edge of the screen being furthest from the building structure. To protect the tracks and the track rollers, a fluid diverter consisting of a continuous piece of material is preferably positioned above the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks, causing water to run to either side of the tracks. Preferably, the tracks will be at least partially embedded in structural members, thereby making the entire device more aesthetically pleasing, although it should be understood that the device may be constructed without embedding any portion of the tracks in structural members without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   In any of the aforementioned embodiments, there may be a plurality of independent patio cover and storm protection devices directly next to one another. Accordingly, a user with such a plurality of devices is preferably able to provide shade for different portions of a patio while also securely protecting less than all of the portions of the building structure to which the plurality of devices are attached. 
   It should be noted that in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the device is capable of being integrated with a building structure while remaining in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
   The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a patio cover and storm protection device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, at least one screen, each screen having a front face and a back face and a first side and a second side and a top side and a bottom side, at least one track, each at least one track comprising, a substantially vertical portion having a higher end and a lower end, the substantially vertical portion being proximate a building structure, a curved portion having a vertical end and a horizontal end, the vertical end being coupled to the higher end of the substantially vertical portion, and a substantially horizontal portion having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being coupled to the horizontal end of the curved portion and the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion extending away from the building structure, and at least one track roller coupled to each at least one screen, the at least one track roller dimensioned to permit the at least one screen to travel along the at least one track so that at least a portion of the at least one screen being disposed anywhere between a substantially vertical position covering the building structure and a substantially horizontal position extending away from the building structure. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a patio cover and storm protection device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a screen having a front face and a back face and a first side and a second side and having a width equal to the distance between the first side and the second side, a first substantially vertical track having a higher end and a lower end and being proximate a building structure, a second substantially vertical track having a higher end and a lower end and being proximate the building structure and being substantially parallel to the first substantially vertical track, a first dual-curved track comprising, a vertical portion having a top and a bottom, the bottom of the vertical portion being coupled to the higher end of the first substantially vertical track, a first substantially horizontal portion coupled to the top of the vertical portion and extending in a first direction, a second substantially horizontal portion coupled to the top of the vertical portion and extending in a second direction being substantially opposite the first direction, and a track switch for causing a track roller traveling from the bottom of the vertical portion to the top of the vertical portion to transition to either the first substantially horizontal portion or the second substantially horizontal portion, a second dual-curved track comprising, a vertical portion having a top and a bottom, the bottom of the vertical portion being coupled to the higher end of the second substantially vertical track, a first substantially horizontal portion coupled to the top of the vertical portion and extending in a first direction, a second substantially horizontal portion coupled to the top of the vertical portion and extending in a second direction being substantially opposite the first direction, and a track switch for causing a track roller traveling from the bottom of the vertical portion to the top of the vertical portion to transition to either the first substantially horizontal portion or the second substantially horizontal portion, a first substantially horizontal portion of track having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being coupled to the first substantially horizontal portion of the first dual-curved track, the first substantially horizontal portion of track extending away from the building structure, a second substantially horizontal portion of track having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being coupled to the second substantially horizontal portion of the first dual-curved track, the second substantially horizontal portion of track extending into the building structure, a third substantially horizontal portion of track having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being coupled to the first substantially horizontal portion of the second dual-curved track, the third substantially horizontal portion of track extending away from the building structure and being substantially parallel to the first substantially horizontal portion of track, a fourth substantially horizontal portion of track having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being coupled to the second substantially horizontal portion of the second dual-curved track, the fourth substantially horizontal portion of track extending into the building structure and being substantially parallel to the second substantially horizontal portion of track, a first plurality of track rollers coupled to the first side of the screen and being capable of traveling along the first substantially vertical track and the first dual-curved track and the first substantially horizontal portion of track and the second substantially horizontal portion of track, and a second plurality of track rollers coupled to the second side of the screen and having a distance from the first plurality of track rollers substantially equal to the width of the screen and being capable of traveling along the second substantially vertical track and the second dual-curved track and the third substantially horizontal portion of track and the fourth substantially horizontal portion of track. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention and the building structure to which it is attached, the screen of the device being in a substantially horizontal position, and the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks of the device being supported by two vertical support members at the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention wherein the substantially horizontal portions of the tracks are supported by tensile members anchored to the building structure to which the device is connected; 
       FIG. 2   c  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention wherein the substantially horizontal portions of the tracks are supported by truss members; 
       FIG. 3  is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 2   b  with multiple devices placed side by side; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the screen of the device is in its fully closed or down/vertical position, while a portion of the screen is also partially in a substantially horizontal position due to the fact that the screen is slightly longer than the height of the substantially vertical portions of track; 
       FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention wherein a shade fixture is provided at the end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks to provide additional shade while doing nothing to compromise the screen&#39;s integrity with respect to strong winds, as the screen will be substantially vertical and flush with the façade of the house in its closed position, thereby minimizing the screen&#39;s potential wind exposure, and making this particular embodiment more attractive for use in geographic locations that are more prone to severe weather; 
       FIG. 6  is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1  with much of the building structure and the device shown in phantom in order to accentuate the tracks of the device and a portion of the driving means for moving the screen along the tracks; 
       FIG. 7   a  is a side perspective view of the device as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 7   b  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention showing the screen engaged with the tracks via track rollers coupled to the screen. Also shown is a fluid diverter for directing water away from the tracks. The tracks will preferably be embedded in structural members which hide the tracks from view, making the overall appearance of the device more aesthetically pleasing; 
       FIG. 7   c  is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention showing the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks and a fascia covering the proximate end of the substantially horizontal portions of the tracks, the substantially vertical portions of the tracks, and the curved portion of the tracks; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention wherein an additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of track enable the device to be completely hidden from view; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 8  demonstrating the additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of tracks; 
       FIG. 9   a  is a side view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 8  demonstrating the additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of track; and 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention accentuating a portion of the driving means for moving the screen of the device from its substantially vertical position to one of its substantially horizontal positions. 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention in which the track rollers are coupled to the sides of the screen. 
       FIG. 11A  is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 11  demonstrating how the track rollers are engaged with the track. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of another embodiment of the patio cover and storm protection device of the present invention in which the track rollers are coupled to a face of the screen. 
       FIG. 12A  is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 12A  demonstrating how the track rollers are engaged with the track. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the Figures, a patio cover and storm protection device  10  is shown. The device consists of a screen ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 - 6 , and  7   b - 12 A) mounted upon two tracks  14  placed in front of the exterior of a door or window  16  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  6 , and  8 ) being proximate the façade  18  ( FIGS. 1-7   a  and  7   c - 8 ) of the building structure abutting the door or window  16 , and the tracks  14  curving substantially horizontally and outwardly and from the building after reaching a height at least equal to the height of the door or window  16  which is covered by the device  10  in its closed or down/vertical position. Accordingly, when the screen  12  is in its open or up/horizontal position it rests on the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks  14  at a height above the top of the door or window  16  in a substantially horizontal position, thereby enabling the device  10  to provide shade from the sun, and when the screen  12  is in its closed or down/vertical position, the device completely or partially blocks the door or window  16  thereby acting as both a patio door security screen and a storm barricade. Although this embodiment of the invention uses a pair of tracks  14  engaged with track rollers  38  coupled to each side of the screen  12 , it should be understood that substantial benefit may be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which only a single track  14  engaged with track rollers  38  coupled to a single face  46  of the screen  12  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  3 , and  4  the different methods for supporting the substantially horizontal nature of the tracks  14  are shown. The different methods are either vertical support members  32  placed at the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks  14  ( FIG. 2   a ), tensile members  34  attached to the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks and anchored to the façade  18  of the building structure ( FIGS. 2   b  and  3 ), a pair of truss members  36  between the façade  18  of the building structure and the substantially horizontal portions of the tracks  14  ( FIGS. 2   c  and  4 ), or by cantilevering the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks of the device with respect to the building structure. Although various methods of supporting the substantially horizontal portions of the tracks  14  of the device  10  are disclosed, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the substantially horizontal portions of the tracks  14  of the device  10  are supported by different means without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plurality of combined patio cover and storm protection devices  10 , each having a separate screen  12  with its own tracks  14 , may be placed directly next to one another, thereby enabling a user of the devices to provide shade for a portion, or portions, of a patio while simultaneously securely closing off the remaining portions of the patio. Again, it should be understood that this embodiment of the invention may be practiced with a single track  14  used for each screen  12 , without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of the device has, in addition to the aforementioned features of the first embodiment, a shade fixture  20  having the same width as the distance between the tracks  14  and extending horizontally and outwardly from the distal end of the substantially horizontal portion of the tracks  14 , the shade fixture  20  providing extended shade. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which no shade fixture  20  is used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to the  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  9   a , an additional embodiment of the device  10  provides an additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of track  30  travelling inwardly into the building structure, and a track switch  33  between the tracks  14  and the additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of track  30 , thereby allowing the screen  12  to be made completely hidden from view by placing the screen  12  within the building structure. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which no track switch  33  or additional pair of substantially horizontal portions of track  30  are used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 - 6 ,  7   a , and  7   c , another embodiment of the device has a fascia  22  having the same width as the distance between the tracks  14  and extending horizontally over the substantially vertical portions and the curved portions of the tracks  14  and abutting the façade  18  of the building structure so that when the screen  12  is in its open or up/horizontal position the fascia  22  comes in close proximity to the bottom side of the screen  12 , thereby providing continuous shade from the edge of the building structure to the top side of the screen  12  while also providing means for causing water to flow away from the façade  18  of the building structure and toward the top side of the screen  12 . It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment in which other mechanisms for diverting water may also be used, such as a series of rain gutters, or in which no mechanism for diverting water is used, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c , a cross-sectional view of the track  14  of the device is shown with the track rollers  38  coupled to the screen  12  shown engaged with the track ( FIG. 7   b ). Additionally provided is a fluid diverter  40  positioned above the tracks  14  for directing rain and precipitation away from the tracks  14  ( FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c ). It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a different mechanism is used to divert fluid away from the tracks  14 , or in which the tracks  14  are protected from weather via different means, or in which no fluid diverter  40  is used, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  8 , and  10 , the driving mechanism  28  of the screen  12  is shown. The driving mechanism  28  may be an electric motor coupled to the screen  12  in a manner similar to common garage door openers using a torsion spring  42  and a pair of cable drums  44 , or may be a simple user-operated hand-driven pulley system. The driving mechanism  28  may be operated by a localized electronic actuator, such as button, and may even be operated remotely by a secure remote actuating device. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which no driving mechanism  28  is used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 11A , an embodiment of the screen  12 , track  14 , and track rollers  38  is shown. The track rollers  38  are coupled to the side of the screen  12  and engaged with the track  14 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 12A , an embodiment of the screen  12 , track  14 , and track rollers  38  is shown. The track rollers  38  are coupled to a face  46  of the screen  12  and engaged with the track  14 , to allow multiple screens  12  to be placed side by side without tracks  14  in between the multiple screens  12 . 
   While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.