Patent Abstract:
The roof reflector provides selectively deployable and retractable devices for installation over the roof of a building structure to reduce the amount of solar energy transmitted to the roof proper. The roof reflector may include a thick roll of insulating material that may be unrolled to cover the roof or rolled up for storage. Alternatively, the roof reflector may have a plurality of rigid panels hinged together to extend over the roof or to fold over one another for storage. Yet another alternative is a plurality of rigid panels that telescope into one another for storage. Still another alternative includes a plurality of laterally disposed slats that may be opened and closed in the manner of Venetian blinds. The roof reflector is remotely operated, either mechanically by a hand crank and cable mechanism, or electronically by a remote signal operating an electric motor.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/472,309 filed on May 15, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to protective covers for structures, and particularly to various embodiments of a roof reflector that is selectively deployable, serving to reduce solar heating of the underlying structure when deployed. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The conventional roof of a building structure is constructed of materials that are capable of resisting the deleterious effects of sunlight (including ultraviolet energy) and weather for a prolonged period, generally at least one or more decades. Accordingly, the materials used for such roofing are selected for their durability, rather than their energy reflecting properties. Such roofing materials generally include tar and/or other petroleum based products, which materials are very poor thermal insulators. While other materials are sometimes used for roofing, e.g., composite glass fiber sheets, ceramic tiles, etc., none of these materials possess good thermal insulating characteristics. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, standard practice is to install blankets of thermal insulation in the attic or ceiling of a building structure to reduce the amount of heat transmitted through the roof and into the interior of the structure. While such thermal insulation is of great assistance in reducing the heat transmitted into the structure, it is still necessary to provide some additional means of cooling the interior of the structure in warmer climates. This is typically accomplished by the installation of one or more air conditioning units, which of course require a fair amount of energy for their operation. Ever increasing energy costs often result in such air conditioning units not being operated at their optimum, with temperatures within the structure being somewhat warmer than is comfortable for the occupants. The opposite problem often occurs in colder climates, so that the heat escapes through the poorly insulated roofing, resulting in cooler than comfortable temperatures for occupants of the structure. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a number of devices have been developed in the past for installation on rooftops to increase the thermal insulation of the roof structure. An example of such is found in German Patent No. 4,444,509, published on Jun. 20, 1996. This reference describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a reflective slat for installation over the glazed areas of roofs or walls. The device includes a series of curved, stepped sections for the reflection of sunlight therefrom. 
         [0008]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a roof reflector solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The roof reflector comprises a number of different embodiments, which each include one or more selectively deployable elements for installation atop a roof. The deployment or retraction of each of the embodiments is accomplished remotely by an operator on the surface. The remote operation of the various roof reflector embodiments may be accomplished manually by means of a hand crank and cable system, or electronically by means of an electronic signal to actuate an electric motor installed on the roof with the reflector. 
         [0010]    A first embodiment comprises a thick blanket of thermally insulating material that is coated with a reflective upper surface. The blanket may be rolled onto an axle or shaft for storage, or extended from the axle to cover the underlying roof. Laterally opposed tracks extend along the edges of the roof to guide the cover during deployment and retraction. 
         [0011]    A second embodiment comprises a plurality of rigid panels that are hinged to one another and fold together for storage. The lowermost and intermediate panels may be drawn up and over a stationary upper panel to retract the assembly, or extended over and down the roof for deployment. 
         [0012]    A third embodiment comprises a plurality of mutually telescoping hollow panels. The lowermost panel telescopes into the hollow panel immediately above, that panel telescoping into the next panel immediately above, etc. All of the movable panels telescope into a hollow, fixed uppermost panel for storage of the various panels. The telescoping panels extend selectively from the uppermost panel for deployment over the roof. 
         [0013]    A fourth embodiment comprises a plurality of laterally parallel slats that are secured together along their edges by a series of cables. The cables cause the slats to pivot generally about their elongate axes, in a manner similar to that of Venetian blinds. These slats remain deployed upon the roof whether open or closed, although they may be retracted if desired. 
         [0014]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a roof reflector according to the present invention, comprising a selectively deployed rolled blanket. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a diagrammatic end elevation view of the roof reflector of  FIG. 1 , illustrating further details thereof, including a manual deployment mechanism. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a diagrammatic end elevation view of an embodiment of a roof reflector according to the present invention that is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2A , but having a remotely controlled, electrically powered deployment mechanism. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic end elevation view of another embodiment of a roof reflector according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of selectively deployed accordion-fold rigid panels. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a roof reflector according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of selectively deployed telescoping rigid panels. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roof reflector according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of selectively pivotal lateral slats. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view in section of the eaves track and guide assembly for an alternative embodiment of the rolled blanket roof reflector of  FIGS. 1 through 2B . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view in section of the eaves track and guide assembly for another alternative embodiment of the rolled blanket roof reflector of  FIGS. 1 through 2B . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view in section of the eaves guide assembly for another alternative embodiment of the rolled blanket roof reflector of  FIGS. 1 through 2B , wherein no eaves track is required. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The roof reflector includes a number of different embodiments of a selectively deployable and retractable panel or panels that are adapted to reflect solar energy and/or reduce the amount of solar energy transmitted therethrough when deployed. In addition, at least one embodiment may be selectively positioned to either reduce or facilitate solar energy passing therethrough, thereby respectively reducing or increasing interior heating passing into the structure. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 through 2A  illustrate a first embodiment of the roof reflector, comprising roof reflector  100 . The roof reflector  200  of  FIG. 2B  is identical to the embodiment  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 2A , with the exception of the actuating mechanism. The roof reflector  100  includes mutually opposed first and second flexible blankets  102  of a thermal insulation material, e.g., flexible foam plastic sheet material, glass fiber batting, etc. The flexible blankets  102  are shown partially deployed in  FIGS. 1 through 2B , the remaining portions of the blankets being shown rolled for storage. The upper or exposed surfaces  104  of the two blankets  102  are coated with a solar reflective material, e.g., an aluminized coating. Each of the blankets  102  has mutually opposed first and second lateral edges  106   a  and  106   b,  a roller attachment edge  108  (shown in end view in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , attached to the rollers), and a lower or distal edge  110 . 
         [0027]    A roller or axle  112  is installed along and parallel to the roof ridge for each blanket  102 . Each roller  112  provides for attachment of the roller attachment edge  108  of the respective blanket  102  thereto. The two rollers  112  may be directly driven by any practical means to deploy and retract the blankets  102 , but the flexible nature of the blankets  102  requires some means of drawing their lower or distal edges  110  downward and outward from the rollers  112  for the deployment of the covers or blankets  102 . Accordingly, mutually opposed tracks or channels  114   a,    114   b  are provided along the laterally opposed gabled eaves of the roof. The corresponding lateral edges  106   a,    106   b  of the blankets  102  are disposed in and travel along the tracks  114   a,    114   b.  The tracks  114   a,    114   b  are shown in broken lines in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in order to show the internal actuating structure for the roof reflector  100 . 
         [0028]    A guide  116  is disposed within each of the tracks  114   a,    114   b,  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The guides  116  are secured to the lowermost corners of each of the blankets  102 , i.e., the junctures of the lateral edges  106   a,    106   b  with the lower edge  110 . The guides  116  are drawn upward and downward along their respective tracks  114   a,    114   b  by a cable actuation system comprising an upper pulley  118  adjacent the respective roller  112  and a lower pulley  120  adjacent the lower eaves of the roof. A cable  122  or the like extends around the two pulleys  118 ,  120  on each side of the roof. The cable  122  is also connected to the respective guide  116 . In the example of  FIG. 2A , one of the upper pulleys  118  is connected mechanically to a hand crank  124  by a drive cable  126  extending from a pulley at the hand crank  124  to the respective upper pulley  118 . Actuation of the cable  122  and its guide  116  for the opposite side of the roof is accomplished by a linking cable  128  connecting the two upper pulleys  118 . 
         [0029]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2A  of the drawings, turning the hand crank  124  counterclockwise draws the right-hand guide  116  downward along its track  114   a  due to the lower portion of its cable  122  being connected to the right-hand guide, and also draws the left-hand guide  116  downward due to the upper portion of the left side cable  122  being connected to the left side guide  116 , causing the two guides in  FIG. 2A  to travel in opposite directions from one another when actuated. Due to the flexible nature of the blankets  102 , the rotation of the crank  124  in a clockwise direction will not retract the blankets  102  onto their respective rollers  112 , but the rollers may be equipped with coil retraction springs (not shown) similar to those found conventionally in roll-up window shades and the like, but on a larger scale. 
         [0030]    The roof reflector  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2B  of the drawings is substantially the same mechanically as that illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2A  and described above, with identical components having identical reference numerals in the two embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 2B . However, the embodiment of  FIG. 2B  differs from that of  FIGS. 1 and 2A  due to the actuating means. The embodiment of  FIG. 2B  deletes the hand crank  124  and drive cable  126  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2A , and provides an electric motor  130  to drive one of the upper pulleys  118 . An electronic control switch or panel unit  132  is provided at some point of convenient access for the operator of the system. The control switch or panel  132  may be located within or on the exterior of the home or other structure having the roof reflector installed thereon. Conventional receivers, relays, and other required components are provided for the remotely operated system of  FIG. 2B . Such systems are well known for use in remote garage door opening systems and the like. Such a conventional garage door opening system may be readily modified by those skilled in the art to operate the roof reflector system  200  of  FIG. 2B . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  of the drawings provides a diagrammatic side or end elevation view of another roof reflector  300 , in which a plurality of rigid insulated panels is selectively deployed or retracted to control solar heating of the roof. In the example of  FIG. 3 , three such panels comprise an upper panel  302 , a single medial panel  304 , and a lower panel  306 , respectively, but it will be seen that as few as two panels may be used or a much larger number of panels may be provided. In all such cases, each panel spans the roof laterally, the uppermost panel  302  being fixed in place. Each of the various panels  302 ,  304 , and  306  is provided with mutually opposed upper and lower edges, i.e., upper and lower edges  308   a,    308   b  for the upper panel  302 , upper and lower edges  310   a,    310   b  for the medial panel  304 , and upper and lower edges  312   a,    312   b  for the lowermost panel  306 . Hinges are provided to connect the adjacent edges of adjacent panels to one another. A first hinge  314   a  connects the edges  308   b  and  310   a  of the first two panels  302  and  304  together, and a second hinge  314   b  connects the edges  310   b  and  312   a  to one another. It will be seen that the hinges  314   a  and  314   b  alternate their alignments with the upper and lower surfaces of the panels. This allows the panels to fold in an accordion manner, i.e., the intermediate and lower panels  304  and  306  fold together with their lower surfaces facing one another, while the intermediate panel  304  is pulled upward to fold over the top of the fixed uppermost panel  302 , their upper surfaces facing one another when the panels  302  and  304  are folded together, as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0032]    The various panels  302 ,  304 , and  306  may be selectively deployed and retracted by a pulley and cable actuation system, as in the embodiments  100  and  200  of  FIGS. 1 through 2B . An upper pulley  316  is provided at or near the crest or ridge of the roof, and a lower pulley  318  is installed near the lower eaves. A cable  320  extends downward from its attachment to the lower edge  312   b  of the lower panel  306  to pass around the lower pulley  318 , back up to pass around the upper pulley  316 , and thence down to connect to an attachment ear or lug  322  extending from the lower edge  310   b  of the medial panel  304 . It will be seen that when the pulleys  316  and  318  are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the cable  320  portion or end attached to the lug or ear  322  of the medial panel  304  will be drawn upward and to the left toward the upper pulley  316 , thus drawing the lower edge  310   b  of the medial panel  304  up and to the left in the orientation of  FIG. 3 . This also draws the lower panel  306  up and to the left. The cable end or portion is connected to the lower edge  312   b  of the lowermost panel  306 , allowing this panel motion due to the counterclockwise rotation of the pulleys  316 ,  318  and corresponding travel of the cable  320 . As this operation continues, the two panels  304  and  306  are drawn to their fully retracted state overlying the fixed uppermost panel  302 . The two panels  304  and  306  are shown in broken lines in their fully retracted positions, stacked atop the upper panel  302 . 
         [0033]    The cable  320  and pulleys  316 ,  318  are actuated by a remotely located hand crank  324  that actuates a drive cable  326 , these components being equivalent to the crank  124  and drive cable  126  of the blanket-type roof reflector  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2A . Alternatively, the electric motor  226  and electronic control switch or panel unit  224  of the embodiment  200  of  FIG. 2B  may be substituted for the crank  324  and drive cable  326  in the roof reflector  300  of  FIG. 3 , if desired. 
         [0034]    The roof reflector  400  of  FIG. 4  also includes a plurality of rigid panels, but the panels of the roof reflector  400  telescope into one another for retraction and storage, rather than folding.  FIG. 4  shows three rigid telescoping panels, comprising a fixed upper panel  402 , a single intermediate panel  404 , and a lower panel  406 . As in the roof reflector  300  of  FIG. 3 , as few as a single movable telescoping lower panel may be provided, or multiple intermediate panels may be provided. Each of the panels  402 ,  404 , and  406  has an upper edge  408   a,    410   a,  and  412   a,  and an opposite lower edge  408   b,    410   b,  and  412   b.  At least the uppermost panel  402  and the intermediate panel  404  define hollow interiors  414   a,    414   b,  the lower edges  408   b  and  410   b  of these two panels being open. Each successive panel is somewhat thinner and narrower (in lateral span) than the panel immediately above, thus allowing the intermediate panel  404  to slide telescopically into the hollow interior  414   a  of the upper panel  402  and the lowermost panel  406  to slide telescopically into the hollow interior  414   b  of the intermediate panel  404 . 
         [0035]    The cable actuation system of the roof reflector  400  of  FIG. 4  is similar to the cable system of the roof reflector  300  of  FIG. 3 . An upper pulley  416  is installed at a location at or near the crest or ridge of the roof, and a lower pulley  418  is installed at or near the opposite eaves. A continuous cable  420  extends around the two pulleys  416  and  418 , the cable  420  also being attached to a fitting  422  (lateral pin, etc.) extending from the lower edge  412   b  of the lowermost telescoping panel  406 . Thus, as the two pulleys  416 ,  418  are rotated in a counterclockwise direction the upper portion of the cable  420  is drawn upward, thereby drawing the lowermost panel  406  into the next higher panel, i.e., the intermediate panel  404 . As the operation continues, the intermediate panel  404  is pushed into the hollow interior  414   a  of the uppermost panel  402  to complete the retraction. Extension merely requires opposite directional rotation of the pulleys  416  and  418 . 
         [0036]    The cable  420  and pulleys  416 ,  418  are actuated by a remotely located hand crank  424  that actuates a drive cable  426 , these components being equivalent to the crank  124  and drive cable  126  of the blanket-type roof reflector  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2A  and the corresponding crank  324  and cable  326  of the roof reflector  300  of  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, the electric motor  226  and electronic control switch or panel unit  224  of the roof reflector  200  of  FIG. 2B  may be substituted for the crank  424  and drive cable  426  in the roof reflector  400  of  FIG. 4 , if desired. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  of the drawings provides an illustration of a fifth embodiment of the roof reflector  500 , comprising a plurality of laterally disposed, parallel, and adjustable rigid panels or slats. As few as two such panels or slats (comprising an upper panel and a lower panel) may be provided, but preferably a plurality of intermediate panels or slats, e.g.,  502   b  through  502   h,  are provided between the uppermost panel or slat  502   a  and the lowermost panel or slat  502   i.  In the roof reflector  500  of  FIG. 5 , two substantially identical multiple panel or slat systems are provided, one to each side of the ridge or crest of the roof. It will be seen that this basic concept of applying like systems to both slopes or sides of a gabled roof will also apply to the roof reflectors  300  and  400  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , where the second system is not shown for clarity in the drawing Figs. 
         [0038]    Each of the panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  has mutually opposed first and second ends  504   a  through  504   i  and  506   a  through  506   i.  An upper pulley  508  is rotationally affixed to an actuator pivot rod or shaft  510  that extends along the crest or ridge of the roof adjacent to the upper panel  502   a,  the proximal end of the rod or shaft  510  being visible in  FIG. 3 . An opposite lower anchor rod or shaft  512  is anchored to the roof adjacent the lower eaves and lowermost slat or panel  502   i  by brackets  514 . The lower anchor rod or shaft  512  may be rotationally fixed in the brackets  514  if the actuating cables (described below) are free to travel therearound, or the rod or shaft  512  may rotate in the brackets  514 . The brackets  514  may be configured for ease of removal from the underlying roof structure or to facilitate removal of the lower anchor rod or shaft  512  when desired, in order to allow the entire set of panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  to be retracted up the roof and gathered adjacent the crest or ridge line. 
         [0039]    The cable actuation system for the roof reflector  500  comprises a continuous, closed loop first actuator cable  516   a  that passes around the upper pulley  508  (or its pivot rod  510 ) and continues through the opposite edges of the first ends  504   a  through  504   i  of each of the panels  502   a  through  502   i  to wrap around the lower anchor rod  512 . Similarly, a closed loop second actuator cable  516   b  passes around the pivot rod  510  at the opposite end thereof to the first cable  516   a,  and continues through the opposite edges of the second ends  506   a  through  506   i  of each of the panels  502   a  through  502   i  to wrap around the lower anchor rod  512  at its opposite end from the first cable  516   a.  Optionally, a third actuator cable  516   c  may be installed through the medial portions of the panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  in essentially the same manner as that of the two end cables  516   a  and  516   b.  The lower portion of the run of each of these cables, i.e., that portion adjacent to the roof surface, is secured to the roof by a series of staples  518  or the like to provide greater stability for the roof reflector panel assembly. The staples  518  may be removed to permit retraction of the panels  502   a  through  502   i.    
         [0040]    Rotation of the upper pulley  508  results in rotation of its actuator pivot rod or shaft  510 , thus resulting in movement of the cables  516   a  through  516   c.  The opposite sides of each of the cables  516   a  through  516   c  travel in opposite directions, i.e., the higher sides move opposite the sides that pass through the staples  518 . As the panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  are affixed along the cables  516   a  through  516   c,  rotation of the pulley  508  results in the panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  rotating or pivoting about their longitudinal centers in a manner similar to that of the operation of Venetian blinds. The panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  may be colored differently on their opposite sides or faces, so that one side has a reflective surface to reduce solar heating into the roof of the structure and the opposite side has a light and heat absorptive surface to capture more heat in cooler conditions. It will be seen that the panels or slats  502   a  through  502   i  may be turned so that either of their two surfaces face outward, or they may be set at some intermediate orientation, generally as shown in  FIG. 5 , for greater ventilation. 
         [0041]    The pulley  508  and its cables  516   a  through  516   c  are actuated by a remotely located hand crank  524  that actuates a drive cable  526 , these components being equivalent to the crank  124  and drive cable  126  of the blanket-type roof reflector  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2A  and the corresponding crank  324  and cable  326  of the roof reflector  300  of  FIG. 3  and the crank  424  and cable  426  of the roof reflector of  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the electric motor  226  and electronic control switch or panel unit  224  of the roof reflector  200  of  FIG. 2B  may be substituted for the crank  524  and drive cable  526  in the multiple panel or slat roof reflector embodiment  500  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  provides an end elevation view in section of an alternative embodiment of the wheeled guides and eaves tracks used to draw the thermal blanket up and down over the surface of the roof. The two eaves E 1  and E 2  are shown in section, in mirror image to one another. Mutually opposed first and second upper angles, respectively  610   a  and  610   b,  are attached to the upper edges of the two eaves E 1  and E 2 , and mutually opposed first and second lower angles, respectively  612   a  and  612   b,  are attached to the lower edges of the two eaves to capture the respective eaves between each set of upper and lower angles. This configuration results in each upper angle and its respective lower angle forming a guide track  614   a  and  614   b,  with each guide track  614   a,    614   b  having a generally L-shaped cross section as shown clearly in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0043]    A wheeled guide  616   a,    616   b  is installed upon each track  614   a,    614   b.  The guides may be formed of bent and welded rigid rod having a circular cross section, or alternatively of other material as desired. The circular cross section allows portions of the rod to serve as axles for the wheels installed on the guides. Each guide  616   a,    616   b  comprises a frame formed in a squared, generally C-shape, in which the ends and center of the C-shape form axles for guide wheels. A first wheel  618   a,    618   b  is installed upon the upper end of each C-shaped guide  616   a,    616   b  to bear against the respective upper angle  610   a,    610   b.  A second wheel  620   a,    620   b  is installed upon the lower end of each C-shaped guide  616   a,    616   b  to bear against the respective lower angle  612   a,    612   b.  A third wheel  622   a,    622   b  is installed upon the center of each guide  616   a,    616   b  to bear against the outer edge of the respective eaves E 1 , E 2  in a direction or orientation opposite that of the first two wheels of each respective guide. 
         [0044]    A generally C-shaped roof reflector attachment bracket  624   a,    624   b  extends inward from the upper portion of each guide  616   a,    616   b.  Each of the two brackets  624   a,    624   b  has a configuration generally like that of a conventional C-clamp having a threaded clamp  626   a,    626   b  installed in each bracket  624   a,    624   b,  respectively, to grip the two opposite lateral edges  106   a,    106   b  of the flexible thermal blanket  102 . 
         [0045]    An upper actuator cable clamp  628   a,    628   b  is installed upon the upper portion of each guide  616   a,    616   b  for the attachment of the cable  122  thereto, in the general configuration shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  of the drawings. Additional cable clamps  628   c  and  628   d  are shown in broken lines on the lower portions of the respective guides  616   a  and  616   b,  and would be used for guides installed along tracks and eaves to the opposite slope of the roof. It will be seen that the first guide  616   a  may include both clamps  628   a,    628   c,  but only one of the two clamps would be used, depending upon which side of the roof the guide is installed. In the same manner, the second guide  616   b  may include both clamps  628   b,    628   d,  but only one of those two clamps would be used. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  provides an end elevation view in section of another alternative embodiment of the wheeled guides and eaves tracks used to draw the thermal blanket up and down over the surface of the roof. The two eaves E 1  and E 2  are shown in section in mirror image to one another, as in  FIG. 6 . The two wheeled guides  616   a  and  616   b  are identical to those components of  FIG. 6  and described above. The only difference between the guide and track configuration illustrated in  FIG. 6  and that illustrated in  FIG. 7  is in the track installed along the two eaves E 1  and E 2 . In  FIG. 7 , each of the guide tracks  714   a,    714   b  comprises a flat vertical member or plate  710   a,    710   b  having an upper flange  712   a,    712   b  extending normal thereto and a lower flange  713   a,    713   b  also extending normal thereto and spaced apart from and parallel to the respective upper flange  712   a,    712   b,  so that the track  714   a,    714   b  is T-shaped. Each pair of upper and lower flanges defines an eaves capture channel, respectively  715   a,    715   b,  therebetween. The respective eaves E 1 ,E 2  are disposed in the channels  715   a,    715   b.  The vertical member  710   a  of the first track  714   a  has first and second or upper and lower wheel bearing surfaces  717   a,    719   a,  extending beyond the respective upper and lower flanges  712   a,    712   b.  The bearing surfaces  717   a,    719   a  serve as bearing surfaces for the first and second or upper and lower wheels  618   a,    620   a,  respectively, of the wheeled guide  616   a.  The opposite second track  714   b  is configured in minor image, having wheel bearing surfaces  717   b  and  719   b.  The third wheels  622   a  and  622   b  bear against the medial outer surface of the respective vertical plates  710   a  and  710   b  of the tracks  714   a  and  714   b,  on the side opposite the first and second wheels. 
         [0047]    The wheeled guides of  FIG. 8  are somewhat different from the guides  616   a,    616   b  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 8  does not require any form of guide track. Rather, the wheels of the two guides  816   a,    816   b  of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  roll directly upon the surfaces of the eaves E 1  and E 2 . The two guides  816   a  and  816   b  are in mirror image to one another, having identical components. Accordingly, only the first guide  816   a  is described in detail, like components for the guide  816   b  being designated by corresponding numerals with the letter “b” following. The guide  816   a  comprises a length of extruded material having a first or upper wheel  618   a  housed in an inwardly facing first wheel bracket  818   a,  an opposite second or lower wheel  620   a  housed in an inwardly facing second wheel bracket  820   a,  and a third or medial wheel  622   a  housed in an inwardly facing third wheel bracket  822   a.  It will be seen that the first and second wheels  618   a  and  620   a  are directly opposed to one another, and the third wheel  622   a  is normal to the first and second wheels. Thus, the first wheel  618   a  rolls directly upon the upper surface of the eave E 1 , the second wheel  620   a  rolls directly upon the opposite lower surface of the eave E 1  to capture the eave E 1  between the first and second wheels, and the third wheel  622   a  rolls along the edge of the eave E 1 . 
         [0048]    The wheeled guide extrusion  816   a  includes a roof reflector attachment bracket  824   a  extending inwardly therefrom, i.e., toward the opposite side of the roof, in the manner of the bracket  624   a  of the guide  616   a.  The bracket  824   a  is a portion of the extrusion forming the wheeled guide  816   a  and has two opposed parallel arms. However, rather than a threaded clamp being installed in the bracket  824   a,  a clevis pin  826   a  is provided. It will be seen that the holes through the two arms of the bracket  824   a  may be threaded, if desired, and a threaded clamp, such as the clamp  626   a,  may be used instead. 
         [0049]    An upper actuator cable clamp  828   a  is installed upon the upper portion of the guide  816   a  for the attachment of the cable  122  thereto, in the general configuration shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  of the drawings. An additional cable clamp  828   c  is shown in broken lines on the lower portion of the guide  816   a,  and would be used for a guide installed along tracks and eaves to the opposite slope of the roof. It will be seen that the first guide  816   a  may include both clamps  828   a  and  828   c,  but only one of the two clamps being used, depending upon which side of the roof the guide is installed. In the same manner, the second guide  616   b  may include both clamps  628   b  and  628   d,  but only one of those two clamps being used. 
         [0050]    While the wheeled guides  616   a  and  616   b  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  are described as being formed of cylindrical rod material, it will be seen that except for their wheel axles, they may also be formed of a section of extruded material. Similarly, the guides  818   a  and  818   b  of  FIG. 8  may be formed of cylindrical rod material in lieu of an extruded section, if desired. It will further be seen that the wheeled guides  816   a  and  816   b  may be used with either of the two track configurations  614   a,    614   b  and  714   a,    714   b  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , if desired. The substitution of the threaded clamp  628   a,    628   b  for the clevis or other pin  828   a,    828   b,  or substitution of the clevis pins for the threaded clamps, has been noted further above. Thus, various combinations of the components comprising the wheeled guides and tracks of  FIGS. 6 through 8  may be constructed. 
         [0051]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8