Abstract:
A system for tightening panels between two fixed structural members. The system includes a mechanism which can selectively loosen or tighten the panels between the structural members. The system can also include flaps to conceal any gaps between the panels as well as conceal certain structural elements. A series of these systems can be used to create a covering for a frame made of a plurality of fixed structures.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to provisional patent application 61/756,531 which was filed on Jan. 25, 2013, and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In recent years, a structure or building consisting mainly of some type of fabric has been utilized for commercial, industrial and agricultural uses. The name most commonly associated with this structure is a ‘fabric building.’ These fabric buildings typically include structural elements such as a series of vertical beams, horizontal beams, and/or trusses to form a frame for the structure or building. The material used to cover the frame including the roof and/or the sides of the building is a fabric instead of steel panels. Fabrics can be utilized in a variety of applications other than buildings including awnings and boat canopies. 
         [0003]    In smaller buildings, the cover is typically one piece and is pulled over the entire structure. In some larger buildings, however, an individual section of fabric is attached between each of the appropriate structural elements using a keder system. In order to stretch the fabric tight between each structural element, the structural elements are placed in a first position wherein one or more of the structural elements can be manipulated until each section of fabric becomes tight. The structural elements are then secured to one another, which may require cables or perlongs to be cut to length at the location of the structure. The manipulation of the structural elements is complicated, takes a relatively long time to achieve the desired tautness in the fabric panels, and adds costs to the construction of these panel fabric buildings. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the invention to provide a system for tightening fabric between structural elements without manipulating the structural elements. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a system far covering any gaps between the fabric and the structural elements. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A system for tightening panels of fabric between structural elements in which the structural elements have been previously positioned. Several embodiments are possible, including ones with different tightening mechanisms and the number of mechanisms per structural element. 
         [0007]    The first embodiment is a mountable system on a structural member such as a vertical, horizontal, or truss-like beam. The system includes dual mechanisms for tightening fabric panels between beams. The mechanisms are tensioning bracket systems which are opposite one another. Through manipulation of the tensioning brackets and the tightening of bolts, one or more pieces of fabric, or panels, can be stretched tight between metal structures such as beams. 
         [0008]    A second embodiment achieves similar results to the first embodiment but utilizes a webbing or ratchet strap mechanism. The system includes dual mechanisms for tightening fabric between metal structures such as beams. 
         [0009]    A third embodiment achieves similar results to the first embodiment but utilizes a nut and bolt mechanism. The system includes dual mechanisms for tightening fabric between metal structures such as beams. 
         [0010]    A fourth embodiment utilizes a similar mechanism to the first embodiment, however, there is only one mechanism on each beam. When there is a plurality of beams, each section between beams will contain one tensioning bracket mechanism instead of the dual systems of the first embodiment. 
         [0011]    A fifth embodiment utilizes a similar mechanism to the second embodiment, however, there is only one mechanism on each beam When there is a plurality of beams, each section between beams will contain one webbing or ratchet strap mechanism instead of the dual systems of the second embodiment. 
         [0012]    A sixth embodiment utilizes a similar mechanism to the third embodiment, however, there is only one mechanism on each beam. When there is a plurality of beams, each section between beams will contain one nut and bolt mechanism instead of the dual systems of the second embodiment. 
         [0013]    All six embodiments can contain at least one flap in connection with a tube and cable which can used to conceal any gaps between the fabric panels and the structural elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a first embodiment of a tensioning bracket based mechanism wherein there are dual mechanisms; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a first embodiment of a webbing or ratchet strap based mechanism wherein there are dual mechanisms; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a first embodiment of a nut and bolt based mechanism wherein there are dual mechanisms; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the tensioning bracket mechanism wherein there is one mechanism; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the webbing or ratchet strap mechanism wherein there is one mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the nut and bolt based mechanism wherein there is one mechanism; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top view of two dual tensioning bracket mechanisms, one on each side of a structural element; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the systems of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view of two dual webbing or ratchet strap mechanisms, one on each structural element; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the systems of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top view of two nut and bolt mechanisms, one on each structural element; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the systems of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a top view of two nut and bolt mechanisms, one on each structural element; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the systems of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a top view of two dual webbing or ratchet strap mechanisms, one on each structural element; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the systems of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a top view of two nut and bolt mechanisms, one on each structural element; 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the systems of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Now referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of a system for tightening panels between structural beams. Panels  10  are in connection with a housing member  20  similar in purpose to what is known as a keder channel. The housing member  20  comprises at least one tensioning channel  23 . The housing member  20  is secured to a structural member  24 , typically with a fastener  25  such as a self-drilling screw. 
         [0033]    A tensioning bracket  31  is placed in the tensioning channel  23 . The shape of the tensioning bracket  31  is preferably one that assists in sliding the tensioning bracket  31  into the tensioning channel  23 . The preferred shape of the bracket  31  is an L-shape with a hook  41  at one end. The L-shape is comprised of a first elongated member  35  and a second elongated member  38  wherein the second elongated member  38  is the longer of the two members  35 ,  38 . The hook  41  can be slid in at any location of the channel  23  and is slid in at a high angle such that the tensioning bracket  31  will be secured once the panels have been installed. Additionally, the hook  41  preferably has a flat portion  43  which corresponds to a flat portion of the tensioning channel  23 , so that it is less likely to rotate upward within the tensioning channel  23  in forces such as wind events. Once the panel  10  reaches a particular tautness, the tensioning bracket  31  cannot be disengaged from the channel  23 . The bracket  31  is held in place in the channel  23  during both compression and/or tensioining events that cause force on the overall structure. 
         [0034]    A lateral tightening pocket  12  is attached to a fabric panel  10 , one on either side of the structural member  24 . Each of the lateral tightening pockets  12  is attached on the other end to a lateral tightening tube  28 . The lateral tightening tube  28  has openings  52  that allow the connecting member  26  to be inserted into and through the lateral tightening tube  28 . One end of the connecting member  26  has a stop  50 . The connecting member  26  and stop  50  are typically one piece and can be a standard bolt. 
         [0035]    A second end of the connecting member  26  is inserted into an opening  52  of the tensioning bracket  31 . A fastener  27  which can be a standard nut sized to fit the connecting member  26  is tightened until the panels  10  achieve the desired tautness. The more the fastener  27  is tightened, the tauter the panels become. 
         [0036]    A pair of panel flaps  11  can then be manipulated to cover the structural member  24  and the tensioning brackets  31 . A fabric panel flap tie down tube  29  can have a cable  30  housed inside the tube  29 . The tube  29  is placed on an outside edge of the housing member  20 . The panel flaps  20  is then wrapped around or put underneath the tube  29 . Once the flaps  11  are secured and tightened, the cable  30  can be tightened to a foundation. The flaps  11  serve both a functional purpose as the flaps seal off the gap and the structural elements from the weather; and an aesthetic purpose as the flaps  11  conceal the structural elements of the invention and any open gaps. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 and 8  further depict the first embodiment of the invention wherein there are dual tensioning bracket mechanisms  55 , one on either side of each structural member  24 . These figures further show the openings  52  of the tensioning bracket  31  as well as the ability of the invention to have more than one tensioning bracket  31 . Furthermore, these figures demonstrate how the invention can be utilized in tandem with a number of units of the invention. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4 ,  13 , and  14  show an embodiment of the invention wherein only one side of the housing member  20  utilizes a tensioning channel  23  that has a tensioning bracket  31  secured in the tensioning channel  23 . This embodiment works in much the same way as the first embodiment, however, with certain differences. First the housing member  20  has two distinctly shaped channels. A first side  71  has a channel that is shaped similar to the first embodiment and can be used in conjunction with the L-shaped tensioning bracket  71 . The second side  73  has a channel preferably of a circular shape and can be used to house a circular cord  75  known as a keder cord. The cord  75  is attached to a cord pocket  76  which extends to a panel  10 .  FIGS. 13 and 14  show several embodiments used in conjunction with one another. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 2 ,  9  and  10  show an embodiment of the invention wherein there are dual mechanisms, however, the mechanisms are webbing or ratchet strap mechanisms. Panels  110  are in connection with a housing member  120 . The housing member  120  comprises at least one tensioning channel  123 . The housing member  120  is secured to a structural member  124 , typically with a fastener  125  such as a self-drilling screw. 
         [0040]    The tensioning channel  123  houses at least one slidable member  126  which can be a structure such as a D-ring. The slidable member  126  is connected to the panel  110  through a webbing  127 . Each panel  110  is connected to a lateral tightening pocket  112  which in turn each house a lateral tightening tube  128 . The webbing  127  is manipulated around the D-ring and lateral tightening tube  128  such that each panel  110  can be drawn closer or farther from the tensioning channel  123 . As the panels  110  can be connected to two structural members  124  (one on either side of the panels  110 ), the panel  110  is either stretched tighter between the two structural members or loosened. 
         [0041]    Due to the width of the D-rings (or the bolts in another embodiment) and the need to tighten the panels, a gap may exist between the tensioning channel  123  and the panels  110 , therefore, exposing certain structural elements or having openings in the overall building design. In order to conceal the gap, flaps  111  are connected to panels  110 . A pair of panel flaps  111  can then be manipulated to cover the structural member  124  and member  120 . A fabric panel flap tie down tube  129  can have a cable  130  housed inside the tube  129 . The tube  129  is placed on an outside edge of the housing member  120 . The panel flaps  20  is then wrapped around or put underneath the tube  29 . Once the flaps  111  are secured and tightened, the cable  130  can be tightened to a foundation. The flaps  111  serve both a functional purpose as the flaps seal off the gap and the structural elements from the weather; and an aesthetic purpose as the flaps  111  conceal the structural elements of the invention and any open gaps. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 9 and 10  further depict the embodiment of the invention wherein there are dual webbing or ratchet strap mechanisms  155  one on either side of each structural member  124 . These figures further show the attachment of the webbing  127  to the D-ring and lateral tightening tube  128 , as well as the ability of the invention to have more than one webbing mechanism  155 . Furthermore, these figures demonstrate how the invention can be utilized in tandem with a number of units of the invention. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5 ,  15  and  16  show an embodiment of the invention wherein only one side of the housing member  120  utilizes a tensioning channel  123  that is attached to a D-ring. This embodiment works in much the same way as the dual webbing mechanism, however, with certain differences. First, the housing member  120  has two distinctly shaped channels. A first side  171  has a channel that is shaped similar to the dual embodiment and can be used in conjunction with the webbing or ratchet strap mechanism  155 . The second side  173  has a channel that is preferably circular and can be used to house a circular cord  175  known as a keder cord. The cord  175  is attached to a cord pocket  176  which extends to a panel  110 .  FIGS. 15 and 16  show several embodiments used in conjunction with one another. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 3 ,  11 , and  12  show an embodiment of the invention wherein there are dual mechanisms, however, the mechanisms are bolt mechanisms. Panels  210  are in connection with a housing member  220 . The housing member  220  comprises at least one tensioning channel  223 . The housing member  220  is secured to a structural member  224 , typically with a fastener  225  such as a self-drilling screw. 
         [0045]    The channel  223  houses at least one slidable member  226  which a bolt sized to fit and be secured within the channel  223 . A lateral tightening pocket  212  is attached to a fabric panel  210 , one on either side of the structural member  224 . Each of the lateral tightening pockets  212  is attached on the other end to a lateral tightening tube  228 . The lateral tightening tube  228  has an opening that allows the connecting member  226  to be inserted into and through the lateral tightening tube  228 . One end of the connecting member  226  has a free end which allows a fastener  227  to be connected. 
         [0046]    The fastener  227  which can be a standard nut sized to fit the connecting member  226  is tightened until the panels  210  achieve the desired tautness. The more the fastener  227  is tightened, the tauter the panels become. 
         [0047]    Due to the width of the bolts and the need to tighten the panels, a gap may exist between the tensioning channel  223  and the panels  210 , therefore, exposing certain structural elements or having openings in the overall building design. In order to conceal the gap and structural elements, flaps  211  are connected to panels  210 . A pair of panel flaps  211  can then be manipulated to cover the structural member  224  and member  220 . A fabric panel flap tie down tube  229  can have a cable  230  housed inside the tube  229 . The tube  229  is placed on an outside edge of the housing member  220 . The panel flaps  220  are then wrapped around or put underneath the tube  229 . Once the flaps  211  are secured and tightened, the cable  230  can be tightened to a foundation. The flaps  211  serve both a functional purpose as the flaps seal off the gap and the structural elements from the weather; and an aesthetic purpose as the flaps  211  conceal the structural elements of the invention and any open gaps. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11 and 12  further depict the embodiment of the invention wherein there are dual bolt mechanisms  255 , one on either side of each structural member  224 . These figures further show the attachment of the bolts  226  and lateral tightening tube  228 , as well as the ability of the invention to have more than one bolt mechanism  255 . Furthermore, these figures demonstrate how the invention can be utilized in tandem with a number of units of the invention. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 6 ,  17  and  18  show an embodiment of the invention wherein only one side of the housing member  220  utilizes a tensioning channel  223  that is attached to bolt  226 . This embodiment works in much the same way as the dual bolt mechanism, however, with certain differences. First the housing member  220  has two distinctly shaped channels. A first side  271  has a channel shaped similar to the dual embodiment and can be used in conjunction with bolt mechanism  255 . The second side  273  has a channel that is preferably circular and can be used to house a circular cord  275  known as a keder cord. The cord  275  is attached to a cord pocket  276  which extends to a panel  210 .  FIGS. 17 and 18  show several embodiments used in conjunction with one another. 
         [0050]    A summary of the process involved in any embodiment wherein there are dual mechanisms is as follows. Once the frame which will contain any of the embodiments is erected, the housing member containing the channels is attached using self-drilling screws or bolts to the structural member. The applicable connecting members are slid into or placed within the keder channel. Location and length of keder channel, bolts, and/or d-ring inserts are based on documentation provided by manufacturer. The tube for the fabric panel flap tie down and cable are then installed loosely in the top part of the keder channel. The cable is secured on each side of the foundation. The fabric panels are rolled out. The necessary hardware is installed to the fabric panel, the fabric panel is then pulled over the structure. Once over the structure and temporarily secured at the sides, the lateral tightening tube is inserted into the lateral tightening pocket (welded to the fabric panel) on each end. If tensioning brackets, the bolts are slid through openings in the lateral tightening tube and tensioning bracket, a nut is placed on the end and is then tightened. If bolts, the bolts are slid through openings in lateral tightening tube, a nut is placed on the end and is then tightened. If d-ring inserts along with webbing and ratchet straps are weaved around the d-ring and lateral tightening tube. This is done on at all locations where the keder channel is present. The fabric panel flap (welded to the fabric panel), is then either wrapped around or put underneath the tube for the fabric panel flap tie down. The fabric panel flaps are tightened. The cable is then tightened down to the foundation. 
         [0051]    A summary of the process involved in any embodiment wherein there is one mechanism is as follows. Once the structure is erected, the keder channel is attached using self-drilling screws or bolts to the structural member. Tensioning brackets, bolts or d-ring inserts are slid into the non-circular side of the keder channel. Location, length and direction of keder channel, bolts, and/or d-ring inserts are base on documentation provided by manufacturer. The tube for the fabric panel flap tie down and cable are then installed loosely in the top part of the keder channel. The cable is secured on each side of the foundation. The fabric panels are rolled out. The necessary hardware is installed to the fabric panel. The fabric panel is then pulled over the structure, simultaneously the keder cord and keder cord pocket are slid into the circular side of the housing member. Once over the structure and temporarily secured at the sides, the lateral tightening tube is inserted into the lateral tightening pocket (welded to the fabric panel). If tensioning brackets, the bolts are slid through openings in the lateral tightening tube and tensioning bracket, a nut is placed on the end and is then tightened. If bolts, the bolts are slid through openings in lateral tightening tube, a nut is placed on the end and is then tightened. If d-ring inserts, webbing or ratchet straps are weaved around the d-ring and lateral tightening tube. The fabric panel flap (welded to the fabric panel), on the keder cord side is put underneath the tube for the fabric panel flap tie down. The fabric panel flap (welded to the fabric panel) on the lateral tightening pocket side is wrapped around the tube for the fabric panel flap tie down. The fabric panel flaps are tightened. The cable is then tightened down to the foundation. 
         [0052]    Having thus described the invention in connection with the several embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the several embodiments described herein with out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included with in the scope of the following claims. Any elements of any embodiments disclosed herein can be used in combination with any elements of other embodiments disclosed herein in any manner to create different embodiments.