Patent ID: 12195962

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no means as of limitation.

Referring toFIGS.1to16, there is shown a retractable roof in accordance with an embodiment10of the present invention, typically for use in large buildings100such as stadiums and the like, over a playing field102(a baseball diamond field shown), the grandstands104and the like as a protection against the elements, whenever desired and/or needed. In the Figures of the present embodiment, the stadium is100a representation of the Olympic Stadium of Montreal, Québec, Canada that was built for the 1976 Olympic Summer Games (as best seen inFIGS.1-5), but any other building structure, or simply a structure, could be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The retractable roof10is typically mounted on a supporting frame106, such as an existing permanent roof structure or the like, and is also typically supported by a high structure108extending vertically above the supporting frame106, such as a mast, a tower or the like, or an arrangement thereof. The illustrated present embodiment of the retractable roof10is mounted on the existing cantilever horizontal beams106made of a plurality of adjacent voussoirs106′ of the different consoles110forming the permanent roof112overhanging the grandstands104of the stadium100. In the illustrated embodiment, the retractable roof10essentially closes off the central opening existing in the existing permanent roof112when in the closed configuration (seeFIGS.1and2), while keeping that central opening uncovered when in the opened configuration (seeFIGS.4and5).

The retractable roof10, although mounted on the consoles110, is mainly supported by the inclined tower108, via the proximal26and distal28end cables, as detailed hereinafter. The retractable roof10typically includes at least one, but preferably a plurality of structure sections12(eighteen (18) shown inFIGS.1-5) positioned adjacent one another to form the retractable roof10, with each structure section12being independently retractable.

Each structure section12typically includes first14and second16panel structures. The first or proximal panel structure14has a first proximal end18hingeably mounted on the supporting frame106at a proximal axis48and a first distal end20hingeably connected to a second proximal end22of the second panel structure16at a distal axis50. The second distal end24of the second panel structure16is typically suspended to the high structure108with a distal end cable28. Optionally, especially when the distal axis50passes over (in a horizontal plane, or horizontally, from one side to the other) the proximal axis48(as further detailed hereinbelow), one of the first distal end20and the second proximal end22, preferably the second proximal end22is typically independently suspended to the high structure108with a proximal end cable26.

A tackle member30connects to both the first14and second16panel structures, typically at respective free rollers or pulleys31,33or the like and adjacent the first proximal end18and the second distal end24, respectively, for increased mechanical efficiency. The tackle member30forms a variable (lengthwise) wire side32of a triangular cross-sectional shape of the section12, along with the first14and second16panel structures. A motor/winch mechanism34, preferably mounted onto the first panel structure14, connects to the tackle member30to control a wire length of the wire side32made of a plurality of passes of a tackle wire35.

Each structure section12, especially when both first and second panel structures14,16are close to be aligned with one another (or extend generally side-by-side to one another) in the closed configuration, typically further includes a crossbow punch member36mounted on one of the first14and second16panel structures adjacent the other one, preferably at the distal axis50. The punch member36selectively abuts to (or engages) and divides (or partially folds) the tackle wire35into first38and second40angled portions or segments so as to prevent the first14and second16panel structures to align with one another while keeping an internal distal angle A (of the triangular shape) between the tackle wire35and the distal panel structure16larger than a predetermined minimum value of about ten (10) degrees, and preferably larger than about fifteen (15) degrees. It is noted that the term crossbow is used as it refers to the fact that the punch member36acts in a similar way the punch keeps the string away from the arc section in a crossbow. The crossbow punch member36is typically hingeably mounted on the first panel structure14and biased (via a biasing member43such as a tension spring or the like (schematically represented inFIG.11only by a helical spring)) to abut to a stop (or abutment) member42when the structure section12is close to and in the closed configuration, as shown inFIG.12. The free end44of the punch member36typically includes a plurality of independent free rollers or pulleys46adapted to each abut a respective pass of the wire35of the tackle member30. Although not illustrated, the biasing member43could be replaced by the last pass of the tackle wire35coming from the tackle member30on the first panel structure14and ending either at the punch member36(and not at the free end44thereof) or at the first panel structure14just after running around a last free roller or pulley46of the punch member. Alternatively, the punch member36could also be fixed relative to one of the first14and second16panel structures, and therefore adapted to enter a recess (not shown) extending into the other panel, when in the roof opened configuration.

FIG.11illustrates a schematic view of the running path of the wire35of the tackle member30connecting at one end to the winch mechanism34and the pulleys31,33of the first14and second16panel structures and engaging the pulleys46of the free end44of the punch member36, to end attached to the first panel structure14illustrated with anchor member35′.FIG.11also schematically illustrates an alternate abutment member142and the biasing member43. The alternate abutment member142is a fixed tenon member144protruding from the second panel structure16adapted to pivotally engage a larger (angle wise) mortise member146formed into the punch member36such that the punch member36is allowed to pivot between the operating (deployed) position (position shown inFIGS.6,7and11) under the pulling action of the biasing member43and the stowed position into the receiving cavity37, as further described below. Although three (3) pulleys31,33are shown on each panel structure14,16, and six (6) pulleys46on the punch member36are shown, one skilled in the art would easily understand that the quantity will be dependent on the specific characteristics and configuration of the structure section12.

Now, turning more specifically toFIGS.6-16, the opening sequence of a typical structure section12of the retractable roof10will be detailed in the following paragraphs.

InFIGS.6-10, a portion of the permanent roof112overhanging the grandstands104is illustrated with horizontal beams106of two adjacent consoles110linked together with transversal beams114carrying the rigid roof panels116of the permanent roof112. The inner top free ends of all beams106are supporting a ring structure118carrying technical equipment (not shown) such as spotlights and the like. Furthermore, for clarity purposes, the compression ring structure109has been omitted in theseFIGS.6-10.

The structure section12has the first proximal end18of the first panel structure14hingeably mounted on the two beams106at the proximal axis48, and the first distal end20hingeably connected to the second proximal end22of the second panel structure16at the distal axis50. The second proximal and distal ends22,24of the second panel structure16are independently supported by the proximal end26and distal end28cables, respectively, secured to the tower108via proximal26′ and distal28′ motorized winches (seeFIGS.11-15) that maintain predetermined tensions T1, T2in the two proximal and distal end cables26,28, which tensions T1, T2will independently vary during the opening and closing sequences of the structure section12. Tensions T1, T2are controlled via both the angular position of the first panel structure14relative to the fixed roof structure106of the stadium100(about the proximal axis48), and the angular position of the second panel structure16relative to the first panel structure14(about the distal axis50).

The crossbow punch member36is typically freely pivotably mounted on the second panel structure16adjacent the second proximal end22, preferably at the distal axis50. The opposite free end44of the crossbow punch member36typically includes the plurality of freely mounted pulleys46, each selectively abutting a respective pass of the wire35of the tackle member30(location of which could vary on both the proximal14and distal16panel structures, such as being closer to the proximal axis48and the second distal end24, respectively) when the structure section12is adjacent the closed configuration. After the stop (or abutment) member42keeps the punch member36in fixed position relative to the distal panel structure16via the biasing member43, the crossbow punch member36touches or engages the tackle cable35, such that the punch member36always pushes on the tackle wire35to force the tackle wire35to divide into the first38and second40angled portions, as shown inFIG.12, when the first14and second16panel structures are almost in alignment with one another (or side-by-side to one another). The stop member42is preferably located on the distal panel structure16, extending (preferably from the central hinge bracket42′) on the proximal panel structure side relative to the punch member36, as shown inFIGS.12-13, but any other type of stop member could be used.

The opening sequence of each structure section12starts with the structure section12in the fully closed configuration, as shown inFIGS.1,2,6and12, in which the two proximal end26and distal end28cables are in tension T1and T2respectively. The winch mechanism34, typically located close to the proximal axis48, is activated to start winding up the tackle wire35(acting similarly to a tendon in biology—see direction D1inFIG.12) and thereby initiate the displacement of the two panel structures14,16toward each other, by forcing the upward displacement of the distal axis50via the tackle wire35pushing on the crossbow punch member36. The motorized distal winch28′ of the distal end cable28simultaneously controls the unwinding of the distal end cable28to maintain the tension T2required to support the structure section12during the opening of the structure section12. Throughout the entire opening sequence, as well as the closing sequence, the tensions T1and T2always ensure a dynamic stability of the structure section12, as well as accounting for possible wind effects that could otherwise suddenly and momentarily loosen either one or both tensions T1and T2close to zero (and therefore jeopardize the smoothness of the sequence).

During the folding of the structure section12, as illustrated inFIGS.7and13, the motorized proximal winch26′ of the proximal end cable26simultaneously controls the unwinding of the proximal end cable26that allows for the tension T1to induce a moment opposite to the tipping (or flipping) motion of the entire structure section12(when the resulting moment of the center of gravity of the two panel structures14,16of the structure section12passes over the proximal axis48, horizontally from one side to other, i.e. during the change of its rotational direction about the proximal axis48) to ensure dynamic stability during the opening sequence. The two panel structures14,16act as a triangular beam having the proximal corner hingeably mounted to the supporting frame106(at proximal axis48) and the distal corner linked to the high structure108via the distal end cable28, and, because of the dynamic stability effect of the structure section12about the proximal axis48, the middle third corner also linked to the high structure108via the distal end cable26.

Up to about a position of the section structure12illustrated inFIGS.8and14, the motorized distal winch28′ of the distal end cable28controls the movement of the structure section12. This control is gradually transferred to the motorized proximal winch26′ of the proximal end cable26up to about the position of the structure section12illustrated inFIG.15. From about that position illustrated inFIG.15, the motorized proximal winch26′ of the proximal end cable26controls the movement of the structure section12, while the motorized distal winch28′ of the distal end cable28simply maintains a tension T2in the distal end cable28to induce a moment opposite to the folding motion to ensure dynamic stability during the remaining of the opening sequence up to the opened configuration shown inFIGS.10and16(and almost inFIG.9). Also, from about that position shown inFIG.14, a second stop member (the first panel structure itself or any other not shown), typically extending from the proximal panel structure14, abuts to the crossbow punch member36to force it to pivot towards the distal panel structure16, against the biasing member43, and to typically engage into a corresponding receiving cavity37extending into the distal panel structure16. In the roof opened configuration shown inFIGS.10and16(and almost inFIG.9), the proximal14and distal16panel structures fold generally on top of one another.

The schematics of bothFIGS.14and15illustrate well the balance provided by both motorized winches26′,28′ that control respective tensions T1, T2of end cables26,28which induce opposite moments relative to the hinge proximal axis48of the structure section12all along during the folding and tipping of the panel structures14,16.

In the roof closed configuration illustrated inFIGS.10and16, and almost inFIG.9, although not required (because of the tension provided in the end cables26,28that maintain static stability of the structure section12), rest supports60could be mounted on the horizontal beams106of consoles110adjacent the first proximal end20to allow the first proximal end20to ‘sit’ onto the consoles110.

In the closing sequence, the movement of the structure section12is initiated by the motorized proximal winch26′ of the proximal end cable26, while the winch mechanism34controls the unwinding of the tackle wire35(see direction D2inFIG.16) to allow the deployment of the two panel structures14,16. During this time, the simultaneous controlled winding of the distal end cable28by the motorized distal winch28′ allows for the tension T2to induce a moment opposite to the unfolding motion of the entire structure section12to ensure dynamic stability during the closing sequence, and the ‘forward’ tilting of the entire structure section12, thereby maintaining the triangular shape throughout the sequence.

From there on, the steps illustrated inFIGS.12to16are essentially sequentially reversed. Accordingly, between about the positions illustrated inFIGS.15and14, the control of the movement is gradually transferred from the motorized proximal winch26′ of the proximal end cable26to the motorized distal winch28′ of the distal end cable28. Tension T2in the distal end cable28ensures the ‘forward’ tilting of the entire structure section12, while maintaining its triangular shape throughout the sequence, especially when the distal axis50is tipping over the proximal axis48. From about the position illustrated inFIG.14up to the closing configuration ofFIG.12, the motorized distal winch28′ controls the tipping movement of the structure section12while the winch mechanism34controls the unwinding and elongation of the tackle wire35(acting similarly to a tendon in biology) including the pushing of the tackle wire35by the pulleys46at the free end44of the crossbow punch member36, under the action of the biasing member43, that is prevented from further free rotation about the distal axis50by the stop member42. The abutment of the punch member36to the stop member42occurs before the free end44touches the tackle wire35, such that the force applied to the punch member36by the tackle wire35keeps the punch member36in abutment against the stop member42. Essentially, at the end of the closing sequence, the tension T2in the distal end cable28controls the position of the structure section12while the tension in the tackle wire35controls the ‘opening’ of the triangular shape.

The tensions T1, T2of the two proximal26end distal28end cables ensure both the dynamic stability of the structure section12during the closing and opening sequences, and the static stability of the structure section12in the roof closed and opened configurations.

Since the tower108, in the present case (Montreal stadium100), is not in line with each structure sections12(each structure section12is generally oriented towards the center of the stadium100rather than the tower108), the tensions in the proximal26and distal28end cables induce a lateral force on the structure section12, and in turn onto the corresponding supporting consoles110pulling the consoles110towards the tower108. In order to compensate for that lateral force, each structure section12is connected to a lateral cable29(shown only on one structure section12inFIG.3for clarity purposes) pulling on the structure section essentially in the opposite lateral direction (than the tower108) towards a compression ring structure109abutting to and transferring all of the effort to the base of the tower108.

Preferably, to protect the playing field102or the like from the elements (sunrays, rain, snow, wind, etc.) and/or allow a controlled environment (air temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) inside the stadium100, each structure section12typically, and preferably sealably, partially overlaps an adjacent structure section12to provide a sealing interface there between. For air sealing, there could be a seal joints or the like (not shown) between adjacent structure sections12, and for water, there are gutters or the like (not shown) running all along the interfaces to ensure proper and efficient water drainage. Although not illustrated, in case of an abnormal heavy snow fall, the second distal end24of the distal panel structures16could selectively be tilted further down about the distal axis50than the closed configuration to allow the snow accumulated thereon to slide and fall onto the playing field102.

The sealing interface between adjacent structure sections12, as well as the positioning of the different end cables26,28of each structure section12, depending on the actual configuration of the retractable roof10, would typically determine the sequential opening (and reverse closing) of the successive structure sections12, as illustrated inFIG.3.

Although not illustrated, one skilled in the art would readily realize that, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first panel structure16could simply be a truss-like structure, without any surface panels, as it be positioned not to close off or cover the opening in the existing roof112of the stadium100in the closed configuration.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the invention as hereinabove described and hereinafter claimed.