WO1990002056A1

WO1990002056A1 - Cover assembly with spiral storage grooves

Info

Publication number: WO1990002056A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/003782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank S. Romano
Original assignee: Romano Frank S
Priority date: 1988-08-31
Filing date: 1989-08-31
Publication date: 1990-03-08
Also published as: AU4205989A

Abstract

A cover assembly for covering an opening comprising an articulated cover (20), mounted on a pair of tracks (21), and a housing (25) having a pair of spiral grooves (65) for receiving and storing the cover (20) in a spiral configuration. A high strength, weatherproof embodiment of the cover (20) comprises adjacently successively disposed panels (24) having a second semicylindrical edge portion (31) and a first, opposite semicylindrical edge portion (30) concentrically, rotatably received by an adjacent second edge portion (31); a plurality of rods (32) each inserted each cylindrical space concentric with adjacent edge portions (30, 31); and optionally, when covering vertical openings, open position-biasing springs (73). A low strength embodiment of the cover (20), for covering vertical openings, comprises panels (24) having an arcuate edge (132) and an opposite cylindrical edge (130) rotatably received by an adjacent arcuate edge (132).

Description

COVER ASSEMBLY WITH SPIRAL STORAGE GROOVES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In its various embodiments, this invention is for an improved cover assembly for covering an open body or area, including, but not limited to, covering the open body of a truck for conversion to a closed body truck, the door opening of a garage or other building structure, the top of a trailer of a tractor-trailer combination, an airport baggage trailer, a swimming pool and the opening of a bathtub enclosure. In another embodiment, this invention is an awning that can shield a vertical surface from sun and rain.

2. Description of the Prior Art I have previously described a cover assembly for converting the open body of a truck, or the like, to a closed body. See F. S. Romano, U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,848 (September 16, 1986; Class 296/98) , which by this reference is incorporated herein. That version^' of my cover assembly included an articulated-type cover slidably mounted in a pair of parallel tracks of C-shaped cross- section, and a housing for receiving and storing the cover in a rolled configuration. The cover included a plurality of rectangular panels successively disposed adjacent to one another and extending across the open body. Each panel included a first semi-cylindrical edge portion and a second, semi-cylindrical edge portion having a radius larger than the radius of the first edge portion, said first edge portion being concentric with, and rotatably received by, said second edge portion of the adjacent panel. Within the housing was a rewind tube horizontally mounted between a pair of pinch blocks fixed to the forward end of the open body and on opposite sides thereof. A spring cover tube with a guide wheel at each end was rotatably circumposed about the rewind tube. The forwardmost panel of the cover was attached to the guide wheels such that translational motion of the cover corresponded to rotation of the guide wheels and the spring cover tube. A coil spring having one end attached to the rewind tube and its other end attached to one guide wheel urged the cover to the open position. The panels were described as preferably alternating wide and narrow in order to achieve a compact rolled configuration when the cover was in the open position. Although that version of my cover assembly provided a strong, weatherproof and theftproof cover for <_ open-bodied trucks and the like, the cover had^~a tendency to sometimes bind in one track or the other as the cover was pushed or pulled due to unequal forces being applied across the width of the cover. In the version of my cover assembly described and claimed herein, I have eliminated the pinch blocks, rewind tube, guide wheels, and spring cover tube. I have modified the housing by incorporating into the inner surfaces of the sides of the housing spiral grooves for receiving the cover and guiding it into a spiral configuration when the cover is moved to the open position. This modification to my cover assembly provides the following advantages: the cover no longer binds in the tracks while it is being opened and closed; the cost to manufacture the cover assembly is reduced; the weight of the cover assembly is reduced; and it is no longer necessary to employ alternating wide and narrow panels to achieve compact storage of the cover. Furthermore, as the cover is no longer wound upon itself but instead is wound into a spiral configuration, damage to the panels is avoided during opening and closing of the cover. Another problem with my previous version of my cover assembly was that debris that collected on the cover in the closed position would become trapped between the panels when the cover was moved to the open position. In the present inven¬ tion, such debris is shed and falls to the bottom of the housing when the cover is moved to the open position.

Spiral-like grooves or guides have been described previously for receiving and storing an articulated-type cover or door. A. I. S. Halvorsen, U.S. Pat^". No. 1,665,028 (Jan. 25, 1927), described a support for flexible doors of kitchen cabinets in the form of a pair of metal disks having arcuate flanges. The door, comprised of a plurality of slats flexibly connected together, had its ends enclosed within vertical grooves. As the door was raised, the slats would pass from the vertical grooves into the channels formed by the flanges whereupon the slats would coil upon themselves until the greater part of the door was coiled. Since my cover assembly is intended to be weatherproof and theftproof by virtue of the first edge portion of a panel being rotatably received by the second edge portion of the adjacent panel, the panels of my cover cannot be designed to coil upon themselves — the range of rotation of one panel with respect to the adjacent panel is restricted to at most about 60 degrees of arc. Consequently, the door __/ supporting the cover of my cover assembly.

S. J. Mason described a roll top extension table having an articulated-type sliding table top and a pair of spiral grooves for guiding the table top into a spiral configuration when the table top was moved from an extended to a retracted position. U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,911 (Dec. 1, 1955; Class 311/16.5). Each of Mason's panels had a longitudinal groove along one edge with the opposite edge of the panel having a longitudinal projection complementary to the longitudinal groove, thereby providing for pivotal movement of the groove of one panel with respect to the projection of an adjacent panel. Unlike my panels, Mason's panels had no cylindrical space at the juncture of adjacent panels nor rods therein. Instead, Mason's panels were provided with brackets attached to their undersides for hingably connecting adjacent panels, said brackets having depending projections with wheels for rolling movement within a spiral track. That combination is unsatisfactory for the purposes of my cover assembly, however, as it fails to provide for a weatherproof connection between the panels, lacks the extra strength provided by the rods, and leads to friction due to the sliding of the brackets along the spiral track. W. L. Ellis described an automatic door having a plurality of vertical rods suspended from an upper horizontal track with their lower ends inserted into a lower track, and upper and lower spiral tracks for storing the door in the open position. U. S. Pat. No. 3,092,170 (June 4, 1963; Class 160/26). Nylon wheels were rotatably mounted on the upper ends of the rods for rolling movement within the upper track, but no wheels were provided for the lower ends of the rods. Electrically powered motor drive means applied horizontal force to the upper ends of the rods to open and close the door. The rods served as a framework for support of flexible plastic panels covered on their exterior surfaces by flexible metal sheeting. Unlike my cover assembly, Ellis' s door is designed specifically for providing only a vertical door for covering an opening in a building. In contrast, my cover assembly is designed so that the component parts for one application can generally be utilized for a variety of other applications. For example, the same rods, wheels, and panels that are used in my cover assembly to cover the open body of a truck can be used in a security door in a building. And, my cover assembly, unlike Ellis ' s door, is symmetrical in that track- engaging means or wheels are provided on both ends of the rods. This has the advantage that application of a pulling or pushing force at any point on the cover will result in smooth movement of the cover. Furthermore, Ellis 's door does not provide the weatherproof and theftproof features of my cover assembly.

T. T. Matsumoto described a sliding door structure including a plurality of pivotally-joined slats suspended from an overhead track for movement between rectilinearly aligned positions across an opening and a compact storage position adjacent to the side of the opening. U. S. Pat. No. 3,357,480 (Dec. 12, 1967; Classl60/ 133) . Matsumoto's sliding door structure included an overhead spiral track for storing the door in a spiral configu¬ ration when the door was moved to the open position. The slats were described as preferably in the form of a U-shaped channel of generally rectangular outline. Adjacent slats were preferably joined by upper, middle and lower hinges thereby allowing the door to bend through the curve of the spiral track. The slats were strung on a cable such that applying tension to the slats by the turning of a handle would force the slats into close association thereby providing rigidity to the door in the closed position. Matsu- moto's sliding door structure is unsuitable for the same reasons as Ellis's door: the components are not suitable for a wide variety of other applications, and it is neither weatherproof nor theftproof. B. It. McDonald described a power operated flexible wall section for covering any type of wall opening, including a flexible closure member constructed of a plurality of spacers strung together like beads on heavy cords, which member was slidably mounted between upper and lower tracks. U. S. Pat. No. 3,516,469 (June 23, 1970; Class 160/26). The tracks terminated in spirals for storing the closure member -in a spiral configuration. Upper and lower sprockets were provided whose teeth engaged recesses on the ends of the spacers whereby rotation of the sprockets caused translational motion of the closure member. McDonald's combination suffered from some of the same limitations as the above-referenced prior art: it was neither leakproof nor theftproof, and the components thereof were not generally utilizable in other applications.

H. Z. Marvin described a sliding cover assembly for cylindrical edge and an opposite arcuate edςfi.. id . !_... Patent No. 4,210,361 (Classes 296/210; 296/100; 296/219; July 1, 1980). The arcuate edge of one panel rotatably received the cylindrical edge of an adjacent panel. In order to prevent water leakage, a pliable strip of waterproof sheet material was placed over the intersections of the panels . The panels were bent at an obtuse angle in proximity to each cylindrical edge portion. Consequently, the cover would not lay flat, its upper surface instead assuming the shape of corrugated sheet metal when the cover was placed in the closed position. Marvin's cover assembly tended to trap water in the corrugated-like surface of the cover; it also was incapable of being wound into a spiral configuration. One embodiment of my cover assembly adapted to cover the opening of a bathtub enclosure, or other vertical openings where high strength is not required, also includes panels having a cylindrical edge portion and an opposite arcuate edge portion. Unlike Marvin's cover assembly, however, my panels lay flat when the cover is in the δclosed position, and my cover can also assume a spiral configuration when the cover is moved to the open position. Moreover, my panels shed water instead of trapping it._^ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved cover assembly that can cover a wide variety of open bodies and areas, including the open body of a truck, the open body of the trailer of a tractor-trailer combination, the door opening of a garage or other building structure, an airport baggage trailer, a swimming pool, and the opening of a bathtub enclosure, and that can serve as an awning to shield a vertical surface from sun and rain. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved cover assembly in which the cover can be smoothly and with minimal force moved from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved cover assembly that requires minimal space for storage of the cover.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved cover assembly having spiral grooves for guiding the cover into a space-saving spiral configuration when the cover is moved to the open position.

A further object of my invention is to provide an -- improved cover assembly for covering the open body of a truck that is weatherproof and strong enough to withstand the weight of a 150 lb person.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved cover assembly that is theftproof, light in weight, easily disassembled for maintenance, and inexpensive to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of my cover assembly showing the cover mounted on a pair of parallel tracks and a housing for receiving and storing the cover;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the cover partially inserted into the spiral groove on the interior surface of the left side of the housing;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section of the panels of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 showing the manner in which the panels of the cover interlock with one another; FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing the right end of one panel mounted inside the right track;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing, with the top portion thereof cut away, of an alternative embodiment of my invention showing an axle inserted through the center of the spiral grooves and spring means attached to the axle and to the outer surface of the housing, and left and right cables attached to the forwardmost panel of the cover; FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the exterior surface of the right side of the housing of another embodiment of my invention showing four band springs symmetrically mounted on said surface in four quadrants around the axle; FIG. 7 is a perspective view looking from a position above and to the right of a rectangular swimming pool that is equipped with my improved cover assembly with its tracks mounted in the overflow troughs of the sides of the pool and its housing mounted in the overflow trough at one end of the pool;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing a C-shaped track of my improved cover assembly mounted in the overflow trough of the pool;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a kidney-shaped pool that is equipped with my improved cover assembly, shown in the closed position; through one side of the pool of FIG. 3 and of the adjacent poolside surface showing one track of my improved cover assembly mounted on the poolside surface with contoured edging installed adjacent and overlying the track;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end portions of the panels of my cover assembly adapted for installation on a swimming pool showing end caps with grooves for receiving the worm of a worm gear; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an airport baggage trailer equipped with my improved cover assembly with the cover in the open position;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-section through a tractortrailer combination in which the trailer is equipped with my improved cover assembly;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view as seen from a position above and to the left of another embodiment of my cover assembly adapted to serve as an awning;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the left ends of three panels of the cover assembly of FIG. 15 showing a guide clip mounted on the ends of two adjacent rods;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the guide clip of FIG. 15 showing two adjacent cylindrical recesses for receiving the ends of two adjacent rods;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a guide clip showing a single cylindrical recess to receive a single rod.

FIG. 18 is a frontal fragmentary perspective view of a garage equipped with my cover assembly as seen from above and to the right, showing the tracks mounted on the vertical frame members of the garage and the cover in the open position;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bathtub enclosure equipped with two sliding doors mounted over the exterior wall of the bathtub;

FIG. 20 is a bathtub enclosure equipped with my cover assembly;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the bathtub of FIG. 20 along line 21-21 showing a molding mounted on the top of the exterior wall of the bathtub with an upstanding lip adjacent to the bottommost panel when the cover is in the closed position;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section of the cover of an alternative embodiment of my cover assembly adapted to cover the opening of a bathtub enclosure, or other vertical opening where high strength y is not required, showing panels having cylindrical and opposite arcuate edge portions.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. The terms "left," "right," "forward" and "rear" shall be understood to refer to the left and right sides, and top and bottom portions, of the cover assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 14, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, a cover assembly is shown in plan view. The assembly includes a cover, denoted generally by the numeral 20, a pair of parallel tracks 21 upon which the cover 20 is mounted, and a housing 22 for receiving and storing the cover 20 when the cover is moved forward from, the closed to the open position. As may be seen by reference to FIG. 4, each track 21 has a C-shaped cross-section that defines a channel 23 extend¬ ing the entire length of the track 21.

The cover 20 includes a plurality of essentially planar, transversely elongated, rectangular panels 24 successively disposed parallel and adjacent to one another. With reference now to FIG. 3, each panel 24 includes a first semi-cylindrical edge portion 30 and a second, semi-cylindrical, opposite edge portion 31 having a radius larger than the radius of the first edge portion 30, the said first edge portion 30 being concentric with, and rotatably received by, the said second edge portion 31 of the adjacent panel 24. At each juncture between the panels 24 is a rod 32 inserted into the cylindrical space defined by the concentric edge portions 30, 31, of adjacent panels 24. The rods 32 are of sufficient length as to extend outward from the left and right ends of the panels 24 and extend into the channels 23 of the tracks 21. For applications in which high strength is important, the rods 32 should extend entirely through the adjacent panels; but in other applications, in order to minimize the weight of the assembly, shorter rods can be inserted separately into the left and right ends of the panel. Placed at the exposed end of each rod 32 is a track-engaging means for guiding the movement of the exposed ends of the rod 32 through the channel 23 of a track 21 as the cover 20 is moved from the closed position to the open position, and back again. The track-engaging means can be a guide clip 50, as shown in FIG. 17, having a cylindrical recess 41 to receive the exposed end of a rod 32, and shaped to slide smoothly through the C-shaped channel of a track 20 is particularly desired, the track-engaging means is preferably nylon wheels 33 rotatably attached to the exposed ends of the rods 24 for rolling movement within the tracks 21; see FIG. 4. With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 5, the housing 25 includes a top 26, bottom 27, rear 28, front 29 and two parallel side portions 36,37, that cooperate to define a transverse slot 38 on the upper rear portion thereof to permit the movement of the cover 20 therethrough and create a substantially water-tight space. For applications in which the cover assembly will be exposed to rain, such as in covering the open body of a truck, the bottom 27 should include a weep hole 61 for drainage. If the cover assembly is to be weatherproof, it should include water seal means (not shown), such as a soft rubber weather seal bead, for preventing leakage between the tracks and the surfaces adjacent to the open body or area upon which the assembly is mounted.

The housing 25 is placed at the forward ends of the tracks 21. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, each of the sides 36,37 of the housing 25 includes a spiral groove 65 on its inner surface 66, the outer-most portions 67 of which grooves 65 are disposed adjacent to the forward end of the tracks 21 and to the slot 38. Thus, as the cover 20 is moved forward, the panels 24 are guided into a spiral configuration within the spiral grooves 65. The grooves 65 should be of sufficient width to accommodate the track-engaging means and yet not restrict the movement of the cover 20 into and out of the housing 25. The number of turns in the spiral that is required varies with the length of the cover. Although FIG. 2 depicts a two and one-half turn spiral, for covering a standard eight foot long pickup truck bed, three and one-half turn spiral grooves 65 in combination with two inch wide panels are preferred. For covering a commercial panel truck with a six foot long bed, spiral grooves 25 having five to five and one-half turns in combination with two inch panels is preferred. Of course, the more turns in the spiral grooves that are required, the larger the side portions 36, 37 must be.

In some applications of my cover assembly it is desirable to include spring means for urging the cover 20 toward the open position, particularly when the assembly is mounted,vertically as to cover a door opening. With further reference to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of my cover assembly that includes spring means is shown in which an axle 70 is rotatably inserted through sides 36,37 of the housing 25 and centered with respect to ^"the spiral grooves 65 thereof. The length of the axle 70 is greater than the width of the housing 25 so that the exposed ends 71 of the axle 70 extend outwardly thereof. Spring means comprising at least one reversible spring 73 is mounted on the exterior surface 72 of each of the sides 36,37 of the housing 25 with one end of the spring 73 fixed to the exterior surface 72 and one end attached to the exposed end 71 of the axle 70. As shown in FIG. 5, the spring may be a coil spring. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, four band springs 79 may be mounted on each of the exterior surfaces 72 of the sides 36, 37 in the four quadrants around the axle 70, each band spring 79 having its lead end attached to the exposed end 71 of the axle 70.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the spring means further includes means for attaching the axle 70 to the cover 20 (shown in phantom outline), which preferably is at least one cable 88 having one end attached to the axle 70 and one end attached to the forwardmost panel 78, whereby the urging of the springs 73 will cause the cable 88 to wind upon the axle 70 and draw the cover 20 into the housing 25. To reduce the possibility of the track-engaging means of the cover 20 binding in the tracks 21, preferably the cover assembly includes left and right cables 88 as shown in FIG. 5 to balance the force applied by the springs to the cover 20.

My cover assembly may also be adapted to cover a swimming pool. Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the case of a rectangular swimming pool, denoted by the numeral 80, the tracks 21 can be mounted in the overflow troughs 83 along the sides 81 of the pool 80 and the housing 25 can be mounted in the overflow trough 83 at one end of the pool 80. The tracks 21 are preferably attached to the sides 81 of the pool 80 by bolts 84, as shown in hidden outline in FIG. 8. The wider the pool

80, the more likely it is that the panels 24 will sag.

To minimize sag, the rods 32 should span the entire width of the cover 20 and the panels 24 should be reinforced, for example by longitudinal I-beams (not shown) .

Non-rectangular swimming pools can also be covered by my cover assembly provided that the tracks 24 are mounted to the poolside surface. For example, FIG. 9 shows my cover assembly in closed position covering a kidney-shaped pool 81 (denoted by the dotted line) . In order to reduce the risk of injury to the feet of persons may be installed adjacent to and overlying each of the tracks 21, as may be seen in FIG. 10, which edging 90 is preferably made of concrete.

Because of the relatively large size of my cover assembly when adapted to cover a swimming pool, it is particularly desired that it include reversible electric motor drive means for opening and closing the cover. With reference now to FIG. 11, in the preferred embodiment at least every other panel 24 has an end cap attached to its left and right ends having grooves 92 adapted for receiving the worm of a worm gear 93. The reversible electric motor drive means preferably includes a reversible motor (not shown) controlled by electric switch means (not shown) , the drive shaft of which motor is mechanically coupled to a worm gear 93 such that rotation of the shaft of the motor causes the worm gear 93 to rotate, whereby translational motion is imparted to the panels 24. The electric switch means preferably includes a limit switch placed at the rear end of the cover assembly for disconnecting electric power from the electric motor when the cover is moved to the closed position. The electric switch means may also include a manual switch with infra-red detector capable of sending an infra-red signal to an infra-red sensor electrically connected to the electric switch in the motor circuit so that the opening and closing of the cover can be controlled at a position remote from the cover assembly. In order to facilitate the movement of the cover manually in the event of an electric power failure, the assembly preferably also includes automatic means for reversibly engaging and disengaging the worm gear from the end caps of the panels corresponding with the application and discontinuance of a source of electric power to the motor, respectively. Such means are known in the prior art in the form of electric relays for actuating the reversible pivoting of an electric motor.

In an alternative embodiment, my cover assembly is adapted to cover one side and a portion of the top of an airline baggage trailer. With reference to FIG. 12, an airline baggage trailer 94 is shown equipped with my cover assembly shown in the open position. The tracks 21 have a straight vertical portion 95 mounted on one side of the trailer, a straight horizontal portion 96 mounted on the top portion of the trailer, and a curved portion 97 connecting the vertical portion 95 and the horizontal portion 96. Since the cover assembly for this application is mounted partially in a vertical /~~- position, the cover assembly preferably includes spring means as described above .

As may be seen by reference to FIG. 18 , which is a f ront cutaway perspective view of a garage , denoted generally by the numeral 57 , as seen from above and to the right, my cover assembly can be adapted to serve as a garage door wherein each of the tracks 21 include a- lower vertical portion 95 attached to the vertical frame members 54 of the garage , a horizontal portion 96 , and a curved portion 9 7 intermediate the vertical and ho r i z o nt a l po rtions . The hous ing 25 is mounted horizontally across the ends of the horizontal portions

96 and with its slot 38 adjacent thereto. Again, since the c over i s r e lat i ve ly large and is installed vertically , the cover as sembly preferably includes spring means .

For covering a garage door opening , the cover as sembly can inc lude latch means to lock the cover assembly in the closed position; more generally, when my cover assembly includes latch means it can serve as a security door to cover any opening in a bui lding structure . When my cover assembly is used to cover an area or open body of any motor vehicle, it should include latch means to lock the cover in the closed position so that the cover will not move to the open position if the vehicle is brought to a sudden stop.

Bathtub enclosures are sometimes equipped with a pair of sliding doors in lieu of a shower curtain for preventing shower and bath water f rom wetting the adjacent floor. A bathtub 120 and shower 121 combination with enclosure is shown in FIG . 19 having a pair of vertical s liding doors 122 of the well known kind. Cleaning the bathtub 120 is made more difficult by the presence of the sliding doors 122 because any person who prefers not to stand in the bathtub 120 while cleaning it either has to remove the doors first or reach around the doors for access to the interior surface 123 of the bathtub 120 . This problem can be eliminated by substituting my cover assembly for the sliding doors . Referring now to FIG . 20 , a bathtub enclosure is shown equipped with my cover assembly wherein the housing 25 is mounted horizontally across the top of the opening of the enc losure with its s lot 38 facing down towards the bathtub 120 . Straight left and right tracks 21 are mounted on the vertical f rame members 55 of the enclosure. The cover 20 is shown in the partially closed or frosted translucent plastic. Referring now to FIG. 21, a cross-sectional view of the exterior wall of the bathtub of FIG. 20 is shown with the cover 20 in the closed position. In order to prevent water from dripping from the bottommost panel 113 to the adjacent floor, a molding 130 with an upstanding edge 131 is mounted on the top of the exterior wall of the bathtub 120 below and parallel to the slot of the housing 25. Preferably, the track-engaging means consists of guide clips 50 attached to the ends of the rods 32; see FIG. 17. With my cover assembly so mounted with the cover 20 in the open position, the bathtub 120 is fully accessible for clean¬ ing.

When my cover assembly is used to cover a vertical opening where the cover need not be particularly strong or theftproof, such as when covering the opening of a bathtub enclosure, the rods and track-engaging means can be eliminated. Referring now to FIG. 22, a longitudinal cross-section of the cover 20 of an alternative embodiment of my cover assembly adapted to cover such a vertical opening or area is shown. Each panel 24 has a cylindrical edge portion 130 and an opposite arcuate edge portion 132 that rotatably receives the cylindrical edge portion of the adjacent panel 24. The arcuate edge portion 132 is annular in cross-section except that a sector thereof having included angle 45 degrees, more or less, is excised therefrom to permit limited rotation of adjacent panels 24 at their junctures with respect to each other. Each said excised sector is disposed opposite the adjacent flat portion of the panel, and symmetrically with respect thereto, thereby allowing the panels 24 to form a substantially flat cover when the cover 20 is in the closed position, but also allowing the panels 24 to slide through the spiral grooves 65 so that the cover assumes a spiral configuration when the cover is placed in the open position. As shown in FIG. 22, the panels should be positioned so that the said excised sectors of the arcuate edge portions 132 face downward so as to encourage the cover to shed water. It will be understood that the tracks and the housing (not shown) are mounted over the vertical opening or area in the same manner as described hereinabove in connection with covering a bathtub enclosure: that is, the housing is mounted horizontally across the top of the opening or area with its slot facing downward and with the outermost portions of the spiral grooves adjacent to the upper ends of the tracks. This embodiment of my cover assembly is not recommended for covering horizontal areas or openings as the cover would tend to leak if left in a horizontal position; nor is it recommended where a high strength or theftproof cover is required. Whenever the panels can be made from light weight materials, such as plastic, the spring means is also unnecessary.

My cover assembly can also cover the top^' of a trailer of a tractor-trailer combination. Referring now to FIG. 13, a tractortrailer denoted generally by the numeral 100 is shown in longitudinal section. The trailer 101 includes a floor 102, a front 103, and two parallel sides 104. For this application, each track 21 includes a straight vertical portion 95 mounted on the front 103 of the trailer 101, a horizontal portion 96 mounted on the top portion of the side 104, and a curved portion 97 connecting the vertical portion 95 and the horizontal portion 96. The housing 25 is mounted across the upper interior of the front portion of the trailer with its slot 38 perpendicular to the sides 104 and facing the floor 102 of the trailer 101. A cylindrical roller guide 106 is rotatably mounted between the sides 104 in the lower interior of the front portion of the trailer 101, parallel to and directly below the slot 38. The cover 20 extends downward through the slot 38 toward and around the roller guide 106, thence upward and through the vertical portion 95 of the track 21, thence through the curved portion 97 and along the horizontal portion 96 to the rear 105 of the trailer 101. For covering a trailer 101, my cover assembly preferably also includes the electric motor drive means and reversible means for disengaging the worm gear 93 from the end caps 91 as described hereinabove; see also FIG. 11. The number of turns in the spiral grooves 65 will vary depending on the length of the trailer, but when two inch wide panels are employed will generally be between 12 and 15.

FIG. 14 shows my cover assembly adapted to serve as an awning with the cover in the extended position. The assembly here includes a housing 25 and a cover 20 but no tracks. The housing 25 is horizontally mounted on the vertical surface 110 that is to be shielded from sun and/or rain. The assembly also includes means for supporting the cover 20 at a fixed angle with respect to the vertical surface 110 when the cover 20 is pulled out of the housing 25 from the retracted to the extended position. Preferably, the means for supporting the cover 20 includes left and ri ht main su ort braces 111 /S left and right secondary support braces 112, each brace

111,112 being hingedly attached at one end to the vertical surface 110 adjacent to the left and right sides of the cover 20 and below the housing 25, respectively. The opposite ends of the left and right main support braces 111 are attached to the bottommost panel 113 of the cover 20. The left and right secondary support braces 112 are hingedly attached to the vertical surface 110 at points intermediate the housing 25 and the left and right main support braces 111, respectively. The opposite ends of the left and right secondary support braces 112 are slidably attached to the left and right main support braces 111, respectively. When the cover 20 is in the retracted position it is wound into a spiral configuration inside the housing 25, and the main and secondary support braces 111,112 are vertical and flush against the vertical surface 110. When the cover is pulled to an extended position, the left and right support braces 111,112 extend away from the vertical surface 110 to support the cover 20.

Referring now to FIG. 15, an enlarged fragmentary perspective view is shown of the left ends of three panels 24 of my cover assembly adapted to serve as an awning. For this application, my cover assembly further includes guide clips 115 fitted over the exposed portions of the rods 32. The guide clips 115 must be of a suitable size and shape to slide smoothly through the spiral grooves 65 of the housing 25. Preferably, as may be seen in FIG. 16, each guide clip 115 includes two adjacent cylindrical recesses 116 for receiving the exposed ends of two adjacent rods 32 (shown in hidden outline) .

While the preferred embodiments of my cover assembly have been illustrated and described above, it will be understood that numerous changes might be resorted to without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A cover assembly for covering an open body or area comprising a cover, a pair of parallel tracks of C-shaped cross-section upon which the cover is transversely mounted, and a housing for receiving and storing the cover when the cover is moved forward from the closed position to the open position, said cover having a plurality of rectangular panels successively disposed adjacent and parallel to one another, each panel having a

Claims

first semi-cylindrical edge portion and a second semi-cylindrical edge portion having a radius larger than the radius of the first edge portion, said first edge portion being concentric with and rotatably received by said second edge portion of the adjacent panel, a plurality of rods, a rod being inserted into each cylindrical space defined by concentric edge portions of two adjacent panels and extending outwardly thereof, and track-engaging means attached to each end of the rods, said housing having top, bottom, front and rear portions, and two parallel side portions, which top, bottom, front, rear and side portions cooperate to define a transverse slot to permit the movement of the cover therethrough and create a substantially water-tight space, each of the said side portions having a spiral groove on its interior surface the outermost portion of which groove is disposed adjacent to the one end of a track for guiding the cover into a spiral configuration when the cover is moved from the closed to the open position.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the track-engaging means are wheels rotatably mounted on the ends of the rods for rolling movement within the tracks.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1 further comprising latch means for locking the cover in the closed position.

4. The cover assembly of claim 1 further comprising water seal means for preventing water leakage between the tracks and the surfaces adjacent to the open body or area upon which the assembly is mounted.

5. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of the housing includes a weep hole for drainage.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1 further comprising spring means for urging the cover from the closed to the open position.

7. The cover assembly of claim 6 wherein the spring means comprises an axle rotatably inserted through the sides of the housing and centered with respect to the spiral grooves thereof, the length of said axle being greater than the width of the housing such that the exposed ends of the axle extend outwardly from the sides of the housing, at least one reversible spring mounted on the exterior surface of each of the sides of e /7 housing, wherein each spring has one end connected to the exterior surface of one side of the housing and an opposite end attached to an exposed end of the axle, and means for attaching the cover to the axle.

8. The cover assembly of claim 7 wherein the means for attaching the cover to the axle comprises at least one cable, which cable has one end attached to the forwardmost panel and one end attached to the axle, whereby rotation of the axle due to the urging of the springs causes the cable to wind about the axle and the cover to move forward and into the spiral grooves.

9. The cover assembly of claim 8 wherein the means for attaching the cover to the axle comprises a first cable having one end attached to the left portion of the axle and its opposite end attached to the left portion of the forwardmost panel, and a second cable having one end attached to the right portion of the axle and its opposite end attached to the right portion of the forwardmost panel.

10. The cover assembly of claim 1 adapted to cover a swimming pool, further comprising reversible electric motor drive means for opening and closing the cover.

11. The cover assembly of claim 10 wherein at least one end portion of at least every other panel has grooves adapted for receiving the worm of a worm gear, and wherein the reversible electric motor drive means comprises a reversible electric motor having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to a worm gear, which worm gear engages the grooves of the panels, whereby the cover can be alternately opened and closed by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor drive shaft.

12. The cover assembly of claim 10 wherein the tracks are adapted for installation in the overflow troughs of the sides of a rectangular-shaped swimming pool, and the housing is adapted for installation in the overflow trough of one end of the pool.

13. The cover assembly of claim 10 wherein the tracks are adapted for installation on poolside surfaces adjacent to a swimming pool, and further comprising a contoured edging installed adjacent to and overlying each of the tracks, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the feet of persons who walk on the poolside surface.

14. The cover assembly of claim 11 further comprising an axle rotatably inserted through the sides of the housing and centered with respect to the spiral grooves thereof, the length of said axle being greater than the width of the housing such that the exposed ends of the axle extend outwardly from the sides of the housing, and at least one reversible spring mounted on the exterior surface of each of the sides of the housing, wherein each spring has one end attached to one side of the housing and an opposite end attached to an exposed end of the axle, whereby the cover is maintained taut in the closed position.

15. The cover assembly of claim 1 adapted to cover one side and a portion of the top of an airport baggage trailer, said tracks having a straight vertical portion, a straight horizontal portion, and a curved portion connecting vertical and horizontal portions.

16. A cover assembly adapted to serve as an awning for mounting on a vertical surface, comprising a cover, a housing attached to the vertical surface for receiving and storing the cover when the cover is moved from the extended up to the retracted position, means for support¬ ing the cover in its extended position at an angle with respect to the vertical surface, and guide clips mounted on the ends of the rods for sliding movement within the spiral grooves, said cover having a plurality of rectan¬ gular panels successively disposed adjacent and parallel to one another, each panel having a first s emi - cylindrical edge portion and a second semi-cylindrical edge portion having a radius larger than the radius of the first edge portion, said first edge portion being concentric with and rotatably received by the second edge portion of the adjacent panel, a plurality of rods, a rod being inserted into each cylindrical space defined by the concentric edge portions of two adjacent panels and extending outwardly thereof, said housing having top, bottom, front and rear portions and two parallel side portions, which top, bottom, front, rear and side portions cooperate to define a transverse slot to permit the movement of the cover therethrough and create a substantially water-tight space, each of the surface the outermost portion of which groove is disposed adjacent to the slot for guiding the cover into a spiral configuration when the cover is moved from the extended position to the retracted position.

17. The awning of claim 16 wherein the means for supporting the cover at an angle with respect to the vertical surface comprises left and right main support braces and left and right secondary support braces, the left and right main support braces each being hingedly attached at one end to the vertical surfaces adjacent to the left and right sides of the cover assembly and below the housing, respectively, and said left and right main support braces being attached at their opposite ends to the left and right portions of the leading edge of the cover, and the left and right secondary support braces each being hingedly attached at one end to the vertical surface at points intermediate the housing and the left and right main support braces, respectively, the said left and right secondary support braces having their opposite ends slidably attached to the left and right main support braces, respectively.

18. The awning of claim 16 wherein the guide clips include two cylindrical recesses for receiving the ends of adjacent rods.

19. The cover assembly of claim 2 adapted to cover a door opening for a garage or the like, wherein the tracks have lower vertical portions that are mounted on the vertical frame members of the opening, upper horizontal portions, and curved portions intermediate the vertical and horizontal portions, and the housing is mounted horizontally across the ends of the horizontal portions of the tracks and with its slot disposed adjacent thereto.

20. The cover assembly of claim 9 adapted to cover a door opening of a garage or the like, wherein the tracks have lower vertical portions that are mounted on the vertical frame members of the opening, upper horizontal portions , and curved portions intermediate the vertical and horizontal portions, and the housing is mounted horizontally between the horizontal portions of the tracks and with its slot disposed adjacent thereto, and wherein the track-engaging means are wheels rotatably mounted on the ends of the rods for rolling movement within the tracks.

21. The cover assembly of claim 20, wherein at least one end portion of at least every other panel has grooves adapted for receiving the worm of the worm gear, and further comprising a reversible electric motor having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the worm gear, which worm gear engages the grooves of the panels, whereby the cover can be alternately opened and closed by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor drive shaft.

22. The cover assembly of claim 2 adapted to cover the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer having a floor, front, and two ≤'ides, further comprising reversible electric motor drive means for opening and closing the cover and a roller guide mounted athwart the lower interior of the front portion of the trailer, wherein each of the tracks includes a vertical portion mounted on the interior surface of the front of the trailer, a horizontal portion mounted on the top of the sides of the trailer, and a curved portion intermediate the vertical and horizontal portions, the housing is mounted in the upper interior of the front portion of the trailer with its slot parallel to the roller guide and facing.to the rear of the trailer, and the cover in its closed position extends from the housing downward and around the roller guide, thence upwards parallel to the front of the trailer, and thence rearward over the top portion of the trailer to the rear end of the trailer.

23. The cover assembly of claim 22 wherein at least one end portion of at least every other panel has grooves adapted for receiving the worm of the worm gear , and wherein the reversible electric motor drive means comprises a reversible electric motor having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the worm gear , which worm gear engages the grooves of the panels , whereby the cover can be alternately opened and closed by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor drive shaft.

24 . The cover assembly of claim 1 adapted to cover the opening of a bathtub enclosure further comprising a molding with an up- standing lip for attachment to the top of the exterior wall of the bathtub below and parallel to the slot of the housing.

25. A cover assembly adapted to cover any vertical area or opening, comprising a cover, a pair of parallel tracks - - transversely mounted, and a housing for reeelvmg and storing the cover when the cover is moved up from the closed position to the open position, said cover having a plurality of rectangular panels successively disposed adjacent and parallel to one another, each panel having a flat central portion, a cylindrical edge portion and an opposite arcuate edge portion, said cylindrical edge portion of each panel being rotatably received by the arcuate edge portion of the adjacent panel, said arcuate edge portion having an annular cross-section from which a sector thereof having included angle of about 45 degrees is excised, said sector being disposed symmetrically opposite the adjacent flat portion of the panel, said housing having top, bottom, front and rear portions, and two parallel side portions, which top, bottom, front, rear and side portions cooperate to define a ^'transverse slot to permit the movement of the cover therethrough and create a substantially water-tight space, each of the said side portions having a spiral groove on its interior surface the outermost portion of which groove is disposed adjacent to the upper end of a track for guiding the cover into a spiral configuration when the cover is moved from the closed to the open position.