Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
RETRACTABLE CANOPY
Technical Field
100011 The present disclosure relates to canopies for buildings and other
structures, and in
particular to retractable canopies.
Background
[0002] Many structures, and especially outdoor structures such as gazebos and
pergolas, are
provided with canopies to provide shade and/or shelter. At times, however, it
may be desirable
for such structures to be uncovered. To accommodate the desire for certain
structures to be
covered at some times and uncovered at other times, some manufacturers provide
retractable
or otherwise adjustable canopies. Such canopies may be retracted (to leave all
or part of the
structure uncovered) and/or extended (or cover all or part of the structure),
as desired.
[0003] Retractable canopies are commonly constructed according to particular
dimensions,
may be laborious to assemble, and/or may require a certain degree of precision
in assembly
and installation to provide for smooth operation. These characteristics of
prior art canopies
may reduce the convenience of retractable canopies for some users. For
example, these
characteristics of prior art canopies may be disadvantageous for users who
wish to install a
canopy in a structure with dimensions which do not correspond to those of the
canopy, or for
users who lack experience in canopy assembly and installation.
[0004] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related
thereto are intended to
be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will
become apparent to
those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of
the drawings.
Summary
[0005] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and
illustrated in
conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary
and illustrative,
not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-
described problems
1
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other
improvements.
[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a retractable canopy, a kit
of parts for
assembling a retractable canopy, and a method for assembling a retractable
canopy. The
retractable canopy comprises first and second tracks extending in a
longitudinal direction and
spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction. A first support
extends transversely
between the first and second tracks. The canopy further comprises mounts for
movably
coupling the first support to the first and second tracks. The mounts comprise
a first mount for
movably coupling the first support to the first track. The first mount
comprises an engagement
member engaged to the first track and a bias mechanism coupled between the
engagement
member and the first support. The first bias mechanism resiliently forces the
engagement
member transversely away from the first support. The canopy further comprises
a flexible
canopy panel, at least a first portion of which is coupled to the first
support.
[0007] In some embodiments, the engagement member comprises a wheel and the
first track
comprises a track cavity for receiving the wheel. The wheel may be movable in
the
longitudinal direction within the track cavity.
[0008] In some embodiments, the first track comprises a protrusion extending
into the track
cavity. The protrusion extends along the first track in the longitudinal
direction. A
circumferential surface of the wheel comprises a groove shaped to receive the
protrusion
during movement of the wheel in the longitudinal direction within the track
cavity. The
protrusion may comprise a convex surface and the groove may comprise a concave
surface
which is shaped to be complementary to the convex surface. In some
embodiments, the first
track comprises a groove and the circumferential surface of the wheel
comprises a protrusion.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first support comprises a transversely opening
mounting
cavity for receiving the mount and a transversely opening panel cavity for
receiving at least a
portion of the canopy panel. The panel cavity may extend in the transverse
direction along the
2
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
first support. The first support may define a panel aperture extending in the
transverse
direction along a surface of the first support. The canopy panel may comprise
a panel retainer
coupled to the first end of the canopy panel. The panel retainer may extend in
the transverse
direction and be retained in the panel cavity. The panel retainer may have a
retainer dimension
in a cross-sectional direction greater than an aperture dimension of the panel
aperture in the
cross-sectional direction. The canopy panel may pass through the panel
aperture.
[0010] In some embodiments, the canopy comprises a second support and a second
canopy
panel. The second support extends transversely between the first and second
tracks. At least a
portion of the second canopy panel is coupled to the second support. The
second canopy panel
comprises a second panel retainer extending in the transverse direction and
retained in the
panel cavity of the first support. A second retainer dimension of the second
panel retainer in
the cross-sectional direction is greater than the aperture dimension of the
panel aperture in the
cross-sectional direction, and the sum of the retainer dimension and second
retainer dimension
is less than a dimension of the panel cavity of the first support in the cross-
sectional direction.
100111 In some embodiments, the mount comprises a cap. The cap comprises a
body abutting
a first transverse end of the first support and a retention member. The
retention member
extends transversely into the mounting cavity and retained by the first
support.
[0012] The cap may define an axle cavity extending in the transverse
direction. In some
embodiments, the bias mechanism may comprise an axle, an axle stop, and a
spring. The axle
is coupled at a first axle portion to the engagement member and at a second
axle portion to the
cap. The first axle portion is slidably movable relative to the second axle
portion and the
second axle portion is received by the axle cavity. The axle stop is coupled
to the second axle
portion and the cap. The spring is positioned between and retained by the
first axle portion and
the axle stop. The spring resiliently biases the first axle portion away from
the axle stop and
towards the track cavity.
[0013] In some embodiments, the cap defines an axle cavity extending in the
transverse
3
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
direction and the bias mechanism comprises an axle, a stop defined in the axle
cavity by the
cap, and a spring. The axle is coupled at a first axle portion to the
engagement member and at
a second axle portion to the cap. The first axle portion is fixed relative to
the second axle
portion, and the second axle portion is retained in the axle cavity. A spring
is positioned
between and retained by the second axle portion and the stop. The spring
resiliently biases the
axle away from the stop and toward the track cavity.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first support comprises a magnet. The magnet
attracts the
first support to the second support.
[0015] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,
further aspects
and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study
of the
following detailed descriptions.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the
drawings. It is
intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be
considered illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0017] Figure lA is a perspective view of an example structure with an example
retractable
canopy, shown from above.
[0018] Figure 1B is a perspective view of the example structure with an
example retractable
canopy of Figure 1A, shown from below.
[0019] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the example retractable canopy of
Figure 1A, shown
from above.
[0020] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the example retractable canopy of
Figure IA, shown
from below.
[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the example retractable canopy of
Figure lA with the
4
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
track omitted, thereby exposing example mounts attached to example supports.
[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the example mount of Figure 3.
[0023] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the example mount of Figure
3.
[0024] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the example support of Figure 3.
[0025] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example cap shown in Figure 5,
shown from a
different perspective than in Figure 5.
Description
[0026] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in
order to provide a
more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known
elements
may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the
disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an
illustrative,
rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0027] Aspects of the present disclosure provide retractable canopies, kits of
parts for
assembling retractable canopies, and methods for assembling and operating
retractable
canopies. The retractable canopies provide tracks extending in a longitudinal
direction and
transversely spaced apart. A support extends in a transverse direction between
the tracks and is
moveably coupled to the tracks via mounts to the tracks. The mounts include
engagement
members, such as wheels, to engage with the tracks. The engagement members may
be biased
transversely away from the support (e.g. toward the track), thereby permitting
the engagement
members to adjust their transverse positions relative to the support as the
support moves along
the track.
[0028] Figure lA and Figure 1B (individually and collectively "Figure 1") show
an example
structure 10. The depicted structure 10 is a pergola, although those skilled
in the art will
appreciate that a variety of structures may be suitable for the purposes of
the present
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
disclosure. Structure 10 comprises a lattice of longitudinal braces 12
intersecting with
transverse braces 14. Braces 12, 14 are supported by legs 16, which also
support frame 18
(which, in this example, comprises additional braces offset from braces 12,
14). Canopy 20 is
supported by frame 18 (which may comprise braces 12, 14). Those skilled in the
art will
appreciate that canopy 20 may be otherwise supported; for example, a portion
of canopy 20
may be affixed to a surface of an adjacent structure, such as a wall of a
building.
[0029] Figure 2A and Figure 2B (individually and collectively "Figure 2") show
the example
canopy 20 of Figure 1 and omit structure 10, for clarity. Canopy 20 comprises
supports 22
which extend in transverse direction 8 and support panels 24. Supports 22 may
comprise rods,
tubes, bars, and/or other geometries and may be straight, curved, and/or
otherwise shaped, so
long as supports 22 are capable of supporting panels 24. Supports 22 may be
made of any
suitable material, such as plastics, metals, and/or other materials. Supports
22 may be
relatively more rigid (i.e. less deformable) than panels 24. In some
embodiments, supports 22
comprise aluminum tubes.
[0030] Supports 22 may be of any suitable dimension. For example, in some
embodiments,
supports 22 may extend approximately 2 to 6 meters in transverse direction 8.
For instance,
supports 22 may extend approximately 391.8 cm (154.25 inches) in transverse
direction 8.
Supports 22 may be telescoping, resilient, or otherwise capable of changing
their dimension in
transverse direction 8. Supports 22 may comprise tubes having a radial
diameter of 1.5875 cm
(0.625 inches) and a wall thickness of 0.16 cm (0.063 inches).
[0031] Panels 24 are supported by and extend between supports 22. Canopy 20
may comprise
one or more panels 24. In some embodiments, canopy 20 comprises a single panel
24
supported by each of a plurality of supports 22. For example, panels 24 may be
threaded
through channels in some or all supports 22. In some embodiments, canopy 20
comprises a
plurality of panels 24, each panel 24 supported by a subset of the plurality
of supports 22. For
example, each panel 24 may be supported by a pair of supports 22 which are
adjacent to one
6
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
another in longitudinal direction 6. For instance, as shown in Figure 2A,
example panel 24A
may be coupled at a first end to first support 22A and at a second end to
second support 22B;
other panels 24 may be similarly coupled at opposing ends to supports 22 which
are adjacent
to one another in longitudinal direction 6. Such multi-panel embodiments may
permit canopy
20 to be relatively easily expanded in longitudinal direction 6, which may
assist in allowing
for relatively rapid assembly of canopy 20.
[0032] Supports 22 supporting panels 24 may move relative to other supports
22. Panels 24
may be designed to accommodate relative movement of supports 22 while panels
24 are being
supported by supports 22. For example, panels 24 may comprise a flexible
material, as
depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Alternatively, or in addition, panels 24
may comprise rigid
materials which telescope, overlap, or are otherwise capable of reducing or
expanding their
dimension in longitudinal direction 6 to permit relative movement of supports
22. Panels 24
may be made of any material suitable for a canopy, such as transparent,
translucent, or opaque
materials; fabrics; plastics; metals; and/or other materials. For example,
panels 24 may
comprise an acrylic-coated polyester or other material providing sufficient
tensile strength,
water repellence, mildew resistance, ultraviolet light resistance, and/or
other qualities. For
instance, panels 24 may be made from Harbor-Time fabrics.
[0033] Supports 22 are coupled to tracks 26 via mounts 30. Tracks 26 are
spaced apart from
one another in transverse direction 8 and extend in longitudinal direction 6.
Supports 22
extend in transverse direction 8 between tracks 26. One or more of supports 22
are movable
relative to tracks 26 in longitudinal direction 6. Tracks 26 may comprise any
suitable shape
and dimension for the mounting of supports 22 via a mount. For example, tracks
26 may
comprise rails, gaskets, sliding tracks, channels, bars, tubes, and/or other
geometries and may
be straight, curved, and/or otherwise shaped, so long as supports 22 are able
to be coupled to
and move along the length of tracks 26 in longitudinal direction 6. Tracks 26
may be made of
any suitable material, such as plastics, metals, and/or other materials. In
some embodiments,
tracks 26 comprise aluminum channels.
7
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
[0034] Tracks 26 may be of any suitable dimension. For example, tracks 26 may
be
approximately 1 to 5 meters long in longitudinal direction 6. For instance,
tracks 26 may be
approximately 2.5 m (approximately 8 feet) long in longitudinal direction 6.
Tracks 26 may be
shorter or longer, as appropriate, and/or multiple tracks 26 may be arranged
in series to
provide for a greater dimension in longitudinal direction 6.
[0035] Figure 3 shows an example canopy 20 with tracks 26 omitted, thereby
exposing
example mounts 30. In the example embodiment of Figure 3, mounts 30 extend in
transverse
directions 8 from the ends of supports 22. In some embodiments, each mount 30
comprises an
engagement member 32 that engages track 26. Engagement member 32 may be
moveable in
transverse direction 8 relative to support 22 while engaged with track 26.
Thus, as support 22
moves relative to track 26 in longitudinal direction 6, movement of engagement
member 32
toward or away from support 22 may compensate for variations in the distance
between
opposing tracks 26 in the transverse direction (e.g. if tracks 26 are not
perfectly parallel, or if a
particular track 26 has some irregularity in its shape).
[0036] In some embodiments, engagement member 32 may be biased (e.g. forced)
away from
support 22 and toward track 26. Such biasing may assist, for example, in
providing smoother
motion of supports 22 as they move relative to tracks 26 in longitudinal
direction 6. In some
embodiments, one or more supports 22 each have a plurality of mounts 30 with
biased
engagement members 32 (e.g. mounts 30 may be coupled to supports 22 at
opposing
transverse ends 61, shown in Figure 5). In some embodiments, one or more
supports 22 each
have exactly one mount 30 with a biased engagement member 32 coupling the
support to a
first track 26. Those singly-biased supports 22 may each have one or more
additional mounts
30 with unbiased engagement members 32, and/or maybe otherwise coupled to
other tracks
26. Such additional mounts 30 may be designed to allow transverse movement of
their
respective unbiased engagement members 32 while engaged with track 26, thereby
enabling
the biasing action of biased engagement members 32 to cooperate with the
movement of
unbiased engagement members 32 to bias support 22 in transverse direction 8.
8
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
[0037] Figure 4 shows the example mount 30 of Figure 3 in greater detail. In
Figure 4, mount
30 is shown engaged in track 26. The example mount 30 comprises an engagement
member 32
engaged in a cavity 36 of track 26. Engagement member 32 is coupled to bias
mechanism 40,
which biases engagement member 32 in transverse direction 8 away from
transverse end 61 of
support 22 (e.g. toward track 26). Bias mechanism 40 is coupled to support 22,
thereby
coupling engagement member 32 to support 22. Bias mechanism 40 is shown in
greater detail
in Figure 5.
[0038] In the example embodiment of Figure 4, engagement member 32 comprises a
wheel
32A and bias mechanism 40 comprises an axle 41 and a cap 50. Wheel 32A is
rotatably
coupled to axle 41, which is biased against and extends from cap 50 in
transverse direction 8.
In some embodiments, engagement member 32 (e.g. wheel 32A) is shaped to
complement one
or more features of track 26. For example, in the Figure 4 embodiment, track
26 comprises a
protrusion 33 and wheel 32A comprises a circumferential groove 34 which may
receive
protrusion 33 as wheel 32A rolls in longitudinal direction 6 in cavity 36. For
instance,
protrusion 33 may have a convex surface complementary to a corresponding
concave surface
of groove 34. In some embodiments, this may be reversed. For example, track 26
may
comprise one or more suitably shaped concavities which are complementary to
one or more
suitably shaped convexities on engagement member 32.
[0039] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of an example mount 30, shown between
track 26
and support 22. In particular, Figure 5 shows components of an example bias
mechanism 40
and an example cap 50 in greater detail. The example bias mechanism 40
comprises a bearing
38 coupled to axle 41, which extends from cap 50. Axle 41 is coupled to
engagement member
32 at one end and cap 50 is coupled to support 22 at an opposing end.
[0040] In some embodiments, at least a portion of axle 41 is movable in
transverse direction 8
relative to transverse end 61 of support 22. For example, axle 41 may be
extendable (e.g.
telescopically), thereby permitting the movement of a first portion 46 of axle
41 (to which
9
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
wheel 32A may be coupled) relative to a second portion 47 of axle 41 (which
may be coupled
to cap 50). As another example, axle 41 may be of fixed dimension in
transverse direction 8,
and axle 41 as a whole may be moveable in transverse direction 8 relative to
transverse end 61
of support 22. This movement of at least a portion of axle 41 may be biased in
transverse
direction 8 away from transverse end 61 of support 22 (e.g. towards track 26).
[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, axle 41 comprises a first portion 46 and
a second portion
47. First portion 46 slides over second portion 47 and second portion 47 is
received in a
transversely oriented bore of first portion 46, thereby permitting axle 41 to
telescope by
relative transverse movement between first and second portions 46, 47. First
portion 46 has a
first surface 42 on which wheel 32A (or other engagement member 32) may be
coupled.
Wheel 32A may be retained on first surface 42 by any suitable mechanism, such
as C-clip 37.
A bearing 38 may be coupled to second surface 44 of first portion 46 and may
bear against
wheel 32A to provide smooth rotational motion.
[0042] The telescoping motion of axle 41 may be biased (e.g. forced) away from
transverse
end 61 of support 22, e.g. as described above. In some embodiments, a spring
52 is retained by
axle 41 and biases first portion 46 away from transverse end 61. For example,
spring 52 may
wrap around second portion 47 and be retained between first portion 46 and
stop 48. Stop 48
may be retained in aperture 49. Second portion 47 may be coupled to cap 50 so
that first
portion 46 moves telescopically relative to cap 50 in transverse direction 8.
For example,
second portion 47 may be received in aperture 54 defined in body 56 of cap 50.
Stop 48 may
engage with cap 50 to retain second portion 47 in aperture 54. For example,
stop 48 may be
received in a recess defined by an interior surface of insertion portion 58,
thereby holding stop
48 and axle 46 in place relative to cap 50.
100431 Cap 50 is coupled to transverse end 61 of its corresponding support 22.
For example,
as shown in the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5, cap 50 may comprise an
insertion portion
58 which may be received by and retained in support 22. Insertion portion 58
may comprise a
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
retention member 59 (e.g. a tab 59) which engages support 22 to assist and
retaining insertion
portion 58 in support 22.
[0044] Panels 24 may be coupled the supports 22 by any suitable technique. For
example,
panels 24 may be frictionally gripped (e.g. by clamps coupled to supports 22),
hung (e.g. by
hooks coupled to supports 22 engaged in apertures defined in panels 22),
retained (e.g. as
shown in Figure 6), or otherwise coupled to supports 22.
[0045] In some embodiments, mount 30 comprises a flange 70. Flanges 70 on
adjacent
supports 22 may abut each other (e.g. while canopy 20 is retracted), thereby
spacing apart
supports 22 and their corresponding engagement members 32. This may prevent
adjacent
engagement members 32 from "binding", which may occur when engagement members
32
abut and may inhibit movement of engagement members 32 in track 26.
[0046] Flange 70 may extend in longitudinal direction 6 and/or other
directions extending
radially outward (i.e. in directions orthogonal to transverse direction 8)
from engagement
member 32. For example, in the embodiment depicted in Figures 4 and 5, flange
70 extends
radially outward from insertion portion 58 in nearly all radial directions.
Flange 70 may extend
further radially outward in directions other than longitudinal direction 6
(e.g. extending further
"up" or "down" in the orientation shown in Figure 5). Such a shape may
discourage adjacent
flanges 70 from rotating while such adjacent flanges 70 are abutting (e.g.
while canopy 20 is
retracted). Flanges 70 may thus discourage support 22 from rotating about an
axis parallel to
transverse direction 8 while canopy 20 is retracted. One or more surfaces of
flange 70 may be
sloped, curved, or otherwise shaped to promote a particular orientation of
supports 22 while
canopy 20 is retracted.
[0047] Figure 6 shows an example embodiment of support 22 in cross-section.
The example
support 22 comprises a body 63 which defines a first cavity 62 shaped for
receiving cap 50
(e.g. for receiving insertion portion 58 of cap 50) and a second cavity 64 for
receiving portions
of one or more panels 24. For example, panels 24 may comprise panel retainers
68 which are
11
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
retained in second cavity 64. Panels 24 may extend outside of support 22
through aperture 65,
which may run along a surface of support 22 in transverse direction 8.
Cavities 62, 64 may be
divided by divider 66, which may be shaped to retain one or more panel
retainers 68 in second
cavity 64 and/or to receive insertion portion 58 of cap 50. In some
embodiments, cavities 62,
64 may be in communication with each other; in other embodiments, cavities 62,
64 may be
entirely separated by divider 66. In some embodiments, divider 66 is not
necessary.
100481 In some embodiments, panels 24 may comprise panel retainers 68 having a
dimension
greater than a dimension of aperture 65. For example, a panel retainer 68 may
comprise a cord
sewn along an edge of a panel 24, a seam where panel 24 is folded back on
itself (to provide
additional thickness), a rod attached to an edge of panel 24, and/or any other
suitable shape for
providing a greater dimension to a portion of panel 24. Second cavity 64 may
be open-ended
at one or more of its transverse ends 61 (e.g. where mounts 30 are coupled to
supports 22),
thereby permitting panel retainers 68 to slide into second cavity 64 in
transverse direction 8
through opening 63 (see Figure 5). Mounts 30 may retain panel retainers 68 in
second cavity
64 when coupled to support 22, e.g. by blocking all or part of opening 63.
100491 In some embodiments, aperture 65 has a longitudinal dimension of 0.5 cm
(0.2 inches),
and panel retainers 68, when positioned inside second cavity 64, have a
longitudinal
dimension greater than 0.5 cm (0.2 inches).
[0050] In some embodiments, canopy 20 comprises a leader 80, by which a user
may extend
and/or retract canopy 20. Leader 80 provides a coupling mechanism by which one
or more
supports 22 may be coupled to a mover for moving supports 22. The mover (not
shown) may
comprise any suitable mechanism for providing force to move supports 22, such
as a motor, a
person, etc. For example, leader 80 may comprise lead line 80A of Figure 3
coupled to first
support 22A. A user may couple a handle (not shown) to lead line 80A (e.g. by
passing lead
line 80A through a hooked end of the handle) and pull support 22A in
longitudinal direction 6.
When canopy 20 is being retracted, first support 22A may push other supports
22 in
12
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
longitudinal direction 8. When canopy 20 is being expanded, first support 22A
may pull on
canopy panel(s) 24 coupled thereto, thereby pulling along second support 22B
in longitudinal
direction 8. Likewise, second support 22B may push or pull other supports 22.
[0051] In some embodiments, magnets 72 are coupled to one or more supports 22
for
magnetically attracting other supports 22. For example, each support 22 may be
coupled to a
magnet 72 oriented to attract an oppositely-oriented magnet 72 coupled to an
adjacent support
22. Alternatively, or in addition, some supports 22 may be coupled to magnets
72 for
attracting adjacent supports 22 which comprise magnetically-attractive
materials (e.g. iron,
suitable alloys, etc.). Magnets 72 may be discrete objects coupled to support
22 (as shown, for
example, in Figures 6 and 7) or may be integrally formed with supports 22. For
example,
supports 22 may comprise a ferromagnetic material, and one or more supports 22
may be
magnetized.
[0052] Figure 7 is a perspective view of cap 50, showing the reverse side of
cap 50 (relative to
the view of Figure 5). In the example embodiment depicted in Figures 5 and 7,
cap 50
comprises a cavity 74 for receiving magnet 72. Once received in cavity 74,
magnet 72 may be
retained by retainer 76. Cap 50 may comprise one or more cavities 74 for
retaining magnet 72;
for example, cap 50 may comprise two cavities 74 on opposing sides of cap 50.
Adjacent caps
50 may be provided with oppositely oriented magnets 72 in adjacent cavities
74.
[0053] Aspects of the present disclosure comprise a kit of parts for
assembling canopy 20.
Parts of canopy 20, such as supports 22, canopy panels 24, tracks 26, and/or
mounts 30 (and/or
constituent parts thereof) may be packaged together or separately, coupled or
uncoupled, for
assembly by a user.
[0054] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for assembling
canopy 20. Such
methods may comprise spacing apart tracks 26 appropriately and coupling
supports 22 to
tracks 26 so that tracks 26 and supports 22 extend in longitudinal direction 6
and transverse
direction 8, respectively, as described above. Such methods may further
comprise coupling
13
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
various elements of canopy 20 to each other. For example, the method may
comprise coupling
mount 30 to a support 22 (e.g. via a retention member 59 and aperture 69) and
to track 26 (e.g.
via wheel 32A and protrusion 33). The method may comprise coupling the
elements of mount
30 (e.g. engagement member 32, axle 41, bias mechanism 40, stop 48, cap 50,
flange 70,
and/or other elements) together to form mount 30. The coupling of particular
elements is
described in greater detail above.
Interpretation of Terms
[0055] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the
description and the
claims:
= "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an
inclusive sense, as
opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of
"including,
but not limited to";
= "connected", "coupled", or any variant thereof, means any connection or
coupling,
either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or
connection
between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;
elements
which are integrally formed may be considered to be connected or coupled;
= "herein", "above", "below", and words of similar import, when used to
describe this
specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole, and not to any
particular
portions of this specification;
= "or", in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the
following
interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in
the list, and
any combination of the items in the list;
= the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" also include the meaning of any
appropriate
plural forms.
[0056] Words that indicate directions such as "vertical", "transverse",
"horizontal", "upward",
"downward", "forward", "backward", "inward", "outward", "vertical",
"transverse", "left",
"right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "below", "above", "under", and the
like, used in this
14
CA 02897781 2015-07-17
description and any accompanying claims (where present), depend on the
specific orientation
of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described
herein may assume
various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not
strictly defined
and should not be interpreted narrowly.
[0057] Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described
herein for
purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided
herein can be
applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many
alterations,
modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the
practice of this
invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that
would be
apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing
features,
elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing
and matching of
features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features,
elements
and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements
and/or acts of other
technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from
described
embodiments.
[0058] It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims
hereafter
introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations,
additions,
omissions, and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of
the claims
should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples,
but should be
given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
[0059] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed
above,
those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations,
additions and sub-
combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended
claims and claims
hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications,
permutations, additions
and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
