A canopy for selectively covering an area, such as a sports field includes at least two beams which span the area, at least two cross beams which are displaceable along the beams, a cloth which is attached to the cross beams, a drive which is configured to displace the cross beams with the cloth attached thereto along the beams, and a substantially flexible tensioning member fastened between the cross beams.

There is provided a ceiling panel for a pod room. The ceiling panel comprises one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger. The ceiling panel may provide a specified percentage open area in the open configuration. The ceiling panel may be adapted to acoustically insulate the pod room in the closed configuration.

An assembly for converting motion comprises a first arm and a second arm rotatable about first and second fixed pivots; a third arm pivotably connected to the second arm; a first connecting arm pivotably connected to and extending between the first arm and the third arm; a second connecting arm pivotably connected to and extending between the first arm and the second arm; and a locking assembly comprising a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member connected to one of the arms and engaging with the second locking member at one or more positions from the retracted position to the extended position. The assembly may comprise the guide assembly comprising a guide member and an engagement member moveably engageable with the guide member.

An installation for covering and uncovering a surface includes a series of slats of adjustable inclination supported by pivot pins via a set having a first carriage and a second carriage. A movement system has, for each head slat, movement motors on board the first and second carriages. For the even-numbered slats, firstly a retractable coupling (A) is fastened between the first carriage of said slat and the first carriage belonging to the head slat or to the neighboring slat of lower number, and secondly a drive system (S) is provided for driving the second carriage of said slat in translation. For each odd-numbered slat that is present, a retractable coupling (A) is fastened between the second carriage of said slat and the second carriage belonging to the neighboring slat of lower number, and a drive system (S) is provided for driving the first carriage of said slat in translation.

There is provided an apparatus comprising a roof panel (20) and control system (14), the roof panel comprising one or more cover portions that are moveable between open and closed positions for opening and closing the roof panel. The control system comprises an actuator (40) for moving the cover portions between the open and closed positions, a mains power supply input, and an emergency power store. The control system is configured to receive one or more signals indicative of an emergency, to power the actuator from the mains power supply when the signals indicate there is no emergency, and to power the actuator from the emergency power store when the signals indicate there is an emergency.

A greenhouse has a roof including a plurality of substantially parallel crossbeams, at least two longitudinal sections which are mounted to the crossbeams and extend at a distance from each other in transverse direction of the crossbeams, a transparent foil which is mounted to the longitudinal sections at respective foil attachment locations thereof so as to form a cover between the longitudinal sections. The roof also includes a displacement mechanism for displacing one of the longitudinal sections with respect to the other between a non-foil-stretching position and a foil-stretching position. The distance between the respective foil attachment locations is larger in the foil-stretching position than in the non-foil-stretching position. The displacement mechanism can be operated and is lockable at an upper side of the roof.

A plant cultivation system for a plant factory that cultivates plants. The plant factory has a building with roof and walls, which may be in the form of a greenhouse with a roof and windows that may be opened and closed. A plant factory using the plant cultivation system cultivates plants for harvest and/or sale. The plant factory plant utilizes a trolley conveyor for transport of plants in plant containers. The trolley conveyor uses straight runs of track connected by curved track portions. The straight runs of track of the trolley conveyor are spaced closely together with space only provided for passage of plant containers in a side by side fashion, as no room for workers is necessary. The plant containers take the plant containers to workers in a workshop for planting, cultivation, harvesting of plants or portions thereof, and packaging of plants or portions thereof for shipment. As a result, labor is minimized, and the productivity of the plant factory is increased.

A plant cultivation system for a plant factory that cultivates plants. The plant factory has a building with roof and walls, which may be in the form of a greenhouse with a roof and windows that may be opened and closed. A plant factory using the plant cultivation system cultivates plants for harvest and/or sale. The plant factory plant utilizes a trolley conveyor for transport of plants in plant containers. The trolley conveyor uses straight runs of track connected by curved track portions. The straight runs of track of the trolley conveyor are spaced closely together with space only provided for passage of plant containers in a side by side fashion, as no room for workers is necessary. The plant containers take the plant containers to workers in a workshop for planting, cultivation, harvesting of plants or portions thereof, and packaging of plants or portions thereof for shipment. As a result, labor is minimized, and the productivity of the plant factory is increased.

A trolley conveyor. The trolley conveyor includes: a tubular rail track having a slotted opening at the top. A trolley chain installed to move in the rail track. A hanger is provided for suspending therebelow objects to be transported. The hanger includes a connector at the upper end thereof which extends downward to toward the center of the trolley chain. The trolley chain includes vertical and horizontal rollers in chain units, with vertical rollers in one chain unit and horizontal rollers in an adjacent chain unit. The chain units are pivotally connected for up and down and side to side motion within the track. While the trolley chain moves, the connector avoids contact with the ends of the slot in the track. Thus, the trolley conveyor prevents the generation of noise and foreign substances. Also, the trolley conveyor prevents transfer of dirt, oil, and debris to an object being transported.

Provided is an awning system comprising: a) two vertical tracks; b) two arms, with each arm attached at a first end to one of the vertical tracks, the arm configured to move in a vertical direction and pivot in relation to the track, each arm further configured to be extendible; c) a cross-bar, with each end of the cross-bar attached to a second end of one of the arms; d) a piece of fabric attached at one end to the cross-bar; and e) a holder placed on top of the tracks for holding a second end of the fabric; wherein the awning fabric is configured to be adjusted in both the vertical and the horizontal direction; wherein a user can move the arms vertically and extend the arms to adjust a position of the fabric. Provided is a retractable canopy system comprising: a) a track; b) a frame movably attached to the track; c) a support attached to the frame; d) a connector movably attached to the support, e) two or more rods attached to the connector; f) a canopy piece attached to the rods; wherein the awning is configured to have a stowed and deployed position that are obtained by moving the frame against the track.