The present loading dock rainshield has a self-adjusting, weighted canopy seal with a header projecting from the building to support a flexible, dual fixed-end, downwardly looped, central curtain. The central curtain spans the dominant width of the header and loops from front to back. The center curtain joins with opposed pleated side curtains to compete the front seal. The downwardly looped central curtain has a series of staggered and overlapping weighted baffles proximal its front end. When a trailer backs into the dock, the trailer top engages one or more baffles, which ride up onto the top of the trailer. The elongated weighted baffles push rainwater off the trailer top as it backs into the bay, and remain in forced sealing engagement with the trailer top when it is parked to divert water off the trailer top and prevent the water from flowing or blowing into the bay.

The invention provides equipment for protection from the sun and other weather elements. The equipment comprises container structures that collapse into a closed, compact, highly portable configuration, and unfold into an open position to provide a variety of convenient structures that provide protection from weather elements, and in particular, provide a shaded environment. The invention provides individual shade containers as well as modular multi-container extended shade systems. The compositions of the invention have a variety of uses, including uses as portable shelters for outdoor market vendors and outdoor entertainment. The individual shade containers and the multi-container shade systems are highly customizable to any particular intended use.

The present loading dock rainshield has a self-adjusting, weighted canopy seal with a header projecting from the building to support a flexible, dual fixed-end, downwardly looped, central curtain. The central curtain spans the dominant width of the header and loops from front to back. The center curtain joins with opposed pleated side curtains to compete the front seal. The downwardly looped central curtain has a series of staggered and overlapping weighted baffles proximal its front end. When a trailer backs into the dock, the trailer top engages one or more baffles, which ride up onto the top of the trailer. The elongated weighted baffles push rainwater off the trailer top as it backs into the bay, and remain in forced sealing engagement with the trailer top when it is parked to divert water off the trailer top and prevent the water from flowing or blowing into the bay.

A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes first and second articulating arms comprising first and second ends, the first ends of the articulating arms are mounted upon assembly to a support surface at separate lateral locations. The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms. The lateral arm assembly also comprises a roller tube having spaced lateral ends supporting respective end brackets that provide a second pivotal connection to the second ends of the articulating arms. The roller tube supports a canopy coupled to a roller shaft, wherein one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy.

A retractable and stowable cover is provided for use with an open living space. A lifting mechanism moves a center section from a stored position to a second position where the cover can be used for shade. The shade position allows an expandable shade fabric to be deployed from each side of the center section. The lifting mechanism can then move the center section where it comes down and the shade fabric can then cover and secure the open space.

A tarp support apparatus comprising an elongated structural member configured to support an edge of a tarp extending over a ground area under tension in a stretched orientation including a longitudinally extending track for slidably receiving a plurality of tarp fastener members configured to be secured to the track, wherein the tarp fastener members include a receiving element configured to engage with a fitting such as a grommet connected a tarp for securing an edge of the tarp to the elongated structural member, and in some embodiments also including a diverter member is attachable to the structural member at a location above the track section and extending over the tarp edge and any gaps between the structural member and the tarp edge, and in other embodiments the tarp edge is positioned in a channel of the longitudinally extending track.

A portable and retractable roof having a rotatably retractable cover housed inside a case and attached to a spindle rotatably housed inside the case. The case is removably affixed to a tree trunk by a tree mount disposed as a frame attached to the case and attached to the trunk by a strap. The cover, when extended, is attached to and supported by a frame assembly attached to both the cover and to either the case or the tree mount. A skirt portion removably affixed to the frame assembly is also provided. In use, the cover is rotatably extended out so as to serve as a roof and rotatably retracted to store in the case. A method of use is also provided.

A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes first and second articulating arms comprising first and second ends, the first ends of the articulating arms are mounted upon assembly to a support surface at separate lateral locations. The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms. The lateral arm assembly also comprises a roller tube having spaced lateral ends supporting respective end brackets that provide a second pivotal connection to the second ends of the articulating arms. The roller tube supports a canopy coupled to a roller shaft, wherein one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy.