Covering installation

Abstract

An installation for covering vehicles or other goods includes a first covering structure that defines a first opening for entry of vehicles or devices moving the goods, a second covering structure located under the first structure and defining a second entry opening, the first and the second covering structures being self-supporting, or one being self-supporting while the other one not, at least at its top, wherein at least one of the first or second covering structure is configured to laterally slide along arcs for causing the installation to transition between a first closing condition, in which one of the covering structures closes the opening of the other structure to define a covered space that is closed and separated from the external environment, and a second opening condition, in which the first and the second opening are at least partially radially aligned, thus defining an entry/exit passage into/from the covered space.

Claims

1.-25. (canceled)

26. An installation for covering vehicles, loads, objects, or goods comprising: a first covering structure that is shaped to define a first opening for entry of vehicles or moving devices of the loads, objects, or goods; and a second covering structure, which is located under the first structure and is shaped so define a second entry opening, wherein: the first covering structure and second covering structure are self-supporting, or one of the first or second covering structures is self-supporting while the other one of the first or second covering structures is supported, at least at its top, by the one that is self-supporting structure, and at least one of the first covering structure or the second covering structure is configured to laterally slide along arcs having a same circumference so at to cause the installation to transition between a first closing condition, in which the at least one of the first covering structure or the second covering structure closes the first or the second opening so as to define a covered space that is closed and separated from an external environment, and at least a second opening condition, wherein the first opening and the second opening are at least partially radially aligned, thus defining an entry/exit passage into/from the covered space.

27. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the at least one of the at least one of the first covering structure or the second covering structure is laterally sliding and is supported only in three or more resting points on a ground, the three or more points being separate from each other and translatable along arcs of a circumference so as to cause a movement of the at least one of the first covering structure or the second covering structure, the resting points being disposed as vertices of a polygon, which is inscribed in the circumference defined by the three or more points and includes a center thereof.

28. The installation according to claim 27, wherein one or each of the resting points is slidably engaged on a curved guide, which binds the one or each of the resting points on a respective circumferential arc.

29. The installation according to claim 27, wherein one or both of the first covering structure or the second covering structure rests on the ground only at resting points configured to slide.

30. The installation according to claim 26, wherein one or both of the first or the second opening extends up until the top of the first or the second covering structure.

31. The installation according to claim 26, wherein one or both of the first covering structure or the second covering structure is dome-shaped.

32. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the second covering structure is shaped to be substantially complementary to an inner surface of the first covering structure.

33. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the first covering structure comprises a first frame, which is configured to be self-supporting and to support a first covering element.

34. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the second covering structure comprises a second frame, which is configured to be self-supporting and to support a second covering element (33).

35. The installation (10) according to claim 33, wherein one or both of the first covering element or of a second covering element of the second covering structure, the second covering element being supported by a second frame, comprises a subframe configured to support a covering coating.

36. The installation according to claim 35, wherein one or both of the first frame or respectively the second frame support a subframe of the first covering element or respectively of the second covering element.

37. The installation according to claim 35, wherein each of the first covering element and the second covering element have a surface defined at least in part by tessellation.

38. The installation according to claim 35, wherein the first covering element and the second covering element comprise a covering element that is directly supported by the first or respectively the second frame.

39. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the first covering structure is composed of a first covering coating which is configured to be self-supporting.

40. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the second covering structure is composed of a second covering coating which is configured to be self-supporting.

41. The installation according to claim 26, wherein one or both of the first covering structure or respectively the second covering structure are rotatable about an ideal vertical axis so as to slide laterally and close thereby the second or respectively the first opening.

42. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the second covering structure is located under the first structure and is separate from the first covering structure.

43. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the first covering structure is self-supporting and the second covering structure is supported by the first covering structure.

44. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the second covering structure is hinged to the first covering structure at an upper end.

45. The installation according to claim 26, wherein the second covering structure is connected to the first covering structure at their upper ends by a guide element.

Description

[0090] The present invention is hereinbelow further clarified in a preferred embodiment thereof, which is described purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an installation according to invention in a closed condition and with an airplane parked therein,

[0092] FIG. 2 shows it according to a plan view in an open condition,

[0093] FIG. 3 shows it according to an exploded view,

[0094] FIG. 4 shows it according to a perspective view in an open condition

[0095] FIG. 5 shows it according to a perspective view in a closed condition,

[0096] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of an installation according to the invention in an open condition and with transparent covering elements, and in which land vehicles are parked inside it,

[0097] FIG. 7 shows according to a plan view, and in its first opening condition, an installation according to the invention, in which land vehicles are parked inside, and having opaque covering elements,

[0098] FIG. 8 shows according to a plan view the same installation of FIG. 7 in a second and different opening condition,

[0099] FIG. 9 shows according to a plan view the same installation of FIG. 7 in a third and different opening condition,

[0100] FIG. 10 shows according to a perspective view an installation, according to the invention, in an open condition, and inside which objects/loads/goods to be moved are stored by means of a traditional transport/moving means,

[0101] FIG. 11 shows according to a plan view an installation according to the invention, in a first opening condition, for the entry of land vehicles,

[0102] FIG. 12 shows according to a plan view, and with the covering elements in transparency, the installation of FIG. 11 in closed condition with the land vehicles parked therein,

[0103] FIG. 13 illustrates according to a plan view the installation of FIG. 11, in a second and different opening condition, for the exit of the previously parked land vehicles.

[0104] As shown by the figures, the installation 10, according to the invention, for covering airplanes V or objects/loads/goods M comprises a first structure 20 which, advantageously, is dome-shaped and is provided with a first opening 22 of size and configuration suitable to allow the entry of an airplane V or a land (or surface) vehicle T.

[0105] Conveniently, the installation 10 is suitable to be used for covering any type of vehicle, both of surface type T (see FIGS. 6-9 and 11-13) and flying type V (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). Preferably, the installation 10 is of the hangar type and is suitable for covering airplane, e.g. helicopters or aircraft.

[0106] Conveniently, the installation 10 is sized to cover a single vehicle (for example a single airplane V, as shown in FIG. 1) or a plurality of vehicles (for example a plurality of surface vehicles T, also different among them, as shown in FIG. 6).

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the installation 10 is suitable for being used for covering objects/loads/goods M to be stored inside and then moving when necessary, by means of conventional transport and moving means (for example forklift or transpallet), for the entry into and/or exit from said installation 10, as well as inside the latter.

[0108] Preferably, the first structure 20 is a semi-spherical shell, symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis Y, and the first opening 22 represents a missing segment thereof.

[0109] Within and under the first structure 20 there is a second structure 30. In particular, the first structure 20 substantially defines an external structure, while the second structure 30 substantially defines an internal structure.

[0110] Conveniently, in the embodiments shown in the figures, the second structure 30 substantially defines a laterally sliding door to close the opening 22 of the first structure 20.

[0111] Conveniently, both the first structure 20 and the second structure 30 are configured, and in particular are shaped and sized, so as to be self-supporting.

[0112] Preferably, the first structure 20 comprises a first frame 21 which is configured to be self-supporting and to support a first covering element 23. The second structure 30 comprises a second frame 31 which is configured to be self-supporting and to support a second covering element 33. Conveniently, the second frame 31 and the corresponding second covering element 33 are located below and inside the first frame 21 which supports the first covering element 23.

[0113] Advantageously, the fact that the two frames 21 and 31 for supporting the covering elements 23 and 33 are self-supporting enables that the second internal structure 30 does not necessarily have to be connected to the above first external structure 20 in order to avoid its falling.

[0114] Preferably, the second structure 30 is free and structurally independent from the first structure 20. In particular, the second structure 30 has no constraints with the first structure 20, from which it is separated by a gap sufficient to guarantee relative movement without obstacles. Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, the second structure 30 is connected to the first structure 20 by means of a pivot pin or by means of a guide element, which facilitates its mutual positioning during the assembly/installation phase.

[0115] Preferably, also the second structure 30 is a semi-spherical shell, symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis Y, and has a second opening 32. Conveniently, the second aperture 32 defines a missing segment of radial amplitude preferably equal to at least that of the first structure 20. The second structure 30 has three or more points 36 for resting on the ground (FIG. 4) which are preferably arranged as the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Advantageously, the points 36 are provided with sliding means, preferably with sliding wheels, and are translatable on curved guides 34 placed on the ground which describe arcs of the same circumference C in the center of which the Y axis passes.

[0116] Preferably, the second structure 30 and the first structure 20 rest on a base 90 made of cement or the like. Conveniently, the guides 34 can be incorporated in the base 90 or can be placed and mounted/installed removably on the latter.

[0117] Conveniently, in this way, the second structure 30 is rotatable about the Y axis (see arrow F) below the first structure 20, which instead remains fixed, to occlude the first opening 22 with its own wall (FIGS. 2 and 5) or to free the first opening 22 by aligning the second aperture 32 with it (FIGS. 1 and 4). In other words, the first structure 20 and the second structure 30 have as base a circumferential arc, and the two arches are coplanar and belong to two concentric circumferences. Conveniently, the missing part of such arcs corresponds to the openings 22 and 32.

[0118] In essence, the relative sliding of the second structure 30 with respect to the first structure 20 along arcs of the same circumference C, or vice versa, causes the installation 10 to pass between a first condition (also called closing condition), in which the first opening 22 of the first structure 20 is covered by the second structure 30 so as to define a covered space 50 which is closed and separated from the external environment, and at least a second condition (also called opening condition), wherein the first opening 22 of the first structure 20 is at least partially facing/overlapalong a radial direction with respect to a center defined by the Y axis about which said second structure 30 rotateswith the second opening 32 of the second structure 30 for defining thereby an entry/exit passage into/from said covered space 50.

[0119] Preferably, when both the first structure 20 and the second structure 30 are rotable, the installation 10 has a plurality of second opening operating conditions (cf. FIGS. 11 and 13), each of which can be defined in any angular position defined with respect to the axis Y around which said first structure 20 and said second structure 30 rotate.

[0120] Preferably, the frames 31 and 21, respectively of the second structure 30 and of the first structure 20, are configured as a trellis and, therefore, are particularly light.

[0121] Preferably, each of the frames 21 and 31 comprises a supporting beam (FIGS. 3 and 4) comprising three (or even more) curved supporting elements 38 arranged radially around the Y axis. Each supporting element 38 is curved to follow the convex profile of the covering element which it supports and ends at the top on the Y axis where it meets and joins the other supporting elements 38.

[0122] Conveniently, it is also understood that the frame 31 of the second structure 30 is a smaller scale version of the frame 21 of the first structure 20.

[0123] Advantageously, the supporting elements 38 which define the frame 31 of the second structure 30 terminate at the bottom with resting points 36 provided with sliding means. Conveniently, the supporting elements 38, which define the frame 21 of the first structure 20, can be fixed to the ground or, in an embodiment not shown, may be providedalternatively or in addition to the sliding means provided on the second structure 30with sliding means in correspondence of its ground resting points.

[0124] Advantageously, the two frames 21 and 31, both of the first 20 and of the second structure 30, support a subframe 40, preferably reticular, which supports a covering coating. Preferably, this subframe 40 is formed by a reticular with triangular cells, each of which can support a covering coating that can be defined by a covering sheet or by rigid triangular tiles. Conveniently, the set of tiles can form a tessellation of the semi-spherical surface.

[0125] Advantageously, the subframe 40 can be easily assembled starting from segments 42 (FIG. 3) which by their juxtaposition one to another form the overall curved wall.

[0126] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the first structure 20 (the external one) is fixed while the second structure 30 (the internal one) is rotatably slidable and acts substantially as a door. However, it is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the second structure 30 (the internal one) can be fixed while the first structure 20 (the external one) is rotatably movable and acts substantially as a door, oras shown for example in FIGS. 11 and 13both the first structure 20 (the external one) and the second structure 30 (the internal one) can be rotatably slidable, preferably along respective guides 34, to rotate around the Y axis independently of one another. In particular, in this last case, the opening for the entry (see FIG. 11) of the vehicles V, T or of the moving means R inside the covered space 50 is different (for example, it is in a diametrically opposed position) with respect to the opening provided for the exit (see FIG. 13) of the vehicles/moving means from said covered space 50.

[0127] The installation according to the invention is particularly advantageous compared to traditional solutions as:

[0128] the covering structures that make the installation are lean and inexpensive and, therefore, their assembly is consequently simplified and faster; more in detail, the first structure and the second structure are particularly light, preferably thanks to the construction with a trellis (which can for example be made of steel or aluminium pipes) and the installation times are reduced; conveniently, in this way, the base can be extremely simplified and be sized for a weight lower than that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,013,607,

[0129] the external covering structure and/or the internal covering structure are self-supporting and therefore do not risk falling, not even if they went out their guides during their sliding; furthermore, the external and/or internal structure that acts as a door can be opened indifferently to the right or left,

[0130] the lightness of the external and/or internal covering structure that defines the door causes that it does not necessarily to have an engine for its opening, as a manual force could be sufficient; in this case, the overall cost savings and the structural simplification are evident, however, it is understood that, if necessary, motorization means may also be provided for actuating the sliding of the first and/or the second structure.

[0131] Further, unlike U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,707 and DE259380, both the covering structures of the present installation, that is both the external and internal ones, are self-supporting and do not require additional support elements and/or frames, such as in particular the external arches which in U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,707 support the apex of the structure or the internal and central post (upright) in DE259380. This is particularly advantageous since it enables to the solution according to the present invention a high intrinsic stability, without however limiting/encumbering the area surrounding the useful covering surface (as in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,707) or within the same covering surface (as in case of DE259380); in particular, unlike DE259380, the solution according to the present invention allows a complete usability of the covered surface.

[0132] Furthermore, the solution according to the present invention confers a suitable intrinsic safety due to the lack of doors which can exit from the guides during their movement, as well as allows an extreme freedom of choice in the position of the entry and exit of the vehicle and/or of the moving means into/from the coverage area. Furthermore, the fact that in U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,707 and DE259380 the supporting elements and frames (both external and internal) are separated with respect to the covering structures causes the presence of undesired obstacles which could be damaged during the operations of vehicles or moving means, as well as they could damage the latter.