RETRACTABLE ROOF WITH AUTO-LIFTABLE CEILING

Abstract

The present invention provides a sidewall system and a collapsible building using the system thereof. The sidewall system has a fixed wall, a sidewall, and a single-side eave system that has an eave panel that can be unfolded and folded along with the movement of the sidewall automatically. A collapsible building with two sidewall systems and a sliding, retractable roof is also provided. The collapsible building can create an enclosed space easily and quickly. To solve the above problems, the present invention is proposed. A multi-layered folding roof fitted with a liftable ceiling is also provided. The roof can be unfolded and retracted in the horizontal direction, and the internal multi-piece ceiling structure will unfold and fall simultaneously with the roof due to the action of the internal slide rail. The invention can be used in a variety of buildings and mobile homes.

Claims

1. A roof system, comprising: a retractable roof and an auto-liftable ceiling; the retractable roof comprises: a fixed roof module comprises two fixed opposing polygonal plates and a fixed top plate connecting top edges of the two fixed opposing polygonal plates; a pair of fixed inclined slides is set on facing sides of the two fixed opposing polygonal plates of the fixed roof module; a first extended roof module comprises two first opposing polygonal plates and a first top plate connecting top edges of the two first opposing polygonal plates; a pair of first inclined slides is set on facing sides of the two first opposing polygonal plates of the first extended roof module; a pair of first vertical rails is set on facing sides of the two first opposing polygonal plates of the first extended roof module; when in retracted state, the first extended roof module is nested within the fixed roof module; a second extended roof module comprises two second opposing polygonal plates and a second top plate connecting top edges of the two second opposing polygonal plates; a pair of second vertical rails is set on facing sides of the two second opposing polygonal plates of the second extended roof module; when in retracted state, the second extended roof module is nested within the first extended roof module; and a sliding roof plate; when in retracted state, the sliding roof plate is placed inside the second extended roof module; and the auto-liftable ceiling comprises: a first extended ceiling module inside the first extended roof module; the first extended ceiling module has a first plate-shaped body; two first vertical sliders are fixed on two sides of the first plate-shaped body to adapt to the pair of first vertical rails; two first end-sliders are fixed on two sides of the first plate-shaped body near the fixed roof module to adapt to the pair of fixed inclined slides; a second extended ceiling module inside the second extended roof module; the second extended ceiling module has a second plate-shaped body; two second vertical sliders are fixed on two sides of the second plate-shaped body to adapt to the pair of second vertical rails; two second end-sliders are fixed on two sides of the second plate-shaped body near the first extended roof module to adapt to the pair of first inclined slides; wherein, the sliding roof plate has a sliding roof operating end and a sliding roof driving end along sliding direction; the second extended roof module has a second extended roof operating end; when the sliding roof operating end slides out, the sliding roof driving end brings the second extended roof operating end slide out, the two second end-sliders on the second extended ceiling module brings the first extended roof module out by the pair of first inclined slides until the two first end-sliders stopped by of edges of the pair of fixed inclined slides.

2. The roof system of claim 1, wherein when the first extended roof module, the second extended roof module, and the sliding roof plate are in expanded state, bottom surfaces of the first plate-shaped body, the second plate-shaped body, and the sliding roof plate form a planar surface substantially.

3. The roof system of claim 1, wherein the roof system comprises one or more middle-extended roof modules nested between the first extended roof module and the second extended roof module, each roof module has same setup as the first extended roof module; and each middle-extended roof module has a middle-extended ceiling module inside, each middle-extended ceiling module has same setup as the first extended ceiling module.

4. The roof system of claim 1, wherein angle defined by the fixed inclined slides is larger than angle defined by the first inclined slides.

5. The roof system of claim 3, wherein angle defined by the fixed inclined slides is larger than angle defined by the first inclined slides.

6. The roof system of claim 1, wherein cross-sections of the first vertical rails and second vertical rails are dovetailed.

7. The roof system of claim 1, wherein the second extended ceiling module is provided with rectangular steps between the second end-sliders and each side surface of the second extended ceiling module.

8. The roof system of claim 3, wherein number of middle-extended roof modules is 2.

9. A collapsible building with a roof system comprising: a collapsible building system and a roof system that covers top of the collapsible building; the collapsible building system comprises: a first fixed wall; a first sidewall pivoted to the first fixed wall, the first sidewall rotates around the first fixed wall about a first pivoting axis; a first single-side eave system comprises a first eave panel hinged to the first sidewall, the first eave panel rotates around a first hinge axis correspondingly; a second fixed wall; a second sidewall pivoted to the second fixed wall, the second sidewall rotates around the second fixed wall about a second pivoting axis; a second single-side eave system comprises a second eave panel hinged to the second sidewall, the second eave panel rotates about a second hinge axis correspondingly; the first fixed wall, the first sidewall, and the first single-side eave system form a first sidewall system in open state, at which state angle between the first sidewall and the first fixed wall is 180?; the second fixed wall, the second sidewall, and the second single-side eave system form a second sidewall system in open state, at which state angle between the second sidewall and the second fixed wall is 180?; the first sidewall system and the second sidewall system in the open state are facing each other; the roof system comprises a retractable roof and an auto-liftable ceiling; the retractable roof comprises: a fixed roof module comprises two fixed opposing polygonal plates and a fixed top plate connecting top edges of the two fixed opposing polygonal plates; a pair of fixed inclined slides is set on facing sides of the two fixed opposing polygonal plates of the fixed roof module; a first extended roof module comprises two first opposing polygonal plates and a first top plate connecting top edges of the two first opposing polygonal plates; a pair of first inclined slides is set on facing sides of the two first opposing polygonal plates of the first extended roof module; a pair of first vertical rails is set on facing sides of the two first opposing polygonal plates of the first extended roof module; when in retracted state, the first extended roof module is nested within the fixed roof module; a second extended roof module comprises two second opposing polygonal plates and a second top plate connecting top edges of the two second opposing polygonal plates; a pair of second vertical rails is set on facing sides of the two second opposing polygonal plates of the second extended roof module; when in retracted state, the second extended roof module is nested within the first extended roof module; and, a sliding roof plate; when in retracted state, the sliding roof plate is placed inside the second extended roof module; and the auto-liftable ceiling comprises: a first extended ceiling module inside the first extended roof module; the first extended ceiling module has a first plate-shaped body; two first vertical sliders are fixed on two sides of the first plate-shaped body to adapt to the pair of first vertical rails; two first end-sliders are fixed on two sides of the first plate-shaped body near the fixed roof module to adapt to the pair of fixed inclined slides; and a second extended ceiling module inside the second extended roof module; the second extended ceiling module has a second plate-shaped body; two second vertical sliders are fixed on two sides of the second plate-shaped body to adapt to the pair of second vertical rails; two second end-sliders are fixed on two sides of the second plate-shaped body near the first extended roof module to adapt to the pair of first inclined slides; wherein, the sliding roof plate has a sliding roof operating end and a sliding roof driving end along sliding direction; the second extended roof module has a second extended roof operating end; when the sliding roof operating end slides out, the sliding roof driving end brings the second extended roof operating end slide out, the two second end-sliders on the second extended ceiling module brings the first extended roof module out by the pair of first inclined slides until the two first end-sliders stopped by of edges of the pair of fixed inclined slides.

10. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, further includes a first exterior wall firmly attached to the first fixed wall and the second fixed wall respectively; and a second exterior wall detachably connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall respectively.

11. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, wherein the first sidewall includes first roof tracks mounted on top; the first extended roof module, the second extended roof module, and the sliding roof plate move along the first roof tracks to convert the retractable roof between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and the second sidewall includes second roof tracks respectively, the second and the first roof tracks have same configuration.

12. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, wherein when the first extended roof module, the second extended roof module, and the sliding roof plate are in expanded state, bottom surfaces of the first plate-shaped body, the second plate-shaped body, and the sliding roof plate form a planar surface substantially.

13. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, wherein the roof system comprises one or more middle-extended roof modules nested between the first extended roof module and the second extended roof module, each roof module has same setup as the first extended roof module; and each middle-extended roof module has a middle-extended ceiling module inside, each middle-extended ceiling module has same setup as the first extended ceiling module.

14. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, wherein angle defined by the fixed inclined slides is larger than angle defined by the first inclined slides.

15. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 13, wherein angle defined by the fixed inclined slides is larger than angle defined by the first inclined slides.

16. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, wherein cross-sections of the first vertical rails and second vertical rails are dovetailed.

17. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 9, wherein the second extended ceiling module is provided with rectangular steps between the second end-sliders and each side surface of the second extended ceiling module.

18. The collapsible building with a roof system of claim 13, wherein number of middle-extended roof modules is 2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The drawings illustrate examples. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows the schematic view of the sidewall system.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the sidewall system while deploying

[0047] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show the top view and schematic of the sidewall system while deploying respectively.

[0048] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a plurality of fixing elements and a single fixing element.

[0049] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show the top view and schematic view of a collapsible building when the sidewall system is fully deployed.

[0050] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show the top view and schematic view of a collapsible building while deploying from the folded status to the unfolded status.

[0051] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C show the schematic, top view, and side view of a collapsible building when the top of the building is fully covered by the retractable roof.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows the exterior exploded view and a detailed view of the roof system.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows the perspective exploded view of the roof system.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the roof system when fully retracted.

[0055] FIG. 11 shows the front view of the embodiment when the sliding roof plate 940 moved out from other roof modules.

[0056] FIG. 12 shows the front view of the embodiment when the second extended roof module 930 is moving out from the first extended roof module 920.

[0057] FIG. 13 illustrates a front view, a top view, and a sectional view of the embodiment from left to right respectively when the second extended roof module 930 is moving out from the first extended roof module 920.

[0058] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B show how the second extended ceiling module 1020 descends as the second extended roof module 930 moves guided by slides in two different directions.

[0059] FIG. 15 shows the perspective view and two detailed views of part of the roof system.

[0060] FIG. 16 shows the front view of the invention when the second extended roof module 930 and ceiling module are fully expanded.

[0061] FIG. 17 shows the front view of the invention when the first extended roof module 920 is moving out from the inside of fixed roof module 910.

[0062] FIG. 18 shows the fully expanded state of the present embodiment. The two first end-sliders 1013 and 1014 located in the first extended ceiling module 1010 move along the inclined slides 914 and 915 while being guided vertically by the first vertical rails 926 and 927. The movement is the same as that of the second extended ceiling module 1020.

[0063] FIG. 19A shows the first extended roof module 920 and the first extended ceiling module 1010 being folded in the direction of the arrow; FIG. 19B shows the second extended roof module 930 and the second extended ceiling module 1020 being folded in the direction of the arrow.

[0064] FIG. 19C shows the sliding roof plate 940 being folded in the direction of the arrow, and FIG. 19D shows the entire device in a fully folded state.

[0065] FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B illustrate embodiments that have one or more middle-extended roof modules and middle-extended ceiling modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0066] Illustrative embodiments are now described. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are described.

[0067] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of the sidewall system. FIG. 1 shows the folded status of the sidewall system. FIG. 2 shows the side view of the sidewall system while deploying from the folded status to the unfolded status as shown by the dashed arrow direction in FIG. 2. The sidewall system comprises a fixed wall 110, a sidewall 120, and a single-side eave system 200. The sidewall 120 is pivoted to the fixed wall 110 by one or several hinges, the sidewall 120 rotates in the horizontal plane around the hinge axis to unfold or fold the sidewall system.

[0068] The single-side eave system 200 is attached to the sidewall 120. The single-side eave system 200 comprises a gear rod 210, a gear 220, an eave panel 230, a drive shaft 240, at least one support rod 250, and at least one hinge 260. The eave panel 230 is attached to the sidewall 120 by one or more hinges 260. This configuration allows eave panel 230 to be rotated around the axis of hinge 260. As shown in FIG. 1, in the folded state, eave panel 230 and sidewall 120 are affixed together. As shown in FIG. 2, while deploying the eave panel 230 rotates around the hinge 260 axis correspondingly. In the fully unfolded status, the eave panel 230 is approximately perpendicular to the sidewall 120.

[0069] In the embodiment, the gear rod 210, the gear 220, and the support rod 250 constitute the mechanism that automatically unfolds and folds the eave panel 230 along with the movement of the sidewall 120 around the fixed wall 110. In this mechanism, the gear rod 210 is mounted and fixed to the fixed wall 110 without relative motion to the fixed wall 110 and cannot be rotated without a rotating shaft. The gear rod 210 is coaxial with the pivoting axis of the sidewall 120. The gear 220 is attached to and coaxial with a drive shaft 240 and does not have relative motion with the drive shaft 240. The teeth of gear 220 and gear rod 210 engage with each other. When sidewall 120 rotates, gear 220 rotates synchronously. Since gear 220 and drive shaft 240 are fixed and coaxially connected, the shaft rotates synchronously with gear 220. Since gear rod 210 is fixed, it remains stationary with respect to the fixed wall 110 during the rotation of the sidewall 120. Since gear 220 is located on the sidewall 120, during the rotation of the sidewall 120, gear 220 is forced to rotate simultaneously around its own axis to maintain the engagement with the teeth of the gear rod 210. Therefore, when sidewall 120 rotates, it drives gear 220 and drive shaft 240 to rotate simultaneously, and the rotation of drive 240 drives the rotation of support rod 250, which eventually drives the rotation of eave panel 230. The rotation of sidewall 120 in the horizontal plane drives the rotation of eave panel 230 in the vertical plane. As shown in FIG. 2, at least one support rod 250 connects the eave panel 230 and the drive shaft 240. One end of the support rod 250 is slidably pivoted on the eave panel 230 and the other end is securely coupled to the drive shaft 240. When the drive shaft 240 rotates, it drives the support rod 250 to prop up the eave panel 230. In the present embodiment, the rotation of sidewall 110 around fixed wall 110 drives the rotation of drive shaft 240, which in turn drives the support rod 250 to raise or retract the eave panel 230. In another embodiment, to provide more stable support, the single-side eave system 200 further comprises 2 or more support rods 250, the ends of each support rod 250 on one side are slidably pivoted on the eave panel 230, and the other ends are securely coupled to the drive shaft 240, the drive shaft 240 rotates all the support rods 250 synchronously.

[0070] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show the top view and schematic of the sidewall system while deploying respectively. The direction of the arrow in FIG. 3A indicates the direction of rotation of sidewall 120. The direction of the arrow in FIG. 3B indicates the direction of rotation of eave panel 230.

[0071] To prevent the entry of external debris and water droplets to reduce the life of gear 220 and gear rod 21, the single-side eave system 200 further comprises shells for the gear rod and the gear.

[0072] In an embodiment, the shell for gear 220 comprises an outer cylindrical gear rod shell 2102 arranged on the fixed wall 110 along the gear rod 210 and an inner cylindrical gear rod shell 2104 arranged on the sidewall 120 along the gear rod 210. The outer cylindrical gear rod shell 2102 and the inner cylindrical gear rod shell 2104 are two separate components. The separate configuration facilitates the repair or replacement of individual shells in case of damage. Outer cylindrical gear rod shell 2102 is always fixed to the fixed wall 110 and remains relatively stationary. The inner cylindrical gear rod shell 2104 is always fixed to the sidewall 120 and turns at the same angle as the sidewall 120 rotates. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A, the inner cylindrical gear rod shell 2104 is shorter than the outer cylindrical gear rod shell 2102 in radius. This setup allows the inner cylindrical gear rod shell 2104 to be partially covered by the outer cylindrical gear rod shell 2102 during rotation, thus avoiding jamming and providing better protection. The outer cylindrical gear rod shell 2102, and the inner cylindrical gear rod shell 2104 jointly cover the gear rod 210 located between Space A formed by the relative rotation of the fixed wall and the sidewall as FIG. 3A shows.

[0073] In another embodiment, the single-side eave system 200 includes a ring gear shell 2202. The ring gear shell 2202 is mounted on the fixed wall 110, space inside the ring gear shell 2202 accommodates the gear when gear 220 is close to the fixed wall 110 in Space B.

[0074] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a plurality of fixing elements and a single fixing element. In order to provide better support for drive shaft 240, to make it rotate more smoothly, and to avoid bending, several fixing elements 300 have been installed. In an embodiment, 2 or more sleeves are applied as fixing elements, the sleeves 300 are fixed to the sidewall 120 at equally spaced distances along the axis of drive shaft 240. The fixing mechanism holds the drive shaft 240 in the long hole of sleeves 300 in the sidewall 120 so that the drive shaft 240 can rotate in the hole but cannot be disengaged from the hole. The fixing element 300 limits the position of the drive shaft 240. In an embodiment, the fixing element 300 is fixed to the sidewall 120 by four screws 310.

[0075] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5A-6B. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show the top view and schematic view of a collapsible building when the sidewall system is fully deployed. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show the top view and schematic view of a collapsible building while deploying from the folded status to the unfolded status. The collapsible building comprises two previously mentioned sidewall systems and a retractable roof system.

[0076] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, the building comprises a first sidewall system, a second sidewall system, and a retractable roof system. The first sidewall system comprises a first fixed wall 510; a first sidewall 610 pivoted to the first fixed wall 510, the first sidewall 610 rotates around the first fixed wall 510 about a first pivoting axis; a first single-side eave system comprises a first eave panel 710 hinged to the first sidewall 520, the first eave panel 710 rotates around a first hinge axis correspondingly.

[0077] The first single-side eave system is attached to the first sidewall 610. The first single-side eave system comprises a first gear rod, a first gear, a first eave panel 710, a first drive shaft, at least one first support rod, and at least one first hinge. The first eave panel 710 is attached to the first sidewall 610 by one or more first hinges. This configuration allows first eave panel 710 to be rotated around the axis of first hinge. In the folded state, first eave panel 710 and first sidewall 610 are affixed together. While deploying the first eave panel 710 rotates around the first hinge axis correspondingly. In the fully unfolded status, the first eave panel 710 is approximately perpendicular to the first sidewall 610.

[0078] In the embodiment, the first gear rod, the first gear, and the first support rod constitute the mechanism that automatically unfolds and folds the first eave panel 710 along with the movement of the first sidewall 610 around the first fixed wall 510. In this mechanism, the first gear rod is mounted and fixed to the first fixed wall 510 without relative motion to the first fixed wall 510 and cannot be rotated without a rotating shaft. The first gear rod is coaxial with the pivoting axis of the first sidewall 610. The first gear is attached to and coaxial with a first drive shaft and does not have relative motion with the first drive shaft. The teeth of first gear and first gear rod engage with each other. When first sidewall 610 rotates, first gear rotates synchronously. Since first gear and first drive shaft are fixed and coaxially connected, the shaft rotates synchronously with first gear. Since first gear rod is fixed, it remains stationary with respect to the first fixed wall 510 during the rotation of the first sidewall 610. Since first gear is located on the first sidewall 610, during the rotation of the first sidewall 610, first gear is forced to rotate simultaneously around its own axis to maintain the engagement with the teeth of the first gear rod. Therefore, when first sidewall 610 rotates, it drives first gear and first drive shaft to rotate simultaneously, and the rotation of the first drive shaft drives the rotation of first support rod, which eventually drives the rotation of first eave panel 710. The rotation of first sidewall 610 in the horizontal plane drives the rotation of first eave panel 710 in the vertical plane. At least one first support rod connects the first eave panel 710 and the first drive shaft. One end of the first support rod is slidably pivoted on the first eave panel 710 and the other end is securely coupled to the first drive shaft. When the first drive shaft rotates, it drives the first support rod to prop up the first eave panel 710. In the present embodiment, the rotation of the first sidewall 610 around first fixed wall 510 drives the rotation of first drive shaft, which in turn drives the first support rod to raise or retract the first eave panel 710. In another embodiment, to provide more stable support, the first single-side eave system further comprises 2 or more support rods, the ends of each first support rod on one side are slidably pivoted on the first eave panel 710, and the other ends are securely coupled to the first drive shaft, the first drive shaft rotates all the support rods synchronously.

[0079] Similar to those described previously, in the present embodiment, the rotation of the first sidewall 610 around fixed wall 510 drives the rotation of the drive shaft, which in turn drives the support rods to raise or retract the first eave panel 710. The first sidewall 610 and the first fixed wall 510 form a first sidewall system in the open state, at which the state angle between the first sidewall 610 and the first fixed wall 510 is 180?.

[0080] The second sidewall system is configured in the same way as the first sidewall system. The first sidewall system and the second sidewall system in the open state are facing each other.

[0081] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C show the schematic, top view, and side view of a collapsible building when the top of the building is fully covered by the retractable roof. The retractable roof 800 includes a plurality of roof sections that each span width of two sidewall systems facing each other; some of the roof sections are fixed, and some of the roof sections are movable roof sections. The movable sections 8102, 8103, 8104, 8105, and 8106 are slidably mounted on top surface of the first and second sidewalls, the movable roof sections 8102, 8103, 8104, 8105, and 8106 being moveable in a direction along the length (as the direction shown in FIG. 5B) of the two sidewall systems to convert the retractable roof 800 between an open configuration (as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) and a closed configuration (as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B), some of the roof sections overlapping one another when the retractable roof 800 is in the open configuration, the region between the first sidewall system and the second sidewall system is covered by the roof sections when the retractable roof 800 is in the closed configuration.

[0082] In another embodiment, for smoother sliding and more precise positioning of the roof assembly, there are roof tracks mounted on top of the side walls. The roof sections deploy along the roof tracks. In FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A, and 3B the roof tracks are illustrated with the number 700. FIGS. 5A-6B show the first roof tracks mounted on the top of the first sidewall 520, and the second roof tracks mounted on the top of the second sidewall 620. The movable roof sections move along the first and the second roof tracks to convert the retractable roof 800 between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Thus, the size of the roof covering can be adjusted. In another embodiment, roof tracks 700 are set on the top of fixed walls. Tracks 700 and tracks 700 are aligned with each other so the roof sections can slide from the fixed wall to the sidewall along the tracks.

[0083] In another embodiment, the first fixed wall 510 and the second fixed wall 520 are connected by a base plate 500 as one piece to make the building more stable. In another embodiment, the collapsible building further comprises a first exterior wall 530 firmly attached to the first fixed wall 510 and the second fixed wall 520 respectively; and a second exterior wall 540 detachably connected to the first sidewall 610 and the second sidewall 620 respectively. In this case, the building provides better shelter and has a sliding roof.

[0084] In another embodiment, to improve better rain protection, wherein the roof sections are multi-layer nested. The number of its nesting is determined by the specific size. In another embodiment, the number of roof sections is 3 or more.

[0085] In another embodiment, the dimensions of the roof sections are sequentially increasing and nested so that they can be easily extended and stored. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show clearly that the roof section size decreases sequentially from 8101 to 8106.

[0086] In another embodiment, a roof system 800 having a retractable roof 900 and an auto-liftable ceiling 1000 is illustrated. The roof system 800 is an alternative used to replace the retractable roof 800 in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 7C to cover the collapsible building.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows the exterior exploded view, and a detailed view of the roof system and FIG. 9 shows the perspective exploded view of the roof system. FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the roof system when fully retracted.

[0088] The retractable roof 900 includes a fixed roof module 910, a first extended roof module 920, a second extended roof module 930, and a sliding roof plate 940.

[0089] The fixed roof module 910 includes two fixed opposing polygonal plates 911 and 912, and a top fixed plate 913 connecting the top edges of the two fixed opposing polygonal plates 911 and 912. A pair of fixed inclined slides 914 and 915 is set on the facing sides of the two fixed opposing polygonal plates 911 and 912 of the fixed roof module 910. In another embodiment, the polygonal plates 911 and 912 are right-angle trapezoid shaped. In another embodiment, the fixed top plate 913 is rectangular.

[0090] The fixed roof module 910, the first extended roof module 920, and the second extended roof module 930 have hollow structures, similar shapes, and different sizes to ensure that one roof module can be nested in another roof module with a larger size in the retracted state.

[0091] The first extended roof module 920 includes two first opposing polygonal plates 921 and 922, and a first top plate 923 connecting the top edges of the two first opposing polygonal plates 921 and 922. A pair of first inclined slides 924 and 925 is set on the facing sides of the two first opposing polygonal plates 921 and 922 of the first extended roof module 920. A pair of first vertical rails 926 and 927 is set on the facing sides of the two first opposing polygonal plates 921 and 922 of the first extended roof module 920. When in the retracted state, the first extended roof module 920 is nested within the fixed roof module 910. In another embodiment, the polygonal plates 921 and 922 are right-angle trapezoid shaped. In another embodiment, the first top plate 923 is rectangular.

[0092] The second extended roof module 930 includes two second opposing polygonal plates 931 and 932, and a second top plate 933 connecting the top edges of the two second opposing polygonal plates 931 and 932. A pair of second vertical rails 936 and 937 are set on the facing sides of the two second opposing polygonal plates 931 and 932 of the second extended roof module 930. When in the retracted state, the second extended roof module 930 is nested within the first extended roof module 920. When in the retracted state, the sliding roof plate 940 is placed inside the second extended roof module 930. In another embodiment, the polygonal plates 931 and 932 are right-angle trapezoid shaped. In another embodiment, the second top plate 933 is rectangular.

[0093] As the smallest roof module in size, the sliding roof plate 940 is located at the end of the roof system when the roof system is unfolded. The sliding roof plate 940 includes both the function of a roof and a part of a ceiling. When the invention is in a fully expanded state, sliding roof plate 940 is in the same height plane as the auto-liftable ceiling 1000, i.e., the first extended ceiling module 1010 and the second extended ceiling module 1020. The first extended ceiling module 1010 and the second extended ceiling module 1020 are of different sizes in order to be stowed in roof modules of different sizes. A ceiling module is mounted inside a roof module and is connected to another roof module nested in that roof module by means of slots. For example, the first extended ceiling module 1010 is mounted inside the first extended roof module 920, and is connected to the fixed roof module 910 in which the first extended roof module 920 is nested.

[0094] FIG. 11 shows the front view of the embodiment when the sliding roof plate 940 moved out from other roof modules.

[0095] When extending from the full folded state, the sliding roof plate 940 is first slid out in the open direction. The operating end 941 of the sliding roof plate 940 can be pulled by manual or other powered pull.

[0096] The auto-liftable ceiling 1000 includes a first extended ceiling module 1010 and a second extended ceiling module 1020.

[0097] The first extended ceiling module 1010 is inside the first extended roof module 920. The first extended ceiling module 1010 has a first plate-shaped body; two first vertical sliders 1011 and 1012 are fixed on two sides of the first plate-shaped body to adapt to the pair of first vertical rails 926 and 927.

[0098] Since the first vertical sliders 1011 and 1012 are adapted to each other with the first vertical rails 926 and 927, the first extended ceiling module 1010 can only slide vertically inside the first extended roof module 920 but cannot move horizontally with respect to the first extended roof module 920.

[0099] Two first end-sliders 1013 and 1014 are fixed on two sides of the first plate-shaped body near the fixed roof module 910 to adapt to the pair of fixed inclined slides 914 and 915.

[0100] The second extended ceiling module 1020 is inside the second extended roof module 930. The second extended ceiling module 1020 has a second plate-shaped body. Two second vertical sliders 1021 and 1022 are fixed on two sides of the second plate-shaped body to adapt to the pair of second vertical rails 936 and 937.

[0101] Since the second vertical sliders 1021 and 1022 are adapted to each other with the second vertical rails 936 and 937, the second extended ceiling module 1020 can only slide vertically inside the second extended roof module 930 but cannot move horizontally with respect to the first extended roof module 920.

[0102] Two second end-sliders 1023 and 1024 are fixed on two sides of the second plate-shaped body near the first extended roof module 920 to adapt to the pair of first inclined slides 924 and 925.

[0103] The sliding roof plate 940 includes both the function of a roof and a part of a ceiling.

[0104] The sliding roof plate 940 has a sliding roof operating end 941 and a sliding roof driving end 942 along the sliding direction.

[0105] The second extended roof module 930 has a second extended roof operating end 938. When the sliding roof operating end 941 slides out, it can be pulled by manual or by other power. Then the sliding roof driving end 942 brings the second extended roof operating end 938 slide out. Since the second extended roof module 930 and the second extended ceiling module 1020 are in the same kinematic state in the horizontal direction, the second extended ceiling module 1020 slides out with second extended roof module 930. The two second end-sliders on the second extended ceiling module 1020 then bring the first extended roof module out by the pair of the first inclined slides 924 and 925 until the two first end-sliders 1013 and 1014 are stopped by of edges of the pair of fixed inclined slides 914 and 915. In another embodiment, the sliding roof driving end 942 has an upwardly positioned protrusion and the second extended roof operating end 938 is provided with a downwardly positioned step that matches the protrusion so that when the sliding roof driving end 942 is close to the second extended roof operating end 938 during stretching, the protrusion contacts the step and can carry the step, which in turn drives the second extended roof module 930 in the direction of pull-out. In another embodiment, the sliding roof driving end 942 has an upwardly positioned friction surface and the second extended roof operating end 938 is provided with a downwardly positioned friction surface that matches the upwardly positioned friction surface so that when the sliding roof driving end 942 is close to the second extended roof operating end 938 during stretching, the upper and lower friction surfaces are connected together to drive the second extended roof module 930 in the direction of pull-out.

[0106] When the first extended roof module 920, the second extended roof module 930, and the sliding roof plate 940 are in the expanded state, the bottom surfaces of the first plate-shaped body, the second plate-shaped body, and the sliding roof plate 940 form a planar surface substantially.

[0107] The roof system includes one or more middle-extended roof modules nested between the first extended roof module 920 and the second extended roof module 930, each roof module has the same setup as the first extended roof module 920; each middle-extended roof module has a middle-extended ceiling module inside, each middle-extended ceiling module has the same setup as the first extended ceiling module 1010.

[0108] FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15 show how the second extended roof module 930 moves out from the first extended roof module 920 and the moving process of the second extended ceiling module 1020. The fixed roof module 910 is hidden to give a clear view of the structure in the above-moving process.

[0109] FIG. 12 shows the front view of the embodiment when the second extended roof module 930 is moving out from the first extended roof module 920. The second extended ceiling module 1020 lifts down while the second extended roof module 930 is moving. During the descent of the second extended ceiling module 1020, its right edge is next to the left side face of the sliding roof plate 940.

[0110] FIG. 13 illustrates a front view, a top view, and a sectional view of the embodiment from left to right respectively when the second extended roof module 930 is moving out from the first extended roof module 920. When the first extended ceiling module 1010 is in the retracted state, it is in the upper portion of the interior of the first extended roof module 920 and above the second extended roof module 930.

[0111] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B show how the second extended ceiling module 1020 descends as the second extended roof module 930 moves guided by slides in two different directions.

[0112] In FIG. 14A, the second vertical rails 936 and 937 are located on the inside of the second extended roof module 930 and mate with the two second vertical sliders 1021 and 1022 to guide the vertical movement of the second extended ceiling module 1020 and limit its horizontal displacement so that the second extended ceiling module 1020 and the second extended roof module 930 do not experience relative horizontal displacement.

[0113] In FIG. 14B, the first inclined slides 924 and 925 are located on the inside of the first extended roof module 920 and mate with the second end-sliders 1023 and 1024 to guide the ceiling module along the first inclined slides 924 and 925.

[0114] FIG. 15 shows the perspective view and two detailed views of part of the roof system. The cross-sections of the second vertical rails 936 and 937 are dovetailed in FIG. 15. In another embodiment, the cross-sections of the first vertical rails 926 and 927 are also dovetailed. The detailed view of the vertical rail 936 and the vertical slider 1021 is shown in FIG. 8.

[0115] The second extended ceiling module may be provided with rectangular steps between the second end-sliders and each side surface of the second extended ceiling module.

[0116] The second extended ceiling module 1020 is provided with rectangular steps 1025 and 1026 between the second end-sliders 1023 and 1024 and each side surface of the second extended ceiling module 1020. The second end-sliders 1023 and 1024 are set on the rectangular steps 1025 and 1026. The rectangular steps 1025 and 1026 further limit the relative movement of the ceiling module 1020 and the second extended roof module 930 in the horizontal direction.

[0117] FIG. 16 shows the front view of the invention when the second extended roof module 930 and ceiling module are fully expanded.

[0118] The first extended roof module 920, the second extended roof module 930, and the sliding roof plate 940 will keep moving along the direction of the arrow to continue the expanding process.

[0119] FIG. 17 shows the front view of the invention when the first extended roof module 920 is moving out from the inside of fixed roof module 910.

[0120] FIG. 18 shows the fully expanded state of the present embodiment. The two first end-sliders 1013 and 1014 located in the first extended ceiling module 1010 move along the inclined slides 914 and 915 while being guided vertically by the first vertical rails 926 and 927. The movement is the same as that of the second extended ceiling module 1020.

[0121] FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate the folding method of the present embodiment.

[0122] FIG. 19A shows the first extended roof module 920 and the first extended ceiling module 1010 being folded in the direction of the arrow; FIG. 19B shows the second extended roof module 930 and the second extended ceiling module 1020 being folded in the direction of the arrow; FIG. 19C shows the sliding roof plate 940 being folded in the direction of the arrow, and FIG. 19D shows the entire device in a fully folded state.

[0123] FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B illustrate embodiments that have one or more middle-extended roof modules and middle-extended ceiling modules.

[0124] In FIG. 20A, the first middle-extended roof module 1920 is nested between the first extended roof module 920, and the second extended roof module 930. The first middle-extended roof module 1920 has the same shape and setup as the first extended roof module 920. Accordingly, the first middle-extended roof module 1920 has the first middle-extended ceiling module 11010 inside. The first middle-extended ceiling module 11010 has the same shape and setup as the first extended ceiling module 1010. The size of the first middle-extended roof module 1920 is between the first extended roof module 920, and the second extended roof module 930. The size of the first middle-extended ceiling module 11010 is between the first extended ceiling module 1010 and the second extended ceiling module 1020.

[0125] In FIG. 20B, another embodiment employs two middle-extended roofs. The two middle-extended roof modules 2920 and 3920 are nested between the first extended roof module 920, and the second extended roof module 930. The two middle-extended roof modules 2920 and 3920 have the same shape and setup as the first extended roof module 920. Accordingly, the two middle-extended roof modules 2920 and 3920 have two middle-extended ceiling modules 21010 and 31010 inside. The two middle-extended ceiling modules 21010 and 31010 have the same shape and setup as the first extended ceiling module 1010. The sizes of the two middle-extended roof modules 2920 and 3920 are between the first extended roof module 920 and the second extended roof module 930, and the middle-extended ceiling module 21010 is larger than the middle-extended ceiling module 31010. The sizes of the two middle-extended ceiling modules 21010 and 31010 are between the first extended ceiling module 1010 and the second extended ceiling module 1020, and the size of the middle-extended ceiling module 21010 is larger than the size of the middle-extended ceiling module 31010.

[0126] The movement of the ceiling modules therein may follow the manner used for the zero middle-extended roof modules folding roof described above.

[0127] The roof system 800 is an alternative used to replace the retractable roof 800 in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 7C to cover the collapsible building. In the above figures, an embodiment of a collapsible building with a roof system is shown. The number of middle-extended roofs can be determined according to actual needs, and a value of zero or a positive integer is acceptable. Similarly, depending on the middle-extended roofs, the corresponding roof system 800 can be used to cover the collapsible building.

[0128] As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, the collapsible building has the first roof tracks mounted on top of the first sidewall 610. The first extended roof module 920, the second extended roof module 930, and the sliding roof plate 940 move along the first roof tracks to convert the retractable roof 900 between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The second sidewall 620 includes second roof tracks respectively, and the second and the first roof tracks have the same configuration.

[0129] The angle defined by the fixed inclined slides is larger than the angle defined by the first inclined slides 924 and 925.

[0130] The number of middle-extended roof modules is 1, 2, 3, 4, or more.

[0131] The components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages that have been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor the discussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope of protection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated. These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or different components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages. These also include embodiments in which the components and/or steps are arranged and/or ordered differently.

[0132] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0133] All articles, patents, patent applications, and other publications that have been cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference.

[0134] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from the practice of the implementations. As used herein, the term component is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and/or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and/or methods are described herein without reference to specific software codeit being understood that software and hardware can be used to implement the systems and/or methods based on the description herein. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, and/or the like, depending on the context. Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification.

[0135] Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles a and an are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with one or more. Further, as used herein, the article the is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article the and may be used interchangeably with the one or more. Furthermore, as used herein, the term set is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with one or more. Where only one item is intended, the phrase only one or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms has, have, having, or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase based on is intended to mean based, at least in part, on unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term or is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with and/or, unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with either or only one of).