Uni-Systems, Inc.

Timothy John Kline

Cyril J Silberman

Barton L Riberich

Michael James Becker

Lennart Nielsen

Terry Thompson

Andrew Cheng

Bart Riberich

Lennart Nielson

David Sadinsky

Alan Wilcox

Neil Tolin

Mark Silvera

Randy Grems

M David Sadinsky

Dick Eide

Cheuk A Cheng

Peter Fervoy

Robert Doherty

Francisco Pantano-Rubino

Justin Waldron

Michael R Riberich

Jamie Siegrist

Jennifer Ann McLeish

John Lanari

Alex Krueger

A covering system includes a flexible, web-like membrane having first and second portions. A first cross support is connected to the first portion of the membrane, and a second cross support is connected to the second portion of the membrane. A drive mechanism is provided for moving the second cross support relative to the first cross support so that the membrane is movable between a first, retracted position and a second, deployed position. The drive mechanism includes a force multiplication mechanism for facilitating a longitudinal tensile stress application to the membrane when it is in the second, deployed position. A transverse tensioning mechanism that includes a catenary linkage is also provided for tensioning the membrane in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Automated covering system

A convertible stadium includes a playing field, a seating area, a stationary roof structure and a large, heavy roof panel mounted for movement with respect to the stationary roof structure, A plurality of cable drums are mounted for movement together with the roof panel. Each cable drum has at least one cable wound thereabout. The cable is secured to the stationary roof structure and is payable from the respective cable drum. The system is designed so as to minimize movement between the cable and the roof panel, so there will be no possibility of frictional engagement therebetween.

Cable drive and control system for movable stadium roof panels

A movable roof member includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to permit the roof member to move in a predetermined path with respect to the underlying structure of the supporting edifice. The transport mechanism includes structure for supporting both ends of the roof member, which bridges an otherwise open area of the edifice. In order to permit some flexure and movement of the roof member with respect to the underlying edifice, as will inevitably occur as a result of natural forces such as winds, a lateral release system is provided for maintaining the transport mechanism in a predetermined orientation while simultaneously permitting a limited amount of movement of the roof member in a direction that is nonparallel to the predetermined path of movement. The lateral release system has been found to be most effective when it is provided at but one end of the roof member. The lateral release system preferably includes a linear slide bearing that in the preferred embodiment has a longitudinal axis that is oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the predetermined path of travel of the roof member.

Lateral release mechanism for movable roof panels

A convertible stadium includes an exhibition area, a seating area and a plurality of roof support locations for supporting a movable or retractable roof assembly. The roof assembly includes a first major truss that spans a distance between a first and a second of the roof support locations and a second major truss that spans a distance between a third and a fourth of the roof support locations. Both of the first and second major trusses are preferably structurally configured as a tied arch, each of which has a generally convex upper portion and a lower portion that is adapted to assume gravity induced stresses within the trusses as tension. In order to keep the center of mass of the major trusses generally positioned within a plane including the roof support locations, which optimizes lateral stability of the major trusses, the major trusses are most preferably given a lenticular shape, meaning that the lower portion of the trusses is convex and in fact preferably generally symmetrical to the upper portion. First and second convex guide tracks are respectively mounted to the upper portions of the first and second major trusses, and a movable roof member is mounted for movement along the guide tracks. Advantageously, the guide wheels and the drive wheels on the movable roof member engage the upwardly facing and downwardly facing surfaces on the guide tracks, and are biased together so as to provide sufficient traction to be able to move the movable roof member along the guide tracks even when such movement has an upward component due to the convex shape of the guide tracks.

Retractable roof system for stadium

A convertible stadium includes an exhibition area, a seating area and an outer sidewall in which is defined in large opening, preferably located so as to provide favorable outdoor views to the occupants of the stadium. A movable wall member is advantageously position so as to be able to open or close the large opening. When the movable wall member is in a first, retracted position spectators will be provided with a view of the outdoors and a great deal of outdoor air and sunlight. When outdoor conditions are unfavorable for an intended event within the stadium, however, the movable wall member may be repositioned in order to partially or fully close the opening. Such unfavorable conditions may include undesirable sun position, an undesirable amount of wind or humidity; or unfavorable temperatures. The movable wall member may be deployed in combination with a retractable roof in an otherwise indoor stadium, resulting in a convertible stadium that may be converted to have a true outdoor feel during favorable weather conditions.

Movable wall for stadium

A convertible public exhibition facility includes a stadium having an exhibition area and a seating area that is situated about the exhibition area for permitting spectators to view activities taking place in the exhibition area. The exhibition facility further includes a movable natural grass activity platform that has a surface area of natural grass that is at least 10,000 square feet and that is constructed so as to have a characteristic frequency of at least 6 Hz. Situated within the natural grass activity platform is a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged so as to be able to move the natural grass activity platform as a complete unit from a location that is outside of the stadium to a location that is within the exhibition area. Preferably, the location that is outside of the stadium is an outdoor location that provides optimal conditions for the growth of natural grass.

Convertible stadium and method of operating

An edifice such as a sports stadium is adapted for open use during good weather as well as for covered use during poor weather by having at least one movable roof member. Each movable roof member includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to permit the roof member to move in a predetermined path with respect to the underlying structure of the edifice. The transport mechanism includes structure for supporting both ends of the roof member, which bridges an otherwise open area of the edifice. In order to permit some flexure and movement of the roof member with respect to the underlying edifice, as will inevitably occur as a result of natural forces such as winds, orientation structure is provided for maintaining the transport mechanism in a predetermined orientation while simultaneously permitting a limited amount of movement of the roof member in a direction that is nonparallel to the predetermined path of movement. The orientation structure has been found to be most effective when it is provided at but one end of the roof member.

Transport mechanism for large structures such as retractable stadium rooves

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Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Timothy John Kline