Retractable greenhouse

Abstract

An agricultural greenhouse with a reversible covering that can be quickly mechanically opened and closed. The top cover is attached to an endless cable system and two side covers are attached to upper and lower cable systems. Upon activation the cables cause the top and side covers to open in one direction and close in the opposite direction.

1 . A greenhouse comprising multiple vertical posts and horizontal arms interconnected to form a framework, multiple cables extending the length of said greenhouse and being interconnected to said framework, a top cover operably interconnected to at least one of said cables, and a pair of side covers interconnected respectively to two of said cables and extending downwardly generally from the sides of said top cover.  
   
   
       2 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one cable is interconnected to said top cover by means of a yoke and clamp assembly.  
   
   
       3 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein an operating cable at one end thereof is interconnected to one edge of said side covers respectively by means of a clamp.  
   
   
       4 . A greenhouse according to  claim 3  wherein a yoke is attached to said side edge and said clamp is attached to said yoke.  
   
   
       5 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein said one cable is attached at the ends thereof respectively to a pair of reels.  
   
   
       6 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein the end of each of said two cables are attached respectively to a pair of reels.  
   
   
       7 . A greenhouse according to  claim 2  wherein said yoke is attached to one side edge of said top cover.  
   
   
       8 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein said top cover comprises a solid cover and a separate porous cover.  
   
   
       9 . A greenhouse according to  claim 8  wherein said one cable is detachable from each of said covers.  
   
   
       10 . A greenhouse according to  claim 8  wherein said one cable is reattachable to either of said covers.  
   
   
       11 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein a pair of roof covers are disposed side-by-side and are interconnected by means of an attachment and spring mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . A greenhouse according to  claim 11  wherein said attachment comprises a pair of spaced apertures formed therein to which said spring mechanism is attached.  
   
   
       13 . A greenhouse according to  claim 11  wherein said attachment includes at least one aperture and a support wire extends through said aperture.  
   
   
       14 . A greenhouse according to  claim 11  wherein said attachment and spring mechanism is moveable.  
   
   
       15 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein the ends of said cables are respectively wound up on reels.  
   
   
       16 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said cables extends around pulleys.  
   
   
       17 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein said framework comprises a removable exoskeleton.  
   
   
       18 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein supplemental support wires are interconnected to said framework and extend substantially the length of said side covers.  
   
   
       19 . A greenhouse according to  claim 15  wherein said reels are mounted on a rotatable shaft.  
   
   
       20 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein said roof cover and said side covers are movable independently by means of a coupling mechanism.  
   
   
       21 . A greenhouse according to  claim 20  wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a solenoid and slip clutch combination.  
   
   
       22 . A greenhouse according to  claim 11  wherein said attachment comprises a clamping mechanism interconnected to the associated on of said cables.  
   
   
       23 . A greenhouse according to  claim 1  wherein supplemental support wires are not attached to said framework and extend substantially the length of said side covers.  
   
   
       24 . A greenhouse according to  claim 18  wherein said supplemental support wires are detachably interconnected to said framework.  
   
   
       25 . A method of covering live plants comprising the steps of selectively moving a roof cover over said plants from an extended position to a compressed position and moving a pair of side covers selectively from extended positions to compressed positions.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein said plants are disposed in a row and wherein said side covers extend respectively along opposite sides of said row.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein a pair of top covers are disposed side-by-side and are interconnected to each other.