Screened lanai

Abstract

A multi-seasonal lanai includes a rigid, metal support structure, or frame, that is installed against a building over a designated area in need of screened enclosure, such as a patio or pool. A plurality of retractable screen assemblies is slidably coupled to and selectively encloses the frame. A plurality of guide mechanisms serves to facilitate displacement of the screen assemblies between an extended position, in which the frame is substantially enclosed, and a retracted position, in which the frame is rendered open. A plurality of fixedly mounted, substantially enclosed, housing units retains the screen assemblies in a relatively compact configuration when retracted and thereby protects certain sensitive components, such as wire mesh screens, from potentially damaging elements that are prevalent in cold weather environments, such as snow and ice.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lanai comprising:
 (a) an open frame; and   (b) at least one screen assembly slidably coupled to the frame and displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the frame includes a plurality of beams that together define at least one opening that is selectively enclosed by the at least one screen assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the frame includes a plurality of parallel, spaced apart beams, each beam including a vertical segment and a horizontal segment that are joined at a rounded corner. 
     
     
         4 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the frame additionally includes at least one brace coupled to the plurality of beams to provide structural support to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each screen assembly comprises an enlarged screen that includes a first end, a second end, and a pair of side edges. 
     
     
         6 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a guide mechanism for limiting displacement of the at least one screen assembly along a defined path between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     
     
         7 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the guide mechanism comprises:
 (a) an elongated, continuous chain fixedly connected to the at least one screen assembly; and 
 (b) a guide track coupled to the open frame, the guide track being adapted to continuously engage the chain and limit displacement of the at least one screen assembly along a defined path. 
 
     
     
         8 . The lanai as claimed wherein the guide track includes at least one sprocket disposed to rotatably engage the chain and thereby limit displacement of the at least one screen assembly along a defined path. 
     
     
         9 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the chain comprises:
 (a) a series of inner side plates; 
 (b) a series of outer side plates, and 
 (c) a plurality of transverse cross-links connecting the series of inner and outer side plates, wherein at least one of the plurality of transverse cross-links includes a loop at one end that is coupled to the at least one screen assembly. 
 
     
     
         10 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a substantially enclosed housing unit that is shaped to define an interior cavity dimensioned to receive the majority of the at least one screen assembly when disposed in its retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the housing unit includes a drive sprocket rotatably mounted within the interior cavity, the drive sprocket selectively engaging and displacing the screen assembly between its extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         12 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a handle adapted to be coupled to the drive sprocket, wherein actuation of the handle results in rotation of the drive sprocket. 
     
     
         13 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the housing unit additionally includes a plurality of guide elements that together collapse the at least one screen assembly into an accordion-style configuration when disposed in its retracted position. 
     
     
         14 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the housing unit includes a roller rotatably mounted within the interior cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising an elongated, continuous cable coupled to the at least one screen assembly and the roller. 
     
     
         16 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising a handle adapted to be coupled to the roller, wherein actuation of the handle results in rotation of the roller. 
     
     
         17 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the housing unit additionally includes a plurality of guide elements that together wind the at least one screen assembly into a spiral-shaped configuration when disposed in its retracted position. 
     
     
         18 . The lanai as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a fixedly mounted latch mechanism for selectively engaging the at least one screen assembly, the latch mechanism releasably retaining the at least one screen assembly in its extended position.