Greenhouse

Abstract

A greenhouse (10), including: first (52 A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B); a sheet (42); and a device (26C) being connected to the first arch (52A), for covering and for uncovering a portion (70 A) of the first arch (52 A) by the sheet (42), for covering and uncovering between the first (52A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B), wherein the device (26A) is shorter (74B) than the distance (74A) between the first (52 A) and second (52B) arches.

Description

[0001] GREENHOUSE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to the field of greenhouses.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Known are devices for covering low greenhouses that contain metal arches covered with plastic that cover various field crops, for example strawberries, etc. In order to properly care for the crops, it is necessary in the cold season to open and close the plastic cover every day to regulate the temperature and so that the crops are not exposed, for example, to excessively high heat, rain, etc. Today, the opening and closing of the cover is performed by workers who perform the operation manually. This requires many workers and many working hours.

[0006] There is a long felt need to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] A greenhouse (10), including:

[0009] - first (52 A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B);

[0010] - a sheet (42); and

[0011] - a device (26C) being connected to the first arch (52A).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a greenhouse, according to one embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the arches of Fig. 1, with its sheet handling device, without the sheet.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the arches of Fig. 1, with their sheet handling devices, without the arches.

[0016] Fig. 4 is the perspective view Fig. 2, according to another embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a side view Fig. 4.

[0018] Fig. 6 is the view of Fig. 4 according to another embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 7 depicts a solar power assembly, for powering the electric motor.

[0020] Fig. 8 describes the solar power assembly of Fig. 7 at another position.

[0021] Fig. 9 adds the solar power assemblies of Fig. 8, to Fig.

[0022] 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The invention will be understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features are not described in detail.

[0024] The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a greenhouse, according to one embodiment.

[0026] A greenhouse 10, according to one embodiment, includes narrow arches 52A, 52B, 52C, for carrying a sheet 42 thereon.

[0027] A sheet handling device 26A is attached, for removing sheet 42 from a portion 70 A of arch 52 A, and for deploying back; a sheet handling device 26A is attached, for removing sheet 42 from a portion (not shown) of arch 52B, and for deploying back; etc.

[0028] Sheet handling devices 26A and 26B are independent, such that Fig. 1 shows an example that arch 52 A only is naked (partly).Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the arches of Fig. 1, with its sheet handling device, without the sheet.

[0029] Sheet handling device 26A includes a body 56, from which extend wheels 54A and 54B1, for disposing arch 52 A attachably between the wheels! and a motor 16 for rotating at least one of the wheels, being in Fig. 2, wheel 54.

[0030] Thus rotation of motor 16 rotates wheel 54A, which due to the attaching of wheel 54B1 rotates wheel 54B1 as well, thus sliding 30 the entire of sheet handling device 26A including a surface 60 of body 56, along arch 52A, while maintaining the connection of sheet handling device 26A at arch 52A.

[0031] In contrast to a rod crossing from arch 52A to arch 52B, device 26A is short (74B), thus the distance of device 26A from arch 52B is distance 74A between arches 52 A and 52B.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the arches of Fig. 1, with their sheet handling devices, without the arches.

[0033] A surface 60 of body 56 of sheet handling device 26A is fixed to a portion 44, typically being an end 44 of sheet 42, such as by a plate 64, firmly pressing end 44 therebetween.

[0034] Thus, surface 60 and plate 54 slide portion 44 of sheet 42, and not only its end, upon sliding 30 of sheet handling device 26A along arch 52A of Fig. 2, thus removing sheet 42 from arch 52 A and deploying back, shown in Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is the perspective view Fig. 2, according to another embodiment.

[0035] Sheet handling device 26A includes body 56, from which extend wheels 54A and 54B, for disposing arch 52A attachably between the wheels! and motor 16 for rotating wheel 54.

[0036] Wheel 54A is fixed to a gear 36A; and wheel 54B1 is fixed to a gear 36B.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a side view Fig. 4.

[0038] Gear 36B is interlaced with gear 36A. Gears 36A and 36B improve the rotation of wheel 54B1.

[0039] Fig. 6 is the view of Fig. 4 according to another embodiment.

[0040] Body 56 of sheet handling device 26A may constitute sub-parts 66A and 66B being dismantalable from one another, for inserting a center portion of arch 52 between wheels 54A and 54B.

[0041] Sheet handling device 26A may include a detector, such as a springy leaf 75, which may be movable by teeth of the gear, for counting the rotation of the gear, and this may function for controlling including ceasing motor 16 at limits, such as at full opening or closing of the sheet.

[0042] Detector 75 may function as a threshold switch, such that when a drive unit reaches opening or closing, the switch is pressed and stops the motor operation.Fig. 7 depicts a solar power assembly, for powering the motor.

[0043] A solar power assembly 80 includes a pedestal 84 fixed to the top of body 56 of sheet handling device 26A; and a solar panel 82 carried by pedestal 84, for powering motor 16.

[0044] Solar panel 82 is fixed to a weight 88, being pivotally (86) connected to pedestal 84.

[0045] Fig. 8 depicts the solar power assembly of Fig. 7 at another position.

[0046] Weight 88 together with pivot 86 rotates solar panel 82 to be directed upwards to face the sky 90, thus to the sun, by gravity only in spite of the tilted position of sheet handling device 26A induced by its sliding 30 along arch 52A.

[0047] Fig. 9 adds the solar power assemblies of Fig. 8, to Fig.

[0048] 3.

[0049] Thus, each of the handling devices includes its independent solar panel 82. Thus, each of the handling devices may as well be controlled independently. The directing of the solar panels to the sky, thus to the sun, being the power source, does not require any control. Rather, gravity only directs solar panels 82 to receive the maximal intensity.

[0050] Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a greenhouse (10), including:

[0051] - first (52 A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B);

[0052] - a sheet (42); and- a device (26C) being connected to the first arch (52A), for covering and for uncovering a portion (70A) of the first arch (52A) by the sheet (42), for covering and uncovering between the first (52A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B),

[0053] wherein the device (26A) is shorter (74B) than the distance (74A) between the first (52A) and second (52B) arches.

[0054] The device (26A) may be fixed to a portion (44) of the sheet (42).

[0055] The connection of the device (26 A) to the first arch (52 A), may be slideable (30) connection, for sliding (30) the device (26A) along the first arch (52 A).

[0056] The device (26A) may further includes a motor (16), for providing the sliding (30).

[0057] The device (26 A) may further includes a detector (75) for controlling the motor (16).

[0058] The device (26A) may include a first wheel (54A) for attaching to a first side of the first arch (52).

[0059] The device (26A) may further include a second wheel (54B1) for attaching to a second side of the first arch (52).

[0060] The greenhouse (10) may further include:

[0061] - a first gear (36A) fixed to the first wheel (54A); and- a second gear (36B) fixed to the second wheel (54B1), and being interlaced with the first gear (36A).

[0062] The greenhouse may further include:

[0063] - a solar panel (82) including a pivotal connection (86) to the device (26C); and

[0064] - a weight (88), for directing the solar panel (82) upwards via the pivotal connection (86).

[0065] The greenhouse may further include:

[0066] - a solar panel (82) connected to said device (26C), for powering said covering and uncovering.

[0067] The connection of the solar panel (82) to the device (26C) may be pivotal.

[0068] The greenhouse may further include:

[0069] - a weight (88), for directing the solar panel (82) upwards via the pivotal connection (86).

[0070] The greenhouse may further include:

[0071] - a solar panel (82) including a pivotal connection (86) to the device (26C); and

[0072] - a weight (88), for directing the solar panel (82) upwards via the pivotal connection (86).

[0073] In the figures and description herein, the following reference numbers (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:number 10 denotes the greenhouse according to one embodiment of the invention!

[0074] 16:motor!

[0075] 18: battery!

[0076] 24: cover!

[0077] 26A,26B,26C;devices!

[0078] 30: sliding!

[0079] 36A,36B: gears!

[0080] 42: sheet!

[0081] 44: portion of sheet 42;

[0082] 52A,52B,52C: arches!

[0083] 54A: wheel!

[0084] 54B1,54B2: wheels being contra to wheel 54A;

[0085] 56: body of device 26A;

[0086] 60: surface of body 56 of device 26A;

[0087] 64: plate or other fixing means!

[0088] 66A,66B: sub-parts of body 56!

[0089] 70A,70B: portions of arch 52 A;

[0090] 74A: distance between arches!

[0091] 74B: short length of device 26C!

[0092] 75:detector for measuring rotation of wheel 54B, for controlling motor 16!

[0093] 80: solar power assembly!

[0094] 82: solar panel!

[0095] 86: pivot, and pivotal connection!

[0096] 88: weight!

[0097] 92: electric wire for flowing the electric power produced by solar cell 82 to electric motor 16!The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purpose of illustration, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

[0098] Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted according to this definition.

[0099] The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A greenhouse (10), comprising:- first (52 A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B);- a sheet (42); and- a device (26C) being connected to said first arch (52A), for covering and for uncovering a portion (70A) of said first arch (52A) by said sheet (42), for covering and uncovering between said first (52A) and second (52B) arches (52A,52B),wherein said device (26 A) is shorter (74B) than a distance (74A) between said first (52A) and second (52B) arches.

2. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 1, wherein said device (26A) is fixed to a portion (44) of said sheet (42).

3. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 1, wherein said connection of said device (26A) to said first arch (52A), comprises slideable (30) connection, for sliding (30) said device (26 A) along said first arch (52 A).

4. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 3, wherein said device (26 A) further comprises a motor (16), for providing said sliding (30).

5. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 4, wherein said device (26A) further comprises a detector (75) for controlling said motor (16).

6. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 1, wherein said device (26A) comprises a first wheel (54A) for attaching to a first side of said first arch (52).

7. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 6, wherein said device (26A) further comprises a second wheel (54B1) for attaching to a second side of said first arch (52).

8. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 7, further comprising:- a first gear (36A) fixed to said first wheel (54A); and- a second gear (36B) fixed to said second wheel (54B1), and being interlaced with said first gear (36A).

9. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 1, further comprising:- a solar panel (82) connected to said device (26C), for powering said covering and uncovering.

10. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 9, wherein said connection of said solar panel (82) to said device (26C) comprises a pivotal connection (86).

11. The greenhouse (10) according to claim 9, further comprising:- a weight (88), for directing said solar panel (82) upwards via said pivotal connection (86).

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