WO2013080234A1

WO2013080234A1 - Outdoor awning

Info

Publication number: WO2013080234A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Bandini
Original assignee: Velombra Srl
Current assignee: Velombra Srl
Priority date: 2011-12-01
Filing date: 2011-12-01
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-01

Abstract

An outdoor awning (1), which comprises a bar (2) for a roll-up sheet (3)· The sheet (3) is movable from an inactive position to a functional position, and vice versa. When the sheet (3) is in the inactive position, it is rolled up around the bar (2), while when it is in the functional position, it is extended to cover the underlying surface. The at least one free end (4) of the sheet is engaged, according to a plurality of different configurations, with corresponding locking elements (5)· The two end portions (6) of the bar (2) are connected to respective fastening elements (7). At least one of these elements (7) can be locked to respective primary guiding means (8), according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of the sheet (3) according to different inclinations.

Description

OUTDOOR AWNING

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an outdoor awning.

Background Art

Different types of awnings, freestanding umbrellas and other covering elements are known, particularly for outdoor environments (gardens, open spaces and the like).

Of these, solutions are known which involve the use of one or more sheets, which can slide from a configuration in which they are completely rolled up around a bar, to a configuration in which they are extended to protect the underlying area from the sun or from other atmospheric elements.

The bar can be fixed to a wall, or supported by one or more substantially vertical columns coupled firmly to the ground.

Such support structures, being substantially fixed, exhibit the limitation of not allowing the user to manage the shading and/or protection from atmospheric agents according to his or her requirements.

If the position of the covering is fixed, then as the position of the sun changes, the area of shadow of the covering will change its position, forcing the user to move in order to be able to obtain shelter from the sun's rays. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing an awning that allows the user to manage the shading and/or protection from atmospheric agents according to his or her requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an outdoor awning that is highly versatile.

Another object of the invention is to provide an outdoor awning that is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

This aim and these objects are all achieved by an outdoor awning characterized in that it comprises a bar for a roll-up sheet, said sheet being movable from an inactive position to a functional position and vice versa, in said inactive position said sheet being rolled up around said bar, in said functional position said sheet being extended to cover the underlying surface, the at least one free end of said sheet being engaged, according to a plurality of different configurations, with corresponding locking elements, the end portions of said bar being connected to respective fastening elements, at least one of said fastening elements being capable of being locked to respective primary guiding means, according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of said sheet according to different inclinations.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the outdoor awning according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the awning according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of an element of the awning, according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a view of a different element of the awning, according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the awning according to the invention, with some of the possible positions for use shown in dotted lines;

Figure 5 is a view of a different embodiment of the awning according to the invention.

Ways of carrying out the invention

With particular reference to the figures, an outdoor awning, which comprises a bar 2 for a roll-up sheet 3, is generally designated with the reference numeral 1.

The sheet 3 is movable from an inactive position to a functional position, and vice versa.

When the sheet 3 is in the inactive position, it is rolled up around the bar 2, while when it is in the functional position, it is extended so as to cover the underlying surface.

The at least one free end 4 of the sheet is engaged, according to a plurality of different configurations, with corresponding locking elements 5.

The two end portions 6 of the bar 2 are connected to respective fastening elements 7.

At least one of the elements 7 can be locked to respective primary guiding means 8, according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of the sheet 3 according to different inclinations.

The fact that one of the two fastening elements 7 is free to slide, and be locked, along the primary guiding means 8, makes it possible for the bar 2 to assume different positions, characterized by different inclinations thereof with respect to the ground.

According to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, both of the fastening elements 7 can be locked to respective primary guiding means 8, each one according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of the sheet 3 according to different inclinations and heights.

The fact that both of the fastening elements 7 can slide and be locked along the primary guiding means 8 makes it possible for the bar 2 not only to assume different inclinations with respect to the ground, but also to vary its distance from the ground, and thus its height.

The primary guiding means 8 can be metallic profiles, stably coupled to a wall (for example the outer wall of a dwelling) by way of respective brackets.

Along such profiles both fastening elements 7 can slide and be locked, so that the bar can be freely moved and inclined.

According to another embodiment, of particular simplicity and effectiveness, the locking elements 5 can be locked to respective secondary guiding means 9, according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of the sheet 3 according to different inclinations.

In this solution, the bar 2 does not change its position in any way, but it is exclusively possible to modify the height, with respect to the ground, at which the at least one free end 4 of the sheet 3 is arranged.

According to a different embodiment, shown in Figure 2, of particular utility, both the fastening elements 7 and the locking elements 5 can be locked respectively to corresponding primary guiding means 8 and secondary guiding means 9, each one according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of the sheet 3 according to different inclinations and heights.

It is thus possible to arrange the sheet 3 substantially parallel to the ground, by maintaining the fastening elements 7 and the locking elements 5 at the same distance from the walkable surface, and also to raise or lower the sheet 3 with respect to the ground, by simultaneously varying the position of the fastening elements 7 and of the locking elements 5 and keeping them at the same height.

On the contrary, by setting at least one of the fastening elements 7 and the locking elements 5 at a different height from the others, it is possible to make the sheet 3 assume different inclinations.

According to a different and particularly practical embodiment, shown in Figure 5, at least one component chosen from among a fastening element 7 and a locking element 5, which are associated with respective bars 2 and sheets 3, is arranged slideably on the primary guiding means 8 and secondary guiding means 9 according to a plurality of different configurations.

The awning 1 can thus be provided with a single bar 2 supported by primary guiding means 8, or a combination of several bars, each one supported by primary guiding means 8, forming a grid where each individual sheet 3 can be inclined, raised or lowered according to requirements, in that it is provided with fastening elements 7 and locking elements 5, which can slide and be locked along corresponding primary guiding means 8 and secondary guiding means 9.

On those same primary guiding means 8 and secondary guiding means 9, more than one bar 2 and/or more than one free end 4 of the sheet 3 can thus be locked.

In this manner it is possible to cover very great areas thanks to the arrangement of sheets 3 mutually arranged side by side and aligned. This configuration is particularly adapted to installations of the type of bathing establishments, swimming pools, business establishments open to the public, parks and the like.

Each individual awning 1 , in this case, can be assigned to a respective group of users. Each group can thus independently manage the respective sheet 3 according to requirements.

As shown in Figure 5, the awning 1 can be provided with two bars 2, both supported by the same primary guiding means 8.

The respective secondary guiding means 9 will be mutually opposite with respect to the bars 2 for the locking of the free end of each sheet 3.

It must moreover be kept in mind that the entire surface occupied by the individual sheet 3, and thus by the awning 1, represents the useful and exploitable space of the area sheltered from the sun's rays, rain or other atmospheric events.

The primary guiding means 8 and secondary guiding means 9 can be constituted by columns 10 that are integral with the ground and are provided with a plurality of longitudinal rails 11 within which corresponding skids arranged on the fastening elements 7 and on the locking elements 5 are slideably movable.

The columns 10 on rigid paving can be fixed by way of flanges to be doweled to the paving.

If the ground is uneven and/or unpaved, then the columns 10 will be associated with a pedestal arranged on the ground and suitably ballasted in order to ensure an optimal stability for the awning 1.

The fastening element 7 can thus be constituted by a substantially tubular element 12 that is slideable on the column 10, and can be provided with a transmission element 13 that is functionally associated with the bar 2.

The transmission element 13 is preferably constituted by a universal joint in order to enable the bar 2 to assume a plurality of different inclinations with respect to the fastening element 7.

Preferably the element 13 will be at least partially extendable in order to adapt the length of the bar 2 to its particular arrangement (when the bar 2 is horizontal the distance between the respective fastening elements 7 is the minimum, and when it is inclined such distance becomes longer and it increases with the increase of the inclination).

The locking elements 5 are constituted by a substantially tubular body 14 that is slideable on the column 10 and comprises at least one cleat 15 for a tensioning element 16 associated with the at least one free end 4 of the sheet 3.

The cleat 15 can be a bitt, functionally associated with a jam cleat, of the type used in the nautical field, around which the tensioning element 16 is wound in order to ensure that, once the sheet 3 is completely extended, it remains stably in the functional position.

The tensioning element 16 is of the type preferably chosen from among a rope, a chain, a cable and the like.

Interposed between the cleat 15 and the free end 4of the sheet is a pulley 17 for the deviation of the tensioning element 16.

The passage from the inactive position to the functional position is caused by a traction applied to the tensioning element 16 by the user.

The locking elements 5 and the fastening element 7 are provided with means of interference 18 with the column 10 for the selective locking of the sheet 3 in a plurality of different inclinations with respect to the column 10.

The interference means 18 can be threaded pins, provided with grip knobs, present on the column 10 and designed to be accommodated within respective guides 11 that are arranged along the whole length of the column 10.

The user, by applying a twist to the knobs (i.e. partially unscrewing them), loosens the pins in the respective guides 11, in which they are accommodated, and the substantially tubular body 12 and 14 is thus free to perform a translational motion along the column 10.

Once the user has established the new position of the body 12 and/or 14, he or she inserts and locks (by screwing) the knobs inside the guide 11 in a different position.

The bar 2 contains a pretensioned spring for the automatic rewinding of the sheet 3, the elastic reaction of which, following the release of the sheet 3 from the functional, i.e. extended, position, automatically causes the passage to the inactive position, i.e. rolled up around the bar 2, as well as the subsequent maintenance of this latter position (i.e. the pretensioned spring causes a rotation of the bar 2 in a direction such as to completely rewind the sheet 3).

The sheet 3 can be substantially triangular, as shown in the accompanying Figures.

The sheet 3 can, as an alternative, be substantially quadrilateral.

In this case, there will be two secondary guiding means which will be arranged substantially in front of the primary guiding means.

The possibility is not excluded of implementing applications with sheets 3 having different shapes.

Operation of the awning 1, according to the invention, is the following.

If the user wishes to use the awning 1, it is sufficient to act on the tensioning element 16 in order to make the sheet 3 pass from the inactive position to the functional position.

The tensioning element 16 exerts a force on the sheet 3, contrasting the action of the pretensioned spring, and thus obtaining the complete extension of the sheet 3.

Once the functional position is reached, as we have already seen it is possible to ensure the stability of the arrangement arrived at by winding the tensioning element 16 around the cleat 15.

If the user wishes to modify the height or inclination of the sheet 3, it is sufficient to disengage the means of interference with the column 10, and bring the substantially tubular body 12 and 14 to the desired height, by making it slide along the respective guiding means 8 and 9.

Once the user has established the new and desired position of the body 12 and 14, he or she once again engages the means of interference 18, so that the body 12 and 14 is firmly locked.

It is possible to arrange the sheet 3 substantially parallel to the ground, by maintaining the fastening elements 7 and the locking elements 5 at the same distance from the walkable surface, and also to raise or lower the sheet 3 with respect to the ground, by simultaneously varying the position of the fastening elements 7 and of the locking elements 5 and keeping them at the same height.

Moreover, it is possible to stably maintain the sheet 3 in an intermediate position between the functional position and the inactive position by winding, according to a different locking configuration, the tensioning element 16 around the cleat 15.

When it is necessary to rewind the sheet 3, the user has only to release the tensioning element 16, since the elastic reaction of the pretensioned spring automatically restores the inactive position, without requiring further intervention from the user.

In practice it has been found that the outdoor awning according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, in that it is capable of assuming different positions and inclinations during use, according to necessity.

Advantageously, the outdoor awning 1 according to the invention makes it possible to vary its inclination and position simply and quickly.

In fact, by way of the movement of the fastening elements 7 and/or of the locking elements 5 along the respective primary guiding means 8 and secondary guiding means 9, it is possible to arrange the sheet 3 substantially parallel to the ground, as well as incline it, lower it and/or raise it with respect to the ground.

Conveniently, the outdoor awning 1 according to the invention offers considerable versatility of use, thanks to the modularity that distinguishes it, which makes it possible to adapt it to the different dimensions of the installation area.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice the materials employed, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. An outdoor awning, characterized in that it comprises a bar (2) for a roll-up sheet (3), said sheet (3) being movable from an inactive position to a functional position and vice versa, in said inactive position said sheet (3) being rolled up around said bar (2), in said functional position said sheet (3) being extended to cover the underlying surface, the at least one free end (4) of said sheet (3) being engaged, according to a plurality of different configurations, with corresponding locking elements (5), the end portions (6) of said bar (2) being connected to respective fastening elements (7), at least one of said fastening elements (7) being capable of being locked to respective primary guiding means (8), according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of said sheet (3) according to different inclinations.

2. The outdoor awning according to claim 1, characterized in that both of said fastening elements (7) can be locked to respective primary guiding means (8), each one according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of said sheet (3) according to different inclinations and heights.

3. The outdoor awning according to claim 1 , characterized in that said locking elements (5) can be locked to respective secondary guiding means

(9), according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of said sheet (3) according to different inclinations.

4. The outdoor awning according to claim 1, characterized in that both said fastening elements (7) and said locking elements (5) can be locked respectively to corresponding primary guiding means (8) and secondary guiding means (9), each one according to a plurality of different configurations, for the positioning of said sheet (3) according to different inclinations and heights.

5. The outdoor awning according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one component chosen from among a fastening element (7) and a locking element (5), which are associated with respective bars (2) and sheets (3), is arranged slideably on said primary guiding means (8) and secondary guiding means (9) according to a plurality of different configurations.

6. The outdoor awning according to claim 1, characterized in that said primary guiding means (8) and secondary guiding means (9) are constituted by columns (10) that are integral with the ground and are provided with a plurality of longitudinal rails (11) within which corresponding skids arranged on said fastening elements (7) and on said locking elements (5) are slideably movable.

7. The outdoor awning according to claim 6, characterized in that said fastening element (7) is constituted by a substantially tubular element (12) which is slideable on said column (10), said tubular element (12) being provided with a transmission element (13) which is functionally associated with said bar (2).

8. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transmission element (13) is constituted by a universal joint in order to enable said bar (2) to assume a plurality of different inclinations with respect to said fastening element (7).

9. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking elements (5) are constituted by a substantially tubular body (14) which is slideable on said column (10), said body (14) comprising at least one cleat (15) for a tensioning element (16) associated with the at least one free end (4) of said sheet (3).

10. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tensioning element (16) is of the type preferably chosen from among a rope, a chain, a cable and the like, interposed between said cleat (15) and said free end (4) of said sheet a pulley (17) being provided for the deviation of said tensioning element (16).

11. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking elements (5) and said fastening elements (7) are provided with means of interference (18) with said column (10) for the selective locking of said sheet (3) in a plurality of different inclinations with respect to said column (10).

12. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bar (2) contains a pretensioned spring for the automatic rewinding of said sheet (3).

13. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (3) is substantially triangular.

14. The outdoor awning according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (3) is substantially quadrilateral.