EP0337033A1 - Apparatus for supporting intermediate portion of awning sheet winding shaft - Google Patents
Apparatus for supporting intermediate portion of awning sheet winding shaft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0337033A1 EP0337033A1 EP88310290A EP88310290A EP0337033A1 EP 0337033 A1 EP0337033 A1 EP 0337033A1 EP 88310290 A EP88310290 A EP 88310290A EP 88310290 A EP88310290 A EP 88310290A EP 0337033 A1 EP0337033 A1 EP 0337033A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- awning sheet
- winding shaft
- housing
- rollers
- peripheral surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F10/00—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins
- E04F10/02—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
- E04F10/06—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins comprising a roller-blind with means for holding the end away from a building
- E04F10/0666—Accessories
- E04F10/0677—Accessories acting as centre bearing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F10/00—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins
- E04F10/02—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
- E04F10/06—Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens; Awnings or baldachins of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins comprising a roller-blind with means for holding the end away from a building
- E04F10/0666—Accessories
- E04F10/0674—Accessories acting as separate supporting bar
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft, and more particularly to one in which the awning sheet winding shaft is so supported as to minimize deflection produced under the influence of the weight of the awning sheet wound thereon thereby permitting the awning sheet to be smoothly extended and retracted over an extended period of time in use.
- a windable awning sheet assembly so as to extend its awning sheet outward from a wall of the building.
- a windable awning sheet has its one end secured to a winding shaft opposite ends of which are rotatably supported and rotated manually or electrically to extend and retract the awning sheet wound thereon.
- the other end of the windable awning sheet is secured to a rod-like or pipe-like front beam opposite ends of which are supported by a pair of supporting arms or a plurality of folding arms.
- Each of such folding arms is provided with a folding section in its intermediate portion while normally biased at an extended position by means of a spring.
- the winding shaft on which the awning sheet is wound has its opposite ends rotatably mounted on brackets through bearings, the winding shaft is deflected downward by gravity or under the influence of the weight of the awning sheet wound on the winding shaft when the awning sheet is wound on the winding shaft.
- the winding shaft increases in width, such downward deflection of the winding shaft increases.
- the downward deflection of the winding shaft prevents the awing sheet from being smoothly extended and retracted, and increases stresses in the bearings of the winding shaft to shorten their service lives.
- the winding shaft is provided with at least one apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of the winding shaft.
- Such conventional apparatus is constructed of: a housing provided with an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion and the remaining portion with which the winding shaft is surrounded; a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in the housing; and an endless belt running round the rollers for supporting the awning sheet having being wound on the winding shaft on an outer surface of the belt which is driven by the awning sheet through frictional contact therewith.
- the awning sheet is extended and retracted through the entrance/exit opening portion of the housing of the apparatus and drives the endless belt through the frictional contact therewith, the endless belt supporting the awning sheet.
- the conventional apparatus for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft is disadvantageous in that: the belt is driven by the awning sheet through the frictional contact therewith to have a ten dency to cause misalignment in the width direction of the awning sheet.
- the belt is brought into contact with the housing of the apparatus to shorten its service life and to prevent the winding shaft from being smoothly rotated.
- Embodiments of the present invention may achieve one or more of the following objects: to provide an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft through an endless belt which is driven by an awning sheet wound on the winding shaft and is free from misalignment in the width direction of the awning sheet, to make it possible to smoothly extend and retract the awning sheet over an extended period of time in use; to provide an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft through an endless belt, in which an opening angle of an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion of the housing of the apparatus is adjusted according to an awning sheet extending/retracting direction of the winding shaft; to provide an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft through an endless belt, in which the winding shaft is detachably mounted in the housing of the apparatus in an easy manner.
- the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting at least a lower surface of an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft on which a windable awning sheet is wound, comprising:
- an awning sheet assembly 1 is provided with an awning sheet winding shaft 2 opposite ends of which are rotatably mounted on a pair of main brackets 3 one of which is not shown in Fig. 1.
- Each of the brackets 3 is fixedly mounted on a base pipe 4 which is made of metal and has a square shape in cross section.
- the base pipe 4 is in turn fixedly mounted on a plurality of supporting brackets 5 which are suitably spaced apart from each other and fixed to a wall and the like serving as a primary supporting means for supporting the awning sheet assembly.
- An awning sheet 6 of the awning sheet assembly 1 is made of fabrics coated or laminated with synthetic resins, and has its one end secured to the winding shaft 2 so as to be wound thereon. The other end or free end of the awning sheet 6 is fixed to a front beam (not shown).
- the one end of the awning sheet 6 is first received into a longitudinal groove of the winding shaft 2, the groove being provided in an outer peripheral portion of the winding shaft 2 so as to extend along a longitudinal axis of the winding shaft 2, and thereafter a rod-like stopper is press-fitted into the groove through the one end of the awning sheet 6 so that the one end of the awning sheet 6 is sandwiched between the winding shaft 2 and the stopper in the groove so as to be secured to the winding shaft 2.
- the same method as that employed in the above in securing the one end of the awning sheet 6 to the winding shaft 2 is employed.
- the apparatus 7 in order to support an intermediate portion of the winding shaft 2, there is provided at least one apparatus 7 of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft 6, the apparatus 7 being hereinafter referred to as the "intermediate supporting apparatus 7".
- the intermediate supporting apparatus 7 is detachably mounted on a base pipe 4.
- the intermediate supporting apparatus 7 is provided with a housing 8 surrounding an outer periphery of the winding shaft 2.
- the housing 8 is made of a rigid material such as metal and the like, and has a C-shaped substantially annular form provided with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the awning sheet 6 having been completely wound on the winding shaft 2.
- An opening portion of the C-shaped substantially annular form of the housing 8 constitutes an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 of the intermediate supporting apparatus 7, through which opening portion 9 the awning sheet 6 is extended and retracted.
- At least a half of the outer periphery of the winding shaft 2 including its lower peripheral side is surrounded with the housing 8.
- a plurality of rollers 10 are rotatably mounted on the housing 8 through a plurality of bolts 11 while spaced apart from each other in a cir cumferential direction of the housing 8.
- Each of the rollers 10 is made of a rigid and wear-resistant material such as metal and plastic.
- An endless belt 12 runs round the rollers 10 as shown in Fig. 2.
- An outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 12 is brought into contact with at least a lower side of the awning sheet 6 wound on the winding shaft 2.
- the endless belt 12 runs round at least two rollers 10 disposed in a level lower than that of a central axis of the winding shaft 2.
- an outer diameter of the awning sheet 6 having being wound on the winding shaft 2 increases or decreases.
- the intermediate portion of the winding shaft 2 is resiliently moved upward or downward to make it possible that a lower side of the awning sheet 6 is always brought into contact with the endless belt 12.
- the endless belt 12 runs round lower three rollers 10 among six rollers 10 mounted on the C-shaped housing 8, the lower three rollers 10 being disposed under the winding shaft 2. If necessary, it is also possible to increase the number of the rollers 10 round which the endless belt 12 runs, the number of the rollers 10 being two in minimum. Further, it is also possible to provide a plurality of endless belts 12 running round the rollers 10, the endless belts 12 being disposed in parallel so as to be brought into contact with each other or to be spaced apart from each other in the width directions of the rollers 10.
- the endless belt 12 may be a conventional type belt reinforced with tire cords and the like.
- the housing 8 is constructed of a pair of plates 8a, 8b disposed in parallel to each other.
- Each of the plates 8a, 8b is provided with a plurality of through-holes for receiving a plurality of bolts 11.
- Each of the rollers 10 is provided with an axial central through-hole in which a bearing means 13 is mounted.
- the bearing means 13 may be a conventional type bearing means containing a ball bearing, and, therefore the details thereof in construction is not shown in the drawings.
- Each of the rollers 10 is rotatably mounted on the housing 8.
- each of the rollers 10 is inserted between the plates 8a, 8b, and then bolts 11 are inserted into the through-holes of the plates 8a, 8b to threadably engage with threaded holes of opposite ends of the bearing means 13, so that each of the rollers 10 is rotatably mounted on the housing 8.
- each of the rollers 10 is provided with an annular groove portion 14 in an axially central portion of its outer peripheral surface.
- the endless belt 12 running round the rollers 10 is provided with an annular ridge portion 15 in its inner peripheral surface, the annular ridge portion 15 of the endless belt 12 being engaged with the annular groove portions 14 of the rollers 10 in an insertion manner to prevent the endless belt 12 from causing misalignment with the rollers 10 in the width directions of the rollers 10.
- the groove portion 14 in an edge portion of each of the rollers 10.
- the ridge portion 15 of the endless belt 12 is also provided in the edge portion of the endless belt 12 corresponding to the edge portion of each of the rollers 10.
- the number of the groove portion 14 and the number of the ridge portion 15 may be two or more than two.
- annular groove portion 14 is provided in each of the rollers 10, while the annular ridge portion 15 is provided in the endless belt 12.
- annular groove portion 14 it is also possible to provide the annular groove portion 14 in the endless belt 12, and the annular ridge portion 15 is provided in each of the rollers 10.
- the annular ridge portion 15 is slightly smaller in size than the annular groove portion 14 so as to prevent the ridge portion 15 from being clamped in the groove portion 14, to ensure a smooth movement of the endless belt 12 without causing an excessive frictional resistance between the awning sheet 6 and the endless belt 12. As a result, the awning sheet 6 is prevented from being damaged, while the winding shaft 2 is driven with the lowest possible consumption of power.
- the groove portion 14 is larger in width than the ridge portion 15 by an amount of from 0.5 to 4 mm, preferably from 1.5 to 2.5 mm.
- the groove portion 14 is larger in depth or height than the ridge portion 15 by an amount of from 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably from 0.7 to 1.5 mm.
- the housing 8 is fixed to a bracket 17 through a fastener assembly 16 which is constructed of: a plurality of fastener segments 18 provided in a lower side of an outer peripheral portion of each of the plates 8a, 8b of the housing 8, each of the segments 18 being provided with a through-hole for receiving a bolt 19; a plurality of the bolts 19 each of which is inserted into the through-hole of each of the fastener segments 18; and a plurality of nuts 20 each of which is threadably engaged with each of the bolts 19.
- the bracket 17 is provided with a pair of arc-shaped arms 21 in its upper portion. Each of the arc-shaped arms 21 is provided with an arc- shaped slit 22.
- the through-holes of the fastener segments 18 are aligned with such arc-shaped slits 22 of the bracket 17, and then the bolts 19 is passed through these through-holes and the arc-shaped slits 22. After that, the bolts 19 is threadably engaged with the nuts 20 so that the housing 8 is fixedly mounted on the bracket 17. At this time, before fastening the bolts 19 and nuts 20, the mounting position of the housing 8 on the bracket 17 is suitably adjusted by moving the fastener segments 18 to a desired mounting position along the arc-shaped slits 22 of the bracket 17.
- the bracket 17 is further provided with a C-shaped mounting member 23 in its lower portion.
- the C-shaped mounting member 23 of the bracket 17 is fixedly mounted on the base pipe 4 by fastening a set bolt 24.
- the mounting position of the housing 8 on the bracket 17 is adjustable, it is possible to fixedly mount the housing 8 at any desired position around the winding shaft 2.
- Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft 2 of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 2, in which the housing 8 is separated from the bracket 17.
- the housing 8 is constructed of an upper member 25 and a lower member 26.
- the upper member 25 of the housing 8 is constructed of: a pair of plates 8c, 8d arranged in parallel to each other; and a pair of rollers 10 rotatably mounted between the plates 8c, 8d.
- the lower member 26 of the housing 8 is constructed of: a pair of plate 8a, 8b arranged in parallel to each other; four rollers 10 rotatably mounted between the plates 8a, 8b; and an endless belt 12 running round three of these four rollers 10.
- the lower member 26 of the housing 8 is fixedly mounted on the bracket 17 through the fastener segments 18, bolts 19 and the nuts 20. At this time, each of the bolts 19 is inserted into a pipe-like spacer 30 which is disposed between the pair of the plate 8a, 8b so that the plates 8a, 8b are spaced apart from each other to mount the rollers 10 therebetween.
- the upper member 25 of the housing 8 is connected with the lower member 26 of the same 8 by means of a pair of bolts 27 and a pair of nuts 28 corresponding to the bolts 27 to form the C-shaped housing 8.
- the housing is constructed of two halves members, i.e., the upper member 25 and the lower member 26, it is possible for the housing 8 to assume the C-shaped form defining the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9. Consequently, in case that an opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 is smaller than the outer diameter of the winding shaft 2, it is possible to insert/withdraw the winding shaft 2 into/from the housing 8.
- the housing 8 before inserting/withdrawing the winding shaft 2 into/from the housing 8, the housing 8 is divided into the upper member 25 and the lower member 26 to enlarge the opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 so as to make it possible to pass the winding shaft 2 through such enlarged opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 of the housing 8.
- the winding shaft 2 since the winding shaft 2 is easily mounted in the housing 8 of the intermediate supporting apparatus 7 of the present invention, it is possible to realize easy installation and maintenance of the awning sheet assembly provided with the intermediate supporting apparatus 7 of the present invention.
- Fig. 6 is a exploded perspective view of a modified embodiment of the intermediate supporting apparatus 7 of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft 2 of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 2.
- the modified embodiment of the intermediate supporting apparatus 7 of the present invention shown in Fig. 6 is different from the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 5 in that an upper member 25a of the housing 8 is connected with a lower member 26a of the same 8 in a manner different from that employed in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.
- the remaining construction of the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, and, therefore only the construction of the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 6 different from the construction of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 will be described hereinbelow in detail with reference to the drawings so as to avoid redundancy in description.
- the upper member 25a of the housing 8 is connected with the lower member 26a of the same 8 through a pair of short pins 29 so as to be swingable relative to the lower member 26a.
- the upper member 25a is swung upward on the pins 29 as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 6 so as to enlarge the opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9a of the housing 8.
- the upper member 25a of the housing 8 is swung downward on the pins 29 so as to return its initial position shown in solid lines in Fig. 6, and is then fixed to the lower member 26a of the housing 8 by means of a bolt 27 and a nut (not shown) corresponding to the bolt 27.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Building Awnings And Sunshades (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft (2), comprising: i) a housing (8) having an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion (9) and the remaining portion with which at least a half of an outer peripheral surface of the winding shaft (2) is surrounded; ii) rollers (10) rotatably mounted in the housing (8) so as to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the housing; iii) an endless belt (12) running round at least two of the rollers (10), an outer surface of the belt (12) being brought into contact with at least a lower surface of the awning sheet (6) wound on the winding shaft (2); and iv) an annular groove (14) provided in one of an outer peripheral surface of each of the rollers (10) and an inner peripheral surface of the belt (12), the other one of the outer peripheral surface of each of the rollers (10) and the inner peripheral surface of the belt being provided with an annular ridge (15) engaging with the annular groove (14).
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft, and more particularly to one in which the awning sheet winding shaft is so supported as to minimize deflection produced under the influence of the weight of the awning sheet wound thereon thereby permitting the awning sheet to be smoothly extended and retracted over an extended period of time in use.
- In general, in a place such as entrances, windows and terraces of a building such as shops and houses, there is provided a windable awning sheet assembly so as to extend its awning sheet outward from a wall of the building. In such awning sheet assembly, a windable awning sheet has its one end secured to a winding shaft opposite ends of which are rotatably supported and rotated manually or electrically to extend and retract the awning sheet wound thereon. On the other hand, the other end of the windable awning sheet is secured to a rod-like or pipe-like front beam opposite ends of which are supported by a pair of supporting arms or a plurality of folding arms. Each of such folding arms is provided with a folding section in its intermediate portion while normally biased at an extended position by means of a spring.
- As described above, in general, since the winding shaft on which the awning sheet is wound has its opposite ends rotatably mounted on brackets through bearings, the winding shaft is deflected downward by gravity or under the influence of the weight of the awning sheet wound on the winding shaft when the awning sheet is wound on the winding shaft. As the awning sheet increases in width, such downward deflection of the winding shaft increases. The downward deflection of the winding shaft prevents the awing sheet from being smoothly extended and retracted, and increases stresses in the bearings of the winding shaft to shorten their service lives.
- Hitherto, in order to prevent the winding shaft from being deflected downward by gravity, the winding shaft is provided with at least one apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of the winding shaft. Such conventional apparatus is constructed of: a housing provided with an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion and the remaining portion with which the winding shaft is surrounded; a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in the housing; and an endless belt running round the rollers for supporting the awning sheet having being wound on the winding shaft on an outer surface of the belt which is driven by the awning sheet through frictional contact therewith. In the above conventional apparatus, the awning sheet is extended and retracted through the entrance/exit opening portion of the housing of the apparatus and drives the endless belt through the frictional contact therewith, the endless belt supporting the awning sheet.
- However, the conventional apparatus for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft is disadvantageous in that: the belt is driven by the awning sheet through the frictional contact therewith to have a ten dency to cause misalignment in the width direction of the awning sheet. When such misalignment of the belt is produced in the width direction of the awning sheet, the belt is brought into contact with the housing of the apparatus to shorten its service life and to prevent the winding shaft from being smoothly rotated.
- Embodiments of the present invention may achieve one or more of the following objects:
to provide an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft through an endless belt which is driven by an awning sheet wound on the winding shaft and is free from misalignment in the width direction of the awning sheet, to make it possible to smoothly extend and retract the awning sheet over an extended period of time in use;
to provide an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft through an endless belt, in which an opening angle of an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion of the housing of the apparatus is adjusted according to an awning sheet extending/retracting direction of the winding shaft;
to provide an apparatus for supporting an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft through an endless belt, in which the winding shaft is detachably mounted in the housing of the apparatus in an easy manner. - The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting at least a lower surface of an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft on which a windable awning sheet is wound, comprising:
- i) a housing provided with an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion and the remaining portion with which at least a half of an outer peripheral surface of said awning sheet winding shaft is surrounded;
- ii) a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in said housing so as to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of said housing;
- iii) an endless belt running round at least two of said rollers, an outer surface of said endless belt being brought into contact with at least a lower surface of said awning sheet wound on said winding shaft; and
- iV) an annular groove portion provided in one of an outer peripheral surface of each of said rollers and an inner peripheral surface of said endless belt, the other one of said outer peripheral surface of each of said rollers and said inner peripheral surface of said endless belt being provided with an annular ridge portion engaging with said annular groove portion.
- The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described hereinbelow in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
- Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the awning sheet assembly provided with the awning sheet winding shaft the intermediate portion of which is supported by the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft;
- Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft, taken along the line 111-111 of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 4 is a partial side/sectional view of modified embodiments of the roller and the endless belt of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft, shown in Fig. 3;
- Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 2; and
- Fig. 6 is a exploded perspective view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding shaft of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 2.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings.
- As shown in Fig. 1, an awning sheet assembly 1 is provided with an awning
sheet winding shaft 2 opposite ends of which are rotatably mounted on a pair ofmain brackets 3 one of which is not shown in Fig. 1. Each of thebrackets 3 is fixedly mounted on abase pipe 4 which is made of metal and has a square shape in cross section. Thebase pipe 4 is in turn fixedly mounted on a plurality of supportingbrackets 5 which are suitably spaced apart from each other and fixed to a wall and the like serving as a primary supporting means for supporting the awning sheet assembly. - An
awning sheet 6 of the awning sheet assembly 1 is made of fabrics coated or laminated with synthetic resins, and has its one end secured to the windingshaft 2 so as to be wound thereon. The other end or free end of theawning sheet 6 is fixed to a front beam (not shown). In securing the one end of theawning sheet 6 to thewinding shaft 2, for example, the one end of theawning sheet 6 is first received into a longitudinal groove of thewinding shaft 2, the groove being provided in an outer peripheral portion of thewinding shaft 2 so as to extend along a longitudinal axis of thewinding shaft 2, and thereafter a rod-like stopper is press-fitted into the groove through the one end of theawning sheet 6 so that the one end of theawning sheet 6 is sandwiched between thewinding shaft 2 and the stopper in the groove so as to be secured to the windingshaft 2. In securing the other end of theawning sheet 6 to the front beam, the same method as that employed in the above in securing the one end of theawning sheet 6 to thewinding shaft 2 is employed. - In the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 1, in order to support an intermediate portion of the
winding shaft 2, there is provided at least oneapparatus 7 of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of thewinding shaft 6, theapparatus 7 being hereinafter referred to as the "intermediate supportingapparatus 7". The intermediate supportingapparatus 7 is detachably mounted on abase pipe 4. However, it is also possible to directly mount the intermediate supportingapparatus 7 on a wall and the like serving as a primary supporting means for supporting the awning sheet assembly. - The intermediate supporting
apparatus 7 is provided with ahousing 8 surrounding an outer periphery of the windingshaft 2. Thehousing 8 is made of a rigid material such as metal and the like, and has a C-shaped substantially annular form provided with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of theawning sheet 6 having been completely wound on thewinding shaft 2. An opening portion of the C-shaped substantially annular form of thehousing 8 constitutes an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 of the intermediate supportingapparatus 7, through whichopening portion 9 theawning sheet 6 is extended and retracted. At least a half of the outer periphery of thewinding shaft 2 including its lower peripheral side is surrounded with thehousing 8. - As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of
rollers 10 are rotatably mounted on thehousing 8 through a plurality of bolts 11 while spaced apart from each other in a cir cumferential direction of thehousing 8. Each of therollers 10 is made of a rigid and wear-resistant material such as metal and plastic. - An
endless belt 12 runs round therollers 10 as shown in Fig. 2. An outer peripheral surface of theendless belt 12 is brought into contact with at least a lower side of theawning sheet 6 wound on the windingshaft 2. In order to ensure such contact, it is necessary that theendless belt 12 runs round at least tworollers 10 disposed in a level lower than that of a central axis of thewinding shaft 2. Incidentally, as theawning sheet 6 is wound on or unwound from around thewinding shaft 2, an outer diameter of theawning sheet 6 having being wound on the windingshaft 2 increases or decreases. At this time, the intermediate portion of thewinding shaft 2 is resiliently moved upward or downward to make it possible that a lower side of theawning sheet 6 is always brought into contact with theendless belt 12. - In an embodiment of the intermediate supporting
apparatus 7 of the present invention shown in Fig. 2, theendless belt 12 runs round lower threerollers 10 among sixrollers 10 mounted on the C-shaped housing 8, the lower threerollers 10 being disposed under thewinding shaft 2. If necessary, it is also possible to increase the number of therollers 10 round which theendless belt 12 runs, the number of therollers 10 being two in minimum. Further, it is also possible to provide a plurality ofendless belts 12 running round therollers 10, theendless belts 12 being disposed in parallel so as to be brought into contact with each other or to be spaced apart from each other in the width directions of therollers 10. Theendless belt 12 may be a conventional type belt reinforced with tire cords and the like. - In Fig. 3, the details of the
rollers 10 mounted on thehousing 8 and theendless belt 12 running round therollers 10 in construction are shown. As is clear from Fig. 3, thehousing 8 is constructed of a pair ofplates plates rollers 10 is provided with an axial central through-hole in which a bearing means 13 is mounted. The bearing means 13 may be a conventional type bearing means containing a ball bearing, and, therefore the details thereof in construction is not shown in the drawings. Each of therollers 10 is rotatably mounted on thehousing 8. Namely, in assembling of thehousing 8, each of therollers 10 is inserted between theplates plates rollers 10 is rotatably mounted on thehousing 8. - As is clear from Fig. 3, each of the
rollers 10 is provided with anannular groove portion 14 in an axially central portion of its outer peripheral surface. On the other hand, theendless belt 12 running round therollers 10 is provided with anannular ridge portion 15 in its inner peripheral surface, theannular ridge portion 15 of theendless belt 12 being engaged with theannular groove portions 14 of therollers 10 in an insertion manner to prevent theendless belt 12 from causing misalignment with therollers 10 in the width directions of therollers 10. It is also possible to provide thegroove portion 14 in an edge portion of each of therollers 10. In this case, theridge portion 15 of theendless belt 12 is also provided in the edge portion of theendless belt 12 corresponding to the edge portion of each of therollers 10. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4, the number of thegroove portion 14 and the number of theridge portion 15 may be two or more than two. - In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the
annular groove portion 14 is provided in each of therollers 10, while theannular ridge portion 15 is provided in theendless belt 12. However, it is also possible to provide theannular groove portion 14 in theendless belt 12, and theannular ridge portion 15 is provided in each of therollers 10. - It is preferable that the
annular ridge portion 15 is slightly smaller in size than theannular groove portion 14 so as to prevent theridge portion 15 from being clamped in thegroove portion 14, to ensure a smooth movement of theendless belt 12 without causing an excessive frictional resistance between theawning sheet 6 and theendless belt 12. As a result, theawning sheet 6 is prevented from being damaged, while the windingshaft 2 is driven with the lowest possible consumption of power. In cross section, thegroove portion 14 is larger in width than theridge portion 15 by an amount of from 0.5 to 4 mm, preferably from 1.5 to 2.5 mm. On the other hand, in cross section, thegroove portion 14 is larger in depth or height than theridge portion 15 by an amount of from 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably from 0.7 to 1.5 mm. - As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the
housing 8 is fixed to abracket 17 through afastener assembly 16 which is constructed of: a plurality offastener segments 18 provided in a lower side of an outer peripheral portion of each of theplates housing 8, each of thesegments 18 being provided with a through-hole for receiving abolt 19; a plurality of thebolts 19 each of which is inserted into the through-hole of each of thefastener segments 18; and a plurality ofnuts 20 each of which is threadably engaged with each of thebolts 19. On the other hand, thebracket 17 is provided with a pair of arc-shapedarms 21 in its upper portion. Each of the arc-shapedarms 21 is provided with an arc- shapedslit 22. In assembling, the through-holes of thefastener segments 18 are aligned with such arc-shapedslits 22 of thebracket 17, and then thebolts 19 is passed through these through-holes and the arc-shapedslits 22. After that, thebolts 19 is threadably engaged with the nuts 20 so that thehousing 8 is fixedly mounted on thebracket 17. At this time, before fastening thebolts 19 andnuts 20, the mounting position of thehousing 8 on thebracket 17 is suitably adjusted by moving thefastener segments 18 to a desired mounting position along the arc-shapedslits 22 of thebracket 17. - On the other hand, the
bracket 17 is further provided with a C-shaped mountingmember 23 in its lower portion. In assembling, as shown in Fig. 1, the C-shaped mountingmember 23 of thebracket 17 is fixedly mounted on thebase pipe 4 by fastening aset bolt 24. - As described above, since the mounting position of the
housing 8 on thebracket 17 is adjustable, it is possible to fixedly mount thehousing 8 at any desired position around the windingshaft 2. - Consequently, it is possible to precisely position the awning sheet entrance/
exit opening portion 9 of thehousing 8 so as to be aligned with the awning sheet extending/retracting direction of the windingshaft 2. - Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the winding
shaft 2 of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 2, in which thehousing 8 is separated from thebracket 17. As is clear from Fig. 5, thehousing 8 is constructed of anupper member 25 and alower member 26. Theupper member 25 of thehousing 8 is constructed of: a pair ofplates rollers 10 rotatably mounted between theplates lower member 26 of thehousing 8 is constructed of: a pair ofplate rollers 10 rotatably mounted between theplates endless belt 12 running round three of these fourrollers 10. - The
lower member 26 of thehousing 8 is fixedly mounted on thebracket 17 through thefastener segments 18,bolts 19 and the nuts 20. At this time, each of thebolts 19 is inserted into a pipe-like spacer 30 which is disposed between the pair of theplate plates rollers 10 therebetween. Theupper member 25 of thehousing 8 is connected with thelower member 26 of the same 8 by means of a pair ofbolts 27 and a pair ofnuts 28 corresponding to thebolts 27 to form the C-shapedhousing 8. - As shown in Fig. 5, since the housing is constructed of two halves members, i.e., the
upper member 25 and thelower member 26, it is possible for thehousing 8 to assume the C-shaped form defining the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9. Consequently, in case that an opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 is smaller than the outer diameter of the windingshaft 2, it is possible to insert/withdraw the windingshaft 2 into/from thehousing 8. Namely, before inserting/withdrawing the windingshaft 2 into/from thehousing 8, thehousing 8 is divided into theupper member 25 and thelower member 26 to enlarge the opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 so as to make it possible to pass the windingshaft 2 through such enlarged opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9 of thehousing 8. As is clear from the above, since the windingshaft 2 is easily mounted in thehousing 8 of the intermediate supportingapparatus 7 of the present invention, it is possible to realize easy installation and maintenance of the awning sheet assembly provided with the intermediate supportingapparatus 7 of the present invention. - Fig. 6 is a exploded perspective view of a modified embodiment of the intermediate supporting
apparatus 7 of the present invention for supporting the intermediate portion of the windingshaft 2 of the awning sheet assembly shown in Fig. 2. The modified embodiment of the intermediate supportingapparatus 7 of the present invention shown in Fig. 6 is different from the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 5 in that anupper member 25a of thehousing 8 is connected with a lower member 26a of the same 8 in a manner different from that employed in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5. The remaining construction of the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, and, therefore only the construction of the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 6 different from the construction of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 will be described hereinbelow in detail with reference to the drawings so as to avoid redundancy in description. - The
upper member 25a of thehousing 8 is connected with the lower member 26a of the same 8 through a pair ofshort pins 29 so as to be swingable relative to the lower member 26a. When the windingshaft 2 is mounted in thehousing 8, theupper member 25a is swung upward on thepins 29 as shown in phantom lines in Fig. 6 so as to enlarge the opening gap of the awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion 9a of thehousing 8. After the windingshaft 2 is mounted in thehousing 8, theupper member 25a of thehousing 8 is swung downward on thepins 29 so as to return its initial position shown in solid lines in Fig. 6, and is then fixed to the lower member 26a of thehousing 8 by means of abolt 27 and a nut (not shown) corresponding to thebolt 27.
Claims (4)
1. An apparatus for supporting at least a lower surface of an intermediate portion of an awning sheet winding shaft (2) on which a windable awning sheet (6) is wound, comprising:
i) a housing (8) provided with an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion (9) and the remaining portion with which at least a half of an outer peripheral surface of said awning sheet winding shaft (2) is surrounded;
ii) a plurality of rollers (10) rotatably mounted in said housing (8) so as to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of said housing;
iii) an endless belt (12) running round at least two of said rollers (10), an outer surface of said endless belt (12) being brought into contact with at least a lower surface of said awning sheet (6) wound on said winding shaft (2); and
iv) an annular groove portion (14) provided in one of an outer peripheral surface of each of said rollers (10) and an inner peripheral surface of said endless belt (12), the other one of said outer peripheral surface of each of said rollers (10) and said inner peripheral surface of said endless belt being provided with an annular ridge portion (15) engaging with said annular groove portion (14).
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
in cross-section, said ridge portion (15) is smaller in width and height than said groove portion (14).
in cross-section, said ridge portion (15) is smaller in width and height than said groove portion (14).
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein:
said housing (8) is so mounted on a bracket (17) as to be moved around said awning sheet winding shaft (2) to a desired mounting position at which said housing (8) is fixed to said bracket (17) through fastener means (16).
said housing (8) is so mounted on a bracket (17) as to be moved around said awning sheet winding shaft (2) to a desired mounting position at which said housing (8) is fixed to said bracket (17) through fastener means (16).
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said housing (8) is constructed of an upper member (25) and a lower member (26) to assume a C-shaped form in its side view so as to define an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion (9) so that an opening gap of said awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion can be enlarged.
said housing (8) is constructed of an upper member (25) and a lower member (26) to assume a C-shaped form in its side view so as to define an awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion (9) so that an opening gap of said awning sheet entrance/exit opening portion can be enlarged.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP4948988U JPH01153040U (en) | 1988-04-13 | 1988-04-13 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0337033A1 true EP0337033A1 (en) | 1989-10-18 |
Family
ID=12832564
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP88310290A Withdrawn EP0337033A1 (en) | 1988-04-13 | 1988-11-02 | Apparatus for supporting intermediate portion of awning sheet winding shaft |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0337033A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH01153040U (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0665346A1 (en) * | 1994-02-01 | 1995-08-02 | WEINOR Dieter Weiermann GmbH & Co. | Florentine blind with articulated arms |
WO1998029620A1 (en) * | 1996-12-28 | 1998-07-09 | Giovanni Scaffidi | Awning with pressure-compensating support |
ITUD20090035A1 (en) * | 2009-02-16 | 2010-08-17 | Mak 2 S R L | ROLLING COVER ELEMENT |
US10309153B2 (en) | 2016-09-26 | 2019-06-04 | Draper, Inc. | Support system for rolled material |
EP3739142A1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2020-11-18 | Gaviota Simbac, S.L. | Central fastening element for a roller awning with articulated arms |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1615830A (en) * | 1923-11-26 | 1927-02-01 | Derus John | Awning-roller center support |
US1765451A (en) * | 1928-04-25 | 1930-06-24 | Fanner Mfg Co | Intermediate awning bracket |
GB492012A (en) * | 1938-01-03 | 1938-09-13 | Frederick August Anton | Improvements in or relating to center supports for rollers of awnings |
US2220311A (en) * | 1938-03-07 | 1940-11-05 | Frederick A Anton | Center support for roller awnings |
US2326642A (en) * | 1941-11-24 | 1943-08-10 | Astrup Company | Awning belt center support |
US2472513A (en) * | 1945-02-26 | 1949-06-07 | Bergquist Nils Olof | Belt driving device |
FR2411954A1 (en) * | 1977-12-16 | 1979-07-13 | Amoretti Alfred | Internally ribbed belting pref. of polyurethane for rolling bearings - to combine radial strength with longitudinal flexibility and a smooth working face |
FR2562145A1 (en) * | 1984-03-30 | 1985-10-04 | Franciaflex | Device for holding in place a blind roller and comprising a movable stop |
-
1988
- 1988-04-13 JP JP4948988U patent/JPH01153040U/ja active Pending
- 1988-11-02 EP EP88310290A patent/EP0337033A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1615830A (en) * | 1923-11-26 | 1927-02-01 | Derus John | Awning-roller center support |
US1765451A (en) * | 1928-04-25 | 1930-06-24 | Fanner Mfg Co | Intermediate awning bracket |
GB492012A (en) * | 1938-01-03 | 1938-09-13 | Frederick August Anton | Improvements in or relating to center supports for rollers of awnings |
US2220311A (en) * | 1938-03-07 | 1940-11-05 | Frederick A Anton | Center support for roller awnings |
US2326642A (en) * | 1941-11-24 | 1943-08-10 | Astrup Company | Awning belt center support |
US2472513A (en) * | 1945-02-26 | 1949-06-07 | Bergquist Nils Olof | Belt driving device |
FR2411954A1 (en) * | 1977-12-16 | 1979-07-13 | Amoretti Alfred | Internally ribbed belting pref. of polyurethane for rolling bearings - to combine radial strength with longitudinal flexibility and a smooth working face |
FR2562145A1 (en) * | 1984-03-30 | 1985-10-04 | Franciaflex | Device for holding in place a blind roller and comprising a movable stop |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0665346A1 (en) * | 1994-02-01 | 1995-08-02 | WEINOR Dieter Weiermann GmbH & Co. | Florentine blind with articulated arms |
DE4402964B4 (en) * | 1994-02-01 | 2004-05-06 | "Weinor" Dieter Weiermann Gmbh & Co | Folding arm |
WO1998029620A1 (en) * | 1996-12-28 | 1998-07-09 | Giovanni Scaffidi | Awning with pressure-compensating support |
ITUD20090035A1 (en) * | 2009-02-16 | 2010-08-17 | Mak 2 S R L | ROLLING COVER ELEMENT |
US10309153B2 (en) | 2016-09-26 | 2019-06-04 | Draper, Inc. | Support system for rolled material |
EP3739142A1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2020-11-18 | Gaviota Simbac, S.L. | Central fastening element for a roller awning with articulated arms |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH01153040U (en) | 1989-10-23 |
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