EP0676514B1 - Shading and/or darkening device with flexible membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

The blind is made of a flexible fabric (2) which covers the glazed surface (3). It has a shaft (4) on which and from which the fabric unrolls. The end of this shaft (5) is attached to a support (6). The shaft (4) moves and when the blind is unrolled it moves to the front, or above the surface. The support (6) to which the end of the fabric is fixed, is attached to a substrate, such as a wall. When the blind is vertical or at a steep angle, the blind is unrolled by rotation of the shaft (4) and the tension exerted on the membrane by the weight of the shaft. When the blind is horizontal or at a slight angle there are extending arms (9) which push the shaft over the surface. The arms are elastically sprung to move to their opened position. The back end of each arm (12) is mounted on a fixed base (13) at the same height as the support (6). The other end (14) of each arm (10, 11) is fixed to the shaft (4) by a crossbar (16) which lies parallel to the shaft. At each end (17 18) there is a section (19) in which the shaft rotates. There are sections (20) attached to the upper section (16) with rollers or wheels (8) which help to roll the blind. The blind is rolled and unrolled by an electric motor, preferably a tubular motor which is placed inside the shaft. An electric cable (27) can be provided inside one of the arms (10, 11) to drive the motor. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a shading and / or blackout device flexible membrane intended to cover a surface, in particular glazed, such than a veranda, window or the like, comprising a tree on which rolls up and from which at least one flexible membrane takes place, the end is made integral with a support profile.

The present invention will find its application in industry specialized in membrane shading and / or shading devices flexible.

In fact, we already know a number of masking devices of the type described above.

Thus, there are devices, often called blinds, which, although not at all suitable for covering glass surfaces, such as the roof of a veranda, have a tree whose ends are mounted in bearings integral with fixed supports, for example, against a wall. On this tree is wound a flexible membrane of which the end is made integral with a profile which is itself fixed on articulated arms with elastic return means in the unfolded position. These articulated arms, the rear end of which is fixed, like the shaft, against the wall, extend, under the action of said return means elastic, gradually during the unwinding of the flexible membrane. They thus ensure its maintenance in tension according to an inclination desired above the surface to be protected from sunlight.

In fact, the impossibility of adapting these blinds to cover surfaces glass is first of all due to their sensitivity to wind. Indeed, the less air flow gives the end of this blind, when it is deployed, beats so it is essential to spread it enough of the glass surface otherwise it may strike systematically against the latter.

It is further noted that the winding and unwinding shaft is supported only at its ends. Also, it flexes under its own weight. However, due to this deformation, the flexible membrane cannot wrap, evenly around the tree. In addition, it is impossible to stretch it evenly after unwinding.

Also, beyond a certain length, it is necessary to subdivide the winding and unwinding shaft in several tree sections authorizing the development of intermediate landings.

However, this entails the obligation to subdivide, also, the membrane in several sections since it is necessarily interrupted at landings. Of course, up to these interruptions, we cannot prevent the sun's rays from entering the house or inside the veranda.

There are also other types of shading devices and / or blinds which differ somewhat from the shades described previously. Thus, these devices include a tree around which and on which the flexible membrane is wound and unwound. This tree is subjected to elastic return means ensuring its rotation in the direction corresponding to the winding of the flexible membrane. He is in further, fixed, by means of bearings, situated at its ends, on a support such as a wall or other. As for the end of the membrane, it is made integral with a profile whose lateral ends are move in guide rails while cooperating with means transmission type chain, belt, rope or the like. In fact, these transmission means describe a looped circuit and wind up, on the one hand, around a deflection pulley or the like arranged at the lower end of the guide rails and, on the other hand, around a pulley or drive wheel capable of being rotated by motorized or non-motorized control means.

This shading and / or blackout device is very complex linked to the transmission means arranged in the guide rails lateral. In addition, these guide rails must necessarily be fixed on supports such as profiles used in the composition of the structure of a veranda or constituting the uprights of a window.

It is also known from document FR-A-2,643,110 to substitute to the transmission means, arranged in the guide rails, arms hinged analogs to blinds. However, said guide rails are, here, preserved and accommodate guide carriages integral with the profile mounted at the free end of these articulated arms and to which is fixed any canvas or flexible membrane. Also, the constraints are, substantially, similar to those stated above.

Finally, we observe that we find, in these solutions, the same disadvantages as previously mentioned, say that the winding and unwinding shaft must necessarily have a reduced length without which its distortion is likely to be so great that the flexible membrane cannot be properly stretched. Through therefore, to cover a large area it is necessary to call to several juxtaposed devices that are suitable, possibly to connect in order to ensure operation synchronized. Of course, you cannot use several devices juxtaposed only if it is possible to support the multitude of guide rails by a support structure adequate.

It is also known from document DE-A-40 38 419 a device for winding and unwinding a membrane flexible to cover building parts such as verandas or the like. In this case, said flexible membrane is fixed at its free end to a support profile which is mounted against a wall, while the other end of this flexible membrane is wrapped around and unwound from a mobile type winding shaft, therefore coming move above the surface to be covered. Note that the deployment of the membrane is obtained under the action of rotation control of the winding shaft and under the effect of the gravity acting on the latter.

The invention as characterized in the claims consists of a shading and / or blackout device flexible membrane intended to cover a surface, in particular glazed, said flexible membrane having one end rendered integral with a support profile fixedly mounted on a support such than a wall, this flexible membrane that wraps around and unwind from a movable winding shaft, this being joined together by means of connecting means suitable, from the free end of at least two articulated arms with elastic return in the unfolded position, these arms being themselves mounted articulated in their rear end, on a fixed base located substantially at the height of said profile support to which the end of the membrane is made integral flexible.

The advantages obtained thanks to this invention consist in that the winding and unwinding shaft is not more simply supported by its ends, but on its entire length via the flexible membrane. Therefore, this tree cannot deform and the flexible membrane is wound, necessarily, as it must, without there being a squaring problem causing an offset progressive lateral of said flexible membrane on this current shaft winding.

Therefore, there is no need to subdivide the tree into multiple sections regardless of the length of the surface to be covered.

In addition, when covering a veranda, the total weight of the tree of winding rests on the structure of the latter so that the device cannot start beating in a wind like this occurs with blinds.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématisée et en perspective d'un dispositif d'ombrage et/ou d'occultation, conforme à l'invention, dans une disposition horizontale ou inclinée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématisée d'une coupe réalisée à hauteur de l'arbre d'enroulement et de déroulement dans une configuration correspondant à la figure 1.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows, the understanding of which will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a shading and / or blackout device according to the invention, in a horizontal or inclined arrangement;
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a section made at the height of the winding and unwinding shaft in a configuration corresponding to FIG. 1.

As shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to a shading device and / or occultation 1 with flexible membrane 2 in particular intended to cover a glass surface 3, such as a veranda, window or the like.

Thus, this device 1 comprises a winding shaft 4 on which and from which the flexible membrane 2 is wound and unwound, the end of which 5 is made integral with a support profile 6.

Advantageously, according to the invention, this support profile 6 is fixed, while that the winding shaft 4 moves in front of or over the glass surface 3 to be covered during deployment and folding of the flexible membrane 2.

So when it comes to obscuring a corresponding inclined glass surface in an arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, the winding shaft 4 rests on the latter by means of rolling means 8 appropriate.

Note that in a horizontal or low position tilt, deployment of the flexible membrane 2 cannot be done simply by gravity, i.e. under the influence of the weight of the tree which comes to pull on the flexible membrane 2. Under these conditions, it is used extension means 9 which, according to the invention, arise, substantially, in the form of at least two arms 10, 11, articulated with elastic return in the unfolded position. Thus, these arms 10, 11 are able to push the winding shaft 4 above the surface to be covered 3 during deployment of the flexible membrane 2. More precisely, the rear end 12 of these arms 10, 11 is mounted articulated on a fixed base 13 located substantially at the height of the support profile 6 which is made integral with the end 5 of the flexible membrane 2. The other free end 14 of these arms 10, 11 is, for its part, connected to the winding shaft 4 by means of connecting means 15 appropriate.

In the context of the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, these connecting means 15 are in the form of a profile 16 extending parallel substantially above the winding shaft 4. Furthermore, this profile 16 is equipped, at its ends 17, 18, with bearing supports 19 at which the winding shaft 4 is mounted in rotation.

On this section 16 are also mounted brackets 20 also visible in FIG. 2, equipped with the rolling means 8 in the form rollers or rollers with axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the shaft Advantageously, the consoles 20 using the cradle configuration partially enveloping the winding shaft 4. Inside these consoles 20, in the form of cradles, can thus refit this winding shaft 4, preventing it from bending under its own weight in the case of a horizontal arrangement or tilted. Note, moreover, that the peripheral speed of the rollers or rollers, constituting the rolling means 8, is necessarily identical to the peripheral speed of the winding shaft 4 so that it can rest on said rollers or rollers. This avoids, friction which is the cause of premature wear of the flexible membrane 2.

Very often, for reasons of wind resistance but also in view of avoiding contact of the articulated arms 10, 11 with the membrane 2 when in the unfolded position, these articulated arms 10, 11 do not not unfold in a linear fashion, but form an elbow substantially at height of the intermediate joint 21. On the other hand, in the folded position, the two parts 22, 23 connected by said intermediate articulation 21 and forming an arm 10, 11 are substantially juxtaposed and are located in the same plan. Also, the articulation means 24 via of which the rear end 12 of the articulated arms 10, 11 is connected to the fixed base 13, are determined so as to allow pivoting of said articulated arms 10, 11 about an axis 25 perpendicular to their longitudinal axis and around a substantially horizontal axis 26.

Thus, within the framework of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 during deployment of the flexible membrane 2, the rear part 22 of the arms articulated 10, 11 will tend to lift so as to move away from said flexible membrane 2, this by pivoting about the horizontal axis 26. However, this also results in the rotation of the profile 16 which is connected the end 14 of the articulated arms 10, 11. This rotation takes place, substantially around the axis of the winding shaft 4. So as to prevent the rolling means 8, under the influence of this rotation profile 16, no longer rests on the structure of the surface to be covered, said rolling means 8 of the roller or roller type are split, as illustrated in figure 3. Thus, one ensures that at all moment at least one of these rollers or rollers maintains contact with the supporting structure, corresponding, for example, to that of the veranda to be covered, regardless of the angular position of the consoles 20 supporting these rolling means 8 and connected to the profile 16.

In the context of FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention in which the articulated arms 10, 11 extend above of the flexible membrane 2. It is understood that it is entirely conceivable to have these articulated arms 10, 11 under the membrane flexible 2. Indeed, it suffices, at this time, that the bases 13 are located under the support profile 6 and that the profile 16 is disposed at the front of the winding shaft 4, under the flexible membrane 2 instead of extend, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, parallel above of this winding shaft 4.

It will also be noted that in an inclined arrangement corresponding to FIG. 1, the flexible membrane 2 is wound around the winding shaft 4 from above the latter. Although it is possible to consider winding from below the tree winding 4, the above solution is preferable since avoiding coiling on dirt resting on the flexible membrane 2. On the contrary, this dirt is freely removed during the course winding of said flexible membrane 2.

Earlier in the description, it was clarified that the rotation of the shaft winding 4 can be controlled by a tubular motor 7 placed at the interior. The power to this motor 7 is preferably carried out. by a power cable 27 housed in one of the articulated arms 11.

It should be observed that the flexible membrane 2 comes from a fabric whose width is necessarily limited. Also, for the cover of large area, it is usual to juxtapose several sections of canvas, the seams or welds extending parallel to the direction of deployment of the flexible membrane. However, such welds or seams necessarily generate local excess thicknesses on the tree winding 4 when said flexible membrane comes gradually wrap around the latter. However, it is obvious that such local excess thicknesses hinder, here again, a suitable winding of the flexible membrane. Also and according to the invention, said flexible membrane 2 consists of one or more sections of welded juxtaposed fabrics or sewn together transversely in the direction of deployment of said flexible membrane 2, ie parallel to the winding shaft 4.

The advantages resulting from this invention consist, essentially, in that one is certain of a suitable winding of the membrane flexible 2 around the winding shaft 4, whatever the length of it. Therefore, the length of such a device conforms to the invention can be easily adjusted to glazed surfaces important.

Furthermore, such a device according to the invention avoids any guidance lateral of the flexible membrane. Indeed, the squaring of the whole is ensured through the latter constantly maintained in voltage.

In addition, such a device according to the invention is not very sensitive to wind. especially in the case of an inclined or horizontal arrangement in the measure that the total weight of the winding shaft 4 is based on the supporting structure, for example the structure of a veranda.

Claims (10)

1. Shadowing and/or screening device with flexible membrane (2) for covering a surface (3), viz. a glazed surface, such as a veranda, a window or the like, said flexible membrane (2) including an end (5) made integral with a bearing profile bar (6) fixedly mounted on a support, such as a wall, this flexible membrane rolling up about and unrolling from a movable rolling-up shaft (4), characterised in that said rolling-up shaft (4) is made integral, through adequate connecting means (15), with the free end (14) of at least two hinged arms (10, 11) elastically restored into the unfolded position, these arms (10, 11) being themselves hingingly mounted, at the level of their rear end (12), on a fixed base (13) located substantially at the level of said bearing profile bar (6) which the end (5) of the flexible membrane (2) is made integral with.
2. Shadowing and/or screening device according to claim 1, characterised in that, arranged above a horizontal or inclined surface, e.g. a glazen surface, the rolling-up shaft (4) rests on the latter through appropriate rolling means (8).
3. Shadowing and/or screening device according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the connecting means (15) are in the shape of a profile bar (16) extending parallelly to the rolling-up shaft (4) and including, at its ends (17, 18), bearings (19) at the level of which the rolling-up shaft (4) is rotationally mounted.
4. Shadowing and/or screening device according to claim 3, characterised in that on the profile bar (16) are mounted brackets (20) provided with said rolling means (8) in the shape of rolls or rail-wheels.
5. Shadowing and/or screening device according to claim 4, characterised in that the brackets (20) adopt the configuration in the shape of cradles in which rests the rolling-up shaft (4).
6. Shadowing and/or screening device according to any of claims 1 through 5, characterised in that the arms (10, 11) extend above or under the flexible membrane (2), the latter rolling up from above about the rolling-up shaft (4).
7. Shadowing and/or screening device according to any of claims 1 through 6, characterised in that the rear end (12) of the arms (10, 11) is made integral with the fixed bases (13) through hinging means (24) enabling a pivoting of said arms (10, 11), on the one hand, ahout an axis (25) perpendicular to their longitudinal axis and, on the other hand, ahout a horizontal axis (26).
8. Shadowing and/or screening device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rolling-up shaft (4) is controlled in rotation by an electric motor, preferably of a tubular type, arranged inside said rolling-up shaft (4).
9. Shadowing and/or screening device according to claim 8, characterised in that it includes a current-supply cable (27) accommodated in one of the arms (10, 11), for connecting the electric motor (7) to an electric-energy supply.
10. Shadowing and/or screening device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible membrane (2) is comprised of several linen length welded or sewn to each other in a direction parallel to the rolling-up shaft (4).

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