EP0795660A1

EP0795660A1 - Device for opening and closing a curtain, provided with a resilient element coupled to a first arm and a high toughness polyester fibre belt

Info

Publication number: EP0795660A1
Application number: EP97830060A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ettore Arquati
Original assignee: ARQUATI SpA
Current assignee: ARQUATI SpA
Priority date: 1996-03-15
Filing date: 1997-02-14
Publication date: 1997-09-17
Also published as: IT240511Y1; ITMI960192U1

Abstract

A device for opening and closing a curtain is driven by a belt (6) made of synthetic fibers, preferably high toughness polyester fibers, which is provided, at the two end portions thereof, with two fitting rings (7,8), respectively connected to a resilient element (5) and a second compass-like openable arm (2) which can pivot with respect to a first arm.

Description

The present invention relates to an unique device for opening and closing the compass-like extending arms of a sun curtain.
The device is characterized in that it comprises, in addition to a resilient element, preferably constituted by a spring, also a belt, coupled to the resilient element.
The belt, in particular, is made of synthetic fibers, preferably polyester fibers, having high toughness properties.
Two end portions of the belt are coupled steel ring elements which are applied by seamed upturned portions.
As is known, for opening and closing compass-like arms for supporting sun curtains, prior devices have included steel cables or chains, easily susceptible to break, and which elements, moreover, are quickly corroded thereby spoiling and damaging the sun curtains supported thereby.
These drawbacks, which are characteristics of the prior art steel tie-rods and chains, are overcome by using a textile strip, preferably made of high toughness polyester fibers, which has a rectangular cross-section of 17 x 3 mm, and to the end portions of which two steel rings are applied.
More specifically, to one end portion of the belt or strip a steel ring is applied which, in turn, is applied to a resilient element comprising a spring.
The latter is preferably arranged in a hollow of a first arm, applied to a fixed supporting element.
The second ring is, in turn, applied to a compass-like extending arm, which supports, at the end portion thereof, a front rod which can be caused to variously project with respect to the curtain fabric winding roller, in turn applied on a supporting element.
These and other functional and constructional features of the device for opening and closing the compass-like extending arms supporting a sun curtain, according to the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 illustrates the device according to the present invention, which comprises two compass-like arms, represented in a partial closure position thereof, and being driven by a belt, or strip, coupled to a resilient element as well as to a second arm;
Figure 2 illustrates the device according to the present invention, the two compass-like arms thereof being shown in an opened condition;
Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view illustrating the sun curtain supporting device, in a closure condition thereof;
Figure 4 illustrates the sun curtain supporting device according to the present invention in an opened condition thereof;
and
Figure 5 illustrates the belt or strip element for opening the compass-arm of the device according to the present invention, said belt being provided, at the two end portions thereof, with steel ring elements provided for connection, respectively, to a resilient element, preferably a spring element, and to the second arm which is compass pivoted to a first arm in turn applied to a fixed supporting element.

With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the device according to the present invention for opening and closing the compass-like extending arms 1 and 2 of a sun curtain, is provided with a resilient element 5, and being characterized in that said resilient element 5 is coupled, by a belt or strip element 6 made of a high toughness polyester fiber, to two contoured steel ring elements 7 and 8 which are fixed, by seamed upturned portions 9, to said strip or belt.
More specifically, the ring 7 of said belt is coupled to said resilient element 5 which is preferably housed in a first arm 1, applied, by a supporting plate 4, to a wall or a fixed supporting element.
The other ring 8 of said belt is coupled to a second compass-pivoted arm 2, for supporting a curtain 13.
The device according to the present invention comprises moreover a winding roller 11 for winding thereon the fabric or cloth material of the curtain 13, which winding roller is suitable fixed to the wall or to a fixed supporting element 12.
The winding roller 11 is rotatively driven so as to wind thereon or unwind therefrom, at the other end portion thereof, a front rod 10, in turn supported by pairs of arms 1 and 2 which can be compass-like opened, and being pivoted on pivot pins 14 and 3 and adapted to support the sun curtain 13.
As shown, the resilient element 5 and belt 6, comprising a textile strip, made of a synthetic yarn, preferably a high-toughness polyester yarn, is bent at the two end portions 9 thereof and so seamed as to be firmly restrained by suitable steel rings 7 and 8 connected, at the two ends thereof, respectively, to a first arm 1 supported by a wall or by a fixed supporting element 12 and to another arm 2, which can turn about the first.
In this connection it should be pointed out that the opening of the curtain is assured by the tension effort provided by the mentioned resilient element 5 on said belt 6, or strip element, as above disclosed.
In particular, the belt 6 will apply a pulling force to the second compass-like opening arm 2, which supports, together with the first arm 1, the front rod 10 which supports, on the outer side thereof, the curtain 13.
The winding of the curtain 13, in particular, can be performed by winding on the winding roller 11 the fabric material arranged at the wall or supporting element 12 of the subject device.
While the device according to the present invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment is susceptible to many modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A device for opening and closing a curtain, characterized in that said device comprises a driving belt made of synthetic fibers, preferably high toughness polyester fibers and being provided, at the two end portions thereof, with two connecting rings, respectively coupled to a resilient element and to a second compass-like opening arm which is pivoted with respect to a first arm.
A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said polyester belt is provided with two end portions bent on themselves and so seamed as to allow said connecting ring to be applied to said end portions.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one said ring of said belt is connected to a resilient element which is fixed to a first arm, pivoted to a supporting plate applied to a wall or to a fixed supporting element.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second ring of said belt is coupled to a second arm which is compass pivoted for supporting said curtain.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device further comprises a curtain fabric winding, roller supported by a winding roller supporting element.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said winding roller is rotatively driven so as to cause, at the other end thereof, a front rod to be displaced, said front rod being supported by pairs of compass-like opening arms pivoted about pivot pins and adapted to support said sun curtain.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said belt applies a tension force to said second compass-like opening arm which supports, together with said first arm, said front rod supporting said curtain at the outer side thereof.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises moreover a winding roller, applied to a fixed supporting element, for winding/unwinding said curtain.