EP1106751A1 - Flexible fencing for swimming pools - Google Patents

Abstract

Flexible fence for keeping children away from pond or swimming pool has post with lengthwise slots and inner roller to tension fence panels The fence, consisting of st least one flexible panel (4), has tubular posts (3) with lengthwise slots (7). Each post contains a roller (8) with vertical grooves (9) to receive rods (10) on the vertical edges (5) of the fence panels. The roller can be rotated inside the post by a winch (29) and handle (30) mechanism to tension the fence panels, which are made from a supple synthetic mesh.

Description

The invention relates to a fencing device, in particular a basin such as a swimming pool or the like, comprising at least one post and at least one flexible fence section.

The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing protective devices intended to prevent certain people to access a prohibited place.

We already know protective barriers meeting the above description and having the function prevent young children from going to a place that they are forbidden. In particular, such barriers of protection are used to close access to a pool such than a swimming pool.

Such prior art protective barriers are usually present in the form of a succession of posts defined, usually, by simple profiles tubulars provided, at their lower part, with means ground anchor. These are made up of a extension of said section capable of being inserted into a socket formed in the ground.

In this regard, it will be observed that, to define a socket of receipt of such a profile, it is necessary to make a drilling of substantial size which, on the one hand, is in no way aesthetic when the fence is likely to be withdrawn and, on the other hand, is by no means obvious. Indeed, a such drilling must be carried out, for example, at a slab, tiling or even concrete which, on the one hand, is likely to cause damage, including cracks, ground level and, on the other hand, is not always within reach of a handyman but must very often be entrusted to a professional.

In fact, said protective barriers also include, at minus one section of fence stretched between at least two posts defined by such profiles. Such a design presents a a number of drawbacks.

Indeed, in order to ensure the establishment of such a pan of fence under tension, it is necessary to determine, with precision, the location at which the ground is to be drilled in order to the production of a socket for receiving a profile.

In addition, such a fence panel, defined in a flexible material, is likely to undergo a change in its structure during of time, especially a relaxation, so that its tension, between two posts, can no longer be guaranteed. It suits, then, proceed to the complete replacement of said closing section.

In fact, from one pool to another, the size of the pool is likely to vary so it is essential to either make such a tailor-made fence, or design fence panels of various lengths, in particular standardized, which leads to a multiplication of references and a storage problem.

However, it will be observed that a closing section can be defined by several modules, each provided with two posts, so that it is essential to carry out a substantial number of holes, some of which are arranged substantially side by side, this, for example, at the level of two juxtaposed modules. The multiplying the number of these holes leads to a aggravation of the above-mentioned problems.

The present invention provides a solution to problems with state protection barriers of technique through a fencing device particularly clever, easy to set up and adjust, capable of adapting to pools of form and various sizes.

To this end, the present invention relates to a device for fencing, in particular of a basin such as a swimming pool or the like, comprising at least one post and at least one fence panel flexible, characterized in that such a post includes a tubular profile, split lengthwise, in which is mounted, fixed or rotating, a shaft, this being provided, longitudinally, just like the outer periphery of said post split tubular, at least one groove for receiving a rod fitted to the vertical edges of the fence panel.

According to an additional feature of this invention, the fencing device comprises a succession of posts between which is stretched at least one fence section flexible including a rod, fitted to a vertical edge of this section of flexible fence, cooperates with a groove formed at a shaft mounted in the tubular profile of a pole while a another rod, equipping another vertical edge of said section of fence, cooperates with a groove formed at the periphery outside of the tubular profile of another post.

Another characteristic relates to the fact that said profile tubular is completed, at its lower end and / or higher, by a flange defining, as the case may be, a base for fixing said pole to the ground or a suitable cover at least partially closing said tubular profile.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the tubular profile of a post is completed by suitable means to energize a flexible fence panel ensuring a winding, at least partially, of the latter inside said post.

In fact, the means of energizing said closing panel consist, on the one hand, by control means in rotation of said shaft, engaged with the latter by through a transmission organ, and arranged internally to said profile and, on the other hand, by said shaft whose rotation ensures the winding of said fence panel on this last.

According to another characteristic, the control means in rotation are defined by a winch, associated with the flange closing the upper end of said profile, and comprising a transmission member in the form of an operating square capable of cooperate with a groove formed longitudinally at the level of said winding shaft.

An additional feature concerns the fact that the flange, closing the upper end of said profile tubular, includes means capable of ensuring immobilization said tree relative to said pole and this in one direction perpendicular to the axis of the latter's profile so that that said tree, in combination with the fence, define an opening such as a gate.

More precisely, the immobilization means are defined, at level of said flange, by a cutout and a central orifice, this the latter having a section, on the one hand, adjusted to that of a nozzle fitted to the upper end of said shaft and, on the other part, greater than that of the latter, said central orifice communicating with said cutout, positioned opposite the slot of said profile, and having a section, on the one hand, greater than that of said tree and, on the other hand, less than that of the tip fitted to the latter.

According to an additional characteristic, the means immobilization are supplemented by locking means, capable of being unlocked, of said shaft in its position immobilization in relation to the profile.

Another characteristic relates to the fact that said pan of fence consists of a succession of at least two modules interconnected by means of a profile connection, the latter having, longitudinally, two grooves capable of cooperating, each with a rod fitted to the vertical edge of a module.

In fact, such a fence section is defined by a mesh in one associated flexible synthetic material, at least at the level of horizontal edges of said enclosure, at least one strip of reinforcement made integral, in particular by welding or gluing, of this fence.

According to another characteristic, said fencing device further includes means for securing said section of ground fence.

The advantages of the present invention are that the fence post has at least one groove for receiving a rod fitted to the longitudinal edge of a closing pan. Cooperation between such a rush and such groove advantageously allows a distribution of the force of traction exerted by the closing panel along said rod. A such distribution, compared to a point fixation, allows to guarantee an increased longevity of the connection between said pan fence and post.

In addition, it will be observed that the latter can, advantageously, have several grooves distributed regularly over its perimeter. Such an arrangement makes it possible to confer on a pan closing, directions in different directions in sight to adapt to the configuration of any pool.

Said post also comprises means capable of placing under tension a fence panel ensuring the winding, at least partial, of the latter inside said post. Such means allow the fence section to be energized as much that it is necessary, especially when it comes to relax, without doing any disassembly or replacement of said closing section.

Knowing that the latter comes to be rolled up, it is no longer essential to design tailor-made fence panels and likely to adapt to the specific dimensions of a pool. On the contrary, the presence of tensioning means of winding type allows to define fence sections of standardized length. On the one hand, this simplifies the manufacture of these fence sections and, on the other hand, decrease stocks significantly. These advantages are found further increased due to the possibility of designing such a pan in the form of an assembly of several size modules scaled down.

The post of the fencing device according to the invention can, also, to receive, internally, a fixed shaft designed capable of on the one hand, be immobilized with respect to said post and, on the other hand, removed out of the latter. Such a tree is associated with the longitudinal edge of a fence section and can define, in combination with the latter, an opening under the form of a gate allowing or not the access to the basin. Such wicket has locking means making it suitable for be opened only by adults and not by children.

La figure 1 correspond à une vue générale d'un dispositif de clôturage selon l'invention et disposé en périphérie du bassin d'une piscine ;

La figure 2 est une vue schématisée et en éclaté, correspondant au détail A de la figure 1 et, plus particulièrement, à un poteau recevant des moyens de mise sous tension ;

La figure 3 est une vue schématisée et en coupe de la section du profilé tubulaire correspondant audit poteau représenté figure 2 ;

La figure 4 est une vue schématisée et en coupe de la section de l'arbre d'enroulement des moyens de mise sous tension représentés figure 2 ;

La figure 5 est une vue schématisée et en éclaté, correspondant au détail B de la figure 1 et, plus particulièrement, à un poteau recevant des moyens aptes à définir un ouvrant ;

La figure 6 est une vue schématisée et en éclaté, correspondant au détail C de la figure 1 et, plus particulièrement, à un pan de clôture défini par l'assemblage, au moyen d'un profilé approprié, de deux modules.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description relating to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings.

Figure 1 corresponds to a general view of a fencing device according to the invention and arranged at the periphery of the pool of a swimming pool;

Figure 2 is a schematic and exploded view, corresponding to detail A of Figure 1 and, more particularly, to a post receiving tensioning means;

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the section of the tubular profile corresponding to said post shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the section of the winding shaft of the tensioning means shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic and exploded view, corresponding to detail B of Figure 1 and, more particularly, to a post receiving means capable of defining an opening;

Figure 6 is a schematic exploded view, corresponding to detail C of Figure 1 and, more particularly, to a fence panel defined by the assembly, by means of an appropriate profile, of two modules.

The present invention relates to the field of the manufacture of safety devices intended to prevent certain people, especially children, to access a prohibited place.

As shown in Figure 1, this invention will find a particularly suitable application when it comes to to ensure the fencing of basin 2 of a swimming pool or the like.

In this same figure 1, such a device 1 comprises at least a post 3, 3 ', 3' 'and at least one flexible fence section 4, 4', 4 '', the latter being delimited, longitudinally, by vertical edges 5, 5A.

According to the invention, such a post 3 comprises a tubular profile 6 having, longitudinally, a slot 7 allowing, through the latter, access to the internal volume of said profile 6.

This post 3 further comprises a shaft 8 mounted, fixed or in rotation, inside said split tubular section 6.

This shaft 8 is provided, longitudinally, with at least one groove 9 for receiving a rod 10 fitted to one of the edges vertical 5 of a fence section 4.

Similarly, the outer periphery 11 of said tubular section 6 is, also provided, longitudinally, with at least one groove 12, 12 ', 12' 'for receiving a 10A rod fitted to one of the vertical edges 5A of a fence panel 4.

In fact, as can be seen in FIG. 1, said device for fencing 1 usually takes the form of a 3, 3 ', 3' 'pole succession between which is stretched minus a flexible fence section 4, 4 '.

It will be observed that, according to the invention, such a closing section flexible 4 has, on either side, a rod 10, 10A, equipping a vertical edge 5, 5A of this fence section 4.

Such a rod 10, equipping one 5 of the vertical edges of this section of fence 4, is able to cooperate with a groove 9 formed in the level of said shaft 8 mounted inside the tubular profile 6 a post 3.

The other rod 10A, equipping another 5A with the vertical edges of this closing panel 4, is able to cooperate with a groove 12, 12 ′, 12 '' at the outer edge 11 of the profile tubular 6 from another post 3 '.

In this regard, as shown in Figure 4, the tubular profile 6 has several grooves 12, 12 ', 12' 'distributed over its outer edge 11.

Such a distribution is preferably regular such so that said grooves 12, 12 ', 12' 'form, between them and relative to the axis 13 of said tubular section 6, the same angle, for example 90 °.

Such an arrangement of these grooves 12, 12 ', 12' 'allows, whatever whatever the configuration of basin 2, to give a section of fence 4 an appropriate orientation so that the latter 4 extends, from the post 3 to which it is connected, by substantially perpendicular to the latter 3.

Such an orientation makes it possible to apply, in an appropriate manner, the tensile force exerted by the closing panel 4 on the tubular profile 6.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, said tubular profile 6 is completed, at its ends lower 14 and / or upper 15, by a flange 16.

In fact and as visible in the figures of the attached drawing, such a flange 16, when it equips the lower end 14 of the profile 6 of a post 3, defines a base 17 for fixing said post 3 on the ground 18. For this purpose, said base 17 has orifices 19 capable of being traversed by a fixing member 20, of the screw, peg or similar type, intended to be anchored to the soil 18, for example in paving.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, such a base 17 has, again, means 21 for receiving the lower end 22 of the shaft 8 mounted, fixed or rotating, inside said tubular profile 6.

Such reception means 21 take the form of a housing 23, preferably circular in shape, especially in shape adjusted to that of the lower end 22 of said shaft 8, and corresponding, for example, to a cutout at the level of said base 17.

It will be observed that such a housing 23 and / or the lower end 22 of said shaft 8 can advantageously be provided with means 24 able to reduce the friction of said shaft 8, in particularly when the latter is rotatably mounted in said tubular profile 6.

According to an additional feature of this invention, the flange 16, when it equips the end upper 15 of the profile 6 of a post 3, defines a cover 25 able to close, at least partially, said profile 6.

In fact, this tubular profile 6 also comprises, extending from longitudinally and at its internal surface, at minus a groove 12A, 12'A or the like for receiving a fastener 20A intended for mounting, at the level from the lower end 14 and / or upper end 15, from a flange 16.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the tubular profile 6 of a post 3 is completed by means 26 able to energize a flexible 4 in fence section ensuring a winding, at least partially, of the latter at inside said post 3.

As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3, such tensioning means 26 are defined, on the one hand, by said shaft 8 and, on the other hand, by means 27 for controlling rotation of the latter 8.

Such rotation control means 27 are arranged at the interior of said tubular profile 6 and are engaged with said shaft 8 via a transmission member 28. The latter transmits to said shaft 8 a rotational movement through which the winding is ensured, on this shaft 8, of said fence panel 4 connected to said shaft 8, at one 5 of its vertical edges. When this closing section 4 is connected, at its other vertical edge 5A, to the groove external 12 of another profile 6, the rotation of said shaft 8 ensures that said closing section 4 is energized.

In fact, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said rotation control means 27 are defined by a winch 29 disposed in the upper part of said tubular profile 6.

Such a winch 29 can be of the electric type but is, of preferably of mechanical type capable, in this case, of being actuated using a crank 30 or the like. The latter is, of preferably of the retractable type and cooperates with said winch 29 through an opening in the upper part of said tubular profile 6.

This winch 29 includes a transmission member 28 adopting, by example, the shape of an operating square 31 able to cooperate with a groove 32 formed, longitudinally, at the level of said winding shaft 8 as visible in FIG. 5.

In this regard, it will be observed that this winding tree 8 preferably has a section 33 less than the width 34 of the slot 7 that comprises said tubular profile 6. Such a embodiment allows, when setting up the fencing device 1 around the basin 2, an introduction, through said slot 7, from the winding shaft 8 to the interior of said tubular profile 6, after anchoring this last on the ground 18.

During this introduction, said winding shaft 8 comes to cooperate, on the one hand, with the transmission member 28 in across said groove 32, and on the other hand, with the means receiving 21 of the base 17. This transmission member 28, in particular through a rotation printed by the means of rotation control 27, rotates said shaft 8 and the winding, on the latter, of said closing panel 4 which is there associated. The latter is therefore energized.

As regards said winch 29, the latter can be returned directly attached to said tubular section 6, in particular upper part of the latter. However and according to a mode of preferred embodiment, this winch 29 is associated, by by means of suitable fixing means 35, to a flange 16 defining a cover 25 capable of covering said tubular profile 6.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7 corresponding to a variant embodiment of the present invention, the flange 16, closing the upper end 15 of said tubular profile 6, includes means 36 capable of ensuring the immobilization of said shaft 8 relative to said post 3 and this in one direction perpendicular to the axis 13 of the profile 6 of the latter 3.

It will be observed that such immobilization means 36 are designed able to allow, on the one hand, the introduction of said shaft 8 into said tubular section 6 before securing it and, on the other hand, the withdrawal of said shaft 8 from said profile 6.

In fact, such an embodiment is designed such that this tree 8, in combination with the fence panel 4 therein associated, is likely to define a opening 37 in the form a gate 38 capable of being put in place or removed in view prevent or allow access to the pool 2.

As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 5, the immobilization means 36 are defined, at the level of said flange 16, by a cutout 39 and a central orifice 40. These means immobilizer 36 can also be supplemented by reception means 21 presented by the base 17.

More specifically, said central orifice 40 has a section, on the one hand, adjusted to that of a nozzle 43 fitted to the end upper of said shaft 8 and, on the other hand, greater than that 33 of the latter 8.

It will be observed that this central orifice 40 communicates with said cutout 39, the latter being positioned opposite the slot 7 of the tubular profile 6 and having a section, of a part, greater than that of said shaft 8 and, on the other hand, lower than that of the end fitting 43 equipping the latter 8.

Such an embodiment is designed capable of allowing, in a first, the introduction of said shaft 8 inside said tubular profile 6. Such an introduction is, in fact, to through the slot 7 of the profile 6 and the cutout 39 of said flange 16 as far as the central opening 40, this in a movement substantially perpendicular to the axis 13 of said profile tubular 6.

In a second step, said shaft 8 is introduced into said profile 6 in a movement substantially parallel to the axis 13 of the latter, this until engagement of the end piece 43 in the central orifice 40. This engagement ensures immobilization said shaft 8 in a direction perpendicular to said axis 13 of the profile 6.

Such a procedure makes it possible to set up said gate 38 to prevent access to the basin 2 knowing that the opening of said gate 38 takes place through a movement reverse.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, these immobilization means 36 can be supplemented by locking means 46 of said shaft 8 in its immobilized position relative to the profile 6.

These locking means 46 are designed capable of preventing the extraction of said shaft 8 from the profile 6 and adopt, by example, the shape of a pin 47 or the like associated with said shaft 8, in particular at its end 43. Such a pin 47 is able to cooperate with an orifice made at the level of said shaft 8, or its end piece 43, such an orifice coming to be positioned under the flange 16 after the gate 38 has closed.

In fact, such locking means 46 are designed capable of be unlocked only by authorized persons, except the exclusion of children, for example.

As shown in Figure 6 corresponding to a mode of particular embodiment of the present invention, the pan of fence 4 that the fence device 1 is preferably made up of a succession of at least two modules 48, 48 'connected together, two by two, by through a connection profile 49.

Such a connection profile 49 has, so longitudinal, two grooves 50, 50 'capable of cooperating, each, with a rod 51, 51A equipping the vertical edge 52, 52A with a module 48, 48 '.

It will be observed that such an embodiment makes it possible to define modules 48, 48 'of standardized length for the making up, by assembling two or more of these, a fence section 4 of any length.

As regards, moreover, such a closing section 4, this last one is defined from a mesh 53 made of a material associated flexible synthetic, at least at the edges horizontal 55, 55A of said closing panel 4, with at least one strip reinforcement 54 made integral with this grid 53, in particular by soldering or gluing.

According to another embodiment not shown, such a reinforcement strip can, again, equip the vertical edges 5, 5A of this closing section 4.

In fact and according to an additional characteristic of the present invention, the fencing device 1 comprises, still, means 56 intended to ensure the securing of said pan of fence 4 on the ground 18.

Such securing means 56 are designed capable of cooperating with said closing panel 4, in particular in the lower part of this last and, more particularly, with the reinforcing strip 54 bordering the mesh 53, in particular at the horizontal edge 55 of said pan 4.

These means 56 take the form of a tensioner, in particular provided a traction loop, and comprising a stake intended to be engaged in a hole made at ground level 18. Such means 56 pass, in part, through a reinforced orifice provided at the level of the reinforcement strip 54 equipping the horizontal edge lower 55 of said pan 4.

Finally, according to an additional characteristic of the present invention, the tubular profile 6 and / or the shaft 8 and / or connection profile 49 are made of a material metallic, preferably aluminum, and defined through of a sector.

Claims (12)

Fencing device (1), in particular of a basin such as a swimming pool or the like, comprising at least one post (3) and at minus a flexible closing section (4), characterized by the fact that such a post (3) comprises a tubular section (6), split longitudinally, in which is mounted, fixed or rotating, a shaft (8), this being provided, longitudinally, all as the outer periphery of said split tubular profile (6), at least one groove (9; 12) for receiving a rod (10) fitted to the vertical edges (5) of the flexible closing panel (4). Fencing device (4) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a succession of posts (3, 3 ', 3' ') between which is stretched at least one fence section flexible (4, 4 ', 4' ') including a rod (10), fitted to a vertical edge (5) of this flexible closing section (4), cooperates with a groove (9) arranged at a shaft (8) mounted in the tubular profile (6) of a post (3) while another rod (10A), equipping a another vertical edge (5A) of said closure panel (4), cooperates with a groove (12) formed at the level of the external periphery (11) of the tubular profile (6) of another post (3 '). Fencing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said profile tubular (6) is completed, at its end lower (14) and / or upper (15), by a flange (16) defining, as appropriate, a base (17) for fixing said post (3) on the ground (18) or a cover (25) suitable for close, at least partially, said tubular profile (6). Fencing device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the profile tubular (6) of a post (3) is completed by means (26) suitable for energizing a flexible fence section (4) in ensuring a winding, at least partially, of the latter at the interior of said post (3). Fencing device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (26) for tensioning of said closing section (4) consist, on the one hand, of means (27) for controlling the rotation of said shaft (8), in engagement with the latter via a transmission member (28), and arranged internally to said profile (6) and, on the other part, by said shaft (8) whose rotation ensures winding said closing section (4) on the latter (8). Fencing device (1) according to claims 3 and 5, characterized by the fact that the means (27) for controlling rotation are defined by a winch (29), associated with the flange (16) closing the upper end (15) of said profile (6), and comprising a transmission member (28) in the form of a square operating (31) able to cooperate with a groove (32) formed longitudinally at said winding shaft (8). Fencing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the flange (16), closing the upper end (15) of said tubular profile (6), comprises means (36) capable of ensuring the immobilization of said shaft (8) relative to said post (3) and this in a direction perpendicular to the axis (13) of the tubular profile (6) of the latter so that said shaft (8), in combination with the closing panel (4), define an opening (37) such as a gate (38). Fencing device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the immobilization means (36) are defined, at said flange (16), by a cutout (39) and an orifice central (40), the latter (40) having a section, on the one hand, adjusted to that of a nozzle (43) equipping the upper end (15) of said shaft (8) and, on the other hand, greater than that of this last (8), said central orifice (40) communicating with said cutout (39), positioned opposite the slot (7) of said profile (6), and having a section, on the one hand, greater than that of said tree (8) and, on the other hand, less than that of the end piece (43) equipping the latter (8). Fencing device (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the means immobilization (36) are supplemented by means of locking (46), capable of being unlocked, of said shaft (8) in its immobilized position relative to the profile (6). Fencing device (1) according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that said closing section (4) consists of a succession of at least two modules (48, 48 ') connected together via a connection profile (49), the latter having, longitudinally, two grooves (50, 50 ') able to cooperate, each with a rod (51, 51A) equipping the vertical edge (52, 52A) of a module (48, 48 '). Fencing device (1) according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the pan fence (4) is defined by a mesh (53) of a material associated flexible synthetic, at least at the edges horizontal (55, 55A) of said closure panel (4), at least one reinforcing strip (54) made integral, in particular by welding or collage, of this mesh (53). Fencing device (1) according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that it includes means (56) for securing said pan of fence (4) on the ground (18).

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