EP1705316B1 - Telescopic shelter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to telescopic shelters, in particular for swimming pools.

More particularly, the invention relates to a telescopic shelter as known from the document FR2823783 and having at least first and second adjacent sections displaceable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction between at least one extended position where said first and second sections at least partially cover a space to be protected and a retracted position where said first and second sections are mutually nested,
each section having two longitudinal lower edges, and
the longitudinal lower edges of the first and second sections being guided by rollers pivotally mounted on the first section about vertical axes, the rollers being mounted on the two longitudinal lower edges of the first section,
the rollers being interposed between the lower edges of the first and second sections and arranged to roll on a rolling surface arranged directly opposite the lower edge of the first section, said running surface belonging to the lower edge of the second section, a certain clearance being provided between the rollers and the corresponding running surface,
each lower longitudinal edge of the first section extending between a first end adjacent to the second section in the deployed position of the first section and a second end remote from the second section in the deployed position, and each lower longitudinal edge of the first section comprising at least one section; first roller in the vicinity of said first end.

The document US-A-5,907,928 discloses another example of such a shelter, wherein the rollers of a section are guided in downwardly open channels belonging to the adjacent section. This arrangement has the disadvantage of complicating the assembly of the shelter and causing jamming by jamming between the sections during their relative movements.

The present invention is intended to overcome this disadvantage.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a shelter of the type in question is characterized in that each longitudinal lower edge of the first section comprises a plurality of rollers arranged at increasing spacing from the first end to the second end of the longitudinal lower section.

Because the rollers are closer to each other forwards, that is to say towards the section against which the rollers can roll and which can fit into the section carrying the rollers, the sections are guided with great precision at the beginning of their mutual interlocking movement, which guarantees excellent guidance of the sections with a limited number of rollers. Thanks to these arrangements, it provides excellent lateral guidance of the sliding movement between the sections of the shelter, without jamming, and it facilitates the mounting of the shelter.

In various embodiments of the shelter according to the invention, one can optionally also resort to one and / or the other of the following provisions:
the rollers are distributed over substantially one half of the longitudinal lower profile, towards the first end of said longitudinal lower profile;
each longitudinal lower edge of each section of the shelter comprises a lower longitudinal profile, at least the lower longitudinal section of the second section having a side wall which forms said bearing surface;
at least the lower longitudinal sections of the first section respectively have lateral grooves in which the rollers of the first section are rotatably mounted, said rollers protruding out of said lateral grooves towards the corresponding running surfaces of the second section;
the lower longitudinal profiles have a lower groove open on the bottom in which are mounted wheels adapted to roll on the ground.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un abri selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention, en position déployée,
• la figure 2 est une vue similaire à la figure 1, dans la position rétractée de l'abri,
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues de détail en perspective montrant plusieurs parties de l'abri de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe verticale sur les bords inférieurs longitudinaux de deux tronçons adjacents de l'abri, en position rétractée,
• et les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues en coupe montrant des équerres de fixation au sol de différents tronçons de l'abri.

On the drawings:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a shelter according to one embodiment of the invention, in the deployed position,
• the figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 , in the retracted position of the shelter,
• the figures 3 and 4 are detailed perspective views showing several parts of the shelter from the figure 1 ,
• the figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the longitudinal lower edges of two adjacent sections of the shelter, in the retracted position,
• and the figures 6 and 7 are sectional views showing ground fastening brackets of different sections of the shelter.

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

The figures 1 and 2 represent a telescopic shelter 1 which comprises a plurality of adjacent sections 2, 3, 4 movable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction X. The sections 2, 3, 4 are here three in number but could be different in number without depart from the scope of the invention.

• la position déployée visible sur la figure 1, où les tronçons 2, 3, 4 recouvrent un espace à protéger 6, par exemple une piscine ou autre,
• et la position rétractée visible sur la figure 2 où les tronçons 2, 3, 4 coopèrent par emboîtement mutuel et découvrent l'espace à protéger 6.

In the example shown on the figures 1 and 2 , the section 4 of the shelter 1 is fixed and the sections 2, 3 are movable in translation in the X direction between:

• the deployed position visible on the figure 1 , where the sections 2, 3, 4 cover a space to be protected 6, for example a pool or the like,
• and the retracted position visible on the figure 2 where the sections 2, 3, 4 cooperate by interlocking and discover the space to be protected 6.

In the example shown, the section 2 comprises a generally removable end wall 5 while the section 4 has no end wall opposite the end wall 5: the end of the section 4 which is opposed to the end wall 5 could in this case be applied against a wall of a fixed building. Of course, the section 4 could also include an end wall similar to the end wall 5.

The sections 2, 3, 4 mentioned above preferably have similar structures, with the same length in the longitudinal direction X and slightly different dimensions in the plane perpendicular to the direction X to allow mutual interlocking of the sections 2, 3, 4 , the fixed section 4 being the widest in the example shown.

• de profilés en alliage léger ou autres,
• avec des plaques de remplissage transparentes ou non, par exemple réalisées en polycarbonate ou en Plexiglas® (polymétacrylate de méthyle ou PMMA).

The different sections 2, 3, 4 can be made by assembling:

• light alloy profiles or others,
• with transparent filler plates or not, for example made of polycarbonate or Plexiglas® (polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA).

The different profiles used for the different sections 2, 3, 4 of the shelter may have identical sections from one section to another.

• un profilé inférieur longitudinal 10 qui forme un bord inférieur longitudinal du pan latéral 8,
• un profilé supérieur longitudinal 11,
• un montant arrière 12, à l'extrémité du tronçon qui est la plus éloignée de la paroi d'extrémité 5,
• et un montant avant 13 à l'autre extrémité du tronçon considéré.

Each of the sections 2, 3, 4 of the shelter comprises a roof 7 which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction X between two vertical side panels 8. Each of the side panels 8 comprises for example a transparent wall of polycarbonate 9 lined by :

• a longitudinal lower profile 10 which forms a longitudinal lower edge of the lateral pan 8,
• a longitudinal upper section 11,
• a rear upright 12, at the end of the section that is farthest from the end wall 5,
• and an amount before 13 at the other end of the section in question.

• une paroi supérieure horizontale 14 dans laquelle est ménagée une gorge 15 ouverte vers le haut où est emboîtée la paroi 9 de polycarbonate,
• une paroi latérale extérieure 16 sensiblement verticale, orientée vers l'extérieur de l'abri et formant par exemple une paroi pleine,
• une paroi latérale intérieure 17 sensiblement verticale, orientée vers l'intérieur de l'abri et présentant par exemple une gorge latérale 18 sur toute sa longueur,
• et une extrémité inférieure 19 dans laquelle débouche une gorge 20 ouverte vers le bas, la gorge 20 pouvant également être ouverte sur toute la longueur du profilé inférieur longitudinal 10.

As shown in more detail on the figure 5 each longitudinal lower profile 10 of each section 2, 3, 4 may for example have a generally rectangular general shape, with:

• a horizontal upper wall 14 in which is formed an upwardly open groove 15 which is fitted with the polycarbonate wall 9,
• a substantially vertical outer side wall 16, oriented towards the outside of the shelter and forming for example a solid wall,
• a substantially vertical inner side wall 17 oriented towards the inside of the shelter and having, for example, a lateral groove 18 along its entire length,
• and a lower end 19 in which opens a groove 20 open downwards, the groove 20 can also be open over the entire length of the longitudinal lower profile 10.

In the vertical grooves 20 of the longitudinal lower profiles are mounted wheels 21 which are rotatable about horizontal transverse axes Y perpendicular to the X axis. The wheels 21 may be in the form of horizontal disks, possibly with an enlarged periphery. They may be made for example of synthetic material, in particular polyamide 6-6 reinforced or not glass fibers or other, molded around a central metal hub 22 whose ends respectively journalled on the side walls 16, 17 of the section 10 .

More particularly, the ends of the hub 22 may each comprise an annular groove 23 which delimits an enlarged head 24 nested in a channel 25 of the corresponding lateral wall 16, 17. The channel 25 question can communicate with the vertical groove 20 by a slot 26 narrower than the enlarged head 24.

The wheels 21 rest on the ground 27 thus allowing the displacement of the corresponding shelter section in the longitudinal direction X. It will be noted that the wheels 21 are not guided by rails on the ground or the like.

Furthermore, rollers 28 are rotatably mounted in the lateral grooves 18 of each section (these rollers may however be omitted for the section 2 of smaller width, in which no other section fits).

The rollers 28 are rotatably mounted about vertical axes Z and may have the general shape of horizontal disks with an enlarged periphery. The rollers 28 may for example be molded from synthetic material, in particular polyamide 6-6 reinforced or not by glass fibers or the like, molded on a metal hub 29 whose ends are journalled on the walls of the profile which delimits the lateral groove 18 up and down.

More particularly, the ends of the hub 29 may each have an annular groove 30 which delimits an enlarged head 31 engaged in a channel 32 formed in the profile 10, this channel 32 opening into the lateral groove 18 through a longitudinal slot 33 narrower than the enlarged head 31 of the hub.

The rollers 28 project out of the lateral grooves 18 towards the inside of the shelter, so as to be able to roll against the corresponding side wall 16 of the adjacent section of the shelter during a relative displacement between the sections in the X direction. (The wall 16 thus forms a rolling surface for the rollers 28). Advantageously, a certain clearance is provided between the rollers 28 and the adjacent side wall 16, which helps to prevent jamming between sections during their movements.

The rollers 28 may for example have a radius of about 30 to 40 mm, they may project out of the profiles 10 for example of about 20 to 30 mm, and the clearance between the rollers 28 and the wall 16 which faces them can be for example from about 0 to 10 mm.

• un premier galet 28 disposé au voisinage de l'extrémité avant 34 du profilé 10, par exemple à une distance L1 comprise entre 10 et 20 cm de ladite extrémité avant 34,
• un deuxième galet 28 décalé vers l'extrémité arrière 35 du profilé 10 par rapport au premier galet 28, par exemple avec un écartement L2 de 8 à 20 cm entre les axes de rotation Z des premier et deuxième galets,
• un troisième galet 28 disposé vers l'arrière par rapport au deuxième galet, avec un écartement L3 supérieur à L2 entre les axes de rotation Z des deuxième et troisième galets, L3 pouvant par exemple être compris entre 20 et 30 cm et pouvant être par exemple au moins double de l'écartement L2,
• et un quatrième galet 28 disposé vers l'arrière par rapport au troisième galet, l'écartement L4 entre les axes de rotation Z des troisième et quatrième galets étant supérieur à l'écartement L3 susmentionné et pouvant être par exemple compris entre 40 et 50 cm, l'écartement L4 pouvant être par exemple sensiblement le double de l'écartement L3.

As shown on the figure 3 , the rollers 28 of each section are distributed substantially on the front half of the longitudinal lower profile 10, that is to say the half of the profile 10 which is closest to the end wall 5 in the example shown. These rollers 28 may comprise, for example:

• a first roller 28 disposed in the vicinity of the front end 34 of the profile 10, for example at a distance L1 between 10 and 20 cm from said front end 34,
• a second roller 28 offset towards the rear end 35 of the profile 10 relative to the first roller 28, for example with a distance L2 of 8 to 20 cm between the axes of rotation Z of the first and second rollers,
• a third roller 28 disposed rearwardly with respect to the second roller, with a spacing L3 greater than L2 between the axes of rotation Z of the second and third rollers, L3 may for example be between 20 and 30 cm and can be for example at least twice the distance L2,
• and a fourth roller 28 disposed rearwardly with respect to the third roller, the distance L4 between the axes of rotation Z of the third and fourth rollers being greater than the above-mentioned gap L3 and which may be, for example, between 40 and 50 cm , the spacing L4 may be for example substantially double the distance L3.

Because the rollers 28 are closer to each other forwards, that is to say towards the section against which the rollers 28 can roll and which can to fit into the section carrying the rollers 28, the sections are guided with great precision at the beginning of their mutual interlocking movement, which guarantees excellent guidance of the sections with a limited number of rollers 28. In addition, the distribution rollers at spacings substantially doubled from one roller to the other rearward, ensures that the lower sections 10 sections 2, 3, 4 never come into contact with each other during the interlocking movement of the sections, even if one of the movable sections 2, 3 is placed at an angle.

Moreover, as represented on figures 3 and 6 each of the mobile sections 2, 3 of the shelter can be immobilized by anchoring members such as brackets 36 fixed to the ground. These brackets 36 may for example be two in number per section (one for each side panel), and may optionally be disposed towards the inside of the shelter relative to the side panels 8 of the section.

• une patte inférieure horizontale 37 qui repose sur le sol 27,
• une patte supérieure verticale 38 qui s'étend vers le haut et qui présente une face externe verticale 39 en appui contre la paroi latérale intérieure 17 du profilé inférieur longitudinal 10 correspondant sur la majeure partie de sa hauteur, la patte 38 formant un contrefort 40 d'épaisseur croissante vers le bas jusqu'à la patte inférieure 37 (ce contrefort peut éventuellement être formé par deux nervures verticales au niveau des bords de la patte supérieure 38).

The brackets 36 may for example be molded in one piece of light alloy and include:

• a horizontal lower leg 37 which rests on the ground 27,
• a vertical upper leg 38 which extends upwards and which has a vertical outer face 39 bearing against the inner side wall 17 of the corresponding longitudinal lower profile 10 over most of its height, the tab 38 forming a buttress 40 of increasing thickness down to the lower leg 37 (this buttress may optionally be formed by two vertical ribs at the edges of the upper leg 38).

The lower lug 37 is traversed by a screw 41 which may for example comprise a head 42 made of plastic or other material enabling a screwing by hand without tools, the screw 41 being for example screwed into a threaded pin 43 made of stainless steel or other which is sealed in the ground 27 for example by means of a mortar or a sealing resin 44. Preferably, the pin 43 is flush with the surface of the ground 27 or more generally has an upper end at a level less than or equal to the ground level.

Furthermore, the upper leg 38 of the bracket is traversed by a screw 41 which may be identical or similar to the screw 41 of the lower leg, which screw is screwed into a nut 45 engaged in the lateral groove 18 of the longitudinal lower profile 10.

The nut 45 has a body wider than the opening of the lateral groove 18, which ensures a solid attachment between the upper lug 38 and the profile 10. More particularly, the nut 45 may have a first enlarged portion which penetrates in each channel 32 mentioned above through the slot 33 of this channel, and an enlarged end 45b disposed towards the bottom of the lateral groove 18, that is to say opposite to the opening of said lateral groove.

The screw 41 passes through the opening of the lateral groove 18, so that the fixing of the bracket 36 to the profile 10 does not require drilling of said profile which thus retains all its mechanical characteristics.

Finally, as represented on figures 1 , 4 and 7 the fixed section 4 of the shelter is also fixed to the ground by brackets 36 which are identical or similar to the brackets previously described and mounted in a similar manner, with the difference that the brackets 36 in question are fixed against the outer lateral walls 16 of the shelter each lower longitudinal section 10 of this section. The brackets 36 of the fixed section 4 may be optionally 4 in number, respectively fixed towards the front and rear ends of each section 10 of this section.

The screws 41 of the upper legs can be fixed in nuts 45 identical or similar to those described above, said screws 41 passing through a bore 46 formed in the outer side wall 16 of the corresponding section 10.

Note that the nuts 45, as well as the hubs 22, 29 mentioned above, are held in place in the profiles 10 by spacers (not shown) which can for example be nested in the profiles 10, in a manner known per se.

The brackets 36 of the various sections 2, 3, 4 of the shelter make it possible, on the one hand, to avoid raising the sections of the shelter in the event of strong wind, and on the other hand to breach the shelter sections 2 , 3, 4 avoiding mutual spacing of the side panels 8 of each section in the event of a vertical load on the roof 7 (for example a load due to snow accumulation). These brackets work essentially in tension or in compression, but not in torsion between their legs as in the prior art.

Note that all the brackets 36 are easily removable (particularly to move the movable sections 2, 3) without leaving an obstacle on the floor 27 after removal.

Claims (5)

1. Telescopic shelter comprising at least first and second adjacent sections (4, 3; 3, 2) which can be displaced with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction (X) between at least one deployed position wherein said first and second sections cover at least partially a space to be protected and a retracted position wherein said first and second sections are mutually nested,
   each section (2, 3, 4) having two longitudinal lower edges (10), and
   the longitudinal lower edges (10) of the first and second sections guided by rollers (28) mounted pivotally on the first section (4; 3) around vertical axes (Z), the rollers (28) being mounted on the two longitudinal lower edges (10) of the first section (4; 3),
   the rollers (28) are interposed between the lower edges (10) of the first and second sections and are arranged to roll on a running surface (16) arranged directly opposite the lower edge (10) of the first section, said running surface (16) belonging to the lower edge (10) of the second section (3; 2), a certain clearance is arranged between the rollers (28) and the corresponding running surface (16),
   each longitudinal lower edge (10) of the first section (4; 3) extending between a first end (34) adjacent to the second section (3; 2) in the deployed position of the first section and a second end separated from the second section in said deployed position, and each longitudinal lower edge (10) of the first section comprising at least one first roller (28) in the vicinity of said first end (34), characterised by the fact that each longitudinal lower edge (10) of the first section comprises several rollers (28) arranged with a separation increasing from the first end (34) towards the second end (35) of the longitudinal lower profile (10).
2. Shelter according to claim 1, wherein the rollers (28) are substantially distributed over one half of the longitudinal lower profile (10), towards the first end (34) of said longitudinal lower profile.
3. Shelter as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each longitudinal lower edge of each section of the shelter comprises a longitudinal lower profile (10), with at least the longitudinal lower profile of the second section (3; 2) having a lateral wall (16) which forms said running surface.
4. Shelter according to claim 3, wherein at least the longitudinal lower profiles (10) of the first section (4; 3) respectively have lateral grooves (18) wherein the rollers (28) of the first section are rotably mounted, said rollers (28) protruding beyond said lateral grooves (18) towards the corresponding running surfaces (16) of the second section (3; 2).
5. Shelter according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the longitudinal lower profiles (10) have a lower groove (20) open on the bottom wherein are mounted wheels (21) adapted to roll on the ground (27).

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