EP2280129A2

EP2280129A2 - Fold-up awning

Info

Publication number: EP2280129A2
Application number: EP10158032A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorenzo Danieli
Original assignee: PROGETTOTENDA SpA
Current assignee: PROGETTOTENDA SpA
Priority date: 2009-05-04
Filing date: 2010-03-26
Publication date: 2011-02-02
Also published as: ITPD20090119A1; EP2280129A3; IT1394087B1

Abstract

A fold-up awning (1) comprises at least one sheet (2) and at least one section-break element (7, 7a, 7b), guided on respective longitudinal members between a first position in which the sheet (2) is gathered in folds (8a,b,c,d,e) and a second position in which the sheet (2) is stretched out, a drip-collecting device (10) located at least at one side of the sheet (2), transversely to the section-break element (7, 7a, 7b), and actuating means (12) connected to the drip-collecting device (10) in order to move the drip-collecting device (10) between a lowered position and a raised position, to follow the folds (8a,b,c,d,e) of the sheet (2), in the passage between the first and the second position.

Description

The subject of the present invention is an improved fold-up awning, of the type including the characteristics mentioned in the preamble of the main claim.
An awning of this type is known from the production of the present Applicant.
Such awnings are distinguished from those termed roll-up type by the fact that, in the gathered position, that is to say, when the awning is in the non-operative position, the sheet of the awning is formed into folds, and suspended between adjacent section-breaks.
The folds of the sheet hanging between the section-breaks obviously have a vertical overall dimension which is cancelled out when the sheet is stretched out in the operative position. A first consequence of this overall dimension is that any drip-collecting channels provided cannot be mounted behind the stretched out position of the sheet since they would interfere with the latter when it is gathered up in the non-operative position.
However, by dispensing with the drip-collecting means there is the unpleasant drawback of rain-water falling from the sides of the awning, particularly in the presence of wind and other adverse atmospheric conditions.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of providing an adequate and functional drip-collecting means suitable for protecting the affected region of the awning without interfering with the sheet in the gathered position, such as to remedy all the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art cited.
Within the framework of this problem, it is an aim of the invention to produce an awning in which the drip-collecting function is performed completely automatically.
Another aim of the invention is to provide an awning that can be produced in a simple manner and without additional operations with respect to the required functional character.
This problem, with these and other aims, are solved by the invention by means of an awning produced according to the following claims.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a fold-up awning according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the awning of Figure 1, in a different operative configuration;
Figure 3 is a view of the enlarged detail III of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a view of the enlarged detail IV of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a view of a section of a detail of Figure 2, along the section line V-V;
Figure 6 is a view of the enlarged detail VI of Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a side view, corresponding to that of Figure 1, of an alternative embodiment of the fold-up awning of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a side view, corresponding to that of Figure 1, of a further alternative embodiment of the fold-up awning of Figure 1;
Figure 9 is a side view of the awning of Figure 8, in a different operative configuration;
Figure 10 is a view of the enlarged detail X of Figure 7.

In the drawings, reference 1 indicates as a whole an awning of the fold-up type with a framework formed by longitudinal members 2 that are supported by pillars 3 and/or supported on a wall 4. Arranged at one longitudinal end of the longitudinal members 2 is a gutter 5 or similar channel for collecting rainwater.
At the lower face of the longitudinal members 2 a guide 2 is fitted or provided. Supported between the guides of adjacent longitudinal members are section-break elements 7, the first and last of which are indicated respectively by 7a and 7b.
Anchored to the section- break elements 7, 7a, 7b is a sheet 8 of dimensions suitable for it to be capable of being arranged in a first position (Fig.1), in which it is gathered in folds 8a,b,c,d,e, or in a second position in which it is stretched out (Fig. 2).
When the sheet is gathered up in the first position, the folds 8a-e hang down, folded up, between adjacent section-break elements 7, it being preferably protected by a canopy 9. Therefore the folds 8a-e, in the first position, have an overall vertical dimension equal to half the pitch between adjacent section-breaks 7.
A drip-collecting device 10 is fitted at the two opposed longitudinal sides of the sheet of the awning 1, below the longitudinal members 2 and therefore extends transversely to the section-break elements 7. In a first exemplary embodiment, each drip-collecting device 10 is produced from a metal profiled member 10a forming a channel of substantially L-shaped cross-section supported by a hinge with one of its ends 11 on the free edge of the gutter 5 and suspended on the structure of the awning 1, at its opposite end, via a cable transmission 12.
The cable transmission 12 itself has a first end anchored to the first section-break element 7a in such a way as to be entrained therewith, is returned on guides 13 in the region of each intermediate section-break element and is anchored with adjustable play by means of two clamp-type end stops 14 to the last section-break element 7b and to the profiled member 10a of the drip-collecting device.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown) the cable transmission 12 has a first end anchored to a section-break element 7c, intermediate between the section- breaks 7a and 7b, is returned on guides 13 in the region of each section-break element comprised between the section-break element 7c and the last section-break element 7b and is anchored with adjustable play by means of two clamp-type end stops 14 to the last section-break element 7b and to the profiled member 10a of the drip-collecting device.
In this way, when the sheet is in the first position, the cable transmission is loosened and only the portion thereof that is comprised between the end stop clamps 14 is tensioned to support the profiled member 10a of the drip-collecting device 10.
When the sheet is stretched out, passing from the first to the second position, the cable transmission is gradually tensioned simultaneously with the stretching out of the sheet until, in the last portion of travel of the first section-break element 7a, the portion of cable transmission comprised between the two clamps 14 is returned together with the sheet 8, with consequent raising of the profiled member 10a behind the sheet 8.
Conversely, when the first section-break is returned towards the first position, the profiled member 10a is firstly lowered into the initial state, to make room for the folds of the sheet that are being formed.
When the clamp 14 furthest from the profiled member 10a is abutted against the last section-break 7b, further descent of the device 10 ceases and the device, remaining in a lowered position but still underlying the folds 8a-8a, collects any drips subsequently discharged from the sides of the sheet, preventing them from dropping towards the underlying plane of footfall.
Two alternative embodiments of the drip-collecting device are illustrated with reference to the same awning hitherto described in Figures 7 and 8, respectively. Parts identical to the preceding example or functionally equivalent are designated by the same reference numbers.
In the first variant, the drip-collecting device is indicated as a whole by 110 and differs from the preceding example only in that the metal profiled member thereof is supported by a hinge no longer on the free edge of the gutter 5 but by means of articulation on a rocker arm 111 which is itself hinged onto the framework carrying the awning, for example on a cross-member 112 in proximity to the pillar 3, and urged by a spring 113 in opposition to a position in which the profiled member is led into the gutter 5.
As an alternative to the spring 113, a magnet having a similar function may be used.
The profiled member 110a is therefore kept away from the gutter 5 until the first section-break element comes close to the former and, by means of abutment means not shown, is caused to pivot with the rocker arm 111, entrained by the section-break 7a, rising up and advancing until it enters the gutter 5.
The principal advantage of this solution compared with the previous one lies in the fact that, owing to the presence of the rocker arm 111, the profiled member 110a is moved away from the sheet 8 also in the region of its end closest to the gutter 5, thus avoiding scraping between the sheet and the profiled member itself.
In the second variant, the drip-collecting device is indicated as a whole by 210 and differs from the previous example only in that the metal profiled member thereof has terminally, in proximity to the gutter 5, a tilting portion 211 hinged on one side to the profiled member 210a and at the other end supported by a hinge on the free edge of the gutter 5. In this case also, the operative actuation of the tilting portion depends on the interference of an abutment 212 thereof with the first section-break element 7a in such a way that the tilting part is caused to pivot on the hinge-type bearing in the gutter, raising the metal profiled member 210 until it is in prolongation thereof.
The principal advantage of this solution compared with the previous one lies in the fact that it avoids the presence of the spring 113, the breakage of which could cause malfunctioning of the drip-collecting device.

Claims

Fold-up awning (1) comprising at least one section-break element (7, 7a, 7b) and at least one sheet (2) secured thereto, said section-break element (7, 7a, 7b) being guided on respective longitudinal members (2) between a first position in which said at least one sheet (2) is gathered in folds (8a,b,c,d,e) and a second position in which said at least one sheet (2) is stretched out, characterized in that it comprises a drip-collecting device (10) placed at least at one side of said sheet (2) , transversely to the section-break element (7, 7a, 7b), and actuating means connected to said drip-collecting device (10) in order to move said drip-collecting device (10) between a lowered position and a raised position, to follow the folds (8a,b,c,d,e) of said sheet (2) in the passage between said first position and said second position.
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprise a cable transmission (12) which connects said at least one section-break element (7, 7a, 7b) to said drip-collecting device (10).
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of section-break elements (7, 7a, 7b) are provided and the cable transmission (12) has a first end anchored to a first section-break element (7a) of said plurality so as to be entrained therewith, said cable transmission (12) being anchored to a last section-break element (7b) of said plurality and to said drip-collecting device (10).
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cable transmission (12) has at least two end stops by means of which said cable transmission (12) is anchored with adjustable play to the last section-break element (7b) and to said drip-collecting device (10).
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said cable transmission (12) is returned on guides (13) at each intermediate section-break element between said first (7a) and said last (7b) section-break element.
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of section-break elements (7, 7a, 7b) are provided and the cable transmission (12) has a first end anchored to a section-break element (7c) intermediate between the first (7a) and the last (7b) of said section-breaks, said cable transmission (12) being returned on guides (13) at each section-break element (7) comprised between said intermediate section-break element (7c) and said last section-break element (7b), said cable transmission (12) being anchored with adjustable play by means of two clamp-type end stops (14) to said last section-break element (7b) and to said drip-collecting device (10).
Fold-up awning (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the drip-collecting device (10) and the corresponding actuating means (12) are interconnected with one another in such a way that the drip-collecting device (10) is located behind the pleated folds (8a,b,c,d,e) of the sheet (2) when the latter is gathered in the first position.
Fold-up awning (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said drip-collecting device (10) comprises a channel (10a), and lead-in means are provided between said channel (10a) and a gutter (5) of said awning (1) for leading said channel (10a) into said gutter (5) when said sheet (2) is extended in said second position.
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 8, wherein said lead-in means comprise a rocker member (111), said drip-collecting device (110) being supported by a hinge on said rocker member (111), said rocker member being hinged on a framework carrying said awning and being urged by a spring (113) acting in opposition to said raised position of the drip-collecting device (10).
Fold-up awning (1) according to claim 8, wherein said lead-in means comprise a tilting portion (211) hinged to said drip-collecting device (210) and supported by a hinge at a free edge of said gutter (5), said tilting portion (211) comprising an abutment capable of interfering with said at least one section-break element (7, 7a, 7b).