EP2329091B1 - Orientable panel of a roofing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an adjustable flap for the realization of a device for covering an outer surface or a building, and to ensure a variable protection according to the weather conditions. Roofing devices are known in the form of retractable rolling roofs or roll-up curtains.

Although they offer a design that can be sealed in the closed position, these first devices of the prior art do not allow to adjust the amount of shade and sun desired on the covered surface.

Rotation-orientable flap devices are also known, such as venetian blinds, said shutters overlapping one another in the closed position. These second devices of the prior art allow to distribute and adjust the amount of shade and sun desired on the covered surface.

However, the overlap of the shutters does not allow effective sealing against rain in the closed position, especially in the case of a horizontal roof.

Window glass windows are known, each glass slide has a folded section fixed to the glass slide, see document FR-2284747 .

The French patent published under reference FR-2676079 in the name of the same applicant as the present invention, provides a cover device providing effective sealing against weather in closed position while allowing adjustment and distribution of the amount of shade and sun. To do this, this cover device of the prior art is composed of adjustable flaps whose extreme profiles interlock in the closed position, one of the profiles forming a channel and the other a baffle.

Thus, the change of orientation of the flaps relative to an axis of rotation allows an adjustment and a distribution of the amounts of shadow and sun on the covered surface.

And, when the flaps are in the closed position, the imbrication of the baffled outer profile in the channel outer profile prevents the passage of water, each profile forming a channel for discharging the water to the outside of the device. blanket.

This cover device of the prior art has a major disadvantage: the shutters used are necessarily opaque in order to achieve effective and total protection against the sun.

In the case of rainy or threatening weather conditions, it is generally sought to protect oneself from showers and to prevent the risk of rain by closing said roofing device. The opaque flaps are then in the closed position, preventing any light beam from penetrating through said device.

However, in the case of cloudy weather or at dusk for example, it may be interesting that the cover device in the closed position allows light rays to penetrate before using any lighting.

Also, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a design of an adjustable flap for the realization of a cover device to ensure protection against the weather regardless of protection against light.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an orientable flap, intended for producing a covering device, comprising a profile made of translucent material of length L1 and of longitudinal axis A1 around which said flap is articulated in rotation, and at least one blade of opaque material of length L2, L2 at most equal to L1, and of longitudinal axis A2, A2 parallel to A1, around which said blade is articulated in rotation relative to said flap.

Thus, the steerable flap according to the present invention is capable of achieving maximum protection against light rays in a first extreme position, a variable protection against light rays in intermediate positions, and a waterproof protection against rain but allowing light to pass through. in a second extreme position.

• les figures 1A à 1C représentent schématiquement un synoptique du fonctionnement d'un volet orientable vu de profil dans un premier mode de réalisation selon l'invention,
• les figures 2A à 2D représentent schématiquement un synoptique du fonctionnement d'un volet orientable vu de profil dans un deuxième mode de réalisation selon l'invention,
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent en perspective, respectivement dans une position translucide et dans une position opaque, un dispositif de couverture réalisé à l'aide d'un volet orientable selon l'invention.

Other features and advantages will emerge from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the Figures 1A to 1C schematically represent a block diagram of the operation of an orientable flap seen in profile in a first embodiment according to the invention,
• the Figures 2A to 2D schematically represent a block diagram of the operation of an orientable flap seen in profile in a second embodiment according to the invention,
• the figures 3 and 4 represent in perspective, respectively in a translucent position and in an opaque position, a cover device made using an adjustable flap according to the invention.

The present invention relates to an orientable flap, and more particularly to a flap intended for the realization of a device for covering an external surface, such as a terrace of a dwelling house, a café, a storefront, or also for a veranda roof, greenhouse or for the approval of public spaces.

Of course, the invention also covers any other application of the adjustable flap according to the invention, for the realization of a cover or for another use. According to a first advantage with respect to the devices of the prior art, the steerable flap 10 according to the invention offers a design making it possible to progressively and homogeneously adjust the amount of light and shadow on the covered surface by modifying the orientation of said flap between two positions extremes: a first position in which said flap is substantially translucent and a second position in which said flap is substantially opaque.

For this purpose, said flap 10 comprises a profile 12 of translucent material of length L1 and longitudinal axis A1 around which said flap 10 is articulated in rotation, and at least one blade 14 of opaque material of length L2, L2 at most substantially equal to L1, and of longitudinal axis A2, A2 substantially parallel to A1, around which said blade 14 is articulated in rotation relative to said flap 10.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, rotating the pivoting flap 10 about its longitudinal axis A1 causes the blade 14 to turn opaque about its longitudinal axis A2 by gravity.

Of course, it can also be provided mechanical means, motorized or manual, for rotating the blade 14 opaque around its longitudinal axis A2 and maintain in a given position.

The translucent profile 12 may be made of polycarbonate, especially marketed under the trademark MAKROLON®, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), especially marketed under the brand PLEXIGLAS ®, or any other polymer.

The opaque blade 14 can be made of opaque plastic material, sheet metal, aluminum, etc.

The rotational flap 10 can be rotated by various mechanical means, such as a mechanical system comprising a rod and a connecting rod or an eccentric wheel, or by motorized means.

The choice between these different means of setting an adjustable flap 10 is not the object of the present invention, and is therefore left to the skilled person who has all the necessary knowledge to perform it.

In order to gradually vary the protection against light rays, the rotation of the pivotable flap 10 about its longitudinal axis A1 causes a progressive tilting of said blade 14 between two extreme positions: a translucent position, illustrated in FIG. Figures 1A and 2A , in which said blade passes a maximum of light rays and an opaque position, illustrated in FIG. Figures 1C and 2D wherein said blade 14 passes a minimum of light rays.

In a preferred embodiment, the profile 12 of an orientable flap 10 comprises at least one substantially closed protection compartment 18 around at least one blade 14 in order to prevent dust, leaves or other flying refuse. does not interfere with the rotation of a blade 14 or make the profile 12 translucent partially opaque.

Advantageously, a compartment 18 has been manufactured with the profile 12 and has a volume allowing the blade 14 to switch between the two extreme positions, translucent and opaque.

More specifically, the rotation of the steerable flap 10 about its longitudinal axis A1 causes a rotation of the opaque blade 14 around its longitudinal axis A2 to a stop 16 integrated in said compartment 18, said stop 16 for holding said blade 14 in opaque position as illustrated on the Figures 1C and 2D .

In a preferred embodiment, a compartment 18 has a substantially polygonal section and comprises at least four faces substantially opposite in pairs.

Thus, in translucent position illustrated on Figures 1A and 2A a compartment 18 comprises at least a first main face 20 substantially opposite a second main face 22, as well as at least one first lateral face 24 substantially opposite to a second face lateral 26, said lateral faces (24,26) substantially vertical connecting said main faces (20,22) substantially horizontal.

According to a first variant embodiment, illustrated on the Figures 1A to 1C , the longitudinal axis A2 situated at a longitudinal edge 28 of the opaque blade 14 is attached to the first main face 20 of a compartment 18 of the section 12 so as to allow the blade 14 to tilt between its two extreme positions.

In this first variant, the stop 16 making it possible to hold the blade 14 in an opaque position is formed by the first main face 20 of the profile 12 at which the longitudinal axis A2 of the blade 14 is attached, as illustrated by the Figures 1A to 1C .

More precisely, if the adjustable flap 10 is rotated in a clockwise direction illustrated by the arrows H, respectively counterclockwise, the arrangement of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26) and the arrangement of the longitudinal axis A2 a blade 14 at the main face 20 are made to release the rotation of the blade 14 in the counterclockwise direction, respectively in the clockwise direction, and on an angular sector 30 substantially corresponding to a quarter turn in the compartment 18.

Thus, in the translucent position of the component illustrated in Figure 1A , the opaque blade 14 is suspended substantially vertically in the compartment 18 by its longitudinal axis A2 so as to let a maximum of light rays.

When rotating the flap 10 and as illustrated in FIG. Figure 1B , the blade 14 rotates relative to the compartment 18. The first quarter turn made by the flap 10 causes a rotation of the blade 14 on the corresponding angular sector 30 and that until the support of the blade 14 on the stop 16 formed by the first main face 20.

During this first quarter turn of the flap 10, said blade 14 remains substantially vertical under the effect of gravity and the flap 10 remains substantially translucent.

During the second quarter turn of the flap 10, the blade 14 is blocked by the stop 16 in the compartment 18 and is thus gradually driven from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, which gradually increases the amount of shadow provided by Part 10 on the covered area.

The maximum opacity of the flap 10 is obtained at the end of the second quarter turn when the blade 14 is kept in a substantially horizontal position by the first main face 20 forming a stop.

To return gradually from the opaque position of the component 10 illustrated in figure 1C towards the translucent position of the flap 10, the rotation of the flap 10 must be carried out in the opposite direction to the rotation which has led the flap 10 from its translucent position to its opaque position.

According to a second variant embodiment, illustrated on the Figures 2A to 2D , the longitudinal axis A2 is located near the center 32 of the profile 34 of the blade 14, and said longitudinal axis A2 is attached to at least a distance d adapted from the faces (20, 22, 24, 26) of the compartment 18 of the section 12 so as to allow the tilting of the blade 14 between its two extreme positions.

The longitudinal axis A2 of the blade 14 being taken at the center 32 of its profile 34, the distance d is substantially greater than the radius r of the cylinder, illustrated in FIG. Figure 2A , allowing the blade 14 to make a complete turn on itself about its longitudinal axis A2.

In this second variant, the stop 16 making it possible to hold the blade 14 in the opaque position is formed by at least one lug 38 carried by at least one of the lateral faces (24, 26) of the compartment 18 of the section 12.

More precisely, if the adjustable flap 10 is rotated in a clockwise direction illustrated by the arrows H, respectively counterclockwise, the arrangement of the faces (20, 22, 24, 26) and the arrangement of the longitudinal axis A2 of a blade 14 in the compartment 18 formed by the faces (20, 22, 24, 26) are made to release the rotation of the blade 14 in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction on two angular sectors 36 corresponding substantially to a quarter turn in compartment 18.

Thus, in the translucent position of the component illustrated in Figure 2A , the opaque blade 14 is suspended substantially vertically in the compartment 18 by its longitudinal axis A2 so as to let a maximum of light rays.

When rotating the flap 10 and as illustrated in FIG. Figure 2B , the blade 14 rotates relative to the compartment 18. The first quarter turn made by the flap 10 causes a rotation of the blade 14 on the corresponding angular sector 36 and that until the support of the blade 14 on the stop 16 formed by the lug 38 carried by one of the lateral faces (24, 26) of the compartment 18.

During this first quarter turn of the flap 10, said blade 14 remains substantially vertical under the effect of gravity and the flap 10 remains substantially translucent.

During the second quarter turn of strand 10, and as illustrated in Figure 2C , the blade 14 is blocked by the stop 16 in the compartment 18 and is thus gradually driven from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, which gradually increases the amount of shade provided by the flap 10 on the covered surface .

The maximum opacity of the flap 10 is obtained at the end of the second quarter turn when the blade 14 is held in a substantially horizontal position by the lug 38 carried by one of the lateral faces (24, 26).

To return gradually from the opaque position of the component 10 illustrated in 2D figure towards the translucent position of the flap 10, the rotation of the flap 10 must be carried out in the opposite direction to the rotation which has led the flap 10 from its translucent position to its opaque position.

In order to promote the tilting of a blade 14 between the opaque and translucent positions, and as illustrated on the Figures 1A to 1C at least one portion 40 of the profile 34 of said blade 14 is curved so as to move the center of gravity of said blade 14 away from its profile 34.

Still with the aim of favoring the tilting of a blade 14 between the opaque and translucent positions, and as illustrated on the Figures 2A to 2D at least one edge 28 of said blade 14 comprises a counterweight 42 so as to move the center of gravity of said blade 14 away from its profile 34.

Advantageously, and as illustrated in the various figures, an orientable flap 10 comprises at least two opaque blades 14 in order to multiply its protection width.

In the case where a flap 10 comprises at least two blades 14, said steerable flap 10 may comprise at least one protective compartment 18 for each blade 14, a rib 44 coming to separate two adjacent compartments 18 of a same steerable flap 10. Said rib 44 acts as side faces (24,26) of said compartments 18 and simultaneously allows to stiffen the profile 12 forming said flap 10.

The steerable flap 10 according to the invention is intended for the realization of a covering device 50 of an outer surface, such as a terrace of a dwelling house, a café, a storefront, or also for a roof of conservatory, greenhouse or for the approval of public spaces.

Such a covering device 50 is schematically represented on the figures 3 and 4 respectively in translucent closed position and opaque position.

A cover device 50 comprises flaps 10 rotating about their longitudinal axes A1, said axes A1 being attached to a support frame 52 at each end of the profiles 12 forming said flaps 10.

Said flaps 10 are mounted parallel to said support frame 52 and spaced at the same distance appropriate to form a substantially continuous cover in their translucent position.

A control system, not illustrated, with rods or eccentric wheels is generally provided to simultaneously rotate all the flaps 10 forming said cover device 50.

Thus, the set of flaps 10 can be rotated and stopped in all the positions between the translucent closed position illustrated in FIG. figure 3 wherein the blades 14 of said flaps 10 are substantially vertical, and the opaque position illustrated in FIG. figure 4 wherein the blades 14 of said flaps 10 are substantially horizontal.

It can be seen that the steerable flap 10 according to the invention makes it possible to produce a cover device making it possible to progressively and homogeneously adjust the amount of light and shadow on the covered surface by modifying the orientation of said flaps between their two positions translucent and opaque.

According to a second advantage vis-à-vis the devices of the prior art, an adjustable flap 10 according to the invention is likely to provide weathertight protection independently of a protection against light. This improved embodiment is illustrated on the figures 3 and 4 .

According to this improved embodiment, the front ends 54 and rear 56 of a profile 12 of a flap 10 are interlocking, the front end 54 forming a baffle and the rear end 56 forming a channel for discharging water.

Thus, when the flaps 10 are in the translucent closed position, the interleaving of the front end 54 in a baffle in the rear channel end 56 prevents the passage of water under the cover thus produced.

Advantageously, the carrier frame 52 comprises a U-shaped channel 58 below each rear end 56 of a section 12 of a flap 10 in order to collect and discharge the water to the outside of the cover device.

Sealing means, such as seals, can also be provided between the front ends 54 and rear 56 of the profiles 12.

As illustrated by figure 3 , a translucent and translucent orientable flap comprising opaque blades 14 in a substantially vertical position, a maximum of light rays passes through the cover device 50. On the other hand, since the front ends 54 and the rear ends 56 of the profiles 12 are nested, protection against rain is ensured.

Claims (11)

1. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, comprising a section (12) that is made of translucent material with length L1 and longitudinal axis A1 around which said flap (10) is articulated to rotate, and at least one slat (14) that is made of opaque material with length L2, L2 that is at most equal to L1, and longitudinal axis A2, A2 that is parallel to A1, around which said slat (14) is articulated to rotate relative to said flap.
2. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to Claim 1, characterized in that putting the flap (10) into rotation around its longitudinal axis A1 drives a rotation of the opaque slat (14) around its longitudinal axis A2 by gravity.
3. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein putting the flap (10) into rotation around its longitudinal axis A1 drives a rotation of the opaque slat (14) around its longitudinal axis A2 and a tilting between two end positions: a translucent position in which said slat (14) allows a maximum amount of light rays to pass, and an opaque position in which said slat (14) allows a minimum amount of light rays to pass.
4. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein putting the flap (10) into rotation around its longitudinal axis A1 drives a rotation of the opaque slat (14) around its longitudinal axis A2 up to a stop (16).
5. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the section (12) of an adjustable flap (10) comprises at least one protective compartment (18) around at least one slat (14) and wherein said compartment (18) comprises at least one first primary surface (20) that essentially faces a second primary surface (22), as well as at least one first lateral surface (24) that essentially faces a second lateral surface (26).
6. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to Claim 5, wherein the longitudinal axis A2, located at a longitudinal edge (28) of the opaque slat (14), is brought to the surface (20) of a compartment (18) of the section (12), and wherein the stop (16) is formed by said surface (20).
7. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to Claim 5, wherein the longitudinal axis A2, located close to the center (32) of the profile (34) of the slat (14), is brought to a suitable distance d from the surfaces (20, 22, 24, 26) of the compartment (18) of the section (12) so as to allow the rotation of said slat, and wherein the stop (16) is formed by at least one lug (38) that is carried by at least one of the lateral surfaces (24, 26).
8. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one portion (40) of the profile (34) of a slat (14) is curved.
9. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one edge (28) of a slat (14) comprises a counterweight (42).
10. Adjustable flap (10), designed for the production of a covering device, according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front end (54) and the rear end (56) of a section (12) are interlocked, with the front end (54) forming a baffle and the rear end (56) forming a channel for evacuating water.
11. Cover that comprises at least two adjustable flaps (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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