EP2904176B1 - Pool covering - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of shelters for pleasure pool and including adaptations to achieve, under the best conditions, the connection between the pediment panel and the roof module with which it is associated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Pool shelters are structures comprising a plurality of roof modules providing coverage of a pool. These roof modules comprise a frame of profiles ensuring the support of one or more cover panels. In order to allow the passage from an extended position to a folded position, said roof modules are movable along the axis of the basin.
When the formed roof adopts a certain height with respect to the ground surface, the roof modules located at the ends of the shelter are conventionally equipped with a so-called pediment gable panel rising in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the roof. basin. These gable panels are sometimes called facade panels or background especially for so-called high shelters.
These pediments are necessary for the closure of the shelter and the implementation by said shelter, the protective function bu basin.

However, being secured to the roof module and closer to the ground, it is likely to be an obstacle to the displacement of the module to which it is attached. Thus, it is conventional that the bottom edge of such a pediment is located at a height lower than that of the upper surface of the rim surrounding the basin. The displacement in translation of the roof module then brings said bottom flange abutting against the lip.

For shelter builders, a first solution is to equip the bottom edge of said frontons with a brush seal so as not to constitute a mechanical stop preventing movement. Such a solution can not be applied on large heights.

A second solution is to design removable pediments to be attached to the profiles of the frame of the roof module and to the ground when necessary and to detach during the phases of displacement. Such a solution nevertheless requires screwing and unscrewing operations whose duration could be an inconvenience. In addition, once detached, the pediment is an independent element that can be considered bulky and unsightly whose storage must be assumed.

• elle requiert la possibilité d'un mouvement vers l'intérieur du module de toiture, ce qui n'est pas toujours possible pour une géométrie cintrée ou pour un panneau formant fronton et soutien de la structure,
• elle fait changer de position le panneau de façade d'une position verticale à une position horizontale sous le module de toiture et ledit panneau occupant le volume intérieur du module de toiture le supportant,
• elle est mise en oeuvre manuellement et pour ce faire, requiert une disposition équilibrée de l'axe de rotation,
• elle met en saillie en position horizontale, une partie du panneau de façade hors du module de toiture,
• elle requiert une grande rigidité du panneau de façade.

The document US 6604327 discloses a top shelter for spa-type pleasure pool having a telescopic structure in two roof modules slidingly interlocking with one another. One of the roof modules is equipped with a front panel pivotally mounted to move from its vertical closing position to a horizontal opening position at a distance from the ground allowing it to pass over the spa in its sliding movement.
Although solving the disadvantages of a pediment simply removable not constituting a stop while remaining supported by the shelter, such a configuration has other disadvantages, among these:

• it requires the possibility of an inward movement of the roof module, which is not always possible for a curved geometry or for a panel forming pediment and support of the structure,
• it changes position of the facade panel from a vertical position to a horizontal position under the roof module and said panel occupying the interior volume of the roof module supporting it,
• it is implemented manually and to do this requires a balanced arrangement of the axis of rotation,
• it projects in horizontal position, part of the front panel outside the roof module,
• it requires a high rigidity of the facade panel.

The document EP1964990 describes an angle element for telescopic shelter. The telescopic shelter has a plurality of mobile roof modules including an end roof module with a movable facade to solve the disadvantages of a pediment simply removable not constituting an obstacle or movement of the shelter while remaining supported by the shelter.
Two configurations of mobility of the facade are proposed.
A first configuration proposes a pivoting of a portion of the pediment along a horizontal axis, said pivot tending to return said pediment portion.
A second configuration proposes a vertical translation of said movable part of the pediment which is equipped with handles articulated to the pediment to allow their retraction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

What is clear, the plaintiff has conducted research to solve the problems encountered.

This research led to the design and construction of an ornamental pond shelter with roof modules, some of which are equipped with pediment panels and where the connection between the panel and the roof module not only prevents the fronton is an obstacle to the movements of the roof module but also that the operations necessary for the release of the module are shorter.

This research has led to the design of an ornamental pond shelter of the type including at least one roof module which, covering said basin and comprising a frame supporting a cover, is equipped with a pediment panel forming said pediment . This shelter is remarkable in that it comprises at least one articulated structure connecting the roof module to said pediment, the hinge being dimensioned so as to move said pediment from a lowered position of closure to a raised position of opening where said pediment is outside the module, and vice versa.

This feature is particularly advantageous in that it proposes a new solution for opening the shelter and managing the pediment. Indeed, by proposing to raise the pediment outside the module to which it remains linked, the invention allows to manage the pediment as a door or a hatch controlling access to the shelter without the need to make independent and completely detach said pediment from said module. In addition, so that it does not constitute an obstacle to translation, the lift will prevent the lower part of the pediment does not abut against the rim of the basin or the curb without having to detach said pediment of its module.
In addition, by proposing an articulated link maintaining the link between the module and the pediment, it is no longer necessary to manage the storage of unused pediment. Similarly, the simplified opening of the pelvis by lifting pediments will facilitate the use of such a possibility as a means of ventilating the shelter.
Finally, by proposing a connection that will support the mass of the pediment, the invention will reduce the number and / or simplify the holding means in position also decreasing the operations necessary for the passage from one position to another. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the invention is a telescopic structure shelter comprising a plurality of mobile roof modules of suitable dimensions to allow their sliding and nesting into each other.

By integrating an articulated structure between the roof module and the shelter, the invention differs from the simple pivot connection of the prior art. It avoids the vertical superposition of the different elements. It allows a flush positioning between the rim and the pediment and avoids any collision and friction between the pediment and the roof module.
In addition, the articulated structure proposed can not be compared to the slide connection or the articulation of the handles of the document. EP1964990 .

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the articulated structure comprises at least one arm, one end of which is connected to the roof module and the other end of which is connected to the vertical panel. The use of an arm will allow the front to move away from the module while elevating it. This arm will at least partially go from the closed volume covered by the roof module to the outside.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the articulated structure comprises two arms, one end of which is connected to the roof module and the other end of which is connected to the vertical panel. The movement can be broken down into two translations: one horizontal, the other vertical. These two translations make it possible to better integrate the pediment on the edge of the roof module that receives it.

In order to maintain a vertical orientation of the pediment panel, the articulated structure comprises at least one pair of identical parallel arms moving in the same vertical plane, one end of which is connected to the roof module and the other end is connected to the pediment to form a parallelogram articulated structure ensuring a progressive movement and respectful of the initial orientation of the lowered position while maintaining aesthetic consistency in the raised position. Thus, if the panel has a vertical position in the closed position, it will maintain this vertical orientation throughout its lift stroke. Such a hinge configuration also ensures a minimum footprint and a minimum clearance volume for the pediment. According to a preferred embodiment, said articulated structure comprises two pairs of arms. According to another characteristic, the shelter comprises two articulated structures forming two identical parallelograms evolving in parallel and longitudinal vertical planes.

In more detail, a first end of said arm or arms is articulated around a fixed plate integral with the module and a second end around a movable plate integral with the pediment.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the articulated structure connects the reinforcement of the roof module to that of the pediment. Thus, the frame of said roof module comprises two sets of transverse profiles braced by at least one cross member on which is fixed said fixed plate. According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, said armature of said roof module comprises two sets of transverse sections braced by at least one cross member, said fixed plate being fixed to one of the sets of transverse profiles. This feature has the advantage of avoiding having to take into account the position of the sleepers to install the joint. The articulation of the pediment proposed by the invention can thus be installed on a wide choice of shelters of different sizes and configurations.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the frame of the pediment comprises at least one amount on which is fixed said movable plate.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, an elastic means accompanies the movements of the articulated structure connecting the pediment to the module by compensating for the weight of the pediment. The use of an articulated structure facilitates the use of a gas cylinder by proposing several axes of rotation without the cylinder constituting an obstacle.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the roof module comprises two articulated structures interconnected by at least one transverse beam. This connection ensures the synchronization of the movements between the two structures and consequently an equal race between the two ends of the pediment. This feature allows the manipulation of the pediment for the purpose of setting in motion by only one of its sides.

The basic concepts of the invention having been described above in their most elementary form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, giving non-limiting example, an embodiment of a shelter according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a top view of an embodiment according to the invention of a telescopic shelter for ornamental basin according to the invention;
• The figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a side view of the shelter of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the smaller roof module equipped with a pediment in a lowered position;
• The figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a sectional view of said roof module of the figure 3 in lowered position;
• The figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the smaller roof module equipped with a raised pediment;
• The figure 6 is a schematic drawing of a sectional view of said roof module of the figure 3 in raised position;
• The figure 7 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of another embodiment of roof module hosting another embodiment of articulated structure in the lowered position;
• The figure 8 is the drawing of the figure 7 with pediment in raised position;
• The figure 9 is a detailed schematic drawing of the articulated structure alone and the pediment of the embodiments of the figures 7 and 8 according to the position taken.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in the drawings of figures 1 and 2 , the pool enclosure referenced A as a whole adopts a telescopic configuration that is to say that the dimensions of the roof modules M1, M2, M3, M4 constituting it, allow by translation, according to the arrow F1, their interlocking into each other in order to move from the illustrated deployed cover position to a non-illustrated folded cover position where the pool (not shown) is freely accessible and where the roof modules are housed under the roof module most big M4.

For the reasons described above, the smallest module M1 is equipped with a liftable pediment F to move from a closed down position illustrated by the drawings of the figures 3 and 4 at an open upward position illustrated by the drawings of the figures 5 and 6 where the pediment F is then completely outside the module M1. As explained above, this raised position prevents the pediment is an obstacle to the translational movement along the arrow F1 (or in the opposite direction) during the movement of the roof modules.

The roof module M1 equipped with the pediment F comprises a frame 100 supporting one or more cover panels C. Said frame comprises two profiles or sets of profiles 110 and 120 forming an arch above the basin (not shown), sections which are braced by sleepers 130.

• le soutien de moyens de roulement de type roulette 151 reposant au sol,
• l'accueil d'une éventuelle crémaillère,
• l'accueil d'un moyen de mise en mouvement,
• la préformation d'un profil facilitant son basculement ou sa saisie, - etc...

The sleepers 140 and 150 connecting the ends of said arches 110 and 120 are called extreme sleepers and can assume a plurality of functions such as:

• the support of roll-type rolling means 151 resting on the ground,
• the reception of a possible rack,
• the reception of a means of setting in motion,
• the preformation of a profile facilitating its tipping or seizure, - etc ...

Coming to associate with the arch 120, a pediment F comes to close one of the sides of the roof module M1. This pediment F includes a frame 200 supporting one or more vertical panels P. This frame 200 comprises
a profile or set of profiles 210 taking the shape of the arch 120 of the roof module M1 in which it is housed or on which it rests,
a horizontal transverse element 220 linking the ends of the section 210 and
two vertical uprights 230 connecting said horizontal element 220 to said section 210.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the arch 120 of the roof module M1 is preformed with a fin 212 protruding outwardly and substantially in the same shape as the outer surface of the arch 120, which wing under which is placed the profile or set of profiles 210 of the pediment F in the closed position.

The lifting of said pediment F is implemented by two articulated structures 300 connecting the pair of posts 230 to a pair of cross members 130 disposed on either side of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the roof module at a spacing corresponding to the spacing amounts 230.

As illustrated in more detail in the drawings of the figures 4 and 6 , this articulated structure 300 comprises two identical parallel arms 310 and 320, a first end of which is in pivot connection with a fixed plate 330 fixed to the horizontal cross-member 130 and whose other end is in pivot connection with a movable plate 340 fixed to the upright 230 of the pediment F being in the same vertical plane as the cross 130. Since the arms are parallel and identical the articulated structure forms a parallelogram ensuring the maintenance of the vertical position of the pediment F during its lifting or lowering movement . Thus, as illustrated by the sequence of figures 4 and 6 or 3 and 5 , the pediment has the same orientation at the start and at the end of its course, ie perpendicular to the ground. As illustrated, it is the whole pediment that moves and not only a part.

These movements are, according to a non-illustrated embodiment, accompanied by a spring-type elastic means to facilitate said lifting and damping the lowering.

According to the embodiment illustrated by the drawing of figures 7 and 8 , the mobile roof module M1 'comprises a frame 100' supporting a cover C 'and is equipped with a panel forming said fronton pinion F'. As for the embodiment illustrated above, two articulated structures 300 'connect the roof module 100' to said pediment F ', the hinge being dimensioned so as to pass said pedestal F' from a lowered vertical closing position (cf. figure 7 ) at a vertical raised position of opening (cf. figure 8 where said pediment F 'is outside the module M1', and vice versa.
These articulated structures 300 'comprise two identical parallel arms 310' and 320 'whose one end is in pivot connection with a fixed plate 330' fixed to the armature 100 'of the module M1 and whose other end is in pivot connection with a movable plate 340 'fixed to the frame of the pediment F'. Since the arms are parallel and identical and their pivot axis have the same offset, the articulated structure forms a parallelogram ensuring the maintenance of the vertical position of the pediment F 'during its lifting or lowering movement. These identical parallelograms evolve in parallel and longitudinal vertical planes.

According to this embodiment of the transverse beams 410 ', 420', 430 'connect the two articulated structures 300'. This connection avoids any shift between the two structures.

Another feature of this embodiment lies in the fact that said fixed plate 330 'on which the first ends of the pair of arms 310' and 320 'of the articulated structure 300' pivot is fixed to the set of sections transverse 120 'forming the frame 100' and not the cross 130 '. These two structures are arranged so as to be as far apart as possible so that on the one hand the boom is not impacted by the weight of the structure and on the other hand the assembly is as stable as possible.
The gas cylinder 500 'accompanying the movements is illustrated here.

It is understood that the pond shelter, which has just been described above and represented, was for a disclosure rather than a limitation. Of course, various arrangements, modifications and improvements may be made to the example above, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the Applicant has provided a cable connecting the ends of the set of transverse profiles forming the roof module edge accommodating the pediment. This cable at least partially passing through the hollow core of the profile or the set of profiles, bent or not, has a stiffening function. Such a feature, by connecting the ends of the edges of the set of profiles, avoids any modification of the bending or the arrow, when the pediment away from the edge of the roof module that carries it. Maintaining the bending or the boom also facilitates the return to position of the pediment.

Claims (12)

1. Cover (A) for a garden pool of the type comprising at least one roofing module (M1) which, covering said pool and comprising a frame (100) that supports a covering (C), is equipped with a panel that forms a gable known as a pediment (F), characterised in that it comprises two articulated structures connected to each other by at least one cross beam (410', 420', 430') and connecting the roofing module (M1) to said pediment (F), the articulation being dimensioned such as to move the whole of the pediment (F) from a lowered closure position to a raised opening position in which said pediment (F) is outside the module (M1), and vice versa.
2. Cover (A) according to claim 1, characterised in that the articulated structure (300) includes at least one arm (310, 320), one end of which is connected to the roofing module (M1) and the other end of which is connected to the pediment (F).
3. Cover (A) according to claim 1, characterised in that the articulated structure (300) includes two arms (31θ, 320), one end of which is connected to the roofing module (M1) and the other end of which is connected to the pediment (F).
4. Cover (A) according to claim 1, characterised in that the articulated structure (300) includes at least one pair of parallel, identical arms (310, 320) that move along the same vertical plane, one end of which is connected to the roofing module (M1) and the other end of which is connected to the pediment (F) in order to form an articulated parallelogram structure.
5. Cover (A) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that a first end of said arm(s) (310, 320) is articulated around a fixed plate (330) secured to the module (M1) and a second end around a mobile plate (340) secured to the pediment (F).
6. Cover (A) according to claim 1, characterised in that the articulated structure connects the frame (100, 200) of the roofing module (M1) to that of the pediment (F).
7. Cover (A) according to claim 5, characterised in that the frame (100) of said roofing module (M1) includes two transverse beam assemblies (110, 120) braced by at least one cross brace (130) onto which is secured said fixed plate (330).
8. Cover according to claim 5, characterised in that the frame (200) of the pediment (F) includes at least one upright (230) onto which is secured said mobile plate (340).
9. Cover (A) according to claim 1, characterised in that an elastic means accompanies the movements of the articulated structure (300) connecting the pediment (F) to the module (M1).
10. Cover (A) according to claim 4, characterised in that it includes two articulated structures forming two identical parallelograms moving along parallel vertical and longitudinal planes.
11. Cover according to claim 5, characterised in that said frame (100') of said roofing module (M1') includes two transverse beam assemblies (110', 120') braced by at least one cross brace (130'), said fixed plate (330') being secured to one of the transverse beam assemblies (120').
12. Cover according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes a cable connecting together the ends of the transverse beam assembly forming the edge of the roofing module housing the pediment.

Images