EP2982827A1

EP2982827A1 - Roller awning

Info

Publication number: EP2982827A1
Application number: EP15180050.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lucio Barbieri
Original assignee: Gibus SpA
Current assignee: Gibus SpA
Priority date: 2014-08-06
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2016-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-06
Also published as: EP2982827B1

Abstract

Roller awning which comprises: a rotatable roller housed inside said rolling-shutter box (2') and around which a cloth (3) is windable that is provided with a lower edge to which a transverse bar (4) is fixed and with two lateral edges (5), each provided with an engagement flap (6); two uprights (8) arranged parallel to each other each carrying, slidably constrained, the corresponding lateral termination (7) of the transverse bar (4); two rails (9), each associated with the corresponding upright (8) in order to slidably receive the engagement flap (6) of the corresponding lateral edge (5) of the cloth (3). In particular, each upright (8) comprises a support profile (17), having a substantially L-shaped cross section, and a guide profile (20) mechanically fixed to such support profile (17). The guide profile (20) is made in a single body and comprises a first and a second arm (21, 22) connected by a bottom wall (23) and together delimiting an internal seat (25) in which the corresponding rail (9) is housed.

In addition, the support profile (17) comprises: two first clasping elements (27) provided with respective engagement seats (28) in which corresponding second clasping elements (30) of the guide profile (20) are engaged; and a first coupling element (31) which is snappingly engaged with a flexible second coupling element (32) of the guide profile (20).

Description

Field of application

The present finding regards a roller awning, according to the preamble of the main claim.
The present awning is intended to be advantageously employed for covering, in an adjustable manner, building openings such as windows, doors, skylights and the like, or for closing balconies, verandas or other spaces that require protection from the wind, sun and more generally from the outside environment. The aforesaid awning is preferably of falling type, i.e. intended to close the opening by sliding with vertical movement within guides starting from a winder placed above the opening itself.
The present awning is therefore intended to be inserted in the industrial field of production of home accessories, in the field of doors/windows/shutters and in the field of production of cloths for sun protection, of mosquito netting and similar applications.

State of the art

Roller awnings are known on the market for covering doors, windows or other similar openings of buildings, balconies or verandas, provided with a flexible cloth which is windable around a rotatable roller housed in a rolling-shutter box placed above the opening of the building.
The cloth is usually made of fabric or synthetic material and can be transparent (e.g. made of transparent material) in order protect from the air, or obscurant in order to entirely or partly block sunlight.
More in detail, the cloth is fixed, with an upper end thereof, to the rotatable roller, and with a lower end thereof to an aluminum transverse bar.
In addition, the awning comprises two vertical uprights which are rigidly mounted on the internal walls of the opening, e.g. by means of fixing screws, and each is provided with a vertical guide, inside which the corresponding end of the transverse bar is slidably inserted.
In addition, a vertical rail is housed inside each upright; inserted inside such rail is the corresponding lateral edge of the cloth, when the latter is unwound from the roller in order to close the opening.
More in detail, each of the lateral edges of the cloth carries, associated therewith, a flexible thickening element, usually obtained with a flexible toothing, which is susceptible of sliding in the rail of the corresponding upright during the winding and unwinding of the cloth itself.
Each upright of the awning has a substantially U-shaped cross section with its opening facing the other upright, and internally houses the corresponding guide rail between its arms.
The latter is usually retained in the upright by means of suitable removable splines mechanically connected in a fitted manner to the arms of the U-shaped upright. The aforesaid splines simultaneously perform the function of retaining the rails and guiding the ends of the transverse bar.
Several examples of the awning of known type, described discussed above, are described in the patents WO 2012/050518 , DE 10060345 and WO 2011/009160 .
In practice, it was found that the roller awning of the above-described type did not lack drawbacks. In particular, given the high number of components, it is rather difficult to install and expensive to make.
In order to at least partly overcome these drawbacks, roller awnings have been recently developed which do not require the aforesaid removable splines, in order to reduce the number of components of the awnings, allowing a greater practicality of mounting thereof.
The latter awning of known type, in particular described in the Italian patent application No. BO2004A000762 , comprises two lateral support uprights, each of which comprising a support profile having substantially L-shaped section and provided with a smaller base wall intended to be fixed to the building wall by means of screws and with a larger lateral wall defining a first half-guide for the transverse bar and a half-shoulder for retaining the rail.
In particular, the support profile is made in a single body preferably by means of a corresponding extruded aluminum section.
In addition, each lateral upright of the awning comprises a guide profile, with substantially I-shaped section, which is engaged with the respective support profile, it defines a second half-shoulder, complementary to the first, for retaining the guide rail within the upright and it also defines a second half-guide, complementary to the first, for the sliding of the transverse bar.
The two profiles of each upright are assembled together by means of suitable fitting means, obtaining a structure that accomplishes three required functions, i.e.: guiding the terminals placed at the ends of the transverse bar, laterally retaining the rail in the guide, defining an end stop with shoulders across from the rail that prevents the exit of the rail from the guide.
More in detail, the I-shaped guide profile of each upright is provided with a first longitudinal edge, at which the second shoulder is arranged for retaining the respective rail, and with a second longitudinal edge having a retention tab bent towards the interior of the upright and adapted to be engaged with a corresponding tab of the support profile in order to assemble the two profiles together.
In addition, the retention tab of the guide profile delimits, with the edge of the smaller wall of the support profile, a longitudinal seat inside which a stop cap (constituted by a rubber tongue or by a shaped aluminum rod) is inserted in order to lock the two profiles fixed to each other.
Also the latter solution of known type has nevertheless in practice shown that it does not lack drawbacks.
A first drawback is due to the fact that the use of the stop cap for retaining the two profiles of each upright complicates the mounting of the awning, since in particular the operator must first arrange the guide profile coupled with the retention tabs to the support profile, and subsequently he/she must insert the stop cap in the longitudinal seat and simultaneously maintain the guide profile stopped.
In addition, the need to use the stop cap, in order to retain the two profiles of each upright assembled, makes the awning structurally complex and involves high production costs.
A further drawback is due to the fact that the stop cap leaves clearances and variance between the two profiles, which involve an imprecision in the obtainment of the guides constituted thereby.
A further drawback is due to the fact of not offering sufficient mechanical seal assurances and to require difficult maintenance, given that in case of wear of the guides of the transverse bar or of the retention abutments of the rail, it is necessary to dismantle the entire frame formed by the aforesaid support profiles fixed to the building wall and by the guide profiles in order to replace the worn parts with other new parts.
The patent EP 2492433 describes a roller awning of known type which comprises two lateral uprights, each of which comprising a support profile having an L-shaped cross section and intended to be fixed to the building wall, and a guide profile engaged with the support profile, having a U-shaped section and defining a seat for the guide rail of the corresponding edge of the cloth of the awning.
More in detail, the support profile is provided with a smaller wall and with a larger wall joined together at a right angle, in a manner such to define a seat in which the guide profile is housed.
In particular, the guide profile comprises a first arm provided with clasping appendages engaged with corresponding appendages of the larger wall of the support profile, and with a second arm parallel to the first and connected to the latter by means of a bottom wall.
In addition, the support profile is provided with a tab projectingly extended from the smaller wall of the support profile and shaped with the free end bent towards the smaller wall itself, in a manner so as to be engaged with another shaped tab externally extended from the guide profile at its bottom wall and susceptible of defining, with the smaller wall of the support profile, a niche for inserting a fixing block adapted to lock the guide profile to the support profile.
In addition, each upright is provided with a closure panel placed to cover the second arm of the support profile and provided with a bent tongue inserted between the shaped tab of the guide profile and the aforesaid retention block, in a manner such that the latter retains the closure panel integral with the second arm of the guide profile.
One drawback of the awning described in the patent EP 2492433 is due to the fact that each upright is constituted by numerous components, requiring high production costs and complex, difficult operations during awning installation in order to assemble each upright.
The patent WO 2009/098433 describes a roller awning having two lateral uprights, each provided with a first profile with L-shaped section intended to be fixed to the building wall, and with a second profile with U-shaped section, fixed to the first profile and defining a seat for the guide rail of the corresponding edge of the cloth of the awning. More in detail, the guide profile is provided with a first and with a second arm parallel to each other and connected by a bottom wall, and provided with corresponding free bent ends.
The support profile is provided with a base wall and with a lateral wall which is extended between a first end fixed to the base wall, and a second end provided with a curved portion defining an engagement seat in which the bent end of the first arm of the guide profile is inserted.
In addition, the bottom wall of the guide profile is provided with a projecting appendage engaged with a tab projectingly extended from the base wall of the support profile.
Each upright also comprises a closure wall with C-shaped form placed to cover the second arm of the guide profile and arranged in a manner such to retain, between its arms, the base wall of the support profile and the bent end of the second arm of the guide profile.
In order to engage the guide profile with the support profile, it is necessary to insert the curved end of the first arm of the guide profile in the engagement seat of the support profile and then rotate the guide profile around the aforesaid curved end, until the bottom wall of the guide profile is arranged in abutment against the base wall of the support profile, in a manner such that the appendage of the guide profile is engaged with the tab of the support profile.
Subsequently, it is necessary to couple the closure wall to the base wall of the support profile and to the second arm of the guide profile.
One drawback of the awning of known type described in the patent WO 2009/098433 is due to the fact that it comprises uprights constituted by three profiles, and therefore is structurally complex.
A further drawback of the latter awning of known type is due to the fact that it is difficult to mount, since it is necessary to rotate the guide profile in order to engage it with the support profile, in particular since such profiles are obtained with metal sections of length even greater than one meter.

Presentation of the finding

In this situation, the problem underlying the present finding is to provide a roller awning that is simple and quick to install.
Another object of the present finding is to provide a roller awning that is structurally simple and inexpensive to make.
Another object of the present finding is to provide a roller awning which allows easily executing maintenance or repair operations.
Another object of the present finding is to provide a roller awning that is fully reliable. These and still other objects are achieved by the roller awning according to the enclosed claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the finding, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly found in the below-reported contents of the claims and the advantages thereof will be clearer in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which:

figures 1, 2 and 3 show the roller awning, subject of the present finding, in a perspective view respectively with the cloth completely extended, completely wound and partially extended to close the opening;
figure 4 shows a detail of the roller awning, subject of the present finding, according to a cross section view made at a lateral upright thereof;
figure 5 shows a detail of the awning illustrated in figure 4, relative to the lateral upright;
figure 6 shows the detail of the awning of figure 5 with the profiles of the upright separated.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 overall indicates the roller awning, subject of the present finding.
The present roller awning 1 is intended to carry out the closure of an opening A in an adjustable manner, such as in particular a window, a door or the like, obtained on a load-bearing structure, such as a building wall, a veranda, a balcony, a terrace or other similar structures.
The opening A has a quadrangular form, in particular rectangular or square, and is delimited by two lateral flanks, preferably vertical, and by an upper side and lower side, defined by the load-bearing structure on which the opening A itself is obtained. In particular, the lateral flanks and the sides of the opening A are defined, as a function of the specific application of the roller awning 1, for example by the thickness of the building wall or by a framework of the load-bearing structure.
With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the present awning 1 comprises a support structure 2 which is intended to be fixed to the load-bearing structure in which the opening A is obtained.
Advantageously, the aforesaid support structure 2 comprises a rolling-shutter box 2' which is intended to be positioned above the opening A and fixed to the load-bearing structure preferably by means of anchoring brackets (not illustrated in the enclosed figures), for example fixed to a vertical wall of the load-bearing structure itself, or otherwise to the ceiling.
In particular, the rolling-shutter box 2' is longitudinally extended with an axis X preferably horizontal, and is provided on the lower part with a longitudinal slit parallel to the aforesaid axis X.
Advantageously, the rolling-shutter box 2' comprises a hollow containment body with elongated form, preferably made by means of extrusion in aluminum and closed at the ends by two closure caps 2", for example made of plastic material.
The roller awning 1 also comprises a roller (not illustrated in the enclosed figures) which is rotatably constrained to the support structure 2 and is advantageously housed inside the rolling-shutter box 2'.
Around the roller, a cloth 3 is susceptible of being wound and unwound, preferably passing through the longitudinal slit of the rolling-shutter box 2'.
In particular, the cloth 3 is made of fabric or plastic material, of obscurant or transparent type, in accordance with the function the cloth 3 itself is intended to carry out, such as for protecting an area from the sun and/or wind and/or, more generally, from the atmospheric conditions of the outside environment.
More in detail, the cloth 3 preferably has rectangular form, and is provided with an upper edge fixed to the roller, with a lower edge fixed to a transverse bar 4 and with two lateral edges 5, each provided with a flexible engagement flap 6 and guided to slide along the corresponding lateral flank of the opening A during the winding and unwinding of the cloth 3 itself, as specified hereinbelow.
In particular, the transverse bar 4, fixed to the lower edge of the cloth 3, is preferably obtained with an aluminum section and is extended parallel to the axis X of the rolling-shutter box 2' between two opposite lateral terminations 7 thereof.
Advantageously, the two lateral terminations 7 are mounted, e.g. by means of screws or other analogous fixing means, to the corresponding lateral ends of the transverse bar 4, closing such lateral ends.
The roller awning 1 also comprises two uprights 8 intended to be fixed in position facing each other along the lateral flanks of the opening A, and each carrying, slidably constrained, the corresponding lateral termination 7 of the transverse bar 4.
In particular, the two uprights 8, preferably vertical, are arranged parallel to each other and are longitudinally extended, each along an extension direction Y thereof advantageously orthogonal to the axis X of the rolling-shutter box 2'.
In addition, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the roller awning 1 comprises two rails 9, each of which mechanically associated with the corresponding upright 8 and provided with a longitudinal groove 10 adapted to slidably receive the engagement flap 6 of the corresponding lateral edge 5 of the cloth 3.
In operation, the roller of the roller awning 1 can be actuated to rotate around a substantially horizontal rotation axis, preferably by means of a motor or manually (for example by means of a control rod engaged through a joint to the shaft of the roller), in order to unwind or wind the cloth 3 around the roller itself.
In particular, the cloth 3 can be moved by the roller between a collected position (illustrated in the example of figure 2), in which the cloth 3 is wound around the roller with the transverse bar 4 which is placed preferably in abutment against the rolling-shutter box 2', and an extended position, in which the cloth 3 is unwound from the roller outside the rolling-shutter box 2', to close the opening A in a complete manner (as in the example of figure 1) or partial manner (as in the example of figure 3).
With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the figures 1 - 3, each upright 8 is extended between an upper end 11, preferably fixed to the rolling-shutter box 2', and a lower end 12, positioned at the lower side of the opening A, and at which transverse bar 4 is arranged when the cloth 3 is in the completely unwound position, as illustrated in the example of figure 1.
In particular, the uprights 8 and the transverse bar 4 of the awning 1 identify a lying plane of the awning 1 itself substantially parallel to the cloth 3 when it is in the unwound position.
With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the figures 4 - 6, each upright 8 has cross section with preferably rectangular form and is provided with an internal side 13, which is directed towards the center of the opening A and faces the internal side 13 of the other upright 8, and with an external side 14 directed in the direction opposite the internal side 13. In addition, each upright 8 is provided with a rear side 15 and with a front side 16, parallel to each other and directed in a direction opposite each other, placed to connect the internal and external sides 13, 14 and preferably orthogonal to the latter.
Each upright 8 comprises a support profile 17 longitudinally extended according to the extension direction Y and intended to be fixed to the load-bearing structure (in which the opening A is obtained) by means of fixing means 50 such as screws or blocks inserted in corresponding through holes obtained on the support profile 17 and anchored to the load-bearing structure itself.
In addition, the support profile 17 of each upright 8 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, comprising a first wall 18 positioned to close the external side 14 of the corresponding upright 8 (and in particular orthogonal to the axis X of the rolling-shutter box 2') and a second wall 19 preferably obtained in a single body with the first wall 18 and arranged orthogonal to the latter to close the rear side 15 of the upright 8. Advantageously, each upright 8 comprises corresponding aforesaid fixing means 50 acting on the support profile 17, in order to retain it fixed to the load-bearing structure. In accordance with the particular embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the fixing means 50 are applied to the first wall 18 of the corresponding support profile 17 in a manner such to retain such first wall 18 set on a surface of the load-bearing structure which defines the lateral sides of the opening A, in order to arrange the awning 1 inside the opening A, in a manner per se known to the man skilled in the art. For example, such fixing means 50 are obtained with first screws inserted in corresponding first holes obtained in the first wall 18 of the support profile 17.
In accordance with a different, non-illustrated embodiment, the fixing means 50 are applied on the second wall 19 of the corresponding support profile 17 in a manner so as to retain such second wall 19 set on a surface of the load-bearing structure parallel to the lying plane of the opening A, in order to arrange the awning 1 in front of the opening A in a manner per se known to the man skilled in the art. For example, such fixing means 50 are obtained with second screws inserted in corresponding second holes obtained in the second wall 19 of the support profile 17.
In addition, each upright 8 comprises a guide profile 20 mechanically fixed to the aforesaid support profile 17 by means of clasping elements and coupling elements, described in detail hereinbelow.
The guide profile 20 of each upright 8 is made in a single body preferably by means of an extruded aluminum section, and in particular it is longitudinally extended according to the extension direction Y of the corresponding upright 8.
According to the idea underlying the present finding, the guide profile 20 of each upright 8 comprises a first and a second arm 21, 22 connected together by a bottom wall 23. More in detail, the two arms 21, 22 of the guide profile 20 are provided with two corresponding constrained ends 21', 22', which are directed towards the first wall 18 of the support profile 17 and are connected together by the aforesaid bottom wall 23, and with two free ends 21", 22" spaced from each other and delimiting a longitudinal opening 24, inside which the corresponding lateral termination 7 of the transverse bar 4 is slidably inserted.
In particular, the first arm 21 of the guide profile 20 is arranged parallel to and facing the second wall 19 of the support profile 17, and the second arm 22 of the guide profile 20 is extended at least partially parallel to the first arm 21 and is arranged at the front side 16 of the corresponding upright 8.
Advantageously, the bottom wall 23 of the guide profile 20 has width (according to its extension transverse to the extension direction Y) not greater (and preferably less) than the width of the first wall 18 (according to the extension of the latter transverse to the extension direction Y) of the support profile 17 of the corresponding upright 8.
The two arms 21, 22 and the bottom wall 23 of the guide profile 20 of each upright 8 together delimit an internal seat 25 in which the corresponding rail 9 is housed in a retention relationship, such rail positioned with its longitudinal groove 10 towards the longitudinal opening 24 of the guide profile 20 itself.
Advantageously, each lateral termination 7 of the transverse bar 4 is provided with a guide tab 26 laterally projecting as an extension of the transverse bar 4 itself and slidably engaged between the two arms 21, 22 of the guide profile 20 passing through the longitudinal opening 24 delimited by the free ends 21", 22" of the two arms 21, 22 themselves. For such purpose, the thickness D1 of the guide tab 26 is slightly less than the width D2 of the longitudinal opening 24 between the two arms 21, 22 in order to define a sliding clearance.
The guide profile 20 has the passage opening of the cloth 3 with the width D2 less than the width D3 of the rail 9 in order to retain the rail 9 itself in the internal seat 25 in a retention relationship.
Advantageously, such passage opening of the cloth 3 has its width reduced by means of two terminal portions 21A and 22A of the arms 21, 22 bent towards the interior in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 - 6.
The rail 9 can assume different forms in order to be coupled in a sliding relationship with different embodiment solutions of engagement flaps 6 available on the market and fixed to the lateral edges 5 of the cloth 3.
For example, each engagement flap 6 of the cloth 3 is obtained with a flexible toothing laterally projecting from the corresponding lateral edge 5 that is suitably strengthened with a support tape. Correspondingly, the rail 9 has elongated box-like shape, advantageously obtained via extrusion in plastic material, for example with quadrangular-shaped section, with one side partially open due to the longitudinal groove 10 through which the cloth 3 passes.
According to the present finding, the support profile 17 of each upright 8 comprises at least one first clasping element 27 provided with an engagement seat 28 having an insertion opening 29 directed towards the corresponding lateral termination 7 of the transverse bar 4, and the guide profile 20 comprises at least one second clasping element 30 engaged in a retention relationship with the aforesaid first clasping element 27 by means of insertion of the second clasping element 30 in the engagement seat 28 along at least one coupling direction Z orthogonal to the first wall 18 of the support profile 17. In this manner, the two clasping elements 27, 30, coupled together, retain the guide profile 20 integral with the support profile 17, preventing movements of the guide profile 20 orthogonal to the lying plane of the awning 1, for example following stresses exerted on the guide profiles 20 by the transverse bar 4 and/or by the cloth 3 that are subjected to the action of the wind.
Advantageously, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, each support profile 17 comprises two first clasping elements 27 coupled to corresponding due second clasping elements 30 of the guide profile 20.
In addition, the support profile 17 of each upright 8 comprises a first coupling element 31 and the guide profile 20 comprises a flexible second coupling element 32, which is snappingly engaged to the first coupling element 31, blocking movements of the guide profile 20 at least according to the aforesaid coupling direction Z. In this manner, the two coupling elements 31, 32 engaged with each other prevent movements of the guide profile 20 parallel to the lying plane, in particular preventing each second clasping element 30 of the guide profile 20 from exiting from the engagement seat 28 of the corresponding first clasping element 27 of the support profile 17.
In particular, the first clasping elements 27 and the first coupling element 31 are made in a single body with the corresponding support profile 17.
In addition, the second clasping elements 30 and the second coupling element 32 re made in a single body with the corresponding guide profile 20.
With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the second wall 19 of the support profile 17 of each upright 8 is provided with an external edge 19' fixed to the first wall 18 and with an opposite internal edge 19". In addition, the second wall 19 is provided with an internal face 33 extended between the two edges 19', 19" of the second wall 19 itself and directed towards the first arm 21 of the guide profile 20 of the corresponding upright 8.
Advantageously, the first arm 21 of the guide profile 20 is provided with an internal surface 34, directed towards the second arm 22, and with an external surface 35 directed towards the second wall 19 of the support profile 17 and fixed to the latter by means of the aforesaid clasping elements 27, 30.
In particular, each first clasping element 27 of the support profile 17 comprises a first appendage 36 projecting from the internal face 33 of the second wall 19 of the support profile 17 itself and bent towards the corresponding lateral termination 7 of the transverse bar 4, delimiting, with the second wall 19, the engagement seat 28 in which the corresponding second clasping element 30 of the guide profile 20 is inserted.
Each second clasping element 30 of the guide profile 20 comprises a second appendage 37 projecting from the external surface 35 of the first arm 21 of the guide profile 20 itself and bent towards the first wall 18 of the support profile 17, in a manner such that it can be inserted in the insertion opening 29 of the engagement seat 28 of the corresponding first clasping element 27 by moving the guide profile 20 along the aforesaid coupling direction Z.
Preferably, the first appendage 36 of each first clasping element 27 of the support profile 17 is provided with a tilted terminal part 36' in order to facilitate the insertion of the corresponding second clasping element 30 in the engagement seat 28 of the first clasping element 27 itself.
Advantageously, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 - 6, one of the second clasping elements 30 of the guide profile 20 is arranged at the free end 21" of the first arm 21 and is coupled to the corresponding first clasping element 27 preferably arranged at the internal edge 19" of the second wall 19 of the support profile 17.
Suitably, the other second clasping element 30 of the guide profile 20 is arranged at the constrained end 21' of the first arm 21 and is coupled to the corresponding first clasping element 27 preferably arranged in proximity to the external edge 19' of the second wall 19 of the support profile 17.
Advantageously, the first coupling element 31 of the support profile 17 and the second coupling element 32 of the guide profile 20 are engaged with each other by means of a male-female coupling provided with a coupling direction W orthogonal to the coupling direction Z of the clasping elements 27, 30; with coupling direction W, it is intended the direction according to which the male component of the male-female coupling is inserted in the female component.
In particular, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 - 6, the first coupling element 31 of the support profile 17 is provided with a first face 31' directed towards the second wall 19 and with a second face 31" directed in a direction opposite the first 31' and on which a concavity 38 is obtained for the engagement of the second coupling element 32, which is provided with an engagement tooth 39 inserted in a retention relationship in such concavity 38.
In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the first wall 18 of the support profile 17 is provided with a rear edge 18' joined to the external edge 19' of the second wall 19 and with an opposite front edge 18".
In addition, the first wall 18 of the support profile 17 is provided with a bottom face 40, extended between the two aforesaid edges 18', 18" and directed towards the bottom wall 23 of the guide profile 20, and from such bottom face 40 the first coupling element 31 is projectingly extended.
Preferably, such first coupling element 31 is extended from the front edge 18" of the first wall 18 of the support profile 17, in particular orthogonal to the first wall 18 itself.
Advantageously, the first coupling element 31 of the support profile 17 is provided with an abutment portion 41, which is arranged for receiving, in abutment, the second coupling element 32 of the guide profile 20, when the latter is thrust towards the support profile 17 according to the aforesaid coupling direction Z in order to engage the second clasping elements 30 of the guide profile 20 with the corresponding first clasping elements 27 of the support profile 17.
More in detail, the abutment portion 41 of the first coupling element 31, when it receives the second coupling element 32 in abutment, bends the latter away from the second face 31" of the first coupling element 31, in particular bending the second coupling element 32 projectingly from the front side 16 of the upright 8, so as to allow the second coupling element 32 to go beyond the abutment portion 41. The second coupling element 32, then, once it has gone beyond the abutment portion 41, bends by elastic return towards the second face 31" of the first coupling element 31, being snap-coupled with the latter.
More in detail, preferably, the second coupling element 32 abuts with its engagement tooth 39 against the abutment portion 41 of the first coupling element 31 and, after the engagement tooth 39 has gone beyond the abutment portion 41, it enters into the engagement seat 28 of the first coupling element 31.
The engagement seat 28 of the first coupling element 31 is advantageously arranged between the abutment portion 41 and the front edge 18" of the first wall 18 of the support profile 17.
Advantageously, the abutment portion 41 of the first coupling element 31 has a transverse profile tilted towards the second wall 19 (and in particular also rounded) and, preferably, the engagement tooth 39 of the second coupling element 32 has substantially rounded section, in order to facilitate the advancement of the second coupling element 32 on the abutment portion 41, facilitating the operation of coupling the two profiles 17, 20.
With reference to the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the second arm 22 of the guide profile 20 of each upright 8 is preferably provided with an internal section 42 joined to the bottom wall 23 at the constrained end 22' of the second arm 22 itself and preferably arranged parallel to the first arm 21.
Advantageously, the second arm 22 of the guide profile 20 is provided with an external section 43 parallel to the first arm 21 and placed to partially close the front side 16 of the corresponding upright 8.
In particular, the external section 43 of the second arm 22 is extended between the free end 22" of the second arm 22 itself and the internal section 43 of the latter and is advantageously connected to such internal section 42 by means of a connection portion 44 projectingly extended from the internal section 42 towards the front side 16 of the upright 8 and preferably arranged orthogonal to the internal section 42 and to the external section 43.
More in detail, the external section 43 is extended between the free end 22" of the corresponding second arm 22, at which it is preferably bent towards the first arm 21, and a connection end 45, directed towards the external side 14 of the upright 8 and joined to the connection portion 44.
Advantageously, the second coupling element 32 of the guide profile 20 of each upright 8 is connected in a single body with the second arm 22 of the guide profile 20 itself.
In particular, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the second coupling element 32 is extended parallel to the external section 43 of the second arm 22 between a first end 32' thereof constrained to the second arm 22 itself and a second end 32" thereof engaged with the first coupling element 31 of the support profile 17.
More in detail, preferably, the first end 32' of the second coupling element 32 is joined to the connection end 45 of the external section 43 of the second arm 22. Advantageously, the second coupling element 32 is extended as an extension del external section 43 of the second arm 22 towards the first wall 18 of the support profile 17, and is in particular arranged aligned with such external section 43, defining therewith a closure wall of the front side 16 of the corresponding upright 8.
Advantageously, the second arm 22 of the guide profile 20 is provided with a flexible connection portion, constrained to the bottom wall 23 and in particular obtained with the connection portion 44 and/or with the internal section 42 of the second arm 22 itself. The aforesaid flexible connection portion of the second arm 22 is arranged for being bent, following a force applied on the external section 43 of the second arm 22 itself and directed towards the first arm 21, in a manner such to bring the second coupling element 32 to be moved away from the first coupling element 31, disengaging from the latter.
In particular, the second coupling element 32, following the action of the aforesaid force (for example applied by an operator pressing with one hand on the external section 43 of the second arm 22), is moved away from the second face 31" of the first coupling element 31, bringing the engagement tooth 39 of the second coupling element 32 outside the concavity 38 of the first coupling element 31 such to allow removing the guide profile 20 from the support profile 17 (e.g. during operations of maintenance or repair of the roller awning 1).
The mounting of the present roller awning 1 first provides for fixing the support profiles 17 of the uprights 8 below the rolling-shutter box 2' on the load-bearing structure, along the respective lateral flanks of the opening A that one wishes to close.
In particular, each support profile 17 is mounted with its first wall 18 aligned with the respective closure cap 2" of the rolling-shutter box 2' in order to also ensure a correct lateral positioning of the corresponding upright 8.
Then, each rail 9 is inserted in the internal seat 25 of the corresponding guide profile 20 and then the cloth 3 is partly lowered by pulling transverse bar 4 fixed to its lower edge, moving the cloth 3 from the vertical in order to allow an easy insertion within the longitudinal groove 10 of the rail 9.
Subsequently, each guide profile 20 is coupled to the corresponding support profile 17 by engaging the second clasping elements 30 and the second coupling element 32 of the guide profile 20 respectively to the first clasping elements 27 and to the first coupling element 31 of the support profile 17.
More in detail, the guide profile 20 is arranged with the second clasping elements 30 substantially aligned in front of the insertion opening 29 of the corresponding first clasping elements 27 of the support profile 17, and then the guide profile 20 is thrust towards the first wall 18 of the support profile along the coupling direction Z, until the second clasping elements 30 of the guide profile 20 are inserted in the engagement seats 28 of the corresponding first clasping elements 27 of the support profile 17 and the second coupling element 32 of the guide profile 20 is snappingly engaged with the first coupling element 31 of the support profile 17.
In particular, when the guide profile 20 is thrust towards the corresponding support profile 17, the engagement tooth 39 of the second coupling element 32 abuts against the abutment portion 41 of the first coupling element 31, which bends the second coupling element 32 towards the front side 16 of the upright 8. In this manner, the engagement tooth 39 of the second coupling element 32 slides on the second face 31" of the first coupling element 31 until it goes beyond the abutment portion 41 and, then, is bent by elastic return towards the first coupling element 31, and is snappingly inserted in the concavity 38 of the first coupling element 31 itself.
Advantageously, in order to detach the guide profile 20 from the corresponding support profile 17, e.g. during operations of maintenance or repair of the awning 1, it is sufficient for the operator to press his/her hand on the front side 16 of the upright 8 at the external section 43 of the second arm 22 of the guide profile 20, in a manner such that the second coupling element 32 of the guide profile 20 bends towards the front side 16 of the upright 8, making its own engagement tooth 39 exit from the concavity 38 of the first coupling element 31, as described above. Then it is sufficient to pull the guide profile 20 along the coupling direction Z away from the first wall 18 of the support profile 17, until the second clasping elements 30 of the guide profile 20 are made to exit from the engagement seats 28 of the corresponding first clasping elements 27 of the support profile 17.
The finding thus conceived therefore achieves the pre-established objects.
In particular, the support profile 17 and the guide profile 20 provided with the clasping elements 27, 30 and coupling elements 31, 32 according to the finding allow assembling the uprights 8 in a simple, quick manner by means of the simple insertion of the guide profile 20 in the support profile 17 according to the coupling direction Z, without having to use further operations.
In addition, the clasping elements 27, 30 and coupling elements 31, 32 according to the finding allow firmly coupling the guide profile 20 to the corresponding support profile 17 without the use of further retention components, with a consequent structural simplification of the awning 1 and reduction of the costs of production thereof.

Claims

Roller awning (1) which comprises:
- a support structure (2) intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure;

- a roller rotatably constrained to said support structure (2) and intended to be positioned above an opening (A) obtained on said load-bearing structure;

- at least one cloth (3) windable around said roller, provided with an upper edge fixed to said roller, with a lower edge, and with two lateral edges (5), each provided with a flexible engagement flap (6);

- a transverse bar (4) fixed to the lower edge of said cloth (3) and provided with lateral terminations (7);

- two uprights (8) arranged parallel to each other, intended to be fixed along the lateral flanks of said opening (A), and each carrying, slidably constrained, the corresponding lateral termination (7) of said transverse bar (4);

- two rails (9), each of which mechanically associated with the corresponding upright (8) and provided with a longitudinal groove (10) adapted to slidably receive the engagement flap (6) of the corresponding lateral edge (5) of said cloth (3);
each said upright (8) comprising:
- a support profile (17) having a substantially L-shaped cross section and provided with a first wall (18) and a second wall (19) substantially orthogonal to each other;

- a guide profile (20) mechanically fixed to said support profile (17);
said roller awning (1) being characterized in that each said guide profile (20) is made in a single body and comprises:
- a first arm (21) and a second arm (22), each provided with a corresponding constrained end (21', 22') directed towards the first wall (18) of said support profile (17) and with an opposite corresponding free end (21", 22");

- a bottom wall (23) placed to connect the constrained ends (21', 22') of said arms (21, 22);
the free ends (21", 22") of said arms (21, 22) being spaced from each other and delimiting a longitudinal opening (24), inside of which the corresponding lateral termination (7) of said transverse bar (4) is slidably inserted;
said arms (21, 22) and said bottom wall (23) together delimiting an internal seat (25) in which the corresponding rail (9) is housed in a retention relationship, such rail being positioned with said longitudinal groove (10) directed towards said longitudinal opening (24);
said support profile (17) comprising at least one first clasping element (27) provided with an engagement seat (28) having an insertion opening (29) directed towards the corresponding lateral termination (7) of said transverse bar (4);
said guide profile (20) comprising at least one second clasping element (30) engaged in a retention relationship with said at least one first clasping element (27) by means of insertion of said at least one second clasping element (30) in said engagement seat (28) according to at least one coupling direction (Z) orthogonal to the first wall (18) of said support profile (17);
said support profile (17) comprising at least one first coupling element (31) and said guide profile (20) comprising at least one flexible second coupling element (32), which is snapplingly engaged with said at least one first coupling element (31), locking said guide profile (20) at least according to said coupling direction (Z).
Roller awning (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first arm (21) of said guide profile (20) is provided with an internal surface (34) directed towards said second arm (22) and with an external surface (35) directed towards the second wall (19) of said support profile (17), such second wall (19) provided with an internal face (33) directed towards said first arm (21);
said at least one first clasping element (27) comprising a first appendage (36) projecting from the internal face (33) of said second wall (19) and bent towards the corresponding lateral termination (7) of said transverse bar (4) delimiting, with said second wall (19), said engagement seat (28);
said at least one second clasping element (30) comprising a second appendage (37) projecting from the external surface (35) of said first arm (21), bent towards the first wall (18) of said support profile (17) and inserted in said engagement seat (28) of said at least one first clasping element (27) through said insertion opening (29).
Roller awning (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first wall (18) of said support profile (17) is provided with a rear edge (18') joined to said second wall (19) and with an opposite front edge (18") from which said first coupling element (31) is extended.
Roller awning (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first and second coupling elements (31, 32) are engaged with each other by means of male-female coupling provided with a connection direction (W) substantially orthogonal to said coupling direction (Z) of said coupling elements (27, 30).
Roller awning (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first coupling element (31) comprises a first face (31') directed towards said second wall (19) and a second face (31") directed in a direction opposite the first (31') and on which a concavity (38) is obtained for the engagement of said second coupling element (32), which is provided with an engagement tooth (39) inserted in a retention relationship in said concavity (38).
Roller awning (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first coupling element (31) is provided with an abutment portion (41), which is arranged for receiving, in abutment, the second coupling element (32) of said guide profile (20) thrust towards said support profile (17) according to said coupling direction (Z), by bending said second coupling element (32) which is adapted to go beyond said abutment portion (41), being snap-coupled by elastic return with said first coupling element (31).
Roller awning (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second arm (22) of said guide profile (20) is provided with an external section (43) substantially parallel to said first arm (21) and placed to partially close a front side (16) of said upright (8).
Roller awning (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said second coupling element (32) is extended substantially parallel to the external section (43) of said second arm (22) between a first end (32') thereof constrained to said second arm (22) and a second end (32") thereof engaged with said first coupling element (31).
Roller awning (1) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said second coupling element (32) is extended as an extension of the external section (43) of said second arm (22) towards the first wall (18) of said support profile (17), defining with said external section (43) a closure wall of the front side (16) of said upright (8).
Roller awning according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second arm (22) of said guide profile (20) is provided with a flexible connection portion constrained to said bottom wall (23), such connection portion arranged for being bent following a force applied on the external section (43) of said second arm (22) and directed towards said first arm (21), bringing said second coupling element (32) to be moved away from said first coupling element (31) and to be disengaged from the latter.
Roller awning (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said upright (8) is provided with an internal side (13), which is intended to be directed towards the center of said opening (A) and faces the internal side (13) of the other said upright (8), and with an external side (14) directed in the direction opposite said internal side (13); each upright (8) being provided with a rear side (15) and with a front side (16), parallel to each other and directed in a direction opposite each other, placed to connect said internal and external sides (13, 14);
the first wall (18) of the support profile (17) of each said upright (8) being positioned to close the external side (14) of the corresponding said upright (8), and the second wall (19) of the support profile (17) of each said upright (8) being arranged orthogonal to said first wall (18) to close the rear side (15) of said upright (8).