EP3028604B1 - Groove for passing a link in order to secure the attachment of a protective cover - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of equipment for the protection of outdoor furniture, also called garden furniture.

The present invention relates more particularly to equipment for the protection against the weather of outdoor furniture such as a table.

The invention will find a particularly advantageous application in the protection of an outer table, this table possibly being surrounded by seat (s).

The state of the art knows equipment for the protection of outdoor furniture, and comprising as main component a waterproof tarpaulin for covering the outdoor furniture.

This tarpaulin may comprise a tightening link, at the edge of the tarpaulin, as well as self-gripping strips, distributed over the perimeter of the tarpaulin.

In the document FR 2 966 707 , the cover covering the furniture is held against the latter by the tensioning of the clamping tie around the perimeter of the furniture, then possibly by fixing the self-gripping strips on the legs of the furniture.

According to the findings of the inventor, such a method of attachment by clamping and self-gripping strips may be insufficient when the tarpaulin thus maintained is subject to strong gusts of wind.

In particular and according to the findings of the inventor, in such a case the vertical retention of the tarpaulin is not satisfactory.

A second problem encountered by these protection equipment of the prior art, (independent of that of the fixing of the cover) is that of the rise of moisture from the ground.

To the knowledge of the inventor, the protective equipment of the prior art is only interested in the protection against rain furniture from above.

However, according to the findings of the inventor, these known systems do not prevent upwelling by capillarity, especially when the base of the furniture, in a material sensitive to water (wood for example), is based on moist soil.

The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks by providing equipment to ensure anchoring and reliable fixing of the sheet against the furniture, while ensuring protection of the furniture against upwelling by capillarity.

Other aims and advantages of the description will appear during the description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it.

To this end, the invention relates to equipment for the protection against the weather of outdoor furniture such as a garden table for example.

According to the invention, the equipment comprises a tarpaulin which preferably is impervious to water and which is intended to cover the furniture.

Advantageously, the tarpaulin according to the invention has a tightening link at the edge of the sheet.

According to the invention, the equipment has anchoring elements intended to be interposed between the floor and the furniture.

Preferably, these anchoring elements are maintained under the weight of the furniture.

Preferably, these anchoring elements also having means for attaching the clamping link so that the tensioning of the clamping tie attached to the anchoring elements ensures the fixing of the cover against the furniture.

• les éléments d'ancrage comprennent chacun une surface supérieure destinée à constituer une surface supérieure d'appui pour le mobilier et une surface inférieure destinée à reposer sur le sol, la surface supérieure et la surface inférieure étant écartées d'une dimension comprise entre 1 cm et 10 cm et afin de rehausser le mobilier par rapport au sol d'une même dimension ;
• les éléments d'ancrage comprennent chacun une surface supérieure non lisse, telle qu'une surface striée, gaufrée, destinée à constituer une surface d'appui pour le mobilier ;
• les éléments d'ancrage sont constitués chacun par un corps synthétique, les moyens d'accroche constitués d'un seul tenant avec le corps synthétique ;
• les moyens d'accroche sont constitués pour chaque élément d'ancrage par une languette d'accroche formée dans la paroi latérale du corps synthétique par une ouverture dans la paroi latérale ;
• la surface supérieure destinée à constituer une surface supérieure d'appui pour le mobilier du corps prend la forme d'un disque, la paroi latérale du corps sous la forme d'un tronc de cône s'étendant vers le bas en s'évasant, à partir du périmètre du disque, le rebord inférieur de la base du tronc de cône formant la surface inférieure destinée à reposer sur le sol ;
• les éléments d'ancrage sont des pièces moulées par injection ;
• la bâche présente des oeillets répartis le long et à proximité du bord de la bâche, le lien de serrage traversant les oeillets ;
• les éléments d'ancrage sont au nombre de quatre.

According to optional features of the invention taken alone or in combination:

• the anchoring elements each comprise an upper surface intended to constitute an upper bearing surface for the furniture and a lower surface intended to rest on the ground, the upper surface and the lower surface being separated by a dimension of between 1 cm and 10 cm and to enhance the furniture from the ground of the same dimension;
• the anchoring elements each comprise a non-smooth upper surface, such as a grooved, embossed surface intended to constitute a bearing surface for the furniture;
• the anchoring elements are each constituted by a synthetic body, the attachment means formed integrally with the synthetic body;
• the attachment means are constituted for each anchoring element by a catch tab formed in the side wall of the synthetic body by an opening in the side wall;
• the upper surface intended to constitute an upper bearing surface for the furniture of the body takes the form of a disk, the lateral wall of the body in the form of a truncated cone extending downwardly flaring, from the perimeter of the disk, the lower edge of the base of the truncated cone forming the lower surface intended to rest on the ground;
• the anchoring elements are injection molded parts;
• the tarpaulin has eyelets distributed along and close to the edge of the tarpaulin, the tightening tie passing through the eyelets;
• the anchoring elements are four in number.

• les figures 1 à 3 représentent trois vues illustrant respectivement la mise en place des éléments d'ancrage, intercalés en le piètement d'une table et le sol, la pose de la bâche sur la table, puis sa solidarisation à la table par mise en tension du lien de serrage sur les éléments d'ancrage,
• les figures 4 à 6 sont des vues en perspective, de face et de dessus d'un élément d'ancrage selon un mode de réalisation dudit équipement.
• la figure 7 représente une vue en perspective de la mise en place entre le piètement d'une table et le sol d'éléments d'ancrage réalisés selon un autre mode de réalisation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the appended drawings among which:

• the Figures 1 to 3 represent three views respectively illustrating the establishment of the anchoring elements, interposed in the base of a table and the ground, the installation of the tarpaulin on the table, and its attachment to the table by tensioning the clamping link on the anchors,
• the Figures 4 to 6 are perspective, front and top views of an anchoring element according to an embodiment of said equipment.
• the figure 7 represents a perspective view of the establishment between the base of a table and the ground of anchoring elements made according to another embodiment.

In the example described here, the invention relates to equipment for weathering furniture M such as a table.

In the example described here, the equipment comprises a tarpaulin 1, impervious to water, intended to cover the furniture M.

In the example described here, the sheet 1 has a clamping link 2 at the edge of the sheet.

In this example, the sheet 1 has eyelets 8 distributed along and near the edge of the sheet 1, the clamping tie 2 passing through the eyelets 8.

In the example described here, the equipment has anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 intended to be interposed between the floor and the furniture M.

These elements 3, 4, 5 and 6 are kept under the weight of the furniture M.

These anchoring elements 3, 4, 5 and 6 are elements, removable and independent, intended to be positioned between the furniture and the floor, preferably between the base of the furniture and the floor.

According to an embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the anchoring elements, in particular four in number, are intended to be interposed respectively between the four legs of the table and the ground.

According to the invention, all or part of the anchoring elements has hooking means 7 of the clamping link 2. In this example, the tensioning of the clamping tie 2 hooked on the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5 and 6 secures the tarpaulin against the furniture M.

For this purpose, it is noted that the clamping link 2 has on the perimeter of the cover 1, at least sections of length of the link, freely accessible, and distributed around the perimeter of the cover 1.

The sections of the link, free, can be grasped and tensioned beyond the tarpaulin border to hang the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5 and 6.

• la mise en place des éléments d'ancrage 3, 4, 5, 6 intercalés entre le piètement du mobilier et le sol, sous le charge du mobilier (voir figure 1),
• la pose de la bâche en couverture sur le mobilier, notamment de sorte à ce que la bâche recouvre le plan de table (Figure 2),
• l'accrochage du lien de serrage 2 sur les moyens d'accroche 7 desdits éléments d'ancrage 3, 4, 5, 6 et enfin,
• la mise en tension du lien de serrage accroché auxdits éléments d'ancrage 3, 4, 5, 6 et de manière à assurer la fixation de la bâche 2 contre le mobilier M (Figure 3).

The method of attachment of the equipment according to the invention is illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, in the Figures 1 to 3 . According to this example, the installation of the equipment comprises the following steps:

• the placing of the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 interposed between the base of the furniture and the floor, under the load of the furniture (see figure 1 )
• the laying of the cover covering the furniture, especially so that the covering covers the table plan ( Figure 2 )
• the attachment of the tightening link 2 to the attachment means 7 of said anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 and finally
• the tensioning of the clamping link hooked to said anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 and so as to ensure the fixing of the sheet 2 against the furniture M ( Figure 3 ).

This method of attachment allows a reliable and secure maintenance of the tarpaulin on the anchoring elements, firmly held under the weight of the furniture.

This method of attachment allows in particular a very good vertical retention of the sheet 1 and unlike the fastening system of the prior art taught by the document FR 2,966,707 .

Such a method of attachment is also compatible with the bracing devices (not shown) intended to be inserted between the upper wall of the furniture and the sheet, giving the upper surface of the sheet a slope facilitating the evacuation of the water and to separate the tarpaulin from the upper surface of the furniture. Such a bracing device can take the form of that taught by the document FR 2.966.707 A1 , or any other form.

According to one embodiment, the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 each comprise an upper surface S _sup intended to constitute an upper support surface for the furniture and a lower surface S _inf intended to rest on the ground.

The anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 may, in addition to their function of anchoring element, combine a function of elements intended to avoid, or at least limit, the rise in humidity, from the soil, by capillary effect.

According to one embodiment, the upper surface S _sup and the lower surface S _inf are separated by a dimension of between 1 cm and 10 cm, for example between 2 cm and 6 cm, and in order to enhance the furniture relative to the ground of the same dimension.

Such a size makes it possible to raise sufficiently the feet of the furniture and so as to isolate the feet of the furniture of the ground, and thus to avoid the wet ascents by capillarity.

For the same purpose, the upper surface S _sup intended to constitute a support surface for the furniture of the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 may advantageously be non-smooth, such as a striated surface, embossed, or other .

The presence of a relief on the upper surface S _sup makes it possible to limit the capillary rise between the upper surface S _sup and the legs of the furniture.

The anchoring elements 3, 4, 5, 6 may each consist of a synthetic body; these attachment means 7 are preferably made in one piece with the synthetic body.

Such an anchor element can be manufactured easily, quickly and cost-controlled through injection molding techniques.

According to one embodiment, the attachment means 7 can be constituted for each anchoring element 3, 4, 5, 6 by a hooking tongue, in particular having a free end directed downwards, formed in the side wall by an opening of the side wall of the synthetic body.

According to an embodiment illustrated in a nonlimiting manner, Figures 4 to 6 the upper surface S _sup of the body intended to constitute the upper support surface for the furniture may take the form of a disc, the side wall of the body in the form of a truncated cone, extending downwards in flaring out from the perimeter of the disc.

The lower edge of the base of the truncated cone forms the lower surface intended to rest on the ground.

In such an example, the catching tongue, directed downwards, is formed by the conical side wall, thanks to a notch of complementary shape.

Of course, other embodiments could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims below.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 7 , there is thus another alternative embodiment for the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5 and 6.

In this example, the anchoring elements 3, 4, 5 and 6 are also intended to be positioned between the base of the furniture and the floor. They comprise for this purpose an upper surface intended to constitute an upper bearing surface for the furniture and a lower surface intended to rest on the ground.

The anchoring elements according to this example also include fastening means 7 of a clamping link 2 of the cover. In the same way, the tensioning of the clamping tie 2 passing through the attachment means 7 ensures the fixing of the cover against the furniture M.

In this example, there is also provided a strap 9 for locking in position of the anchoring elements with the base of the table.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but in no case this description is of any nature limiting to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its purpose is to remove any imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims that follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs in parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting in nature; these signs are only intended to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims that follow as well as the scope of the protection sought.

NOMENCATURE

• 1. Tarpaulin,
• 2. Tightening link,
• 3, 4, 5, 6. Anchoring elements,
• 7. Means of attachment (anchoring elements),
• 8. Carnations,
• Mr. Furniture,
• S _inf Lower surface (Anchor element),
• S _sup . Upper surface (anchor element).

Claims (10)

1. Equipment for protecting from inclement weather outdoor furniture (M) such as a table, said equipment comprising a waterproof cover (1), intended to cover said furniture (M) and having a tightening cord (2) at the edge of the cover (1),
   characterised in that it has anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6), intended to be inserted between the floor and the furniture (M), maintained under the weight of said furniture (M), said anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6), having means for fastening (7) said tightening cord (2) in such a way that the tensioning of said tightening cord (2) fastened to said anchoring elements provides the fastening of the cover against the furniture (M).
2. Equipment according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6) each comprise an upper surface (S_sup) intended to form an upper bearing surface for the furniture and a lower surface (S_inf) intended to rest on the floor, with the upper surface (S_sup) and the lower surface (S_inf) being separated by a dimension between 1 cm and 10 cm and so as to raise the furniture with respect to the floor by the same dimension.
3. Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6) each include an upper non-smooth surface (S_sup), such as a striated, embossed surface, intended to form a bearing surface for the furniture.
4. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6) are each constituted by a synthetic body, said means for fastening constituted of a single piece with the synthetic body.
5. Equipment according to claim 4, wherein said means for fastening (7) are constituted for each anchoring element (3, 4, 5, 6) by a fastening tab formed in the lateral wall by an opening of the synthetic body.
6. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper surface (S_sup) intended to form an upper bearing surface for the furniture of the body has the shape of a disc, the lateral wall of the body the shape of a truncated cone, extending downwards by flaring, from the perimeter of the disc, with the lower edge of the base of the truncated cone forming the lower surface intended to rest on the floor.
7. Equipment according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6) are injection-moulded parts.
8. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said cover has eyelets (8) distributed along and in the vicinity of the end of said cover, with the tightening cord (2) passing through the eyelets (8).
9. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6) are in the number of four.
10. Use of said equipment according to one of claims 1 to 9 for the protection of outdoor furniture (M), in particular a table, with the anchoring elements (3, 4, 5, 6) being inserted between the floor and the furniture (M), maintained under the weight of said furniture (M), the fastening of the cover (1) against said furniture (M) being provided at least by the fastening of said tightening cord on the anchoring elements and the tensioning of said tightening cord (2).

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