EP4281631A1

EP4281631A1 - Covering apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4281631A1
Application number: EP21851708.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Loris Mindotti
Original assignee: Pratic Flli Orioli SpA
Current assignee: Pratic SpA
Priority date: 2021-01-21
Filing date: 2021-12-28
Publication date: 2023-11-29
Also published as: IT202100000986A1; WO2022157813A1

Abstract

Covering apparatus (100) comprising a pair of lateral crosspieces (113, 114) perpendicular to at least one head beam (115) and a plurality of mobile transverse covering elements (111), spaced apart with a determinate pitch and in which a last one of said transverse covering elements (111A) is at a distance from said head beam (115) smaller than said pitch. Said covering apparatus (100) comprises a compensation device (10) configured to cover the space corresponding to said distance (D), also cooperating with said last one of said transverse covering elements (111A).

Description

“COVERING APPARATUS”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a covering apparatus provided with covering elements mobile between a covering position and an open or uncovered position, and vice versa.

The covering apparatus according to the present invention can preferably be, but not only, a pergola, a sunshade, or suchlike, even of large sizes, in the order of several meters on each side. The mobile covering elements are configured to selectively cover a zone below, so that the latter is protected from atmospheric agents, such as sun, rain, snow, or hail, and from other objects, such as branches, leaves, debris, or other, that might possibly fall from above.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types of covering apparatuses are known, such as for example adjustable type pergolas or sunshades that use elongated covering elements and have the function of selectively or temporarily protecting an area below, both from the rays of the sun and also from atmospheric precipitation, such as rain or snow.

Generally, a known type of covering apparatus comprises a support structure on the perimeter, which defines a sort of rectangular or square shaped frame, configured to be positioned at a determinate height, from a support base.

Usually, the support structure comprises a pair of lateral crosspieces, which act as a support for the covering elements, and a pair of beams, one at the head and one at the end, perpendicular to the lateral crosspieces. The lateral crosspieces define a longitudinal direction along which the covering elements can move.

The covering elements are parallel to each other and are connected with their ends to an actuation mechanism configured to make them selectively assume both a covering position, in which they are coplanar to a covering plane and protect the area below, and also an open or uncovered position in which they are inclined by many degrees, for example up to 90°, with respect to said covering plane and packed toward the end beam of the support structure.

Furthermore, the covering elements are usually all the same, so that they have a determinate width, understood as their size parallel to the longitudinal direction, when they are installed in the bearing structure. Furthermore, the covering elements are disposed with respect to each other so that, when they are in the covering position, each one is distant from the adjacent covering element with a determinate fixed pitch.

Examples of covering apparatuses of this type are described in documents EP 3 059 355 and WO 2020/121357.

One of the disadvantages of current covering apparatuses is that the internal length of the support structure, defined by the distance between the two head and end beams, must always be a whole multiple of the width of each of the covering elements, or of said fixed pitch. Otherwise, the overall extension of the covering elements, when they are in the covering position, is less than the underlying area to be protected.

Furthermore, normally, associated with the head beam, on the internal side of the frame defined by the support structure, a water outflow element is installed, which acts as a gutter.

To overcome this problem, known solutions provide to position a fixed protection element, consisting of a metal sheet of standardized sizes, which is attached on the support structure in correspondence with the head beam, possibly above said water outflow element.

However, these known solutions require, from time to time, to adapt the metal sheet to the desired missing size. Furthermore, cutting the metal sheet to size, if not performed with precision, can cause coupling problems with the covering element closest to the head beam, with overlaps or excessive fissures.

Furthermore, some of these known solutions remain incompatible with the roto-translation movement which characterizes the covering elements of at least some known apparatuses.

In any case, when the positioning of a fixed metal sheet close to the head beam is provided, the problem of water drainage remains, deriving for example from rain or melted snow, which, when the covering elements are even only partly opened, falls into the space below instead of draining properly.

The covering apparatus of document EP 3 059 355 has the head and/or end beam conformed with suitable channels for the passage of a flow of pressurized hot air, so that the flow of hot air is conveyed on the upper and lower surfaces of the blades in a longitudinal direction, in such a way as to shorten the melting times of snow, hail or ice deposited on the blades disposed in the covering position. The beam thus conformed does not collaborate with the blades either to compensate for non-standard measurements of the structure or for the drainage of the water.

The covering apparatus of WO 2020/121357 shows only standard type solutions, that is, those in which the internal length of the support structure is a whole multiple of the width of each of the covering elements.

There is therefore a need to provide a covering apparatus which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a covering apparatus provided with mobile covering elements, in which any free space that were to be created between a terminal covering element and a head beam of a support structure, when the same mobile covering elements are in a covering position, is covered in a stable and safe way, without generating interference, or there being any other problems, with the movement of the mobile covering elements.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a covering apparatus provided with mobile covering elements, which, even if one terminal covering element is not perfectly in contact with a head beam of a support structure, when the same mobile covering elements are in a covering position, guarantees a correct conveyance of rainwater or other atmospheric agents, which might enter the possible free space between the terminal covering element and the head beam.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a covering apparatus according to the present invention comprises a pair of lateral crosspieces, perpendicular to at least one head beam and a plurality of transverse covering elements, which are mounted at least sliding on the lateral crosspieces and are mobile between an open position and a covering position, in which they are disposed substantially on a covering plane.

When the transverse covering elements are in the covering position, each of them is distant from the adjacent one by a determinate pitch and a last one of the transverse covering elements is at a distance from the head beam which is smaller than the pitch.

According to a first aspect, the apparatus also comprises a compensation device configured to cooperate with the last transverse covering element when the transverse covering elements are in the covering position, both in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to the distance from the head beam and also to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

According to another aspect, the compensation device has a conformation such as to guarantee a desired cooperation, in particular a desired coupling, with a longitudinal terminal part of the last transverse covering element.

According to one aspect, the compensation device has at least one part thereof which is substantially coplanar with the covering plane, in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to the distance and to cooperate with the last of the transverse covering elements when the transverse covering elements are in the covering position. In particular, the compensation device has a lower part at least partly coplanar with the covering plane and an opposite upper part configured to at least partly cooperate with the last of the transverse elements to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

According to another aspect, the compensation device is attached to the lateral crosspieces in continuity with the head beam and parallel to it.

According to another aspect, the compensation device has a conformation such as to guarantee a desired configuration of cooperation, in particular of coupling, with the last of the transverse covering elements, in particular with a longitudinal terminal part thereof.

According to another aspect, the covering apparatus also comprises at least one water outflow element disposed between the lateral crosspieces and in contact with the head beam, below the covering plane. Furthermore, the compensation device has a width smaller than said distance and it is positioned so that at least one of its edges facing the head beam is above the at least one water outflow element.

According to another aspect, each of the transverse covering elements comprises a base body from which there projects a longitudinal lateral appendage. The compensation device comprises a main body provided, in an upper part thereof, with a collection wall having a drainage portion conformed to cooperate with the longitudinal lateral appendage of the last of the transverse covering elements. The drainage portion is configured to be surmounted by the longitudinal lateral appendage of the last of the transverse covering elements when the transverse covering elements are in the covering position.

According to one aspect, the drainage portion has a conformation substantially mating with that of the longitudinal lateral appendage.

According to another aspect, the drainage portion comprises an outflow channel parallel to a transverse axis of development of the main body and facing the longitudinal lateral appendage at the lower part when the transverse covering elements are in the covering position.

According to another aspect, the drainage portion is provided with longitudinal seatings which house respective sealing means projecting toward the longitudinal lateral appendage in order to increase the hydraulic seal and improve the reciprocal coupling between the compensation device and the last of the transverse elements.

According to another aspect, the compensation device also comprises a pair of brackets integral with the ends of the main body, and each attached to a respective one of the lateral crosspieces. At least one of the brackets is provided with reference means to allow, during the installation step, to perform the correct positioning of the compensation device with respect to the last of the transverse elements.

According to another aspect, the covering apparatus also comprises other water outflow elements and at least one of the brackets is provided with apertures to promote the outflow of water from the outflow channel to the other water outflow elements.

According to another aspect, the compensation device is provided with a conveyor portion inclined toward the at least one water outflow element. In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention also concerns a compensation device for a covering apparatus having a pair of supporting lateral crosspieces, at least one head beam perpendicular to the lateral crosspieces and a plurality of transverse covering elements, which are mounted sliding on the lateral crosspieces and are mobile between an open position and a covering position, in which they are disposed substantially on a covering plane. When the transverse covering elements are in the covering position, each of the transverse covering elements is distant from the adjacent covering element by a determinate pitch and a last one of the transverse covering elements is at a distance from the head beam which is smaller than the pitch.

The compensation device is configured to cooperate with the last transverse covering element when the transverse covering elements are in the covering position, both in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to the distance from the head beam and also to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

According to one aspect, at least one part of the compensation device is substantially coplanar with the covering plane, in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to the distance and to cooperate with the last of the transverse covering elements when the transverse covering elements are in the covering position.

According to one aspect, the compensation device is configured to be attached to the lateral crosspieces in continuity with the head beam and parallel thereto.

According to some variants, the compensation device can be attached directly or indirectly to the head beam or to the head gutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a perspective view of a covering apparatus in accordance with the embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is a perspective view of the section with respect to the plane II-II of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is a partial lateral view of fig. 2; - figs. 4-5 are possible variants of installation of the compensation device for different distances from the head beam;

- fig. 6 is a perspective view of a compensation device in accordance with the embodiments described here;

- fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of fig. 6;

- fig. 8 is a section view along the plane VIII-VIII of fig. 6;

- figs. 9-10 are variants in which the compensation device is attached to the head beam (fig. 9) and to the head gutter;

- figs. 11-12 are variants of fig. 8.

We must clarify that in the present description and in the claims the terms horizontal, lower, upper, internal, external, high and low, with their declinations, have the sole function of better illustrating the present invention with reference to the drawings and must not be in any way used to limit the scope of the invention itself, or the field of protection defined by the attached claims. For example, by the term horizontal we wish to indicate an axis or a plane that can be either parallel to the line of the horizon, or inclined, even by several degrees, for example up to 20°, with respect to the latter.

Furthermore, the person of skill in the art will recognize that certain sizes or characteristics in the drawings may have been enlarged, deformed, or shown in an unconventional or non-proportional manner in order to provide a version of the present invention that is easier to understand. When sizes and/or values are specified in the following description, the sizes and/or values are provided for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, unless such sizes and/or values are present in the attached claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings, ft is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

With reference to fig. 1, a covering apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises a covering frame 110 having a pair of lateral crosspieces 113, 114 and a pair of head beams 115, 116 which are associated with each other so as to form a substantially square or rectangular structure which it delimits the zone to be covered at the upper part.

The apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of transverse covering elements 111, mobile in a longitudinal direction Z to advance/retract between a covering position and an open position, and vice versa.

Each transverse covering element 111 is distant from the adjacent transverse covering element 111 by a determinate pitch PE.

The lateral crosspieces 113, 114 are substantially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction Z, while the head beams 115, 116 are substantially parallel to each other and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z.

The transverse covering elements 111 are associated sliding, with respect to their terminal ends, with the lateral crosspieces 113, 114, for example through suitable guides.

The movement of the transverse covering elements 111 can follow a roto- translation trajectory so that, in a coordinated way, each transverse covering element 111 can rotate around its own axis of development while, in a combined way, it translates in the longitudinal direction Z.

This mode of movement provides that the transverse covering elements 111 can move together in the longitudinal direction Z, in both senses, between the open position (not shown), in which the transverse covering elements 111 are packed toward the head beam 116 and occupy a minimum space, and the covering position in which the transverse covering elements 111 define, with their lower surfaces, a covering plane PC.

The head beams 115, 116 are parallel to the development of the transverse covering elements 111 , in a transverse sense to the longitudinal direction Z, and the distance D between the head beam 115 and a last one of the transverse covering elements 111 A, measured in the longitudinal direction Z, when the plurality of transverse covering elements 111 is in the covering position, is smaller than the pitch PE.

In other words, the internal distance between the two head beams 115, 116 is different from a multiple of the pitch PE. This can happen if customized measurements of the covering frame 110 are required. In the case of combined movement of the transverse covering elements 111, the reference head beam 115 is the one toward which the transverse covering elements 111 translate in order to move into the covering position.

The apparatus 100 also comprises a water outflow element, comprising or consisting of a head gutter 117 associated with the head beam 115 and disposed parallel with respect to the latter in order to receive and allow the outflow of water.

The apparatus 100 comprises a compensation device 10 having a width L, in a sense parallel to the longitudinal direction Z, smaller than the pitch PE and, during use, attached to the lateral crosspieces 113, 114 close to, or in contact with, or in continuity with the head beam 115, cooperating with the last of the transverse covering elements 111A and with the head gutter 117 and/or with the head beam 115 in order to guarantee the correct outflow of water and to cover, in whole or in part, the space between the head beam 115 and the last of the transverse elements 111 A when the plurality of transverse covering elements 111 is in the covering position.

The compensation device has at least one part thereof substantially coplanar with the covering plane PC, in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to the distance D and to cooperate with the last transverse element 111 A when the transverse covering elements 111 are in the covering position.

In particular, the compensation device 10 has a lower part at least partly coplanar with the covering plane PC and an opposite upper part configured to at least partly cooperate with the last of the transverse elements 111 A in order to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

It should be noted that the cooperation between the last of the transverse elements 111 A and the head beam 115 can occur in various ways. For example, the last of the transverse elements 111 A can surmount the compensation device 10, with or without reciprocal contact, as will be explained in more detail below, or there can be provided an “intersection” or overlap between the two components. However, other solutions are possible.

The space is characterized by the distance D which can be comprised between a value equal to approximately 0.1 times the pitch PE and a value smaller than the pitch PE, advantageously close to the pitch PE. Furthermore, the reciprocal position between the compensation device 10 and the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A, when it is in the covering position, is precise and defined and is independent of the distance D.

The attachment of the compensation device 10 to the lateral crosspieces 113, 114 in a precise and defined position with respect to the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A, and the combination or overlapping of its overall size with that of the head gutter 117 in a sense parallel to the longitudinal direction Z causes the sizes of the compensation device 10 to be independent of the distance D. In this way, the compensation device 10 can always be installed without having to provide modifications or customized measurements.

According to one variant, shown in fig. 9, the compensation device 10 can be directly or indirectly associated with one of the head beams 115, 116, in particular with the reference head beam 115. In the latter case, it is possible to provide an intermediate support element 124, for example a metal sheet profile, attached to the head beam 115, 116 and the compensation device 10 can be attached cantilevered on the intermediate support element in an adjustable way, that is, more or less cantilevered, in order to cover the distance D. In this variant, the attachment to the lateral crosspieces 113, 114 may not be necessary or may be advantageous in order to offer greater support.

According to another variant, shown in fig. 10, the compensation device 10 can be directly or indirectly associated with the head gutter 117 or with the lateral gutters.

As will be described in more detail below, the conformation of the compensation device 10 is such as to guarantee a desired configuration of cooperation, in particular of coupling, with the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A, in particular with a longitudinal terminal part of the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A to allow the correct drainage of water so that there is no unwelcome filtering into the zone below.

The compensation device 10 is disposed at an intermediate height between the last of the transverse covering elements 111A and the head gutter 117, which is disposed at a lower height than both.

The compensation device 10 at least partly surmounts the head gutter 117 and is at least partly surmounted by the last of the transverse covering elements I HA.

In other words, the last of the transverse covering elements 111A at least partly surmounts the compensation device 10 when the transverse covering elements 111 are in the covering position.

This reciprocal configuration allows the head gutter 117 to receive the water arriving from the compensation device 10.

In one possible installation configuration, the compensation device 10 can be completely (fig. 4), or for the most part (fig. 5), inside the overall sizes of the head gutter 117 and, in this case, have the sole function of guaranteeing the correct drainage of water.

Overall, therefore, the compensation device 10 and the head gutter 117 cover the distance D between the head beam 115 and the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A.

According to some embodiments, each transverse covering element 111 comprises a base body 118 provided with a collection channel 119 on one side and with a longitudinal lateral appendage 120 on the other side.

The longitudinal lateral appendage 120 is positioned, at least for a part, preferably entirely, above the prevailing overall sizes of the base body 118 and it is configured to cooperate with the collection channel 119 of an adjacent transverse covering element 111 when the transverse covering elements 111 are in the covering position.

The longitudinal lateral appendage 120 has an internal lateral wall 121 for connection with the base body 118 and an opposite external lateral wall 122 delimited by a free terminal edge which can, for example, be taken as a reference to position the compensation device 10.

Other embodiments of the transverse covering elements 111 are however possible.

The head gutter 117 is attached to the head beam 115 in a lower position with respect to the covering plane PC and to the compensation device 10.

According to some embodiments, the compensation device 10 comprises a main body 11 with a box-like structure having a prevalent development along a transverse axis X and delimited by two opposite ends 12, 13 with respect to which, during use, it is attached to the lateral crosspieces 113, 114. The main body 11 is disposed with the transverse axis X parallel to the development in length of the transverse covering elements 111 and has a length substantially equal to that of the transverse covering elements 111.

The main body 11 is provided at the upper part with a collection wall 14 having an inclined conveyor portion 15 and a drainage portion 16 which is disposed alongside the conveyor portion 15 on a plane, or at a height, at least partly lower than the latter in order to define an outflow channel 17. For example, the drainage portion 16 is recessed laterally with respect to the conveyor portion 15.

According to one variant, shown in fig. 12, the conveyor portion 15 can be horizontal.

According to another variant, shown in fig. 11, the collection wall 14 could have only the drainage portion 16, so that the conveyor portion 15 may not be present, or it may be considered in continuity with the drainage portion 16 on the same plane.

With particular reference to figs. 2-3, the drainage portion 16 of the compensation device 10 is surmounted, at least partly, by the longitudinal lateral appendage 120 of the last of the covering elements 111 A when the latter is in the covering position.

The surmounting of the last of the covering elements 111 A on the main body

I I of the compensation device 10 is advantageously configured without a reciprocal contact between the two components.

The drainage portion 16 has a conformation configured to cooperate with the longitudinal terminal part of the last of the covering elements 111A. This conformation has been studied also considering the roto-translation movement of the covering elements 111.

In general, the drainage portion 16 has a conformation substantially mating with that of the longitudinal terminal part of the last of the covering elements

I I I A, that is, of the longitudinal lateral appendage 120.

The drainage portion 16 has a conformation substantially mating with that of the longitudinal lateral appendage 120. The longitudinal lateral appendage 120 is disposed above the drainage portion 16, in particular facing above the outflow channel 17 defining with it a labyrinth for the collection of any water that may filter.

The outflow channel 17 is parallel to the transverse axis X and may or may not have a slight inclination toward one or the other of the two opposite ends 12, 13 to facilitate the outflow of water toward the lateral gutters of the covering apparatus 100. The lateral gutters can be associated with the lateral crosspieces 113, 114.

The outflow channel 17 develops parallel to the longitudinal lateral appendage 120 of the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A and has substantially the same length.

The main body 11 is also provided at the lower part with a bottom wall 18, opposite the collection wall 14, and laterally with a first and a second lateral flank 19, 20 opposite each other.

The compensation device 10 is disposed in such a way that a lower surface of the bottom wall 18 of the main body 11 is substantially coplanar with the covering plane PC, notwithstanding small deviations caused by the reciprocal position between the compensation device 10 and the last transverse covering element 111 A to guarantee they are correctly placed close to each other.

This reciprocal positioning allows, when the plurality of transverse covering elements 111 is in the covering position, to have an aesthetic result, judged from the inside of the covering apparatus 100, of high quality since the covering plane PC is substantially without evident discontinuities.

According to some embodiments, the conveyor portion 15 is essentially flat throughout its entire development. It is not excluded, however, that the conveyor portion 15 may also have a curved profile or comprise grooves transverse to the longitudinal axis X to promote the outflow of water.

The conveyor portion 15 is delimited by a first edge 21 and by a second edge 22 preferably parallel to each other and with respect to the transverse axis X. It is not excluded that the edges 21 and 22 may also non be parallel to each other.

The first edge 21 is at a lower height than the second edge 22 so that the difference in height defines the inclination described above.

With reference to figs. 1-8, the conveyor portion 15 is inclined in a transverse direction with respect to the transverse axis X toward the head gutter 117, see for example fig. 3. The inclination of the conveyor portion 15 is defined with respect to a horizontal plane, for example the floor plane, in such a way as to allow the outflow of water by gravity, for example inside the head gutter 117.

The first edge 21 is in an external position and is located in correspondence with the first lateral flank 19, in particular in a top zone thereof. The first edge 21 is the one closest to the head beam 115 and to the head gutter 117.

The main body 11 is provided with an internal longitudinal flank 23 disposed between the first and the second lateral flank 19, 20 in order to separate the conveyor portion 15 from the drainage portion 16.

The second edge 22 is in an internal position and is located in correspondence with the internal longitudinal flank 23, in particular in a top zone thereof.

The drainage portion 16 comprises the outflow channel 17 which is laterally delimited by the second lateral flank 20, by the internal longitudinal flank 23 and, at the lower part, by a base wall 24.

The base wall 24 is at a higher height than the bottom wall 18 and, in the example described here, is parallel to it.

In possible embodiments, the outflow channel 17 can be delimited at the lower part by the same bottom wall 18.

The internal longitudinal flank 23 connects the collection wall 14 with the bottom wall 18 and is substantially orthogonal with respect to the latter. However, it is possible to provide that the internal longitudinal flank 23 is interrupted in correspondence with the base wall 24 and does not extend as far as the bottom wall 18.

The internal longitudinal flank 23 and the second lateral flank 20 are substantially orthogonal to the base wall 24 even if, in the example described here, the second lateral flank 20 is slightly inclined.

In particular, during use, the compensation device 10 can be positioned in such a way that the internal longitudinal flank 23 is substantially aligned with the free terminal edge of the external lateral wall 122 of the longitudinal lateral appendage 120 of the last of the transverse covering elements 111A when the plurality of transverse covering elements 111 is in the covering position.

This positioning allows to produce a coupling configuration which determines the same, or a similar, coupling that is determined between a transverse covering element 111 and the adjacent one, so as to effectively manage the drainage of the water.

If the conveyor portion 15 is not provided, fig. 11, the second edge 22 as well as the internal longitudinal flank 23 is not present and the drainage portion 16 extends for the entire width of the compensation device 10.

The main body 11 is also provided with longitudinal seatings 25 configured to house respective sealing means 26 which, during use, are able to cooperate with the last of the transverse covering elements 111 A, with the head gutter 117 or directly with the head beam 115.

The longitudinal seatings 25 develop for the entire length of the main body 11 in a direction parallel to the transverse axis X.

The sealing means 26 can be, by way of example, gaskets, rubber or PVC blades, damping brushes or other similar or comparable means.

The sealing means 26 can be present along the edges of the drainage portion 16, see fig. 6, so as to cooperate with the last of the transverse covering elements 111A, as visible in fig. 3.

According to some embodiments described here, the main body 11 is made in a single body, for example, by extrusion. However, it is not excluded that the main body 11 may be made with separate elements or components selectively coupled by means of known systems.

The compensation device 10 comprises a pair of brackets 27, 28 which can be associated with the ends 12, 13 of the main body 11 and configured to allow the compensation device 10 to be attached to the covering frame 110, in particular to the lateral crosspieces 113, 114.

With reference to figs, from 6 to 8, each bracket 27, 28 has a first coupling wall 29 for the attachment to the main body 11, a second coupling wall 30 for the attachment of the compensation device 10 to an internal lateral surface of the lateral crosspieces 113, 114 and a support wall 31 disposed transversely between them and configured to allow the compensation device 10 to rest.

The first coupling wall 29 is parallel to the second coupling wall 30, while the support wall 31 is disposed orthogonally between them in such a way as to define a substantially stepped configuration.

The coupling wall 29 has an aperture 32 in correspondence with the terminal end of the outflow channel 17, and other aperture 33 communicating with the inside of the main body 11. The apertures 32, 33 allow, during use, the evacuation of the water toward the outside of the main body 11, for example toward the lateral gutters.

The second coupling wall 30 has at least one slot 34, in this specific case two slots 34, configured to receive one or more attachment means such as a screw, a rivet, a nail or other similar or comparable attachment means.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in figs, from 6 to 8, the slots 34 have a prevalent extension along a respective axis of development with respect to which they are parallel to each other.

It is also possible to provide that the slots 34 are not parallel to each other, for example to allow a better adaptation during the installation step of the compensation device 10. For example, the slots 34 can be made reciprocally inclined.

The second coupling wall 30 has, on an upper edge 35, reference means, for example a reference notch, 36 configured to allow the fitter to perform the correct installation of the compensation device 10 on the covering apparatus 100.

The reference notch 36 can be used to identify the correct installation position of the compensation device 10 with respect to the last of the transverse covering elements 111A. For example, the reference notch 36 can, during use, be aligned with the free terminal edge of the external lateral wall 122 of the longitudinal lateral appendage 120 of the last of the transverse covering elements 111A when the plurality of transverse covering elements 111 is in a covering position.

The covering apparatus 100 described here is also provided with a lower support structure 123 which comprises four vertical uprights that support the covering frame 110.

It is known that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the covering apparatus 100 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Covering apparatus (100) comprising a pair of supporting lateral crosspieces (113, 114) perpendicular to at least one head beam (115) and a plurality of transverse covering elements (111), mounted at least sliding on said lateral crosspieces (113, 114) and mobile between an open position and a covering position, in which they are disposed substantially on a covering plane (PC) and in which each of said transverse covering elements (111) is distant from the adjacent one by a determinate pitch (PE) and a last one of said transverse covering elements (1 HA) is at a distance (D) from said head beam (115) which is smaller than said pitch (PE), characterized in that it comprises a compensation device (10) configured to cooperate with said last transverse covering element (111 A) when said transverse covering elements (111) are in said covering position, both in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to said distance (D) and also to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

2. Covering apparatus (100) as in claim 1, characterized in that said compensation device (10) has a conformation such as to guarantee a desired cooperation, in particular a desired coupling, with a longitudinal terminal part of said last one of the transverse covering elements (111 A).

3. Covering apparatus (100) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said compensation device (10) has a lower part at least partly coplanar with said covering plane (PC) and an opposite upper part configured to at least partly cooperate with the last of the transverse elements (111 A) to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

4. Covering apparatus (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said compensation device (10) is attached to said lateral crosspieces (113, 114) in continuity with said head beam (115) and parallel to it.

5. Covering apparatus (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it also comprises at least one water outflow element (117) disposed between said lateral crosspieces (113, 114) and in contact with said head beam (115), below said covering plane (PC), and in that said compensation device (10) has a width (L) smaller than said distance (D) and is positioned so that one of its edges (19) facing said head beam (115) is above said at least one water outflow element (H7).

6. Covering apparatus (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, in which each of said transverse covering elements (111) comprises a base body (118) from which there projects a longitudinal lateral appendage (120), characterized in that said compensation device (10) comprises a main body (11) provided, in an upper part thereof, with a collection wall (14) having a drainage portion (16) conformed to cooperate with said longitudinal lateral appendage (120) and in that said drainage portion (16) is configured to be surmounted by said longitudinal lateral appendage (120) of said last transverse element (1 HA) when said transverse covering elements (1 11) are in said covering position.

7. Covering apparatus (100) as in claim 6, characterized in that said drainage portion (16) comprises an outflow channel (17) parallel to a transverse axis (X) of development of said main body (11) and facing said longitudinal lateral appendage (120) at the lower part when said transverse covering elements (111) are in said covering position.

8. Covering apparatus (100) as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said drainage portion (16) is provided with longitudinal seatings (25) which house respective sealing means (26) projecting toward said longitudinal lateral appendage (120) to increase the hydraulic seal and improve the coupling between said compensation device (10) and said last transverse element (111 A).

9. Covering apparatus (100) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said compensation device (10) comprises a main body (11) and a pair of brackets (27, 28) integral with its ends (12, 13) and each attached to a respective one of said lateral crosspieces (113, 114).

10. Covering apparatus (100) as in claim 9, characterized in that at least one of said brackets (27, 28) is provided with reference means (36) to allow, during the installation step, to perform the correct positioning of said compensation device (10) with respect to said last transverse element (111A).

11. Covering apparatus (100) as in claims 7 and 9 or 10, comprising other water outflow elements, characterized in that at least one of said brackets (27, 28) is provided with apertures (32, 33) to promote the outflow of water from said outflow channel (17) to said other water outflow elements.

12. Covering apparatus (100) as in any claim from 4 to 10, characterized in 19 that said compensation device (10) is provided with a conveyor portion (15) inclined toward said at least one water outflow element (117).

13. Compensation device (10) for a covering apparatus (100) having a pair of lateral crosspieces (113, 114), at least one head beam (115) perpendicular to said lateral crosspieces (113, 114) and a plurality of transverse covering elements (111), mounted at least sliding on said lateral crosspieces (113, 114) and mobile between an open position and a covering position, in which they are disposed substantially on a covering plane (PC), and in which each of said transverse covering elements (111) is distant from the adjacent one by a determinate pitch (PE) and a last one of said transverse covering elements (111A) is at a distance (D) from said head beam (115) which is smaller than said pitch (PE), characterized in that said compensation device (10) is configured to cooperate with said last transverse covering element (111A) when said transverse covering elements (111) are in said covering position, both in order to cover, in whole or in part, the space corresponding to said distance (D) and also to guarantee the correct outflow of water.

14. Compensation device (10) as in claim 13, characterized in that it is configured to be attached to said lateral crosspieces (113, 114) in continuity with said head beam (1 15) and parallel to it.

15. Use of a covering apparatus (100) as in any claim from 1 to 12, or of a compensation device (10) as in claims from 13 to 14.