ES2271597T3 - AUTOMATIC CLOSURE PARASOL. - Google Patents

Abstract

The sunshade (1) comprises an automatic closing mechanism (15) should it fall over, said mechanism (15) comprising an elongate sliding element (16, 36) wherein one part thereof protrudes above the corolla (5), said part being able to meet the ground should the parasol (1) fall over and being able to result in the sliding of said elongate element (16, 36), whereupon the releasable means (8, 10 ; 30, 31) for locking the sunshade in an open position can be released. According to the invention, said mechanism (15) comprises an elastic recall means (20) acting upon said elongate element (16, 36) in such a way that said elongate element (16, 36) is maintained in the sliding position wherein the elongate element (16, 36) does not act upon the releasable locking means (8, 10 ; 30, 31).

Description

Automatic closing sunshade.

The present invention relates to a sun visor of automatic closing, closing that acts when the wind turns around parasol.

A parasol like this one is known by the document FR 2797 752.

It is known to make a sun visor that includes an automatic closing mechanism like the one shown in Figure 1 attached, in which this mechanism and the sun visor are visible in cut according to the axis of the lens hood.

The sunshade P represented comprises, so classic, a tubular mast 100, a top core 110 on which the rods 120 carrying a fabric 200 are pivotally mounted, the shutters 130 to deploy the rods 120 and an element slide 140 that slides along the mast 100, on which the shutters 130 are pivotally mounted. The element slide 140 comprises an opening 141 in which an projection 151 of a 150 "U" spring located inside of the mast 100, this projection 151 ensures the blocking of the element slider 140 in the high position and thereby keeps the fabric 200 in deployed position.

The automatic closing mechanism 300 includes a axial tube 310 that crosses the core 110 with the possibility of glide. This tube 310 is also partially arranged in the inside of the mast 100 and is attached to the long spring branch 150 forming the boss 151.

In case of fall of the sunshade P, the part of the tube 310 protruding above the fabric 200 is contacted with the ground which causes a slide of this tube 310 and in consequently the displacement of the projection 151 in the direction of the mast shaft, until this projection is pulled out of opening 141 and thus freeing the sliding of the slide 140.

This device has the disadvantage important practice that forces the user to replace the tube slider 310 in high position when the tube has been sunk to the sun visor P can be locked again in the open position. Also, at lower push the sunshade P can be closed which forces to ensure that the closing device is well assembled before carrying out the sun visor opening movement. Similarly, the vibrations or the sudden movements to which the parasol may be subjected they can trigger the descent of the tube 310 dragged by its weight, thus triggering an unexpected closure of the parasol P.

Another drawback lies in the fact that the known mechanism is only adaptable to the type of parasol described here what can be a penalty limitation for the maker. There are indeed other types of parasols, especially with fixing the sliding element by a transverse push-button and with articulation that They allow the inclination of the fabric. It is also not possible to perform the fixing mechanism in the form of an adaptable "kit" with relative ease to an existing sunshade structure.

The present invention seeks to remedy in its set these inconveniences.

An objective of the invention is therefore to provide a sun visor with automatic closing mechanism in case of fall of the sun visor that facilitates the reopening of the sun visor after that the mechanism, when triggered, has led to the closure of the parasol, and increase the reliability of this mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sun visor with an automatic closing mechanism that can adapt to numerous types of parasol, especially with fixed sun visors of the sliding element by push-button and / or with joint that allows the inclination of the fabric with limited modifications of the parts included in the parasols existing.

A supplementary objective of the invention is provide an automatic closing mechanism for a sun visor that can be made in the form of an adaptable "kit" with relative facility to the structure of an existing parasol.

The sunshade referred to comprises, in a manner known per se, a tubular mast, a core top on which the rods that are pivotally mounted are mounted they carry a cloth, the counters to deploy the rods, a sliding element that slides along the mast, on which the shutters are pivotally mounted, releasable means for block the sliding element at the top of the mast, and a automatic closing mechanism of the sun visor in case of fall of said parasol, a mechanism that comprises an elongated organ that crosses the core with possibility of sliding, a small part of which protrudes above the fabric and this part is suitable for colliding with the ground in case of parasol fall and to cause this a sliding of said elongated organ, which leads to effect the release of said releasable blocking means.

According to the invention, said mechanism comprises a elastic recoil means acting on said elongated organ of way that normally keeps this elongated organ in position of sliding in which said elongated organ does not act on said releasable locking means.

The closing mechanism thus has a form of arm that has become automatic so that the lens hood according the invention does not need any other manipulation than is necessary for its opening. In addition, this locking mechanism prevents unlocks untimely sliding element as a result of vibrations or of sudden movements to which the parasol can be subjected, allowing at the same time the sliding of the elongated organ in case of parasol fall.

Preferably, the elongated organ and said elastic medium can be mounted on each other and can thus form a "kit" adaptable to the sun visor. According to a form of embodiment of the invention in this case, the elongated organ includes a highlight between a part of greater section and another of smaller section, and said elastic means is a helical spring engaged and retained on this part of smaller section until supported by one of its ends on said shoulder and the other end of the spring is supported on a support surface that includes the parasol mast.

This support surface may in particular be the area through which an upper part of the mast is attached to a joint or a kneecap that allows the inclination of this part upper mast and with it the inclination of the fabric attached to This upper part of the mast.

The tip of the spring that rests against said protrusion of the elongated organ may be attached or fixed by gentle rubbing on said part of smaller section.

The elongated organ and this spring thus form a assembly that can be installed in place with a single operation of mounting on the top of the mast.

When the sunshade includes a sliding element provided with a sliding push-button transversely to the direction of movement of the element sliding and locks behind a wall that comprises a piece in solidarity with the mast, the automatic closing mechanism according to the invention may include a piece that forms a attached cam longitudinally to the elongated organ and acting on this push-button in such a way that it moves towards an unlocking position in relation to said wall; the middle elastic above may then be constituted by a spring helical interposed between a supportive bearing surface of the piece carrying said wall and the above piece in the form of cam.

The automatic closing mechanism as well It can also be made in the form of a "kit" adaptable to an existing sunshade structure.

When the lens hood includes a joint or kneecap that allows the inclination of an upper part of the mast, and with it the inclination of the fabric attached to this upper part of the mast, and that this joint or patella is located between said core and said blocking releasing means, the elongated organ comprises a top part attached to a flexible filiform part but that cannot stretch or contract longitudinally, these upper and filiform parts are sized in such a way that the filiform part crosses said joint or patella when the elongated organ is placed in place in the parasol.

This filiform part thus allows the organ lengthened follow the movement of the joint or kneecap.

This filiform part may be especially formed by a piece of piano string.

When the sunshade comprises a piece that forms a cam, as stated, this cam-forming piece can have an elastically deformable structure between a state of contraction, which it adopts for its introduction through the mast of the parasol, and a state of expansion, which it adopts when placed in place within said piece forming said wall of blocking.

The elongated organ, the elastic medium and this piece that forms cam can be joined in the same set and put in place in the parasol simultaneously forming a "kit" as above.

Alternatively, the elongated organ and the piece which cam shape may include complementary mounting means, these mounting means are joined together when the elongated organ it is placed in its place on the mast of the sunshade and the piece that forms cam is placed in place in the piece that forms the wall of Sliding element lock.

The sunshade according to the invention may comprise also a cord attached to the elongated organ or the piece that forms cam, this cord being intended to be attached to a fixed object or relatively heavy, for example a user's bag or an organ of anchorage to the ground, and allowing, in the event of a sunshade fall, actuate the elongated organ or the cam-forming part to perform the automatic closing of the parasol.

When this cord is attached to the organ elongated, this elongated organ may include a movable eyelet radially for cord attachment, this radial mobility allows the eyelet, at the time of the introduction of the elongated organ in the mast, do not obstruct this introduction and that once the organ elongated is in place inside the mast, protrudes through an opening provided in this mast.

The invention will be well understood, and will appear other features and advantages of it, consulting the drawing schematic attached representing, by way of examples not limiting, several ways to make the sunshade to which refer.

Figure 2 is a side view of the part top of a sunshade according to the first embodiment, in cut through the axis of the mast that includes this sunshade, in sun visor opening position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of the Figure 2 when an automatic closing mechanism comprising the parasol has been activated and allows the closure of this parasol;

Figure 4 is a side view of the part top of a sunshade according to the second embodiment, in cut through the axis of the mast that includes this sunshade, also in cut through the axis of the mast that includes this parasol;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a part of this parasol, with the fabric and the upper part of the inclined mast thanks to a kneecap included in this lens hood;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a variant embodiment;

Figure 7 is a view of different elements comprising the parasol according to a third embodiment, in cut through the axis of these elements;

Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of the upper part of the sun visor during the placement of the elements shown in figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, once this placement has been made;

Figure 10 is a view of different elements comprising the parasol according to a fourth form of realization, in section through the axis of these elements;

Figure 11 is an axial sectional view of the upper part of the sun visor during the placement of the elements shown in figure 10;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11, once this placement has been made;

Figure 13 is a partial view of the lens hood and of said elements, in section according to the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12.

For simplicity, the parts or elements of an embodiment that they meet again so identical or similar in another embodiment will be identified with the same numerical references and will not be described in new.

Figure 2 represents a sunshade 1 that it comprises a tubular mast 2, an upper core 3 on which the rods 4 that carry a fabric 5 are pivotally mounted (represented by dotted line), counters 6 to display the rods 4 and a sliding element 7 that slides along the mast 2, on which the shutters are pivotally mounted 6. The sliding element 7 includes an opening 8 in which a lateral projection 10 of a "U" spring 11 protrudes located inside the mast 2, this projection 10 ensures the locking of the sliding element 7 in a high position and with it the fabric maintenance 5 in deployed position.

Parasol 1 comprises a closing mechanism 15 automatic, which includes an axial tube 16 that crosses the core 3 with the possibility of sliding, an extension of the 11th branch of the spring 11 forming the projection 10, attached to the tube 16, a ball 17 fixed at the end of the tube 16 protruding above the fabric 5 and a spring 20 that rests against the core 3 of one part, by the tip 20a and against the ball 17 of another part, this spring 20 constantly tends to separate this ball 16 from the core 3.

In the event that the sun visor 1 falls, the part of the tube 16 protruding above the fabric 5 is contacted with the ground which causes the sliding of this tube 16 in direction to the projection 10, against the force of recovery exerted by spring 20. This slide is intended to displace the projection 10 in the direction of the axis of the mast 2, until removing this projection 10 of the opening 8 and thus freeing the sliding of the sliding element 7.

When the pressure on the tube 16 ceases, the Spring 20 returns this tube to its original position. The mechanism 15 thus has a reset that has become automatic so that the Parasol 1 only needs the necessary handling for opening. In addition, this mechanism 15 prevents untimely unlocking of the sliding element 7 as a result of vibrations or movements abrupt to which the sun visor 1 may be subjected.

Parasol 1 according to figures 4 and 5 includes a mast 2, a core 3, some rods 4, a fabric 5, some shutters 6, a sliding element 7, a sliding tube 16 that allow the release of the means of blocking the element slide 7 relative to the mast 2 in the opening position of the sun visor 1, and a spring 20.

The sun visor 1 shown comprises a part upper 2a of the mast, provided with a sphere 25 at its tip bottom and a bottom 2b of the mast that includes a piece tubular 26 assembled at its upper end. This tubular piece forms a spherical housing 27 to receive the sphere 25 with possibility of multidirectional movement.

The part of the mast 2a comprises the core 3 and the tube 16, the latter provided with a terminal strip 17, and the bottom 2b of the mast receives the sliding element 7.

As shown in figures 4 and 5, part 26 it forms a truncated cone wall 30 that defines an upper protrusion and the sliding element 7 delimits a camera, oriented transversely and communicated with the outside in which it is placed the push button 31. This push button 31 delimits an opening that can receiving said wall 30 and comprises a support part 32 and a blocking part 33 that may come to rest against the wall 30. Push button 31 is sliding within this chamber between the locked position represented in which the locking part 33 leans against the shoulder formed by the wall 30, thus blocking the sliding element 7 with respect to the piece 26 and an unlocking position in which the push button 31 moves to the left of Figure 4 with respect to the position represented, the part being lock 33, in this position, withdrawn beyond wall 30 thus releasing the sliding element 7. A spring (not shown) normally keeps the push button 31 in the represented position of blocking and a pressure on the part of support 32 allows you to slide this push button 31 against spring force.

The locking part 33 comprises a face inclined upper that rests against the inclined side face of the wall 30 when the sliding element 7 approaches its position blocking, acting these faces as ramps that perform the sliding of the push-button 31 to allow automatic separation of the locking part 33 so that this blocking part passes over the wall 30.

As depicted, tube 16 includes an upper part 16a of greater section and a lower part 16b of minor section, defining a highlight between them. Spring 20 is fixed by gentle rubbing on this part 16b of smaller section until it is supported by one of its ends on said shoulder, the other end of this spring 20 rests against an internal flange 34 of the part of the 2nd mast, formed at the level of the joining area of the sphere 25 with this part of the mast 2a.

The tube 16 is also attached to a piece that form a cam 35 by means of a piece of piano string 36, this piece that forms cam 35 is housed in piece 26 and said piece of piano string 36 extends across sphere 25 and inside of piece 26.

The cam-forming part 35 is sized so that it can slide in the piece 26, being provided for this an end guide ring 37. This part 35 comprises a projection side 38 inclined face projecting radially over the outside of part 26, through an opening comprising this last. This projection 38 rests against the blocking part 33 and when piece 35 moves downwards relative to piece 26, it forms a sliding cam of the locking part 33 to its aforementioned unlock position.

However, spring 20 normally maintains the tube 16, and with it the piece 35, in the position represented in the Figures 4 and 5, in which the projection 38 does not prevent the piece Lock 33 moves to the locked position.

The piece of piano string 36 is flexible but it cannot be stretched or compressed longitudinally, so that allows, as shown in figure 5, to follow the inclination of the part of the mast 2a while transmitting the movement of sliding of the tube 16 to the piece 35, in case of fall of the parasol 1. The sphere 25 has a cavity 39 of conical shape or in cross at the level of its terminal zone to allow its movement despite of the presence of the piece 36.

The piece 35 is also attached to the cord 40 by a connecting ring 41, this cord 40 exits through an opening provided on the part of the mast 2b that ends outside the mast 2. This cord 40 may be attached to a relatively object heavy or to a ground anchoring means and allows to activate the piece 35 in the direction of unlocking the sliding part 7 in case that the sun visor 1 lost its position of use under the effects of an important wind.

In the embodiment variant shown in the Figure 6, the spring 20 is not positioned at the level of the part bottom of the tube 16 but between the piece 35, which then is not prolongs down, and a cap 45 integral with the limb bottom of piece 26.

The piece 35 is, in this case, retained in radial direction by means of a transverse spindle 46 engaged in the holes included in piece 26 and hooked with the possibility of sliding in a vertical slit that has part 35 in coincidence with these holes.

The cord 40, attached to the piece 35, crosses the spring 20 and cap 45.

Figure 9 shows a sun visor 1 with ball joint and with push button 31 substantially the same as the above, where the upper part of the 2nd mast is located, the core 3, rods 4, tube 16, spring 20 placed in the bottom of the tube 16, the sphere 25, the piece 26, the element slide 7, push button 31, the part that form cam 35 and piece of piano string 36.

In this case, and as it appears reflected in Figures 7 and 8, piece 35 has a structure in the form of "V" and is deformable between a visible compression state in the Figure 8 and a normal state of extension visible in Figures 7 and 9.

The assembly of the tube 16 set - spring 20 - piece 36 - piece 35 can thus be performed in a single operation of coupling of this assembly in part 2a of the mast, with the piece 35 brought to its contraction state when it passes through the cavity 39 arranged in the sphere 25 for the passage of the piece 36 (see figure 8), and then returning to its normal state of extension when carried at the level of the opening in the piece 26 intended to receive the ledge 38 that it carries (see figure 9). Well understood, piece 35 is shaped in such a way that the force necessary for its deformation is clearly superior to the force produced by the recovery spring of the Push button 31 in locked position.

According to another peculiarity of the form of embodiment of the invention represented in figures 7 to 9, the tube 16 comprises a projection 41 provided with a hole for the fixing a cord 40 like the above and the mast part 2a it comprises an opening 50 in which this projection 41 fits when part 35 is in mounting position on part 26, such as shown in figure 9. To be able to move this projection 41 towards the inside during the fitting of the tube 16 in the part of the mast 2a, as shown in figure 8, the tube 16 comprises a cut in "U" shape around this ledge 41, individualizing an elastically flexible tongue in the radial direction that fills the projection 41. This tab can be moved from one position. radially internal projection of the projection 41 and a position radially external in which the projection 41 protrudes through the opening fifty.

Figure 12 shows a parasol of the same type that shown in figure 9, and figures 10 to 12 correspond to Figures 7 to 9, that is to say show respectively a mechanism 15 for releasing the locking means of the sliding element 7 in opening position of sun visor 1, this mechanism in the process of placement in parasol 1 and this mechanism after placement.

In this case, the piece 36 comprises a ball 51 fixed to it and the piece 35 presents a housing 52 for receiving this ball 51, which opens laterally. As the figure shows 13, this piece 35 also has a longitudinal groove 53 disposed on the edge opposite of the projection 38 and the piece 26 includes a rib 54 that slides into this slot 53 when piece 35 is placed in place on piece 36. This rib 54 allows to guide the movement of the piece 35 and to at the same time keep the ball 51 in its housing 52.

As follows from the foregoing, the invention provides a self-closing sunshade that features numerous advantages over the prior art parasols, in particularly those of facilitating the reopening of the parasol after the activation of the mechanism has led to the closing of the parasol, of increase the operational performance reliability of this mechanism and to adapt to numerous types of parasols, especially to parasols with blocking of the sliding element by push-button and / or articulation that allows the inclination of the fabric, with limited modifications of the pieces that comprise the existing parasols.

It is clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described here by way of example but that extends to all embodiments covered by the attached claims.

Claims (10)

1. Parasol (1) automatic closing that it comprises a tubular mast (2), an upper core (3) on the which are pivotally mounted on the rods (4) that carry a fabric (5), the contravarillas (6) to deploy the rods (4), a sliding element (7) that slides along the mast (2), on which are pivotally mounted on the counters (6), means releasable (8, 10, 30, 31) to lock the sliding element (7) in the high position and a mechanism (15) for automatic closing of the sun visor (1) in case of fall of said sun visor (1), mechanism (15) comprising an elongated organ (16, 36) that crosses the nucleus (3) with the possibility of sliding, a part of which protrudes above the fabric (5) this part being suitable to collide with the ground in case of parasol fall (1) and to cause this a sliding of said elongated organ (16, 36), which carries out the release of said releasable means (8, 10, 30, 31) blocking; Parasol (1) characterized in that said mechanism (15) comprises an elastic recovery means (20) acting on said elongate member (16, 36) so as to normally keep this elongated organ (16, 36) in the sliding position in which the elongate organ (16, 36) does not act on said releasable means (8, 10, 30, 31) of blocking. 2. Parasol (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongate member (16, 36) and said elastic means (20) can be assembled into each other. 3. Parasol (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the elongate member (16, 36) comprises a shoulder between a part (16a) of greater section and a part (16b) of smaller section and said elastic means (20) is a helical spring (20) coupled and held on this part (16b) of smaller section until it is supported by one of its ends on said shoulder and the other end of this spring rests on a support surface (34) comprising the mast (2 ) of the sun visor (1). 4. Parasol (1) according to claim 2, characterized : - because it comprises a sliding element (7) equipped with a sliding push-button (31) transversely to the direction of movement of the element sliding (7) and that locks behind a wall (30) that carries I get a piece (26) integral with the mast (2); - because the automatic closing mechanism (15) includes a cam-shaped piece (35) longitudinally attached to the elongated organ (16, 36) acting on this push-button (31) so that it moves towards an unlocking position with respect to said wall (30), and - because the elastic means (20) is constituted by a helical spring (20) interposed between a surface of support (45) integral with the piece (26) that includes the wall and the cam-forming piece (35). 5. Parasol (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized : - because it comprises a joint or a kneecap (25, 27) that allows the inclination of the upper part of the mast (2a) and with it the inclination of the fabric (5) attached to this part upper mast (2a), this joint or kneecap being (25, 27) located between said core (3) and said releasable means (8, 10, 30, 31) lock, and - because the elongated organ (16, 36) comprises an upper part (16) attached to a flexible filiform part (36) but not stretchable or compressible longitudinally, being these upper (16) and filiform (36) parts sized in such a way that the filiform part (36) crosses said joint or kneecap (25, 27) when the elongated organ (16, 36) is put in place in the parasol (1). 6. Parasol (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized : - because it comprises a sliding element (7) equipped with a push-button (31) that slides transversely to the direction of the sliding element (7) blocking behind a wall (30) that includes a piece (26) integral with the mast
(2); - because the automatic closing mechanism (15) includes a cam-shaped piece (35) longitudinally attached to the elongated organ (16, 36) acting on said push-button (31) so that it moves to a unlocking position with respect to said wall (30), and - because said cam-forming part (35) it has an elastically deformable structure between a state of contraction, which it adopts to enter through the mast (2) of the sun visor (1) and an expansion state that it adopts when it is placed in place in said piece (26) forming said wall (30) lock 7. Parasol (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized : - because it comprises a sliding element (7) equipped with a push-button (31) that slides transversely to the direction of the sliding element (7) locking behind a wall (30) that includes a piece (26) mast solidarity (2); - because the automatic closing mechanism (15) includes a cam-shaped piece (35) longitudinally attached to the elongated organ (16, 36) acting on said push-button (31) so that it moves to a unlocking position with respect to said wall (30), and - because the elongated organ (16, 36) and the piece cam-forming (35) include assembly means (51, 52) complementary, which means are coupled with each other when the elongated organ (16, 36) is put in place on the mast (2) of the sun visor (1) and said cam-forming part (35) is put in place in the piece (26) forming the wall (30) for blocking the element sliding (7). 8. Parasol (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when said cord (40) attached to the elongate member (16, 36) or to said cam-forming part (35), this cord (40) is intended for be attached to a fixed or relatively heavy object, for example a user's sack or an anchoring organ to the ground, and allows the elongated organ (16, 36) or said part to be activated in the event of a fall of the sunshade (1) ) to perform the automatic closing of the lens hood (1). 9. Parasol (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said cord (40) is attached to the elongate member (16, 36), this elongate member comprises a radially movable eyelet for joining the cord (40), this radial mobility allows the eyelet, at the time of the introduction of the elongated organ (16, 36) into the mast (2), does not obstruct this introduction and that, once the elongated organ (16, 36) is in place within the mast (2 ), protrudes through an opening (50) provided in this mast (2). 10. Automatic closing mechanism (15) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an elongate member (16, 36), an elastic means (20) and, if appropriate, a cam-forming part (35) which are assembled with each other and can thus form a "kit" adaptable to an existing sunshade structure.