ES2440720T3 - Cover system - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover apparatus (1) comprising an extensible screen (3), a longitudinal flexible element (4) and a rotary member (7), in which one of the longitudinal flexible element (4) and the rotary element (7) It is fixed and the screen (3) is attached to the other between the longitudinal flexible element (4) and the rotating member (7) to allow the movement of the screen (3) in relation to the fixed part, and in which the rotating member ( 7) is frictionally coupled with a longitudinal flexible element (4) and characterized by means (8) to prevent rotation of the rotating member (7), whereby the screen (3) is held in position relative to the fixed part .

Description

Cover system

The present invention relates to a roofing apparatus such as a canopy or a canopy to provide sun protection, rain protection or the like. More specifically, the present invention concerns a cover apparatus of the type in which a cover screen is supported by longitudinal flexible elements and can be coupled thereto.

A wide variety of deck devices are known in the art. For example, some awnings are arranged on the side of a building, with folding arms that can extend when the awning is to be deployed. Other cover systems have a cover screen fixed to moving wires that are actuated to extend or retract the screen. Other cover systems use fixed wires that support a cover screen when it is deployed.

A major problem with all these types of cover screens is the creation of sufficient tension on the screen. In the past, tension has typically been provided by means of springs so that, as the screen extends further, more tension is applied by the springs. However, the tension limit that can be provided by the springs is quite low and varies with the length of the screen that has been extended. The springs also lose their elasticity over time or if they are extended too far. This voltage limit has been an important factor in limiting the size of such roof systems.

Many applications require much larger deck systems. For example, covering outdoor areas such as swimming pools, tennis courts or large yards would require a larger deck system. The same goes for even larger applications, such as in agriculture or to cover stadiums. As the area to be covered becomes larger, the cover screen turns out to be heavier. The screen also becomes more susceptible to winds. Therefore, to make such systems useful, a large amount of tension has to be applied to the screen.

Document FR 2708661 describes a cover system in which wires run from the screen to a drum that is requested by a constant force spring in the direction of extending the screen (winding the wires on the drum). At the same time, the storage roller for the screen is requested to rewind the screen to the storage position. The force applied by the storage roller is greater than that applied by the constant force spring and, therefore, the position of the screen is maintained by stopping the storage roller.

Document AU 635433 describes an extensible awning to cover a pool that hangs on flexible cables. The front and the back of the screen hang from the cables by means of hooks, while intermediate bars can be provided with rollers to reduce friction with the cables.

A cover apparatus for covering an exterior area such as that described herein may comprise a screen that can be maneuvered between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the screen having a front and a rear part, the rear part being connected to a first support, the apparatus further comprising a plurality of longitudinal flexible elements extending from the first support to respective second supports, and the front portion of the screen being supported by the longitudinal flexible elements when the screen is maneuvered from the retracted configuration up to the extended configuration, where the front portion of the screen is movably mounted on the longitudinal flexible elements such that the front portion moves with respect to the longitudinal flexible elements during the maneuver between retracted and extended positions, and where it is planned to less a coupling system in association with the front portion of the screen for attaching the front portion detachably to at least one of the longitudinal flexible elements.

With such an arrangement the screen can be extended to any desired position along the longitudinal flexible elements and then the coupling system can be applied to keep the screen in place relative to the longitudinal flexible elements. Tension can then be applied to the screen, for example by pulling the rear portion of the screen back in the retraction direction. Thus, tension can easily be provided to the screen. This is limited only by the strength of the coupling system rather than by the spring resistance as in the prior art.

The coupling system may have any shape such as a fastening system provided with members that move together to grip the longitudinal flexible elements. These members may be rollers arranged to run along the longitudinal flexible elements. However, it is preferred that clamps in general or in particular clamps using mobile rollers are not used. However, it is preferred that the coupling system comprises rotating members that cooperate with the longitudinal flexible elements. Thus, although the coupling system may be a separate element of the cover apparatus, said system is preferably integrally formed with a roller system having rotatable members arranged

to roll along the longitudinal flexible elements. The longitudinal flexible elements are preferably cables that are sized to support the screen and the applied tensile forces. Also, the screen itself has to be robust enough to withstand the tension to be applied to it. Much of the load may be due to wind, which can create a load much higher than the weight of the components. To achieve these objectives, the elements are preferably steel cables and these, for a typical application, must have a diameter of at least 5 mm. Preferably, cables between 5 and 10 mm are used, but when necessary, for large awnings, or when a high wind load is expected, cables of up to 15 or 20 mm or even more can be used.

According to the invention, a cover apparatus is provided comprising an extensible screen, a longitudinal flexible element and a rotating member, wherein one of the longitudinal flexible element and the rotating member is fixed and the screen is attached to the other between the longitudinal flexible element and the rotating member to allow relative movement of the screen relative to the fixed part, wherein the rotating member frictionally engages with the longitudinal flexible element and where means are provided to prevent rotation of the rotating member , with which the screen is held in position in relation to the fixed part.

Accordingly, the roller or rollers are applied to the longitudinal flexible elements by means of friction such that the roller or rollers do not slide with respect to the elements. Thus, the coupling system can couple the awning with the element preventing the rotation of the rollers, for example by braking or gearing. The longitudinal flexible elements can be fixed and the screen can be attached to the rollers in such a way that the operation of the rollers pulls the screen along the longitudinal flexible elements. Alternatively, the rollers can be fixed and the screen can be attached to the longitudinal flexible elements. In this case, the longitudinal flexible elements are configured in the form of loops around front and rear pulleys such that the operation of the rollers moves the loops of the longitudinal flexible elements and thus moves the screen.

The use of rollers in this way has an additional advantage in that if the awning were arranged to merely slide along the elongated flexible elements, the frictional force between the screen and the longitudinal flexible elements could be quite high in the case of large awnings. The provision of rollers in the front portion reduces this friction and thus it is desirable to arrange these in any case. The integration of the coupling system with the rollers greatly simplifies the construction and operation of a roofing system.

The use of friction coupling rollers to provide a coupling system for a canopy is considered in itself as an inventive concept and thus, seen from a further aspect, the invention provides a cover apparatus comprising an extensible screen, an element longitudinal flexible and a rotating member, wherein one of the longitudinal flexible element and the rotating member is fixed and the screen is attached to the other between the longitudinal flexible element and the rotating member to allow relative movement of the screen relative to the fixed part, wherein the rotating member is frictionally coupled with the longitudinal flexible element and where means are provided to prevent rotation of the rotating member, whereby the screen is held in position relative to the fixed part.

Preferably, the screen is extensible in relation to the longitudinal flexible member, the screen is attached to the rotating member and the means to prevent rotation keep the screen in position relative to the longitudinal flexible element. Alternatively, the rotating member is fixed, the longitudinal flexible element is mobile relative to the rotating member, the screen is attached to the longitudinal flexible element and the means to prevent rotation keep the screen in position relative to the rotating member.

According to some preferred embodiments of the invention, a cover apparatus is provided comprising a screen that is extensible in relation to a longitudinal flexible element, wherein the screen is attached to a rotating member that frictionally engages with the longitudinal flexible element, means are provided for preventing rotation of the rotating member, whereby the screen is held in position relative to the longitudinal flexible element.

The rotating member may be a roller, a pulley, a wheel, etc. It is preferably in the form of a pulley that is constructed with flanges or the like to receive the longitudinal flexible element (for example, a cable) without the element sliding out.

Preferably, the or each rotating member has a friction hub for winding the longitudinal flexible element around it. The friction hub is designed to provide maximum friction between the rotating member and the longitudinal flexible element so as to prevent the longitudinal flexible element from sliding around the rotating member and thus preventing movement of the screen when the elements are not rotated rotating

More preferably, at least one groove is made in the friction hub. The groove keeps the longitudinal flexible element in place on the friction hub, preventing lateral movement of the longitudinal flexible element with respect to the hub. The groove also serves to increase friction between the hub and the flexible element

longitudinally increasing the area of the hub that is in contact with the longitudinal flexible element.

In certain applications the weight of the awning may be sufficient to generate a sufficient frictional coupling between the rotating member and the longitudinal flexible element if merely one rests on the other. However, in most cases, it will be necessary for the longitudinal flexible element to be wrapped at least partially around the rotating member to generate more friction than would be generated merely by gravity.

By winding the longitudinal flexible element around the rotating member, sufficient friction can easily be created so that, when tension is applied to the screen, the rotating member does not slide with respect to the longitudinal flexible element. If necessary, a friction increase surface can be formed on the rotating member.

Although sufficient friction is created between the longitudinal flexible element and the rotating member so that the latter does not slide with respect to the longitudinal flexible element, the rotating member can continue to rotate with the longitudinal flexible element that passes around it and can thus roll to along the longitudinal flexible element or pull the longitudinal flexible element loop. In other words, as the rotating member is rotated, a portion of the longitudinal flexible element is collected in a roll around the rotating member. At the same time, the same length portion of the longitudinal flexible element is extended from the rotating member. Thus, the rotating member does not slide with respect to the longitudinal flexible element, but rather, in a first embodiment, rolls along it, thus moving longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal flexible element, and, in a second embodiment, pulls a loop of the longitudinal flexible element around front and rear pulleys, thus moving the screen with respect to the fixed parts.

After the screen has been deployed to the desired position, tension can be applied to the screen. To prevent this tension from causing the rotating member to travel further along the longitudinal flexible element by means of a rotation as described above, rotation of the rotating member is prevented, for example by applying a braking system to the roller.

Thus, in this arrangement a combination of the means for preventing the rotational movement with respect to the longitudinal flexible element and the friction that prevents a sliding movement with respect to the longitudinal flexible element keeps the rotating member coupled with the longitudinal flexible element and thus keeps the screen in the desired position, even when tension is applied to the screen.

Thus, according to some preferred embodiments of the invention, a cover apparatus is provided comprising: a screen; a longitudinal flexible element; a roller system for attaching a front portion of the screen to the longitudinal flexible element so that the screen is movably mounted on the longitudinal flexible element and moves with respect to the longitudinal flexible element when the roller system is maneuvered, comprising the roller system: a rotating member around which the longitudinal flexible element is wound to create friction between the rotating member and the longitudinal flexible element; and a braking system to prevent rotation of the rotating member with respect to the longitudinal flexible element.

As mentioned above, it is necessary to create sufficient friction between the rotating member and the longitudinal flexible element to prevent relative sliding movement when the desired degree of tension is applied to the screen. Therefore, when more tension is required on the screen, the longitudinal flexible element is preferably wound at least once and more preferably at least twice around the rotating member. Because the longitudinal flexible element is itself under high tension, this will provide a significant frictional force. However, if more friction is required, the longitudinal element can be wound more times around the rotating member, thereby increasing the length of the flexible element that is in contact with the surface of the rotating member.

Although a single rotating member (hereinafter "first rotating member") is suitable for many applications, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus further comprises an additional rotating member (hereinafter "second rotating member") and the Longitudinal flexible member is wound around the first rotating member and the second rotating member. This has a friction effect similar to winding the longitudinal element twice around the same rotating member, since it increases the contact area between the surfaces of the rotating member and the longitudinal flexible element. However, when the longitudinal flexible element is wound around a single rotating member, said element will necessarily move laterally along the rotating member as the winding progresses. If two rotating members are arranged, this translation can be canceled by winding the longitudinal flexible element in the opposite direction along the second rotating member. Also, due to the width of the curls, if the longitudinal flexible element is wound several times around a single rotating member, a high torque is applied to the rotating member. By arranging two rotating members, this pair is distributed among the rotating members. The two rotating members can also be wound in opposite lateral directions, thus canceling the lateral displacement of the longitudinal flexible element.

The longitudinal flexible element can be totally or partially wound around several rollers in order to

Provide the desired level of friction.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the longitudinal flexible element is wound around the first and second rotating members in a pattern with the figure of an eight. In other words, the longitudinal flexible element is wound around the two rotating members in opposite directions, for example clockwise around the first rotating member and counterclockwise around the second rotating member . In addition to the above advantages, this arrangement causes the rotating members to rotate in opposite directions as they roll along the longitudinal flexible element. Therefore, the rotating members can engage each other or frictionally engage each other so that one rotating member drives the other. With this arrangement, the braking system can be applied to only one of the rotating members, but both rotating members can be prevented from rotating.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the longitudinal flexible element passes between the first and second rotating members, then around the second rotating member, then again between the first and second rotating members, then around the first rotating member in the opposite direction to the winding around the second rotating member and then a third time between the first and second rotating members, before continuing in their original direction. With this arrangement a rotating member is located on (and, in use, rolls with respect to) each side of the longitudinal flexible element. This provides a better balanced and more compact and stable mechanism.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a motor for rotationally driving at least one rotating member. In this way, the screen can be deployed or retracted remotely or automatically. This is particularly useful for large heavy screens or for cover systems that are difficult to reach. In the preferred forms of the invention the means for preventing rotation are applied to or associated with the motor. Thus, preventing the rotation of the motor prevents the screen from extending or retracting further.

The cover apparatus may further comprise a gear between the motor and the at least one rotating member. The engines tend to rotate at high speeds, while the screen will need to be deployed somewhat more slowly. Also, large heavy screens will need the extra power provided by the motor reduction gear. In the most preferred arrangements the gear can comprise an endless screw. The worm is particularly beneficial because it provides a simple arrangement with a high gear ratio. It is also particularly suitable for actuating two rotating members by placing the rotating members on opposite sides of the worm. The worm can cause the two rotating members to rotate in opposite directions.

The means to prevent rotation can comprise the gear. Since many motor rotations cause only a small movement of the screen, reversing the system means that only a small movement of the screen can occur, inducing many motor rotations, which results in significant resistance. Thus, a "braking" system is carried out. This is particularly advantageous when an additional brake is applied to the engine. The braking force of that brake will only be exceeded by a much greater force applied to the screen downstream of the gear. The system is again particularly advantageous when a worm is included in the gear because a worm is a unidirectional drive mechanism. No rotational force on the rotating members can make the worm work in reverse. Therefore, an additional braking system will not be required.

Preferably, the or each rotating member has a serrated portion for actuating the rotating member. The rotating members can be coupled with one another or with an endless screw so that they rotate in opposite directions,

or they can be coupled with a third central drive gearwheel so that they rotate in the same direction.

The cover apparatus preferably comprises a plurality of longitudinal flexible elements and has a roller system arranged in each longitudinal flexible element (or at least a plurality of them). The provision of a plurality of flexible longitudinal elements with roller systems increases the stability of the cover apparatus and increases the amount of friction force and braking force that can be applied to provide tension on the screen.

In the system of the present invention, if the roller boxes have to be motorized, electricity must somehow be supplied to the roller boxes. This can be done by laying a power cable on the side of the screen to one of the roller boxes. Power can then be supplied to the other roller box by laying a cable along the front portion of the screen. However, with this method, if the screen is coiled, the cable makes the coiled screen significantly thicker on the side on which the cable is mounted. Therefore, the cable preferably extends diagonally across the screen from one side in the rear portion of the screen to the opposite side in the front portion of the screen. Thus, when the screen is wound, the cable is distributed evenly throughout the length of the roll and the thickness of the roll is uniform. This provides more efficient storage of the rolled screen by minimizing the maximum diameter of the screen roll. An alternative way to achieve a uniform diameter of the rolled screen consists of

lay a power cable from each corner along the rear portion of the screen diagonally towards the center of the screen and then diagonally from the center of the screen to the corners by the front portion of the screen, where the boxes of the screens are mounted rollers The threads can cross in the center, each one carrying force from one corner of the screen in the back portion to the diagonally opposite corner in the front portion of the screen or they can change direction in the center, each force leading from a corner of the screen in the back portion to the corner on the same side of the screen in the back portion. In the last arrangement the two force-carrying wires are preferably held together to help maintain the X-shape, which reduces the overall diameter of the rolled screen.

These cables also provide the screen reinforcement function. Alternatively, separate reinforcing members that run diagonally across the screen from a rear portion of the screen to a front portion of said screen can be attached to the screen. These reinforcing members may be wires or cables or straps.

Sometimes, when the voltage on the screen becomes too high, for example with high winds, it is necessary to retract the screen in order to prevent it from being damaged. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus may also be provided with an automatic retraction system.

Automatic retraction systems that use wind sensors to determine when the screen should be retracted are known. However, wind is not the only factor of voltage increase on the screen. The accumulation of water or snow also increases the voltage on the screen and would not be detected by a wind sensor.

Therefore, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises an automatic retraction system that includes a voltage sensor that senses the voltage on the screen and retracts the screen when a threshold voltage is exceeded. In one embodiment the voltage sensor detects the voltage on the screen directly. In an alternative embodiment the tension sensor detects the tension in at least one longitudinal flexible element. The tension sensor may be located in the roller housing or it may be located on a support. If located in the roller housing, said sensor can be combined with a clamping arrangement by detecting the pressure of the clamping element of the clamping arrangement.

As described above, the voltage sensor can directly detect the voltage on the screen or it can determine the voltage on the screen by detecting the voltage on a screen support. In this last arrangement, the voltage sensor is preferably calibrated each time the screen is deployed or retracted.

Another problem with large cover systems in which the screen is rolled when retracted is that, for a long screen, the diameter of the retracted screen cylinder can be quite large. This has not previously been a problem with roof systems because the known roof systems have not been able to extend as far as the system described above.

However, to avoid such a large diameter of the retracted screen, a preferred embodiment of the cover system of the invention provides a plurality of rollers around which the screen is wrapped when it is retracted. In one embodiment, two storage rollers are provided which are actuated in synchronism to wind the screen around them such that a generally oval cross-section is provided.

The rollers can be driven by a third drive roller smaller in diameter than the storage rollers and located between them in contact with both rollers. As an alternative, the storage rollers can be driven in synchronism by a drive belt or chain.

In another alternative embodiment the rollers are mounted in a triangular arrangement and are actuated in synchronism to retract the screen around the three rollers such that a generally triangular cross-section is provided. Using a plurality of smaller storage rollers instead of a single storage roller can make the roof system more space efficient.

In this way, rollers can be arranged to make the best use of the available space and the sheet can be stored with high spatial efficiency.

A flexible base member can be arranged around the storage rollers and can be driven by the storage rollers. The sheet is attached to the flexible base member. Alternatively, the sheet can be wrapped around the storage rollers and secured to form a closed loop around the rollers at the rear end thereof.

The flexible base member or the fabric loop formed at the rear end of the sheet must have sufficient friction coupling with the storage rollers so that, when at least one of the storage rollers, the sheet or the member is driven The base is also driven and the sheet retracts around the storage rollers.

In a preferred embodiment, friction is increased between the storage rollers and the sheet or the member of

base providing a spring or springs that request the storage rollers to separate them from each other. Be it can increase friction by giving the rollers a rough or sticky surface, for example by arranging strips of rubber on the rollers.

The device can also be used in other applications beyond the field of roofing systems. So, in the previous description the screen can be replaced by other objects that need to be detached with a longitudinal flexible element.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to

accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a roof system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the leading edge of the cover system screen of the first realization; Figure 3 shows an elevation of a roller system used in the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows the roller system of Figure 3 in an exploded view; Figure 5 shows a roller that is part of the roller system of the first embodiment; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the roller system of the first embodiment in operation; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Y

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a voltage sensor according to the invention when the screen is in A low voltage state.

Figure 10 shows the voltage sensor of Figure 9 when the display is in a high state

tension. Figure 11 shows an embodiment of a cover system of the invention that includes a voltage sensor as shown in figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of Figure 11.

Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a voltage sensor according to the invention when the cable is in a low voltage state Figure 14 shows the voltage sensor of Figure 13 when the cable is in a high voltage state. Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a cover system of the invention with a voltage sensor such as the

shown in figures 13 and 14. Figure 16 shows an enlarged view of Figure 15. Figure 17 shows an embodiment of a storage system. Figures 18 and 19 show alternative ways of maneuvering the storage system of Figure 17. Figures 20 and 21 show alternative power cable arrangements for transferring electrical energy along

of the screen of a cover system according to the invention. Figures 1 and 2 show a cover apparatus 1 comprising a storage roller 2 at the rear end of a screen 3. Any portion of the screen that is not deployed is wound on the roller storage 2. Storage roller 2 is motorized so that, when voltage is required on the screen,

drive the storage roller 2 in the direction of retraction of the screen until a enough tension. Two cables (longitudinal flexible elements) 4 (partially shown in Figures 1 and 2) are provided which

support screen 3 when it is displayed. Cables 4 are under high voltage to support Screen 3 without allowing it to get too low under its own weight. Although not shown in the figures, these Cables are attached to brackets at both ends. For example, the wall of a house could provide a first support and a second support could be formed by a fixed post on the ground and anchored with ropes of

held. These brackets must be able to maintain tension in the cables 4.

At the front end of the screen 3 (shown in more detail in Figure 2) a crossbar is attached

5. The crossbar 5 provides support to prevent a transverse sagging of the screen. The screen 5 is subject to roller systems 6 (one in each of the cables 4). In Figure 2 the nearest roller system 6 is shown without a box and the furthest roller system 6 is shown in a box 10. However, the two roller systems 6 are identical and therefore only described Here one of them.

The roller system 6 is shown in Figure 3 attached to a longitudinal flexible element 4. It is also shown in Figure 4 in an exploded view. The roller system comprises two rollers 7. As can be seen in Figure 5, each roller 7 comprises a toothed portion 7a and a friction hub 7b of smaller diameter than that of the toothed portion 7a. The friction hub 7b contains grooves 7c. Referring again to FIG. 4, the serrated portions 7a of the rollers 7 are engaged with a worm 8 which is driven by a direct current motor 9. The cable (longitudinal flexible element) 4 is wound around the first roller 7 clockwise as seen in the figure and then wound in a counterclockwise direction around the second roller 7 before Continue in its horizontal direction. The cable 4 fits into the grooves 7c of the rollers 7 to prevent it from sliding in use out of the hub 7b. The cable 4 is shown wrapped around the rollers 7 in Figure 6.

The two rollers 7 are driven in opposite directions by the worm 8 when the motor 9 is activated. As the rollers 7 rotate, one of the rollers 7 (whose roller depends on the direction of travel) wind the cable 4 around of itself, while the other roller 7 extends the same amount of cable (since the rollers 7 are the same size and are driven at the same speed). In this way, the rollers 7 and, therefore, the crossbar 5 and the screen 3 move longitudinally along the longitudinal flexible elements (cables)

Four.

When the screen 3 has been deployed to the desired position, the storage roller 2 is operated to retract the screen until sufficient tension has been created in the screen 3. The rollers 7 do not slide along the cables 4 due to the friction created by the cables 4 (which are under high tension) when they are wound around the first and second rollers 7 in the grooves 7c. The rollers 7 do not rotate in relation to the cables 4 because the motor 9 is not being activated and the rollers are unable to rotate the worm 8.

Thus, the roller system grips the cable 4 securely and holds the screen in place against the tension force provided by the storage roller 2 when driven backwards.

It will be appreciated that although tension is created in this embodiment by fixing the rollers 7 in place and then driving the roller 2 backwards, the tension could be created equally well by blocking the storage roller 2 and driving the rollers 7 further forward in the direction of screen extension 3.

Figures 7 and 8 show second and third embodiments of the invention. The second embodiment shown in Figure 7 has a drive mechanism similar to that described above in relation to the first embodiment, but housed inside a box 210 fixed to a crossbar 205. Two rollers (not shown) are housed inside the box 210 and the cable 204 enters the box 210 at one end, advances around the rollers in a pattern with the figure of an eight and leaves the box 210 at the opposite end. One of the rollers is driven by a motor 209 to move the screen along the cable 204.

The third embodiment shown in Figure 8 has a drive mechanism similar to that of the first and second embodiments, but with the rollers located in a plane perpendicular to those of the first and second embodiments and substantially parallel to the screen. Cable 304 enters and exits box 310 at both ends. The box 310 is attached to a crossbar 305.

In another embodiment (not shown in the figures), instead of being fixed the longitudinal flexible elements and of rolling the rollers along them, the rollers are fixed (for example to a support) and the longitudinal flexible elements are movable with relation to the rollers. The longitudinal flexible elements are shaped as continuous loops that extend around pulleys in the front and on the back of the awning system. When the rollers are maneuvered, the longitudinal flexible elements move beyond the rollers and the loops rotate around the pulleys. The screen is attached to the longitudinal flexible elements so that, as the loops are rotated, the screen is extended or retracted. The same rollers and braking and gearing systems that apply to the other embodiments are applied to this embodiment.

Figures 20 and 21 show an embodiment of the invention in which the screen 401 can be extended or retracted electrically. The rollers in the roller housings 413, 414 are electrically actuated to extend or retract the screen 401. Any existing clamping mechanism can also be driven electrically.

To operate the motors in the roller housings 413, 414, electrical energy must be transferred from an external power source. In Fig. 20 an electric wire 437 runs diagonally from a

corner at the rear edge of the screen 401 to the diagonally opposite corner at the front edge 402 of the screen 401. When the screen 401 is wound, the thread 437 is evenly distributed across the width of the screen roll and the diameter of the roll is uniform and is minimized. In this way, energy can be transmitted from the external power supply, through the wire 437, to the roller box 413. Power can then be transferred to the other roller box 414 by having another wire (not shown) along of the crossbar in the front portion 402 of the screen 401.

In Figure 2 two electric wires 438, 438 'run diagonally to the center of the screen 401, one from each corner at the rear edge of the screen 401. Each wire 438, 438' changes direction in the center of the screen 401 and these run diagonally to the corners at the leading edge of the screen 401. The wires 438, 438 'are held each other in the center in order to maintain the X-shape provided by the wires 438, 438'.

At the rear edge of the screen 401 the wires 437, 438, 438 ’are connected to an external power supply (not shown).

The wires 437, 438, 438 ’, whether they are electricity carriers or not, also serve to reinforce the larger screen material. Straps may be used instead of wires for reinforcement purposes.

Figures 9 and 10 show a voltage sensor 426 for an automatic retraction system for use with the invention. Figure 9 shows the voltage sensor 426 when the screen 401 is in a low voltage state and Figure 10 shows the voltage sensor 426 when the screen 401 is in a high voltage state. The tension sensor 426 shown in Figures 9 and 10 has two upper rollers 427, 427 'located above the screen 401 and a single lower roller 428 located below the screen 401. The lower roller 428 is mounted on a sensor pressure 429 so that when the screen 401 is not under tension or is under a small tension, the upper roller 428 requests the screen 401 upward between the two upper rollers 427, 427 '. When the tension in the screen 401 increases, the lower roller 428 is requested downwards and the pressure sensor 429 detects a higher pressure. If the pressure sensor 429 detects a pressure greater than a predetermined threshold value, a warning can be generated, or if the screen is motorized, the screen can be automatically retracted.

Figure 11 shows the voltage sensor 426 of Figures 9 and 10 mounted on a wall 407 forming the first support of a cover apparatus according to the invention. Figure 12 is an enlarged view of Figure 11.

Figures 13 and 14 show another embodiment of a voltage sensor 426 for use with the invention. In this embodiment the voltage sensor 426 detects the tension in a wire 411, 412 of the cover system instead of detecting the voltage in the screen 401 (as in Figures 9 and 10). The voltage in the screen 401 is transmitted directly to the wires 411, 412. Each time the screen 401 is deployed or retracted, the pressure sensor 429 is calibrated. If the pressure sensor 429 detects a pressure greater than a predetermined threshold , said sensor emits a warning or, if the screen 401 is motorized, causes the screen 401 to retract. In this embodiment the tension sensor 426 can be easily combined with the roller boxes.

Figure 15 shows the voltage sensor 426 of Figures 13 and 14 mounted on a wall 407 forming the first support of a cover apparatus according to the invention. Figure 16 is an enlarged view of Figure 15.

It will be appreciated that Figures 9 to 16 show slightly exaggeration of the bending of the wire 411, 412 or of the screen 401. A digital pressure sensor would be used that does not require such bending in the wire 411, 412.

The voltage sensors 426 shown in Figures 9 to 16 are enclosed within a housing 430 and, therefore, are protected from the weather. Therefore, these systems are more reliable than those involving wind sensors, which must necessarily be exposed to the elements.

Figure 17 shows a storage system for a flexible sheet 401. The storage system has two rollers 433, 434 that are driven in synchronism so that the sheet 401 is stored around the rollers 433, 434 with a cross-sectional shape. determined by the arrangement of the rollers 433, 434 (ie, substantially oval in this embodiment). By storing flexible sheet 401 around more than one roller, the space can be used more efficiently. For example, in Figure 17 the sheet 401 is held more flat against the wall 407 than would be possible if said sheet were stored completely on a single roller.

Figures 18 and 19 show two ways in which the storage system of Figure 17 can be operated. In Figure 18 the two storage rollers 433, 434 are driven by a third drive roller 435 of smaller diameter than that of the storage rollers 433, 434 and located between the storage rollers 433, 434 in driving contact with them. In this way, both storage rollers 433, 434, which have the same diameter, are driven in the same direction and at the same speed. In Figure 19 the two storage rollers 433, 434 are connected by a chain 436 so that, when a roller 433, 434 is driven, the other roller 434, 433 is also actuated in synchronism.

Claims (18)

one.

 A cover apparatus (1) comprising an extensible screen (3), a longitudinal flexible element (4) and a rotating member (7), in which one of the longitudinal flexible element (4) and the rotary element (7 ) is fixed and the screen (3) is attached to the other between the longitudinal flexible element (4) and the rotating member (7) to allow movement of the screen (3) relative to the fixed part, and in which rotating member (7) is frictionally coupled with the longitudinal flexible element (4) and characterized by means (8) to prevent rotation of the rotating member (7), whereby the screen (3) is held in position in relation to to the fixed part.

2.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the screen (3) is extensible in relation to the longitudinal flexible member (4), wherein the screen (3) is attached to the rotating member (7) and in the one that means

(8) to prevent rotation keep the screen (3) in position in relation to the longitudinal flexible element (4).

3.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member (7) is fixed, the longitudinal flexible element (4) is movable relative to the rotating member (7) and the screen (3) is attached to the longitudinal flexible element (4), and in which the means (8) for preventing rotation keep the screen (3) in position in relation to the rotating member (7).

Four.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the longitudinal flexible member (4) is wound at least once around the rotating member (7).

5.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the longitudinal flexible element (4) is wound at least twice around the rotating member (7).

6.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second rotating member (7) and wherein the longitudinal flexible element (4) is wound around the first rotating member and the second rotating member.

7.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal flexible element (4) is wound around the first and second rotating members (7) according to an eight-shaped pattern.

8.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein the longitudinal flexible element (4) passes between the first and second rotary members (7), then around the second rotary member, then again between the first and second rotary members , then around the first rotating member in the opposite direction to the winding around the second rotating member and then a third time between the first and second rotating members, before continuing in their original direction.

9.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a motor (9) for rotationally driving at least one rotating member (7).

10.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the means for preventing rotation are applied to the motor (9).

eleven.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a gear (8) between the motor (9) and the at least one rotating member (7).

12.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein the gear (8) comprises an endless screw.

13.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the means for preventing rotation comprise the gear (8).

14.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for preventing rotation consist of a braking system.

fifteen.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each rotating member (7) has a serrated portion (7a) for actuating the rotating member (7).

16.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each rotating member (7) has a friction hub (7b) for winding around it the longitudinal flexible element (4).

17.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to claim 16, wherein at least one groove (7c) is made in the friction hub (7b).

18.

 A cover apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of longitudinal flexible elements (4) and in which a rotating member (7) is disposed on each longitudinal flexible element (4).