FR2728296A1 - Sliding roof opening control e.g. for veranda or porch - Google Patents

Abstract

The opening roof comprises a structure (3) supporting a fixed cover (1) connected along one side to a vertical carrying wall (5). A sliding opening (2) parallel to the fixed cover slides on the support structure under the cover and opens the roof under the effect of a control mechanism (16) carried by the support structure. On each side of the roof the support structure has an upper rafter (11) under the fixed cover which supports a section (14) comprising a rail (15). The rail has an open housing which takes a notched belt (28) meshing with a drive pinion (30) at the end of a transverse transmission control bar (44). The ends of the belt are joined together by a common junction piece (39), fixed to the opening, so that movement of the belt drive pinion causes displacement of the junction piece to follow the movement of the opening and slides in the open rail housing.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for controlling the opening of a roof, of the veranda or similar type, comprising a support structure on which this roof rests, with a generally flat fixed part, preferably slightly inclined on the horizontal to ensure the flow of external rainwater and usually linked to a support wall against which the veranda is built, and a movable part constituting the opening, adapted to slide under the fixed part, parallel to this, to uncover the roof in a corresponding way and make the interior of the support structure communicate with the surrounding environment, through the opening thus created.

 Numerous opening roof systems of this type are already known in the art, in which the support structure comprises rafters, carried by means of support on the ground, these rafters acting as rails on which the movable leaf slides for be housed under the fixed part of the veranda when the roof is open, the dimensions of this fixed part and of the movable opening being able to be of the same order of magnitude, so as to ensure maximum opening over substantially half of the surface of this roof.

 However, in these known embodiments, the control of the opening is carried out by cables, belts or chains which are more or less visible, in particular their motorization and drive members, which require for their mounting and their support profiles. large width, unattractive and complex manufacturing.

 The present invention relates to an improved control device which avoids these drawbacks, in particular thanks to the small size of the parts used, by allowing complete integration of the various mechanisms used, housed directly in the profiles of the support structure, which facilitates the manufacture and installation of the device and improves the aesthetics of the assembly.

 To this end the device considered, for controlling a roof comprising a support and support structure above the ground of a fixed cover element, of generally planar shape, preferably joined along one of its sides to a vertical load-bearing wall against which the structure is applied, and a movable opening, parallel to the fixed element, capable of sliding on the support structure to be placed under the fixed element in the open position of the roof or in the extension thereof in the closed position, under the effect of a control mechanism carried by the support structure and causing the displacement of the opening vis-à-vis the fixed element, is characterized in that, on each side of the roof, the support structure comprises, under the fixed element, an upper rafter in one piece, supporting a profile comprising at least one rail, delimiting an open housing receiving a notched belt, buckled on itself and coop ering with a drive pinion provided at the end of a transverse control and transmission bar, extending parallel to the side of the fixed element joined to the bearing wall and in the vicinity thereof, the ends of the belt being secured to each other to a joint junction piece, fixed to the opening, so that the movement of the pinion driving the belt causes the displacement of the junction piece with respect to the rail and as a result the movement of the opening which slides in the open housing of the rail under the fixed element, by resting on the belt housed inside this rail.

 Thanks to these provisions, the roof support rafter, supporting a hollow profile forming a rail, entirely houses the control means of the movable opening, consisting of a simple toothed belt mounted in this rail and whose movement in rotation continuous, in one direction or the other depending on the movement to be made for the opening, directly drives the latter which rests permanently on the belt, under the fixed element itself mounted above the profile of the rafter.

The toothed belt is controlled by a transverse bar which can itself be controlled by a tubular motor or the like, being arranged with this motor under the fixed element, in the vicinity of the edge of the latter joined to the wall. carrier or the like against which the roof of the veranda rests, so that the bar and the motor are completely invisible from the outside.

 According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the rail formed in the hollow profile of the upper rafter comprises at least one and preferably several smooth support rollers for the opening in its movement towards or from the fixed element.

 Advantageously and according to another characteristic also, the rail of the hollow profile is isolated from the opening by means suitable for ensuring a thermal break, of the type with plastic bars or the like.

 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the notched control belt, housed inside the rail of the hollow profile of the rafter is engaged on the one hand with the drive pinion, and on the other hand with a second pinion, with an axis parallel to that of the center pinion, this second pinion being mounted to rotate freely and associated with a belt tensioning mechanism by displacement of this axis.

 According to yet another characteristic, the drive pinion is directly constituted by the end of the control and transmission bar, which has on the outside a profile provided with grooves at its two ends. The gables thus formed at these ends are engaged, respectively on each side of the roof, with two homologous toothed belts, so as to ensure a displacement of the movable opening which always remains perpendicular to the direction of the control bar and parallel to the rails of the hollow profiles.

 Advantageously, the control and transmission bar is supported at each of its lateral ends in a U-shaped plain bearing, mounted in the rail and receiving a friction ring surrounding a bearing provided with a connecting notch with at least one groove of bar.

 Preferably also, each rail comprises at each of its ends a fixed stop stop of the opening at the end of the race.

 According to an additional characteristic, the rail of the hollow profile of the upper rafter consists of two half-rails in the extension of one another, respectively in line with the fixed element and the movable opening in the closed position of the roof, the half-rail arranged under the fixed element comprising a vertical partition for the support of this element.

 In addition, the lower half-rail is advantageously provided with a removable upper cover, capable of being fixed by clip or the like on this half-rail, in order to cover the opening from above it, the opening comprising preferably gaskets sliding on the cover or vice versa.

Other characteristics of a control device for a movable opening roof, established in accordance with the invention, will become more apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings. annexed on which
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a roof according to the invention.

 - Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view, on a larger scale, of the roof according to Figure 1, in particular illustrating the control belt carrying out the drive of the opening by means of a junction piece with this one.

 - Figure 3 is a top view of the movable opening and the rafters of the support structure on which slides this opening.

 - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the opening and its rafters, in a particular embodiment, illustrating an alternative embodiment.

 - Figure 5 is a detail view of the toothed belt and its drive pinion.

 - Figure 6 illustrates another detail for mounting the control and transmission bar of the device.

 - Figure 7 is a sectional view on a larger scale of this bar, illustrating in particular the profile of its section.

 In these Figures and more particularly in Figures 1 to 4, it can be seen that the device according to the invention, constituting the roof of a veranda or the like, essentially comprises a fixed element 1, of a movable opening 2, making it possible to move vis-à-vis the fixed element to be placed partially or totally under the latter and a support structure 3, which rests on the ground (not shown) by support posts 4, the element fixed of generally planar shape being disposed in the vicinity of a retaining wall 5 against which the veranda is built and leaned. Preferably, the dimensions of the fixed element and of the opening, both of form general rectangular, are practically identical, in any case neighboring, so that, when the opening is arranged under the fixed element, the opening of the roof is maximum.

 Advantageously but by way of example only, any other assembly being of course possible, the whole of the roof rests on a support console 6 fixed to the wall 5, by means of an articulated link 7 making it possible to adjust the slope of the fixed element 1, as a function of the height of the support posts 4, to facilitate the flow of external rainwater.

 A flap 8 fixed to the wall and resting on a bearing surface of the fixed element 1, seals the connection with this wall, while a glazing bead 9 mounted against the opposite edge of this element, flaps towards the movable opening 2 while protecting the corresponding edge of the fixed element 1.

 A decorative element 10 is provided at the end of the support structure 3, beyond the movable opening 2.

 The support structure 3 essentially comprises, according to each of the sides of the roof, upper rafters such as 11, delimiting between them, a transverse return 12 and the wall 5, a central opening 13, which can be opened or closed, in the extension of the fixed element 1 by the movable opening 2 according to the relative position of the latter relative to this element and in particular according to whether it is brought under the latter or on the contrary offset towards the front thereof, in then completely closing this opening.

 The two upper rafters 11 of the assembly are identical, only one of them being described below, these chevrons together providing support and guiding of the movable opening 2 during its movement towards or from the fixed element 1.

 To this end, each rafter 11 is formed or supports a hollow metal section 14, the cross section of which in FIG. 4 illustrates on a larger scale, this section comprising, at its upper end, a rail 15 open towards the outside and in which can be housed a mechanism 16 for ensuring the control of the opening in its movements, and the details of which will be specified below.

 Preferably, the rail 15 is actually formed of two half-rails 15a, 15b, arranged in the extension of one another and provided respectively under the opening 2 for one, under the fixed element 1 for the other, when this opening is itself substantially in the extension of the fixed element, the roof being closed. A partition (not shown) extends vertically from the half-rail 15b surmounted by the fixed element, to ensure the immobilization of this element with respect to the support rafter 11 supporting the rail 15.

 The fixed element 1 advantageously consists of a glazed part 17, mounted in an immobilization frame 18 comprising various seals 19 (see Figure 2), the detail of which is of little importance in itself to the 'invention.

 Similarly, the movable opening 2 comprises a central part also glazed 20, fixed in a frame 21 (Figure 3), the detail of which again has no direct impact on the precise characteristics of the device considered.

 However and advantageously, although in itself conventional in the art, the rail 15 which receives the drive mechanism 16, has a central part 22 connected to a hooking clip 23 for an upper cover 24 via of rigid plastic bars 25, able to create a thermal break and thus isolate the outside of the roof from the inside of the room located under the latter (Figure 4).

 In addition and as also illustrated in this Figure, the upper face of the frame 21 of the opening 2 has seals 26 coming to bear against the cover 24, to ensure a suitable seal in contact with the opening, during movements of the latter . Optionally, the position of these seals could be reversed.

 According to the invention, the drive mechanism 16 of the movable opening 2 is arranged in an open housing 27 provided in the rail 15, at the top of each rafter 11, so that, once the roof assembled, this mechanism is completely hidden from the outside.

 As shown more particularly in Figure 2 and in detail in Figure 5, this mechanism consists mainly of a transmission belt 28, looped on itself and having in its internal surface notches 29, so as to him allow permanent cooperation with a drive pinion 30, which is preferably constituted by the end of a drive bar 44 described below, this pinion being disposed under the fixed element 1 in the vicinity of the wall support 5, in the extension of the opening 2.

 The toothed belt 28 is stretched inside the housing 27 in the rail 15 at the top of the profile 14 of the rafter 11, between the drive pinion 30 and a second pinion 31, mounted to rotate freely in the opposite edge of the belt, the pinions 30 and 31 of course having axes parallel to one another. Furthermore, the axis 32 of the free pinion 31 is secured to a tensioning device 33 housed inside the belt and making it possible to keep its two strands parallel to one another, also allowing to its upper strand 34 to constitute a suitable bearing surface and in particular sufficiently rigid for the opening 2 to come to rest on this strand when it slides under the fixed element 1 when the roof is placed in the open position.

 Intermediate pinions such as 35 and 36 (Figure 5) which are free to rotate, are provided and mesh simultaneously with the notches 29 of the belt 28 to ensure the support of the leaf between the end pinions 30 and 31.

 The ends 37 and 38 of the belt 28 are immobilized by a common connecting piece 39, which is secured by screws 40 of the frame 21 of the leaf, so that the movements of the belt in one direction or in the other, upon opening or closing, depending on the direction of rotation of the drive pinion 30, determine the movements of the opening leaf 2 to bring it either under the fixed element 1 or beyond and in continuation of it.

 Several smooth rollers 41 are also provided inside the rail 15, beyond the belt 28, so as to allow the door 2 to be supported above the rail when it is offset vis-à-vis the edge end of the belt in its movement apart from the fixed element 1. In addition, stops, respectively 42 and 43 (Figure 3) are fixed in the rail 15, in positions suitable for materializing the limit switches for the opening 2, respectively when the roof is closed or when it is fully opened, when this opening is completely disposed under the fixed element 1.

 In the embodiment more specifically considered, the drive pinion 30 of each of the belts 28 mounted in one and the other of the upper rafters 11 provided on both sides of the support structure 3, are controlled by a bar common transmission 44, the ends of which directly constitute the above-mentioned gables 30, and which extends transversely to the roof, parallel and in the vicinity of the wall 5 under the fixed element 1 (see FIG. 1 and also FIG. 6). This bar is completely invisible from the outside.

 Advantageously, the two gables 30 provided on each side of the roof are formed directly by the ends of the transmission bar 44, which comprises for this purpose (Figure 7) external peripheral grooves 45 intended to engage with the notches 29 of the belt 28. In this case, the bar is held and guided at the high end of each rafter 11 in a bearing 46 (FIG. 5) in a U, a friction ring 47, in particular in bronze, in which a bearing freely rotates link 48 comprising two notches 49 for its immobilization in rotation in two grooves 45 of the bar.

Thanks to these provisions, the control and transmission bar 44 acts directly on the belts while maintaining perfect synchronism from one side to the other of the roof. This bar can be of reduced section and housed as close as possible to the wall 5 above the wall hanging console 6, while being invisible from the outside. This bar can be controlled by any suitable mechanism, in particular from a motor 50, of the tubular motor type or the like, advantageously associated with a manual control device 51, intended to take over from this motor by a set of pinions. reference 52 and 53, and a transmission chain 54, the assembly being shown diagrammatically on the
Figure 2 in particular.

 The control bar 44 is held and guided by its bearings 46, whose simple design allows easy installation on site, avoiding any additional fixing or machining on site.

 The opening is permanently supported in its movements both by the notched belts 28 provided on each side of the fixed element 1 by the notched rollers 36 and by the smooth rollers 41 mounted in the rail beyond this element, the belts remaining permanently tensioned, whatever the position of the opening moving above them.

 The use of an open rail supported by or belonging to the upper rafters 11 of the support structure 4 makes it possible to considerably reduce the dimensions of the profiles used, in particular to constitute the frames 18 and 21 of the fixed element and of the opening, while allowing the control mechanisms to be completely concealed, which can nevertheless be easily reached for repair or maintenance.

 Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the example more particularly described and shown; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

 In particular, this example has more particularly considered the case where the fixed element and the opening rest on two rafters 11, parallel and arranged on either side of the roof. However, other solutions could be envisaged, in which this roof is formed by several neighboring openings, such as those designated under the references 2 and 2 'in Figure 4, with an intermediate rafter 11' between them, each opening being associated with a control mechanism operated in synchronism, such as 16 and 16 ′ in this same Figure, all the control belts being driven from the common transmission bar 44, in the manner already described.

Claims (10)

 1 - Control devices for a movable opening roof, comprising a structure (3) for support and support above the ground of a fixed covering element (1), of generally planar shape, preferably joined according to one of its sides to a vertical load-bearing wall (5) against which the structure is applied, and a movable opening (2), parallel to the fixed element, capable of sliding on the support structure to be positioned under the fixed element in position opening the roof or in the extension thereof in the closed position, under the effect of a control mechanism (16) carried by the support structure and causing the displacement of the opening vis-à-vis screw of the fixed element, characterized in that, on each side of the roof, the support structure comprises under the fixed element an upper rafter (11) in one piece, supporting a profile (14) comprising at least a rail (15), delimiting an open housing (27) receiving a toothed belt (28), looped on itself and cooperating with a drive pinion (30) provided at the end of a transverse control and transmission bar (44), extending parallel to the side of the fixed element joined to the load-bearing wall and in the vicinity thereof, the ends of the belt being secured to each other to a common junction piece (39), fixed to the leaf, so that the movement of the pinion driving the belt causes the displacement of the junction piece with respect to the rail and consequently the movement of the opening which slides in the open housing of the rail under the fixed element, by resting on the belt supported by the notched rollers, housed inside this rail.  2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail (15) formed in the hollow profile (14) of the upper rafter (11) comprises at least one and preferably several smooth rollers (41) for support opening (2) in its movement towards or from the fixed element (1).  3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rail (15) of the hollow profile (14) is isolated from the opening (2) by means (25) suitable for ensuring a bridge break thermal, of the type with plastic bars or others.  4 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the notched control belt (28), housed inside the rail (15) of the hollow profile (14) of the rafter (11) is in taken on the one hand with the drive pinion (30), and on the other hand with a second pinion (31), with an axis (32) parallel to that of the drive pinion, this second pinion being mounted free in rotation and associated with a tensioning mechanism (33) of the belt by displacement of this axis.  5 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drive pinion (30) is directly constituted by the end of the control and transmission bar (44), which externally has a profile provided with grooves (45) at its two ends.  6 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the roof comprises two drive pinions (30) respectively engaged on each side with two homologous toothed belts (28), so as to ensure movement of the movable opening (2) which always remains perpendicular to the direction of the control bar (44) and parallel to the rails (15) of the hollow profiles (14) of the upper rafters (11).  7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control and transmission bar (44) is supported at each of its lateral ends in a U-shaped plain bearing (46), mounted in the rail (15) and receiving a friction ring (47) surrounding a bearing (48) provided with a connecting notch (49) with at least one groove (45) of the bar.  8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rail (15) comprises at each of its ends a fixed stop (42, 43) for stopping the opening (2) at the end of race.  9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rail (15) consists of two half-rails 15a, 15b in the extension of one another, respectively in line with the fixed element (1) and of the movable opening (2) in the closed position of the roof, the half-rail disposed under the fixed element comprising a vertical partition (15a) for supporting this element.  10 - Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower half-rail (15b) is provided with a removable upper cover (24), capable of being fixed by clip (23) or the like on this half-rail, so to cover the opening (2) by the top thereof, the opening having seals (26) sliding on the cover or vice versa.