FR2778194A1 - AUTONOMOUS PARASOL - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autonomous parasol. This autonomous parasol is characterized in that it comprises a support arm (10) consisting of at least one section (1 1, 13, 111, 21 1, 213) of determined shape, a section (11, 111, 211) being intended to receive the canvas of the parasol, when the latter is in the folded position, the section or sections (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) of the support arm (10) being mounted to pivot between them and / or on a box (20) by means of mounting means (31, 32), so that, when the parasol is in the folded position, the section or sections (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) of the support arm (10) pivot to be housed in or on a side face of the box (20).

Description

Freestanding parasol

  The present invention relates to an autonomous parasol.

  It is known from international patent application WO 93/00840 a multifunction sunshade. This parasol includes solar collectors intended to supply rechargeable batteries housed in the base of the parasol. These batteries are used to power accessories. The opening

  of the parasol is carried out by means of a cable and a pulley.

  The size of such a parasol is large due to the many accessories, so it is difficult to move it. In addition the opening of the parasol

is manual.

  It is also known by the German utility model DE 29707095, a parasol comprising solar collectors supplying

  batteries for operating a mini-fridge. This mini

  fridge is located at the base of the parasol and also functions as a base for the parasol's mast. This parasol has the disadvantage of being difficult to transport because of the size of the mini-fridge and because of the

traditional folding system.

  The present invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a compact parasol in the folded position, easily

  transportable and comprising a plurality of functions.

  This object is achieved by the fact that the autonomous parasol comprises a support arm constituted by at least one section of determined shape, one section being intended to receive the canvas of the parasol, when the latter is in the folded position, the section or sections of the support arm being pivotally mounted between them and / or on a box by means of mounting means so that when the parasol is in the folded position the section or sections of the support arm

  swivel to fit in or on a side face of the box.

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  According to another particular feature, the pivoting movements of the section or sections of the support arm are limited by elastic means and / or

blocking means.

  According to another particular feature, the parasol fabric is mounted on a whalebone device mounted on a pivotally mounted axis, by means of articulation means on the free end of a section of the support arm, so that, when the parasol is in the folded position, the axis is retracted

in the section of the support arm.

  According to another particular feature, the canvas is mounted on a whalebone device located at the free end of a section of the support arm, the whalebone device comprises deployment means allowing the deployment of the parasol canvas by rotation of the whales 360 in the horizontal plane, the whale device being able to retract by translation in the section of the

support arm.

  According to another particular feature, the means for deploying the whale device comprise a ring whose axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and comprising a groove in which are mounted

  radially and sliding the first ends of the whales.

  According to another particular feature, the shape of each section is a profile whose cross section is concave, the shape of the cross section

  preferably being a U or a semi-circle or a half-octagon.

  According to another particularity, the elastic means of the support arm comprise at least one jack fixed on the one hand to the support arm and on the other hand to the box, so that in the unfolded position the longitudinal axis of the arm forms in

  90 angle with the longitudinal axis of the box.

  According to another particular feature, the support arm and / or the box include solar collectors intended to recharge housed batteries

in the box.

  According to another particularity, the box comprises a volume intended for

receive at least one accessory.

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  According to another particular feature, the deployment of the support arm and / or

  the parasol fabric is provided by a motorized device.

  According to another particular feature, the deployment and / or folding of the parasol is controlled by a photoelectric cell and / or an anemometer located on the support arm and / or the box, and connected to a control circuit.

  parasol deployment and folding devices and / or an alarm.

  In another feature, when the parasol is in the folded position, a lighting device located in the upper part of the box provides

  light and is powered by batteries.

  According to another particular feature, the accessory or accessories housed in the box comprise a water reserve and / or a water cooling device powered by batteries and / or an ice cube maker and / or a fan powered by the batteries and / or a telephone socket and associated antenna and / or a bar and / or a cup dispenser and / or a

intercom.

  According to another particularity, the box comprises in its part

  lower at least 2 wheels intended for the transport of the parasol.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention

  will appear more clearly on reading the description below made in

  reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows a side view of a first variant of

  realization of the autonomous parasol in the deployed position.

  - Figures 2A to 2D show a side view of the different

  stages of folding the parasol according to the first alternative embodiment.

  - Figures 3 and 4 show a perspective view of the detail of the assembly of the support arm and the box of a second alternative embodiment of the autonomous umbrella respectively in the deployed position and in

folded position.

  - Figures 5 and 6 show a side view of a third alternative embodiment of the autonomous umbrella respectively in position

deployed and in the folded position.

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  Figures 1 and 2 show a side view of a first alternative embodiment of the autonomous umbrella respectively in the deployed position and in the folded position. The parasol according to the invention essentially comprises a support arm (10) comprising at least one section (11, 13) of determined shape and a box (20). A first section (13) located at the first end of the support arm (10) is intended to provide the link between the box (20) and the support arm (10). A second section (11) located at the second end of the support arm (10) is intended to ensure, on the one hand the mounting of the canvas (40) of the parasol, and on the other hand the storage of this canvas (40) when deploying the parasol. The first end of the first section (13) is mounted on the upper part (21) of the box (20) by means of an axis (32) parallel to the ground. Thus the first section (13) of the support arm (10) pivots relative to the box (20). In order to block the first section (13) in a determined position, blocking means (33), of the stop or stud type, are mounted on the upper part (21) of the

  box (20) and lock the second section (13) in the desired position.

  The actuation of these locking means (33) releases the second section (13) which can then pivot freely. The second end of the first section (13) comprises means (31) for mounting with another section. In the variant shown in Figure 1, this other section corresponds to the second section (11) of the support arm (10). The mounting means (31), of the hinge type, are chosen to allow the pivoting of the second section (11) on the first section (13), so that the longitudinal axes of the two sections (11, 13) can be parallel when folding the parasol. In order to limit the pivoting of the two sections (11, 13) on the one hand relative to the other, during the deployment of the parasol, it is provided that, on the one hand the respective adjacent ends of the two sections (11, 13) are bevelled, and on the other hand that elastic means (30) are mounted on the two sections (11, 13), forcing the pivoting of the rotation of the second section (13) relative to the first section (11) around of the axis formed by the hinge (31), until the two sections (11, 13) form a determined angle. These means

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  (30) elastic consist, for example, of cylinders. Advantageously, the rotation of the second section (13) relative to the first section and / or the pivoting of the first section (13) relative to the box (20) are carried out by a motorized device (not shown). The maximum pivot angles s of the first section (13) relative to the box (20) and of the second section (11) relative to the first section (11) are determined so that, on the one hand the second section ( 11) is parallel to the ground, and on the other hand that it is located at a height chosen by the user. On the free end of the second section (11) of the support arm (10) is mounted an axis (41) io intended to receive the device for deploying the canvas (40) of the parasol. A first end of this axis (31) is mounted on means (412) of articulation, of the ball type, secured to the second section (11). These articulation means (412) allow, on the one hand to change the orientation of the axis (41) and on the other hand to completely retract this axis (41) in the second section (11) of the support arm (10). The axis (41) is perpendicular to the ground when the fabric (40) is deployed. The device for deploying the fabric (40) comprises radial ribs (42), the first ends of which are mounted on the axis (41) by means of a first ring (410). This first ring (410) is integral with the first end of an elastic means (not shown), of the gas spring type, mounted in the axis (41). The second end of this spring is fixed in the first end of the axle (41). The second ends of the whales are mounted articulated on uprights supporting the fabric (40) whose first ends are mounted

  on a second ring (411) secured to the first end of the axis (41).

  When the user wishes to deploy the fabric (40), the spring is compressed by triggering means (44), which causes the movement of the ring (410) comprising the first ends of the ribs, towards the support arm (10 ), this movement then causing the spacing of the whales (42) from the axis (41). This movement of the whales (42) then causes the deployment of the supports of the fabric (40). Keeping the canvas (40) in the open position

  parasol is provided by a device maintaining the spring in compression.

  Thus, in the deployed position, the support arm (10) and the box (20) form an eccentric mast of the parasol. When folding the fabric (40), the spring is released from its stress, for example by the triggering means (44), which causes the whales (42) to fold back towards the axis (41) and the folding of the canvas supports (40). The fabric (40) then forms a sheath (400) which, thanks to the retraction of the axis (41), can be housed in the second section (11) of the support arm (10). When the fabric (40) is folded to form a sheath (400), the user can then proceed to the complete folding, described later, of the parasol according to the invention. Advantageously, the means 0o (44) for triggering and / or retracting the axis (41) are either manual or motorized. Advantageously, the second end of the axis (41) comprises a lighting device (45). The shape of the sections (11, 13) of the support arm (10) is preferably a profile whose cross section has a concavity. Preferably, the cross section is either in the form of a U-shape, or in the form of a semicircle, or in the form of a semi-octagon. The box (20) of the parasol according to the invention has dimensions determined to allow on the one hand, the storage of the support arm (10), and

  on the other hand the installation of accessories, which will be described later.

  Advantageously, the support arm (10) and / or the box comprise on their external surfaces solar collectors intended to supply, via a charging circuit, rechargeable batteries, housed in the box (20). These batteries are used in particular for the operation of accessories, or for the operation of motorized devices (not shown) for deploying the parasol according to the invention. Advantageously, the movement of the parasol is facilitated by wheels (50) which can be

retractable.

  Figures 2A to 2D show a side view of the different

  stages of folding the parasol according to the first alternative embodiment.

  In a first step, shown in FIG. 2A, the sheath (400) formed by the folded fabric (40) is retracted into the profile forming the second section (11) of the support arm (10), by rotation in a clockwise direction (arrow A) of the axis

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  (41) around the axis of rotation formed by the means (412) of articulation. In a second step, shown in FIG. 2B, the second section (11) pivots around the axis of rotation formed by the hinge (31) until the profiles forming the two sections (11, 13) are edge to edge . In this position, the longitudinal axes of the first and second sections (11, 13) are then parallel. The two sections are maintained in this position in the rest of the folding process, by securing means (not shown). In a third step, shown in Figure 2C, the locking means (33) are actuated, which frees the first section 10 (13) in rotation. This first section (13) will then pivot around the axis (32) located in the upper part of the box (20) also causing the second

  section (11), to be housed in a space in the box (20) provided for this purpose.

  FIG. 2D represents the final appearance of the parasol according to the invention at the end of the folding process. In the folded position, the size of the parasol according to

  The invention corresponds substantially to the size of the box (20).

  Advantageously, a lighting device (not shown) located in the upper part (21) of the box makes it possible to diffuse light. Thus, the parasol according to the invention in the folded position is transformed into a lighting terminal. Figures 3 and 4 show a perspective view of the detail of the assembly of the support arm and the box of a second alternative embodiment of the autonomous umbrella respectively in the deployed position and in the folded position. In this variant, the deployment system of the fabric (40, fig. 1) is, for example identical to the deployment system described for the first variant. This variant differs from the first variant in that the support arm comprises only one section (111) and that the folding process is therefore slightly modified. The elements common to the two variants have the same references. Thus, the support arm (10) comprises a single section (111). The first end (112), of determined shape, of this section (111) is pivotally mounted on the upper part (121), of determined shape, of the box (20), by means of a

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  mounting means (31), of the hinge type. The section (111) forming the support arm (10) consists of a profile similar to the profile of the sections (11, 13, fig. 1) of the first alternative embodiment. However, the difference lies in the fact that the first end (112) of this section (111) is constituted by a portion (112) of the profile whose longitudinal axis forms a determined angle with the rest of the section (111). In addition, the longitudinal axis of the upper part (121) of the box (20) also forms a determined angle with the longitudinal axis of the rest of the box (20). These two angles are determined so that the support arm (10) can fold over a lateral surface of the box (20), so that the longitudinal axes of the box (20) and of the support arm (10) are parallel. In order, on the one hand to limit the rotation of the support arm (10) relative to the box (20) and on the other hand, to maintain in a horizontal position the support arm (10), when the parasol according to the invention is deployed , there are provided elastic means (130), of the jack type, fixed on the one hand to the support arm (10) and on the other hand, to the box (20) by means of lugs (12, 22) of fixation. When deploying the parasol according to the invention, these elastic means (130) relax to a determined position corresponding to the horizontal position of the support arm (10). The box (20) of this second alternative embodiment comprises a volume (25) delimited by the 4 lateral surfaces of the box (20), the base (24) of the box (20) and a plate (23) fixed inside. of the box (20), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. This volume (25) can accommodate the accessories (not shown) of the parasol, which will be described later. This volume (25) also makes it possible to house rechargeable batteries (not shown) by means of solar collectors (not shown) arranged on the exterior surfaces of the box (20) and / or of the support arm (10). Advantageously, the base (24) is equipped with wheels (not shown) to facilitate the movement of the parasol according to the invention. FIG. 4 represents the parasol according to the second alternative embodiment in the folded position. As explained above, the folding method is different from the folding method of the first alternative embodiment. Here, the first step is substantially identical to the first step of the folding method of the first variant, corresponding to the retraction of the sheath (400, fig. 1) formed by the canvas (40, fig. 1) of the parasol, in the section (111) of the support arm (10). On the other hand, the second step differs in that the pivoting of the section (111) of the support arm (10) brings the latter against a lateral surface of the box (20). Figure 4 represents the parasol at the end of

  the second step of the folding process according to the second variant.

  Advantageously, the upper part (121) of the box comprises a lighting device (not shown) which operates only when the parasol is

in the folded position.

  Figures 5 and 6 show a side view of a third alternative embodiment of the autonomous umbrella respectively in the open position and in the folded position. This third variant shows more precisely the location of the accessories available on the parasol according to the invention and uses a device for deploying the fabric that is substantially different from the first two variants, but easily applicable by those skilled in the art to these first two variants. . The particularity of the parasol according to the invention is that it consists in particular of a box (20) comprising a plurality of accessories (50, 51, 52, 53) and of a support arm (10) intended to receive the canvas (40) of the parasol. The box (20) is for example of parallelepiped shape. The interior volume of the box (20) makes it possible to mount a certain number of accessories linked to the use of a parasol. In this third variant, the support arm (10) comprises, as for the first variant, two sections (211, 213). The second section (211) of the support arm (10) of the third variant and the mounting thereof on the second section (213) are substantially identical to the second section (11, fig. 1) and to the mounting of the two sections (11, 13) of the first variant. The first section (213) of the support arm (10) is pivotally mounted on an upper part (221) of the box (20). The assembly of the first section (213) and the upper part (221) of the box is identical to the mounting of the section (111, fig. 1) of the support arm (10, fig. 1) and the upper part ( 21, Fig. 1) of the box (20) described for the second variant. The device (not shown) for deploying the fabric (40) allows the deployment of the fabric by means of the rotation of the whales, supporting said fabric (40), 360 in the horizontal plane. To this end, the first ends of the whales are mounted radially on a ring whose axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the ground, and comprising, for example, a groove in which the first ends of the whales slide. The parasol folding method for this third variant comprises a first step in which the fabric (40) is folded by rotation of the ribs in the horizontal plane. The fabric then forms a sheath parallel to the second section (211) of the support arm (10). The retraction of the sheath in the second section (211) is effected by translation along the vertical axis of the ring carrying the ribs. In the second step, the first section (213) of the support arm (10) pivots anti-clockwise, until its longitudinal axis coincides with the vertical axis. In a third step, the second section (211) pivots clockwise, until its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first section (213). This pivoting movement is substantially identical to the pivoting of the second section (11, fig. 1) in the second step of the folding process of the first variant. In a fourth step, the assembly formed by the first and second sections (211, 213) and the upper part (221) of the box (20) slides by a translational movement in the interior volume of the box (20). FIG. 6 represents the parasol according to the invention at the end of the fourth step of the folding process. In this configuration, a lighting device (not shown) located in the upper part of the

  standalone parasol allows it to be used as an illuminating bollard.

  All of the characteristics described for the first two variants are easily applicable by those skilled in the art to this third variant. In particular, the characteristic corresponding to the motorization, by it 2778194 of the actuator systems, of the deployment and folding of the fabric (40) and / or

  of the support arm (10) can be applied to the third variant.

  The box (20) and the support arm (10) also include solar collectors, of photovoltaic type, intended to supply, by means of a charging circuit, rechargeable batteries (not shown) housed in the box (20 ). These batteries are intended to power at least one accessory (51, 52, 53) of the parasol according to the invention. The accessories (50, 51, 52, 53) housed in the volume of the box (20) include, for example, a water reserve accessible by a fountain (51) 0o mounted on a side face of the box. This reserve can be supplied via an orifice (not shown). The box can also include a device (not shown) for cooling water supplied by the batteries and associated with the water reserve so that the water distributed by the fountain (51) is always fresh or cold. Another accessory consists of a telephone socket (53) and its associated antenna (55) mounted on a side face of the box. Various other accessories can also easily be housed in the box (20) or mounted on the parasol. By way of nonlimiting example, these accessories consist, for example, of a mini-bar, and / or an adjustable fan powered by the batteries, a cup dispenser located for example near the fountain (51) and / or an intercom. (52), or

  any other accessory that can be used with a parasol.

  Advantageously, at least two wheels (50) are mounted in the lower part of the box (20) in order to facilitate the transport of the parasol according to the invention. These wheels (50) can be retractable or fitted with brakes to stabilize the parasol even on inclined ground. The manipulation of the parasol is also facilitated by a U-shaped bar (56) mounted on a lateral face of the

  box (20) perpendicular to the axis of movement of the wheels (50).

  All of these accessories (51, 52, 53, 55, 56) can be easily adapted by the skilled person to the first two embodiments of the

Beach umbrella.

  Advantageously, for the three alternative embodiments of the parasol according to the invention, the maneuver for deploying or folding the parasol is triggered by an anemometer (57) and / or a photoelectric cell (not

  shown) located on the support arm (10) and / or on the box (20).

  The anemometer (57) is connected, for example to a control circuit controlling motorization devices allowing deployment or folding of the parasol, and / or an alarm. When the anemometer (57) measures a wind speed which is respectively greater than a determined threshold, the control circuit automatically triggers the parasol folding devices and / or the alarm respectively automatically triggers the parasol deployment devices. The photoelectric cell is connected, for example to a control circuit controlling motorization devices

  allowing deployment or folding of the parasol, and / or an alarm.

  When the photocell has a light intensity respectively greater than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit automatically triggers the parasol folding devices and / or the alarm respectively automatically triggers the parasol

deployment of the parasol.

  It is understood that the parasol according to the invention has many functions related to the possible installation of various accessories in the box (20). In addition, the folding method makes it possible to obtain a very compact parasol which is easy to move in the folded position. It is clear that other modifications within the reach of those skilled in the art fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

  1. Autonomous parasol characterized in that it comprises a support arm (10) consisting of at least one section (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) of determined shape, a section (11, 111, 211) being intended to receive the canvas of the parasol, when the latter is in the folded position, the section or sections (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) of the support arm (10) being pivotally mounted between them and / or on a box (20 ) by means of mounting means (31, 32), so that, when the parasol is in the folded position, the section or sections (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) of the support arm (10) pivot to to be housed in or on one side side of the box (20).   2. autonomous parasol according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting movements of the section or sections (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) of the support arm (10) are limited by elastic means (30, 130) and / or blocking means (33).   3. autonomous parasol according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fabric (40) of the parasol is mounted on a whalebone device (42) mounted on a shaft (41) pivotally mounted by means of articulation means (412) on the free end of a section (11, 111) of the support arm, so that, when the parasol is in the folded position, the axis (41) is retracted into the   section (11, 111) of the support arm (10).   4. Autonomous parasol according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fabric (40) is mounted on a whalebone device located at the free end of a section (211) of the support arm (10), the device whales comprises deployment means allowing the deployment of the canvas (40) of the parasol by rotation of the whales 360 in the horizontal plane, the whale device   can be retracted by translation in the section (211) of the support arm.   5. Autonomous parasol according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for deploying the whalebone device comprise a ring whose axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and comprising a groove in which are mounted radially and   sliding the first ends of the whales.   6. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the shape of each section (11, 13, 111, 211, 213) is a profile whose cross section is concave, the shape of the section   transversely preferably being a U or a semicircle or a semi Qctqgone.   7. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the elastic means (30, 130) of the support arm o comprise at least one jack fixed on the one hand to the support arm (10) and on the other hand to the box (30), so that in the unfolded position , The longitudinal axis of the support arm (10) forms an angle of 90 with the axis longitudinal of the box (20).   8. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 7,   1is characterized in that the support arm (10) and / or the box (20) comprise solar collectors intended to recharge the batteries housed in the box (20).   9. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that the box (20) comprises a volume (25) intended to   receive at least one accessory (51, 52, 53, 55).   10. Autonomous parasol according to claim 9, characterized in that the accessory (s) (51, 52, 53, 55) housed in the box comprise a water reserve and / or a device for cooling the water supplied, by batteries and / or an ice cube maker and / or a fan powered by the batteries and / or a telephone socket (53) and an antenna (52) and / or a bar and / or a cup dispenser and / or an Intercom (52).   11. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 10,   characterized in that the deployment of the support arm (10) and / or of the fabric   (40) of the parasol is provided by a motorized device. 2778194   12. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 11,   characterized in that the deployment and / or folding of the parasol is controlled by a photoelectric cell and / or an anemometer located on the support arm (10) and / or the box (20), and connected to a control circuit   s devices for deploying and folding the parasol and / or an alarm.   13. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims 1 to 12,   characterized in that, when the parasol is in the folded position, a lighting device powered by batteries and located in the upper part of the box provides light.   14. Autonomous parasol according to one of claims I to 13,   characterized in that the box (20) comprises in its lower part the   minus 2 wheels (50) intended for the transport of the parasol.