FR2784405A1 - Frame profile for pool cover has central profile with cable which can be tensioned to erect frame - Google Patents

Abstract

The frame profile for a pool cover has multiple tubes connected together and tensioned into a rigid structure by a central cable running through them. The central profile can have a longitudinal hole which receives the cable in its lower section prior to tensioning of the cable.

Description

Multi-tubular support profile, curved 6,
with lateral grooves, for fixed or mobile structures
The present invention provides technological advances in the production of light, fixed or discoverable structures of all spans, intended to cover any surface which, due to its vocation, must adapt to the season or the ambient climatology.
(swimming pool, tennis, restaurant, party room etc ...).

In the case of discoverable structures, concentric modules fit one under the other to instantly leave the fiber air a previously covered space.

The main food constituting these mobile (or fixed) modules is a curved aluminum profile in the form of a hoop or half-hoop which constitutes the supporting frame of the structure.

 The technological advances generated by the present invention relate to this profile.

We know from documents FR 2 599 118-AI, FR 2 627 530-A1 and EP 0 633 370 A1 various types of profits called upon to fulfill this function and each of which constitutes a technological evolution of the previous one.

In fact the document FR 2 599 118-A I presents a profile studied with a view to the production of light structures. It is tubular, round on the outside and has a rectangular core. It is provided outside. on its four quarters of the sector, grooves of less resistance allowing thus to release the four zones of insertion of the filling panels. Although already fulfilling the main functions sought by this type of profit. its design and shape are totally different from later products.

Document FR 2 627 530-AI discloses a simple profile with a central support hollow body and tubular of rectangular shape. This hollow body is surrounded on its lateral faces by symmetrical fins making it possible to receive the cover plates. But this simple central hollow body presents risks of twisting as soon as the range increases.

Document EP 0 633 370-A1 also shows an evolution of the preceding profit
The central hollow body is replaced by a massive body in the form of an inverted fork. framed by two lateral hollow bodies which serve in part as constituent elements of the upper and lower grooves for inserting the closure panels.

These two lateral hollow bodies provide increased resistance to twisting.

But with this method, it is necessary to pierce the central wall as well as the side walls of the hollow bodies in order to pass the struts for joining the arches and bracing the structure. This drilling operation, in addition to weakening the carrying bar, has the following two disadvantages:
Any change or addition of a spacer requires total disassembly of the structure.

A hole made slightly too low in the hollow bodies, starts the wall of the bottom of the fork and the fixing screw of the spacer can no longer fulfill its blocking role
The aim which the applicant has set for this invention is to provide a profit incorporating certain characteristics of the profiles described in the above documents and in particular EP 0 633 370-A1, in that it consists of a carrier body framed by two hollow bodies and two sets of symmetrical fins intended to receive the inter-arch filling panels, but providing certain essential improvements compared to the documents cited above.

According to the invention, the central carrying body (1) can take two forms:
-Full, but with one or more longitudinal holes (Fig 1 & Fig Ibis)
-Tubular rectangular shape (Fig 2)
In both cases, the longitudinal holes or the rectangular cage serve as a reservation for the passage of one or more steel cables.

These steel cables, once put in tension in the core of the aluminum profile, create a post-stressed composite beam with mechanical characteristics without common measurements compared to a simple profile of the same section or the same inertia.

 -In the case of the central solid body, the cable passing through the "inside" hole of the profile is used to compensate for the traction forces towards the inside of the profile. (Fig I).

Likewise, the cable passing through the "outside" hole of the profile serves to compensate for the tensile forces towards the outside of the profile.

The combination of the two holes thus makes it possible to compensate BOTH the effects of traction towards the interior AND the exterior (Figlbis), but requires the use of two cables.

-In the case of the rectangular tubular central body (Fig 2), ONE single cable guided by spacers (10) inserted in the profile and making it perform a sinusoidal path corresponding to the traction zones, will advantageously replace the two previous cables
A person skilled in the art may, without departing from the scope of the invention, change the position or the number of cables in the case of FIGS. 1 & lbis, the sinusoid in the case of FIG. 2 as well as vary the forces. of tension applied to (x) cables.

Those skilled in the art may also, without departing from the scope of the invention, plan to insert cables into the lateral fins (8 & 8bis) (9 & 9bis) outside the central body (Fig3).

The very principle of creating a post-stressed (or pre-stressed) composite beam by adding cable (s) intended to be stretched (s) in the body of a curved profile or not, for the purpose increasing its resistance is obviously within the scope of this invention.

Still according to the invention, the central body, full or tubular, is surrounded by two hollow bodies. The applicant has already pointed out the drawbacks of piercing these hollow bodies, as well as the central body, to pass the bracing struts (Doc EP 0 633 370-Al)
In order to overcome these drawbacks, the two lateral hollow bodies (2 & 2bis) adjacent to the central body are provided on their outer face with a groove (3 & 3bis) intended to receive sliding inserts (FigS). Each insert is composed of a part sliding in the groove and a tubular appendage (12) allowing union with the corresponding spacer (13).

A needle screw (I 1) allows each insert to be locked in place in the profile groove
A simple through bolt (14) ensures a perfect insert-spacer connection.

Each spacer can therefore be made mobile all along the lateral grooves 3 and 3bis by simply unscrewing the needle screw. To add, after assembly, one or more spacers, it suffices to add the number of inserts required by the biai of a recess at the foot of each hoop and to reposition the spacers already in place.

To change a spacer (falling tree branch, etc.), just separate it from its two end inserts and replace it.

These two operations, extremely heavy in the case of spacers passing through the hollow bodies, are now instantaneous, thanks to the invention of the applicant.

Still according to the invention, the composition of the supporting arches in sub-elements assembled together brings innovation compared to existing products.

The hoops are preferably produced, in the other methods, by assembling two half-hoops. We know from documents FR 2 627 530-A1 and EP 0 633 370-A1 all the advantages of a semi-elliptical shape compared to a semi-circular shape:
Indeed this shape allows to release on the edges of the structure a useful height that is to say "habitable" much greater than that (the offered by a semicircular shape.

On the other hand, a semi-elGptic arch is formed by two radii of curvature. (RI & R2)
An arch is therefore constituted by the succession of (RI + R2) + (R2 + Rt) and therefore a half-arch by RI + R2. Anyone skilled in the art of bending knows that when the radius is changed, a crushing occurs in the profile.

The applicant, in the context of this invention, proposes to divide the arch into three minimum elements (RI + R2 + RI) (Fig 4) each element having only ONE SINGLE radius of curvature. The crushing problems are eliminated and the bending is simplified.

By extension of this aspect of the invention, the radius RI can be kept constant and only increase R2 (fig 4bis) depending on the range. This allows RI elements to be pre-manufactured for better productivity and shorter delivery times.

In conclusion, this profile presents THREE totally innovative aspects:
-The possibility of inserting one or more steel cables to increase the resistance.

 -Two lateral grooves allowing an easy and progressive union of the Arch / Spacer.

 - A composition of the hoop (R! Constant / R2 variabte / R! Constant) allowing easy bending and prefabrication of RI elements.

In addition, the profile has symmetrically on either side of the central body:
-Two grooves above the hollow bodies receiving the alveolar roofing plate. (4 & 4a)
-Two grooves below the hollow bodies for the liftable side plates. (5 & 5bis)
Above the central body and in the axis A-A ′ a groove (6) receives a seal intended to ensure sealing with the upper arch in the case of a mobile structure.

Below the central body and in the axis A-A 'a groove (7) receives the vertical closure panels of the bottom of the structure. In the case of intermediate arches, this groove is advantageously closed by a colored joint serving as a decorative element. (not shown)
Likewise, the lateral grooves receiving the "Profile / Spacer" union insert are provided between each spacer with a colored seal advantageously serving as a decorative element.

Claims (7)

 Claims 1) Bearing profile, multi-tubular, curved, with lateral grooves, for fixed or mobile structures, characterized in that the central body comprises at least one cable, intended to be put in tension in order to create a post-stressed composite beam with increased mechanical characteristics compared to a simple profile. 2) carrier profile according to claim l, characterized in that the central body has a longitudinal hole in its lower part intended to receive the cable subsequently tensioned. (figl) 3) carrier profile according to claim l, characterized in that the central body has two longitudinal holes, one in its lower part, one in its upper part, each intended to receive a cable subsequently tensioned and counterbalancing your pressures on the structure coming either from the outside or from the inside. (figlbis) 4) carrier profile according to claim 1, characterized in that the central body comprises a rectangular cage located on the vertical axis, intended to receive a cable subsequently laid  in tension following a sinusoidal curve obtained by means of inserts and making it possible to compensate for pressures coming either from the outside or from the inside. (fig2) 5) carrier profile according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper and lower lateral fins (8,8bis, 9,9bis) each have a longitudinal hole intended to each receive a cable subsequently tensioned. (fig3) 6) Profile according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has on either side of the lateral hollow bodies 2 and 2bis adjacent to the central body, two grooves 3 and 3bis (figl) intended to receive inserts sliding (fig 5) used to unite the supporting profits between them by means of bracing struts, without having to pierce the lateral hollow bodies and the central body and making it possible to replace or add spacers without dismantling the structure. 7) A method of manufacturing the carrier profile according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in dividing into 3 under hoops Rl / R2 / Rl the carrier profile curved into a basket handle along its length, Rl, R2 representing the radii of curvature of each of the parts, Rlaux two ends remaining constant whatever the range, R2 in the center varying as a function of it, which allows (fig4, 4bis)  a) to avoid crushing the profile during bending, at the change of radius,  b) pre-fabricate the sub-arches with radius R I, only the part with radius R2 in front  adapt to each project.