FR2800411A1 - Ballast for tents or garden arbors comprises mold filled with material which has cavity enabling it to be placed around arbor and boss on upper surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The ballast comprises a hollow mold able to be filled with material. The ballast comprises a cavity extending from its peripheral surface to beyond its center emerging in the upper and lower faces so as to enable the ballast to be placed around the arbor. A boss (61) on the upper surface has slightly smaller dimensions than those of the reserve (63) located on the lower face so as to allow stacking of several ballasts.

Description

<U> LEST OF TENTHOUSE FOOT, AND MOLD FOR </ U> <U> MANUFACTURING OF SUCH A LEST </ U> <U> Technical Field </ U> The invention relates to the sector of outdoor furniture. It is more particularly an accessory for equipping tents or arbors gardens. More specifically, it relates to weights suitable for being associated with the feet of such an arbor to ensure stability. It also relates to a mold for manufacturing such a ballast.

<U> Anterior Techniques </ U> Garden tents are generally made of a metal structure, most often having four feet resting on the ground, and an upper frame on which a canvas is stretched. Usually, the canvas extends to the ground to cover and hide the metal feet, for aesthetic purposes.

Such structures have a large surface area in the wind. To ensure their stability, it is necessary to anchor the feet in the ground, or at least to strongly ballast them, or to prevent their movement.

It has already been proposed to secure on the base of the feet of an arbor weighing devices intended to weigh down the base of the arbor, and thus stabilize it.

An example of such a device is described in the document FR 2 764 925. The device described in this document consists of the assembly of two containers joined together to trap the base of a foot arbor. These containers are able to receive water, which weighs down the foot of the arbor.

Such devices nevertheless have multiple disadvantages.

Indeed, to obtain a sufficient ballast, it is necessary that the weight of such a device is relatively important. Filling with water, whose density is significantly lower than that of concrete, requires that the device has a relatively large volume, which is cumbersome and unsightly. Thus, maintaining a reasonable level of space is detrimental to the stability of the arbor. Moreover, the size of such devices is penalizing for storage by the manufacturer as well as for transportation.

In addition, it has a number of disadvantages following their assembly at the foot of the tent.

Indeed, such devices are firmly secured to the foot of the tent, resulting that the extensions of the tent that are attached to the base of the foot are folded or deteriorated.

In addition, in case of heavy wind, the zone of junction between the ballast device and the foot of the tent, constitutes a point of weakness and a particularly exposed rupture zone.

Finally, because of their plastic constitution, such devices are relatively sensitive to aging. The use of resistant plastics, as well as the manufacturing costs induced by complex shapes, make the cost price of such a ballast relatively high, and therefore not very competitive.

The invention therefore aims to provide a tent foot weight, which is easy to manufacture, and therefore a minimal cost while being easy to transport, and relatively heavy in eliminating the various disadvantages mentioned above. The invention therefore relates to a weight of a tent which is characterized in that it is formed of a concrete block or mortar or equivalent, having an opening s' extending from the periphery of the block to beyond the center of this block.

This opening has a constant horizontal section whose width is increasing from the center to the periphery of the block. The width of the opening is greater than the diameter of the foot of the arbor, so as to allow the establishment of the block by sliding around the foot of the arbor.

In this way, the foot of the arbor remains free, and does not come into direct contact with the block, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages concerning the extensions of the fabric extending along the feet.

The use of concrete, mortar or the like makes it possible to obtain a large weight for a reduced volume, and therefore an effective ballasting with a small space requirement.

Such ballast can be obtained by means of a mold which comprises <B> 1 </ B> a core extending from the center to the periphery of the mold, said core having a constant horizontal section whose width is growing from the center to the periphery of the mold; <B> 1 </ B> a peripheral wall, consisting of a flexible band whose ends come into contact with the core.

Thus, the ballast can be manufactured by the end user, who assembles the mold from separate elements. Such a mold is very compact, and storage is therefore easier, compared to the devices of the prior art.

The geometry of the core used, thanks to its section of increasing width forms a body which allows the easy release of the ballast by extraction of the core. Advantageously in practice, the peripheral wall of the mold adopts a cylindrical shape, which it adopts automatically when the ends of the flexible strip are hooked or secured to the core of the mold.

Nevertheless, the invention also covers other variants in which the peripheral wall matches a different shape, polygonal for example. In this case, the flexible strip may comprise folds previously made, facilitating the shaping of the wall. Advantageously in practice, the mold further comprises a piece forming a counter-profile, releasably secured to the core so as to pinch the ends of the sheet against the core.

In this way, it ensures a blocking of the sheet by allowing it to withstand the forces exerted by the concrete when poured into the mold. This prevents the sheet from moving away from the core and concrete comes to interfere between the sheet and the peripheral zone of the core, which would hinder demolding.

In the case where the peripheral wall is of cylindrical shape, the zones facing the core and the counter-profile have a cylindrical profile, of radius of curvature equal to that of the peripheral wall.

In this way, the counter-profile makes it possible to fix the orientation of the sheet so that it does not deviate from the general cylindrical profile of the ballast.

Advantageously in practice, the core comprises a semicylindrical portion, two slightly divergent planes, each of the planes being connected to one end of the hemicylindrical portion.

In other words, the semicylindrical portion, located around the center of the block has a diameter slightly greater than that of the foot that the corresponding notch is intended to accommodate.

The inclination between the two planes of the core is determined to form a draft angle facilitating the demolding of the core.

Advantageously in practice, to reduce the weight of the mold, the core may be hollow, such as an extruded section of plastic.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the mold may further comprise a base having a peripheral flange for holding a side of the sheet forming the peripheral wall. Indeed, it has been found that the presence of a bottom mold is not necessary, and that it is sufficient to arrange the mold on a flat surface on which the concrete does not adhere to allow easy demolding.

However, in the case where it is desired to perform the molding on a floor capable of adhering to the concrete, it is useful to complete the mold with a base which forms the bottom.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the base of the mold may have in its center a raised zone, intended to form a reserve in the ballast.

Thus, the weights obtained with this mold, or more generally the weights with a reserve on their underside, can accommodate a bower base which has an enlarged base, intended to spread over a larger area the weight of the arbor.

When this base is embedded in the ballast, the foot of the arbor can not escape from the notch since it is held up by the reserve.

In a particular embodiment, the relief zone of the mold, and therefore the reserve of the ballast, are cylindrical.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the base of the mold may comprise a second area in relief, disposed above the first area in relief. This second relief zone is intended to form a second reserve at the bottom of the first ballast reserve.

Advantageously in practice, the second zone in relief is frustoconical.

In this way, the ballast may be placed on the feet having manifolds of various shapes, such as in particular the bases consisting of a disc resting on the ground; and a cylinder inside which penetrates the tube of the foot.

The second reserve ballast allows to cash the extra thickness formed by the cylinder in which the foot is enclosed. Thanks to the frustoconical shape, the ballast can also be adapted to feet whose base has connecting ribs connecting the disk and the press cylinder.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ballast may comprise a boss centered on its upper face, this boss being of dimension slightly smaller than that of the reserve located on the lower face.

With this arrangement, it is possible to stack several weights on each other to ensure even more effective blocking of the foot of the arbor. Advantageously, these feet are stacked by being oriented so that their openings are angularly offset, which prevents any unexpected exit of the foot.

To obtain such ballast, use is made of a mold according to the invention, which comprises a cover having in its center a rim defining a relief zone of dimensions slightly smaller than those of the raised area of the base of the mold, this rim therefore being intended to form the lateral contour of the boss of the top of the ballast.

Advantageously in practice, such a flange may have a recess for receiving the upper part of the core. The mold according to the invention can also be preserved after pouring the concrete and serve as a lost mold.

<U> Brief description of the figures </ U> The manner of carrying out the invention, as well as the advantages which result therefrom, will emerge from the description of the embodiments which follow, in support of the appended figures in which FIG. 1 is a summary perspective view of a ballast made according to a first variant.

Figure 2 is a top view of the ballast of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in median section of the ballast of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a brief perspective view of the mold used for manufacturing the ballast of FIG.

Figure 5 is a top view of the mold of Figure 4.

FIG. 6 is a view in median section of the mold of FIG. 4.

Figure 7 is a view in median section of a ballast made according to a second embodiment.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the ballast of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ballast of Figure 7 mounted on an arbor base.

Fig. 10 is a brief perspective view of the mold used in the manufacture of the ballast of Fig. 7, in which the peripheral wall is not shown.

FIG. 11 is a view in median section of the mold of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a view from above of the mold of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view in median section of a ballast made according to a third variant.

FIG. 14 is a brief perspective view of the mold cover used to make the weight of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a view in median section of a stack of two weights according to FIG. 13, mounted on an arbor base.

<U> Ways of Carrying Out the Invention </ U> <U> First Way of Carrying Out the Invention </ U> Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a first alternative embodiment. In this case, the ballast (1) consists of a concrete block of generally cylindrical shape. This block comprises a notch (2) or an opening (2) extending from its cylindrical periphery (3) to beyond the center (4) of the cylinder.

The bottom (5) of the indentation (2) has a hemicylindrical profile whose axis corresponds to the general axis (4) of the block cylinder.

The width of the notch (2) is slightly greater than the diameter of the tubes generally used to form the arbor feet. By way of non-limiting example, the diameter of the bottom of the notch may be of the order of 35 millimeters, which allows to adapt to the usual diameter of tent feet which are generally of the order of 19, 25 or 32 millimeters.

The hemicylindrical bottom (5) of the notch (2) is connected to the periphery of the block (3) by two plane walls (6, 7) forming between them a slight draft angle, useful during the demolding operation.

More specifically, such ballast can be obtained by using the mold (10) according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6. Such a mold (10) consists essentially of a core (12) and a flexible sheet (14) forming the peripheral wall of the mold.

More specifically, the core (12) matches a shape complementary to that of the notch (2) described above. This core (12) thus comprises a semicylindrical portion (15) and two side walls (16, 17) slightly divergent to form a draft angle and facilitate the extraction of the core when the concrete has taken.

This core (12) has a constant section over its entire height, which facilitates the manufacture.

Indeed, such a core may be constituted by multiple materials, such as wood, or even expanded polystyrene. According to one embodiment, it may also be hollow and consist of an extruded section of plastic.

The zone (13) of the core (12) situated at the periphery of the mold advantageously has a cylindrical profile forming part of the generally cylindrical shape of the ballast, and therefore of the same radius of curvature.

Indeed, the peripheral wall of the mold consists of a strip of plastic material (14), typically polyethylene or polypropylene, with a thickness close to 1 millimeter. This flexible band (14) has a length corresponding to the ballast circumference. As illustrated in Figure 4, this strip (14) is secured to the core (12) by these two ends (18, 19).

Advantageously, the mold includes an additional piece (20) forming a counter-profile, and intended to press the ends (18, 19) of the flexible strip (14) on the peripheral zone (13) of the core (12).

The geometry of the counter-profile (20) is completed to ensure as effective a plating and pinching as possible of the ends (18, 19) of the flexible strip (12).

This is why the zone (21) of the counter-profile (20) facing the core (12) has a radius of curvature equal to that of the general cylinder.

This counter-profile (20) is secured to the core (12) by any appropriate means, including screwing.

In non-illustrated embodiments, it is possible to provide, on the surfaces (21, 13) opposite the core and against the profile, raised members intended to ensure an even more effective attachment of the ends of the flexible strip. .

In non-illustrated embodiments, the flexible strip may adopt a shape different from the cylindrical shape, and may for example form a polygon whose sides may be defined by pre-folded areas inscribed on the sheet.

<U> Second Way of Carrying Out the Invention </ U> FIGS. 7 to 12 relate to a second embodiment of the invention in which the ballast (25) has in the lower part one or more reserves (26, 27). ) intended to form a volume in which can be integrated the lower part of the foot of the arbor. More precisely, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the ballast (25) produced according to this variant, at the top, takes up the geometry of the ballast illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes at the bottom part two coaxial reserves (26, 27). superimposed.

The lower face of the ballast (25) comprises a first reserve (26) with a cylindrical profile and a depth of the order of one centimeter.

This reserve (26) is intended to receive, as shown in Figure 9, the base of a foot (30) arbor.

Indeed, the arbor feet are generally equipped with bases (30) consisting of a hollow cylinder (31) inside which is embedded the tube (32) forming the actual foot. This cylinder (31) is associated with a disc (33) of larger diameter, to distribute the weight of the arbor over a larger area, and prevent the foot exerts too much pressure on the ground and not it sinks in.

Thus, the first reserve (26) provided under the bottom of the ballast allows to receive the disk (33) of such a base (30).

In the case, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the base (30) also comprises a plurality of triangular ribs (34) connecting the disk (33) of the base (30) to the cylinder (31). proves advantageous that the ballast comprises a second reserve (27), of frustoconical shape, intended to accommodate the triangular ribs (34).

Obviously, the depth, the width, and even the shape of these reserves may be different from those illustrated in the figures, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Such ballast can be obtained by the use of a mold (40) as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, which essentially comprises a peripheral sheet (41), not shown in FIG. 10, a core (42) and a base (43).

In a preferred form, the core (42) and the base (43) form a one-piece molded or rotomolded plastic part. The base (43) of the mold has two raised zones (44, 45) superimposed to form the reserves (26, 27) in the bottom of the ballast.

The first raised zone (44) is of cylindrical shape, and receives on its upper face (46) a second raised zone (45) of frustoconical shape. As already said, the shapes and dimensions can be adapted to the geometry of the desired reserves.

According to another characteristic of the invention, this base (43) of the mold comprises at the periphery a flange (48) of low height, intended to maintain the flexible band (41) forming the peripheral wall of the mold. More specifically, the sheet (41) rests within a groove (49) formed by the outer peripheral rim (48) and a circular rib (50) located within the peripheral rim (48).

Advantageously in practice, the groove (49) has a width equal to the thickness of the flexible band (41) used to form the peripheral wall.

The outer rim (48) is positioned such that when the sheet (41) is in place in the groove (49), it contacts the outer zone (51) of the core (42) to prevent the passage of any liquid material during molding.

The mold illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12 also includes a counter-profile (53) for gripping the ends of the flexible strip (42) on the core. <U> Third Way of Carrying Out the Invention </ U> Figure 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the weights (60) manufactured are stackable to provide better stability of the arbor.

More precisely, and as illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper face (61) of the ballast comprises a raised zone (62), of cylindrical shape, and of smaller dimensions than the reserve (63) formed on the underside of the ballast ( 60).

In this way, during stacking as shown in Figure 15, the boss (62a) of the lower ballast (60a) is embedded in the reserve (63b) of the upper ballast (60b). In this way, the possibility of stacking weights and increasing the weight of ballast, and thus the stability of the arbor, is obtained. This stability is further increased by the possibility of angularly shifting the openings (64a, 64b) superimposed weights (60a, 60b) to prohibit any unexpected exit of the foot (66) to the outside of the weights.

The relative rotation of two superimposed weights (60a, 60b) is easily obtained using cylindrical resistances and bosses, but can also be achieved by using non-cylindrical bosses and resistances, but having a central symmetry .

Such ballast can be obtained by using a mold consisting of a mold identical to that of FIG. 10, to which is added the cover (70) illustrated in FIG. 14, which has a circular general geometry comprising an internal rim (71). cylindrical height corresponding to that of the boss (62).

Such a cover (70) is cut, and has a recess (74), to allow the passage of the core (42) when the cover (70) is placed on the peripheral wall (41) of the mold. The concrete is then poured through the opening (73) formed by the inside of the cylindrical flange (71) to the upper level of this rim (71).

It follows from the foregoing that the mold according to the invention has many advantages and in particular <B> 1 </ B> a weight / volume ratio higher than the devices of the prior art using water as fluid of the invention. filling; <B> 1 </ B> the absence of stresses exerted on the extensions of the fabric extending along the feet, which prevents the appearance of unsightly folds, or even the degradation of the fabric; <B> 1 </ B> a slight freedom of movement of the foot inside the ballast, which avoids forming a rupture zone by a rigid mechanical association; the possibility of using a single mold for the manufacture of a plurality of feet; <B> 1 </ B> a smaller footprint for the mold, which allows storage of a larger number of units on the same area; <B> 1 </ B> increased stability of the arbor thanks to the possibility of stacking the different weights on top of each other with a locking capacity; <B> 1 </ B> adaptation to many types of feet, including feet with a certain inclination to the vertical; <B> 1 </ B> very good resistance to weather and solar radiation; * a particularly low manufacturing cost.

Claims (1)

 1 / mold (10) for the manufacture of a ballast for tent or arbor, characterized by </ u> </ u> consisting of <b> 1 </ b> a core (12) s extending from the center to the periphery of the mold, said core (12) having a constant horizontal section whose width is increasing from the center to the periphery of the mold; <B> 1 </ B> a peripheral wall, consisting of a flexible band (14) whose ends (18, 19) come into contact with the core (12). 2 / mold according to claim 1, <U> characterized </ U> in that the peripheral wall matches a cylindrical shape. 3 / mold according to claim 1, <U> characterized </ U> in that it further comprises a piece (20) forming a counter-profile, releasably secured to the core (12) so as to pinch the ends ( 18, 19) of the strip (14) against the core (12). 4 / mold according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the zones (13, 21) facing the core (12) and against the profile (20) have a cylindrical profile, radius of curvature equal to that of the peripheral wall (14). 5 / mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the core comprises a semicylindrical portion (15), two planes (16, 17) slightly divergent, each of the planes being connected to one end of the semicylindrical portion (15). The mold (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a base (43) having a peripheral rim (48) for holding a side of the flexible sheet (42). ) forming the peripheral wall. 7 / mold (40) according to claim 6, characterized in that the base (43) has in its center a raised area (44), intended to form a reserve (26) in the ballast . 8 / mold (40) according to claim 7, characterized in that the raised area (44) is cylindrical. 9 / mold (40) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a second area (11) in relief (45), disposed above the first area in relief (44), and intended to form a second reserve (27) at the bottom of the first reserve (26) of the ballast. 10 / mold (40) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second area in relief (27) is frustoconical. 11I mold according to claim 7, <U> characterized </ U> in that it comprises a mold cover having in its center a flange (71) defining a raised area of dimensions slightly smaller than those of the area in relief (44) to form a boss (62) on the top of the ballast (60). 12I mold according to claim 11, characterized in that the cover (70) has a recess (74) for receiving the upper part of the core (42). 13 / mold according to one of claims 1 to 12, <U> characterized </ U> in that the core (42) is hollow. 14I Lest (1) for a tent or arbor, <U> characterized </ U> in that it is formed of a block of concrete or mortar, having an opening (2) extending from the periphery (3) of the block to beyond the center (4) of the block, said opening (2) having a constant horizontal section whose width is increasing from the center (4) to the periphery (3) of the block. <B> 151 </ B> Ball (25) according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a centered reserve (26) on its lower face. 16I ball (60) according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a boss (62) centered on its upper face (61), said boss (62) being of dimensions slightly smaller than those of the reserve (63) located on the lower face of the ballast.