FR3069873B1 - EXTERIOR SHELTER STRUCTURE COMPRISING FLOOR FOLDING / UNFOLDING MECHANISM EASY TO IMPLEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an outer shelter structure (100) comprising: - a floor (10) comprising at least two movable panels (11, 12), said first panels, hinged together along a pivot axis (13); - a folding / unfolding mechanism (20) configured to allow the passage of an unfolded position (P1) in which the first two panels (11, 12) are substantially coplanar to a folded position (P2), and vice versa; and - a control member (30) of said folding / unfolding mechanism (20), wherein said folding / unfolding mechanism (20) comprises: - a lead screw (21) having a thread (21a) and extending into a direction (d1) perpendicular to that (d2) of the pivot axis (13); and a plurality of rigid concentric semicircles (22) of progressive diameters pivotally mounted on said pivot axis (13), and in which the actuation of the control member (30) triggers a rotation of the mother screw (21) on itself generating a successive meshing of each of the semicircles (22) in said thread (21a) so that said meshing causes the pivoting (R1) of said panels (11, 12) between them .

Description

EXTERIOR SHELTER STRUCTURE COMPRISING FLOOR UNFOLDING / UNFOLDING MECHANISM EASY TO IMPLEMENT

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of outdoor shelters including a floor. The object of the present invention is more particularly an outer shelter structure having a foldable floor and comprising a mechanism facilitating folding and / or unfolding duplicate to limit its size in order firstly to facilitate the storage and transport of the shelter, and secondly to facilitate the assembly / disassembly and installation of it.

For outdoor shelter, means throughout the present description which follows a lightweight construction of the type for furniture for outdoor use. Among the outer shelters in the sense of the present invention, shelters of the pergola type or those of the cabanon type.

Such a construction can serve for example for a garden.

Of course, such a construction can also be used for other external uses (often temporary) such as for example a use in the context of an event or a festival event: it can be for example a beach cottage or a cottage for a market or a fair (for example for a craft market or a Christmas market, etc.). Other uses may also be considered in the context of the present invention as the establishment of shelters during emergency situations of the type for example natural disasters.

Often, such shelters are made of wood or composite materials. Other alternative materials resistant to external conditions can however be used.

PRIOR ART The installation of a pergola in a garden is long and tedious.

The pergola is usually sold as a kit to assemble oneself.

The delivery of the kit is done on pallet. It is then necessary to have the appropriate equipment and the competent persons to correctly mount it.

This can be a constraint on the purchase of a pergola.

For use as a garden shelter, it is also preferable that it be in the abripendant the winter period. Ideally, it is necessary to move and store it in a suitable place, which requires space to store it.

Also known are external shelter structures with a foldable floor and articulating means for rapid folding / unfolding to facilitate transport (delivery preassembled shelter) and storage of the shelter.

Document WO 2012101351 thus discloses a shelter structure with a flexible floor including a folding / unfolding mechanism.

In this document, the mechanism consists of at least three members hinged at their upper end to the same high articulation element and each articulated at their lower end to a floor beam; these floor beams are articulated at their end end to the same low hinge element.

The shelter structure disclosed in this document thus provides a relatively large floor area while being able to be easily transported through the articulationswhich allow a relatively rapid deployment and retreat of the assembly.

The Applicant observes, however, that this mechanism is expensive and remains complex to implement.

The Applicant thus observes that the solutions proposed so far in the state of the art are not fully satisfactory for the user who wishes to have an abbreviate having a good floor area while being able to fold / unfold itself the shelter.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The object of the present invention is to improve the situation described above.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to overcome the various disadvantages mentioned above by providing an outdoor shelter whose structure comprises a floorpliable and easy means to implement for the folding / unfolding thereof. The object of the present invention thus relates to an outer shelter structure comprisingNotamment the following elements: - a so-called collapsible floor comprising two movable panels, said first panels, articulated together along a pivot axis; - A folding / unfolding mechanism configured to allow passage of a folded position in which the first two panels are substantially coplanar to a folded position (and vice versa); and - a control member of the folding / unfolding mechanism.

According to the present invention, the folding / unfolding mechanism comprises a lead screw having a thread and extending in a direction perpendicular to that of the pivot axis.

According to the present invention, the folding / unfolding mechanism further comprises a plurality of rigid concentric semi-circles of progressive diameters pivotally mounted on the pivot axis.

It will be understood here that the semicircles are sized to engage in the thread of the mother screw.

Advantageously, the actuation of the control member triggers a setting enrotation of the mother screw on itself generating a successive meshing of each of the semicircles in the thread of the lead screw.

This meshing then causes the panels to pivot together, thus causing the floor to fold / unfold.

Thus, thanks to the structure of the shelter proposed in the context of the present invention, ondispose a folding / unfolding mechanism that ensures the progressive folding / unfolding of the floorpermettant in folded position to limit the bulk of the structure (for example to facilitate transport or promote storage).

The Applicant further observes that this folding / unfolding mechanism has the advantage that it makes it possible to initiate pivoting between the first two floors to initiate the bending phase. Indeed, when the first two panels are coplanar, it is difficult in the state to fold them relative to each other given the weight of the panels (often wood or an equivalent material). The folding / unfolding mechanism makes it possible to facilitate the initiation of folding with this arrangement of concentric semi-circles of progressive diameters. It is thus sufficient for the user to actuate the control member to engage the rotation of the mother screw. During this rotation, the semi-circles successively engage in the thread of the lead screw, which will cause the pivoting of the first panels between them. The successive meshing of the semicircles in the mother wash net allows spacing or approximation of the pivot axis with the mother screw depending on the direction of rotation, which triggers the pivoting of the panels between them authorizing the folding / unfolding of the floor.

Advantageously, the shelter structure according to the present invention comprises at least one telescopic rod; Optionally, the telescopic rail has at least two respectivelyrespectively stationary and movable bodies which are mounted together in a slide connection which can authorize, during the folding / unfolding of the floor, a translational movement of the movable body in the fixed body.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lead screw is housed in the rail.

In this mode, the rail has over all or part of the length of its upper portioneune passageway dimensioned to allow the successive meshing of each semicircle in the thread of the lead screw.

Advantageously, the movable body of the rail, opposite the control member, is equipped on its lower part with a wheel. This wheel promotes the movement of the body mobilelors folding / unfolding the floor.

Advantageously, the floor comprises two fixed panels, said second panels, integrally mounted on the rail.

Advantageously, each of the second two panels is connected to one of the first two panels by a hinge allowing the pivoting of the first panels relative to the two panels when folding / unfolding the floor.

Preferably, the control member comprises a crank connected directly or indirectly to the mother screw and configured to allow when it is actuated the setting of the screw mother on itself.

In an advantageous embodiment, the mother screw has a hollow tube comprising on its internal surface a tapping. In this mode, the control member is connected to a threaded rod capable of cooperating with the tapping to cause the rotation of the parent screw itself.

We then have a mother screw, called telescopic.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the shelter structure according to the present invention is intended for a shelter of the pergola type.

In another advantageous variant embodiment, the shelter structure according to the present invention is intended for a shelter of the cabanon type.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its various functional andstructural aspects described above, provides uses a foldable outer shelter structurepresentant in folded position a reduced size promoting its transport and storageagoutout offering in unfolded position a good floor area.

Brief description of the appended figures Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3A-3B-3C attached, which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character and on which : Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a folding / unfolding mechanism of a shelter structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the rail and folding / unfolding mechanism of a shelter structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 3A-3B-3C each represent a schematic view showing the different phases of the folding of a shelter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment

A shelter structure according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment will now be described in the following with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3A-3B-3C.

For the record, one of the objectives of the present invention is to design an abbreviation comprising a foldable floor and folding / unfolding means easy to implement for the end user.

This is made possible in the following example.

In this example, there is thus a structure 100 for outdoor shelter 200 of typepergola.

The structure 100 of this shelter 200 has for this purpose a foldable floor 10.

In the example described here, the floor 10 more precisely comprises first panels 11 and 12 movable between them. It will be understood here that in FIG. 1, only a portion of the panels 11 and 12 is shown for the sake of clarity and readability of the figures.

Here, the panels 11 and 12 are interconnected by a pivot axis 13 playing the hinge function. It is therefore understood that the folding of the floor 10 is provided by the pivot RI of these first panels 11 and 12 between them.

More particularly, as can be seen in the accompanying figures, when the floor 10 is in unfolded position PI, the first two panels 11 and 12 are coplanar with each other; and when the floor 10 is in the folded position P2, the first two panels 11 and 12 pivot RI to be substantially substantially parallel to each other by vertically extending upwards.

In the example described here, the pivot axis 30 is in a rigid material and resistant to the mechanical stresses exerted by the panels 11 and 12 during the pivoting RI.

In this example, the floor 10 also comprises second panels 14 and 15.

These second panels 14 and 15 are fixed: they remain coplanar with each other to form a part of the floor on the ground.

In this example, the panels 11, 12, 14 and 15 are made of wood.

Of course, the skilled person may consider the use of other materials for the design of these panels: for example a composite material.

In this example, the second panels 14 and 15 are integrally attached to a rail 40 for example by means of fixing plates 18 provided for this purpose.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first panels 11 and 12 respectively are mechanically connected to the second panels 14 and 15 respectively by other pivot axes 16 and 17 acting as hinges.

In terms of kinematics, it is understood here that, during the folding of the floor 10, the pivoting RI of the first panels 11 and 12 between them causes the pivoting R2 of these -cipar relative to the second panels 14 and 15 through the hinges 16 and 17.

As recalled above, the object of the present invention is to simplify for the user U the folding / unfolding phases.

There is therefore provided a folding / unfolding mechanism which is characteristic of the present invention.

Conventionally, this mechanism 20 is provided to allow easy passage of the unfolded position PI to the folded position P2 (and vice versa). It will be noted here that it is during duplication / unfolding that the panels 11, 12, 14 and 15 will pivot between them as explained above. The originality of the mechanism 20 designed in the context of the present invention resides in the structure thereof; it comprises: a mother screw 21 having a thread 21a and extending in a direction perpendicular to that of the pivot axis 13; and a plurality of rigid concentric semi-circles 22 of progressive diameters pivotally mounted on the pivot axis 13 (see FIG. 1).

Preferably, the semicircles 22 are made of steel or equivalent.

In this example, the user U grasps the crank 31 of the control member 30.

The rotation of this crank 31 extended by a rod 31a whose end is provided with a universal joint (not shown here) connected directly or indirectly to the mother rod 21 in turn allows the rotation thereof.

In the example described here, it is therefore clear from reading FIGS. 1 and 2 that the operation of the crank 31 triggers a rotation of the mother screw 21 on itself, generating a successive meshing of each of the semicircles 22. in the net 21a.

This successive meshing then causes the pivoting RI panels 11 and 12 between them allowing the folding / unfolding of the floor 10.

In other words, the rotation of the mother screw 21 on itself causes the gravitational pivoting half-circles 22 which successively mesh in the net 21a. The semicircles 22 once engaged in the thread 21 will deviate or move the pivot axis of the mother screw 21 to allow either folding to reach the folded position P2 (spread) or unfolding to reach the unfolded position PI ( reconciliation).

During folding, it is therefore the half-circle 22 of larger diameter which ends the race and allows to deviate as far as possible the mother screw 21 of the pivot axis 13 thus ensuring the folding of the first panels 11 and 12 between them.

Conversely, during unfolding, the pivot axis 13 arrives closest to the mother screw 21 so that the first two panels 11 and 12 are substantially coplanar.

To ensure the meshing of the semicircles 22 in the thread 21a of the mother screw 21, it is expected that the rail 40 has over all or part of the length of its upper portion a passage opening 43. It is understood here that this opening 43 is dimensioned to allow the passage of semicircles 22.

In the example described here, the rail 40 is telescopic and has two bodies 41 and 42, respectively fixed and movable, mounted together in a sliding connection adapted to allow, during folding / unfolding of the floor 10, a translational movement T of the body mobile 42 in the bodyfixe 41. This telescopic rail 40 therefore follows the kinematics associated with the folding / unfolding of the floor10.

In this example, it is also expected that the movable body 42 of the rail 40, opposed to the control member 30, is equipped at its bottom with a set of at least one wheel (not shown here) to promote the movement of the rail 40 on the ground when folding / unfolding.

In the example described here, the mother screw 21 is in the form of a hollow tube 23comprising on its inner surface a tapping (not shown here).

In this example, the control member 30 is connected to a threaded rod 24 housed at least partially in the tube 23 and adapted to cooperate with the tapping to cause the rotation of the mother screw 21 on itself.

Thus, the present invention provides users U a shelter structure 100 allowing a folding / unfolding easy to implement, reliable and robust over time through an innovative mechanism.

A pergola shelter 200 comprising a structure 100 as proposed in the context of the present invention with a collapsible floor 10 and a folding / unfolding mechanism 20 is particularly convenient and easy to implement.

Such a collapsible structure 100 makes it possible to deliver the prefabricated shelter 200 and to fold it when it is no longer useful to reduce its size and facilitate storage.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but in no case this description has any limitation to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims that follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs in parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting in nature; these signs are for the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the claims that follow as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (3)

1. Outdoor shelter structure (100) comprising: - a foldable floor (10) comprising at least two movable panels (11, 12), said first panels, articulated together along a pivot axis (13); - a folding / unfolding mechanism (20) configured to allow the passage of an unfolded position (PI) in which the first two panels (11, 12) are substantially coplanar to a folded position (P2), and vice versa; and - a control member (30) of said folding / unfolding mechanism (20), wherein said folding / unfolding mechanism (20) comprises: - a lead screw (21) having a thread (21a) and extending into a direction perpendicular to that of pivotal axis (13); and a plurality of rigid concentric semicircles (22) of progressive diameters pivotally mounted on said pivot axis (13), in which the actuation of the control member (30) triggers an introduction of the lead screw (21). on itself generating a successive meshing of each of the semicircles (22) in said net (21a) so that said meshing causes the pivoting (RI) of said first panels (11, 12) between them. 2. shelter structure (100) according to claim 1, which comprises at least one telescopic rail (40) having at least two bodies (41, 42) respectively fixed and mobilemontés them together in a slide connection adapted to allow, during folding / Unfolding dupliquer (10), a translational displacement (T) of the movable body (42) in the fixed body (41). 3. shelter structure (100) according to claim 2, wherein the mother screw (21) is housed in said at least one rail (40), said rail (40) having all or part of the length of its upper portion a passage opening (43) dimensioned to allow the successive engagement of each of the semicircles (22) in the thread (21a) of the lead screw (21). 4. Shelter structure (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable body (42) of said rail (40), opposite the control member (30), is equipped under its lower part of at least a roulette wheel 5. Shelter structure (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein laqueedel said floor (10) comprises two fixed panels (14, 15), said second panels, integrally mounted on said at least one rail (40). ). 6. shelter structure (100) according to claim 5, wherein each of the two second panels (14, 15) is connected to one of the first two panels (11, 12) by a hinge (16, 17) allowing the pivoting (R2) the first panels (11, 12) with respect to the panels (14, 15) during the folding / unfolding of said floor (10). 7. Shelter structure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control member (30) comprises a crank (31) connected directly or indirectly to the mother view (21) and configured to allow when its actuation the rotation (R) of the mother screw (21) on itself. 8. Shelter structure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mother screw (21) has a hollow tube (23) comprising on its inner surface a tapping, and wherein the control member ( 30) is connected to a threaded rod (24) adapted to cooperate with the tapping to cause the rotation of the mother screw (21) on itself. An outer pergola shelter (200) comprising a structure (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. Exterior shelter (200) type shed comprising a structure (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.