WO2012153357A1

WO2012153357A1 - Frame for awnings and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2012153357A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michele Tugnoli
Original assignee: Corradi S.P.A.
Priority date: 2011-05-12
Filing date: 2011-05-12
Publication date: 2012-11-15

Abstract

A frame (1) for awnings and the like, comprising at least one pillar (2) and at least one beam (3), which are mutually associated, for supporting a covering element of the type of at least one awning, at least one panel, at least one plate and the like. At one end of the at least one pillar (2), the frame (1) comprises an adjustable joint (8) for adjusting the inclination of the pillar (2) with respect to the element connected to the other side of the adjustable joint (8), this element being chosen between the at least one respective beam (3) and the at least one respective element (9) for anchoring to the ground. The at least one pillar (2) is substantially hollow and adapted to accommodate accessory units.

Description

FRAME FOR AWNINGS AND THE LIKE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a frame for awnings and the like. Background Art

Use is made increasingly often of frames that are provided with removable coverings (of the type of awnings, sliding plates that can be mutually grouped in a configuration of mutual superimposition and the like) in order to increase the accessibility and availability of outdoor environments.

These frames have design restrictions which are due to the need to comprise at least two end (lateral) pillars for supporting respective beams that have at least one end associated with the wall of the installation building. In some cases the pillars are more numerous (at least 4) and are designed to support the entire frame which is thus self-supporting.

Obviously the mutual arrangement of beams and pillars is dictated by functional requirements, in particular the correct draining of rainwater and sufficient mechanical resistance against the weather.

These restrictions tend to have a standardizing effect on existing frames, which thus have aesthetic characteristics that are common and are often not very original.

Within these frames there is furthermore the need to generate specific conditions in the subtended environment: this is achieved by installing accessories which are more or less cumbersome and which often compromise the overall design of the frame.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a frame for awnings and the like in which the geometric arrangement of pillars and beams is not strictly governed by functional requirements.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a frame for awnings and the like which is adapted to the diffusion of sounds in the environment that is subtended without any change to its appearance and to its design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame for awnings and the like which is adapted to the diffusion of luminous radiation in the environment that is subtended, without any change to its appearance and to its design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame for awnings and the like which is adapted to the diffusion of aromas in the environment that is subtended, without any change to its appearance and to its design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a frame for awnings and the like which is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

This aim and these objects, as well as others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a frame for awnings and the like of the type comprising at least one pillar and at least one beam, which are mutually associated, for supporting a covering element of the type of at least one awning, at least one panel, at least one plate and the like, characterized in that, at one end of said at least one pillar, it comprises an adjustable joint for adjusting the inclination of said pillar with respect to the element connected to the other side of said adjustable joint, said element being chosen between the at least one respective beam and the at least one respective element for anchoring to the ground, said at least one pillar being substantially hollow and adapted to accommodate accessory units.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the frame for awnings and the like, according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame according to the invention, without any covering elements;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the frame according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a partially exploded side view of the frame according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the frame according to the invention;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of another detail of the frame according to the invention.

Ways of carrying out the invention

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a frame for awnings and the like.

The frame 1 is adapted to support awnings (permanent or removable), overlapping (in the collected configuration) panels that can be grouped and/or distributed over at least part of the extension of the frame 1. The frame 1, in general, is adapted to support any means that is adapted to ensure, in the subtended environment, a shading, a protection from the rain, from the wind and the like.

The frame 1 comprises at least one pillar 2 and at least one beam 3, which are mutually associated, for supporting a covering element of the type of at least one awning, at least one panel, at least one plate and the like.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the frame further comprises a portion of rigid roof that superimposes the region where the beams 3 are anchored to the building on which the frame 1 is installed. The beams 3 are slidingly coupled to at least one cross-piece 5 which is designed to move the covering canvas (not shown in Figure 1). For the purposes of explanation, it can be seen in the accompanying Figure 2 that between the beams 3, at the region where the beams 3 are anchored to the installation building, stiffening shafts 6 are provided, at which suitable struts 7 can be interposed, that are also designed to stiffen and stabilize the frame 1.

At one end of the at least one pillar 2, the frame 1 comprises an adjustable joint 8 which is designed to ensure the adjustment of the inclination of the pillar 2 with respect to the element connected to the other side of the adjustable joint 8.

The second element that is connected to the adjustable joint 8 can be chosen between the at least one respective beam 3 and the at least one respective element 9 for anchoring to the ground.

The pillar 2 is substantially hollow and adapted to accommodate accessory units.

According to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the adjustable joints 8 that are integral with the end of the pillar 2 are two in number, a first joint 8 being associated with a first end 10 and, on the other side, with a respective beam 3, and a second joint 8 being associated with the second end 1 1 and, on the other side, with a respective element 9 for anchoring to the ground.

In order to ensure a better habitability of the environment subtended by the frame 1 , the accessory unit that is accommodated in the pillar 2 can consist of at least one acoustic diffuser 12 that is connected, by means of at least one adapted cable, to a specific source, of the type of a radio apparatus, a player of audio recordings and the like.

The application of the acoustic diffuser 12 in the pillar 2 is possible thanks to the presence of a respective housing: when assembly is completed the diffuser will be completely integrated into the pillar 2 and, according to some specific embodiments, substantially invisible (or in any case at least partially hidden) to anyone looking at the pillar 2.

In particular, the cable can be comfortably accommodated within the pillar 2 and the beam 3, since these are internally at least partially hollow: thus the presence is eliminated of external cables which would significantly and negatively affect the design and aesthetic appearance of the frame 1.

According to an alternative possible embodiment (which can be used in combination with the one previously described or on its own) the accessory unit is constituted by at least one dispenser of substances 13, of the type of aromas, perfumes, essences, essential oils and the like.

Here too it will be possible to provide a specific insertion seat in the pillar 2 in order to receive the dispenser 13 : according to an embodiment of particular practical and applicative interest, the dispenser 13 can be completely or partially hidden within the pillar 2.

The dispenser 13 can be powered electrically (in which case the power cables will be hidden within the pillars 2 and beams 3 or the respective battery of accumulators will be accommodated in a respective compartment of the unit itself) or it can involve other types of means for diffusing odors. The adoption is not ruled out of candles, small burners and the like for heating, with the associated flame, materials impregnated with aromas, perfumes, essences, essential oils and the like with consequent diffusion thereof in the environment subtended by the frame 1.

With reference to a further possible embodiment (which is adapted to be installed on the pillar 2 individually or in combination with at least one of the other proposed embodiments) the accessory unit is constituted by at least one luminous radiation source 14 that is connected, by means of at least one adapted cable, to a specific electric power source.

It is evident that, in this case also, the power cables will be suitably accommodated within the pillars 2 and beams 3.

The luminous radiation source 14 can be designed to illuminate the area subtended by the frame 1 or it can be used for a luminous sign (of the type of an insignia and the like). This second application is particularly interesting in cases where the frame 1 is used to define an outdoor environment for the clientele of public enterprises, such as for example bars, restaurants, discos and the like.

With particular reference to the third embodiment proposed for the accessory unit, it should be noted that in this case the accessory unit must conveniently comprise an upright member 15 that is interposed between the end 10 of the pillar 2 and the joint 8.

The upright member 15 will be provided with respective plates 16 for rigid fixing to the end 10 of the pillar 2 and to the joint 8.

The fixing will preferably be obtained by means of a plurality of screws 17 and corresponding female screws and nuts 18.

The upright member 15 will conveniently be provided with a central portion 19 with a substantially reduced cross-section for accommodating the at least one luminous radiation source 14.

The coupling of the luminous sources 14 with the central portion 19 can be achieved, in conformance with what is shown in the accompanying figures, by adopting four shaped sources 14 (with a substantially trapezoid cross-section) which are designed to be mutually coupled in the grouped configuration. In the grouped configuration, the sources 14 will have the face corresponding to the smaller base of their trapezoid shape resting on the central portion 19 of the upright member 15 and they will be stably coupled by means of adapted elastic anchors (not shown in the accompanying figures). Different types of fixing the sources 14 to the upright member 15 are not ruled out.

When assembly is completed, the outer surfaces of the sources 14 will be substantially coplanar with the outer surfaces of the pillar 2 and this will ensure the achievement of an aesthetic finish that is particularly high quality.

It should be pointed out that the joint 8 comprises a main element 20 and a secondary bracket 21 that is designed to overlap the outer surfaces of the main element 20 when the joint 8 is in the configuration for use. At least one component of the pair made up of the main element 20 and the secondary bracket 21 comprises at least one curved slot 22, while the other component (of the pair made up of the secondary bracket 21 and the main element 20) comprises at least one corresponding hole 23.

The at least one hole 23 and the at least one curved slot 22 accommodate at least one respective connection pin 24.

Each pin 24 (in the configuration for use of the joint 8) will be fixed in the at least one corresponding hole 23 and will be able to slide inside the at least one corresponding curved slot 22.

Hence the orientation will be allowed (according to the stroke permitted by the angular amplitude of the curved slots 22) of the pillar 2 with respect to the corresponding beam 3 and/or with respect to the ground.

The main advantage of this embodiment is that it eliminates the implementation restrictions that are typical of known solutions, thus enabling the adoption of any inclination of the pillar 2 with respect to the beams 3 and with respect to the ground (without prejudice to the inclination needs associated with the correct drainage of rainwater): in this way it will be easily possible to compensate for incorrect construction alignments of the installation building with respect to the ground. It will further be possible to give the frame 1 a different and original form with respect to all conventional frames, by utilizing the projection and/or the indentation of the (inclined) pillar 2 with respect to its element 9 for anchoring to the ground.

According to a possible embodiment the main element 20 comprises a plate 25 for anchoring, to the respective end 10 or 1 1 of a component chosen from the pillar 2, the beam 3 and the element 9 for anchoring to the ground.

A central arm 26 of the element 20 has a cross-section that is smaller than the shape of the anchoring plate 25 and is associated with an end drum 27 which is provided with at least one of the pair made up of the at least one curved slot 22 and the at least one hole 23.

The secondary bracket 21 designed to overlap the outer surfaces of the main element 20, if the joint 8 needs to be associated with the element 9 for anchoring to the ground, will comprise a shaped plate that is folded on itself so as to define a base shoulder 28 and two lateral bands 29 which are provided with respective disk-shaped ends 30.

The disk-shaped ends 30 are provided with at least one of the pair made up of the at least one curved slot 22 and the at least one hole 23.

The secondary bracket 21 designed to overlap the outer surfaces of the main element 20, if the joint 8 needs to be associated with the corresponding beam 3, will comprise two laminar panels that are constituted by two bands 29 that are provided with respective disk-shaped ends 30.

Here too, the disk-shaped ends 30 are provided with at least one of the pair made up of the at least one curved slot 22 and the at least one hole 23.

It should be noted that, between the panels that are constituted by the two bands 29, spacer elements 31 for mutual positioning can be interposed.

In order to enable a correct operation and an optimal orientability of the joint 8, the curved slots 22 are at least two in number (in the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures there are three), and are angularly distributed on the respective component that is chosen between the drum 27 and the disk-shaped ends 30.

The curvatures of the curved slots 22 will preferably be substantially referred to a common center of rotation, which will also be equidistant from the holes 23.

In order to ensure the optimal maintenance of an essential and aesthetically high quality appearance, respective covering housings 32 are provided which are adapted to contain the joint 8.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

Furthermore, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A frame for awnings and the like, of the type comprising at least one pillar (2) and at least one beam (3), which are mutually associated, for supporting a covering element of the type of at least one awning, at least one panel, at least one plate and the like, characterized in that, at one end of said at least one pillar (2), it comprises an adjustable joint (8) for adjusting the inclination of said pillar (2) with respect to the element connected to the other side of said adjustable joint (8), said element being chosen between the at least one respective beam (3) and the at least one respective element (9) for anchoring to the ground, said at least one pillar (2) being substantially hollow and adapted to accommodate accessory units.

2. The frame for awnings and the like according to claim 1, characterized in that said adjustable joints (8), which are integral with the end of said pillar (2), are two in number, a first joint (8) being associated with a first end (10) and with a respective beam (3), and a second joint (8) being associated with the second end (11) and with a respective element (9) for anchoring to the ground.

3. The frame for awnings and the like according to claim 1, characterized in that said accessory unit is constituted by at least one acoustic diffuser (12) which is connected, by means of at least one adapted cable, to a specific source, of the type of a radio apparatus, a player of audio recordings and the like.

4. The frame for awnings and the like according to claim 1, characterized in that said accessory unit is constituted by at least one dispenser (13) of substances, of the type of aromas, perfumes, essences, essential oils and the like, said dispenser (13) being accommodated substantially hidden within said pillar (2).

5. The frame for awnings and the like according to claim 1 , characterized in that said accessory unit is constituted by at least one source (14) of luminous radiation which is connected, by means of at least one adapted cable, to a specific electric power supply.

6. The frame for awnings and the like according to claim 5, characterized in that said accessory unit comprises an upright member (15) that is interposed between the end (10) of said pillar (2) and said joint (8), said upright member (15) being provided with respective plates (16) for rigid fixing to said end (10) of said pillar (2) and to said joint (8), and with a central portion (19) with a substantially reduced cross-section for accommodating the at least one luminous radiation source (14), in the assembly configuration, said at least one luminous source having an external surface that is substantially coplanar with the external surface of said pillar (2).

7. The frame for awnings and the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said joint (8) comprises a main element (20) and a secondary bracket (21) that is designed to overlap the outer surfaces of said main element (20), at least one component of the pair made up of said main element (20) and said secondary bracket (21) comprising at least one curved slot (22), while the other component of the pair made up of said secondary bracket (21) and said main element (20) comprises at least one corresponding hole (23), said at least one hole (23) and said at least one curved slot (22) accommodating at least one respective connection pin (24), said pin (24) being fixed in said at least one hole (23) and sliding within said at least one curved slot (22).

8. The frame for awnings and the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main element (20) comprises a plate (25) for anchoring to the respective end of a component chosen from said pillar (2), said beam (3), and said element (9) for anchoring to the ground, a central arm (26) with a smaller cross-section than the form of said anchoring plate (25), and an end drum (27) that is provided with at least one of the pair made up of said at least one curved slot (22) and said at least one hole (23).

9. The frame for awnings and the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said secondary bracket (21) designed to overlap the outer surfaces of said main element (20) comprises a shaped plate that is folded on itself so as to define a base shoulder (28) and two lateral bands (29) that are provided with respective disk-shaped ends (30), said disk-shaped ends (30) being provided with at least one of the pair made up of said at least one curved slot (22) and said at least one hole (23).

10. The frame for awnings and the like according to one or more of the preceding claims and as an alternative to claim 9, characterized in that said secondary bracket (21) which is designed to overlap the outer surfaces of said main element (20) comprises two laminar panels which are constituted by two bands (29) which are provided with respective disk- shaped ends (30), said disk-shaped ends (30) being provided with at least one of the pair made up of said at least one curved slot (22) and said at least one hole (23), between said panels spacer elements (31) for mutual positioning being interposable.

1 1. The frame for awnings and the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curved slots (22) are at least two in number and are angularly distributed on the respective component chosen between said drum (27) and said disk-shaped ends (30), the curvatures of said curved slots (22) being substantially referred to a common center of rotation.