Outdoor awning structure
Patent Information
- Application Number
- AE202602459
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AE · AE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-02-14
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-14
Smart Images
Figure ABST_ABST
Abstract
Description
OUTDOOR AWNING STRUCTUREDESCRIPTIONField of application of the invention
[001] This invention fits within the technical field of devices for shading and protecting an environment from the weather and concerns an outdoor awning structure.State of the art
[002] The use of awnings, whose function is to protect the exterior or interior of a building from the weather (typically sun, rain, humidity, etc.) has long been known.
[003] These awnings generally consist of a support frame with a fixed part intended to be anchored, by means of dowels or bolts, to a wall of the building or to a supporting structure.
[004] The frame also includes a movable part, i.e. one that can move relative to the fixed part when the user requires.
[005] To connect the fixed part of the frame to the movable part, there is a plurality of extendable arms that can selectively move between two limit positions.
[006] In particular, in the first limit position, these arms are fully retracted and the movable part is moved substantially closer to the fixed part; on the contrary, in the second limit position, the arms are fully extended and, therefore, the movable part of the frame is at the maximum distance from the fixed part.
[007] In general, the maximum distance separating the movable part from the fixed part can vary between a few tens of centimetres and a few metres.
[008] Of course, all the awnings on the market comprise a laminar covering element (generally consisting of a fabric and / or polymeric and / or composite material surface) with ends joined to the fixed and movable part of the frame respectively.
[009] The purpose of the covering is to cover the space formed between the movable part and the fixed part with its extension so as to protect the volume underneath from the weather interacting with the upper surface of this covering (sun, rain, etc.).
[0010] In recent years, the design of outdoor awnings (also commonly referred to as sun shades) has undergone considerable development, bringing aesthetically pleasing and high-tech products onto the market.
[0011] First of all, the shape of the supporting structure of this type of awning underwent an engineering push towards configurations that could reduce the overall dimensions as much as possible and allow the presence of the awning to be integrated as much as possible with the shape of the building.
[0012] For this reason, the aesthetic shape of the awnings currently on the market presents particularly neat stylistic traits, especially when the arms are in the fully retracted position and the entire covering is enclosed within the frame.
[0013] Secondly, it is not uncommon to come across outdoor awnings in the frame of which light sources are integrated designed to light the area underneath the covering.
[0014] In this way, anyone standing beneath the awning (or close to it) can potentially benefit from increased visibility in the evening or at night, or when there is reduced sunshine.
[0015] However, the outdoor awnings currently available on the market and belonging to the prior art only enable the area below the roof to be lit, and this feature is not without its drawbacks.
[0016] In particular, this type of outdoor awning does not enable the lighting of spaces or portions of volume that are on the sides of the area below the covering.
[0017] To be able to thoroughly light these spaces, one would actually have to significantly increase the overall light intensity emitted by the sources anchored to the lower parts of the frame, but this could create problems in the light / dark contrast perceived by the eyes of a user.
[0018] Furthermore, when the light sources are switched off, the user is not always able to detect the presence of an awning, this is especially the case at night in places naturally lacking in diffuse ambient lighting (houses in the countryside, isolated buildings, etc.).
[0019] Under these conditions, therefore, the awning can be an unexpected obstacle for a user as well as becoming a potentially hazardous object for the user's safety.Patents US2005 / 039861 and EP1739249 describe awning structures intended to be anchored to a support wall. However, the structures described in these patents suffer from the same drawbacks as mentioned above.Description of the invention
[0020] This invention is intended to overcome the aforementioned technical drawbacks by providing a particularly innovative and effective awning structure.
[0021] In particular, the main purpose of this invention is to provide an awning structure capable of lighting the space surrounding the installation space in a controlled manner.
[0022] Another purpose of this invention is to provide an awning structure designed to light the surrounding space in a controlled manner while avoiding glare or high contrast in the eyes of a user.
[0023] Another purpose of this invention is to provide a particularly compact awning structure that has reduced dimensions.
[0024] Another purpose of this invention is to provide an awning structure that is easy to manufacture.
[0025] Another purpose of this invention is to provide a particularly reliable awning structure requiring the assembly of a small number of components.
[0026] Again, not the least purpose of this invention is to provide an awning structure that is also particularly aesthetically pleasing.
[0027] These purposes, together with others that will be better clarified below, are achieved with an awning structure of the type in accordance with claim 1.
[0028] Other purposes that will be better described below are achieved with an awning structure in accordance with the dependent claims.Brief description of the drawings
[0029] The advantages and features of this invention will become clear from the following detailed description of some preferred but non-limiting configurations of an awning structure with particular reference to the following drawings:- Figure 1 comprises a first perspective view of an outdoor awning structure according to the invention;- Figure 2 comprises a second perspective view of the awning structure in Figure 1;- Figure 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the awning structure in Figure 1;- Figure 4 is a third perspective view of the awning structure in Figure 1;- Figure5 is a first side view of the awning structure in Figure 1 when it is partially open;- Figure6 is a second side view of the awning structure in Figure 1 when it is fully closed.Detailed description of the invention
[0030] This invention relates to an awning structure 1 and in particular to an awning structure that can be used outdoors.
[0031] This structure 1 is configured to be anchored to a wall of a building or to a support structure of various kinds (e.g. a pergola, a terrace, etc.).
[0032] The awning structure 1 that this invention concerns comprises a support frame 2 consisting of a fixed portion 3 and a movable portion 4.
[0033] In particular, the latter portion 4 is movable in relation to the fixed portion 3.
[0034] In particular, the fixed portion 3 represents the part of the frame intended to be anchored to the wall or support structure; this portion 3 extends along a longitudinal extension direction L between a pair of substantially transverse end walls 5.
[0035] The fixed portion 3 of the frame 2 may consist of an elongated, straight metal element 6 extending along the longitudinal extension axis L and delimited by a pair of substantially transverse end walls 5 (visible in Figure 3).
[0036] The elongated element 6 may have an outer surface 7 having a predetermined shape; in the example illustrated in the Figures, the outer surface 7 of this element 6 is shaped according to an essentially elliptical shape with an opening 8 in the front area.
[0037] In other words, the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 6 has an essentially C-shaped cross section designed to define an opening 8 facing outwards (i.e. towards a user observing the structure 1 from the front). As will be better described later in this description, the function of the opening 8 is to allow the gathering inside, winding and unwinding, of a covering element (conventionally made of fabric). The cross section of the elongated element 6 and the opening defined by its basic C shape are clearly visible in Figure 4.
[0038] This particular shape of the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 6 is, however, illustrative; the surface 7 of this component may potentially have many other external shapes other than elliptical or semi-elliptical ones (e.g. semicircular, square, rectangular, or polygonal).
[0039] It is understood that, whatever the cross-section shape of the elongated element 6, it is such that it defines a front opening facing outwards to allow for the gathering inside, winding and unwinding, of a covering element.
[0040] The elongated element 6 may consist of a section of folded sheet metal (or a metal drawn product, or several pieces of mutually joined straight elements).
[0041] This element 6, moreover, is essentially hollow on the inside to enable the housing of additional components of the structure that will be better described below (in addition to the covering element).
[0042] The end walls 5 of the elongated element 6 may have shaped outer edges 9 so as to have essentially the same shape as the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 6 and the movable portion 4. The end walls 5 and the outer edge 9 can be seen in the exploded view in Figure 3.
[0043] As can be seen in that Figure, in which a pair of transverse walls 5 defining the ends of the elongated element 6 can be seen, the outer edge 9 may follow a closed line that has a shape essentially equal to (or such as to replicate) that defined by the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 6 and the movable portion 4.
[0044] In the case of the structure illustrated in the figures, the outer edge 9 of the end walls 5 of the fixed portion 3 defines a complete (i.e. closed) elliptical shape, the majority of which can essentially be superimposed on the semi-elliptical shape presented, in cross section, by the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 6.
[0045] Conveniently, the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2 may have one or more perforated brackets, not illustrated in the drawings, to enable its firm attachment to the wall or support structure.
[0046] The movable portion 4 of the support frame 2 extends along a longitudinal direction X essentially parallel to the extension direction L of the elongated element 6.
[0047] In particular, this portion 4 is movable relative to the fixed portion 3 along an essentially transverse direction of movement, illustrated in the figures with a dashed line indicated by the reference letter T.
[0048] The movable portion 4 may also be essentially elongated and formed from a folded sheet metal, and / or from a drawn product and / or from joining straight metal pieces (possibly closed at the ends by a pair of plugs).
[0049] The outer surface 10 of the movable portion 4 may have a predetermined shape and, in general, this shape will be chosen so as to integrate with that delineated by the outer surface 7 of the fixed portion 3 to have a shape that is continuous with it (and, at the same time, to define an essentially closed overall shape generated by the coupling of these two elements 4, 6).
[0050] In the case of the structure illustrated in the figures, the movable portion 4 has a C-shaped outer surface 10 such that it forms the missing part of the ellipse partially defined by the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 6.
[0051] Furthermore, the movable element 4 may also be internally hollow and its outer surface 10 may comprise an opening 11 facing the other opening 8 made on the outer surface 7 of the elongated element 4.
[0052] The two openings 8, 11 may have essentially the same dimensions; in this way, the edges of the ends of the openings may couple to each other so as to define continuity of shape (in the configuration illustrated in the figures, the coupling between the fixed elongated element 6 and the movable element 4 is designed to generate a shape with a basically elliptical cross section).
[0053] Conveniently, the awning structure 2 comprises two or more extendable arms 12 whose ends 13 are respectively anchored to the fixed portion 3 and the movable portion 4 of the frame 1.
[0054] In general, a pair of extendable arms 12 whose end 13 may be anchored to the elongated element 6 near its end wall 5 may be provided. Alternatively, one end 13 of the arms 12 may be anchored to the fixed portion 3 at the hollow space that the elongated element 6 has within it.
[0055] The extendable arms 12 are configured to selectively promote movement of the movable portion 4 of the frame 2 between two end limit positions.
[0056] In the first end position, the arms 12 are retracted so that the movable portion 4 and the fixed portion 3 are essentially in contact (minimum distance).
[0057] In the case of the awning structure illustrated in the figures, in the first end portion the movable portion 4 and the elongated element 6 belonging to the fixed portion 3 of the frame 1 are essentially coupled and in contact with each other, as is clearly visible in Figure 1.
[0058] In the first position, the entire structure 1 is in the “closed” position, i.e. in the position where it has the smallest dimensions.
[0059] In this position, the openings 8, 11 associated with the two portions 3, 4 are essentially coupled so as to close each other; thus, the outer surface of the frame is defined by the joining of the outer surface 7 of the fixed portion 3 and the outer surface 10 of the movable portion 4.
[0060] When the movable portion 4 is in the second end position, the arms 12 are in the fully extended condition so that the distance d between the movable portion 4 and the fixed portion 3 (measured along the transverse handling direction T) is at its maximum.
[0061] In the second end position, the movable portion 4 determines the maximum "opening" of the structure 2, i.e. it identifies that position that is below the maximum area and this area, thanks to the presence of the covering element, will be designed to be protected from the weather.
[0062] Conveniently, when the extendable arms 12 are in their initial position, the movable portion 4 may be essentially in contact with the fixed portion 3; thus, the outer surface 7 of the fixed portion 3 and the movable portion 4 essentially have a continuous shape in order to define an essentially closed cross section of the frame 2.
[0063] Furthermore, when the extendable arms 12 are in their initial position, the peripheral wall 16 of the head 15 has a cross section that has a shape essentially equal to the closed cross section of the frame 2.
[0064] The support frame 2 of the structure 1 also comprises a covering element 14 anchored to the fixed portion 3 and the movable portion 4respectively.
[0065] The function of the covering element 14 is to protect / cover the space below the structure 2, whatever positionis assumed by the movable portion 4.
[0066] Conveniently, the covering element 14 may consist of an essentially laminar sheet of polymeric material (e.g. nylon, polycarbonate, etc.) and / or a piece of fabric.
[0067] The structure may also include at least one longitudinal roller, not shown in the figures, positioned within the inner cavities of the fixed portion 3 and the movable portionof the frame 2.
[0068] This roller(s), although fixed to the portions 3, 4, is free to rotate about its respective longitudinal extension direction (not illustrated in the figures, but in any case essentially parallel to the axis of extension L of the fixed portion 3); the ends of the covering element are integral with this roller in such a way as to facilitate the unwinding / rewinding of the cloth during the movement away from / towards the movable portion 4 with respect to the fixed portion 3.
[0069] Alternatively, the structure may comprise a single longitudinal roller designed to enable the winding / unwinding of the covering element 14. The latter may actually have ends integral with the movable portion 4.
[0070] In addition, these rollers can be suitably preloaded using spring means or other similar mechanisms in such a way as to essentially keep the cloth in tension when the movable portion 4 is in a position other than the first end position.
[0071] Conveniently, as better shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the support frame 2 may comprise at least one head 15 that can couple with the end wall 5 of the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2.
[0072] In the configuration of the structure illustrated in the figures, there are two heads 15 anchoredto the respective end walls 5 of the fixed portion 3.
[0073] Each head 15 may have a shell including a wall designed to form a closed edge 16.
[0074] The wall 16 may have a shape essentially corresponding to that of the edge 9 of the end wall 5 delimitingthe fixed portion 3 of the frame 2 (e.g. an ellipse).
[0075] In particular, the edge wall 16 may be essentially longitudinal and have a predetermined width w (measured along its longitudinal extension).
[0076] The head may comprise a dividing wall 17 (or a support edge)essentially transversely enclosed by the wall 16.
[0077] The dividing wall (or support edge) 17 divides the internal volume of the head into two compartments 18, 19 that areisolated from each other. One of these compartments 18 is suited to be coupled with the end wall 5 of the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2, while the other compartment 19 is suited to accommodate a corresponding light source 24.
[0078] The presence of these two compartments 18, 19 makes it possible to delimit two separate spaces within which to insert, respectively, certain components used to define the structure and the light sources 24. In other words, the provision of a compartment 19 configured to house only the light source 24 allows for the ideal positioning of the latter, since the light (or light emission) generated by it is not reflected by other components that are part of the structure so as to generate a more intense and natural effect in the eyes of a user placed in the vicinity of the structure itself.
[0079] The connection of the head 15 to the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2 is facilitated by coupling the end wall 5 of the latter with the compartment 18 facing the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2.
[0080] This condition is easily seen in the exploded view of the invention shown in Figure 3.
[0081] In practice, the outer edge 9 of the end wall 5 is coupled to the compartment 18. In an alternative configuration, the edge 9 is inserted inside the compartment 19.
[0082] The insertion of the edge 9 within the compartment 18 may be such as to bring the outer face 20 of the end wall 5 essentially into abutment with the inner face 21 of the dividing wall 17.
[0083] In the example illustrated in the figures, multiple longitudinal pegs 22 may be provided to facilitate the centring and anchoring of the head 15 to the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2; these pegs are suited to be inserted within appropriate holes 23 formed on the end wall 5 of the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2.
[0084] The head 15 may be locked to the transverse wall 5 by applying screws and / or bolts or other similar fastener elements.
[0085] In an alternative embodiment of the structure (not illustrated in the drawings), the fixed portion 3 may be without end walls 5. In this case, the dividing wall 17 associated with the head 15 has the function of itself defining the end wall 5 of the structure (5 ≡ 17).
[0086] A particularly innovative aspect of the invention is the use of at least one light source 24 positioned close to the transverse end wall 5 of the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2.
[0087] An alternative form of the structure (not illustrated in the drawings) may involve the construction of a fixed portion 3 with the end walls 5, but without the heads 15.
[0088] In this case, one or more light sources 24 are installed near one (or both) end walls 5.
[0089] If the heads 15 are used, the light source 24 is installed close to the dividing wall 17.
[0090] Conveniently, the preferred configuration of the structure that this invention concerns will be such as to provide two light sources 24 positioned near the respective end walls 5 of the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2.
[0091] The light sources 24 may typically be chosen from the group comprising LED or similar lights (e.g. beam lights or point lights).
[0092] In particular, the light source could be of the distributed type and consist of an LED strip.
[0093] Furthermore, when the frame 2 is fitted with the heads 15, the light source 24 may be placed inside the compartment 19.
[0094] In other words, the compartment 19 of the head 15 suited to house the light source 24 will be the one facing outwards to be visible to a user observing the structure 2 from a side position.
[0095] Conveniently, an LED strip 24 may be anchored to the inner surface 25 of the peripheral wall 16 of the head 15, as illustrated in Figure 2.
[0096] Furthermore, the LED strip may be anchored on the inner surface 25 of the peripheral wall 16 for a limited section of its extension, or for multiple, disjointed sections. Therefore, the light source 24 may be anchored to the closed peripheral wall 16 delimiting the compartment 19, so as to allow the light (or light emission) generated by this source 24 to pass through the space enclosed in this compartment 19 and then escape from the same to the same with an essentially uniform intensity. In this way, the light radiation emitted by the source 24 leaves the structure 1 with a high degree of coherence (uniform in intensity, wavelength, direction of propagation, etc.) so as to generate a particularly pleasant effect for a user located in the vicinity of the structure 1.
[0097] Alternatively, the LED strip 24 may be anchored on the inner surface 25 of the peripheral wall 16 so as to cover its entire length and thus form an essentially annular light source. The light source 24, therefore, may extend over the entire length of the inner surface 25 of the closed peripheral wall 16 so as to generate a light emission whose propagation fills the compartment 19 in an essentially uniform manner avoiding giving rise to contrasts of light determined by points or zones in which there is a concentration of a light source 24 (zones with high light intensity) alternating with other points or zones in which there is no such source 24 (zones with no or reduced light intensity).
[0098] This solution is clearly visible in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
[0099] The use of a reflective screen 26 (generally a mirror), placed in proximity of the end wall 5 of the fixed portion 3 of the frame 2 and designed to facilitate outward reflection of the light radiation emitted by the source 24, is provided. The mirror 26 facilitates the reflection of light outwards. If the head has an inner edge, the reflective screen 26 is configured to rest on that border so that it defines the dividing wall 17.
[00100] In the configuration of the structure without the heads 15, the reflective screen 26 may be arranged directly on the outer face 27 of the end wall 5 (one such outer face 27 is visible in the end 5 in Figure 3 below).
[00101] The reflective screen 26 will be positioned to the rear of the light source 24 so as to facilitate the reflection of the radiation emitted by the latter towards the eyes of a user positioned to the side and outside the structure 1.
[00102] In addition, a protective screen 29 associated (and generally anchored) withthe head 15 at the outer edge 30 of the peripheral wall 16 is provided. Furthermore, the protective screen 29 may be placed in front of the light radiation 24, i.e. this screen 29 may be placed further out than the area occupied by the light source 24.
[00103] The function of this screen 29 is to protect the light source 24 located inside the compartment 19 from the introduction of atmospheric and environmental agents (e.g. water or dust), as well as from possible impacts that it may suffer from external objects.
[00104] The reflective screen 26 and protective screen 29 may be made of glass; or the screens 26 and 29 may be eventually made of polymeric or other materials suitable for reflecting light radiation.
[00105] In addition, the reflective screen 29 is designed to facilitate inward reflection of at least part of the light radiation emitted by the source 24. In other words, the protective screen 29 may be semi-reflective so as to facilitate, at the same time, the transmission of part of the light radiation emitted by the source 24 outwards and the reflection of the remaining light radiation inwards, i.e. towards the reflective screen 26.
[00106] The presence of the protective screen 29 and the reflective screen 26 makes it possible to generate a particular optical effect obtained as a sequence of reflection of the light radiation between these screens 26, 29. This optical effect is such that it creates the impression of the presence of an internal vacuum located at the light source 24.
[00107] The light source 24 may involve the use of a power source to power the LEDs with an electrical signal that has predefined characteristics (waveform, voltage, power, etc.).
[00108] The power source and its electrical connections can be positioned outside the structure 2, in which case only the last part of the connection (directly connected to the LEDs) will be embedded inside the fixed portion 3.
[00109] In an alternative configuration of the invention, the power source and / or electrical connections may be “embedded” within the structure 3, in particular within the fixed portion 3 and the head 15.
[00110] This allows all the electrical components of the source 24 to be invisible from the outside so as not to spoil the aesthetic line of the structure 2.
[00111] It is clear from the above that the head 15 provided with the light source 24, the reflective screen and the semi-reflective protective screen 29 may have shapes and dimensions different from those illustrated in the figures.
[00112] For example, this head 15 may have an essentially circular, or rectangular, or square shape, or follow any closed geometry that is either regular or irregular.
[00113] In addition, the protective screen 29 may be made of glass, and in particular of semi-reflective tempered glass (so as to facilitate the outward transmission of a part of the light radiation emitted by the source 24 and the inward reflection - i.e. towards the reflective screen 26 - of the remaining part of the light radiation emitted by this source 24).
[00114] The use of a protective screen 29 made of tempered glass is safer even for a user located in the vicinity of the awning structure, since such glass is specially constructed to minimise the possibility of injuring people in the event that the head 15 collides with or falls on their body parts.
[00115] In addition, the awning structure configuration described above allows the removal and / or access to the head 15 in a particularly simple manner, since such an operation can be performed without having to dismantle the remaining part of the awning structure. For this reason, therefore, the time required to work on the head 15 is also particularly short.
[00116] This invention can be produced in other variants all falling within the scope of the inventive features claimed and described; these technical features can be replaced with different technically equivalent elements and the materials used; the invention can be of any shape or dimension as long as they are compatible with its use.
[00117] The numbers and reference marks included in the claims and description are only intended to increase the clarity of the text and must not be considered as limiting the technical interpretation of the objects or processes identified by them.
Claims
1. An awning structure suited to be anchored to a wall of a building, comprising: - a support frame (2) comprising: - a fixed portion (3) suited to be anchored to the wall of the building, said fixed portion (3) defining a longitudinal axis (L) and being provided with a pair of substantially transverse end walls (5);- a substantially longitudinal movable portion (4) suited to move with respect to said fixed portion (3) along a substantially transverse direction (T);- one or more extendable arms (12) having ends (13) respectively anchored to said fixed portion (3) and to said movable portion (4), said one or more extendable arms (12) being suited to extend / retract between an initial position, in which said fixed portion (3) and said movable portion (4) of said frame (2) are substantially coupled, and an final position in which said movable portion (4) of said frame (2) are at a maximum distance; - at least one covering element (14) associated respectively to said fixed portion (3) and to said movable portion (4) of said support frame (2) in order to cover the surface separating said fixed portion (3) and said movable portion (4) during the extension / retraction of said one or more extendable arms (12); characterized in that it comprises at least one light source (24) positioned in proximity to a respective end wall (5) of said fixed portion (3) of said frame (2).
2. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a pair of light sources (24), each positioned in proximity to a respective end wall (5) of said fixed portion (3) of said frame (2).
3. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one light source (24) is of the LED or similar type.
4. Structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said fixed portion (3) has a substantially elongated longitudinal element (6) provided with said end walls (5) and intended to be anchored to the wall of a building, and a pair of heads (15) coupled to said elongated element (6) at said end walls (5) thereof.
5. Structure according to claim 4, characterised in that each head (15) has a closed peripheral wall (16) and a substantially transverse dividing wall (17).
6. Structure according to claim 4, characterised in that said dividing wall (17) of each head (15) is suited to divide the internal volume of said head into two compartments (18, 19), one of said compartments (18) being suited to couple with the end wall (5) of said fixed portion (3) of said frame (2), the other compartment (19) being suited to accommodate a corresponding light source (24).
7. Structure according to claim 6, characterised in that said light source (24) is anchored to the inner surface (25) of the closed peripheral wall (16) contained in the corresponding compartment (19).
8. Structure according to claim 7, characterised in that said at least one light source (24) extends over the entire development of the inner surface (25) of said closed peripheral wall (16).
9. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a screen (26) suited to reflect outwards the radiation emitted by said at least one light source (24).
10. Structure according to claim 9, characterised in that said screen (26) is placed behind said light source (24) and in proximity to said end wall (5) of said fixed portion (3) of said frame (2).
11. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a protective screen (29) associated to said head (15), said protective screen (29) being placed in front of said light source (24).
12. Structure according to claim 11, characterised in that said protective screen (29) is suited, respectively, to allow the transmission towards the outside of the head (15) of a part of the radiation emitted by said light source (24) and the reflection towards the inside of the corresponding compartment (19) of the remaining part of the radiation emitted by said light source (24).
13. Structure according to claim 11, characterised in that said protective screen (29) is made of glass.
14. Structure according to claim 1, characterised in that, with said one or more extendable arms (12) in an initial position, said movable portion (4) is substantially in contact with said fixed portion (3) and the outer surface (7) of said fixed portion (3) and of said movable portion (4) are substantially in continuity of shape with each other to define a substantially closed cross-section of said frame (2).
15. Structure according to claim 13, characterised in that the peripheral wall (16) of said head portion (15) has a cross-section having a shape substantially identical to the closed section of said frame (2) when said one or more extendable arms (12) are in initial position.