Outdoor sun shelter facilitating the assembly thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an outdoor sun shelter (1), comprising: - a frame (2) including first and second beams (3), each of the beams having a first groove (31) defined by a bottom (37) and by first and second side edges (33, 35), and having a second groove (32) provided on one face of the first groove (31), the first and second grooves extending along a longitudinal axis of the beam thereof; - a plurality of slats (4) each extending between the first and second beams (3) and spaced apart from one another, the slats (4) being in the shape of profile sections and each having first and second ends, the first end (41) being accommodated in the first groove (31) of the first beam (3) and clamped by the bottom (37) and by the first and second side edges (33, 35) of this first groove (31), the second end being accommodated in the first groove of the second beam and clamped by the bottom and by the first and second side edges of this second groove; and - wedges (5) positioned between the first ends (41) of the slats (4) and accommodated in the first groove (31) of the first beam, the wedges (4) each having a protuberance (51, 52) engaging with the second groove (32) of the first beam (3).

Description

Outdoor sun shelter for easy assembly

[0001] [The invention relates to the field of solar shelters for residential areas, and in particular solar shelters or pergolas making it possible to limit solar exposure in exterior areas of a dwelling.

[0002] Known pergolas generally consist of four posts on which a parallelogram-shaped frame rests. Slats extend parallel to two beams positioned at the longitudinal ends of the pergola. The slats extend perpendicular to two other beams that support them. These slats generally have profiles with bores at their ends. Screws engage in these bores and are secured to the support beams by means of screws. The slats are fixed at regular intervals from each other.

[0003] However, such pergolas pose a problem in terms of assembly time and management of manufacturing tolerances, given the number of screws and bores required to ensure their attachment to the support beams.

[0004] The invention aims to solve one or more of these drawbacks. The invention thus relates to an outdoor solar shelter, comprising: - a chassis comprising at least first and second beams, each of said beams having a first groove delimited by a bottom and by first and second lateral edges, and having a second groove formed on one face of the first groove, the first and second grooves extending along a longitudinal axis of their beam; - several blades each extending between the first and second beams and spaced apart from each other, the blades having profile shapes and each having first and second ends, the first end being housed in the first groove of the first beam and clamped by the bottom and by the first and second lateral edges of this first groove, the second end being housed in the first groove of the second beam and clamped by the bottom and by the first and second lateral edges of this second groove; - wedges interposed between the first ends of the blades and housed in the first groove of the first beam, said wedges having each a protrusion engaged in the first groove of the first beam.

[0005] The protrusion of the wedges comprises two elastically deformable lips, the distance at rest between the distal edges of the two lips being greater than the width of the opening of said second groove.

[0006] The invention also relates to the following variants. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the features of the following variants and of the description can be independently combined with the above features, without constituting an intermediate generalization.

[0007] According to one variant, the blades have the same cross-section from the free edge of the first end to the free edge of the second end.

[0008] According to a variant, the first and second ends of the blades have a clearance relative to the lateral edges and a clearance relative to the bottom of the first grooves of the first and second beams respectively.

[0009] According to another variant, the first and second ends of the blades are capable of being moved relative to the first and second beams by the amplitude of said clearances.

[0010] According to another variant, said first and second beams have a profile shape.

[0011] According to yet another variant, said profile forms an uninterrupted surface extending continuously from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge and delimiting the bottom and the second groove.

[0012] According to a variant, said second groove is formed in the bottom of the first groove.

[0013] According to another variant, the shelter further comprises flanges secured to the first beam and restricting sliding of the blades and wedges along the longitudinal axis of the first beam.

[0014] According to another variant, said flanges maintain a clearance between the blades and the wedges in the first groove of the first beam less than half the width of a wedge.

[0015] According to another variant, said wedges have a profile shape over their entire width, the width of a wedge corresponding to its dimension along the longitudinal axis of the first beam.

[0016] According to yet another variant, potentially representing an independent aspect of the invention, said first beam comprises first and second front faces extending perpendicularly respectively to the first and second lateral edges, said wedges having a front surface flush with the first and second front faces.

[0017] According to one variant, the shelter also includes uprights secured to the frame and fixed to the ground.

[0018] The invention also relates to a set of parts, comprising first and second beams, blades and wedges configured to be assembled to form an outdoor solar shelter as defined above.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method of assembling an outdoor solar shelter comprising the steps of: - provision of a chassis comprising at least first and second beams, each of said beams having a first groove delimited by a bottom and by first and second lateral edges, and having a second groove formed on one face of the first groove, the first and second grooves extending along a longitudinal axis of their beam; -accommodating first and second ends of a set of blades in the first grooves of the first and second beams respectively; -accommodating shims in the first groove of the first beam, between the first ends of said blades so as to space the blades apart from each other, by placing a protrusion of the shims in engagement in the second groove of the first beam.

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0021] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of an example of a solar shelter according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] is a top view of the shelter of Figure 1;

[0023] [Fig.3] is a front sectional view of the shelter of Figure 1;

[0024] [Fig.4] is a side sectional view of a beam of the shelter of Figure 1;

[0025] [Fig.5] is a front sectional view of a blade of the shelter of Figure 1;

[0026] [Fig.6] is a front view of a wedge of the shelter of Figure 1;

[0027] [Fig.7] is a side sectional view of the wedge of Figure 6;

[0028] [Fig.8] is a front sectional view of a blade interposed between two wedges;

[0029] [Fig.9] is a side sectional view of the shelter of Figure 1 at the level of a blade;

[0030] [Fig.10] is a side sectional view of the shelter of Figure 1 at the level of a hold;

[0031] [Fig.11] is a front sectional view of a variant of a blade interposed between two wedges;

[0032] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a variant of the shelter of Figure 1 when installing a longitudinal clamping system.

[0033] The invention relates to an outdoor sun shelter. An exemplary embodiment of an outdoor sun shelter 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The shelter 1 comprises a frame 2 provided with longitudinal beams 3. The beams 3 support a set of transverse blades 4. As illustrated in Figure 2, the blades 4 are spaced from each other to provide air passages 10, while ensuring a certain protection against solar rays.

[0034] The frame 2 is here advantageously held above the ground by means of uprights 9. The uprights 9 are thus integral with the frame 2 and fixed to the ground. According to an alternative, the frame 2 can be fixed in a wall with bracing. According to a usual but non-limiting configuration, the frame 2 is held horizontal above the ground. The frame 2 can also be inclined relative to the horizontal. The longitudinal beams 3 are here secured by means of transverse beams 8. In a usual but non-limiting manner, the longitudinal beams 3 are parallel, and the beams transverse 8 are perpendicular to these beams 3. The blades 4 are here positioned perpendicular to the beams 3. The blades 4 extend between the beams 3. The blades 4 are supported by their ends by the beams 3, as detailed below.

[0035] The blades 4 are kept spaced from each other by means of shims 5, as illustrated in Figure 3. Thus, for each beam 3, there is an alternation of blades 4 and shims 5 according to the longitudinal direction of this beam 3. Such an example of alternation is illustrated more precisely in Figure 8. An example of shim 5 is illustrated more precisely in Figures 6 and 7. The blades 4 have a profile shape, an example of cross section being illustrated in Figure 3. The blades 4 thus have a shape that can be easily obtained by extrusion. The blades 4 are advantageously hollow profiles, as illustrated in the example of Figure 5. The blades 4 advantageously form a closed contour in cross section.

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example of beam 3 according to the invention. The beam 3 has a first groove 31 delimited by a bottom 37 and by first and second lateral edges 33, 35. The beam 3 also has a second groove 32 formed on one face of the first groove 31. The second groove 32 is here advantageously formed in the bottom 37. The first and second grooves 31 and 32 extend along the longitudinal axis of the beam 3. Such a configuration makes it possible to house the end of a blade 4 or a wedge 5 at any longitudinal position of the beam 3, according to an assembly detailed later.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 9, one end 41 of the blade 4 is housed in the first groove 31. The movement of this end 41 is restricted on the one hand by the bottom 37 of the groove 31, and by the lateral edges 33 and 35 on the other hand. Thus, the upper and lower faces 43 and 44 of the blade 4 interfere respectively with the lateral edges 35 and 33 of the beam 3. The faces 43 and 44 are advantageously flat to be supported in a stable manner by the lateral edges 33 or 35, if applicable.

[0038] The wedges 5 are also housed in the groove 31, so that the movement of the blades 4 is then restricted along all axes. The wedges 5 also have at least one protrusion 51 or 52 engaging in the second groove 32, in order to allow the wedge 5 to be secured to the beam 3, as illustrated in Figure 10. The wedges 5 can thus be secured to the beam 3 by a simple translation along the Y axis. A similar configuration can be used for the two beams 3 facing each other.

[0039] The shelter structure 1 according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous, the end of the blades 4 being able to be inserted into the groove 31 by a simple translation, the wedges 5 also being able to be inserted into the groove 3 by a simple translation. With a groove 32 formed in the bottom 37, the wedges 5 can be fixed to the beam 3 by this same translation. Furthermore, as the grooves 31 and 32 extend in the longitudinal direction of the beam 3, the blades 4 and the wedges 5 can be positioned indifferently in this longitudinal direction, making assembly easy and limiting dimensional constraints for manufacturing. It is also possible to immobilize and space the blades 4 without using screws or other added elements which have to perforate the beam 3 and engage in these blades 4. Thus, the ends of the blades 4 have a clearance relative to the lateral edges 33 and 35 as well as a clearance relative to the bottom 37.In the absence of additional fixing elements, the ends of the blades are likely to be displaced relative to the beams 3 by the amplitude of these clearances. In addition, very simple blades 4 can be used having the same cross-section between the free edges of their ends. It can thus be seen that no added component is interposed between the bottom 37 and the blade 4 or between the lateral edges 33, 35 and this blade 4.

[0040] Advantageously, the beams 3 have a profile shape, which makes it possible to easily form the grooves 31 and 32 extending in the longitudinal direction X.

[0041] Advantageously, the profile of a beam 3 forms an uninterrupted surface extending continuously from the lateral edge 33 to the lateral edge 35 and delimiting the bottom 37 and the second groove 32. It is thus easy to obtain a continuous sealed surface limiting the risks of liquid entry and corrosion.

[0042] Advantageously, the protrusion of the wedges 5 comprises two lips 51 and 52, elastically deformable, typically by bending. To secure the wedge 5 by snap-fastening with the groove 32, the distance at rest between the distal edges of these lips 51 and 52 is advantageously greater than the width of the opening 38 of the groove 32. In order to reduce the width of this opening, the beam 3 advantageously comprises projections 34 and 36 which interfere with the blades 51 and 52. The section of the groove 32 can widen behind these projections 34 and 36 to allow the lips 51 and 52 to return to their shape at rest and thus form retaining hooks.

[0043] As illustrated in Figure 12, the shelter 1 advantageously comprises flanges secured to the beam 3 and restricting sliding of the blades 4 and the wedges 5 along the longitudinal axis of the beam 3. Indeed, if the beams 3 are custom-cut for a given site, it may be difficult to anticipate the longitudinal position of the wedges 5 at the ends of the beams 3. With appropriate flanges, the longitudinal sliding of the blades 4 and the wedges 5 can be interrupted, so as to maintain the assembly in the groove 31.

[0044] In this example, the transverse beams 8 are fixed to the beams 3 to ensure the longitudinal clamping of the sliding of the blades 4 and the wedges 5. Thus, the beams 8 close the two ends of each groove 31. Furthermore, the clamping comprises a specific wedge 50, having the same geometry as the wedges 5. Such a wedge 50 can have a width defined by cutting when all the blades 4 and the wedges 5 are already installed, starting from a beam 8 already fixed to the end of the beams 3. The width is here taken as the dimension of the blade 4 or of the wedge 5 according to the longitudinal direction of the beam 3. By using such a wedge 50, of suitable length, the assembly can be carried out easily even in the presence of inaccuracies or dispersions in the assembly or manufacturing process.

[0045] Advantageously, the total clearance between the blades 4 and the wedges 5 in the groove 31 is less than half the width of a wedge 5 or the width of a blade 4, so as to limit the risks of a blade 4 becoming dislodged from a beam 3. The wedge 50 makes it possible to adapt this clearance to the desired value.

[0046] Advantageously, the wedges 5 have a profile shape over their entire width. This makes it possible on the one hand to form a multitude of shims 5 by cutting out the same profile, and on the other hand to ensure optimal guidance of the shim 5 in the groove 32. As illustrated in Figure 7, such a profile advantageously has a closed contour 50, from which the lips 51 and 52 project. The closed contour 50 is advantageously rectangular, so that two faces come opposite the lateral edges 33 and 35, and so that a face opposite the lips 51 and 52 can form a visible flat surface between the blades 4.

[0047] In the example illustrated, the beam 3 comprises first and second front faces 301 and 302 extending perpendicularly respectively to the first and second lateral edges 33 and 35. The shims 5 advantageously have a front surface flush with the first and second front faces 301 and 302. Advantageously, the mounting clearance between the edges 33, 35 and the shims 5 is reduced, in order to avoid the penetration of water or dust.

[0048] Advantageously, the beams 3, the blades 4 and / or the wedges 5 can be made of aluminum alloy.

[0049] Shelter 1 described above can also be presented in the form of a set of kit parts, intended for assembly by a professional.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the blades 4 have a cross-section whose outline is rectangular. The external face of the shims 5 is also rectangular, so that a flat lateral face of a blade 4 comes into contact with a parallel linear part of a shim 5.

[0051] It is possible to maintain contact between a flat lateral face of a blade 4 and a parallel linear portion of a wedge 5, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11. In this configuration, the blades 4 have a cross-section whose contour is a parallelogram. The blades 4 thus have a configuration inclined relative to the vertical. The external face of the wedges 5 is also a parallelogram, so that a flat lateral face of a blade 4 comes into contact with a linear parallel portion of a wedge 5.

[0052] A method of assembling an outdoor solar shelter 1 according to the invention may be as follows: - a chassis 2 is provided comprising at least two beams 3. Each of these beams has a first groove 31 and a second groove 32, as detailed previously; - an alternation of ends of blades 4 and wedges 5 as detailed previously are housed in the first groove 31 of the beams 3. The blades 4 are thus spaced apart from each other. By housing the wedges 5 in the groove 31, the protrusion of these wedges 5 (here the lips 51 and 52) is also placed in engagement in the second groove 32 of the beam 3. The wedges 5 are thus immobilized on their beam 3 in order to prevent the blades from sliding along the grooves 31.

Claims

Claims

1. [Outdoor sun shelter (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a chassis (2) comprising at least first and second beams (3), each of said beams having a first groove (31) delimited by a bottom (37) and by first and second lateral edges (33, 35), and having a second groove (32) formed on one face of the first groove (31), the first and second grooves extending along a longitudinal axis of their beam; - several blades (4) each extending between the first and second beams (3) and spaced from each other, the blades (4) having profile shapes and each having first and second ends, the first end (41) being housed in the first groove (31) of the first beam (3) and clamped by the bottom (37) and by the first and second lateral edges (33, 35) of this first groove (31), the second end being housed in the first groove of the second beam and clamped by the bottom and by the first and second lateral edges of this first groove; - wedges (5) interposed between the first ends (41) of the blades (4) and housed in the first groove (31) of the first beam, said wedges (4) each having a protrusion (51, 52) engaged in the second groove (32) of the first beam (3), the protrusion of the wedges (5) comprising two elastically deformable lips (51, 52), the distance at rest between the distal edges of the two lips being greater than the width of the opening (38) of said second groove (32).

2. Outdoor sun shelter (1) according to claim 1, wherein the slats (4) have the same cross-section from the free edge of the first end to the free edge of the second end.

3. An outdoor sun shelter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second ends of the blades (4) have clearance relative to the lateral edges (33, 35) and clearance relative to the bottom (37) of the first grooves (31) of the first and second beams (3) respectively.

4. An outdoor sun shelter (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second ends of the slats (4) are capable of being moved relative to the first and second beams by the amplitude of said clearances.

5. An outdoor sun shelter (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second beams (3) have a profile shape.

6. Outdoor sun shelter (1) according to claim 5, wherein said profile forms an uninterrupted surface extending continuously from the first lateral edge (33) to the second lateral edge (35) and delimiting the bottom (37) and the second groove (32).

7. An outdoor sun shelter (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said second groove (32) is provided in the bottom (37) of the first groove (31).

8. Outdoor sun shelter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising flanges secured to the first beam (3) and restricting sliding of the slats (4) and the wedges (5) along the longitudinal axis of the first beam.

9. An outdoor sun shelter (1) according to claim 8, wherein said flanges maintain a clearance between the slats (4) and the wedges (5) in the first groove of the first beam less than half the width of a wedge.

10. Outdoor sun shelter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wedges (5) have a profile shape over their entire width, the width of a wedge corresponding to its dimension along the longitudinal axis of the first beam (3).

11. An outdoor sun shelter (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said first beam (3) comprises first and second front faces extending perpendicularly to the first and second side edges respectively, said wedges (5) having a front surface flush with the first and second front faces.

12. Outdoor sun shelter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising uprights (9) integral with the frame (2) and fixed to the ground.

13. Set of parts, comprising first and second beams (3), blades (4) and wedges (5) configured to be assembled to form an outdoor solar shelter according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A method of assembling an outdoor solar shelter comprising the steps of: - provision of a chassis (2) comprising at least first and second beams (3), each of said beams having a first groove (31) delimited by a bottom (37) and by first and second lateral edges (33, 35), and having a second groove (32) formed on one face of the first groove (31), the first and second grooves extending along a longitudinal axis of their beam; -accommodating first and second ends of a set of blades (4) in the first grooves (31) respectively of the first and second beams (3); -accommodating shims (5) in the first groove (31) of the first beam (3), between the first ends of said blades (4) so as to space the blades (4) from each other, by placing a protrusion (51, 52) of the shims in engagement in the second groove (32) of the first beam (3), the protrusion of the shims (5) comprising two elastically deformable lips (51, 52), the distance at rest between the distal edges of the two lips being greater than the width of the opening (38) of said second groove