Adjustment mechanism for a parasol

Abstract

A parasol (1) comprising a support (3) to be fastened to a wall or the like and a housing (2) to be fastened to said support, the housing comprising a receptacle (6) for a parasol, arms (7) fastened to opposite sides of the housing, a front bar (10) fastened to the free ends of the arms, and a parasol cloth (11) extending between said front bar and the receptacle, the housing comprising a longitudinal axis (12) and adjusting means (17) for pivoting the housing about the longitudinal axis (12), the adjusting means engaging between the support and the housing, the adjusting means comprising a pivot pin (19, 18) rotatably mounted in the housing or the support, the axis of rotation of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (12) and at a distance therefrom, threaded means (20) engaging with the pivot pin, which on the other hand are located at a support point (18,19) of the support or the housing, wherein the distance between the support point and the pivot pin is adjustable for adjusting the mutual position of the support and the housing, wherein the support point comprises a further pivot pin (18, 19) whose axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (12) and at a distance therefrom.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a parasol, comprising a support to be fastened to a wall or the like and a housing to be fastened to this support, wherein the housing comprises a receptacle for an umbrella, arms fastened to opposite sides of the housing, a front bar fastened to the free ends of the arms and a parasol cloth extending between this front bar and the receptacle, wherein the housing comprises a longitudinal axis and adjusting means for pivoting the housing about the longitudinal axis are provided, wherein the adjusting means engage between the support and the housing. Such a parasol is known from WO 2005 / 085 549 A1. From this document, an adjusting mechanism is known in which a toothing is attached to the plate of the housing.The carrier is provided with interacting gear teeth, and the design is such that a locking element must be inserted between the teeth to allow them to engage. This locking element can be moved into various positions, allowing precise adjustment of the housing relative to the carrier.

[0002] DE 4308965 A1 discloses an articulated-arm awning in which the articulated arms are connected to a frame via joints. The joints have two pivot axes at right angles to each other. One of the pivot axes is parallel to the roller tube, while the other pivot axis is perpendicular to it.

[0003] FR 2 759 402 A1 discloses an awning in which a single profile supports and connects the various components of the system. With its longitudinal cross-section in the shape of an open figure "6," this profile has the advantage of allowing the fabric to be accommodated, protected, and maintained along the entire length of the awning.

[0004] EP 0 747 550 A1 relates to a sunshade in which a square rod serves as a support for its articulated arms. This rod is rotatably mounted and can accommodate an inclination of up to 90°. For this purpose, a rotating device is provided that acts directly on the square rod, thus allowing the sunshade to be aligned.

[0005] DE 102 43 822 C1 relates to a support tube awning in which two bearing pieces are provided for connecting the winding shaft to the support tube. The two bearing pieces are connected to the support tube at the ends, and each bearing piece can be pivoted independently relative to the support tube.

[0006] Generally, there are two types of adjustment devices used for parasols. The first, very simple version involves attaching the casing in a fixed position relative to the support. The articulated arm incorporated into the casing can be adjusted relative to the casing. It is important that the articulated arm, when inserted into the casing, enters at the correct height relative to the casing. The adjustment of the articulated arm takes place in its extended position, and this adjustment may conflict with the adjustment when folded. Furthermore, the front bar must be adjusted so that it fits snugly against the casing. Adjusting the arm to a more horizontal or more vertical extended position will cause the front bar to rotate relative to the casing.

[0007] Therefore, an improved variant proposes making the housing and the support used for wall mounting adjustable relative to each other. This makes it possible to optimize the position of the articulated arm relative to the housing. The positioning of the articulated arm in the extended position can be achieved by adjusting the housing relative to the support. Furthermore, the adjustability between the housing and the support makes it possible to use such parasols for installation under balconies and the like, with the support positioned against a horizontal plane. This must be possible without requiring many special measures.

[0008] Although the adjustment option described in WO 2005 / 085 549 A1 works well, it's not always easy for installation personnel to understand. It requires some experience to achieve the correct adjustment. Furthermore, the umbrella, and especially the support, requires side access for inserting the blocking element. Furthermore, this adjustment is not stepless.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustment possibility between the housing and the carrier.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1, wherein the adjusting means comprise a pivot pin rotatably mounted in the housing or the support, the axis of rotation of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and at a distance therefrom, wherein threaded means are engaged with the pivot pin, which on the other hand are supported on a support point of the support or the housing, wherein the distance between the support point and the pivot pin is adjustable for adjusting the mutual position of the support and the housing.

[0011] According to the invention, a linear adjustment is provided between the housing and the support. Since such a linear adjustment is incompatible with the rotation of the housing with respect to the support, and yet a considerable adjustment range is desired, the invention proposes, in particular, that at least one of the engagement points of the adjustment mechanism, either of the support or of the housing, be designed as a pivot pin. This allows the linear adjustment mechanism to pivot relative to the support or the housing when traveling a considerable travel distance. This makes it possible to achieve a very precise adjustment between the housing and the support in a simple manner.

[0012] According to the invention, both the engagement point on the support and the engagement point on the housing are designed as a pin engaging in a bore. In this way, the torsion-free adjustment of the housing relative to the support is ensured under all circumstances. In particular, each of the pivot pins is provided with an opening through which a threaded part extends. These openings can optionally be provided with a thread, or an enclosure can be provided for one of the support points or pivot pins. Furthermore, it is possible to provide both support points or pivot pins with a thread and, in particular, to provide them with different pitches or even with an opposite pitch.

[0013] The drive of the threaded means for adjustment can be achieved, for example, by providing a hexagon socket with an Allen key.

[0014] According to another variation of the present invention, fixing means are also provided which act between the support and the housing. These fixing means can be activated as soon as the housing has been brought into the correct position relative to the support. Such fixing means can comprise slots provided in the support or in the housing and bolt holes provided in the housing or in the support. Bolts can then extend through the slots and be screwed tightly into the bolt holes so that the support and the housing are clamped against one another and locking can take place by friction. This engagement can be further improved by providing surface roughness. Such slots are preferably circular, the circular arc extending such that its center coincides with the pivot longitudinal line of the housing.

[0015] For easy assembly and further centering of the housing relative to the carrier, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is provided with a projection or a recess, and the carrier is provided with a recess or a projection. This projection and this recess are designed to allow the two parts to mesh, subsequently allowing only a rotational movement between the housing and the carrier.

[0016] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a parasol according to the invention, Fig. 2 Details of the construction between the housing and the support according to the invention and Fig. 3 adjusting the position of the carrier and the housing relative to each other.

[0017] In Fig. 1, 1 designates a parasol. This consists of a housing 2 and a support 3. The support 3 consists of a mounting plate 4, which can be attached to a wall, balcony, or the like in any manner. The mounting plate 4 is provided with a structure for receiving a support ring 5. This support ring 5 is to be engaged with the plate 13 of the housing 2. Depending on the intended attachment, for example, installation on a (vertical) wall or under a (horizontal) balcony, the hole pattern in the support ring 5 can be changed with regard to the attachment of the support ring 5 of the mounting plate. This means that the installer has a choice of support rings 5 during installation to enable any type of attachment.

[0018] The housing provides a holder 6 for a cloth. Attached to the plate 13 of the housing is an articulated arm 7, consisting of an arm section 8 attached to the plate 13 and an arm section 9 to which the front bar 10 is attached. The cloth 11 extends between the front bar 10 and the holder 6.

[0019] The housing 2 can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis 12 with respect to the support 3 in order to adjust the desired end position of the front strip with respect to the wall, balcony or the like to which the support 3 is attached. For this purpose, an adjustment mechanism is provided, the details of which are shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 emerge.

[0020] The plate 13 of the housing is provided with an opening 22 for receiving a pivot pin 19. This opening can match the shape of the pin 19 or be slightly larger to allow a small movement of the pin 19. The carrier and in particular the support ring 5 are provided with an opening 23 for receiving a pivot pin 18. Both the pivot pin 18 and the pivot pin 19 are provided with an opening which is provided with an internal thread 27 or 26, respectively. In the present example, the thread 27 is designed as a right-hand thread, while the thread 26 is designed as a left-hand thread. A threaded part 20 can be inserted through both the pin 18 and the pin 19. This is provided with a right-hand or left-hand thread accordingly. At the free end, the threaded part 20 is provided with a hexagon socket 21.

[0021] Out of Fig. 2 shows that the support ring 5 has a number of openings 43, by means of which the support ring 5 can be clamped with respect to the housing 2. Furthermore, Fig. 2 that the support ring 5 is provided with arcuate slots 16 for receiving bolts 15 which can be screwed into one of the threaded holes 14 in the plate 13.

[0022] The plate 13 is provided with a raised portion 28, while the support ring 5 is provided with an inner opening 29. The raised portion 28 and the inner opening 29 correspond to each other, allowing a rotating attachment of the housing relative to the support ring 5 along the longitudinal axis 12.

[0023] In Fig.Figure 3 schematically shows the assembled state of the support and the housing. By turning the threaded part 20 with the aid of a tool 42, such as an Allen key, the pins 18 and 19 are brought closer to or further apart from each other. Because both pins 18 and 19 are rotatably mounted in the support ring 5 and the housing 2, respectively, this linear movement of the two pins 18, 19 is converted into a rotary movement of the housing 2 relative to the support ring 5 without any significant resistance.

[0024] Once the correct position of the housing relative to the support ring has been achieved, i.e., when it is in the correct position in the unfolded position, it may be desirable to further secure the housing relative to the support ring 5. For this purpose, bolts 15 are tightened, which clamp the housing relative to the support ring 5 by friction. This creates a fixed setting that can be easily adjusted later. Furthermore, it is not necessary for fitters to have any special knowledge to perform this adjustment.

[0025] Based on the above explanations, practical modifications are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, it is possible to mount the pins 18, 19 on two sides. Furthermore, it is possible to replace one of the pins with a differently designed support point.

Claims

[1] A parasol (1) comprising a support (3) to be fastened to a wall or the like and a housing (2) to be fastened to said support, the housing comprising a receptacle (6) for a parasol, arms (7) fastened to opposite sides of the housing, a front bar (10) fastened to the free ends of the arms, and a parasol cloth (11) extending between said front bar and the receptacle, the housing comprising a longitudinal axis (12) and adjusting means (17) for pivoting the housing about the longitudinal axis (12), the adjusting means acting between the support and the housing, the adjusting means comprising a pivot pin (19, 18) rotatably mounted in the housing or the support, the axis of rotation of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (12) and at a distance therefrom, the pivot pin being engaged by threaded means (20) which, on the other hand, are located at a support point (18,19) of the support or the housing, wherein the distance between the support point and the pivot pin is adjustable for adjusting the mutual position of the support and the housing, wherein the support point comprises a further pivot pin (18, 19) whose axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (12) and at a distance therefrom. [2] Parasol according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and / or the further pivot pin is provided with an internal thread (26, 27) for receiving the thread means (20). [3] Parasol according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support point is provided with an internal thread (26, 27) for receiving the thread means (20). [4] A parasol according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pitch of the thread in the pivot pin is opposite to the pitch of the thread in the support point. [5] Parasol according to one of the preceding claims, in which fixing means (14, 15) acting between the support and the housing are provided. [6] A parasol according to claim 5, wherein the fixing means comprise a slot provided in the support or the housing, which is curved according to a circular arc part, the center line of the circular arc part coinciding with the longitudinal axis. [7] A parasol according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing or support is provided with a projection (28) and the support or housing is provided with a corresponding recess (29), the projection and the recess being circular in shape, with their longitudinal center line coinciding with the longitudinal axis.

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