shading panel

Abstract

Shading panel (4), comprising: a pair of guide parts (43, 44) each comprising a guide groove (432); a plurality of lamellar elements (45), each coupled to the pair of guide parts and at least partially arranged between them, wherein end sections (451) of the lamellar elements, which are arranged at their opposite ends, are each received in the guide groove of a corresponding guide part; a plurality of spacer elements (50), each of which is received in the guide groove of a respective guide part, wherein adjacent end sections of each pair of adjacent lamella elements are coupled to each other by a spacer element from the plurality of spacer elements, wherein the plurality of spacer elements and lamella elements together form an arrangement whose sliding movement in the guide grooves of the guide parts is limited.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a shading panel and a shading wall comprising a plurality of such shading panels. The present invention further relates to a building or structure comprising such a shading wall, and to an arrangement for forming the shading panel. In particular, the present invention relates to a shading panel, a shading wall, and a building or structure, respectively, according to the independent or subordinate claims listed below. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Shading panels are well known. Such panels typically consist of a pair of oppositely arranged posts between which a plurality of louvre elements are arranged. Such panels can be used in various building types, including a sun porch, a patio, a canopy, or a veranda.

[0003] Typically, shade panels are manufactured on-site by experienced personnel. However, there is a market demand for shade panels offered as assemblies that can be assembled by the end user. Furthermore, there is a further demand for shade panels that can be reconfigured by the end user to achieve a different appearance and / or functionality. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shading panel which meets the above-mentioned requirements.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a shading panel comprising a pair of guide parts, each having a guide groove. The shading panel further comprises a plurality of slat elements, each coupled to the pair of guide parts and arranged at least partially, but preferably completely, between them, wherein the end portions of the slat elements, which are arranged at their opposite ends, are each received in the guide groove of a corresponding guide part.

[0006] The shading panel further comprises a plurality of spacer elements, each of which is / are received in the guide groove of a corresponding guide part, wherein adjacent end portions of each pair of adjacent louvre elements are coupled to one another by a spacer element from the plurality of spacer elements. The plurality of spacer elements and the louvre elements together form an assembly whose sliding movement in the guide grooves of the guide parts is limited.

[0007] By using various spacers, the user can adjust the appearance and sunlight-blocking properties of the shading panel. Furthermore, the structure of the shading panel according to the invention is designed so that the end user can easily install the shading panel themselves.

[0008] Each end portion of each louvre element can be coupled via a spacer element to an adjacent end portion of an adjacent louvre element. For example, each louvre element can have two end portions located on opposite sides of the louvre element. The end portions of a louvre element located in a central region of the shading panel can each be connected to an end portion of an adjacent louvre element. For example, the end portion of a louvre element located on a left side of the louvre element can be connected to an end portion of a lower adjacent louvre element and to an end portion of a higher adjacent louvre element. Similar considerations apply to the end portion of the louvre element located on a right side of the louvre element.In other embodiments, a particular slat element is connected to an adjacent slat element via only a single spacer element.

[0009] The shading panel may further comprise a limiting unit for limiting the sliding movement of said assembly in the guide grooves of the guide parts. The limiting unit may, for example, comprise at least one limiting part, each limiting part being releasably coupled to at least one of the guide parts. The at least one limiting part may be configured to limit the guide groove(s) of the guide part(s) to which it is coupled. The at least one limiting part may comprise a pair of limiting parts for each guide part to limit the corresponding guide groove on opposite sides thereof.

[0010] In one embodiment, the guide members are configured to be oriented vertically and the boundary members horizontally during normal use of the shading panel. Additionally or alternatively, each boundary member can be connected to each guide member of the pair of guide members.

[0011] The limiting unit may comprise a locking part that mechanically couples a slat element and / or a spacer element of the arrangement to a limiting part of the at least one limiting part. Alternatively, the limiting unit may comprise a locking part that mechanically couples a slat element and / or a spacer element of the arrangement to the guide part corresponding to the guide groove in which it or they are arranged.

[0012] Instead of or in addition to the limiting unit comprising a locking part that mechanically couples a slat element and / or a spacer element of the assembly to a limiting part or to the corresponding guide part, the limiting unit can alternatively or additionally be achieved if a combined size of the spacer elements and the end portions in a longitudinal direction in a specific guide groove corresponds to a length of this guide groove in the same direction. In this case, the pair of limiting parts encloses and / or clamps the spacer elements and end portions in this guide groove.

[0013] The shading panel may comprise a pair of these limiting units, each limiting unit being associated with a corresponding guide part. Furthermore, a pair of limiting units may be provided for each guide part. In this case, a slat element and / or a spacer element at both ends of the guide groove of the respective guide part may be mechanically coupled to the closure part.

[0014] The guide groove of each guide part can be elongated. Furthermore, the movement of the end portions and the spacer elements in this guide groove can be limited in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide groove. For example, at least one guide groove can have a recess or a projection extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In this case, the end portions in the at least one guide groove can each have the other of the two recesses and projections, wherein the recesses and projections have a complementary shape. The projection can be formed as an elevation extending along or parallel to the longitudinal axis. Additionally or alternatively, the recess and the projection are formed on opposite sides of the guide groove and the end portions.Furthermore, the spacer elements arranged between the end sections provided with a recess or projection can be provided with a similar recess or projection. The guide parts can be formed as extruded profiles, for example, made of aluminum, magnesium, copper, steel, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate (PC), and / or polypropylene (PP).

[0015] Each spacer element may be provided with a first recess or a first projection on one side and a third recess or a third projection on the opposite side. Each end portion may be provided with a second projection or a second recess on one side and a fourth projection or a fourth recess on the opposite side. The first recess or the first projection may be configured to couple with the second projection or the second recess, and the third recess or the third projection may be configured to couple with the fourth projection or the fourth recess. Furthermore, the shade panel may have a front side and an opposite back side. In this case, each spacer element may have a base with a first surface and a third surface corresponding to the front and back surfaces, respectively.rear surface of the louvre element, wherein the first recess or the first projection is formed in, on, or near the first surface, and wherein the third recess or the third projection is formed in, on, or near the third surface. Furthermore, each end portion can comprise a base having a second surface and a fourth surface corresponding to the front and rear surfaces of the louvre element, respectively, wherein the second recess or the second projection is formed in, on, or near the second surface, and wherein the fourth recess or the fourth projection is formed in, on, or near the fourth surface.

[0016] The plurality of spacer elements and the end portions of the plurality of louvre elements may be molded parts, for example, from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), glass (fiber) reinforced plastic (GRP), fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and glass fiber reinforced nylon.

[0017] It is to be understood that the abbreviations mentioned here, particularly those relating to materials, whether in German or English, are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

[0018] Each louvre element or shading element can comprise a slat arranged between the end sections of the respective louvre element / shading element. The slat of a louvre element / shading element can be detachably coupled to the end sections of this louvre element / shading element, for example, by screws or the like. The louvre can be made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, steel, aluminum, plastics, and composite materials.

[0019] Each spacer element can be substantially completely received within the corresponding guide groove, for example, to obtain an aesthetically pleasing panel. Similarly, each end section element can be substantially completely received within the corresponding guide groove.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a shading wall comprising a plurality of shading panels as defined above. The shading wall may further comprise a guide rail having a plurality of guide tracks, wherein each shading panel of the plurality of shading panels is slidably received in a respective guide track. A guide rail may be provided at opposite ends of the shading panel, for example, at a top and a bottom.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a building or structure comprising the above-mentioned shading wall.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an assembly for forming the aforementioned shading wall. This assembly comprises a pair of guide members, each having a guide groove, a plurality of louvre elements, each configured to be coupled to the pair of guide members and at least partially disposed between them, wherein the end portions of the louvre elements, which are arranged at their opposite ends, are each configured to be received in the guide groove of a respective guide member.

[0023] The arrangement further comprises a plurality of spacer elements, each of which is configured to be received in the guide groove of a respective guide part, wherein the adjacently arranged end portions of each pair of adjacently arranged slat elements are configured to be coupled to one another by a spacer element from the plurality of spacer elements, wherein the plurality of spacer elements and slat elements are configured to together form an arrangement in which a sliding movement in the guide grooves of the guide parts is limited. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0024] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals and in which: Fig. 1 shows a structure in the form of a sun veranda having a shading wall according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a shading panel, which is installed in the shading wall of Fig. 1 is used; Fig. 3 shows a slat element that is used in the shading wall of Fig. 2 is used; Fig. 4A shows cartridge-like end portions of adjacently arranged lamella elements connected to each other by spacer elements; Fig. Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the guide parts of the shading panel of Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a spacer element used to connect end sections; and Fig. 6 illustrates how the slat elements can be fixed in the shading panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a sun canopy 1 comprising a frame 2, which is fixedly attached to a building 3, and a plurality of shading panels 4, which together form a shading wall 5. The frame 2 consists of a plurality of main frame parts 21, upper guide rails 22, and lower guide rails 23. The shading panels 4 are each slidably mounted in a guide track of the upper guide rail 22 and in a guide track of the lower guide rail 23.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows a shading panel 4 in detail. Each shading panel 4 comprises a lower cassette 41, which is slidably mounted in the lower guide rail 23, and an upper cassette 42, which is slidably mounted in the upper guide rail 22. The shading panel 4 further comprises a left guide part 43 and a right guide part 44, as well as a plurality of slat elements 45 arranged between the guide parts 43, 44. The front side F and the back side B of the shading panel 4 correspond to the sides as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0027] In Fig. 3, a slat element 45 is shown in more detail. As shown, the slat element 45 comprises an end portion 451 arranged on opposite sides of the slat element 45, wherein in Fig. 3, only a single end section is shown. The end sections 451 are cartridge-shaped and formed, for example, by a molding process. Each slat element 45 comprises a slat 452, which can be formed from a different material than the material used to manufacture the end sections 451, e.g., wood. The strip 452 is attached to the end sections 451 with screws or the like. Fig. 3 shows openings 453 through which these screws can be inserted.

[0028] In Fig. 4A shows several end sections 451 which are connected to each other via spacer elements 50 which are arranged in Fig. 5 are shown in more detail.

[0029] Each end portion 451 includes a base 4513 provided with a negative coupling feature in the form of a recess 4511. In particular, the base 4513 of each end portion 451 includes a front surface 4513F and a rear surface 4513B that correspond to the front surface F and the rear surface B of the shade panel 4, respectively. A negative coupling feature is located on both the front surface 4513F and the rear surface 4513B. The base 4513 further includes a groove 4512, which is also located on both the front surface 4513F and the rear surface 4513B.

[0030] As in Fig. 5, each spacer element 50 includes a body 51 and positive coupling features in the form of protruding elements 53F and 53B. Here, protruding element 53F is inserted into a recess 4511 on the front surface 4513F of a base 4513 of an adjacent end portion 451, while protruding element 53B is inserted into a recess on the rear surface 4513B of a base 4513 of another adjacent end portion 451. It should be noted that protrusions 53F and 53B can be mirror images of each other. The same applies to the recesses formed on surfaces 4513B, 4513F. Furthermore, protruding elements 53F, 53B and recesses 4511 have a complementary shape.

[0031] The body 51 further includes a groove 52 formed on a front surface 51F and a rear surface 51B of the body 51. The grooves 4512 of the end portions 451 and the grooves 52 of the spacer elements 50 together form a continuous groove on the two front surfaces 51F, 4513F and the rear surfaces 51B, 4513B.

[0032] The spacer elements 50 determine the distance between adjacent end sections 451 in the z-direction and thus the distance between adjacent slats 452.

[0033] Fig. 4B shows a cross-section of a guide member 43, which is typically formed as an extrusion profile of aluminum, magnesium, copper, steel, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate (PC), and / or polypropylene (PP). The guide member 43 defines a guide groove 432 having inwardly directed projections 431. The projections 431 have a shape complementary to the shape of the grooves 4512, 52 formed on the rear and front surfaces of the end portions 451 and the spacer elements 50. When the end portions 451 and the spacer elements 50 are arranged in a guide member 43, the projections 431 are received in the groove formed by the grooves 4512 and the grooves 52. This leads to a limitation of the movement of the spacer elements 50 and the end sections 451 in the x-direction and y-direction in the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B.

[0034] The following describes an exemplary method for manufacturing a shading panel 4. The user can begin by placing the guide members 43 on the floor at a distance. Subsequently, a plurality of louvre elements 45 are formed. Each louvre element 45 is formed by connecting a louvre 452 on opposite sides to corresponding end portions 451.

[0035] In a next step, the slat elements 45 are arranged in the guide parts 43. For this purpose, the user can align the grooves 4512 of the end sections 451 of a first slat element 45 with the projections 431 of the guide parts 43, 44. Before the end sections 451 are fully arranged in both guide parts 43, 44, the user couples a spacer element 50 to the end sections 451 on both sides of the slat element 45. Subsequently, the slat element 45 and the associated spacer elements 50 are moved further into the guide parts 43, 44. The user can then attach another slat element 45 to the spacer elements 50. This process can be continued until both guide parts 43, 44 are filled with spacer elements 50 and end sections 451.

[0036] After all slat elements 45 have been installed, the guide parts 43, 44 are attached to the upper cassette 42 and the lower cassette 41. These cassettes form limiting parts and are both part of a limiting unit that limits the sliding movement of the arrangement of slat elements 45 and spacer elements 50 in the guide grooves 432 of the guide parts 43, 44. By correctly selecting the length of the guide parts 43, 44, the width of the end sections 451, and the width of the spacer elements 50 in the z-direction, it can be ensured that the end sections 451 can no longer move along the guide grooves 432 of the guide parts 43, 44 after the upper and lower cassettes 41, 42 have been attached. At this stage, the shading panel 4 is finished and can be attached to the upper guide rail 22 and the lower guide rail 23 of the frame 2.For this purpose, the upper cassette 42 and the lower cassette 41 are mounted slidingly in a guide track of the upper guide rail 22 and the lower guide rail 23, respectively. Once completed, a user can move the shading panel 4 along the upper guide rail 22 and the lower guide rail 23.

[0037] When configured according to Fig. 1, a user may, for example, decide to arrange the shading panels 4 side by side as shown to maximize the blocking of sunlight, or they may decide to move the shading panels 4 along the x-direction so that the shading panels 4 are / will be arranged one behind the other to minimize the blocking of sunlight.

[0038] Fig. Figure 6 illustrates another way of ensuring that the end sections 451 can no longer move along the guide grooves 432 of the guide parts 43, 44 after the fastening of the upper cassette 42 and the lower cassette 41. Specifically, Fig. 6 illustrates how the base 4513 of an end portion 451 is coupled to an insert 233 disposed in the lower guide rail 23 by means of a locking member 234 received in a recess formed in the base 4513. Here, the insert 233 is rigidly connected to a carriage 231 provided with wheels 232 that allow the carriage 231 and the insert 233 to move along the x-direction in the lower guide rail 23.

[0039] It should be noted that both approaches for limiting the movement of the arrangement of spacer elements 50 and slat elements 45 in the guide grooves 432 of the guide parts 43, 44 can be combined.

[0040] In the foregoing, the present invention has been explained by describing detailed embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Rather, various modifications are possible without changing the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalent embodiments thereof.

[0041] Summary: The present invention relates to a shading panel and a shading wall comprising a plurality of such shading panels. The present invention further relates to a building or structure comprising such a shading wall and to an assembly for forming the shading panel. According to the present invention, a shading panel is provided comprising a pair of guide members, each having a guide groove, and a plurality of louvre elements, each coupled to the pair of guide members and at least partially disposed between them. End portions of the louvre elements, which are arranged at their opposite ends, are each received in the guide groove of a corresponding guide member. The shading panel further comprises a plurality of spacer elements, each received in the guide groove of a corresponding guide member.Adjacent end portions of each pair of adjacent louvre elements are coupled together by a spacer element. The plurality of spacer elements and louvre elements together form an assembly whose sliding movement in the guide grooves of the guide parts is limited.

Claims

[1] Shading panel (4), comprising: a pair of guide members (43, 44), each comprising a guide groove (432); a plurality of slat elements (45) each coupled to and at least partially disposed between the pair of guide members, wherein end portions (451) of the slat elements disposed at opposite ends thereof are each received in the guide groove of a corresponding guide member; a plurality of spacer elements (50) each received in the guide groove of a respective guide part, wherein adjacently arranged end portions of each pair of adjacently arranged slat elements are coupled to one another by a spacer element from the plurality of spacer elements, wherein the plurality of spacer elements and slat elements together form an arrangement whose sliding movement in the guide grooves of the guide parts is limited. [2] Shading panel according to claim 1, wherein each end portion of each louvre element is coupled by a spacer element to an adjacently arranged end portion of an adjacently arranged louvre element. [3] Shading panel according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a limiting unit for limiting the sliding movement of the assembly in the guide grooves of the guide members. [4] Shading panel according to claim 3, wherein the boundary unit comprises at least one boundary part, each boundary part being detachably coupled to at least one of the guide parts and being arranged to delimit the guide groove(s) of the guide part(s) to which it is coupled. [5] Shading panel according to claim 4, wherein each boundary part is coupled to each guide part of the pair of guide parts. [6] A shading panel according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one demarcation member comprises a pair of demarcation members for each guide member for demarcating the corresponding guide groove on opposite sides thereof. [7] Shading panel according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the boundary unit comprises a locking part (234) which mechanically couples a slat element and / or a spacer element of the arrangement to a boundary part of the at least one boundary part. [8] Shading panel according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the limiting unit comprises a locking part which mechanically couples a slat element and / or a spacer element of the arrangement to the guide part which corresponds to the guide groove in which it or they is / are arranged. [9] Shading panel according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein a combined size of the spacers and the end portions in the longitudinal direction in a given guide groove corresponds to a length of this guide groove, wherein the limiting unit comprises the pair of limiting parts for limiting and / or clamping the spacers and the end portions in this guide groove. [10] Shading panel according to one of claims 3 to 9, comprising a pair of said limiting units, each limiting unit being associated with a respective guide member. [11] Shading panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide groove of each guide part is elongate, and wherein the movement of the end portions and spacer elements in this guide groove is limited in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide groove. [12] Shading panel according to claim 11, wherein at least one guide groove comprises either a recess or a projection (431) extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the end portions in the at least one guide groove each comprise the other (4512) of the recess and the projection, wherein the recess (4512) and the projection (431) have a complementary shape, wherein the projection is preferably formed as an elevation extending along or parallel to the longitudinal axis. [13] Shading panel according to claim 12, wherein the recess and the projection are formed on opposite sides of the guide groove and the end portions. [14] Shading panel according to claim 13, wherein the spacer elements arranged between the end portions provided with a recess or a projection are provided with a similar recess (52) or a similar projection. [15] Shading panel according to claim 14, wherein the guide parts are designed as an extrusion profile. [16] Shading panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each spacer element is provided on one of its sides with a first recess or a first projection (53F) and on the opposite side with a third recess or a third projection (53B); wherein each end portion is provided on one of its sides with a second projection or a second recess (4511) and on the opposite side with a fourth projection or a fourth recess, wherein the first recess or the first projection is arranged to be coupled to the second projection or the second recess, and wherein the third recess or the third projection is arranged to be coupled to the fourth projection or the fourth recess. [17] Shading panel according to claim 16, wherein the shading panel has a front side (F) and an oppositely arranged back side (B); wherein each spacer element has a base (51) with a first surface (51F) and a third surface (51B) corresponding to the front and rear surfaces of the slat element, wherein the first recess or the first projection is formed in, on or near the first surface, and wherein the third recess or the third projection is formed in, on or near the third surface; and wherein each end portion has a base (4513) with a second surface (4513F) and a fourth surface (4513B) corresponding to the front and rear surfaces of the slat member, wherein the second recess or the second projection is formed in, on or near the second surface, and wherein the fourth recess or the fourth projection is formed in, on or near the fourth surface. [18] Shading panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of spacer elements and the end portions of the plurality of louvre elements are molded parts. [19] Shading panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each louvre element comprises a louvre (452) arranged between the end portions of that louvre element. [20] Shading panel according to claim 19, wherein the slat of a respective slat element is detachably coupled to the end portions of this slat element. [21] Shading panel according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the slat is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, steel, aluminum, plastics, composite materials. [22] Shading panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each spacer element is substantially completely received in the corresponding guide groove. [23] Shading panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each end section element is substantially completely received in the corresponding guide groove. [24] Shading wall comprising a plurality of shading panels according to one of the preceding claims. [25] Shading wall according to claim 24, further comprising a guide rail (22, 23) having a plurality of guide tracks, wherein each shading panel of the plurality of shading panels is slidably received in a corresponding guide track. [26] Building or structure with the shading wall according to claim 24 or 25. [27] Arrangement for forming the shading wall according to one of claims 1 to 23, comprising: a pair of guide members each comprising a guide groove; a plurality of slat elements configured to be coupled to and at least partially disposed between the pair of guide members, wherein the end portions of the slat elements disposed at opposite ends thereof are each configured to be received in the guide groove of a respective guide member; a plurality of spacer elements each adapted to be received in the guide groove of a respective guide part, wherein the adjacently arranged end portions of each pair of adjacently arranged slat elements are adapted to be coupled to one another by a spacer element from the plurality of spacer elements, wherein the plurality of spacer elements and slat elements are adapted to together form an arrangement whose sliding movement in the guide grooves of the guide parts is limited.

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