Device for interposable connection between one of the ends of a plurality of slats, frame for the production of a panel with adjustable slats, and panel obtained

Abstract

Interposable connecting device (1) between one end of a plurality of blades (21) and a frame (22) and comprising blade support pieces (2) each coupleable to one end of a blade (21) of the plurality of blades (21), an operating rod (3) connecting said support pieces (2) each coupled to the operating rod (3) by a pivoting connection about a first pivot axis, and a connecting bar (4) of the support pieces (2) to which the support pieces (2) are respectively coupled by a pivoting connection about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis. The articulated connecting bar (4) which can be coupled to the frame (22) is formed of at least two sections (51, 52) of bar connected to each other by a third pivot axis parallel to the first and second pivot axes and the operating rod (3) formed of a plurality of segments (61, 62) is a rod of adjustable length.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting device which can be interposed between one of the ends of a plurality of slats and a frame for the purpose of producing a panel with adjustable slats, as well as the panel obtained.

[0002] It relates, in particular, to a connecting device interposable between one of the ends of a plurality of slats and a frame for connecting said plurality of slats to each other at their end, and fixing said plurality of slats to the frame, with a view to producing a panel with adjustable slats capable of pivoting between an open position and a closed position around respective axes parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the slats, said connecting device comprising: a plurality of blade support pieces each coupleable to one end of at least one of the blades of the plurality of blades, an operating rod connecting said support pieces each coupled to the operating rod by a pivoting connection about a first pivot axis with the first pivot axes parallel from one support piece to another and, a connecting bar of the support pieces between them to which the support pieces are respectively coupled by a pivoting connection about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, said connecting bar being intended to be coupled to the frame.

[0003] Such a connecting device is known as illustrated by patent FR 2 986 819. Such a connecting device interposable between one of the ends of a plurality of slats and a frame allows, by cooperation with a similar connecting device interposable between the other of the ends of the plurality of slats and the frame, the production of a panel with adjustable slats serving as a shutter, a privacy screen structure, a pergola-type sun protection or other. The use of these panels has grown in recent years. In certain applications, users would like these panels with adjustable slats to be panels with a shape other than a straight shape. Indeed, for example, pergolas with a wave-shaped roof would be appreciated. However, the construction techniques for panels with adjustable slats do not currently allow the production of such complex shapes.

[0004] Other connecting devices which can be interposed between one of the ends of a plurality of slats and a frame for the purpose of producing a panel with adjustable slats are known as illustrated in document JP S57 114092.

[0005] An aim of the invention is to propose a connecting device whose design allows, in a simple manner, the production of a panel with adjustable slats of complex shape, that is to say of a shape other than a straight shape.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a connecting device interposable between one of the ends of a plurality of slats and a frame for producing a panel with adjustable slats capable of pivoting between an open position and a closed position about respective axes parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the slats, said connecting device comprising a plurality of slat support pieces each coupleable to one end of at least one of the slats of the plurality of slats, an operating rod connecting said support pieces each coupled to the operating rod by a pivoting connection about a first pivot axis with the first pivot axes parallel from one support piece to another, and a connecting bar of the support pieces to each other to which the support pieces are respectively coupled by a pivoting connection about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, said connecting bar,being intended to be coupled to the frame, characterized in that the connecting bar is an articulated connecting bar formed of at least two bar sections connected to each other to pivot about a pivot axis called the third pivot axis parallel to the first and second pivot axes and in that the operating rod, formed of a plurality of segments, is a rod of adjustable length to allow adjustment of the length of the operating rod according to the angular position of the sections of the connecting bar between them, at least one of the segments of the operating rod being, for adjustment in length of the operating rod, a segment of adjustable length formed of at least two elements mounted with sliding interlocking.,

[0007] The production of the connecting bar in the form of an articulated bar makes it possible to define a non-rectilinear profile. The production of the operating rod in the form of a rod of adjustable length allows the operating rod to adapt to the profile followed by the connecting bar. It is thus possible to obtain, in the position of the support parts corresponding to the closed position of the blades, a positioning of the blade support parts ensuring continuity of the panel without affecting the ease of assembly of the connecting device.

[0008] At least one of the segments of the operating rod is, for length adjustment of the operating rod, an adjustable length segment formed of at least two elements mounted in a sliding manner. This results in simplicity of length adjustment of the rod.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, each segment of the operating rod is coupled to at least one contiguous segment pivoting about an axis, called the fourth pivot axis, parallel to the first and second pivot axes, at least one of the segments being a segment of adjustable length for adjusting the length of the operating rod.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the or at least two of the sections of the connecting bar which are pivotally connected to each other around the third pivot axis each carry at least one support part, these support parts are further connected to each other by the operating rod at the part of the operating rod comprising at least one segment of adjustable length.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting device comprises at least one member for locking the length of the operating rod in the length-adjusted state.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the or at least one of the locking members is a locking member for the sliding interlocking assembly of the elements of the or one of the adjustable length segments.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sliding interlocking assembly of the elements of the or one of the adjustable length segments comprises an interlocking zone with a light provided in the so-called outer element of the sliding interlocking assembly for access to the so-called inner element of the sliding interlocking assembly, and the or at least one of the locking members is a rider arranged astride the interlocking zone of the sliding interlocking assembly of the elements of the or one of the adjustable length segments, at least partially overlapping said light.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the part of the rider which at least partially covers the light is formed by a leg of the rider, this part being provided with notches capable of cooperating with notches of complementary shape provided on the part of the internal element accessible through said light.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivoting connection around the first pivot axis coupling each support part to the operating rod, and the pivoting connection around the second pivot axis coupling each support part to the connecting bar, are snap-fit ​​connections.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting bar comprises, for its attachment to the frame, through holes with a longitudinal axis parallel to the first and second pivot axes.

[0017] The invention also relates to a panel comprising a frame, a plurality of slats and at each end of the plurality of slats, interposed between said end of the slats of the plurality of slats and the frame, at least one device for connecting the plurality of slats to the frame with a view to producing a panel with orientable slats capable of pivoting between an open position and a closed position around respective axes parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the slats, characterized in that each connecting device conforms to that described above, and in that the slats are arranged in a plane parallel to the section of the connecting bar to which they are coupled by a support piece in the closed position and are oriented transversely to said plane in the open position, leaving gaps between them. Brève description des dessins

[0018] The invention will be clearly understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a partial perspective view of panels with adjustable slats in the exploded position of at least part of the elements; [ Fig. 2 ] represents a partial perspective view of panels with adjustable slats; [ Fig. 3 ] represents a partial perspective view of details of a panel with adjustable slats; [ Fig. 4 ] represents two partial views of a connecting device to illustrate the passage of the support parts from a position corresponding to the open position of the blades to a position of the support parts corresponding to the closed position of the blades; [ Fig. 5 ] represents a partial view of a connecting device in the unassembled state of the sections of the connecting bar and unassembled of the elements of the adjustable length segment of the rod; [ Fig. 6 ] represents a perspective view of a detail of a panel with adjustable slats taken at the level of the connecting device; [ Fig. 7 ] represents a partial perspective view of an operating rod in the exploded position of the elements constituting it; [ Fig. 8 ] represents a perspective view of a section of a connecting bar; [ Fig. 9 ] represents a perspective view of a blade support part; [ Fig. 10 ] represents another perspective view of a blade support part.

[0019] As mentioned above, the subject of the invention is a connecting device 1 interposable between one of the ends of a plurality of slats 21 and a frame 22 for connecting said plurality of slats 21 together at their ends and fixing the plurality of slats to a frame 22 for the purpose of producing a panel 20 with adjustable slats. In particular, the connecting device 1, interposable between one of the ends of a plurality of slats 21 and a frame 22, is capable of cooperating with a similar connecting device 1 interposable between the other of the ends of the plurality of slats 21 and the frame 22 for the purpose of producing a panel 20 with adjustable slats.

[0020] There figure 1 thus illustrates a framework 22 comprising a wave-shaped frame extending horizontally to form a solar protection roof, this frame being supported by four uprights. The frame and the uprights form a framework 22. The connecting devices 1 are positioned on two opposite sides of the frame forming the side members of the frame to form a first panel with adjustable slats of curved shape. Connecting devices 1 are also positioned between the uprights of a pair of uprights to form a straight panel with adjustable slats.

[0021] The blades 21 are capable, in the state fixed to the frame 22 by the connecting devices 1, of pivoting between an open position and a closed position around respective axes parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the blades 21. These blades 21 are, in the closed position, arranged to achieve continuity of the panel. These blades 21 leave gaps between them in the open position as illustrated in figure 1 .

[0022] Each blade 21 is here formed of two main faces extending substantially in parallel planes. The main faces are connected to each other by two longitudinal edges and by two end edges.

[0023] Each longitudinal edge is shouldered. The shoulder of one of the longitudinal edges is complementary in shape to the shoulder of the other longitudinal edge. The shoulder of one of the longitudinal edges is visible at the first blade of the series of blades shown in figure 3 . Thus, in the closed position, each blade 21 can, by any one of its longitudinal edges, overlap by fitting with the longitudinal edge of an adjacent blade. The end edges of each blade are intended to cooperate with a blade support part 2 of the connecting device 1 which will be described below.

[0024] As mentioned above, each connecting device 1 can be interposed between one of the ends of a plurality of slats 21 and a frame 22 for connecting said plurality of slats together at their end and fixing said plurality of slats to the frame 22. Two facing connecting devices 1 are therefore necessary for producing a panel 20 with slats 21 conforming to that shown in FIG. figure 2 .

[0025] These facing connecting devices 1 are, in a manner known per se, composed in an identical manner, with at least part of the elements of one of the connecting devices 1 formed by mirror elements of the elements of the facing connecting device 1, to allow identical operations and fixings of said elements of the connecting devices 1.

[0026] Thus, each connecting device 1 of a pair of connecting devices 1 that can be positioned opposite each other is identified by a marking to recognize the elements of the connecting device 1 that can be positioned on one side, for example, the so-called right side of the frame, and the elements of the connecting device 1 that can be positioned on the opposite side, for example, the so-called left side of the frame. Consequently, only one connecting device 1 will be described below.

[0027] This connecting device 1 comprises a plurality of blade support parts 2 each positionable at one end of at least one of the blades 21 of the plurality of blades 21 intended to form a panel 20 with adjustable blades. Each support part 2 thus forms an end piece of one end of the blade 21 with which it is intended to be associated. An example of such a support part 2 is shown in figures 9 et 10 .

[0028] The connecting device 1 also comprises an operating rod 3 connecting said support parts 2 together and a bar 4 connecting the support parts 2 together. The connecting bar 4 is intended to be coupled to the frame 22, as illustrated for example in figures 1 And 3 This connecting bar 4 is an articulated connecting bar formed of at least two sections 51 and 52 of bars connected to each other in a pivoting manner by a pivot axis connection, called third pivot axis 83.

[0029] This connecting bar 4 comprises, for its attachment to the frame 22, through holes 11. A section of a connecting bar 4 is shown in figure 8 . Each section of the connecting bar 4 is here identical. Thus, such a section of the connecting bar 4, generally made of synthetic material, is provided at one end with a hole, represented at 122, and at the opposite end with a finger or stud, represented at 121.

[0030] The stud 121 and the hole 122 are of complementary shapes to allow, in the assembled state of two sections, an assembly by fitting a stud 121 into a hole 122 with an angular positioning between said sections which can be variable within a predetermined angular range. The third pivot axis 83 therefore forms the longitudinal axis of the finger 121.

[0031] Each section of the connecting bar 4 can, thanks to the presence of the through holes 11, be coupled by face to the frame 22. The connecting bar 4 is therefore fixed to the frame 22 along a line which can be a non-rectilinear line, as illustrated in figure 1 , to follow the profile of the frame 22 and allow the production of a panel 20 with adjustable slats of complex shape, in particular of curved shape.

[0032] Each support part 2 is connected to a section of the connecting bar 4 by a pivoting connection around an axis called the second pivot axis 82 parallel to the third pivot axis 83. This second pivot axis 82 is also parallel to a first pivot axis 81 which will be described below.

[0033] Each piece 2 support is, as shown in the figure 10 , equipped with a housing 13 for receiving, of the slide type, one end of a blade 21 and comprises first and second connecting means 14, 15 for a pivoting connection of said support part 2 with a section 51 or 52 of the connecting bar 4 on the one hand, and the operating rod 3 on the other hand.

[0034] In the example shown, the first and second connecting means 14, 15 are made in one piece with the blade support part 2. Preferably, these first and second connecting means 14, 15 form, with the blade support part 2, a monolithic assembly. In the examples shown, the first connecting means 14 comprise an elastically deformable male member forming a pivot axis capable of being inserted and elastically locked inside a bore 16 of a section 51 or 52 of the connecting bar 4. The attachment of each support part 2 to a section 51 or 52 of the connecting bar 4 is therefore carried out by simple snap-fastening. Likewise, the second connecting means 15 of the support part 2 are of the male type and comprise at least one elastically deformable male member forming a pivot axis, and the operating rod 3 comprises at least one housing, such as a through opening 17, inside which said male member is capable of being inserted by snap-fastening.

[0035] In the examples shown, the male member of the first connecting means 14 and possibly that of the second connecting means 15, when the latter are of the male type, are in the form of a centrally hollowed-out stud delimited using at least two elastically deformable fingers. The fingers are provided at their free end with an external peripheral bulge or locking lug, capable of allowing the fingers to be locked in the corresponding female member.

[0036] Thus, the fingers come together at the insertion point of the female organ before moving apart again to lock inside said female organ.

[0037] Each support part 2 has, in the examples shown, the shape of a U-shaped profile. The web of the U is provided on its external face facing the outside of the U with the first connecting means 14. One of the wings of the profile has, on its external face, an ear 18 extending the web of the U. This ear 18 is provided, on the external face side arranged in the extension of the external face of the web of the U, with the second connecting means 15.

[0038] Each end of the U-shaped profile is a partially open end provided with a notch 19 for overlapping interlocking mounting of said end of the profile with the end of the profile of an adjacent support part 2 in the state located in the extension of each other of said profiles, this state corresponding to the fixed state of said profiles to the connecting bar 4 in the closed position of the blades 21. This state is visible in the lower view of the figure 4 .

[0039] As mentioned above, the notch 19 of each end of the profile is arranged astride the flange and the web of the profile. The partial opening of at least one of the ends of the profile is arranged at the notch while the partial closing of said end is, for its part, obtained by a return of the flange without a notch, this return extending at right angles to the flange in the direction of the inside of the U.

[0040] The opening at the end of each end of the profile is sized to ensure that the blade is retained inside the slide. To allow the opening at the end of the profile to widen when the blade is inserted or removed from the slide, at least one of the wings of the profile, in this case the wing adjoining the notch, is, in the vicinity of at least one of the partially open ends of the profile, made in the form of a deformable tab (not shown) capable of moving away from or towards the other wing of the profile.

[0041] This tab therefore moves away when the end of the blade 21 is inserted, which slides inside the slide until it comes into abutment against the opposite end of said profile.

[0042] In this stop position, the end of the blade is entirely contained inside the slide, so that the tab returns to its position aligned with the rest of the wing and closes the opening of said profile end to prevent any untimely exit of the blade.

[0043] Each support part 2 is pivotally coupled to the operating rod 3 by a pivot connection around a pivot axis called the first pivot axis 81, the first pivot axis 81 being coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the male member of the second connection means of the support part 2 described above.

[0044] The pivoting connection about a first pivot axis 81 coupling each support part 2 to the operating rod 3 and the pivoting connection about a second pivot axis 82 coupling each support part 2 to the connecting bar 4 are snap-fastening connections. The longitudinal axis of the through holes 11 of the connecting bar 4 used for coupling the connecting bar 4 to the frame 22 is, for its part, parallel to the first and second pivot axes 81 and 82.

[0045] In the example shown in the figure 4 , each section 51 or 52 of the connecting bar 4 is coupled to two support parts 2. Each support part 2 is, in the state coupled to the connecting bar 4 pivoting around the second pivot axis 82, mounted to move between a first position, corresponding to the closed position of the blade with which it can be associated, in which said support part 2 extends parallel to the section of the connecting bar 4 to which it is coupled, as illustrated in the second view of the figure 4 , and, a second position, corresponding to the open position of the blade to which it can be associated, in which said support part 2 is orthogonally at more or less 30° to the section of the connecting bar 4 to which it is coupled, as illustrated in the first view of the figure 4 .

[0046] As a result, the blades 21 are arranged in a plane parallel to the section of the connecting bar 4 to which they are coupled by a support part 2 in the closed position, and are oriented transversely to said plane in the open position, leaving gaps between them.

[0047] The operating rod 3 is, for its part, formed of a plurality of segments, represented at 61 and 62 in the figures. The operating rod 3 connects together the support parts 2 each coupled to the operating rod 3 by a pivoting connection around a first pivot axis 81 with the first pivot axes 81 parallel from one support part 2 to another for unison operation of said support parts 2 when moving from the first position to the second position or vice versa of the support parts 2 as described above.

[0048] In the examples shown, two support parts 2 are coupled to the same segment of the operating rod 3. Thus, each pair of support parts 2, which connects a section 51 or 52 of the connecting bar 4 to a segment 61 of the operating rod 3, forms with the section and the segment a deformable quadrilateral. The pivoting connection around the first pivot axis 81, which couples each support part 2 to a segment of the operating rod 3, is a snap-fit ​​connection as described above.

[0049] Each segment 61 or 62 of the operating rod 3 is pivotally coupled to an adjacent segment by a pivot connection around an axis called the fourth pivot axis 84, parallel to the first and second pivot axes 81 and 82.

[0050] This operating rod 3 is a rod of adjustable length to allow adjustment of the length of the operating rod 3 according to the angular position of the sections 51 and 52 of the connecting bar 4 between them. To allow adjustment in length of the operating rod 3, at least one of the segments of the operating rod 3 is a segment of adjustable length. This segment of adjustable length is coupled to a contiguous segment 61 pivoting about the fourth pivot axis 84 parallel to the first and second pivot axes, 81 and 82.

[0051] Preferably, this adjustable length segment is formed of at least two elements 621 and 622 mounted with sliding interlocking. In the examples presented, it is the segment 62 which is shown to be of adjustable length. This segment is pivotally coupled to a contiguous segment by a pivot axis pivot connection formed by the fourth pivot axis 84, parallel to the first and second pivot axes 81 and 82.

[0052] The operating rod 3 is therefore presented here in the form of an alternation of segments 62 of adjustable length and segments 61 of fixed length. A detailed example of a segment 62 of adjustable length is provided in figure 7 . In this example, a first element, called the interior element, of the segment 62 and represented at 621 in the figures is in the form of a tongue provided with notches, such as ribs, extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tongue. This tongue ends at one end with at least one stud projecting from one of the faces of the tongue. This stud is capable of being inserted into a through-bore of another segment, here of fixed length, for pivoting coupling with a contiguous segment around the fourth pivot axis 84 parallel to the first, second and third pivot axes. The other element, called the exterior element, of these segments of adjustable length, and represented at 622 in the figures, is in the form of an elongated hollow body inside which the interior element 621 can slide after having been introduced by its end opposite that provided with a through-bore.

[0053] This outer element 622 of the sliding interlocking assembly has, in the manner of a window, a light 9 allowing access to the interior of the body to allow access to the inner element 621 of the sliding interlocking assembly in the inserted state of the inner element 621 in the outer element 622.

[0054] The socket area 8 between the inner element 621 and the outer element 622 can thus, by simply sliding the inner element 621 into the outer element 622, be adjusted in size. This results in a variation in the length of the segment 62 of adjustable length.

[0055] Once the length of the socket zone 8 has been defined, said elements can be locked in position. In fact, the connecting device 1 comprises at least one member 7 for locking the length of the operating rod 3 in the length-adjusted state. In the example shown in the figures, each locking member 7 is a member for locking the sliding interlocking assembly of the elements 621 and 622 of the segment 62 of adjustable length.

[0056] In particular, the locking member 7 is a rider arranged astride the socket zone 8 of the sliding socket assembly of the elements 621 and 622 of the segment 62 of adjustable length, at least partially covering the slot 9. The part of the rider at least partially covering the slot 9 is formed by a leg 71 of the rider, this part being provided with notches 711 capable of cooperating with notches 10 of complementary shape arranged on the part of the inner element 621 accessible through the slot 9.

[0057] The length adjustment of a segment 62 of adjustable length is therefore carried out by simple sliding movement of the inner and outer elements of the segment to the length of the desired fitting zone, then positioning of the rider at the level of the light 9 of the outer element for cooperation of notches 711 formed by ribs of the rider with the notches 10 of the inner element 621 for axial immobilization of the inner and outer elements between them, these ribs extending perpendicular to the direction of sliding movement of the inner and outer elements.

[0058] We note, as illustrated by the figure 4 , that at least two of the sections 51 and 52 of the connecting bar 4, which are pivotally connected to each other around the third pivot axis 83, each carry at least one support part 2 and that these support parts 2 are further connected to each other by the operating rod 3 at the level of the part of the operating rod 3 comprising at least one segment 62 of adjustable length.

[0059] Thus, the angle formed between the sections 51 and 52 of the connecting bar 4 to follow the profile of the frame 22 is taken into consideration at the level of the operating rod 3 by the segment 62 of adjustable length to allow an overlap of the support parts 2 and consequently of the blades in the position of the support parts 2 corresponding to the closed position of the blades, as illustrated in the second view of the figure 4 where the support parts 2 extend parallel to the section of the connecting bar 4 to which they are pivotally coupled.

[0060] To enable optimized adjustment of the length of the adjustable-length segment 62, it is sufficient to adjust the length of said segment 62 at the level of the socket zone in the position of the support parts 2 corresponding to the closed position of the slats in which the support parts 2 partially overlap one another and ensure surface continuity of the slats of the panel. In this position, the segments of the operating rod 3 are manually positioned to extend as close as possible to the sections of the connecting bar. A locking member 7 can then be positioned at the level of each length-adjustable segment 62. It is thus guaranteed that in the closed position, surface continuity of the tears is obtained despite the sections of the connecting bar following a non-rectilinear path.

[0061] In practice, the assembly of a connecting device, as described above, is generally carried out as follows.

[0062] The operator has a framework 22, such as a frame, blades 21 and a pair of connecting devices 1. The blades are fixed one by one to the connecting devices 1.

[0063] In a first step, the operator fixes for each connecting device 1, each section 51 or 52 of the connecting bar 4 to a spar of the frame constituting the framework 22 by following a line depending on the outline of the spar. The sections of the connecting bar 4 are obviously, in the state fixed to the framework, coupled to each other by a pivoting connection around the third pivot axis 83.

[0064] The operator assembles each support part 2 to the connecting bar 4 by simple snap-fastening by inserting the male member, forming a pivot axis of the first connecting means 14 of each support part 2, into a female member, such as a corresponding hole in the connecting bar 4.

[0065] In the fixed state, the slide of each support part 2 is, during the pivoting drive of the support part 2, mounted to move between a position in which it extends substantially parallel to the section of the connecting bar 4 to which it is coupled, this position corresponding to the closed position of the blades, to a position in which it extends substantially orthogonally to the section of the connecting bar to which it is coupled, this orthogonal position corresponding to the open position of said blades.

[0066] The operator assembles the segments 61 and 62 of the operating rod 3 together and assembles the operating rod 3 to the series of support parts 2 fixed to the same connecting bar 4. Again, the assembly is carried out by simple snap-fastening, by inserting the male member of the second connecting means 15 of each support part 2 into a through opening 17 of the operating rod 3.

[0067] It should be noted that the order of assembly operations, as described above, may be reversed, with a support part 2 being pre-attached to the operating rod 3 before being attached to the connecting bar 4.

[0068] In the state fixed to the connecting bar 4, each support part 2 of a connecting device 1 extends opposite a support part 2 of the connecting device 1 opposite the grooves constituting the slides of said support parts 2 facing each other to allow the reception of a blade 21. The support parts 2 of the same connecting device 1 are pivotally moved around the second pivot axis 82 to bring them into the position corresponding to the closed position of the tears, that is to say parallel to the section of the connecting bar 4 to which they are coupled.

[0069] In this position, a locking member 7 is positioned on each adjustable length segment 62 of the operating rod 3 to fix its length. This locking member 7 then prevents any variation in the length of the adjustable length segment 62. The procedure is similar with the fixing device 1 opposite.

[0070] Each blade end can then be inserted into the slide of a support part 2 by one end of the profile constituting the support part 2, until it comes into abutment against the other end of said profile.

[0071] The assembly is then completed without the need for tools, except for fixing the connecting bars to the frame.

[0072] Again, it should be noted that the assembly of the blades in the slides of the support parts 2 can be carried out either before or after fixing the operating rod to the support parts 2.

[0073] In the mounted state, the blades 21 can be actuated simultaneously to move from one position to another using one of the operating rods 3 which moves, during its operation, substantially parallel to itself and parallel to at least part of the sections of the connecting bar.

[0074] The operating rods move simultaneously from one connecting device to the opposite connecting device. The blades and support parts 2 pivot, for their part, around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blades and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the segments of the connecting bar with which they are associated.

Claims

1. Connecting device (1) that can be interposed between one of the ends of a plurality of slats (21) and a framework (22) for the purpose of producing a panel (20) with orientable slats that are able to pivot between an open position and a closed position about respective axes that are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the slats (21), said connecting device (1) comprising a plurality of slat support pieces (2) that can each be coupled to an end of at least one of the slats (21) of the plurality of slats (21), a manoeuvring rod (3) connecting to each other said support pieces (2) that are each coupled to the manoeuvring rod (3) by a pivoting connection about a first pivot axis (81) with the first pivot axes (81) parallel from one support piece (2) to another, and a bar (4) for connecting the support pieces (2) to each other to which the support pieces (2) are respectively coupled by a pivoting connection about a second pivot axis (82) parallel to the first pivot axis (81), said connecting bar (4) being intended to be coupled to the framework (22), wherein the connecting bar (4) is an articulated connecting bar formed of at least two bar sections (51, 52) connected to one another so as to pivot about a pivot axis called third pivot axis (83) parallel to the first and second pivot axes (81, 82) and wherein the manoeuvring rod (3) is formed of a plurality of segments (61, 62), the device (1) being characterized in that the manoeuvring rod (3) is a rod of adjustable length to allow an adjustment of the length of the manoeuvring rod (3) as a function of the angular position of the sections (51, 52) of the connecting bar (4) with respect to each other, at least one (62) of the segments (61, 62) of the manoeuvring rod (3) being, for an adjustment of the length of the manoeuvring rod (3), a segment (62) of adjustable length formed of at least two elements (621, 622) mounted with sliding nesting.

2. Connecting device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that each segment (62) of the manoeuvring rod (3) is coupled to at least one contiguous segment (61, 62) so as to pivot about an axis, called fourth pivot axis (84) parallel to the first and second pivot axes (81, 82), at least one of the segments (61, 62) being a segment (62) of adjustable length for an adjustment of the length of the manoeuvring rod (3).

3. Connecting device (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the or at least two of the sections (51, 52) of the connecting bar (4) that are connected to one another so as to pivot about the third pivot axis (83) each bear at least one support piece (2), these support pieces (2) also being connected to each other by the manoeuvring rod (3) at the part of the manoeuvring rod (3) comprising at least one segment (62) of adjustable length.

4. Connecting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one member (7) for locking the length of the manoeuvring rod (3) in the length-adjusted state.

5. Connecting device (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the or at least one of the locking members (7) is a locking member of the sliding nesting assembly of the elements (621, 622) of the or one of the segments (62) of adjustable length.

6. Connecting device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sliding nesting assembly of the elements (621, 622) of the or one of the segments (62) of adjustable length comprises a socket zone (8) with a lumen (9) provided in the element (622), called the outer element, of the sliding nesting assembly for access to the element (621), called the inner element, of the sliding nesting assembly, and in that the or at least one of the locking members (7) is a clip disposed astride the socket zone (8) of the sliding nesting assembly of the elements (621, 622) of the or one of the segments (62) of adjustable length, at least partially covering said lumen (9).

7. Connecting device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the part of the clip that at least partially covers the lumen (9) is formed by a leg (71) of the clip, this part being provided with catches (711) that are able to cooperate with catches (10) of complementary shape provided on the part of the inner element (621) that is accessible through said lumen (9).

8. Connecting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pivoting connection about the first pivot axis (81) coupling each support piece (2) to the manoeuvring rod (3), and the pivoting connection about the second pivot axis (82) coupling each support piece (2) to the connecting bar (4) are snap-fastening connections.

9. Connecting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting bar (4) comprises, for the fastening thereof to the framework (22), through-holes (11) of longitudinal axis parallel to the first and second pivot axes (81, 82).

10. Panel (20) comprising a framework (22), a plurality of slats (21) and, at each end of the plurality of slats (21), interposed between said end of the slats of the plurality of slats (21) and the framework (22), at least one device (1) for connecting the plurality of slats (21) to the framework (22) for the purpose of producing a panel (20) with orientable slats (21) that are able to pivot between an open position and a closed position about respective axes that are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the slats (21), characterized in that each connecting device (1) is in accordance with one of Claims 1 to 9, and in that the slats (21) are disposed in a plane parallel to the section of the connecting bar (4) to which they are coupled by a support piece (2) in the closed position and are oriented transversely to said plane in the open position, leaving gaps between them.

Images