Protection device such as a parasol and set of such devices connected to one another

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device (1) such as a parasol comprising at least one pole (10) defining a vertical reference axis (A) extending between a lower end portion (11) comprising at least one foot (13) configured to be anchored to the ground and an upper end portion (12) to which at least one sheltering platform (20) is attached, the platform being configured to protect a user located underneath in a deployed position, the protection device (1) comprising power-generating means (31) for generating electrical power to supply at least one electric battery (32), and configured to supply electrical power to at least one item of electrical equipment (33) of the protection device (1), the power-generating means (31), the electric battery (32) and the item of electrical equipment (33) being interconnected in an electrical circuit of the protection device (1), the sheltering platform (20) comprising an edge (21) delimiting a closed contour and comprising: mechanical connection means (210) configured to mechanically and sealingly connect at least one portion of the edge (21) of the sheltering platform (20) to at least one portion of an edge (21') of a sheltering platform (20') of an adjacent protection device (1'); and electrical connection means (211) configured to transfer electrical power between the electrical circuit of the protection device (1) and at least one electrical circuit of the adjacent protection device (1').

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE : PROTECTIVE DEVICES SUCH AS PARASOLS AND SET OF SUCH CONNECTED DEVICES TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the technical field of parasols, in particular those intended to protect from the sun and / or rain.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to such parasols which are at least partly energy self-sufficient, that is to say, configured to be able to give back energy. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Cafes, restaurants, and hotels frequently welcome customers outside their establishments, particularly on terraces sheltered from the elements by protective devices such as parasols. Previously, restaurant and hotel professionals could offer additional services to terrace customers, such as heating in winter or cooling in summer. This was achieved using energy sources from the electrical grid, thus not locally sourced, powering, for example, convector heaters attached to parasol poles, or through fossil fuels, which are now becoming scarce. Furthermore, individuals in their gardens or on their terraces use parasols with no other function than to provide protection from the sun, rain, hail, or snow.

[0004] Depending on the current state of technology, consumers are no longer satisfied with a parasol that only provides shelter from the sun, rain, hail, and / or snow. For example, a solar-powered parasol is a type of parasol equipped with a solar-powered light source, thus providing illumination for activities during times of limited sunlight. While a solar-powered parasol can provide light in very low-light conditions, such as during inclement weather or at nightfall, the solar-powered light cannot operate continuously without sunlight. In such cases, Using an external power source for lighting also remains impractical.

[0005] Furthermore, to shelter large areas and a greater number of people, it is common to use a group of parasols placed close together. In such a configuration, the edges of the areas sheltered by each parasol in the group are then poorly or inadequately covered, thus allowing, for example, sunlight, raindrops, snowflakes, or hailstones to pass through due to the gaps in the area sheltered by the group of parasols. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing in particular a solution that provides satisfactory protection against the weather, including sun, rain, hail and / or snow, while offering improved comfort, or even advanced additional features.

[0007] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a protective device such as a parasol is proposed, comprising at least one mast defining a vertical reference axis extending between a lower end portion comprising at least one foot configured to be anchored to the ground and an upper end portion to which is attached at least one sheltering platform configured to protect at least one user located below in a deployed position, the protective device comprising power generation means for generating electrical energy to power at least one electric battery, and configured to supply electrical energy to at least one electrical equipment of the protective device, the power generation means, the electric battery and the electrical equipment interconnected in an electrical circuit of the protective device,the sheltering platform comprising an edge defining a closed contour and comprising: mechanical connection means configured to mechanically and hermetically connect at least a portion of the edge of the sheltering platform to at least a portion of an edge of a sheltering platform of an adjacent protective device; and, electrical connection means configured to ensure the transfer of electrical energy between the electrical circuit of the protective device and at least one electrical circuit of the adjacent protective device.

[0008] Thanks to such a combination of features, such a protective device allows a group of users to ensure protection against inclement weather and weather conditions normally unfavorable to outdoor activities over a wider area without discontinuity, allowing them to move from the shelter offered by one sheltering platform to another shelter offered by an adjacent sheltering platform when used together, or to park on peripheral surfaces of sheltering platforms without necessarily being exposed to inclement weather such as rain, hail, snow and sun.Furthermore, the presence of electrical connection means allowing the electrical circuits of protective devices to be connected together makes it possible to form a global electrical network of a set of several protective devices, for example to compensate for the failure of a component of the electrical circuit of one of the protective devices, or to share the electrical energy accumulated in the electrical batteries and to homogenize the use of electrical equipment throughout the entire area covered by the set of protective devices.

[0009] In one embodiment, the energy generation means include at least one photovoltaic sensor attached to the sheltering platform and oriented, in the deployed position, upwards on the side opposite the mast relative to the sheltering platform. Such an energy source is particularly efficient, simple, and lightweight.

[0010] In one embodiment, the energy generation means comprise at least one gutter and a hydraulic turbine located at least partially in the path of the gutter so as to direct rainwater by gravity flow towards the hydraulic turbine to set it in rotational motion, preferably around the reference axis. In a particular embodiment, the water, once drained, is conserved by being stored in a container provided for this purpose, allowing, for example, the ballast of the protective device.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the energy generation means include at least one wind turbine attached to the sheltering platform, and placed above the sheltering platform in the deployed position, one axis of rotation of the wind turbine preferably being parallel to the reference axis of the mast, preferably also coinciding with the reference axis of the mast.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the mast includes a hollow structure delimiting an interior space housing the gutter and having an inlet at its upper end portion and communicating with at least one opening of the sheltering platform so that rainwater flowing onto the sheltering platform is guided, in a deployed position of the sheltering platform, towards the inlet to feed the gutter, the gutter preferably being delimited by the hollow structure of the mast.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sheltering platform is mounted at an angle relative to the mast, preferably mechanically connected to the mast by a ball joint, and preferably, the inclination of the sheltering platform being electrically controlled by at least one electric actuator, for example, a stepper motor. The protective device can thus move from a deployed position to a folded, stowed position. The inclination of the sheltering platform can also take intermediate angular steps between these two positions, for example, to protect against weather whose trajectory does not follow the direction of the mast's reference axis.

[0014] In one embodiment, the base of the mast is attached to a mobile base, with the battery preferably attached to this mobile base so as to weigh down the parasol mast. The base is preferably also equipped with wheels. The term "weighing" refers to lowering the vertical center of gravity of the protective device, making it more stable. The mast is also subjected to less mechanical stress, thus improving the device's lifespan. Such a mobile base allows the protective device to be moved to the location desired by the user.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the protection device comprises a plurality of photovoltaic sensors arranged in the form of at least one panel photovoltaic, the sheltering platform being made up of at least one of the photovoltaic panels.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the electrical equipment is / are chosen from the following electrical equipment: at least one means of electric heating, for example a heating element, at least one lighting device, for example an LED lamp, at least one air conditioner, at least one fan, at least one misting system, at least one electrical outlet, at least one interface for charging an electrical device, for example a wireless charging transmission medium, and at least one Internet access device, for example a WiFi access point or a WiFi repeater.

[0017] In one embodiment, the device is at least energy self-sufficient. The term "self-sufficient" means that the energy generation means allow for uninterrupted operation of the associated electrical equipment. The device may even produce excess electrical energy.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the mechanical connection means preferably include magnets configured to exert an attractive magnetic force, the magnets preferably being electromagnets.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the electrical connection means preferably include magnets configured to transmit and / or receive electrical energy, the magnets preferably being electromagnets.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mechanical connection means and the electrical connection means are combined. The term "combined" means that the element of the protective device providing the mechanical connection function and the element of the protective device providing the electrical connection function form a single element.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to an assembly of at least two protective devices characterized in that each protective device of the assembly is mechanically connected by the connection means. mechanical to at least one other of the protective devices of the assembly and each protective device of the assembly is electrically connected by electrical connection means to at least one other of the protective devices of the assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate: Figure 1: an isometric view of a protective device according to one embodiment; Figure 2: a side view of a protective device according to the same embodiment; Figure 3: a top view of the protective device according to the same embodiment; Figure 4: a cross-sectional side view of the protective device according to the same embodiment; Figure 5: a top view of a protective device according to another embodiment; Figure 6: a detailed side view of a sheltering platform in an inclined position according to the same embodiment; Figure 7: a detailed view of a base for a protective device according to the same embodiment; Figure 8: an isometric view of an assembly of protective devices according to another aspect of the invention;Figure 9: A side view of a protective device assembly according to another embodiment.

[0023] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference symbols across all figures.

[0024] In the description and claims, to clarify the description and claims, the longitudinal, transverse and vertical terminology will be adopted without limitation with reference to the X, Y, Z trihedron indicated in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0025] With reference to Figures 1 ([Fig.1]) to 4 ([Fig.4]), a protective device 1 is illustrated according to one embodiment. "Protection" is understood to mean the ability of the device to protect a user or group of users from weather phenomena that limit outdoor activities, such as rain, snow, hail, or sun.

[0026] In a reference orientation with respect to a vertical axis Z, the protective device comprises a mast 10 defining a reference axis A parallel to the vertical Z. The mast 10 has a hollow shape, here generally cylindrical of revolution, although any other prismatic shape is conceivable. The mast 10 extends vertically between a lower end portion 11 and an upper end portion 12.

[0027] The lower end 11 of the mast 10 includes at least one foot 13 configured to be anchored to the ground. The foot 13 extends generally parallel to a horizontal plane X,Y orthogonal to the vertical axis Z. The foot 13 is integral with a base 131 supporting the mast 10, so that the protective device 1 can be moved as desired by a user or group of users. In this embodiment, the base is made mobile by means of two wheels 132 in contact with the ground. The protective device 1 must be slightly inclined by tilting its mast 10 so that the wheels grip the ground.

[0028] At least one sheltering platform 20 is fixed to the upper end 12 of the mast 10. This platform is configured to protect at least one user located below it in a deployed position. "Deployed position" means a position in which the protective device is used and the sheltering platform 20 extends approximately parallel to a horizontal X,Y plane. In this deployed position, the surface area of ​​the sheltering platform 20 projected onto the ground is maximized.

[0029] The protection device 1 includes power generation means 31 for generating electrical energy. In this embodiment, the electrical power generation means 31 include a wind turbine 314 attached to the sheltering platform 20. In the deployed position of the sheltering platform 20, one axis of rotation of the wind turbine 314 is parallel, and even coaxial, with the reference axis A of the mast 10.

[0030] The mast 10 further includes a hollow structure 101 defining an interior space housing a gutter 312 for the energy generation means 31. The gutter 312 has an inlet 315 at its upper end and communicates with at least one opening in the sheltering platform 20 so that rainwater flowing onto the sheltering platform 20 is guided, in a deployed position of the sheltering platform 20, towards the inlet 315 to feed the gutter 312. The gutter 312 is here delimited by the hollow structure 101 of the mast 10. In order to prevent any object from entering and blocking the gutter 312, the inlet 315 may be fitted with a screen to filter the flow of rainwater.

[0031] Rainwater flowing by gravity into the gutter 312 is directed to a hydraulic turbine 313, which forms one of the energy generation means 31. The rainwater drives the hydraulic turbine 313 in rotation around the reference axis A, thereby generating electrical energy. The hydraulic turbine 313 is preferably a Pelton-type hydraulic turbine. To improve the efficiency of the hydraulic turbine 313, vortex-generating vanes within the rainwater flow can be housed within the gutter 312. These vanes are preferably formed by the hollow structure 101 of the mast 10. In this embodiment, a reservoir 316 stores the rainwater that feeds the hydraulic turbine 313. The reservoir 316 is preferably contained within the base 131. This positioning allows the base 131 to be weighted by the foot 13. It can also usefully serve as a source for a water misting system 33.Connection means may also be provided to link a 316 tank to at least one adjacent 316 tank to create a water network of a set of interconnected protective devices 1.

[0032] The electrical power generation means 31 supply an electric battery 32. The electric battery 32 is preferably integrated into the protection device 1. In this embodiment, the electric battery 32 is preferably fixed to the base 131 of the support 13. The battery 32 is thus inaccessible to a group of users of the protection device 1. Furthermore, such a positioning of the battery 32 also allows the base 131 to be weighted. The protection device 1 is therefore more stable, and the mast 10 is not subjected to stress by the weight of the electric battery. The capacity of the electric battery 32 is sized such that the protection device 1 is at least self-sufficient.

[0033] The electric battery 32 is configured to supply electrical power to at least one electrical device 33 in an electrical circuit. In this embodiment, the electrical device 33 includes, for example, at least one water misting nozzle 331 and an electrical outlet 332.

[0034] The embodiment described in Figure 5 ([Fig. 5]) differs from the previous embodiment in that the energy generation means 31 comprise at least one photovoltaic sensor 311 attached to the sheltering platform 20 and oriented, in the deployed position, upwards on a side opposite the mast 10 relative to the sheltering platform 20. In an alternative embodiment, the energy generation means 31 comprise a plurality of photovoltaic sensors 311 arranged as at least one photovoltaic panel, the sheltering platform 20 being formed by at least one of the photovoltaic panels. In this configuration, the sheltering platform 20 is lighter, thus reducing the stress on the mast 10.

[0035] The photovoltaic panel 31 is square in shape. It is bordered along its four sides by heating devices or modules forming electrical equipment 33. On two opposite sides, the heating devices extend along the length of the edge of the corresponding photovoltaic panel 31. On the other two sides, the heating devices extend along the length of, on the one hand, the edge of the corresponding photovoltaic panel 31 and, on the other hand, the two widths of the heating devices on either side of the adjacent sides. In this way, a square sheltering platform 20 is obtained, despite the The fact that the edges 21 house heating elements. The heating modules thus contribute to sheltering the user and can be articulated to pivot around an axis parallel to the side of the associated photovoltaic panel 31. It should be noted that these heating modules surround the photovoltaic panel 31 and can house other electrical equipment 33 as a complement or alternative, such as lighting, etc.

[0036] Figure 6 ([Fig.6]) illustrates a detailed side view of the preceding embodiment. In this embodiment, the sheltering platform 20 is mounted at an angle relative to the mast 10. The sheltering platform 20 is preferably mechanically connected to the mast 10 by a ball joint 102. The ball joint 102 is preferably made by a bevel gear.

[0037] In this configuration, a plane encompassing the sheltering platform 20 forms an angle between 0° and 180° with the mast 10, the value of this angle being user-selectable. Positions of the sheltering platform 20 forming angles of 0° and 180° with the mast 10 correspond to storage positions for the protective device 1. In these positions, the overall size of the protective device 1 is minimized. The inclination of the sheltering platform 20 is preferably electrically controlled by at least one electric actuator 104, for example, a stepper motor or a servomotor.

[0038] Figure 7 ([Fig.7]) illustrates a detailed view of the mobile base 131 according to the same embodiment. In this configuration, the base 131 is equipped with a pair of wheels 132 allowing the protective device 1 to be moved by a user. The base 131 defines a hollow structure housing the electric battery 32, said battery 32 being integral with the base 131. The hollow structure of the base 131 is accessible via a panel pivoting around a hinge, for example, for maintenance of the electric battery 32. The pivoting panel of the base 131 can be fitted with a safety lock, for example, a combination lock. Thus, the internal structure is accessible only to authorized persons, reducing the risk of injury and intentional or unintentional damage. The base 131 has a shape, for example, cylindrical, such that its upper vertical face can be ornamented, for example with a wooden plaque, to form a table for users of the protective device 1.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention described in Figures 8 (Fig. 8) and 9 (Fig. 9), the protective device 1 is used in conjunction with an adjacent protective device l' to form an assembly 2. The sheltering platforms 20 and 20' each have at least one edge 21 and one edge 21' mechanically connected in a watertight manner by mechanical connecting means 210. Thus, a user located at the periphery of the two sheltering platforms 20 and 20' is protected from the elements. The mechanical connecting means 210 comprise magnets, preferably electromagnets powered by the electric battery 32. Such a connection is reliable and ensures a watertight seal.

[0040] Furthermore, the edges 21 and 21' include electrical connection means configured for the transfer of electrical energy between the electrical circuits of the protection devices 1 and l'. The edges 21 and 21' are supported by the heating modules surrounding the photovoltaic panel 31 and are delimited by walls made of metallic, and therefore conductive, material. An electrical connection is thus ensured when the edges 21 and 21' are mechanically connected. For example, electrical equipment 33' of the protection device l' can be powered by the battery 32 of the protection device 1. The electrical connection means 211 include magnets, preferably electromagnets. In this configuration, the mechanical and electrical connection means are combined.

[0041] In this way, the connection of two adjacent edges 21, 21' at the level of a mechanical and electrical connection line 212, 213 of these two adjacent panels makes it possible to guarantee simply and effectively a seal in the mechanical connection and an electrical transmission.

[0042] In another embodiment, set 2 is formed from a plurality of protective devices. In this configuration, set 2 forms a "line" of protective devices, but any other form of set 2 is conceivable. Furthermore, the protective devices associated in set 2 are protective devices 1 according to the same embodiment or according to different embodiments.

[0043] Naturally, the invention described above is by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is capable of carrying out different embodiments of the invention without departing from its scope.

[0044] For example, the electrical generation means 31 may include at least one photovoltaic sensor 311, a wind turbine 314 and a gutter 312 associated with an electric turbine 313.

[0045] The electrical connection means 211 can be used outside of an association of several protective devices 1 in an assembly 2, for example to add additional electrical equipment 33, for example an electric heater.

[0046] It is emphasized that all features, as they are apparent to a person skilled in the art from this description, the drawings and the attached claims, even if in practice they have only been described in relation to other specific features, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances render such combinations impossible or meaningless.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Protective device (1) such as a parasol comprising at least one mast (10) defining a vertical reference axis (A) extending between a lower end portion (11) comprising at least one foot (13) configured to be anchored to the ground and an upper end portion (12) to which is attached at least one sheltering platform (20) configured to protect at least one user located below in a deployed position, the protective device (1) comprising power-generating means (31) for generating electrical power to supply at least one electric battery (32), and configured to supply electrical power to at least one electrical equipment (33) of the protective device (1), the power-generating means (31), the electric battery (32) and the electrical equipment (33) interconnected in an electrical circuit of the protective device (1),the protective device (1) being characterized in that the sheltering platform (20) comprises an edge (21) delimiting a closed contour and comprising: mechanical connection means (210) configured to mechanically and in a sealed manner connect at least a portion of the edge (21) of the sheltering platform (20) to at least a portion of an edge (21') of a sheltering platform (20') of an adjacent protective device (1'); and electrical connection means (211) configured to ensure the transfer of electrical energy between the electrical circuit of the protective device (1) and at least one electrical circuit of the adjacent protective device (1').

2. Protective device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy generation means (31) comprise at least one photovoltaic sensor (311) attached to the sheltering platform (20) and oriented in the deployed position, upwards on a side opposite to the mast (10) relative to the sheltering platform (20). A protective device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the energy generation means (31) comprise at least one gutter (312) and a hydraulic turbine (313) located at least partially in the path of the gutter (312) so as to conduct rainwater by gravity flow towards the hydraulic turbine (313) to drive it into rotation, preferably about the reference axis (A). A protective device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the energy generation means (31) comprise at least one wind turbine (314) attached to the sheltering platform and positioned above the sheltering platform (20) in the deployed position, one axis of rotation of the wind turbine (314) preferably coinciding with the reference axis (A) of the mast (10).Protective device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the mast comprises a hollow structure (101) delimiting an interior space housing the gutter (312) and having an inlet (315) at the level of its upper end portion and communicating with at least one opening of the sheltering platform (20) so that rainwater flowing onto the sheltering platform (20) is guided, in a deployed position of the sheltering platform (20), towards the inlet (315) to feed the gutter (312), the gutter (312) preferably being delimited by the hollow structure (101) of the mast (10).A protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheltering platform (20) is mounted to be tilted relative to the mast (10), the sheltering platform (20) preferably being mechanically connected to the mast (10) by a ball joint (102), the tilt of the sheltering platform (20) preferably also being electrically controlled by at least one electric actuator (104), for example, a stepper motor. A protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (13) of the mast is integral with a plinth. (131) mobile, the electric battery (32) being preferably attached to the mobile base (131) so as to weight the parasol mast, the base (131) preferably still being fitted with wheels (132).

8. Protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of photovoltaic sensors arranged in the form of at least one photovoltaic panel, the sheltering platform (20) being constituted by at least one of the photovoltaic panels.

9. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical equipment (33) is / are selected from the following electrical equipment: at least one means of electric heating, for example a heating element, at least one lighting device, for example an LED lamp, at least one air conditioner, at least one fan, at least one misting system, at least one electrical outlet, at least one interface for charging an electrical appliance, for example a wireless charging transmission medium, and at least one Internet access device, for example a WiFi access point or a WiFi repeater.

10. Protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is at least self-sufficient in energy.

11. Protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical connection means (210) preferably comprise magnets, the magnets preferably being electromagnets.

12. Protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection means preferably comprise magnets, the magnets preferably being electromagnets. A protective device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical connection means (210) and the electrical connection means (211) are shared. An assembly (2) of at least two adjacent protective devices (1,1') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each protective device (1,1') of the assembly (2) is mechanically connected by mechanical connection means (210) to at least one other of the protective devices (1,1') of the assembly (2), and each protective device (1,1') of the assembly (2) is electrically connected by electrical connection means (211) to at least one other of the protective devices (1,1') of the assembly. (2).

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