Roller awning with a pivoting structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller awning with a pivoting structure, comprising, at least, a canvas awning (2) that can be rolled around a drum (3) incorporated into a support structure (4) that can be installed on the ground (s) or a similar flat surface, and also comprising, at least, two bridge-shaped frames that are anchored to the ground parallel to each other by means of respective articulated anchor elements (5, 6), one frame being a fixed frame (41) which incorporates the drum (3) for the canvas awning (2), and the other frame being a pivoting frame (42) to which the distal end (2a) of the canvas (2) is secured and which pivots on articulated anchor elements (6) between an open position and a closed position with respect to the fixed frame (41) based on the opening and closing of the canvas (2). The fixed frame (41) consists of two vertical posts (411) which are solidly connected to the ground by means of respective fixed anchor elements (5), a horizontal crossbar (412) is joined at its ends to the upper ends of the vertical posts (411), the assembly defining a framework with an inverted U-shape configuration. The pivoting frame (42) includes a device (7) in one or both articulated anchor elements (6) ensuring that the frame will tend to occupy the open position with respect to the fixed frame (41).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention, as expressed in the title of this patent specification, relates to a roller awning with a pivoting structure, which provides, to the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

[0002] The object of the present invention is an awning designed to provide shade on terraces or other spaces which, being of the roller type and intended for installation on the ground or a similar flat surface, has the particular feature of boasting a pivoting opening system that is exceptionally simple, easy to manufacture and straightforward to install, as it is based merely on two U-shaped frames, one fixed and one pivoting, which open and close in accordance with the extension of the fabric, thereby making the awning a lightweight structural element that occupies minimal space when closed, being suitable for installation in both private and public areas, such as terraces, streets, or promenades.FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The field of application of the present invention lies within the sector of the awning manufacturing industry, focusing particularly on the area of roller awnings intended for ground installation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] At present, roller awnings intended for ground installation generally comprise a fixed support structure formed at least by a rectangular frame supported on four or more posts, in which the awning fabric can be rolled up on one side of said frame in the retracted position and extended to cover part or all of the frame in the operating position to provide shade, being guided for this purpose through at least two rails provided on both sides of the frame of the structure. Therefore, these are fixed, large-volume structures that cannot be folded.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to develop an improved roller awning which, while still applicable for ground installation, can be folded when not in use so as to occupy less space, and which also constitutes a lighter structure and is therefore easier to transport, install, and manufacture, thereby reducing the cost of the awning.

[0006] Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, there is no other awning that offers technical, structural, and constitutive features identical or similar to those claimed herein.EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The roller awning with a pivoting structure proposed by this invention provides the ideal solution to the objective outlined above, with the features that make this possible and that clearly distinguish it being set out in the claims accompanying the present description.

[0008] In particular, as mentioned above, the invention relates to an awning for providing shade, of the type comprising a retractable fabric and a support structure intended for installation on the ground or a similar flat surface, being distinguished by the incorporation of a pivoting opening system in said structure, which offers the advantage of being exceptionally simple and easy to manufacture and install, and which is essentially formed by two U-shaped frames, one fixed and one pivoting, the latter opening and closing in accordance with the extension of the fabric, thereby making the awning a lightweight and economical structural element that occupies minimal space when closed, and making it suitable for installation in both private and public areas, such as terraces, streets, or promenades.

[0009] More specifically, the support structure of the awning comprises at least the following elements: A fixed frame, formed by two vertical posts anchored to the ground and a horizontal crossbar joined at its ends to the upper ends of the posts, together defining an inverted U-shaped frame in a bridge-like configuration. A pivoting frame, which likewise defines an inverted U-shaped or bridge-like frame of similar width to the fixed frame, being made up of two side bars and a transverse bar, where the lower ends of the side bars are secured to articulated anchors in the ground opposite the corresponding posts of the fixed frame, in a way that the pivoting frame can pivot about these anchors between a closed position, in which the transverse bar and the upper ends of the side bars are close to the fixed frame, and an open position, in which the transverse bar and the upper ends of the side bars are moved away from the fixed frame.

[0010] On the other hand, the retractable fabric of the awning is integrated into the structure in such a way that the roller is housed within the horizontal crossbar of the fixed frame, while its distal end is joined to the transverse bar of the pivoting frame, so that the pivoting frame opens and closes with the extension and retraction of the fabric.

[0011] Preferably, the pivoting frame is mounted on the articulated anchors in a way that it naturally tends to adopt the open position relative to the fixed frame, keeping the fabric permanently tensioned. To this end, in a preferred embodiment, one or both of the articulated anchors comprise a component or device that produces this opening tendency of the pivoting frame, such as a gas strut connected to the lower end of the bar.

[0012] Naturally, the maximum opening angle of the pivoting frame is arranged so that the fabric can be fully extended without the frame becoming excessively inclined. This is achieved by providing an optimal distance between the anchor points of the fixed frame and those of the pivoting frame.

[0013] Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, the awning is automatically operated, with a motor located at one end of the horizontal crossbar of the fixed frame to drive the roller for rolling and unrolling the fabric.

[0014] Finally, it should be noted that, in an alternative embodiment, the awning comprises a double fabric, with the support structure purposely comprising a fixed frame with two parallel crossbars secured to the tops of the posts, each with a roller and a retractable fabric, and two pivoting frames located on each side of the fixed frame, to which the respective distal ends of each fabric are attached, so that the awning can provide shade on both sides of the fixed frame, thereby doubling its coverage capacity.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] With the purpose of complementing the description provided and facilitating a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings which, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, show the following: Figure 1.- Shows a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment of the roller awning with a pivoting structure according to the invention, represented in the retracted position. Figure. 2.- Shows a side elevation view of the same awning depicted in Figure 1, in this case represented in the extended position. Figure 3.- Shows a perspective view of the support structure of the awning depicted in Figures 1 and 2, represented with the pivoting frame in the closed and open positions. Figure 4.- Shows a perspective view of the awning depicted in Figure 2, in the extended position, this time including the fabric. Figures 5 and 6.- Shows enlarged views of respective details A and B indicated in Figure 1, showing, respectively, the mechanism that biases the pivoting frame towards the open position when the fabric is unrolled, and the motor that drives the rolling and unrolling of said fabric. Figure 7.- Shows a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the roller awning with a pivoting opening, according to the invention, in this case a double-fabric version. Figure 8.- Shows a top plan view of the double-fabric awning depicted in Figure 7. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] With reference to the figures mentioned above, and according to the numbering used, the drawings show two non-limiting embodiments of the pivoting-frame roller awning of the invention, which comprises the elements described in detail below.

[0017] As shown in said figures, the awning (1) of the invention, which comprises at least one fabric (2) that can be rolled onto a roller (3) incorporated into a support structure (4) designed for installation on the ground (s) or a similar flat surface, is essentially characterised in that the above-mentioned structure (4) comprises at least two bridge-like frames (41, 42) anchored to the ground in parallel by respective anchors (5, 6), one of them being a fixed frame (41), which houses the roller (3) of the fabric (2), and the other one a pivoting frame (42), to which the distal end (2a) of the fabric (2) is attached and which swings on its articulated anchors (6) between an open position and a closed position relative to the fixed frame (41), according to the extension and retraction of the fabric (2).

[0018] Preferably, as shown in Figure 3, the fixed frame (41) consists of two vertical posts (411) rigidly secured to the ground by fixed anchors (5)-for example, plates bolted in place-and a horizontal crossbar (412) whose ends are joined to the tops of the vertical posts (411), together defining an inverted U-shaped bridge-like structure in which the roller (3) of the fabric (2) is incorporated into the horizontal crossbar (412).

[0019] On the other hand, the pivoting frame (42), as shown in Figure 3, defines a second inverted U-shaped frame in a bridge-like configuration formed by two side bars (421) and a transverse bar (422), to which the distal end (2a) of the fabric (2) is secured, the lower ends of the side bars (421) being attached to articulated anchors (6) positioned on the ground at a certain distance in front of the fixed anchors (5) of the posts (411) of the fixed frame (41), so that the pivoting frame (42) can swing about the articulated anchors (6) between a closed position of the awning (2) (Figure 1), in which the transverse bar (422) and the upper ends of the side bars (421) are brought close to the crossbar (412) and the posts (411) of the fixed frame (41), and an open position of the awning (2) (Figures 2 and 4), in which the transverse bar (422) and the upper ends of the side bars (421) move away from the fixed frame (41).

[0020] Preferably, the pivoting frame (42) is mounted on the articulated anchors (6) comprising, in one or both of said anchors, at least one device (7) that biases the frame towards the open position relative to the fixed frame (41), thereby keeping the fabric (2) under tension. Optionally, this device (7) is a gas strut connected to the lower end of a side bar (421), as shown in Figure 5.

[0021] Preferably, the articulated anchors (6) are contained in a protective housing (8), which also contains the above-mentioned device (7) that biases the pivoting frame (42) towards the open position, keeping it concealed and protected.

[0022] In one embodiment, the awning (1) is automatically operated through at least one motor (9) located at the end of the horizontal crossbar (412) of the fixed frame (41) and coupled to the roller (3) for rolling and unrolling the fabric (2), as shown in Figure 6.

[0023] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in an alternative embodiment the awning (1) comprises two retractable fabrics (2) that can be rolled onto their respective rollers (3), with the support structure (4) purposely comprising a fixed frame (41) with two parallel horizontal crossbars (412) secured to the tops of two vertical posts (411), each with a roller (3) and a retractable fabric (2), as well as two pivoting frames (42), one on each side of the fixed frame (41), to which the respective distal ends (2a) of each fabric (2) are attached. Having described the nature of the invention and its implementation in sufficient detail, no further explanation is deemed necessary for a person skilled in the art to understand its scope and the advantages it offers.

Claims

1. Roller awning with a pivoting structure which, comprising at least one fabric (2) that can be rolled onto a roller (3) incorporated into a support structure (4) designed for installation on the ground (s) or a similar flat surface, is characterised in that the above-mentioned structure (4) comprises at least two bridge-like frames anchored to the ground in parallel by respective anchors (5, 6), one being a fixed frame (41), which houses the roller (3) of the fabric (2), and the other one a pivoting frame (42), to which the distal end (2a) of the fabric (2) is attached and which swings on articulated anchors (6) between an open position and a closed position relative to the fixed frame (41), depending on the extension and retraction of the fabric (2).

2. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixed frame (41) consists of two vertical posts (411) rigidly secured to the ground by fixed anchors (5) and a horizontal crossbar (412) whose ends are joined to the tops of the vertical posts (411), together defining an inverted U-shaped frame in a bridge-like configuration in which the roller (3) of the fabric (2) is incorporated into the horizontal crossbar (412).

3. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to claim 2, characterised in that the pivoting frame (42) defines a second inverted U-shaped frame in a bridge-like configuration formed by two side bars (421) and a transverse bar (422) to which the distal end (2a) of the fabric (2) is secured, the lower ends of the side bars (421) being attached to articulated anchors (6) positioned on the ground in front of the fixed anchors (5) of the posts (411) of the fixed frame (41), so that the pivoting frame (42) can swing about the articulated anchors (6) between a closed position of the awning (2), in which the transverse bar (422) and the upper ends of the side bars (421) are brought close to the crossbar (412) and the posts (411) of the fixed frame (41), and an open position of the awning (2), in which the transverse bar (422) and the upper ends of the side bars (421) move away from the fixed frame (41).

4. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pivoting frame (42) comprises, in one or both of the articulated anchors (6) to which it is secured, at least one device (7) that biases the frame towards the open position relative to the fixed frame (41).

5. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to claim 4, characterised in that the device (7) which biases the pivoting frame (42) towards the open position is a gas strut.

6. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the articulated anchors (6) are contained in a protective housing (8), in which the device (7) that biases the pivoting frame (42) towards the open position is also contained, where applicable.

7. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a motor (9) provided in the fixed frame (41) and coupled to the roller (3) for rolling and unrolling the fabric (2).

8. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises two retractable fabrics (2) that can be rolled onto their respective rollers (3).

9. Roller awning with a pivoting structure according to claim 8, characterised in that the support structure (4) comprises a fixed frame (41) with two parallel horizontal crossbars (412) secured to the tops of two vertical posts (411), each with a roller (3) and a retractable fabric (2), as well as two pivoting frames (42), one on each side of the fixed frame (41), to which the respective distal ends (2a) of each fabric (2) are attached.

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