Flexible fabric or blind incorporating a load bar

Abstract

A flexible fabric (1) or blind for sheltering or closing an opening in a wall, which can be rolled up by rotation around a winding mechanism, and is equipped with a weight bar consisting of a profile (2) fixed to a free edge of the fabric (1) located opposite a portion of the fabric (1) attached to the winding mechanism. The free edge has a flexible end seal (10) elastically extending from the fabric (1), one face of which is fitted with a hollow rod (12) adapted to clip into a groove (21) in the profile (2) via an upper opening (23) in said groove (21) with a width less than the width of the rod (12). Two end caps (30), (33) are attached to each end of the profile (2), together constituting removable locking means for a terminal portion of the end seal (10) extending from the profile (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of flexible fabrics or blinds for sheltering or closing an opening in a wall. More particularly, it concerns the attachment of a weight bar to such a fabric, the function of which is to keep the fabric taut and, secondarily, to reinforce its structure. For the purposes of this invention, a blind and a fabric refer to equivalent elements. A blind is understood as a movable panel, made of fabric or lightweight material, which can be lowered or raised by means of a winding mechanism, and is therefore equivalent to a fabric, also understood as a flexible fabric panel that can be moved in front of an opening.The flexible fabric panel is designed to be rolled up / down in front of a building wall, typically one with an opening. Its composition does not guarantee a proper drape when unrolled, primarily because it generally consists of a large surface area of ​​thin, lightweight material. The weight of this material is insufficient to provide adequate mechanical support when unrolled vertically. Therefore, a load-bearing bar is attached to a free edge of the fabric opposite the section connected to the rolling mechanism.

[0002] This refers to the lower free edge, which is oriented horizontally in most applications of the canvas. Along its nearly entire length, this free edge is weighted by a load bar, with the weight distributed roughly evenly across its width. The presence of this bar ensures that the canvas, when unrolled vertically, is perfectly flat and adds rigidity and strength by keeping the canvas taut. This bar also allows the canvas to better withstand external stresses, particularly weather-related stresses such as wind and, more generally, inclement weather.

[0003] There are numerous solutions for attaching such a load bar to a canvas, ranging from a hem with an integrated pocket and final attachment using straps, to a slide cut into the bar into which the bottom edge of the canvas—possibly reinforced—can slide, as well as clip or hook systems, adjustable fasteners with clamping devices, or ring or eyelet systems. For large, flexible canvases where a flawless appearance is required when unfurled, and whose dimensions necessitate a sufficiently heavy load bar, sliding systems in which the bottom free edge of the canvas is slid are generally preferred.

[0004] In this case, the sliding attachment method for the load bar to the fabric requires space, especially when the fabric is wide: at least twice the horizontal dimension of the fabric is needed for installation, and in reality, considerably more. However, it is not always desirable to finalize the fabric by attaching the load bar at the manufacturing site, where there is certainly enough space. This would mean that all transport operations would have to take place after the bar has been attached to the fabric. Given the size and weight of the assembled unit, the aim is often to assemble the various parts (which may include, in addition to the fabric and the bar, a ballast element inserted into the bar) at the final installation site.Sliding jointing then often becomes a practical obstacle, given the space required for assembly.

[0005] To remedy this problem of mounting the canvas on site, the invention proposes a solution which offers the same advantages of strength and reliability as the aforementioned slides, as well as a very similar structure, but which does not require any sliding and can therefore be assembled with minimal space, directly on the installation site.

[0006] To this end, the flexible fabric or blind of the present invention, also rollable by rotation around a winding device, and conventionally equipped with a weight bar consisting of a profile fixed to a free edge of the fabric located opposite a portion of the fabric attached to the winding device, is such that the free edge has a flexible end seal extending elastically from the fabric, one face of which is fitted with a hollow rod adapted to clip into a groove in the profile via an upper opening in said groove, the width of which is less than the width of the rod. According to the invention, two end caps are further attached to each end of the profile, together constituting removable locking means for a terminal portion of the end seal protruding from the profile.

[0007] The installation can then be carried out not only axially, but also perpendicularly to the groove of the load bar, which essentially requires only a mounting space slightly larger than the width of the fabric. The seal intended to connect the fabric to the profile of the load bar is configured so that it can be attached and secured to the top of the bar, using a radial rather than axial connection. The elastic deformability of the seal, necessary for both assembly and disassembly, must not, however, become a risk factor for the durability of the assembled unit, and is taken into account in the design of the invention, particularly through the functional contribution of the end caps placed at each end.These end caps act as locking devices because they block and immobilize the seal at its protruding end, as will be explained in more detail later. They also prevent access to the part of the seal that extends beyond the axial end of the groove, which allows for initial disassembly by transversely pinching the seal and its bead in order to gradually remove it from the groove of the load bar profile.

[0008] According to an advantageous configuration, the joint may have a straight section developing parallel to and in the immediate extension of the unrolled fabric, the rod then being laterally attached to said straight section, which extends beyond the bottom of said hollow rod and has a length such that its free end reaches the bottom of the groove.

[0009] The groove's geometry is designed so that this straight section, which acts as a kind of spine for the joint, helps, by its ability to make contact with the bottom of the groove, to correctly position the rod within the groove and push it, particularly its upper walls, upwards, even when unloaded. The weight of the load bar (along with the fabric tension) then increases the strength of the rod's connection within the groove by supporting opposing surfaces that prevent the rod from slipping out (see below), thus ensuring its retention in the groove.

[0010] Preferably, the reed can have a harpoon shape, consisting of a straight wall attached to the straight section of the joint, connected to a wall rising away from the straight wall and ending with an inclined terminal face folding back towards said straight wall, a lip of the upper opening of the groove having an inner face retaining the inclined terminal face of the reed.

[0011] The shape of the rod and its position relative to the straight section of the seal allows the latter to occupy the upper groove of the load bar, ensuring that the inner face of the groove opening's lip obstructs the movement, under load, of the inclined end panel of the rod, thus preventing the rod, and therefore the seal, from exiting the groove. In practice, the lip partially obstructing the upper groove opening can also have an inclination similar to that of the inclined end panel of the rod, as the stress exerted by this lip in reaction to the upward thrust of the rod due to the tension of the fabric and the weight of the bar includes a vertical component that opposes the seal's exit.

[0012] Preferably, the joint's bead is made of PVC and the straight section of the joint is made of TPE. This is therefore a two-material joint, which optimizes the implementation of the different functions and constraints applying to these two parts of the joint, one (the straight section) needing to be more rigid and potentially less elastic than the other (the bead).

[0013] The seal is removable, however, and to facilitate its removal from the profile groove, its length is designed to exceed the groove's length. As mentioned above, the seal is integrated into the profile in such a way that its axial ends protrude from both ends of the load bar profile. In practice, the seal is left to protrude from the load bar at both ends to provide a grip for easier removal. Removal is then possible by pinching the spigot to free its angled end from the obstruction formed by the lip partially blocking the upper opening of the groove—an operation made possible by the seal's flexibility. The spigot's shape then flattens transversely, no longer hindering removal.Next, the joint must be guided by carrying out this operation progressively along the entire length of the groove of the load bar profile, in order to remove it completely from said groove.

[0014] In practice, the two end caps are fixed to the ends of the bar in such a way as to prevent any access to the end portions of the seal protruding from the profile groove, thus preventing any disassembly at either end of the load bar. These end caps effectively lock these end portions, notably by forcing the circlip into a position that resists the natural unclipping movement.

[0015] In fact, more precisely, according to the invention, a first end piece is provided such that it includes means for axial positioning and fixing within the profile, and that it has, extending from a first lateral inner face of the upper groove, a first wall suitable for providing support for the exterior of the bead fitting the joint. This wall is provided and positioned so that the exterior of the bead wall, rising away from the straight wall of the bead, that is to say, the wall that terminates in an inclined end face, in the configuration mentioned above, bears against it, preferably under pressure. This first end piece also includes a volume that obstructs the axial end of a compartment of the load bar profile, said volume constituting the positioning means for the end piece, and also allowing for the retention of a ballast placed in said compartment.

[0016] According to the invention, the second end piece is preferably such that it includes means for positioning and transversely fixing to the first end piece and, extending from a second lateral inner face of the groove, a second wall adapted to support the seal in its part opposite the bead and to push it towards the first wall of the first end piece. This second wall is actually in contact with the straight section of the seal, in the configuration mentioned above.

[0017] In fact, the first wall of the first end piece and the second wall of the second end piece, when secured to the load bar profile and to each other, form removable locking mechanisms that house the entire terminal portion of the end seal protruding from the groove and clamp it against at least one of the walls. This clamping force is designed to prevent any natural movement of the seal that could cause it to disengage from the profile groove.

[0018] These walls, when the end caps are assembled, can be seen as forming a sheath positioned in line with the upper groove of the profile, clamping and securing the seal and its retaining ring, which are held in a locked position preventing unclipping. They cannot be manipulated without removing the end caps. In this configuration, the seal rests against the first and second walls of the end caps, preventing manipulation, and is held in place, for example, by the mechanical action exerted by the shape of the walls on the seal's faces, which locks it in place. The second wall of the second end cap can thus, for example, include a lug that pushes the seal back in order to press the retaining ring against the first wall of the first end cap.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the end caps may include a core that fits into the bead and presses at least one of its walls against an inner face of the profile groove. In this case, at least part of the core expands inside the groove and fills the interior of the bead, extending it radially towards the groove walls and thus locking the seal within the groove. In this solution, the seal cannot be unclipped from the groove unless the end caps are removed, as removal would result in the core being extracted from inside the bead.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which presents a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is given, however, only by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0021] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates more particularly, in section view, the respective configurations of, on the one hand, the joint equipping the lower free edge of the canvas and, on the other hand, the upper part of the load bar profile; and [ Fig.2 ] represents a partial perspective view of the end of a load bar and the canvas fitted with the seal, in the absence of the end caps and on the side opposite the bead, the straight section of the seal extending parallel to and in the immediate extension of the canvas being shown transparent; Fig.3 ] shows an exploded perspective view of one end of the load bar with its two end pieces; Fig.4 ] represents a perspective view from an almost opposite orientation of one end of the load bar with its two end pieces, with the first end piece already attached to the load bar; Fig.5 ] represents a perspective view of the bar and the two assembled end pieces, with the joint rim partially shown to leave some parts of the end piece visible; Fig.6 ] is a cross-sectional view with the first end piece assembled, showing the seal.

[0022] With reference to the figures, and more specifically to figures 1 et 2 which show canvas 1 and the top of load bar 2 during assembly ( figure 1 ) or in assembly position but without the end caps ( figure 2 The fabric 1, or flexible blind, has, at its free edge, in the lower part of the fabric 1, a seal 10 designed to secure said fabric 1 to a profile 2 of the bottom rail. The seal 10 is designed to fit into a groove 21 located in the upper part of the profile 2 of the bottom rail. For this purpose, it comprises two distinct parts, which are not made of the same material (see below): a straight section 11 to which is laterally attached a hollow rod 12 advantageously having a harpoon-shaped profile. More precisely, the rod 12 comprises a straight wall 13 in contact with the straight section 11, the two extending in the same direction and being positioned in direct line with the fabric 1.The ring 12 also includes a wall 14 rising up, moving away from the straight portion 13 and gradually moving away from it as it rises, ending with a terminal face 15 which folds back towards the wall 13, partially closing the upper opening of the ring 12.

[0023] The groove 21 above the profile 2 of the load bar is designed to accommodate the seal 10, and has in particular a lip 24 bordering a top slotted opening 23, the inner face 22 of the lip 24 serving as a support at least to the terminal face 15 of the hollow bead 12 at least when the forces applied to the two are in opposite directions, for example when the bar is subjected to its weight and the fabric 1 is under tension. This inner face 22 extends towards the bottom of the groove 21 via a recess 25 which allows the rib 12 to expand elastically in this area, after being clipped into the groove 21, to allow the end plate 15 to be positioned opposite this inner face 22 of the lip 24 and thus prevent the harpoon-shaped rib 12 from protruding once inserted into the groove 21, the end plate 15 then abutting against said inner face 22 (see in figure 6 ). The groove 21 has two opposite lateral faces 27, 28 joined by the bottom of the groove 21.

[0024] In practice, when the fabric 1 and its seal 10 are directed in the direction of arrow F towards, and then into, the groove 21, the wall 14 deforms elastically in the direction of the wall 13 so that the hollow rod 12 can pass through the limited-width slotted opening 23. When the free end of the straight section 11 of the seal 10 reaches or approaches the bottom of the groove 21, the entire rod 12 has passed through the opening 23, and it elastically returns to its original shape, as shown in the figure 6 The length of the straight section 11 is designed so that, in this case, the terminal face 15 is close to touching – or at least partially in contact with – the inner face 22 of the lip 24, as shown in figure 6 Note that the angular edge separating the terminal panel 15 from the rest of the wall 14 can then be positioned within the recess 25 (it unfolds in that direction, at least), this shape being specifically designed to avoid hindering the elastic expansion of the hollow rod 12 in this area, thus achieving the previously mentioned locking mechanism. As mentioned, the straight section 11 and the hollow rod 12 are not made of the same material; the rod is made of PVC and the section of TPE, in order to optimize their mechanical strength for the different functions they perform in the context of their mutual fastening.

[0025] The elasticity of the hollow rod 12, necessary for the installation of the seal 10 in the groove 21, necessitates, however, that mechanical control be implemented to prevent accidental manipulation from leading to the opposite operation, i.e., the seal 10 coming out of the groove 21, or successive and repetitive movements of the fabric 1 / load bar assembly from weakening said connection and causing the rod 12 to escape from the groove 21. Therefore, two end caps 30, 33 are provided at each end of the profile 2. Their function is to lock the seal together by mechanically constraining it in such a way as to prevent any movement in the direction of unclipping, and which also prevent any unwanted access to the terminal portions of the seal 10 protruding axially from the profile 2 (see in figure 2 ). They also allow the axial ends of profile 2 of the load bar to be closed and in particular to retain a ballast device.

[0026] There figure 2 This allows for a better understanding of the configuration of the ends of profile 2, in the absence of end caps 30 and 33. We can see that the seal 10 – visible on the side of the straight section 11 – protrudes from the groove 21. In this configuration without end caps, profile 2 can be easily disassembled from the load bar of the fabric 1, which is necessary if disassembly is planned. This provides a grip for manipulating the seal 10 and extracting it from the groove 21. The idea is to compress it – which its flexibility allows once end caps 30 and 33 are removed – and then pull it upwards through the slotted opening 23, gradually and along the entire length of the load bar. When the seal 10 is thus manipulated, the parts of the harpoon which prevented extraction are deformed / reoriented so as to allow the seal 10 to be gradually removed from the groove 21, following the axis of the load bar.

[0027] The assembled end caps 30 and 33, which lock the terminal portion of the seal 10 at each end of the load bar profile 2, are designed to prevent this type of manipulation. A first end cap 30 is axially fixed to the load bar profile 2, and a second end cap 33 is transversely fixed to the first end cap 30. These two end caps 30 and 33 are more clearly visible in the figures 3 et 4 showing them at least partially disassembled according to two opposing views. The first end piece 30 includes positioning and centering means 31 that allow a compartment 26 to be closed at the axial ends of the profile 2. These positioning and centering means take the form of a prismatic volume 31 adapted to fit into the internal volume of the profile 2, in a compartment 26 designed to receive a ballast 4, or one or more equivalent ballast elements. The end piece 30 is fixed—for example—by an axial screw 36 to said profile 2. This method of positioning / fixing the end piece 30 simultaneously achieves the proper positioning of the part of said first end piece 30 that remains outside the profile 2 (see in particular in figures 4 And 5 ) in its function of locking the terminal part of the seal 10 protruding from the load bar.

[0028] This external part mainly comprises a first support wall 32 surmounting a plate 37 and extending from the lateral face 27 of the groove 21 containing the recess 25, as well as a plate 34 for receiving and fixing the second end piece 33. The latter is fixed to it, for example, by two screws 35 screwing in a transverse direction. It should be noted that the plate 37 has an external shape that perfectly aligns with the external shape of the profile 2 (see in figure 5 ) within its area of ​​operation.

[0029] The second end piece 33 has a wall 38 which, once the second end piece 33 is fixed, is in line with the lateral face 28 of the groove 21 and serves as a bearing and stress-bearing surface for the seal 10. This wall 38 is provided with a prismatic stud 38a which acts on the straight section 11 of the seal 10, as shown for example in figure 6 - which shows this lug 38a twice (one of which is artificially positioned for the assembly of the end pieces 30 and 33). This prismatic lug 38a allows the seal 10 to be pushed towards the wall 32 of the first end piece 30 so that it bears against it under pressure. This pressure prevents any movement of the ring 12 in the direction of a possible unclipping of the groove 21. A wing 39 of the second end piece 33 is also pressed against the profile 2, whose external shape it also conforms to, thus closing the open end of said profile 2 in its area of ​​action.

[0030] When the assembly is fully completed, that is, when the first end piece 30 is mounted on the profile 2 and the second end piece 33 is attached to the first end piece 30, as shown in figure 5which partially reveals the bead 12 of the joint 10 (the wall 14 and the terminal face 15), the first wall 32 and the second wall 38, left apparent by the partial representation of the bead 12, each belonging to one of the ends respectively 30, 33 lock the terminal part of the joint 10 by forming a kind of sheath housing by mechanically constraining the entire terminal part of the end joint 10 protruding from the groove 21. Said terminal part contains it completely, making any undesired or untimely manipulation impossible due to lack of access to the joint 10.

[0031] As mentioned, the configuration of the end pieces 30, 33 can also be such that at least one of them can have a core extending towards the groove 21 of the profile 2, and fitting into the ring 12 to press one of its walls, for example the wall 14, against an internal face, in this case the face 27, of the groove 21 of the profile 2. The idea is again to lock the seal 10, and more precisely its ring 12, in the groove 21.

[0032] The design modalities illustrated by the figures are of course not exhaustive of the invention, which on the contrary includes variants of form in particular likely to affect the hollow ring 12, the shape of the section of the groove 21, and more generally the design of the profile 2 and its internal compartments, which are not limited to the lines appearing in the figures.

Claims

1. Flexible fabric (1) or blind for sheltering or closing an opening made in a wall, which can be rolled up by rotation around a winding device, and which is equipped with a load bar consisting of a profile (2) fixed at the level of a free edge of the fabric (1) located opposite a part of the fabric (1) attached to the winding device, characterized in that the free edge includes a flexible end seal (10) elastically extending the fabric (1), one face of which is equipped with a hollow rod (12) suitable for clipping into a groove (21) of the profile (2) via an upper opening (23) of said groove (21) with a width less than the width of the rod (12), two end pieces (30), (33) attached to each end of the profile (2) together constituting removable locking means for a terminal part of the end seal (10) protruding from the profile (2).

2. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe joint (10) has a straight section (11) developing parallel to and in the immediate extension of the unrolled fabric (1), the rod (12) being attached laterally to said straight section (11), which extends beyond the bottom of said hollow rod (12) and has a length such that its free end reaches the bottom of the groove (21).

3. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rod (12) has a harpoon shape, consisting of a straight wall (13) attached to the straight section (11) of the joint (10), connected to a wall (14) rising away from the straight wall (13) and ending with an inclined terminal face (15) folding back towards said straight wall (13), a lip (24) of the upper opening (23) of the groove (21) having an internal face (22) retaining the inclined terminal face (15) of the rod (12).

4. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in thatthe bead (12) of the joint (10) is made of PVC and the straight section (11) of said joint (10) is made of TPE.

5. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first end piece (30) includes means (31) for axial positioning and fixing in the profile (2), and has, in the extension of a first internal lateral face (27) of the upper groove (21), a first wall (32) suitable for providing support for the outside of the bead (12) fitting the joint (10).

6. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a second end piece (33) includes means for positioning and transverse fixing to the first end piece (30) and, in the extension of a second internal lateral face (28) of the groove (21), a second wall (38) suitable for supporting the seal (10) in its part opposite the ring (12) and for pushing it towards the first wall (32) of the first end piece (30).

7. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first wall (32) of the first end piece (30) and the second wall (38) of the second end piece (33) form, when said end pieces (30), (33) are secured to the profile (2) of the load bar and to each other, the removable locking means housing the entire terminal part of the end seal protruding from the groove (21) and constraining it against at least one of the walls (32), (38).

8. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second wall (38) has a stud (38a) pushing back the joint (10) in order to press the bead (12) against the first wall (42).

9. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the tips (30), (33) has a core that fits into the ring (12) and is intended to press at least one of its walls against an inner face of the groove (21) of the profile (2).

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