Gantry structure for finishing and equipping an opening of a perimeter wall of a building

Abstract

A gantry structure for finishing and equipping an opening of a perimeter wall of a building has a pair of lateral uprights (6) configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall; an upper transverse element (7) configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights (6); a casing (8) resting on the upper transverse element (7) and / or on the lateral uprights (6); a shading system (20) comprising a rolling and / or folding external fixture (3) and an electric motor (21) configured to roll and / or fold the external fixture (3) into the casing (8); a battery (22) configured to electrically power the electric motor (21); and a connector (23), which is electrically connected to the battery (22) and is configured to be connected to an energy source so as to allow a recharge of the battery (22).

Description

TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0001] The present invention relates to a gantry structure for finishing and equipping an opening of a perimeter wall of a building.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a gantry structure, which is inserted into the opening of a perimeter wall and fixed to the perimeter wall for the purpose of housing and supporting a respective window, French window or door. The gantry structure defines a measured housing for the respective window or door, delimits the space with appropriately finished surfaces, thermally and acoustically insulates the window or door from the perimeter wall and prevents thermal bridges from being created along the perimeter wall around the window or doors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the building construction and renovation industry, it is commonly known to install a gantry structure to finish and equip an opening of a perimeter wall of a building.

[0004] Generally, the gantry structure comprises a base transverse element, two lateral uprights mounted on the base transverse element, and an upper transverse element mounted on the lateral uprights. Typically, the base transverse element, lateral uprights and upper transverse element comprise respective insulating panels made of a thermally insulating material, such as expanded sintered polystyrene (EPS) .

[0005] In addition, it is commonly known to equip the gantry structures with a casing arranged resting on the lateral uprights and a shading system, which is arranged in the casing and comprises a roller and / or folding external fixture, an electric motor configured to wind and / or pack the external fixture into the casing, a battery configured to electrically power the electric motor, and a solar panel arranged outside the casing and electrically connected to the battery so as to recharge the battery. An example of a gantry structure of the type identified above is disclosed in EP 4,279,701.

[0006] However, at certain times of the year, typically in the winter seasons, there is a risk that the solar panel will not be able to recharge the battery and that, as a result, the shading system will not be usable. Said risk also exists if the gantry structure is not adequately exposed to solar radiation, e.g. if the gantry structure faces north or due to natural or artificial obstacles, such as trees or other buildings, overshadowing the gantry structure.

[0007] In these cases, in order to access the battery in order to recharge the battery, it is necessary to dismantle some components of the gantry structure, often using specialised personnel and dedicated equipment. In addition, said dismantling operations are sometimes carried out from outside the building, which poses a safety risk to specialised personnel.PATENT OBJECT

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a gantry structure that is free from the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a gantry structure is provided for finishing and equipping an opening in a perimeter wall of a building, the gantry structure comprising: a pair of lateral uprights configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall and preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; an upper transverse element, which is configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights and is preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; a casing resting on the upper transverse element and / or lateral uprights; a shading system comprising a roller and / or folding external fixture and an electric motor configured to roll and / or fold the external fixture into the casing; a battery configured to electrically power the electric motor; and a connector, which is electrically connected to the battery and is configured to be connected to a power source so as to allow a recharge of the battery.

[0010] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to recharge the battery easily and safely, without the need for the energy contribution of a solar panel. From an operational point of view, it is possible for a user of the shading system to easily connect the connector to an external energy source, such as an additional battery or a domestic power grid, while remaining inside the building and, consequently, avoiding the costs and risks associated with dismantling the components of the gantry structure to gain direct access to the battery.

[0011] In particular, the connector extends through the upper transverse element or through one of the lateral uprights; preferably the upper transverse element or one of the lateral uprights being provided with a through opening into which the connector is inserted.

[0012] This makes the connector easily accessible from inside the building.

[0013] In particular, the casing is configured to be mounted on the outside of said perimeter wall.

[0014] In this way, the gantry structure can be mounted from outside the building, limiting disturbance to residents inside the building.

[0015] In particular, the lateral uprights and the upper transverse element delimit an interior space when installed in the opening of the perimeter wall; the connector being provided with a power socket, preferably of the USB-C type, facing said interior space.

[0016] In this way, the connector can be connected to a power source quickly and easily.

[0017] In particular, each lateral upright comprises a first insulating panel made of a thermally insulating material and a first reinforcement panel integral with the first insulating panel; the upper transverse element comprises a second insulating panel made of a thermally insulating material and a second reinforcement panel integral with the second insulating panel.

[0018] In particular, the battery is integrated into the upper transverse element or in one of the lateral uprights.

[0019] In more detail, the upper transverse element comprises a housing, which is formed in the second insulating panel and houses the battery.

[0020] In this way, the battery can be thermally insulated from the external environment to extend battery life and prevent battery malfunctioning at low temperatures.

[0021] In particular, the gantry structure comprises at least one electric cable, which electrically connects the battery to the connector.

[0022] In more detail, the connector extends through one of the lateral uprights; said lateral upright comprises a channel, which is formed in the first insulating panel and houses the at least one electric cable.

[0023] In this way, the electric cable can be thermally insulated from the external environment to ensure a reliable electrical connection between the connector and the battery even at low temperatures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of non-limiting embodiment examples thereof, with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a gantry structure for finishing and equipping an opening in a perimeter wall of a building made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view, with parts removed for clarity's sake, of the gantry structure in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a sectional view, in enlarged scale and with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of the gantry structure in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view, in enlarged scale and with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of the gantry structure in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a lateral view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the gantry structure in Figure 1 made in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a sectional view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the gantry structure in Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] With reference to Figure 1, the number 1 indicates overall a gantry structure configured to finish and equip an opening in a perimeter wall (not shown in the accompanying figures) of a building.

[0026] In general, the gantry structure 1 performs the functions of isolating a window or door 2 and an external fixture 3 from the perimeter wall and finishing the free surfaces of the perimeter wall.

[0027] In this described and illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the window or door 2 is arranged between an internal portion of the building and the gantry structure 1 and comprises a central panel 4, preferably transparent and made of glass, and an external frame 5 arranged around the central panel 4. In particular, the window or door 2 may be a window, a French window or a door, without limiting the wide range of applications of the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, in this described and illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the external fixture 3 is a roller shutter and gantry structure 1 also performs the functions of supporting and guiding the external fixture 3 in the opening and closing strokes, and of accommodating the external fixture 3 when rolled up.

[0029] In accordance with a variant of the present invention, not shown in the accompanying Figures, the external fixture 3 is a folding shutter.

[0030] In accordance with the present invention, the gantry structure 1 comprises a pair of lateral uprights 6 configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall and preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; an upper transverse element 7, which is configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights 6 and is preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; and a casing 8, which is supported on the upper transverse element 7 and / or on the lateral uprights 6 and, in particular, is configured to be mounted on the outside of said perimeter wall.

[0031] In addition, the gantry structure 1 comprises a base transverse element 9, which is configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall, is configured to support the lateral uprights 6, and is preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material.

[0032] In particular, the base transverse element 9 extends along a base axis A1 and comprises a pair of mounting guides 10, each of which is arranged at a respective end of the base transverse element 9 and extends in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the base axis A1. Each lateral upright 6 is configured to be coupled with a respective mounting guide 10 so as to be mounted on the base transverse element 9, preferably by sliding along the respective mounting guide 10.

[0033] In more detail, each mounting guide 10 is arranged flush with the respective lateral upright 6 and is defined by a profile preferably made of a metal material, such as aluminium, or a polymer material, such as PVC, or woodcement.

[0034] From an operational point of view, the mounting guides 10 allow the gantry structure 1 to be installed in an opening in a perimeter wall from outside the building, assembling the gantry structure 1 directly in situ.

[0035] In particular, each lateral upright 6 extends along a direction substantially perpendicular to the base axis A1 once said lateral upright 6 is mounted on the base transverse element 9. In other words, each lateral upright 6 identifies an angle of approximately 90° with the base transverse element 9.

[0036] In more detail, the lateral uprights 6 are arranged on either side of the opening of the perimeter wall and are parallel and facing each other.

[0037] In accordance with an embodiment, each lateral upright 6 comprises an insulating panel 11 made of a thermally insulating material and a reinforcement panel 12 integral with insulating panel 11. The upper transverse element 7 comprises an insulating panel 13 made of a thermally insulating material and a reinforcement panel 14 integral with the insulating panel 13. The base transverse element 9 comprises an insulating panel 15 made of a thermally insulating material and a reinforcement panel 16 integral with the insulating panel 15.

[0038] In particular, each insulating panel 11, 13 and 15 is shaped like a parallelepiped and has insulating properties with regard to both sound and heat transmission and is preferably made of non-combustible material. In more detail, each reinforcement panel 12, 14, 16 is glued to the respective insulating panel 11, 13, 15, has a smaller thickness than the respective insulating panel 11, 13, 15, and is made of a material selected from fibre cement, magnesium oxide, calcium hydrosilicate, sheet metal, marble, and ceramic.

[0039] In addition, the gantry structure 1 comprises a pair of slide guides 17 (of which only one is visible in Figure 1), which are recessed in the respective lateral uprights 6 and are configured to guide the sliding of the external fixture 3 along the lateral uprights 6. In particular, each slide guide 17 is formed in the insulating panel 11 of the respective lateral upright 6 so as to form a recess with a U-shaped section.

[0040] In the case described and illustrated herein, the gantry structure 1 comprises a plurality of fastening elements 18, such as anchor bolts, configured to secure the gantry structure 1 and, in particular, the lateral uprights 6 and the casing 8 to the perimeter wall of the building.

[0041] In addition, the gantry structure 1 comprises two support brackets 19, which are configured to be fixed to the perimeter wall of the building and to support the base transverse element 9.

[0042] In particular, the fastening elements 18 and support brackets 19 can be cemented into the perimeter wall or can be fixed to the perimeter wall by means of plugs and covered with an insulating coating.

[0043] With reference to Figure 2, the gantry structure 1 comprises a shading system 20 comprising the roller and / or folding external fixture 3 and an electric motor 21 configured to roll and / or fold the external fixture 3 into the casing 8; a battery 22 configured to electrically power electric motor 21; and a connector 23, which extends, in this case, through the upper transverse element 7, is electrically connected to the battery 22, and is configured to be connected to a power source so as to allow recharging of battery 22.

[0044] In accordance with the present invention, the electric motor 21 is arranged inside the casing 8 at one end of the casing 8. The battery 22 is arranged outside the casing 8.

[0045] In the case described and shown herein, not limiting the present invention, the battery 22 is integrated into the upper transverse element 7.

[0046] It is understood that in accordance with a variant of the present invention, not shown in the accompanying Figures, the battery 22 may be integrated into one of the lateral uprights 6 or into the base transverse element 9.

[0047] In particular, the battery 22 has an elongated shape and extends along the upper transverse element 7 in a direction substantially parallel to the base axis A1.

[0048] In more detail, the upper transverse element 7 comprises a housing seat 24, which is formed in the insulating panel 13 and houses the battery 22. In practice, the housing seat 24 is defined by a recess formed in the insulating panel 13 and shaped to accommodate and contain the battery 22.

[0049] In particular, the gantry structure 1 comprises an electric cable 25, which electrically connects the battery 22 to the connector 23. Further, the gantry structure 1 comprises an electric cable 26, which electrically connects the battery 22 to the electric motor 21.

[0050] With reference to Figure 3, the casing 8 comprises a rear wall 28, an upper wall 29, a front wall 30, and two lateral walls 31 (only one of which is visible in Figure 3), which delimit a compartment 32 configured to house the shading system 20.

[0051] In particular, the shading system 20 comprises a rotating shaft 33 housed in the compartment 32 of the casing 8 and coupled to the electric motor 21. In more detail, the external fixture 3 is at least partially wound around the rotating shaft 33.

[0052] Further, in the case described and illustrated herein, the upper transverse element 7 has a through opening 34 into which the connector 23 is inserted. In particular, the through opening 34 is formed through the reinforcement panel 14.

[0053] With reference to Figure 1, the gantry structure 1 comprises a solar panel 27, which is configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy and is electrically connected to battery 22 in order to recharge battery 22.

[0054] In more detail, solar panel 27 is integrally coupled to the casing 8, in particular to front wall 30, is arranged outside compartment 32, and is electrically connected to battery 22 (Figures 2 and 3).

[0055] With reference to Figure 4, the lateral uprights 6 and the upper transverse element 7 delimit an interior space 35 when installed in the opening of the perimeter wall. The connector 23 has a power socket 36, preferably a USB-C type, facing towards said interior space 35.

[0056] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, a further embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the connector 23 extends through one of the lateral uprights 6.

[0057] In more detail, said lateral upright 6 has a through opening 38 (Figure 6) into which the connector 23 is inserted. In particular, the through opening 38 is formed through the reinforcement panel 12.

[0058] In addition, said lateral upright 6 comprises a channel 37, which is formed in the insulating panel 11 and houses the electric cable 25 that electrically connects the connector 23 to the battery 22.

[0059] In accordance with a further embodiment, not shown in the accompanying Figures, the connector 23 extends through the base transverse element 9. In this configuration, the base transverse element 9 has a through opening (not shown in the accompanying figures) into which the connector 23 is inserted.

[0060] In use and with reference to Figure 1, when the battery 22 is flat and the solar panel 27 is unable to recharge the battery 22, a user connects a power source, such as an additional battery or a domestic power grid, to the power socket 36 (Figure 4) of the connector 23 to recharge the battery 22. In this way, once recharged, the battery 22 powers the electric motor 21, which controls the rolling of the external fixture 3 into the casing 8 or the unrolling of the external fixture 3 from the casing 8.

[0061] Finally, it is evident that variations can be made to the present invention with respect to the embodiment described without however leaving the scope of protection of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gantry structure for finishing and equipping an opening of a perimeter wall of a building, the gantry structure (1) comprising: - a pair of lateral uprights (6) configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall and preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; - an upper transverse element (7), which is configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights (6) and is preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; - a casing (8) resting on the upper transverse element (7) and / or on the lateral uprights (6); - a shading system (20) comprising a roller and / or folding external fixture (3) and an electric motor (21) configured to roll and / or fold the external fixture (3) into the casing (8); - a battery (22) configured to electrically power the electric motor (21); and - a connector (23), which is electrically connected to the battery (22) and is configured to be connected to a power source so as to allow a recharge of the battery (22).

2. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector (23) extends through the upper transverse element (7) or through one of the lateral uprights (6); preferably the upper transverse element (7) or one of the lateral uprights (6) being provided with a through opening (34) into which the connector (23) is inserted.

3. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the casing (8) is configured to be mounted on the outside of said perimeter wall.

4. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral uprights (6) and the upper transverse element (7) delimit an interior space (35) when installed in the opening of the perimeter wall; the connector (23) being provided with a power socket (36), preferably of the USB-C type, facing said interior space (35) .

5. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each lateral upright (6) comprises a first insulating panel (11) made of a thermally insulating material and a first reinforcement panel (12) integral with the first insulating panel (11); the upper transverse element (7) comprising a second insulating panel (13) made of a thermally insulating material and a second reinforcement panel (14) integral with the second insulating panel (13).

6. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the upper transverse element (7) comprises a housing seat (24), which is formed in the insulating panel (13) and houses the battery (22).

7. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 6, and comprising at least one electric cable (25), which electrically connects the battery (22) to the connector (23).

8. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connector (23) extends through one of the lateral uprights (6); said lateral upright (6) comprises a channel (37), which is formed in the first insulating panel (11) and houses the at least one electric cable (25).

9. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery (22) is integrated into the upper transverse element (7) or into one of the lateral uprights (6).

10. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery (22) has an elongated shape and extends along the upper transverse element (7).

11. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a solar panel (27), which is configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy and is electrically connected to the battery (22) in order to recharge the battery (22).

12. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shading system (20) comprises a rotating shaft (33) housed in the casing (8) and coupled to the electric motor (21); the external fixture (3) being at least partially wound around the rotating shaft (33).

13. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a pair of slide guides (17), which are recessed in the respective lateral uprights (6) and are configured to guide the sliding of external fixture (3) along the lateral uprights (6).

14. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a base transverse element (9), which is configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall, is configured to support the lateral uprights (6), and is preferably made at least partially of a thermally insulating material.

15. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base transverse element (9) comprises a pair of mounting guides (10), each of which is arranged at a respective end of the base transverse element (9); each lateral upright (6) being configured to be coupled with a respective mounting guide (10) so as to be mounted on the base transverse element (9), preferably by sliding along the respective mounting guide (10).

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