Folding, rotationally symmetrical elongate element that is inflatable with captive air

Abstract

The invention relates to an rotationally symmetrical elongate element (18) that is inflatable with captive air, which comprises a first tubular segment (20), a second tubular segment (22) and a folding segment (24) connecting the first tubular segment (20) and the second tubular segment (22), the folding segment (24) being provided with a first frusto-conical portion (26), extending the first tubular segment (20) inwards and extending towards the second tubular segment (22), and a second frusto-conical portion (28), extending the second tubular segment (22) inwards and extending towards the first tubular segment (20). The elongate element (18) comprising a duct (32) connecting the first and second tubular segments (20, 22), which is configured to allow air to flow between the tubular segments (20, 22) when the tubular segments (20, 22) form an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Elongated element of inflatable revolution with foldable captive air.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The technical field of the invention is foldable captive air inflatable elements.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to an elongated element of revolution inflatable with captive air and an assembly for solar protection comprising at least one such elongated element.

[0006] Previous techniques

[0007] A captive air inflatable element is generally in the shape of a cylinder with a circular cross-section. When forming a structure incorporating such an inflatable element, it may be bent, for example at an angle of 45 degrees. The resulting bend extends radially beyond the cylindrical shape of the inflatable element. This may cause interference with other inflatable elements in the structure.

[0008] Moreover, it is difficult to precisely control the location where the fold will form.

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy at least one of these drawbacks.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to be able to fold an elongated inflatable element of revolution with captive air while maintaining the pressure in the elongated inflatable element of revolution with captive air.

[0011] Statement of the invention

[0012] The invention relates to an inflatable, captive air, elongated element of revolution comprising a first tubular segment and a second tubular segment. According to a first general characteristic, the elongated element comprises a folding segment connecting the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.

[0013] The folding segment is provided with a first frustoconical portion extending inwardly the first tubular segment and extending towards the second tubular segment and a second frustoconical portion extending inwardly the second tubular segment and extending towards the first tubular segment.

[0014] According to a second general characteristic, the elongate element further comprises a conduit connecting the first and second tubular segments, the conduit being configured to allow air to circulate between the first and second tubular segments when the first and second tubular segments form an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other.

[0015] The folding segment of the elongate element makes it possible to locate the position of formation of a fold when the first and second tubular segments form a non-zero angle with respect to each other. Indeed, the fold is formed between the first and second frustoconical portions of the folding segment.

[0016] Furthermore, with this configuration of the folding segment, the latter may not extend radially in projection beyond the cylindrical shape of the inflatable element after folding depending on the dimensioning of said folding segment.

[0017] According to a first design, said conduit is internal to the cylindrical portion of the folding segment.

[0018] According to a second alternative design, said conduit is external to the folding segment, in particular external to the cylindrical portion of the folding segment.

[0019] Preferably, the conduit allows passage of the amount of air necessary to maintain the pressure in the first and second tubular segments when the elongate member is folded.

[0020] The folding segment may further be provided with a cylindrical portion connecting the first and second frustoconical portions. Thus, the fold is formed on the cylindrical portion of the folding segment. The shorter the length of the cylindrical portion, the more precise the location of the folding zone.

[0021] The cylindrical portion of the bending segment helps to limit the concentration of stresses at the seams of the elongated element.

[0022] The length of the cylindrical portion of the bending segment may be less than the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the bending segment.

[0023] Thus, the accuracy of the fold formation position is increased.

[0024] Preferably, the first frustoconical portion and the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median radial plane passing through the center of the cylindrical portion.

[0025] The cylindrical portion of the bending segment may extend the small diameter edges of the first and second frustoconical portions of the bending segment.

[0026] The first and second tubular segments and the folding segment may be sewn together and form a unitary assembly.

[0027] Alternatively, the first and second tubular segments and the folding segment may be joined by heat welding.

[0028] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion of the bend segment may be less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion of the bend segment multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0029] This ensures that the formed fold does not extend radially beyond the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion of the folding segment.

[0030] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment may be less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi. This ensures that the formed fold does not extend radially beyond the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion of the folding segment.

[0031] The first and second tubular segments and the folding segment may form an outer shell.

[0032] Advantageously, the outer envelope is airtight.

[0033] Optionally, the outer casing can be formed from a coated fabric.

[0034] The elongated member may further comprise at least one internal air chamber housed within the outer casing.

[0035] The present invention also relates to an assembly for solar protection comprising a vertical inflatable barrel with captive air, at least one canvas and at least one elongated element of revolution inflatable with captive air as defined previously, the first tubular segment of said elongated element extending along said barrel, the second tubular segment of said elongated element extending transversely relative to said barrel, said canvas being fixed at least to the second tubular segment of said elongated element.

[0036] The assembly may comprise at least three, in particular six, elongated inflatable elements of revolution with captive air spaced regularly in the circumferential direction, the first tubular segment of each elongated element extending along said shaft, the second tubular segment of each elongated element extending transversely relative to said shaft, the assembly further comprising at least one canvas fixed between each pair of said successive second tubular segments.

[0037] Brief description of the drawings

[0038] The present invention will be better understood upon studying the detailed description of embodiments, taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

[0039] [Fig 1] is a schematic side view of an assembly for solar protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0040] [Fig 2] is a top view of the assembly of Figure 1; [Fig 3] is a simplified perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1; and

[0041] [Fig 4] is a top view of an elongated element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Detailed description

[0043] Figure 1 schematically represents an assembly 2 for solar protection comprising a trunk 4, an inflatable structure 6 mounted on the trunk 4 and provided with an inflatable vertical shaft 8 with captive air deploying from the trunk 4 and a canopy 10 projecting transversely relative to the vertical shaft 8, and a plurality of guy ropes 12 fixing the canopy 10 to the vertical shaft 8.

[0044] As illustrated more visibly in Figure 2, the canopy 10 comprises a plurality of members or tubes 14, here six in number, extending transversely relative to the vertical shaft 8 and spaced regularly in the circumferential direction.

[0045] The assembly 2 for solar protection also comprises canvases 16 fixed between the successive members 14 of the canopy 10 in the circumferential direction, the canvases 16 forming protection under the canopy 10.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the canopy 10 comprising six members 14 is hexagonal in shape, thus making it possible to juxtapose several assemblies 2 for solar protection according to a hexagonal mesh in order to obtain solar protection over a larger surface area. Alternatively, the canopy 10 may have other shapes, for example circular, oval, square, rectangular.

[0047] As illustrated more visibly in Figure 3, the assembly 2 comprises a plurality of elongated elements 18 of revolution, inflatable with captive air, regularly spaced in the circumferential direction, here six in number and each in contact with the two elongated elements 18 which are directly adjacent to it in the circumferential direction. The shrouds 12 and the canvases 16 have not been shown in Figure 3 for reasons of understanding. Each elongated element 18 comprises a first tubular segment 20 extending vertically along the vertical shaft 8 of the assembly 2 and a second tubular segment 22 extending transversely relative to the vertical shaft 8 of the assembly 2 so as to form a member 14. Each elongated element 18 also comprises a folding segment 24 connecting the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0048] Each elongate element 18 of revolution inflatable with captive air is composed of a plurality of internal air chambers and an external envelope inside which the internal air chambers are housed, the external envelope being formed of the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 and the folding segment 24.

[0049] The outer casing of the captive air inflatable elongated elements 18 of revolution is formed of a fabric, for example DACRON®. Each internal air chamber of the captive air inflatable elongated elements 18 of revolution is formed of a stretchable material, for example polyurethane. The internal air chambers form the framework of the captive air inflatable elongated elements 18 of revolution. Alternatively, each captive air inflatable elongated element 18 of revolution comprises an airtight casing, for example formed of a coated fabric. In this case, each captive air inflatable elongated element 18 of revolution may be assembled by heat welding and each captive air inflatable elongated element 18 of revolution may be devoid of an internal air chamber.

[0050] Each captive air inflatable elongated element 18 of revolution comprises one or more inflation points (not shown), in particular an inflation valve for simultaneously inflating the internal air chambers of the elongated element 18 or several inflation valves for independently inflating the internal air chambers of the elongated element 18, so that each captive air inflatable elongated element 18 of revolution can be inflated independently of the other captive air inflatable elongated elements 18 of revolution. Figure 4 shows an unfolded captive air inflatable elongated element 18 of revolution, the first tubular segment 20 being in the extension of the second tubular segment 22.

[0051] The first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongated element 18 are here cylindrical with a circular section and the same diameter. Alternatively, the first or second tubular segment 20, 22 of the elongated element 18 could have a different section, for example a square section. Alternatively, the first tubular segment 20 of the elongated element 18 could have a different diameter than the second tubular segment 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0052] The folding segment 24 of the elongate element 18 is provided with a first frustoconical portion 26 extending inwards the first tubular segment 20 and extending in the direction of the second tubular segment 22, a second frustoconical portion 28 extending inwards the second tubular segment 22 and extending in the direction of the first tubular segment 20, and a cylindrical portion 30 connecting the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28.

[0053] The large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 is sewn to the first tubular segment 20 of the elongated element 18. The large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 is sewn to the second tubular segment 22 of the elongated element 18.

[0054] The first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the folding segment 24 are here in the form of a truncated cone of revolution with a circular section. Alternatively, the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the folding segment 24 could be in the form of a pyramidal truncated cone, for example with a square section.

[0055] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 is preferably less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0056] The diameter of the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 is preferably less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment and the second frustoconical portion 28 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median radial plane P passing through the center of the cylindrical portion 30. As a variant, the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 could be of different dimensions.

[0058] The cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 extends the small diameter edges of the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the folding segment 24.

[0059] The cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 is sewn to the small diameter edges of the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28 of the folding segment 24.

[0060] The cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 here has a circular section. Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 could have a different section, for example square.

[0061] The diameter of the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 is greater than the length of the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24.

[0062] When the elongate member 18 is bent, for example through a 90 degree angle, the bend is formed in the cylindrical portion 30 of the bending segment 24 and is smaller than the diameters of the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 of the elongate member 18.

[0063] The elongate element 18 comprises a conduit 32 disposed inside the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24 and connecting the first and second tubular segments 20, 22. The conduit 32 allows air to circulate between the first and second tubular segments 20, 22 when the elongate element 18 is folded and at least up to an angle of 90 degrees. In particular, the conduit 32 allows the passage of the quantity of air necessary to maintain the pressure in the first and second tubular segments 20 when the elongate element 18 is folded. Alternatively, the conduit 32 may be disposed outside the cylindrical portion 30 of the folding segment 24.

[0064] In the example shown, the folding segment 24 of the elongate element 18 comprises a cylindrical portion 30 connecting the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28. Alternatively, the folding segment 24 of the elongate element 18 may not comprise a cylindrical portion 30. In this case, the folding segment 24 of the elongate element 18 comprises only the first and second frustoconical portions 26, 28, the first frustoconical portion 26 of the folding segment 24 then extending the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion 28 in the direction of the first tubular segment 20, the second frustoconical portion 28 of the folding segment 24 then extending the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion 26 in the direction of the second tubular segment 22.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An elongated element (18) of revolution, inflatable with captive air, comprising a first tubular segment (20) and a second tubular segment (22), characterized in that it comprises a folding segment (24) connecting the first tubular segment (20) and the second tubular segment (22), the folding segment (24) being provided with a first frustoconical portion (26) extending inwards the first tubular segment (20) and extending towards the second tubular segment (22) and with a second frustoconical portion (28) extending inwards the second tubular segment (22) and extending towards the first tubular segment (20), the elongated element (18) further comprising a conduit (32) connecting the first and second tubular segments (20, 22), the conduit (32) being configured to allow air to circulate between the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) when the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) are inflated. (20,22) form an angle of 90 degrees to each other., 2. An elongated element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to claim 1, wherein the folding segment (24) is further provided with a cylindrical portion (30) connecting the first and second frustoconical portions (26, 28).

3. An elongated element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to claim 2, wherein the length of the cylindrical portion (30) of the folding segment (24) is less than the diameter of the cylindrical portion (30) of the folding segment (24).

4. Elongated element (18) of revolution inflatable with captive air according to one of claims 2 and 3, in which the first frustoconical portion (26) and the second frustoconical portion (28) of the folding segment are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median radial plane (P) passing through the center of the cylindrical portion (30).

5. An elongated element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the cylindrical portion (30) of the folding segment (24) extends the small edges diameter of the first and second frustoconical portions (26, 28) of the folding segment (24).

6. An elongate element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) and the folding segment (24) are sewn together and form a unitary assembly.

7. An elongate element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the diameter of the small diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion (26) of the folding segment (24) is less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the first frustoconical portion (26) of the folding segment (24) multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

8. An elongate element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the diameter of the small diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion (28) of the folding segment (24) is less than the diameter of the large diameter edge of the second frustoconical portion (28) of the folding segment (24) multiplied by a factor of two divided by Pi.

9. An elongate element (18) of captive air inflatable revolution according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second tubular segments (20, 22) and the folding segment (24) form an outer envelope, the elongate element (18) further comprising at least one internal air chamber housed inside the outer envelope.

10. Assembly (2) for solar protection comprising a vertical inflatable barrel (8) with captive air, at least one canvas (16) and at least one elongated element (18) of revolution inflatable with captive air according to any one of the preceding claims, the first tubular segment (20) of said elongated element (18) extending along said barrel (8), the second tubular segment (22) of said elongated element (18) extending transversely relative to said barrel (8), said canvas (16) being fixed at least to the second tubular segment (22) of said elongated element (18).

11. Assembly (2) according to claim 10, comprising at least three, in particular six, elongated elements (18) of revolution inflatable with captive air regularly spaced in the circumferential direction, the first tubular segment (20) of each elongated element (18) extending along said barrel (8), the second tubular segment (22) of each elongated element (18) extending transversely relative to said barrel (8), the assembly (2) further comprising at least one canvas (16) fixed between each pair of said successive second tubular segments.

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