Assembly for the deployment of a flexible cover and awning comprising such an assembly

Abstract

Assembly for deploying a flexible cover and awning comprising such an assembly The assembly (5) comprises: - an arm (7), having a proximal end (9) and a distal end (11); - a fixing (13) on a supporting structure such as a wall; - an articulation (15) of the proximal end (9) of the arm (7) to the fixing (13), the articulation (15) comprising a stirrup (33) connected to the fixing (13) and a shaft (35) connected to the stirrup (33); - an adjustment (53) of an orientation of the arm (7) relative to a horizontal plane (H), comprising a mechanism (55) for adjusting the position of the shaft (35) relative to the stirrup (33);the stirrup (33) comprises first and second fixed knuckles (47, 49), the first fixed knuckle (47) having an oblong hole (57), the joint (15) comprising an adjustment ring (59) mounted on one end (61) of the shaft (35) and arranged in the oblong hole (57), the adjustment mechanism (55) adjusting the position of the adjustment ring (59) in the oblong hole (57). Figure for abstract: 3;

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly for deploying a flexible cover and awning comprising such an assembly

[0001] The invention generally relates to an assembly for deploying a flexible cover such as an awning.

[0002] An awning typically comprises at least two articulated arms whose distal ends are connected to a load bar. The awning has an edge fixed to the load bar.

[0003] The proximal ends of the arms are mounted by pivoting joints on a supporting structure such as a wall or support posts. The joint comprises a stirrup, mounted on a support directly fixed to the supporting structure.

[0004] The orientation of the arm relative to a horizontal plane must be precisely adjusted. Typically, the arm in the folded position must form an angle of between 0° and 0.5° relative to the horizontal. To achieve this, it is necessary to be able to adjust the orientation of the arm over a range of 0.5° to 3°, so as to compensate for the play and the deflection of the arm and arm support assembly.

[0005] To do this, it is possible to play on the connection between the stirrup and its support.

[0006] However, this makes the connection between the stirrup and its support relatively complex, and goes against the rigidity of this connection.

[0007] In this context, the invention aims to propose an assembly for deploying a flexible cover such as an awning which does not have the above defects.

[0008] To this end, the invention according to a first aspect relates to an assembly for deploying a flexible cover such as an awning, the assembly comprising

[0009] - an arm, having a proximal end and a distal end;

[0010] - a fixing on a supporting structure such as a wall;

[0011] - an articulation of the proximal end of the arm to the attachment, the articulation comprising a yoke connected to the attachment and a shaft connected to the yoke, the shaft extending along a pivot axis, the proximal end being pivotally mounted on the shaft about the pivot axis;

[0012] - an adjustment of an orientation of the arm relative to a horizontal plane, comprising a mechanism for adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the stirrup;

[0013] the stirrup comprises first and second fixed shanks, the first fixed shank having an oblong hole, the joint comprising an adjustment ring mounted on one end of the shaft and arranged in the oblong hole, the adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of the adjustment ring in the oblong hole.

[0014] Thus, the adjustment of the orientation of the arm relative to the horizontal plane is carried out by adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the bracket.

[0015] It is no longer necessary to play on the connection between the stirrup and the support allowing fix the assembly to the supporting structure.

[0016] As a result, the connection between the stirrup and the binding can be much more rigid.

[0017] Make the adjustment by adjusting the position of the adjustment ring in the hole oblong allows to control the position of the shaft in a convenient and precise way.

[0018] The set may further represent one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0019] - the mechanism for adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the adjustable stirrup the orientation of the tree relative to a vertical direction;

[0020] - the shaft is mounted by a ball joint on the second fixed shank;

[0021] - the oblong orifice is elongated in a direction of adjustment substantially ho rhizontal, the adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of the adjustment ring in the oblong hole along the adjustment direction;

[0022] - the adjustment mechanism comprises a first screw adjusting the position of the ring adjustment in the oblong hole along the adjustment direction and a second screw for locking the adjustment ring in said position;

[0023] - the first and second screws are mounted in tapped holes of the first knuckle fixed ;

[0024] - the second screw extends in a direction which intersects the adjustment direction;

[0025] - the second screw cooperates with a flat formed on an external surface of the ring of adjustment;

[0026] - the attachment comprises a support rigidly fixed to the supporting structure, the stirrup being in contact with the support along a flat contact surface.

[0027] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an awning comprising:

[0028] - at least two sets having the above characteristics;

[0029] - a load bar mounted on the distal ends of the arms;

[0030] - a banner, having an edge fixed to the load bar.

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

[0032] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a bottom view of an awning according to the invention;

[0033] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of one of the two assemblies provided for the die folding of the flexible cover of the awning of [Fig.l];

[0034] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of the articulation of the proximal end of the arm of the assembly of [Fig.2]; and

[0035] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an axial sectional view of the articulation of [Fig.3].

[0036] The blind 1 shown in [Fig.l] is of the awning type. It comprises a flexible cover 3 and at least two assemblies 5 provided for the deployment of the flexible cover 3.

[0037] Each set 5 comprises:

[0038] - an arm 7, having a proximal end 9 and a distal end 11;

[0039] - a fixing 13 on a supporting structure, visible in [Fig.2];

[0040] - an articulation 15 of the proximal end 9 of the arm 7 to the attachment 13, shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4.

[0041] The blind 1 also comprises a load bar 17, mounted on the distal ends 11 of the two arms 7 by pivot connections 19.

[0042] In the example shown, the flexible cover 3 is an awning, one edge 21 of which is fixed to the load bar 17. The opposite edge of the flexible cover 3 is fixed to a winding shaft 23, itself placed in a box 25. The box 25 is rigidly fixed to the supporting structure.

[0043] Alternatively, the blind does not have a box, the winding shaft is mounted directly on the supporting structure.

[0044] The winding shaft 23 allows the flexible cover 3 to be retracted into the trunk 25.

[0045] The supporting structure is typically a wall. Alternatively, the supporting structure is a frame comprising posts.

[0046] The blind 1 typically has between two and eight arms.

[0047] The arm 7 is an articulated arm. It comprises a first arm section 27, a second arm section 29 and an intermediate joint 31 by which the first arm section 27 and the second arm section 29 are pivotally connected to each other.

[0048] The first arm section 27 defines the proximal end 9 of the arm 7, opposite the intermediate joint 31.

[0049] The second arm section 29 defines the distal end 11 of the arm, opposite the intermediate joint 31.

[0050] The arm 7 is movable between a deployed position, shown in [Fig.l], and a closed position shown in [Fig.2].

[0051] In the deployed position, the first arm section 27 and the second arm section 29 form an angle between them of between 90° and 180°, for example 175°.

[0052] In the closed position, the first arm section 27 and the second arm section 29 are arranged substantially against each other, and form between them an angle of less than 45°, typically less than 15°, preferably between 0° and 1°.

[0053] As visible in Figures 3 and 4, the joint 15 comprises a stirrup 33 linked to the attachment 13 and a shaft 35 connected to the stirrup 33. The shaft 35 extends along a pivot axis X, the proximal end 9 of the arm being mounted on the shaft 35 in a pivoting manner around the pivot axis X.

[0054] The pivot axis X is shown by a dot-and-dash line in [Fig.3].

[0055] The attachment 13 comprises a support 37 rigidly fixed to the supporting structure.

[0056] The support 37 is for example a block, fixed to the supporting structure by any means suitable such as screws or tie rods.

[0057] The stirrup 33 is rigidly fixed to the support 37, by any suitable means such as screws or tie rods.

[0058] The stirrup 33 is in contact with the support 37 along a flat contact surface 39.

[0059] For example, the support 37 has a flat face 41 facing the stirrup. The stirrup 33 has a complementary flat face 43 pressed against the flat face 41 of the support. The face 41 and the complementary face 43 define the flat contact surface 39.

[0060] The stirrup 33 comprises a base 45, defining the flat complementary face 43.

[0061] The stirrup 33 also comprises first and second fixed shanks 47, 49.

[0062] The first and second fixed shanks 47, 49 project from the base 45, opposite the flat complementary face 43.

[0063] The proximal end 9 of the arm defines a movable knuckle 51 mounted on the shaft 35.

[0064] The movable knuckle 51 is integral with the shaft 35.

[0065] It is engaged between the two fixed shanks 47, 49.

[0066] The assembly 1 also comprises an adjustment 53 of an orientation of the arm 5 relative to a horizontal plane H.

[0067] The adjustment 53 makes it possible to adjust the angle a formed by the arm 7 relative to the horizontal plane H shown in [Fig.2].

[0068] The angle a, for example, corresponds to the angle formed by the first arm section 27 with the horizontal plane H. Here we consider the surface of the first arm section 27 facing the ground.

[0069] The adjustment aims to adjust the angle a formed by the arm 7 relative to the horizontal plane H in the closed position.

[0070] The adjustment 53 comprises a mechanism 55 for adjusting the position of the shaft 35 relative to the stirrup 33. The mechanism 55, more precisely, adjusts the orientation of the shaft 35 relative to a vertical direction.

[0071] As visible in Figures 3 and 4, the first fixed knuckle 47 has an oblong orifice 57.

[0072] The joint 15 comprises an adjustment ring 59 mounted on one end 61 of the shaft 35.

[0073] The adjustment ring 59 is arranged in the oblong hole 57. The mechanism of adjustment 55 sets the position of the adjustment ring 59 in the oblong hole 57.

[0074] The oblong orifice 57 is elongated along a substantially horizontal adjustment direction D, shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0075] This means that, perpendicular to the axis of rotation X, the section of the oblong orifice 57 has a larger dimension along the direction D than perpendicular to the direction D.

[0076] The oblong orifice 57 has two flat walls 63, substantially facing each other.

[0077] The flat walls 63 each extend in a vertical plane parallel to the adjustment direction D.

[0078] The oblong orifice 57 also has two arcuate walls 65, each connecting the two flat walls 63 to each other.

[0079] The oblong orifice 57 passes through the first fixed knuckle 47 over its entire thickness, the thickness here being taken along the axis of rotation X. The oblong orifice 57 opens out on both sides of the first fixed knuckle 47.

[0080] The adjustment ring 59 internally delimits a housing 67 in which the end 61 of the shaft is engaged. Perpendicular to the axis of rotation X, the internal section of the housing 67 is conjugated with the external section of the end 61 of the shaft 35. The ring 59 forms a basket for guiding the rotation of the shaft 35 around the axis of rotation X.

[0081] The external surface of the ring 59 has two flat sides 69, parallel and opposite to each other, connected to each other by two arcuate surfaces 71.

[0082] The spacing between the flat sides 69 corresponds substantially to the spacing between the two walls 63 of the oblong orifice.

[0083] Furthermore, the arcuate surfaces 71 have substantially the same shape as the arcuate walls 65.

[0084] The ring 59 is engaged in the oblong orifice 57 and oriented such that the flat sides 69 are opposite and in contact with the flat walls 63. The arcuate surfaces 71 are turned towards the arcuate walls 65.

[0085] Along the direction of movement D, the length of the ring 59 is less than the length of the oblong orifice 57, such that the ring 59 is capable of being moved inside the oblong orifice 57 along the direction D.

[0086] To do this, the adjustment mechanism 55 comprises a first screw 73 adjusting the position of the adjustment ring 59 in the oblong orifice 57 in the adjustment direction D, and a second screw 75 for locking the adjustment ring 59 in said position.

[0087] The first and second screws 73, 75 are mounted in tapped holes 77, 79 respectively of the first fixed knuckle 47.

[0088] The first screw 73 is oriented along the adjustment direction D. When it is rotated inside the tapped hole 77, it moves parallel to the adjustment direction D.

[0089] The first screw 73 has an end 81 projecting in the adjustment direction D inside the oblong orifice 57. The rotation of the screw 73 inside the tapped hole 77 makes it possible to adjust the length over which the screw 73 projects inside the oblong orifice 57.

[0090] The tapped hole 77 opens out at one of the arcuate walls 65.

[0091] The rotation of the screw 73 therefore makes it possible to adjust the spacing between said arcuate wall 65 and the arcuate surface 71 of the ring located opposite.

[0092] The first screw 73 is a point screw. Its end 81 forms a point engaged in a hollow relief 83 formed in the arcuate surface 71 located opposite the first screw 73.

[0093] The second screw 75 extends in a direction D' which intersects the adjustment direction D.

[0094] In other words, it extends in a direction D' not parallel to direction D.

[0095] The second screw 75 cooperates with a flat 85 formed on the external surface of the adjustment ring 59.

[0096] More precisely, to lock the adjustment ring 59 in position, the end of the second screw 75 projects out of the second tapped hole 79 and comes to bear against the flat 85.

[0097] The flat 85 is inclined relative to the direction of movement D, i.e. is not parallel to the direction of movement D. Preferably, it is also not perpendicular to the direction of movement D.

[0098] The flat 85 is for example formed at least in part on the arcuate surface 71 opposite the first screw 73.

[0099] When the first screw 73 bears against the first arcuate surface 71, and the second screw 75 bears against the flat 85 formed on the other arcuate surface 71, the adjustment ring 59 is locked in position along the adjustment direction D. It is also locked perpendicular to the adjustment direction D, by the flat faces 69 bearing against the flat walls 63.

[0100] The shaft 35 is mounted by a ball joint 87 on the second fixed knuckle 49.

[0101] In the example shown, the second fixed knuckle 49 has a second orifice 89 in which a second ring 91 is engaged.

[0102] The second orifice 89 is located opposite the oblong orifice 57 along the axis of rotation X.

[0103] The second ring 91 comprises a central trunk 93 carrying an outgoing collar 95. The central trunk 93 is engaged in the second orifice 89.

[0104] Perpendicular to the axis of rotation X, the central trunk 93 has an external section substantially conjugate with the internal section of the orifice 89.

[0105] For example, these sections are circular.

[0106] The surface of the second fixed shank 49 facing the first fixed shank 47 has, around the second orifice 89, a counterbore 97. The collar 95 rests in the counterbore 97.

[0107] One end 99 of the shaft 35, opposite the end 61, is engaged inside the ring 91. This end 99 substantially forms a half-sphere.

[0108] The ring 91 internally delimits a housing 101 whose bottom 103 also has the shape of a half-sphere. The half-sphere bottom 103 cooperates with the half-sphere end 99 to define the ball joint.

[0109] The way in which the adjustment of the orientation of the arm 5 relative to the horizontal plane is carried out will now be detailed.

[0110] The support 37 is first fixed to the supporting structure. For example, the stirrup 33 is pre-mounted on the support 37.

[0111] Alternatively, it is mounted after fixing the support to the supporting structure.

[0112] Then, the arm 7 is mounted on the stirrup 33.

[0113] To do this, the second ring 91 is engaged in the second orifice 89, the movable knuckle 51 is engaged between the two fixed knuckles 47, 49 then the shaft 35 carrying the adjustment ring 59 is introduced through the oblong orifice 57, until the end 99 of the shaft is engaged in the second ring 91.

[0114] The movable shaft 51 is then rigidly fixed to the shaft 35, such that there is no degree of freedom in translation or rotation between the movable shaft 51 and the shaft 35.

[0115] To adjust the orientation of the arm 7 relative to the horizontal plane H, an operator moves the adjustment ring 59 in the adjustment direction D inside the oblong orifice 57.

[0116] This makes it possible to adjust the orientation of the shaft 35 relative to the vertical direction, and therefore to adjust the position of the arm 7 relative to the horizontal. To do this, an operator rotates the first screw 73 inside the tapped hole 77, until the end 81 of the first screw 73 engages in the hollow relief 83 formed in the adjustment ring 59 and pushes the ring 59 in the adjustment direction D.

[0117] Once the proper orientation is achieved, the operator rotates the second screw 75 inside the second tapped hole 79, until the second screw 75 comes to bear against the flat 85.

[0118] The adjustment ring 59 is then locked in position in the oblong orifice 57. The arm 7 is then held in the chosen orientation.

[0119] It should be noted that the movement of the adjustment ring 59 in the oblong orifice 57, which causes the shaft 35 to pivot, is made possible by the ball joint connection of the other end of the shaft 35 with the second fixed shank 49.

[0120] In the above description, the oblong hole 57 is made in the upper fixed knuckle 47, and the shaft 35 is mounted by the ball joint 87 on the lower fixed knuckle 49. Alternatively, the oblong hole 57 is made in the lower fixed knuckle 49, and the shaft 35 is mounted by the ball joint 87 on the upper fixed knuckle 47.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly for deploying a flexible cover (3) such as an awning, the assembly (5) comprising: - an arm (7), having a proximal end (9) and a distal end (11); - a fixing (13) on a supporting structure such as a wall; - an articulation (15) of the proximal end (9) of the arm (7) to the fixing (13), the articulation (15) comprising a stirrup (33) connected to the fixing (13) and a shaft (35) connected to the stirrup (33), the shaft (35) extending along a pivot axis (X), the proximal end (9) being mounted on the shaft (35) pivotably about the pivot axis (X); - an adjustment (53) of an orientation of the arm (7) relative to a horizontal plane (H), comprising a mechanism (55) for adjusting the position of the shaft (35) relative to the stirrup (33);the stirrup (33) comprises first and second fixed knuckles (47, 49), the first fixed knuckle (47) having an oblong hole (57), the articulation (15) comprising an adjustment ring (59) mounted on one end (61) of the shaft (35) and arranged in the oblong hole (57), the adjustment mechanism (55) adjusting the position of the adjustment ring (59) in the oblong hole (57).;

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism (55) for adjusting the position of the shaft (35) relative to the bracket (33) adjusts the orientation of the shaft (35) relative to a vertical direction.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft (35) is mounted by a ball joint (87) on the second fixed knuckle (49).

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the oblong orifice (57) is elongated along a substantially horizontal adjustment direction (D), the adjustment mechanism (55) adjusting the position of the adjustment ring (59) in the oblong orifice (57) along the adjustment direction (D).

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment mechanism (55) comprises a first screw (73) adjusting the position of the adjustment ring (59) in the oblong hole (57) along the adjustment direction (D) and a second screw (75) for locking the adjustment ring (59) in said position.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first and second screws (73, 75) are mounted in tapped holes (77, 79) of the first fixed knuckle (47).

7. An assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second screw (79) extends in a direction (D') which intersects the adjustment direction (D).

8. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second screw (75) cooperates with a flat (85) formed on an external surface of the adjustment ring (59).

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing (13) comprises a support (37) rigidly fixed to the supporting structure, the stirrup (33) being in contact with the support (37) along a flat contact surface (39).

10. Awning (1) comprising: - at least two assemblies (5) according to any one of the preceding claims; - a load bar (17) mounted on the distal ends (11) of the arms (7); - an awning (3), having an edge (21) fixed to the load bar (17).

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