Articulated arm for deploying a flexible cover and awning comprising such an articulated arm
By using a guide within the joint of the articulated arm to direct the electrical cable through the axis of rotation, the stress on the cable is reduced, enhancing its service life and maintaining the functionality of the lighting components.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022012225
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-11-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing articulated arms for deploying flexible covers like awnings subject the electrical cable to significant stress when moving between closed and deployed positions, leading to potential damage and reduced service life.
Incorporating a guide within the joint of the articulated arm that directs the electrical cable through the axis of rotation, minimizing elongation stresses and ensuring the cable passes through the axis of rotation, thereby reducing cable stress.
This design reduces the elongation stresses on the electrical cable, thereby improving its service life and ensuring the proper functioning of lighting components during the deployment and retraction of the articulated arm.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Articulated arm for deploying a flexible cover and awning comprising such an articulated arm
[0001] The invention generally relates to an articulated arm for deploying a flexible cover such as an awning.
[0002] Such an articulated arm may comprise:
[0003] - a first arm section having a first articulation end;
[0004] - a second arm section having a second articulation end;
[0005] - an articulation of the first articulation end to the second end articulation, configured so that the first arm section and the second arm section are pivotable relative to each other about an axis of rotation between a closed position in which the first arm section and the second arm section form a first angle between them, and a deployed position in which the first arm section and the second arm section form a second angle between them greater than the first angle.
[0006] It is possible to arrange light members on the first arm section and on the second arm section. These light members are electrically connected by an electric cable passing through the joint.
[0007] In some cases, the electrical cable is stretched when the articulated arm moves from the closed position to the extended position and vice versa.
[0008] This can ultimately harm the proper functioning of the lighting components and lead to premature damage to the electrical cable.
[0009] In this context, the invention aims to propose an articulated arm in which the electric cable is less stressed when the articulated arm moves from the closed position to the deployed position and vice versa.
[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an articulated arm for deploying a flexible cover such as an awning, the articulated arm comprising:
[0011] - a first arm section having a first articulation end;
[0012] - a second arm section having a second articulation end;
[0013] - an articulation of the first articulation end to the second end articulation, configured so that the first arm section and the second arm section are pivotable relative to each other about an axis of rotation between a closed position in which the first arm section and the second arm section form a first angle between them, and a deployed position in which the first arm section and the second arm section form a second angle between them greater than the first angle;
[0014] - an electrical cable, extending from the first arm section to the second section of arm through the joint;
[0015] the joint comprising a guide guiding the electric cable so that the electric cable passes through the axis of rotation.
[0016] Because the articulation comprises a guide guiding the electric cable so that this electric cable passes through the axis of rotation, the elongation stresses applied to the electric cable are moderate during movements of the articulated arm.
[0017] The central segment of the electric cable moves practically not when the articulated arm moves from one position to another. The segments of the electric cable connecting the central segment to the two arm sections pivot about the axis of rotation, which results in a deformation of the electric cable but not in a significant elongation. The stresses applied to the electric cable are therefore reduced, and the service life of this electric cable is improved.
[0018] The articulated arm may further have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:
[0019] - the guide comprises a passage in which the electric cable is engaged, the passage being substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and intersecting the axis of rotation;
[0020] - the passage is delimited by two opposite edges, preferably convex towards each other the other, the electric cable being pressed against one of the two edges in the deployed position, and pressed against the other of the two edges in the closed position;
[0021] - the passage has a central section of small width coinciding with the axis of rotation, and two end sections flaring out from the central section;
[0022] - the passage is formed in a guide piece movable in rotation relative to the first arm section and to the second arm section around the axis of rotation;
[0023] - the guide part has a base carrying two lateral blocks defining the edges, the passage being open opposite the bottom;
[0024] - the articulation comprises a stirrup secured to the first arm section, the part of guide being housed between a cover and the stirrup;
[0025] - the cover is removably fixed on the stirrup;
[0026] - the arm comprises a first light member carried by the first arm section and a second light member carried by the second arm section, the electrical cable electrically connecting the first light member and the second light member to each other.
[0027] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an awning comprising:
[0028] - at least two articulated arms having the above characteristics;
[0029] - a load bar mounted on the articulated 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 an exploded perspective view of the articulation of one of the two articulated arms of the blind of [Fig.l];
[0034] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a bottom view of the hinge of [Fig.2], the hood not being shown to reveal the electric cable and the guide piece;
[0035] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the guide piece of Figures 2 and 3 ;
[0036] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, the hood being represented separate from the articulation;
[0037] - [Fig.6][Fig.7] Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of another variant of embodiment, the hood being shown separated from the articulation, respectively with the arm in the deployed position and with the arm in the closed position; and
[0038] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an exploded perspective view of another variant of the sheave lization.
[0039] The articulated arm 1,1' shown in the figures is intended for the deployment of a flexible cover 3 such as an awning.
[0040] Typically, it is intended to be integrated into an awning 5 of the type shown in [Fig.l].
[0041] This awning 5 comprises two articulated arms 1, 1' and a load bar 7 mounted on the two articulated arms 1, 1', the awning 3 having an edge 9 fixed to the load bar 7.
[0042] Alternatively, the awning 5 comprises more than two arms, for example between three and eight arms.
[0043] The load bar 7 is mounted by other pivoting joints 11 on distal ends 13 of the two articulated arms 1, 1'.
[0044] The proximal ends 15 of the two articulated arms are mounted by other pivoting joints not shown on supports, these supports being rigidly fixed on a supporting structure such as a wall.
[0045] Alternatively, the supports are mounted on posts.
[0046] The edge of the soft cover 3 opposite the load bar 7 is coupled to a winding shaft 17 housed inside a box 19. The flexible cover 3 is wound around the shaft 17 and stored in the box 19 when the blind is no longer in use.
[0047] The two articulated arms 1 are similar to each other. They are symmetrical to each other. the other relative to the median plane P of the blind. Only one of these arms will be described below.
[0048] The articulated arm 1 comprises:
[0049] - a first arm section 21, having a first articulation end 23;
[0050] - a second arm section 25 having a second articulation end 27;
[0051] - an articulation 29 from the first articulation end 23 to the second end of articulation 27.
[0052] In the example shown, the first arm section 21 has a second end, opposite the articulation 29, defining the proximal end 15 of the articulated arm 1.
[0053] The second arm section 25 has an end opposite the articulation 29 defining the distal end 13 of the articulated arm 1.
[0054] The first and second arm sections 21, 25 are typically rectilinear elements, for example each made of a metal profile.
[0055] The articulation 29 is configured so that the first arm section 21 and the second arm section 23 are pivotable relative to each other about an axis of rotation R shown in [Fig.2] by a dot-and-dash line. Typically, the axis of rotation R is vertical, or forms a reduced angle relative to the vertical.
[0056] The axis of rotation R is here understood in the geometric sense. It corresponds to the line around which the first and second arm sections 21, 25 pivot.
[0057] The first and second arm sections 21, 25 are movable about the axis of rotation R between a closed position in which the first arm section 21 and the second arm section 25 form a first angle between them, and a deployed position in which the first arm section 21 and the second arm section 25 form a second angle between them greater than the first angle.
[0058] The closed position is not shown in the figures. Typically, in the closed position the first arm section 21 and the second arm section 25 are stored against each other, the first angle typically being between 0° and 1°.
[0059] The deployed position is shown in [Fig. 1]. In this position, the first arm section 21 and the second arm section 25 form between them a second angle of between 120° and 180°, for example close to 175°.
[0060] As seen in [Fig.2], the articulated arm 1 comprises an electric cable 31 extending from the first arm section 21 to the second arm section 25 through the joint 29.
[0061] In the example shown, the arm 1 comprises a first light member 33 carried by the first arm section 21 and a second light member 35 carried by the second arm section 25.
[0062] The electrical cable 31 electrically connects the first light member 33 and the second light member 35 to each other.
[0063] The first light member 31 is for example a strip of light-emitting diodes housed in a groove 37 formed in the first arm section 21. In the same way, the second light member 35 is typically a strip of light-emitting diodes housed in a groove 39 formed in the second arm section 25. As a variant, the light members are of any other type.
[0064] According to yet another variant, the electric cable 31 is provided for electrically connecting other elements.
[0065] The grooves 37, 39 are provided in lower faces 41, 43 of the first and second arm sections, intended to be turned towards the ground.
[0066] As visible in [Fig.2], the joint 29 comprises a stirrup 45.
[0067] In the example shown, the stirrup 45 is integral with the first arm section 21.
[0068] The stirrup 45 is rigidly fixed to the first articulation end 23.
[0069] It comprises two fixed shanks 47, spaced apart from each other along the axis of rotation R and substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation R.
[0070] The articulation 29 also comprises a movable shank 49, engaged between the two fixed shanks 47.
[0071] The movable knuckle 49 in the example shown is rigidly fixed to the second articulation end 27.
[0072] The fixed and movable shanks 47, 49 have orifices aligned along the axis of rotation, in which a pin 51 is engaged.
[0073] The articulation 9 also comprises a guide 53 guiding the electric cable 31 so that this electric cable 31 intersects the axis of rotation R.
[0074] In other words, the axis of rotation R passes fictitiously through a central segment 55 of the electric cable 31.
[0075] The electric cable 31 comprises non-visible parts, housed in the first and second arm sections 21, 25.
[0076] The electric cable 31 also comprises intermediate segments 57, 59 connecting the central segment 55 to the two parts housed in the arm sections.
[0077] The segments 55, 57, 59 are housed in the articulation 29. They extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation R.
[0078] Together they have a general omega shape in the deployed position, illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
[0079] The guide 53 comprises a passage 61 in which the electric cable 31 is engaged. The passage 61 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation R and intersects this axis of rotation R.
[0080] The passage 61 is formed in a guide piece 62.
[0081] The passage 61 extends in a general rectilinear direction.
[0082] The passage 61 passes through the entire guide piece 62. It opens out at both ends.
[0083] The passage 61 is delimited by two opposite edges 63, 65, convex towards each other.
[0084] In the example shown, the edges 63, 65 are in an arc of a circle.
[0085] The passage 61 thus has a central section of small width 67 coinciding with the axis of rotation R, and two end sections 69 each widening from the central section 67.
[0086] This means that, when each end section 69 is followed from the central section 67, the spacing between the two edges 63, 65 increases.
[0087] As can be seen more clearly in [Fig.4], the guide piece 62 has a base 71 carrying two lateral blocks 73 defining the edges 63, 65. The passage 61 is open opposite the base 71, to allow the introduction of the electric cable 31 into the passage 61.
[0088] To this end, the blocks 73 each carry, opposite the bottom 71, a cover 75, partially covering the passage 61. The covers 75 delimit between them a slot 77 extending over the entire width of the guide piece 62, and therefore over the entire length of the passage 61.
[0089] In the example shown, the guide piece 62 is cylindrical, and coaxial with the axis of rotation R. The passage 61 passes through the guide piece along a diameter thereof.
[0090] In the example shown, the guide part 62 is movable in rotation relative to the first arm section 21 and to the second arm section 25 around the axis of rotation R.
[0091] The guide piece 62 is housed between a cover 79 and the stirrup 45.
[0092] To do this, one of the fixed knuckles 47 is offset towards the inside of the articulation 29, along the axis of rotation R, relative to the lower faces 41 and 43 of the two arm sections. The cover 79 is itself substantially level with the lower faces 41 and 43. A free volume 80 is thus provided between the fixed knuckle 47 and the cover 79, making it possible to house the guide piece 62 and to pass the electric cable 31.
[0093] For example, the guide piece 62 is housed in two hollow impressions, one provided on the fixed knuckle 47 and the other on the cover 79.
[0094] The base 71 is housed in the non-visible hollow impression made on the cover 79, the covers 75 being housed in the hollow impression 81 made on the fixed knuckle 47. As a variant, the guide part 62 is mounted in the opposite direction, the base 71 being housed in the hollow impression 81 made on the fixed knuckle 47, and the covers 75 in the hollow impression made in the cover 79.
[0095] The cover 79 is removably fixed to the stirrup 45.
[0096] In the example shown, it is fixed to one of the fixed knuckles 47, by means of a screw device 83.
[0097] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], when the first and second arm sections 21, 25 are in the deployed position, the electric cable 31 is pressed against one of the two convex edges, the convex edge 63 in the example shown. More precisely, the central segment 55 of the electric cable is engaged in the central section 67 of the passage 61. It is pressed against the top of the edge 63. The intermediate segments 57 and 59 are engaged in the end sections 69 of the passage 61. They are also pressed against the convex edge 63, on either side of the central segment 55.
[0098] The electric cable then has the substantially Q-shape of the type shown in [Fig.3].
[0099] When the first and second arm sections 21, 25 move from the extended position to the closed position, the electrical cable 31 moves from a substantially Q-shape to a substantially U-shape. The intermediate segments 57, 59 are substantially parallel to each other and constitute the legs of the U. The central segment 55 adopts an arcuate shape and constitutes the center of the U.
[0100] The guide piece 62 is rotated relative to the first arm section 21 and the second arm section 25, by the deformation of the electric cable 31.
[0101] In the example shown, it pivots about a quarter turn.
[0102] In the closed position, the electric cable 31 is pressed against the other of the two convex edges, the convex edge 65 in the example shown.
[0103] More precisely, the central segment 55 of the electric cable is engaged in the central section 67 of the passage 61. It is pressed against the top of the edge 65. The intermediate segments 57 and 59 are engaged in the end sections 69 of the passage 61. They are also pressed against the convex edge 65, on either side of the central segment 55.
[0104] A first variant embodiment will now be described, with reference to [Fig.5].
[0105] Only the points in which this variant differs from that of figures 1 to 4 will be detailed below.
[0106] In the first embodiment, the guide part 62 is in one piece with the pin 51.
[0107] More precisely, the guide part 62 is constituted by the end 84 of the pin 51. The passage 61 is hollowed out in the end 84.
[0108] The pin 51 is rotationally fixed to the movable knuckle 49.
[0109] For example, it is set on the movable knuckle 49.
[0110] A second variant embodiment will now be described, with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
[0111] Only the points in which this variant differs from that of figures 1 to 4 will be detailed below.
[0112] In the second variant, the guide 53 comprises studs 85, 87 formed on the cover 79. It does not comprise the guide part 62.
[0113] The studs 85, 87 are formed on a face 89 of the cover facing the fixed knuckle 47. The face 89 delimits the free volume 80.
[0114] The pads 85, 87 delimit between them the passage 61. They respectively define the edges 63, 65. These edges are convex towards each other, as shown in figures 5 and 6.
[0115] A third variant embodiment will now be described, with reference to [Fig.8].
[0116] Only the points in which this variant differs from that of figures 1 to 4 will be detailed below.
[0117] In the third variant, the guide piece 62 is connected to the pin 51.
[0118] To do this, the bottom 71 of the guide piece 62 is pierced with a conical orifice 91 at through which a screw 93 is engaged. The threaded rod 95 of the screw is received in a tapped hole, not shown, made in the spindle 51. The head 97 of the screw is received in the conical orifice 91. The guide piece 62 is free to rotate around the screw 93.
[0119] The lateral blocks 73 have the shape of a cylinder sector.
[0120] The lateral massifs 73 do not carry covers 75.
[0121] The edges 63, 65 have arc-shaped shapes, following the perimeter of the orifice 91. They are concave towards each other.
[0122] The bottom 71 is housed in the hollow imprint 81 of the fixed knuckle 47, and the tops of the lateral blocks 73 are housed in the hollow imprint 99 formed on the cover 79.
Claims
Claims
1. Articulated arm (1) for deploying a flexible cover (3) such as an awning, the articulated arm (1) comprising: - a first arm section (21) having a first articulation end (23); - a second arm section (25) having a second articulation end (27); - an articulation (29) from the first articulation end (23) to the second articulation end (27), configured so that the first arm section (21) and the second arm section (25) are pivotable relative to each other about an axis of rotation (R) between a closed position in which the first arm section (21) and the second arm section (25) form a first angle between them, and a deployed position in which the first arm section (21) and the second arm section (25) form a second angle between them greater than the first angle;- an electric cable (31), extending from the first arm section (21) to the second arm section (25) through the joint (29); the joint (29) comprising a guide (53) guiding the electric cable (31) so that the electric cable (31) passes through the axis of rotation (R), the guide (53) comprising a passage (61) in which the electric cable (31) is engaged, the passage (61) being substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (R) and intersecting the axis of rotation (R).;
2. Articulated arm according to claim 1, in which the passage (61) is delimited by two opposite edges (63, 65), preferably convex towards each other, the electric cable (31) being pressed against one of the two edges (63, 65) in the deployed position, and pressed against the other of the two edges (63, 65) in the closed position.
3. Articulated arm according to claim 2, in which the passage (61) has a central section (67) of small width coinciding with the axis of rotation (R), and two end sections (69) widening from the central section (67).
4. An articulated arm according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passage (61) is formed in a guide piece (62) rotatable relative to the first arm section (21) and the second arm section (25) about the axis of rotation (R).
5. Articulated arm according to claim 4, in which the guide part (62) has a base (71) carrying two lateral blocks (73) defining the edges (63, 65), the passage (61) being open opposite the base (71).
6. Articulated arm according to claim 4 or 5, in which the articulation (29) comprises a stirrup (45) integral with the first arm section (21), the guide piece (62) being housed between a cover (79) and the stirrup (45).
7. An articulated arm according to claim 6, wherein the cover (79) is removably attached to the stirrup (45).
8. An articulated arm according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arm (1) comprises a first light member (33) carried by the first arm section (21) and a second light member (35) carried by the second arm section (25), the electrical cable (31) electrically connecting the first light member (33) and the second light member (35) to each other.
9. Awning (5) comprising: - at least two articulated arms (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; - a load bar (7) mounted on the articulated arms; - an awning (3), having an edge (9) fixed to the load bar (7).