Load bar for weighting a flexible panel of a roofing construction and roofing construction comprising such a load bar

Abstract

Load bar (25) intended to ballast a flexible panel of a roofing construction (10), the load bar (16) comprising a profile (26) extending in a longitudinal direction, the load bar (25) comprising a longitudinal housing (30) intended to receive a so-called lower end of said flexible panel and the load bar (25) having a plane (P) of symmetry parallel to the longitudinal direction, the housing (30) being crossed by said plane (P) of symmetry. Figure for abstract: figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Load bar intended to ballast a flexible panel of a roofing construction and roofing construction comprising such a load bar FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of pergola-type structures, and more particularly to the field of pergolas comprising vertical roller shutters with flexible panels, in particular made of canvas.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a ballast bar for a vertical roller shutter of a pergola. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] A pergola is a structure intended to be placed outdoors. Originally, a pergola was an open structure that mainly served as a support for climbing plants, so as to provide natural shade. With the advent of new materials, a pergola is now a structure generally adjoining a permanent building such as a house, or a temporary construction such as a tent or an arbour, in order to create an additional space protected from the sun and / or wind and / or rain.

[0004] A pergola typically comprises a frame formed by vertical masts or posts fixed, permanently or temporarily, to the ground, and connected to each other by substantially horizontal beams, part of which can serve as support for horizontal elements forming a roof of the pergola. Vertical walls can be mounted on the frame in order to close the openings between the vertical posts.

[0005] In order to maintain an open appearance on the space protected by the pergola, it is known to install an opening roof, for example using substantially horizontal tilting slats or a retractable canvas, and / or to install substantially vertical side walls which also open.

[0006] For example, it is known to install roller shutters acting as vertical side walls when they are unrolled. More precisely, a roller shutter comprises a winding and unwinding system allowing a flexible panel (particularly made of canvas) to be wound or unwound around a so-called winding tube with a substantially horizontal axis: by controlling the rotation of the winding tube relative to a supporting structure of the pergola, the shutter lowers while unrolling or rises while rolling.

[0007] The winding and unwinding system therefore typically comprises a winding tube extending substantially horizontally between two vertical posts. a first end, on a first post, the winding system comprises a motor which drives the rotation of the tube. At the other end, on the second post, the winding system comprises a pivot which guides the rotation of the tube. The elements of the winding system may correspond to standards in terms of shape and dimension, in order to facilitate their replacement.

[0008] The winding and unwinding system may also comprise vertical guidance of the panel along rails, for example formed on the vertical posts. The vertical movement of the flexible panel is also generally guided by a so-called load or ballast bar: the panel comprises a first end rigidly fixed to the winding tube, and comprises a second end on which the load bar is rigidly fixed. The weight of the load bar thus makes it possible in particular to keep the panel taut and to limit the formation of unsightly ripples.

[0009] In [Fig. 1], a conventional rolling shutter 1 is schematically represented. Such a rolling shutter 1 comprises in particular a winding system 2 comprising a winding tube 3 and a motor (not shown) driving the rotation of the tube 3 substantially around its axis. The shutter 1 further comprises a flexible panel 4, in particular made of canvas. The panel 4 is rigidly fixed by a first end to the winding tube 3. The second end opposite the first end is rigidly fixed to a load bar 5. The winding tube 3, and the portion of the panel 4 wound around the tube 3, are housed in a box 6, provided with an opening 7 through which the panel 4 unwinds. The dimensions of the opening 7 are such that the bar 5 abuts against the box 6, and passes through the opening 7.

[0010] As illustrated in [Fig.l], when the flexible panel 4 unwinds and passes through the opening 7 of the box 6, it is deflected relative to the vertical direction: the winding tends to guide the panel obliquely, that is to say that the panel forms an angle a of deviation relative to the vertical direction, following the winding. In order to correct this deviation relative to the vertical direction, the fixing of the panel 4 on the load bar 5 must be eccentric, so as to create a counterweight and bring the panel 4 substantially parallel to the vertical direction. More precisely, the load bar 5, of substantially square section, comprises a groove 8 in which the panel 4 is fixed, and which is not centered on the shape of the load bar 5. This results in the appearance of a bump 9 on the panel 7 at the exit of the box 6, which is visible outside the box 5. This bump 9 is undesirable, because it is unsightly.The dimensions, and therefore the visibility, of the bump 9 can also be significant depending on the thickness of the winding around the winding tube 3, aggravating the undesirable effects.

[0011] The invention thus aims in particular to provide a solution to the aforementioned drawbacks. Summary of the invention

[0012] Thus, according to a first object, the invention relates to a load bar intended to ballast a flexible panel of a roofing construction. The panel is for example made of canvas, the construction is for example a pergola. The load bar comprises a profile extending in a longitudinal direction. The load bar further comprises a longitudinal housing intended to receive a so-called lower end of said flexible panel. Finally, the load bar has a plane of symmetry parallel to the longitudinal direction, the housing being crossed by said plane of symmetry.

[0013] Thanks to these arrangements, the panel unrolls in a substantially straight manner, and the aesthetics of the construction are increased.

[0014] According to different aspects, it is possible to provide one and / or the other of the characteristics below taken alone or in combination.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the profile may comprise a core whose cross-section has a generally rectangular shape with rounded edges.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the housing may comprise a longitudinal groove, of substantially circular section describing an angle greater than 180°, capable of cooperating with a ring of circular section secured to the lower end of the flexible panel.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the bar may comprise at least one fixing and guiding end piece fixed to a longitudinal end of the profile. The fixing and guiding end piece is then intended to be rigidly fixed to the flexible panel and to cooperate with a guide rail. The load bar may comprise two fixing and guiding end pieces, each fixed to a longitudinal end of the profile.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the load bar can be made of aluminum.

[0019] According to a second object, the invention relates to a roofing construction comprising a supporting structure, at least one (flexible) panel, a winding tube mounted on the supporting structure for winding or unwinding the flexible panel, and at least one load bar as presented above. The load bar can then be fixed to the flexible panel.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the flexible panel may be a canvas made of textile material. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, briefly described below:

[0022] [Fig.l] is a diagram of a cross-sectional view of a roller shutter, according to the prior art.

[0023] [Fig.2] represents a diagram of a pergola-type roof construction attached to a house.

[0024] [Fig.3] is a diagram of a cross-sectional view of a portion of the construction of [Fig.2] at a flexible panel which notably includes a load bar.

[0025] [Fig.4] represents a side view of an embodiment of the load bar of [Fig.3].

[0026] [Fig.5] represents an exploded view of a portion of the construction of [Fig.2].

[0027] In the drawings, like references designate like objects or if military. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] [Fig. 1] reflecting the prior art has already been described.

[0029] In [Fig. 2], a pergola-type roofing construction 10 is schematically shown, attached to a building 12, for example a permanent building of the house type. In the following, the example in which the roofing construction is a pergola is considered, it being understood that the roofing construction is not restricted to this single example, but encompasses any construction making it possible to cover a public or private outdoor space. More precisely, the pergola 10 comprises a frame 13 formed by posts 14 supporting beams 15. In [Fig. 1], only three posts 14 and one beam 15 are visible. The posts 14 are fixed, embedded at a so-called lower end, in the ground. Each beam 15 can be supported by at least two posts 14, or by a post 14 and a partition 12' supporting the building 12.Similarly, building 12 is considered to be a house, with the understanding that any other type of building capable of providing the necessary support is possible.

[0030] In the following, the terms vertical, horizontal, upper, lower, above, below, and their variants will be used with reference to the natural orientation of [Fig.l], on which the posts 14 are substantially vertical, the beams 15 are substantially horizontal, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the posts 14. However, this orientation is in no way limiting. In particular, the posts 14 and the beams 15 may not be perpendicular to each other. In general, when the pergola 10 is installed, the vertical direction is substantially the same as the direction of the Earth's gravitational force.

[0031] The frame 12 of the pergola 1, possibly completed by the partition 12' supporting the building 12, forms a supporting structure for at least one system 100 for rolling and unrolling a flexible panel 16. By flexible, we mean here the capacity of the panel to deform without breaking when it is rolled around an axis, under the normal conditions of use of a roofing construction. The panel 16 is for example made of textile fabric. More precisely, the rolling and unrolling system 100 comprises a winding tube typically sen possibly cylindrical around a winding axis, preferably, but not necessarily, of circular section, on which one end of the panel 16 is hooked or fixed, so that the rotation of the winding tube around the winding axis, relative to the supporting structure, causes the shutter 16 to be wound around the winding tube.

[0032] More precisely, the roller tube, when the construction 10 is installed, extends substantially horizontally, that is to say that the winding axis is substantially horizontal. The roller tube rests on the supporting structure. For example, the roller tube rests at least partly on a post: either the roller tube can rest on two adjacent posts 14, or the roller tube can rest on a post 14 and on the supporting wall 12' of the building 12 to which the pergola 10 is attached. The winding system further comprises a motor, mounted on the supporting structure for example on a first post 14, which cooperates with a first end of the roller tube to drive its rotation relative to the supporting structure.The winding system finally comprises a pivot, mounted on the supporting structure, for example on a second post 14, and which cooperates with the second end of the winding tube to guide its rotation relative to the supporting structure.

[0033] In this way, the panel 16 associated with the winding tube can take two positions: • a folded position in which the panel 16 is completely wrapped around the tube so as to leave an opening 19 free between two adjacent posts 14; • a deployed position in which the panel 16 is at least partially unrolled so as to at least partially mask the opening 19.

[0034] The movement of the panel 16 between the two positions is essentially vertical, that is to say that its component in the vertical direction has an amplitude much greater than the components in the horizontal directions, the latter being able to be zero.

[0035] As will be seen later, the vertical movement of the panel 16 can be guided by vertical rails formed on each of the two posts 4 between which it is positioned.

[0036] An opening 19 is defined either between two adjacent posts 14, or between a post 14 and the partition 12' supporting the building 12. In [Fig. 2], three different positions are shown for panels 16, successively from left to right: a fully deployed position in which the opening 19 between two adjacent posts 14 is completely masked, an intermediate deployed position in which the opening 19 between two adjacent posts 14 is only partly masked and a folded position in which the opening 19 between a post 14 and the supporting partition 12' is completely free.

[0037] The roller tube is for example housed in a box 20 fixed on the frame 13 of the pergola 10, under a beam 5. The box 20 makes it possible in particular to hide the panel 16 in the folded position, the roller tube and the motor. For example, the box 20 can be covered with a covering to merge it with a beam 15, offering an aesthetic appearance of the pergola 1 that is pleasing to the eye.

[0038] In practice, the pergola 10 can comprise several shutters 16 each associated with a roller tube and a motor, so as to be able to control the position of each shutter 16 individually.

[0039] The winding tube 21 is shown in particular in [Fig. 3], seen in cross-section in the box 20. The flexible panel 16 is shown in an intermediate deployed position, in which it masks only part of the opening 19 between two posts, so that part of the panel 16 is wound around the winding tube 21, in the box 20. More precisely, the panel 16 comprises a first end 22, called the upper end, attached to the winding tube 21 so that the rotation of the tube 21 around its axis causes the winding or unwinding of the panel 16. The box 20 comprises an opening 23 through which the flexible panel 16 exits at least partly to mask the opening 19, and through which the panel 16 extends to a second end 24 called the lower end.

[0040] The opening 23 of the box 20 is offset relative to a vertical axis passing through the axis of the winding tube 21. The direction of winding of the panel 16 and the position of the opening 23 are such that the panel 16 passes through a low point of the winding around the winding tube 21 before leaving the wound form to exit the box 20 through the opening 23. By low point, here is meant a point of the winding of the panel 16 which is located at a maximum distance from the winding tube, relative to the vertical direction, and on the ground side relative to the axis of the winding tube 21. In other words, the opening 23 is placed on one side of a vertical plane passing through the axis of the winding tube 21 after the panel 16 has passed a low point in the direction of winding around the winding tube 21.

[0041] The pergola 10 then further comprises at least one bar 25 called a load bar in order to exert a vertical force downwards, in order to keep the flexible panel 16 under tension and substantially from the exit of the box 20 through the opening 23 to its lower end 24. For this purpose, the bar 25 has a mass adapted to exert the appropriate tension on the panel 16 so that the panel 16 is without folds or bumps.

[0042] More precisely, the load bar 25 comprises a profile 26 extending in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction coincides with the direction horizontal when the load bar 25 is mounted on the flexible panel 16 on the pergola 10.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the profile 26 comprises a core 26a which is for example hollow, to house therein an element making it possible to achieve a suitable mass. According to one embodiment, the core 26a may be of substantially rectangular cross-section, and preferably with rounded corners. The core 26a comprises in particular two lateral faces 27 substantially parallel to each other, intended to be vertical when the load bar 25 is associated with a panel 16 on the pergola 10, forming the long sides of the cross-section of the core 26a. The core 26a further comprises a lower face 28, intended to be horizontal when the load bar 25 is associated with a panel 16 on the pergola 10, forming a short side of the cross-section of the core 26a. On the side opposite that of the lower face 28, the load bar 25 comprises a housing 30 intended to receive the lower end 24 of the flexible panel 16.For example, the housing 30 is formed with the profile 26, so that the load bar 25 is a single piece, that is to say made as a single block of material. The housing 30 is formed for example by two tabs 31 of the profile 26 which rise substantially in the continuity of the lateral faces 27, keeping a rounded shape at the corners, and approach each other. The housing 30 formed between the tabs 31 is in particular of adapted section, as will be explained later. In addition, the tabs 31 can form retaining means for holding the lower end 24 of the flexible panel 16 in the housing. The housing 30 preferably extends over the entire length of the profile 26.

[0044] The load bar 25 is made for example of metal such as aluminum, plastic, or composite.

[0045] More specifically, according to one embodiment, provision is made to fix a cylindrical ring 32 to the lower end 24 of the panel 16. The fixing of the ring 32 to the panel 16 can be carried out in any suitable manner, for example by gluing, screwing or by staples. The ring 32 is, typically and according to the example of the figures, of substantially circular section, so that the section of the housing 30 is also of substantially circular section, with a diameter greater than or equal to that of the section of the ring. In order to retain the rod, and therefore the lower end 24 of the panel 16, in the housing 30, the two tabs 31 define an opening towards the interior of the housing 30 which is of a width less than the diameter of the section of the rod 32. In other words, the housing 30 comprises a longitudinal groove, of substantially circular section describing an angle greater than 180° so as to block the rod 32 inside the groove.

[0046] According to a particular arrangement of the invention, the load bar 25 comprises a plane P of symmetry parallel to the longitudinal direction, which passes through the housing 30, that is to say, according to the example of figures 4 and 5, which passes through the center of the circular section of the housing 30. The section of the housing 30 may however not be circular. It nevertheless retains a symmetry with respect to the plane P of symmetry. Thus, once the flexible panel 16 is associated with the load bar 25, it is in the plane P of symmetry of the load bar. More precisely, the lateral faces 27, symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane P of symmetry, are equidistant from the center of the housing 30.

[0047] The weight exerted by the load bar 25 on the flexible panel 16 is then substantially aligned with the vertical direction.

[0048] Thanks in particular to these arrangements, the flexible panel 16 is weighted by the rod 29 and the load bar 25, possibly supplemented by a mass in the hollow core 26a, so that the panel 16 is subjected to adequate tension to keep it without creases or bumps. In addition, when the panel 16 is in the folded position, the load bar 25 abuts against the box 20. The rounded shapes of the load bar 25, as well as the axis of symmetry, provide an aesthetic rendering to the naked eye.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the load bar 25 may further comprise a fixing and guiding end piece 33, which comprises a device for fixing to the flexible panel 16, and a system for guiding the vertical translation of the flexible panel 16. The end piece 33 is preferably made of a more rigid material than the flexible panel 16. It is made, for example, of plastic. For example, the end piece 33 comprises a first end piece part 34 which is partly fitted at one end of the hollow profile 26. The first end piece 34 may comprise a hook 35, taking the shape of the housing 30, so as to engage with the ring 29. The end piece 33 may further comprise a second end piece 36, itself formed of two parts 36a, 36b which cooperate with each other to grip and fix themselves to a lateral portion 37 of the flexible panel 16.For example, the parts 36a, 36b of the second end piece 36 are placed on either side of the lateral portion 37 and opposite each other, so as to be able to be fixed to each other, for example using screws 38 passing through the lateral portion 37, ensuring a rigid fixing. The two parts 36a, 36b may also comprise tabs 39 to form a hook taking the shape of the housing 30 to engage with the ring 29. The second end piece 36 is in turn fitted partly inside the first hollow end piece 34 to form the end piece 33. Rigid fixing means between the first end piece 34 and the second end piece 36 may be provided, for example by elastic deformation of complementary shapes provided for this purpose.

[0050] The hook 35 of the first end piece part 33 and the hook formed by the tabs 39 of the second end piece part 36, as well as the two parts 36a, 36b fixed to each other the other through the flexible panel 16 forms the fixing device on the panel 16. The end piece 33 thus ensures a rigid fixing of the load bar 25 on the panel 16.

[0051] The end piece 33 can also be used to guide the flexible panel 16. Indeed, the vertical posts 14 of the pergola 10 can comprise vertical rails 40 in which the edge of the lateral portion 37 of the flexible panel 16 is placed, and in which a portion of the end piece 33, more rigid than the flexible panel 16, is also placed. More precisely, the guidance system is for example formed by the second end piece part 36 which is partly inserted into a rail 40. The guidance of the flexible panel 16 is thus ensured thanks to the end piece 33 sliding in the rails 40 when the winding tube 21 is actuated.

[0052] The end piece facilitates the mounting of the bar 25 on the panel 16.

[0053] Although only one end piece 33 has been described, it is immediately apparent that the load bar 25 may comprise two fixing and guiding end pieces 33, each fixed to one end of the profile 26.

[0054] The pergola 10 thus equipped with the load bar 25 makes it possible to maintain a flexible panel 16 which is taut, without bumps or creases, in the deployed position, while increasing the aesthetics.

Claims

Claims

1. Load bar (25) intended to ballast a flexible panel (16) of a roofing construction (10), the load bar (16) comprising a profile (26) extending in a longitudinal direction, the load bar (25) comprising a longitudinal housing (30) intended to receive a so-called lower end (24) of said flexible panel (16) and the load bar (25) having a plane (P) of symmetry parallel to the longitudinal direction, the housing (30) being crossed by said plane (P) of symmetry.

2. Load bar (25) according to claim 1, in which the profile (26) comprises a core (26a) whose cross section has a generally rectangular shape with rounded edges.

3. Load bar (25) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (30) comprises a longitudinal groove, of substantially circular section describing an angle greater than 180°, capable of cooperating with a rod (29) of circular section secured to the lower end (24) of the flexible panel.

4. Load bar (25) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one fixing and guiding end piece (33) fixed to a longitudinal end of the profile (26), the fixing and guiding end piece (33) being intended to be fixed rigidly to the flexible panel and to cooperate with a guide rail.

5. Load bar (25) according to the preceding claim, comprising two fixing and guiding end pieces (33), each fixed to a longitudinal end of the profile (26).

6. Load bar (25) according to any one of the preceding claims, made of aluminum.

7. A cover construction (10) comprising a supporting structure (12, 12'), at least one flexible panel (16), a winding tube (21) mounted on the supporting structure (12, 12') for winding or unwinding the flexible panel (16), and at least one load bar (25) according to any one of the preceding claims, said load bar (25) being fixed to the flexible panel (16).

8. A roofing construction according to the preceding claim, wherein the flexible panel is a fabric made of textile material.

Images