removable roof frame
The demountable roof frame addresses rigidity and assembly speed issues by using pivotally mounted coupling members with indexing and elastic elements, enhancing stability and reducing setup time.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TRIGANO MDC
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing demountable roof frames for canvas shelters are rigid when deployed but have significant deployment and setup times, and they lack the necessary rigidity and speed for efficient assembly.
A demountable roof frame design featuring a ridge element with pivotally mounted coupling members that can be locked in rotation parallel to the median plane, using indexing imprints and elastic elements to ensure rigidity during deployment and facilitate rapid assembly by allowing controlled separation and rotation of components.
The design provides enhanced rigidity and significantly reduces assembly time by allowing for faster and more secure connection of frame components, ensuring stability and ease of deployment.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Demountable roof frame
[0001] The present invention relates to a demountable roof frame for canvas shelters.
[0002] One envisaged field of application is in particular, but not exclusively, that of shelters intended to be installed quickly and temporarily.
[0003] Known demountable roof structures usually comprise at least one first ridge element and a second ridge element, each having two parts inclined relative to each other and symmetrical with respect to a median plane. These two parts are intended to receive, respectively in their extension, two rafters to form an arch.
[0004] The two ridge members of the two arches are then adapted to be kept apart from each other and are connected together by a ridge purlin, while the two sets of two rafters are connected two by two wall plates.
[0005] The ridge purlin has a first end opposite a second end, and the first end is permanently mounted on the first ridge member by means of a coupling member. The second end of the ridge purlin is provided with a tenon perpendicular to the purlin and is adapted to engage in a socket integral with the second ridge member to connect them together in a removable manner.
[0006] The first end of the ridge purlin is pivotally mounted on the coupling member along a pivot axis perpendicular to the ridge purlin. The coupling member is itself rotatably mounted on one of the faces of the first ridge member along a rotation axis perpendicular to said face and also to the pivot axis.
[0007] In this way, when the second end of the ridge beam is released from the second ridge member, it can then be folded back from the first ridge member and be folded back against one of the rafters.
[0008] The rafters are themselves pivotally mounted on the ridge members so that they can be folded against each other, while the wall plates each have two halves that can be folded against each other. In this way, the entire framework can be folded into a plurality of sections that are parallel to each other.
[0009] Reference may be made to document EP 3 071 766 B1, which describes such a framework.
[0010] While it is relatively compact when folded, it is more or less rigid when deployed. Moreover, it has a significant deployment and setup time.
[0011] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a framework which is not only more rigid, but also which allows for faster assembly.
[0012] In order to solve this problem, a demountable roof frame for canvas shelters is proposed comprising: a ridge element having two parts inclined to each other and substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane, said ridge element having two faces opposite each other; a ridge purlin having two ends opposite each other; a coupling element for said ridge purlin and said ridge element, one of said two ends being pivotally mounted on said coupling element along a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to said ridge purlin, while said coupling element is movably mounted for rotation on one of said faces of said ridge element along a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to said one of said faces and to said pivot axis.And, said coupling member and said ridge member are lockable against rotation in a position in which said pivot axis extends substantially parallel to said median plane.
[0013] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a coupling member and a ridge member that can be held locked in rotation relative to each other, while the pivot axis of the end of the ridge purlin is parallel to the median plane. In this way, the coupling member is more rigidly connected to the ridge member, and the pivot axis extends vertically. As will be explained in more detail later in the description, such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain a more rigid connection between the ridge purlin and the ridge member.
[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said ridge member has an indexing imprint made in said one of said faces opposite said coupling member, while said coupling member includes a projecting indexing part adapted to engage in said indexing imprint.
[0015] In other words, said ridge member has an indexing recess formed in said one of said faces opposite said coupling member, and said coupling member includes a projecting indexing portion adapted to engage with said indexing recess to lock said coupling member and said ridge member in rotation when they are in a position in which said pivot axis extends substantially parallel to said median plane. Thus, pivoting of the end of the ridge purlin about a vertical plane is prohibited.
[0016] In accordance with the invention, said coupling member is further movable in translation about said axis of rotation in order to move said coupling member away from said ridge member and release said indexing part from said indexing imprint of in order to allow the rotation of said coupling member relative to said ridge member. While remaining connected, the coupling member and said ridge member can be moved substantially apart axially, so as to allow the protruding indexing portion and the indexing recess to be uncoupled. In this way, the rotation of the coupling member relative to the ridge member is permitted. And as will be explained later in the description, such features allow not only for rapid disassembly, but also, conversely, for faster assembly. Indeed, the coupling member and the ridge member remain connected.
[0017] Preferably, the frame further comprises an elastic element capable of compressing when said coupling element is separated from said ridge element and of relaxing when said indexing portion and said indexing recess are aligned. In other words, the protruding indexing portion is held within the indexing recess by the force of the elastic element. Consequently, the coupling element and the ridge element remain rotationally linked and cannot uncouple unexpectedly.
[0018] To disengage the protruding indexing part, the coupling member is moved away from the ridge member, while the elastic member is compressed. The coupling member can then be rotated relative to the ridge member, and their separation from each other can be released. The protruding indexing part then slides against the face of the ridge member, while the elastic member partially relaxes.
[0019] Preferably, according to the invention, said indexing imprint is oblong and it has two imprint halves symmetrical to each other with respect to an imprint plane containing said axis of rotation.
[0020] Also, according to the invention, said protruding indexing portion is oblong and has two indexing portion halves that are symmetrical to each other with respect to an indexing portion plane containing said axis of rotation. Advantageously, the protruding indexing portion has a shape complementary to that of the indexing recess. In this way, it can engage axially with it and be perfectly locked against rotation.
[0021] Preferably, said ridge element has another indexing imprint offset angularly by substantially 90° with respect to said indexing imprint.
[0022] In other words, said ridge member has another indexing imprint made in said one of said faces opposite said coupling member, which other indexing imprint is angularly offset by approximately 90° relative to said indexing imprint. As will be explained below, a This other imprint allows the coupling element to be held in a fixed position when the ridge purlin is folded along the median plane.
[0023] Furthermore, according to the invention, said coupling member and said ridge member are connected together by a rod extending along said axis of rotation through said ridge member and said coupling member. Thus, the rod and the coupling member are free to move in translation relative to each other.
[0024] The coupling member has a bore through which the rod passes, and a chamber extending from the bore into which the rod extends. A shoulder is thus located between the bore and the chamber. Furthermore, the rod has a free end fitted with a retaining washer, and a helical spring, forming the elastic element, extends around the portion of the rod between the shoulder and the retaining washer. In this way, the coupling member can be axially moved away from the ridge member while the helical spring is compressed.
[0025] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said ridge purlin comprises two half-parts connected together by a toggle joint having a folding axis substantially parallel to said pivot axis.
[0026] Thus, thanks to the toggle joint, the two halves can be folded against each other along one plane, while along a perpendicular plane, they are locked at 180° to each other. In this way, when the frame is deployed, the coupling member engages with the ridge member, while the pivot axis of the end of the ridge purlin extends vertically and the two halves of the ridge purlin are locked at 180° to each other.
[0027] Furthermore, the roof structure according to the invention further comprises: another ridge purlin having two other ends opposite each other; another coupling member for said other ridge purlin and said ridge member, one of said two other ends being pivotally mounted on said other coupling member along another pivot axis substantially perpendicular to said other ridge purlin, while said other coupling member is movably mounted for rotation on the other of said faces of said ridge member along said axis of rotation. And said other coupling member and said ridge member are rotationally lockable in a position in which said pivot axis extends substantially parallel to said median plane. As will be explained in more detail later in the description, such an arrangement makes it possible to hold three arches together by means of three ridge members.
[0028] Also, in accordance with the invention, the roof structure further comprises: another ridge element comprising two other parts inclined to each other and substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to another median plane, said ridge element having two other faces opposite each other; a complementary coupling member for said ridge purlin and said other ridge member, the other end of said ridge purlin being pivotally mounted on said complementary coupling member along a complementary pivot axis substantially parallel to said pivot axis, while said complementary coupling member is rotationally mounted on one of said other two faces of said other ridge member along another rotation axis substantially perpendicular to said one of said other two faces and to said complementary pivot axis. Said complementary coupling member and said other ridge member are rotationally lockable in a position in which said complementary pivot axis extends substantially parallel to said other median plane.
[0029] In this way, the two opposite ends of the ridge beam are fixed in a captive manner to the ridge member. This facilitates and consequently speeds up the deployment of the framework.
[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective view of a framework according to the invention in a first state and according to a first mode of implementation;
[0032] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective detail view of the object in [Fig.1];
[0033] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a framework according to the invention in a second state;
[0034] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective detail view of the object of [Fig.3];
[0035] [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the object of [Fig.2] along the V-V plane;
[0036] [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional view according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0037] [Fig.7] is a schematic view of a detail of the object in [Fig.2]; and,
[0038] [Fig.8] is a schematic view of another detail of the object in [Fig.2].
[0039] Fig. 1 shows a demountable roof frame 10 according to one embodiment, in a semi-deployed state.
[0040] The framework 10 comprises two ridge elements, a first 12 and a second 14 which are connected together by means of a ridge purlin 16 via its first end 15 and its second end 17.
[0041] The ridge elements 12, 24 are made of metal, for example aluminum. The ridge purlin 16 is made of a tubular profile, rectangular in cross-section, and also of aluminum.
[0042] Said ridge purlin 16 comprises two half-parts connected together by a first toggle joint 13 having a folding axis A.
[0043] The first ridge element 12 comprises two parts, a first part 18 and a second first part 20 inclined relative to each other. The two parts are substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane Pm.
[0044] Similarly, the second ridge element 14 comprises two parts, a first second part 22 and a second second part 24 inclined relative to each other and symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm.
[0045] Also, the first ridge member 12 is equipped with two first rafters, a first first rafter 26 mounted articulated on the first first part 18 of the first ridge member 12 and a second first rafter 28 mounted articulated on the second first part 20. The two first rafters 26, 28 are mounted articulated along axes substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the ridge purlin 16 as shown in [Fig. 1].
[0046] Similarly, the second ridge element 14 is equipped with two second rafters, a first second 30 articulated on the first second part 22 and a second second 32, articulated on the second second part 24.
[0047] In addition, the second crossbowmen 30, 32 are articulated along axes substantially parallel to those of the first crossbowmen 26, 28.
[0048] The rafters 26, 28, 30, 32 are also made of rectangular section tubular aluminum profiles. This results in lightweight elements that are resistant to buckling.
[0049] Other metallic materials can be considered, but also polymer materials.
[0050] The crossbowmen 26, 28, 30, 32 are intended to be deployed and separated from each other respectively to form two arches and in such a way as to be able to fit their respective ends into vertical feet.
[0051] It will also be observed that the ends of the crossbowmen 26, 28, 30, 32 are connected in pairs by a purlin, of which only one example 35 is shown in [Fig.1].
[0052] Reference will be made to [Fig. 2] showing in detail the first ridge element 12. The first first part 18 is symmetrical to the second first part 20 with respect to the median plane Pm. The first end 15 of the ridge purlin 16 is also shown. It will be observed that the ridge purlin 16 has a width J greater than a thickness e.
[0053] Also, the first ridge organ 12 has a first first face 34 opposite a second first face 36.
[0054] The first end 15 of the ridge purlin 16 is then connected to the first face 34 of the ridge member by means of a coupling member 38. The first end 15 has a clevis 40 inside which comes The two arms of the yoke 40 are then connected by a pivot 42 which passes through the coupling member 38. The pivot 42 extends substantially perpendicularly to the ridge purlin 16 and thus defines a pivot axis Pv. It will be observed that the pivot 42 defines a pivot axis Pv substantially parallel to the folding axis A of the first toggle joint 13.
[0055] The coupling member 38 cooperates with the ridge member 12 and, as shown in [Fig. 2], bears against the first face 34. It is locked against rotation by means that will be described with reference to [Fig. 7] and [Fig. 8]. It will be noted that the second end 17 of the ridge purlin 16 is connected in the same way, in a captive manner, to the second ridge member 14.
[0056] First, we find in [Fig. 8] the coupling member 38 seen from its bearing face. It comprises an oblong indexing portion 44 projecting towards the front of the figure and, opposite it, a bearing shoulder 46. The coupling member 38 also has a central bore 48. And the oblong indexing portion 44 has two half-portions 50, 52 symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane P intersecting the central bore 48 at its center.
[0057] Also shown on [Fig.8] in broken line, behind the coupling member, is a through orifice 54 for the passage of the pivot 42.
[0058] Thus, the oblong indexing part 44 of the coupling member 38 is adapted to cooperate with two crossed oblong indexing impressions, a first 56, and a second 58, made in the first first face 34 of the ridge member 12. These two oblong indexing impressions 56, 58 are found on the [Fig.7].
[0059] The first ridge element 12 and its first face 34 are also partially present. The first oblong indexing groove 56 extends along the median plane Pm, while the second oblong indexing groove 58 extends along a perpendicular plane Pp. In other words, the two oblong indexing grooves 56 and 58 are angularly offset from each other by an angle of 90°. Furthermore, the first oblong indexing groove 56 has two halves that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the perpendicular plane Pp, while the second indexing groove 58 has two halves that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm.
[0060] It will also be observed that the shape and dimensions of the two oblong indexing recesses 56, 58 are identical to the shape and dimensions of the oblong indexing portion 44, except for functional clearance. In other words, the coupling member 38 can cooperate with the ridge member 12, so that the oblong indexing portion 44 can be perfectly fitted into the first oblong indexing recess 56 and thus locked against rotation. Similarly, the oblong indexing portion 44 can be perfectly fitted into the second oblong indexing recess. 58 by operating a 90° rotation of the coupling member 38 to be blocked in rotation.
[0061] Reference will be made to [Fig.5] showing in section along the plane V - V, perpendicular to the median plane Pm, the coupling organ 38 cooperating with the ridge organ 12.
[0062] The oblong indexing part 44 is thus found engaged in the second indexing recess 58. The bore 48 of the coupling member 38 is also found, which extends into a chamber 60 opening opposite the oblong indexing part 44. The chamber 60, whose diameter is by nature greater than that of the bore 48, allows an internal shoulder 62 to be formed between the two.
[0063] In addition, we find the pivot 42 connecting the two branches of the clevis 40 and passing through the coupling member 38.
[0064] The first end 15 has a clevis 40 inside which the coupling member 38 extends. The two arms of the clevis 40 are then connected together by a pivot 42 which passes through the coupling member 38. The pivot 42 extends substantially perpendicularly to the ridge purlin 16.
[0065] Also appearing in this [Fig. 5] is a rod 64 anchored through the first ridge member 12 and extending along the median plane Pm and in a direction perpendicular to the first face 34 and contained within the median plane Pm. In the embodiment presented here, the rod 64 is linked in translation to the ridge member 12.
[0066] The rod 64 extends through the bore 48 of the coupling member 38 and then extends axially in the recess 60 to the vicinity of the pivot 42. The rod 64 is free to rotate through the bore and thus defines an axis of rotation R, which is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first end 15 of the ridge purlin 16.
[0067] Also, the rod 64 has a free end 66 fitted with a stop washer 68. The rod 64 is then engaged in a helical spring 70, which extends inside the chamber 60 between the stop washer 68 and the internal shoulder 62. The stop washer 68 is then retained by a pin passing through the free end 66 of the rod 64.
[0068] The helical spring 70 is then substantially compressed, so that the coupling member 38 is driven back towards the ridge member 12 and the support shoulder 46 is held in contact with the first face 34 of the ridge member. Thus, the coupling member 38 is rotationally linked to the ridge member 12.
[0069] Thus, in the situation as represented in [Fig. 5] and corresponding to that of [Fig. 2], the first end 15 of the ridge purlin 16 can be moved in translation to be separated from the ridge member 12 along arrow F. In these Under these conditions, the helical spring 70 is compressed while the oblong indexing part 44 is extracted from the second indexing recess 58.
[0070] The first end 15 of the ridge purlin 16 can then be rotated clockwise H as illustrated in [Fig. 2], by approximately 90° so that the oblong indexing portion 44 can engage in the first indexing recess 56, which extends along the median plane Pm. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the coupling member 38, rotationally linked to the ridge member 12, is found in a position offset by 90° from that in [Fig. 2], and where the pivot 42 and the pivot axis Pv that it defines extend in the median plane Pm.
[0071] It will be observed that the helical spring 70 exerts, between the ridge member 12 and the coupling member 38, a restoring force which then allows the oblong indexing part 44 to engage itself in the first indexing imprint 56 when the first comes to extend precisely opposite the second.
[0072] Figure 3 shows the frame 10 in its entirety as represented in Figure 1, and where the coupling member 38 and consequently the ridge purlin 16 have been rotated by 90°. The coupling member of the second end 17 and of the second ridge member 14 has also been operated in the same way.
[0073] Thus, both the pivot axes Pv of the two ends 15, 17 of the ridge purlin 16, and the folding axis A of the first toggle joint 13, are oriented in a vertical plane corresponding to the normal operating orientation. Consequently, the ridge purlin 16 will resist the vertical forces exerted vertically on it.
[0074] Moreover, the ridge purlin 16 is blocked in rotation in this position relative to the two ridge elements 12, 14. Therefore, the assembly is rigid.
[0075] The crossbowmen 26, 28, 30, 32 will be able to be deployed and moved apart from each other to form the two arches connected to each other by the ridge purlin 16 in a rigid manner.
[0076] Reference will now be made to [Fig.6] illustrating another embodiment of the invention allowing a third arch to be connected by means of another ridge purlin 16' in the extension of the ridge purlin 16 and according to an identical mechanism.
[0077] We thus find on [Fig.6] common elements to the object of [Fig.5] and in particular, the coupling member 38 cooperating with the ridge member 12 and the first end 15 of the ridge purlin 16. It will be observed that the cutting plane of [Fig.6] is a vertical plane offset by 90° with respect to the plane of [Fig.5].
[0078] Also, we find the second first face 36 in which two other oblong indexing impressions 56', 58' are made opposite to the two oblong indexing impressions 56, 58 made on the first first face 34.
[0079] We thus find another coupling member 38' having another oblong indexing part 44' engaged in the other first indexing imprint 56'. It also has another bore 48' extended by another chamber 60', which define another internal shoulder 62'.
[0080] Another pivot 42' allows the other coupling member 38' to be connected to the end of the other ridge purlin 16'
[0081] Also, another rod 64' extends freely through the ridge member 12 and then through the other bore 48' of the other coupling member 38' to open into the other chamber 60'.
[0082] The other rod 64' then has another free end 66' equipped with a radially mounted elastic ring 68' bearing against the other internal shoulder 62'.
[0083] Thus, the end of the other ridge purlin 16' can be moved in translation to be moved away from the ridge member 12 according to the arrow F'. Then, the other coupling member 38' itself moves the other rod 64' in translation, which then causes the helical spring 70 to be compressed, while the other oblong indexing part 44' is extracted from the other second indexing recess 58'.
[0084] In this way, the other coupling member 38' can be operated in the same way as the coupling member 38, with another rod 64' free in translation, but with one and the same helical spring 70.
Claims
Demands
1. A demountable roof frame (10) for canvas shelters comprising: - a ridge element (12) having two parts (18, 20) inclined relative to each other and substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane Pm, said ridge element (12) having two faces opposite each other (34, 36); - a ridge purlin (16) having two ends opposite each other (15, 17); - a coupling element (38) for said ridge purlin and said ridge element, one (15) of said two ends being pivotally mounted on said coupling element (38) along a pivot axis Pv substantially perpendicular to said ridge purlin (16),whereas said coupling member (38) is mounted movably in rotation on one (34) of said faces of said ridge member along an axis of rotation R substantially perpendicular to said one of said faces and to said pivot axis Pv; characterized in that said ridge member (12) has an indexing recess (56) formed in said one (34) of said faces opposite said coupling member (38), whereas said coupling member includes a projecting indexing portion (44) adapted to engage in said indexing recess (56), said coupling member (38) and said ridge member (12) being lockable in rotation in a position in which said pivot axis Pv extends substantially parallel to said median plane Pm,said coupling member (38) being further movable in translation about said axis of rotation R to move said coupling member away from said ridge member (12) and release said indexing part (44) from said indexing imprint (56) so as to allow rotation of said coupling member (38) relative to said ridge member (12), and in that it further comprises an elastic member (70) capable of compressing when said coupling member (38) is moved away from said ridge member (12) and of relaxing when said indexing part (44) and said indexing imprint (56) are opposite each other.
2. Roof frame according to claim 1, characterized in that said indexing imprint (56) is oblong and in that it presents two footprint halves symmetrical to each other with respect to a footprint plane containing said axis of rotation R.
3. Roof frame according to claim 2, characterized in that said projecting indexing part (44) is oblong and in that it has two indexing part halves symmetrical to each other with respect to an indexing part plane containing said axis of rotation R.
4. Roof frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ridge element (12) has another indexing imprint (58) angularly offset substantially by 90° with respect to said indexing imprint (56).
5. Roof frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said coupling member (38) and said ridge member (12) are connected together by a rod (64) extending along said axis of rotation R through said ridge member (12) and said coupling member (38).
6. Roof frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said ridge purlin (16) comprises two half-parts connected together by a toggle joint (13) having a folding axis A substantially parallel to said pivot axis Pv.
7. Roof frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises: - another ridge purlin (16') having two other ends opposite each other; - another coupling member (38') of said other ridge purlin and said ridge member, one of said two other ends being pivotally mounted on said other coupling member about another pivot axis substantially perpendicular to said other ridge purlin (16'), while said other coupling member (38') is movably mounted for rotation on the other of said faces of said ridge member about said axis of rotation; and in that said other coupling member (38') and said ridge member (12) are rotationally lockable in a position in which said pivot axis extends substantially parallel to said median plane Pm.
8. Roof frame according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises: - another ridge element (14) comprising two other parts (22, 24) inclined to each other and substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to another median plane, said ridge element having two other faces opposite each other; - a complementary coupling element of said ridge purlin and said other ridge element, the other of said two ends of said ridge purlin being mounted pivotally on said complementary coupling element along a complementary pivot axis substantially parallel to said pivot axis, while said complementary coupling element is mounted movably in rotation on one of said two other faces of said other ridge element along another axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to said one of said two other faces and to said complementary pivot axis; and in that said complementary coupling member and said other ridge member are rotationally lockable in a position in which said complementary pivot axis extends substantially parallel to said other median plane.