Adjustable blade for sun and weather protection installation

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable blade (2) for sun and weather protection installations, comprising a profile (20) extending along a longitudinal direction (Y) and having an external face (201), an opposing internal face (200), and two transverse end faces (206a, 206b), said profile (20) comprising on its external face (201) at least one longitudinal tube (205), characterized in that the adjustable blade (2) also comprises, at each end, a pivot axis (30) in the form of a sleeve arranged to fit onto the periphery of the tube (205), the adjustable blade comprising a fixing screw (40) inserted axially into the sleeve, the head (400) of the fixing screw bearing against a counterbore (301) of the sleeve and the end of the fixing screw cooperating with an internal space formed in the tube. (205). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Adjustable blade for sun and weather protection installation Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the architecture of an adjustable blade used in a sun and weather protection installation. State of the art

[0002] Sun and weather protection installations can now take various forms. One of these is a pergola. A pergola is considered bioclimatic when its louvers are adjustable, thus allowing control of ventilation and sunlight levels.

[0003] This type of installation comprises a frame made up of posts supporting a load-bearing frame. The frame supports a series of slats, the slats being at least pivotable, so as to choose an orientation and define the degree of opacity of all the slats. When all the slats are oriented in a nearly horizontal plane, they form a roof and cover the entire surface delimited by the load-bearing frame.

[0004] All blades are generally ordered with the same orientation.

[0005] Each blade is often made in the form of a profile or by assembling several profiles. The profiles are often bulky, requiring a significant amount of material (especially aluminum), increasing their mass and cost.

[0006] For this type of installation, there is a need for adjustable blades which require less material to manufacture, thus reducing their mass and cost. Description of the invention

[0007] This goal is achieved by an adjustable blade for sun and weather protection installation, comprising a profile extending along a longitudinal direction and having an external face, an opposite internal face, and two transverse end fields, said profile comprising on its external face at least one longitudinal tube, characterized in that the adjustable blade also comprises, at each end, a pivot axis in the form of a sleeve arranged to fit onto the circumference of the tube, the adjustable blade comprising a fixing screw inserted axially in the sleeve, the head of the fixing screw bearing against a counterbore of the sleeve and the end of the fixing screw cooperating with an internal space made in the tube.

[0008] According to one particular feature, the sleeve has a notched portion arranged to step over the pipe.

[0009] According to another feature, the tubing extends along the entire length of the profile.

[0010] According to another feature, the tubing has a cross-section comprising a connecting part attached to the outer face of the profile and a free C-shaped end, forming an open section.

[0011] According to another feature, the blade also includes two flanges, each of which is fixed to a separate end field of the blade profile, each flange having an opening made in the axis of the tubing and said sleeve being arranged to fit into said opening of the flange.

[0012] According to another feature, the opening of each flange has a flat section configured to press the flange against the end field of the blade profile.

[0013] According to another feature, the pivot axis is positioned along a longitudinal direction offset from an axis passing through the center of gravity of the steerable blade.

[0014] According to another feature, the profile has a cross-section having a main flat part and two opposing lateral wings.

[0015] According to another feature, the fastening means comprise two other points of attachment of the flange to the profile.

[0016] The invention also relates to a sun and weather protection installation, comprising several posts and a supporting frame, said supporting frame comprising several uprights assembled together, with at least a first upright and a second upright arranged in parallel, the installation comprising several adjustable blades each comprising two ends, a first end mounted pivotally in the first upright and a second end mounted pivotally in the second upright, characterized in that each adjustable blade is as defined above. Brief description of the figures

[0017] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description that follows, in conjunction with the attached drawings listed below: - Figures IA and IB show, in elevation, a supporting frame used in a protection installation, said frame carrying adjustable blades respectively oriented vertically and horizontally; - Fig. 2 shows, in perspective view, the architecture of the orientable blade of the invention; - Figures 3A to 3E show several perspective views illustrating the principle of realization of the orientable blade of the invention;

[0018] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0019] For the remainder of the description, we define a frame X, Y, Z in which X corresponds to a first axis oriented along the direction and the sense of arrangement of the blades along the supporting frame, Y corresponds to a second axis perpendicular to X, oriented along the longitudinal axis of the blades, and Z corresponds to a third axis oriented upwards perpendicular to the covering surface formed by the juxtaposition of the blades in the supporting frame. Installation and supporting framework

[0020] [Fig.1A]

[0021] [Fig.1B]

[0022] The invention relates to a sun and weather protection installation. Without limitation, this could be a pergola.

[0023] Such an installation classically comprises several posts (not shown) and a supporting frame 1 supported by said posts.

[0024] In the attached figures IA and IB, only the supporting frame 1 is shown.

[0025] The supporting frame 1 comprises several uprights 10 assembled together, delimiting a covering surface. The frame 1 is, for example, rectangular in shape.

[0026] It includes in particular a first upright 10a and a second upright 10b parallel to each other, defining two parallel sides (along X).

[0027] The installation also includes a series of blades 2, each extending longitudinally (along Y), arranged parallel to each other and mounted between the two uprights 10a, 10b to form the covering surface S delimited by the supporting frame 1.

[0028] The number of blades 2 is of course adapted to the size of the installation, in particular to that of the supporting frame.

[0029] The blades 2 are advantageously all identical.

[0030] The blades 2 are mounted in the frame 1, so as to be able to take several Orientations, for example, a vertical orientation ([Fig. 1A]), allowing for partial shading, and a horizontal orientation ([Fig. 1B]), allowing for total shading, thus forming a roof covering the entire surface area. The installation is carried out so that all the blades are controlled with the same orientation. When the blades are oriented horizontally, each blade cooperates with one or two adjacent blades (depending on its position in the blade series) along each of its longitudinal edges.

[0031] To pivot, each blade 2 has a first end and a second end along its longitudinal direction, each end carrying a separate pivot axis 30. The two pivot axes 30 are mounted respectively in the first upright 10a of the support frame and in the second upright 10b of the support frame.

[0032] To rotate the blades between their different positions, the system may include one or more electric motors (not shown), controlled according to the desired level of obscuration.

[0033] In the case where the blades 2 are movable in translation along the X direction, within the supporting frame 1, each of the two uprights 10a, 10b can incorporate a rail. The blades are thus mounted at their two ends in each of the two rails to slide. Their pivot axis 30 can then include a pad adapted for sliding in the rail. The invention therefore also applies to the case where the blades are retractable, in addition to being adjustable.

[0034] Fig. 1A shows the frame of the installation of the invention with the blades 2 open, oriented vertically, to provide a level of partial occultation.

[0035] Fig. 1B shows the frame of the installation of the invention with the blades 2 closed, oriented horizontally, thus forming a roof. Adjustable blade

[0036] [Fig.2]

[0037] [Fig.3A]

[0038] [Fig.3B]

[0039] [Fig.3C]

[0040] [Fig.3D]

[0041] [Fig.3E]

[0042] Each blade 2 comprises a profile 20 having an elongated shape along the Y direction. The profile 20 has an external face 201, corresponding to the upper face when the blade is oriented horizontally, and an opposing internal face 200. In [Fig. 2], the blade is inverted horizontally, so that the internal face 200 is visible.

[0043] The profile 20 has a cross-section extending along X and formed of a main part 202 that is generally flat and two opposing lateral wings 203, 204. The first external lateral wing 203 extends perpendicularly (along Z, and inwards) to the main part, and the second opposing lateral wing 204 has a perpendicular part (along Z, and inwards) and a curved part extending outwards.

[0044] The cross-section of the profile is advantageously constant over the entire length of the profile (along Y).

[0045] The profile 20 also includes two transverse end fields 206a, 206b, each located opposite a post 10a, 10b separate from the supporting frame 1.

[0046] The profile 20 has on its outer face 201 at least one tube 205 along its longitudinal direction (Y). This tube 205 has a C-shaped cross-section mounted on a connecting part. This tube 205 is advantageously made along the entire length of the profile 20, to be accessible at both ends of the profile 20. Its configuration allows the blade 2 to be lightened and a self-tapping to be carried out using the screw 40 (see below).

[0047] The blade 2 also includes two flanges 21a, 21b (reference 21 in general) each mounted perpendicularly on an end field 206a, 206b transverse to the profile 20.

[0048] The blade 2 includes means for fixing each flange 21.

[0049] The fastening means comprise a first fastening point, called the main one, which also integrates the pivot axis 30 of the blade 2. This first fastening point is positioned along a direction parallel to the Y direction and offset from a central direction passing near the center of gravity of the blade 2 and advantageously through the center of gravity of the blade 2.

[0050] These fastening means incorporate the pivot axis 30 of the blade 2.

[0051] Each flange 21 has a first opening 210 made in the axis of said tubing 25.

[0052] The pivot axis 30 is inserted into said first opening 210.

[0053] The pivot axis 30 is in the form of a sleeve having some specific features of form.

[0054] The pivot axis 30 has in fact a notched part 300 on its circumference ([Fig.3C]), allowing it to be inserted onto the tubing 205, by straddling the connecting part of the tubing 205 to the external face 201.

[0055] The first opening 210 of the flange has a flat 211, configured so that the pivot axis 30 presses the flange 21 against the end field 206a, 206b of the profile which is located opposite.

[0056] To assemble the flange 21 onto the profile, a screw 40 is inserted into the sleeve of the pivot axis 30. The head 400 of the screw bears against an internal counterbore 301 ([Fig.3D]) of the sleeve of the pivot axis 30 and its end cooperates with a "tap" (not shown) made by the screw 40 in the axis of the tube 205 when the screw 40 is screwed in, along its cross-section in C. The head 400 of the screw is for example embedded in said sleeve.

[0057] The notched part 300 prevents the rotation of the pivot axis 30, which could cause the screw 40 to loosen. The pivot axis 30, however, remains free to rotate in a housing on an upright 10 of the frame 1 so as to allow the blade 2 to pivot.

[0058] The means for attaching the flange 21 may also include two other attachment points, located on either side of its main attachment point, at each outer flange 203, 204 of the profile 20. For each of these two other attachment points, the flange has another opening 212, 213 and the profile 20 has A tube 207, 208 is located in line with this opening. A fixing screw 41, 42 is inserted into the opening and screws into an internal thread of the corresponding tube or into a tapped hole created during tightening. An intermediate piece 50 can be inserted between the flange 21 and the screw 42. This intermediate piece allows for the connection of an actuating bar used for the movement and synchronization of the blades of the installation.

[0059] By way of example, the profile 20 is made of aluminum. The flanges are made of plastic, aluminum, or a composite material.

[0060] The invention has many advantages, including: - A simple solution that pools resources to both manufacture the blade and allow it to pivot; - A solution that requires little material to manufacture, unlike previous solutions; - A solution with parts that are simple to manufacture, using conventional processes (extrusion, machining); - A mechanically robust solution at the axis-blade connection; - The flange also has a "drip-stop" or "anti-return" function and allows, with an aesthetic touch, to mask the field of the blade profile;

Claims

Demands

1. Adjustable blade (2) for sun and weather protection installation, comprising a profile (20) extending along a longitudinal direction (Y) and having an external face (201), an opposing internal face (200), and two transverse end faces (206a, 206b), said profile (20) comprising on its external face (201) at least one longitudinal tube (205), characterized in that the adjustable blade (2) also comprises, at each end, a pivot axis (30) in the form of a sleeve arranged to fit onto the periphery of the tube (205), the adjustable blade comprising a fixing screw (40) inserted axially into the sleeve, the head (400) of the fixing screw bearing against a counterbore (301) of the sleeve and the end of the fixing screw cooperating with an internal space formed in the tube (205).

2. Adjustable blade according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve has a notched part (300) arranged to straddle the tubing.

3. Adjustable blade according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tubing (205) extends over the entire length of the profile (20).

4. Swivel blade according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tubing has a cross-section comprising a connecting part linked to the external face (201) of the profile and a free end in the shape of a C, forming an unclosed section.

5. Swivel blade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it also comprises two flanges (21a, 21b), each of which is fixed on an end field (206a, 206b) distinct from the blade profile, each flange having an opening (210) made in the axis of the tube (205) and in that said sleeve is arranged to fit into said opening of the flange.

6. Adjustable blade according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening (210) of each flange (21a, 21b) has a flat (211) configured to press the flange against the end field (206a, 206b) of the blade profile.

7. Swivel blade according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pivot axis (30) is positioned along a longitudinal direction offset from an axis passing through the center of gravity of the swivel blade.

8. Adjustable blade according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the profile comprises a cross-section having a main part (202) flat and two opposing lateral wings (203, 204).

9. Sun and weather protection installation, comprising several posts and a supporting frame (1), said supporting frame comprising several uprights assembled together, with at least a first upright (10a) and a second upright (10b) arranged in parallel, the installation comprising several adjustable blades each comprising two ends, a first end pivotally mounted in the first upright (10a) and a second end pivotally mounted in the second upright (10b), characterized in that each adjustable blade is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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