Swing-blade fence panel

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a fence panel (100) comprising: a set of pivoting slats (130), each slat (130) of the set of slats (130) being adapted to: pivot from a privacy position to a safety position, and pivot from the safety position to the privacy position; a motor (140) adapted to pivot the set of slats from the privacy position to the safety position and from the safety position to the privacy position; a processor (150) configured to control the motor to implement the pivoting of the slats: from the privacy position to the safety position when the wind speed obtained is greater than a first predetermined wind speed, and from the safety position to the privacy position when the wind speed obtained is less than a second predetermined wind speed. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fence panel with pivoting slats TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of fences.

[0002] The present invention relates to a fence panel with pivoting slats. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is common to use privacy fences, also called "seclusion fences." A privacy fence is a fence whose panels are opaque. Privacy fences have enjoyed great commercial success for many years. For example, a privacy fence is used to preserve the privacy of a garden at a detached house.

[0004] However, the use of a privacy fence presents several problems. First, the opaque nature of the fence panels creates significant wind resistance, which can lead to damage to the privacy fence. For example, during windy periods, it is common for the posts of a privacy fence to be partially uprooted, or for both the posts and panels to be deformed. A known solution is to reinforce the posts and panels of the privacy fence to increase their resistance to deformation. Furthermore, when installing the posts of a privacy fence, it is advisable to use solid and deep foundations to prevent them from being uprooted in strong winds. These solutions only partially resolve the problem, however, since these issues can still occur in extremely strong winds.Furthermore, these solutions increase the manufacturing and installation costs of a privacy fence panel.

[0005] The applicant disclosed, in patent FR3114341B1, a swing gate comprising two motors integrated into each leaf, the two motors enabling the rotation of pivoting slats before the gate opens or closes. This solution therefore aims to protect the motors responsible for rotating the gate leaves. Thus, the pivoting of the slats only occurs when the gate opens or closes. This solution therefore needs to be adapted for use on a fence. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above by allowing the pivoting of the slats of a fence panel. The slats pivot when a wind speed exceeds a predetermined wind speed, thus preventing damage to the fence. The fence remains opaque even when the wind speed is high. When the wind speed is lower than a second predetermined wind speed, the slats can be pivoted in the opposite direction and the fence panel becomes opaque again.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a fence panel comprising: • a frame, • a means of obtaining a wind speed, the fence panel being characterized in that it further comprises: • the fence panel having a wind-exposure area in the opaque position greater than a wind-exposure area in the safety position, • a set of pivoting blades, each blade in the set of blades being adapted for: • be fixed to the frame at its ends, • pivot from the obscuring position, in which an obscuring face of each slat is parallel to a plane formed by the frame, to the safety position, in which the obscuring face of each slat is oblique or perpendicular to the plane formed by the frame, and • pivot from the safety position to the blackout position, • a motor adapted to pivot all the slats from the blackout position to the safety position and from the safety position to the blackout position, • a processor configured to control the motor to implement the blade pivoting: • from the blackout position to the safety position when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined wind speed, and • from the safety position to the privacy position when the wind speed is less than a second predetermined wind speed, the second predetermined wind speed being equal to or less than the first predetermined wind speed.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to obtain a wind-resistant privacy fence. Furthermore, the installation of the pivoting slat fence panels does not require reinforcing the fence post foundations. Finally, these pivoting slat fence panels can be attached to an existing non-opaque fence without having to modify the existing structure.

[0009] In addition to the characteristics just mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the fence panel according to one aspect of the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations: • The means of obtaining wind speed is an anemometer, • The means of obtaining the wind speed is the configured processor to receive the wind speed, • The fence panel also includes a means of determining wind direction, • The implementation of blade pivoting by the processor also depends on the wind direction obtained, • The means of obtaining the wind direction is a weather vane, • The fence panel has a square shape with a size of 180 centimeters by 180 centimeters, • The frame and the entire set of pivoting blades are made of aluminum.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a fence comprising: • a set of fence posts, • a set of fence panels, each fence panel being: • a fence panel according to the invention, and • fixed at the level of its frame to two fence posts of the set of fence posts, • at least one means for measuring wind speed, the measured wind speed being obtainable by each fence panel of the fence panel assembly through the means for obtaining the wind speed.

[0011] A final aspect of the invention relates to a method for pivoting pivoting slats of the fence panel according to the invention, the method comprising: • Obtaining the wind speed, • Pivoting of the slats, implemented by the fence panel motor: • from the blackout position to the safety position when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined wind speed, and • from the safety position to the blackout position when the wind speed obtained is less than a second predetermined wind speed.

[0012] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting of the invention. • Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic representation of an example of the fence panel according to the invention. • Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an example of a fence according to the invention. • Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an example of a non-opaque fence on which fence panels according to the invention have been fixed. • Fig. 5 is a synoptic diagram illustrating the steps of an example of the pivoting process according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic representation, from a front view, of an example of a fence panel 100 according to the invention. [Fig. 1] shows the example of fence panel 100 when the pivoting slats 130 are in the obscuring position and [Fig. 2] shows the example of fence panel 100 when the pivoting slats 130 are in the safety position.

[0016] A fence panel 100 can be used as: • a fence element that can be attached to two fence posts, thus allowing the construction of a new fence, or • an element that can be attached to an existing non-opaque fence in order to make it opaque.

[0017] The fence panel 100 comprises a rigid frame 110. The term "rigid" here means that, under normal conditions of use, the frame will not undergo permanent deformation. Since wind resistance is minimized by the pivoting of the pivoting slats 130, normal conditions of use include wind speeds between 0 and 180 kilometers per hour. A set of pivoting slats 130 is attached to the frame 110. Each horizontal pivoting slat 130 is fixed to the frame 110 by its two ends 131. The ends 131 of each slat are, for example, any suitable means for allowing the slat to pivot. Regardless of the shape of the pivoting slats 130, the slats all have a privacy screen which, when the slats 130 are in the privacy position, allows the fence panel to be opaque.Thus, this opaque side has a larger surface area than the safety side, which, when the 130 slats are in the safety position, allows the fence panel to not be opaque but also reduces the area exposed to wind, and therefore the intensity of the force exerted by the wind on the fence panel. In other words, the fence panel has a... The wind exposure area in the opaque position is greater than the wind exposure area in the safety position. The wind exposure area is the area of ​​the fence panel 130 in a plane perpendicular to the wind direction.

[0018] The pivoting slats 130 are adapted to move from the blackout position to the security position and from the blackout position to the security position. The blackout position is the position in which the blackout face of the slats 130 is parallel to the plane of the frame 110 and the security face is perpendicular to the plane of the frame 110. The security position is the position in which the blackout face of the slats 130 is not parallel to the plane of the frame 110. The term "not parallel" here means oblique or perpendicular, that is, there is an angle between 1 and 89 degrees between the blackout face and the plane of the frame 110. For example, when the pivoting slats 130 are horizontal, the blackout position is the position in which the blackout face of the slats 130 is oriented vertically and the security face is oriented horizontally. The security position is the position in which the blackout face of the slats 130 is oriented vertically.is oriented horizontally and the safety face is oriented vertically. The plane of the frame is the plane formed by the frame 110. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plane of the frame 110 is the plane passing through the four bars of the frame 110 which form a rectangle.

[0019] In an example consistent with the preceding examples, the pivoting blades 130 have a rectangular prism shape. In this example, the pivoting blades 130 therefore have six rectangular faces, referred to herein as: obscuring faces, safety faces, and end faces. The end faces, of which there are two, are the faces perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the horizontal pivoting blade 130. These are the two faces comprising the ends 131 of the horizontal pivoting blade. The obscuring faces, of which there are two, are the faces that have a vertical orientation when the horizontal pivoting blade 130 is in the obscuring position. For example, in [Fig. 1], this is the visible face of each horizontal pivoting blade 130. The safety faces, of which there are two, are the faces that have a vertical orientation when the horizontal pivoting blade 130 is in the safety position. For example, in [Fig. 1], this is the visible face of each horizontal pivoting blade 130.[2] This is the visible face of each horizontal pivoting slat 130. The opaque faces therefore have a greater width than the safety faces. For example, an opaque face has a width between 5 and 40 cm and a safety face has a width, for example, between 1 and 7 cm.

[0020] In one example, compatible with the previous examples, the number of pivoting blades 130 can be between 4 and 40 per fence panel.

[0021] In one example, the pivoting blades 130 are horizontal and therefore pivot about a horizontal axis. This axis is located between the two ends 131 of the horizontal pivoting blade 130. The two ends 131 of each blade are fixed The horizontal pivoting 130 slat is therefore at the same height on the 110 frame. This horizontal alignment of the pivot axis of the 130 slats is important because, at or near ground level, for a height of less than 2.5 meters, for example, the wind direction is predominantly horizontal or parallel to the ground. Thus, by pivoting the 130 slats around their horizontal axis, it is certain that, regardless of the wind direction, the area exposed to wind by the fence panel is reduced.

[0022] In another example, the pivoting blades 130 can be vertical and therefore pivot around a vertical axis. When the pivoting blades 130 are vertical, it is preferable that the pivoting be dependent on both the wind speed and the wind direction. Thus, the amplitude of the pivoting of the blades 130 is adjusted according to the wind direction in order to minimize the area exposed to the wind.

[0023] The pivoting of the swing slats 130 is motorized. Thus, the fence panel 100 includes a motor 140 adapted to pivot all the slats from the opaque position to the security position and from the security position to the opaque position. In Figures 1 and 2, the example of swing slats 130 includes two motors 140. This provides redundancy to ensure the pivoting of the swing slats 130. Furthermore, when there are two motors 140, the power of each motor 140 can be lower, i.e., up to half as much. The motor(s) 140 are controlled by a processor 150. The processor 150 is configured to implement a method for pivoting the swing slats of the fence panel. The term "processor" means, in this application, any system capable of receiving data, performing calculations, and sending data.

[0024] For example, the processor 150 can receive data such as the first predetermined wind speed and the second predetermined wind speed. These predetermined speeds can be modified by a user via, for example, a computer or a smartphone adapted to send data to the processor 150. The first predetermined wind speed is, for example, between 30 and 100 kilometers per hour, and the second predetermined wind speed is, for example, between 20 and 60 kilometers per hour. Thus, the first predetermined wind speed is equal to or greater than the second predetermined wind speed. Preferably, the first predetermined wind speed is at least 10 kilometers per hour greater than the second predetermined wind speed.

[0025] Furthermore, the test that determines whether the pivoting of the pivoting blades 130 is triggered requires calculations. This test is performed by the processor 150. Thus, the processor 150 is configured to determine if the wind speed is greater than a first predetermined wind speed and to determine if the wind speed is less than a second predetermined wind speed.

[0026] Alternatively, the test can be implemented by a computer included in the fence panel 100 or in the fence, the computer then communicating the result of the test to the processor 150 of each fence panel 100 of the fence.

[0027] A "computer" implementing the test of the method according to the invention comprises at least one processor and one memory. The memory comprises instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to implement the method according to the invention. In the course of implementing the method, the processor may store other data in the memory or delete data stored in the memory.

[0028] The pivoting of the pivoting blades 130 is contingent upon the test described in the preceding paragraphs. Since the test is based on wind speed, the fence panel 100 therefore includes a means for obtaining the wind speed. The term "obtaining" in this application may mean "receiving." For example, the wind speed may be received via a wired or wireless connection by the wind speed obtaining means 120. In this example, the wind speed obtaining means 120 may be the processor 150 itself. Examples of wired connections include Ethernet, coaxial cable, USB (Universal Serial Bus), or fiber optics. Examples of wireless connections include Bluetooth, the Internet, or Wi-Fi. The term "obtaining" in this application may also mean "measuring." For example, the wind speed may be measured by the wind speed obtaining means 120.The means of obtaining wind speed can, for example, be an anemometer.

[0029] In an example consistent with the preceding examples, the test conditioning the pivoting of the pivoting blades 130 can be based on wind speed and wind direction. For example, it is possible to apply a correction factor C based on the angle A formed between the wind direction and the orientation of the fence panel 100. For example, if the fence panel has a "North / South" orientation and the wind direction is "West" or "East," i.e., the wind is blowing from the West or East, then angle A is 90° and the correction factor C can be equal to 1. For the same fence panel orientation, when the wind direction is "North" or "South," then angle A is 0° and the correction factor can be equal to 0. For example, the correction factor C can be calculated according to the following formula:

[0030] c =

[0031] With: • sin, the sine function • A, the angle formed between the wind direction and the orientation of the fence panel 100 expressed in radians.

[0032] Other functions could be used to calculate the correction coefficient C from angle A.

[0033] In this example, the fence panel 100 further includes a means 160 for obtaining a wind direction measurement. For example, the means 160 for obtaining the wind direction could be the processor 150, which can receive the wind direction via a wired or wireless connection. Alternatively, the means 160 for obtaining the wind direction could be a wind direction measurement means such as a wind vane.

[0034] In an example consistent with the preceding examples, the wind speed used to determine whether the wind speed is less than a second predetermined wind speed is an average of the wind speeds obtained over a predetermined time. For example, the wind speed used is the average of the wind speeds obtained during the last five, ten, or fifteen minutes.

[0035] In an example consistent with the preceding examples, a minimum delay must be observed between the pivoting of the slats from the blackout position to the safety position and the pivoting of the slats from the safety position back to the blackout position. This minimum delay is, for example, five, ten, or fifteen minutes. Furthermore, this minimum delay can be reset to zero each time the wind speed exceeds the first predetermined wind speed. Thus, during the minimum delay period, even if the pivoting slats 130 are in the safety position, the minimum delay can be reset to the beginning when the wind speed exceeds the first predetermined wind speed.

[0036] In an example consistent with the preceding examples, the fence panel 100 has a square shape with a height between 120 and 300 centimeters and a length between 120 and 240 centimeters. For example, the size of the fence panel may be 180 centimeters by 180 centimeters.

[0037] In one example, consistent with the previous examples, the frame 110 and the set of pivoting blades 130 of the fence panel 100 are made of aluminum.

[0038] The fence panel 100 can be implemented in a standalone or slaved version. In its standalone version, the fence panel includes a means 120 for measuring wind speed, and optionally a means 160 for measuring wind direction. This information is then transmitted to the processor 150, for example, via a wired connection. Thus, the fence panel 100 in this version is standalone in that it does not depend on receiving data from another device. In its slaved version, the fence panel 100 receives at least one wind-related data point. This slaved version notably allows a measurement tool to be shared between several fence panels 100.

[0039] The fence panel 100 can be used to erect a new fence or to be fixed to an existing fence.

[0040] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a fence 200 erected with three fence panels 100. Each fence panel 100 is attached to two fence posts 210. When the fence panel 100 is used to make a new fence 200, the frame 110 can be attached to the two fence posts 210 via fasteners 230 arranged on the vertical uprights of the frame 110. In the example shown in Figure 3, a wind speed measuring means 220 and a wind direction measuring means 260 are attached to one of the fence posts 210. Thus, these means 220 and 260 can send their measurements to the processor 150 of each fence panel 100. The wind direction measuring means 260 is optional and is only useful when the test conditioning the implementation of the slat pivoting 130 is based on wind speed and direction.

[0041] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a pre-existing fence 300 onto which three fence panels 100 have been fixed. When the fence panel 100 is attached to an existing fence 300, the frame 110 can be fixed to the two fence posts 310 via fasteners 330 arranged on the vertical uprights of the frame 110. Alternatively or additionally, fasteners 340 can be used to attach the fence panel 110 to the fence panel 350 of the existing fence 300. In the example shown in [Fig. 4], a wind speed measuring device 320 and a wind direction measuring device 360 ​​are fixed to a fence post 310. Thus, these devices 320 and 360 can send their measurements to the processor 150 of each fence panel 100. The wind direction measuring device 360 ​​is optional and is only useful when the test conditioning the implementation of the pivoting of the slats 130 is based on wind speed and direction. 。

[0042] Fig. 5 is a synoptic diagram illustrating the steps of an example of the process 400 according to the invention.

[0043] The method 400 is a method for pivoting the pivoting slats of the fence panel 100. The method comprises two steps. A first step 410 consists of obtaining the wind speed. This first step can be implemented by measuring the wind speed or by receiving the wind speed data. A second step 420 is the pivoting of all the slats. The pivoting of the slats 130 is motorized, that is to say, performed by the motor 140. The pivoting of the slats 130 is conditional upon the test based on wind speed, or on wind speed and wind direction, described previously. The pivoting of the slats 130 allows the panel to switch from the opacity position to the safety position when the obtained wind speed is greater than a first predetermined wind speed. The pivoting of the slats 130 also allows the panel to switch from the safety position to the opacity position when The wind speed obtained is less than a second predetermined wind speed. All the test examples described for fence panel 100 can, of course, be used in process 400.

Claims

1. Demands Fence panel (100) including: - a frame (110), - a means (120) of obtaining a wind speed, the fence panel (100) being characterized in that it further comprises: - the fence panel having a wind exposure area in the opaque position greater than a wind exposure area in the safety position, - a set of pivoting blades (130), each of the blades (130) of the set of blades (130) being adapted to: • be fixed to the frame (110) at its ends (131), • pivot from the obscuring position, in which an obscuring face of each slat (130) is parallel to a plane formed by the frame (110), to the safety position, in which the obscuring face of each slat (130) is oblique or perpendicular to the plane formed by the frame (110), and • pivot from the security position to the blackout position, - a motor (140) adapted to pivot all the blades from the blackout position to the safety position and from the safety position to the blackout position, - a processor (150) configured to control the motor to implement the pivoting of the blades: • from the blackout position to the safety position when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined wind speed, and • from the safety position to the blackout position when the wind speed obtained is less than a second predetermined wind speed, the second predetermined wind speed being equal to or less than the first predetermined wind speed.

2. Fence panel (100) according to claim 1 wherein the means (120) for obtaining the speed of a wind is an anemometer.

3. Fence panel (100) according to claim 1 wherein the means (120) for obtaining the speed of a wind is the processor (150) configured to receive the wind speed.

4. Fence panel (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: - the fence panel (100) further comprises a means (160) for obtaining a wind direction, and - the implementation of the pivoting of the blades by the processor further depends on the wind direction obtained.

5. Fence panel (100) according to the preceding claim wherein the means (160) for obtaining the wind direction is a weather vane.

6. Fence panel (100) according to claim 4 wherein the means (160) for obtaining the wind direction is the processor (150) configured to receive the wind direction.

7. Fence panel (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fence panel (100) has a square shape with a size of 180 centimeters by 180 centimeters.

8. Fence panel (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame (110) and the pivoting blade assembly (130) are made of aluminium.

9. Fence (200) comprising: - an assembly of fence posts (210), - an assembly of fence panels (100), each fence panel (100) being: • a fence panel (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, and • fixed at its frame (110) to two fence posts (210) of the assembly of fence posts (210), - at least one means (220) for measuring wind speed, the measured wind speed being obtainable by each fence panel of the assembly of fence panels by the intermediary of the means (120) of obtaining the wind speed.

10. A method for pivoting (400) the pivoting slats of the fence panel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising: Obtaining (410) the wind speed, Pivoting (420), implemented by the motor (140) of the fence panel (100), of the blades (130): • from the blackout position to the safety position when the wind speed exceeds a predetermined wind speed, and • from the safety position to the blackout position when the wind speed obtained is less than a second predetermined wind speed.

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