Flexible canvas or awning incorporating a load bar

Abstract

TITLE. Flexible fabric or blind incorporating a weight bar. A flexible fabric (1) or blind for sheltering or closing an opening in a wall, which can be rolled up by rotation around a winding mechanism, and which is equipped with a weight bar consisting of a profile (2) fixed to a free edge of the fabric (1) located opposite a portion of the fabric (1) attached to the winding mechanism. The free edge has a flexible end seal (10) elastically extending from the fabric (1), one face of which is fitted with a hollow rod (12) adapted to clip into a groove (21) in the profile (2) via an upper opening (23) in said groove (21) with a width less than the width of the rod (12). Two end pieces (30), (33) are fixed to each end of the profile (2), together forming removable locking means for a terminal portion of the end seal (10) protruding from the profile (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Flexible fabric or blind incorporating a load bar

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of flexible fabrics or blinds for sheltering or closing an opening in a wall. More particularly, it relates to the attachment of a weight bar to such a fabric, the function of which is to keep the fabric taut and, secondarily, to reinforce its structure. The flexible fabric is rolled up / down in front of a building wall, generally equipped with an opening, and its nature does not guarantee a proper drape when unrolled, primarily because it generally has a large surface area of ​​a thin and lightweight material, the weight of which does not provide sufficient mechanical strength when unrolled vertically. This is why a weight bar is attached to a free edge of the fabric located opposite the portion of the fabric attached to a rolling mechanism.

[0002] This refers to the lower free edge, which is oriented horizontally in most cases of fabric use, and which is then fitted along substantially its entire length with a weight, roughly evenly distributed along the entire dimension of the lower edge, located in the load bar. The presence of this bar allows the vertically unrolled fabric to display perfect flatness, and adds rigidity and strength to the assembly by keeping the fabric taut. This bar also allows the fabric to better withstand external stresses, particularly meteorological stresses such as those exerted by wind, and more generally, inclement weather.

[0003] There are numerous solutions for attaching such a load bar to a canvas, ranging from a hem with an integrated pocket followed by final attachment using straps, to a slide cut into the bar in which the lower edge of the canvas—possibly reinforced—can slide, as well as clip or hook systems, adjustable fasteners with clamping devices, or ring or eyelet systems. For large, flexible canvases whose unfurled appearance must be impeccable, and whose dimensions require a sufficiently heavy load bar, sliding systems in which the lower free edge of the canvas is slid are generally preferred.

[0004] In this case, the sliding attachment method of the load bar to the canvas requires space, particularly when the canvas is wide: it is necessary to have at least twice the horizontal dimension of the canvas to install one on top of the other, and in reality considerably more. However, it is not always desirable to finish the canvas by securing its The load bar is installed at the product manufacturing site, where there is certainly sufficient space. This would mean that all transport operations must take place once the bar is attached to the fabric. Given the size and weight of the assembled unit, the aim is often to assemble the various parts (which may include, in addition to the fabric and bar, a ballast element inserted into the bar) at the final installation location. Sliding the components together then often becomes a practical obstacle, considering the space required for assembly.

[0005] To remedy this problem of mounting the canvas on site, the invention proposes a solution which offers the same advantages of strength and reliability as the aforementioned slides, as well as a very similar structure, but which does not require any sliding and can therefore be assembled with minimal space, directly on the installation site.

[0006] To this end, the flexible fabric or blind of the present invention, also rollable by rotation around a winding device, and conventionally equipped with a weight bar consisting of a profile fixed to a free edge of the fabric located opposite a portion of the fabric attached to the winding device, is such that the free edge has a flexible end seal extending elastically from the fabric, one face of which is fitted with a hollow rod adapted to clip into a groove in the profile via an upper opening in said groove with a width less than the width of the rod. According to the invention, two end caps are further attached to each end of the profile, together constituting removable locking means for a terminal portion of the end seal protruding from the profile.

[0007] The installation can then be carried out not only axially, but also perpendicularly to the groove of the load bar, which essentially requires only a mounting space with a dimension only slightly larger than the width of the fabric. The joint intended to connect the fabric to the profile of the load bar is configured so that it can be attached and secured to the top of the latter, in a radial rather than axial manner. The elastic deformability of the joint, necessary for both assembly and disassembly, must not, however, become a risk factor for the durability of the assembled unit, and is taken into account in the design of the invention, in particular through the functional contribution of the end caps placed at each end.These end caps act as locking devices because they block and immobilize the seal at its protruding end, as will be seen in more detail later. They also prevent access to the part of the seal that extends beyond the axial end of the groove, which allows disassembly to be initiated by transversely pinching the seal. of its bead in order to gradually remove it from the groove of the load bar profile.

[0008] According to an advantageous configuration, the joint may have a straight section developing parallel to and in the immediate extension of the unrolled fabric, the rod then being laterally attached to said straight section, which extends beyond the bottom of said hollow rod and has a length such that its free end reaches the bottom of the groove.

[0009] The geometry of the groove is designed such that this straight section, which acts as a kind of spine for the joint, contributes, by virtue of its ability to contact the bottom of the groove, to correctly positioning the rod within the groove and pushing it, particularly its upper walls, towards the top of the groove, even when unloaded. The weight of the load bar (along with the tension of the fabric) then increases the strength of the rod's connection within the groove by means of opposing surfaces that resist the rod's exit (see below), thus ensuring its retention within the groove.

[0010] Preferably, the rod may have a harpoon shape, consisting of a straight wall attached to the straight section of the joint, connected to a wall rising away from the straight wall and ending with an inclined terminal face folding back towards said straight wall, a lip of the upper opening of the groove having an internal face retaining the inclined terminal face of the rod.

[0011] This shape of the rod and its position relative to the straight section of the seal allows the latter to occupy the upper groove of the load bar, ensuring that the inner face of the lip of the groove opening constitutes an obstacle to the movement, under load, of the inclined end face of the rod, thus preventing the rod, and therefore the seal, from exiting said groove. The lip partially obstructing the upper opening of the groove can, in practice, also have an inclination similar to that of the inclined end face of the rod, the stress exerted by said lip in reaction to the upward thrust of the rod due to the tension of the fabric and the weight of the bar having a vertical component that opposes the seal's exit.

[0012] Preferably, the joint bead is made of PVC and the straight section of said joint is made of TPE. It is therefore a two-material joint, which optimizes the implementation of the different functions and constraints applying to these two parts of the joint, one (the straight section) needing to be more rigid and potentially less elastic than the other (the bead).

[0013] The seal is, however, removable and, to facilitate its removal from the profile groove, the length of the seal is provided to be greater than the length of the profile groove: as mentioned above, the seal is in practice integrated into the profile in such a way that its end portions, at its axial extremities, protrude at both ends of the load bar profile. In reality, one leaves Extend the seal beyond the load bar joint at both ends to create a grip for easier removal. Disassembly is then possible by pinching the circlip to free its angled end from the obstruction caused by the lip partially blocking the upper opening of the groove. This is made possible by the joint's flexibility. The circlip's harpoon shape then flattens transversely, no longer blocking removal. Next, guide the joint by gradually extending this process along the entire length of the load bar profile's groove to fully remove it.

[0014] In practice, the two end caps are fixed to the ends of said bar in such a way as to prevent any access to the terminal portions of the seal protruding from the groove of the profile, thus preventing any disassembly at either end of the load bar. These end caps effectively lock these terminal portions, notably by forcing the circlip into a position that opposes the natural unclipping movement.

[0015] In fact, more precisely, according to the invention, a first end piece is provided such that it includes axial positioning and fixing means within the profile, and that it has, extending from a first lateral inner face of the upper groove, a first wall suitable for providing support for the exterior of the bead fitting the joint. This wall is provided and positioned so that the exterior of the bead wall, rising away from the straight wall of the bead, that is to say, the wall terminating in an inclined end face, in the configuration mentioned above, bears against it, preferably under pressure. This first end piece also includes a volume that obstructs the axial end of a compartment in the profile of the load bar, said volume constituting the positioning means for the end piece, and also allowing for the retention of a ballast placed in said compartment.

[0016] According to the invention, the second end piece is preferably such that it includes means for positioning and transversely fixing to the first end piece and, extending from a second lateral inner face of the groove, a second wall adapted to support the seal in its part opposite the bead and to push it towards the first wall of the first end piece. This second wall is actually in contact with the straight section of the seal, in the configuration mentioned above.

[0017] In fact, the first wall of the first end piece and the second wall of the second end piece, when secured to the profile of the load bar and to each other, form removable locking means that house the entire terminal portion of the end seal protruding from the groove and constrain it against at least one of the walls. This constraint is intended to prevent any natural movement of the seal that could lead to its unclipping from the groove of the profile.

[0018] These walls, when said end caps are assembled, can be seen as constituting a sheath placed in the extension of the upper groove of the profile, The seal and its retaining ring are tightly clamped and held in a locked position, preventing unclipping. Furthermore, they cannot be manipulated without removing the end caps. In this configuration, the seal rests against the first and second walls of the end caps, preventing manipulation. It is held in place, for example, by the mechanical action exerted by the shape of the walls on the seal's faces, which locks it in place. The second wall of the second end cap might, for instance, have a raised section that pushes the seal back against the first wall of the first end cap.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the end pieces may include a core that fits into the ring and is designed to press at least one of its walls against an inner face of the profile groove. In this case, at least a portion of said core expands inside the groove and fills the interior of the ring, extending it radially towards the walls of the groove, thus locking the seal in the groove. In this solution, the seal cannot be unclipped from the groove unless the end pieces are removed, as removal results in the core being extracted from inside the ring.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which presents a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is given, however, only by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0021] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the drawings attached in the appendix, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] illustrates more particularly, in section view, the respective configurations on the one hand, the seal fitting the lower free edge of the canvas and on the other hand, the upper part of the load bar profile; and

[0023] [Fig.2] represents in partial perspective view of the end of a load bar and the canvas fitted with the seal, in the absence of the end caps.

[0024] [Fig.3] shows an exploded perspective view of one end of the load bar with its two end caps;

[0025] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view in an almost opposite orientation of one end of the load bar with its two tips, with the first tip already fixed to the load bar;

[0026] [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of the bar and the two end pieces assembled, with the joint bead visible;

[0027] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view with the first end piece assembled, showing the seal.

[0028] With reference to the figures, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 which show the fabric 1 and the top of the load bar 2 during assembly ([Fig. 1]) or in the assembled position but without the end caps ([Fig. 2]), the fabric 1 or flexible blind comprises At its free edge, on the lower part of the fabric 1, a seal 10 is provided to secure the fabric 1 to a load bar profile 2. The seal 10 is designed to fit into a groove 21 located on the upper part of the load bar profile 2. For this purpose, it comprises two distinct parts, which are not made of the same material (see below): a straight section 11 to which is laterally attached a hollow rod 12 advantageously having a harpoon-shaped profile. More precisely, the rod 12 comprises a straight wall 13 in contact with the straight section 11, both extending in the same direction and being positioned in direct line with the fabric 1.The rod 12 also includes a wall 14 rising up, moving away from the straight portion 13 and gradually moving away from it as it rises, ending with a terminal face 15 which folds back towards the wall 13, partially closing the upper opening of the rod 12.

[0029] The groove 21 above the profile 2 of the load bar is provided to accommodate the seal 10, and has in particular a lip 24 bordering a top slotted opening 23, the inner face 22 of the lip 24 serving as a support at least to the terminal face 15 of the hollow rod 12 at least when the forces applied to the two are in opposite directions, for example when the bar is subjected to its weight and the fabric 1 is in tension. This inner face 22 extends towards the bottom of the groove 21 via a recess 25 which allows the rib 12 to expand elastically in this area, after being clipped into the groove 21. This allows the end plate 15 to be positioned opposite this inner face 22 of the lip 24 and thus prevents the harpoon-shaped rib 12 from protruding once inserted into the groove 21, as the end plate 15 would then abut against the said inner face 22 (see [Fig. 6]). The groove 21 has two opposing lateral faces 27, 28 joined by the bottom of the groove 21.

[0030] In practice, when the fabric 1 and its seal 10 are directed in the direction of arrow F towards, and then into, the groove 21, the wall 14 deforms elastically in the direction of the wall 13 so that the hollow rod 12 can pass through the limited-width slotted opening 23. When the free end of the straight section 11 of the seal 10 reaches or approaches the bottom of the groove 21, the entire rod 12 has passed through the opening 23, and it elastically returns to its original shape, as shown in [Fig. 6]. The length of the straight section 11 is designed so that, in this case, the end face 15 is close to touching—or at least partially in contact with—the inner face 22 of the lip 24, as shown in [Fig. 6].Note that the angular edge separating the terminal panel 15 and the rest of the wall 14 can then be positioned in the recess 25 (it unfolds in that direction, at least), this shape being specifically designed not to hinder the elastic deployment of the hollow rod 12 in this area to achieve the locking mentioned earlier. As mentioned, the straight section 11 and the hollow rod 12 do not. are not made of the same material, the rod being made of PVC and the section of TPE, in order to optimize their mechanical strength for the different functions they perform in the context of their mutual joining.

[0031] The elasticity of the hollow ring 12, necessary for the implantation of the seal 10 in the groove However, 21 requires that a control of the mechanical connection be implemented to prevent accidental manipulation from leading to the opposite operation, i.e., the release of the seal 10 from the groove 21, or successive and repetitive movements of the fabric 1 / load bar assembly from weakening said connection and causing the rod 12 to escape from the groove 21. Therefore, two end caps 30, 33 are provided at each end of the profile 2. Their function is to lock the seal together by mechanically constraining it to prevent any movement in the direction of unclipping, and which also prevent any unwanted access to the terminal portions of the seal 10 that protrude axially from the profile 2 (see [Fig. 2]). They also allow the axial ends of the profile 2 of the load bar to be closed and, in particular, to retain a ballast device.

[0032] Figure 2 provides a clearer picture of the configuration of the ends of profile 2, in the absence of the end caps 30 and 33. It can be seen that the seal 10 – visible on the side of the straight section 11 – protrudes from the groove 21. In this configuration without end caps, profile 2 can be easily disassembled from the load bar of the fabric 1, which is necessary if disassembly is planned. This provides a grip for manipulating the seal 10 and extracting it from the groove 21. The idea is to compress it – which its flexibility allows once the end caps 30 and 33 are removed – and then pull it upwards through the slotted opening 23, gradually and along the entire length of the load bar. When the seal 10 is thus manipulated, the parts of the harpoon which prevented extraction are deformed / reoriented so as to allow the seal 10 to be gradually removed from the groove 21, following the axis of the load bar.

[0033] The assembled end caps 30 and 33, which lock the terminal portion of the seal 10 at each end of the load bar profile 2, are designed to prevent this type of manipulation. A first end cap 30 is axially fixed to the load bar profile 2, and a second end cap 33 is transversely fixed to the first end cap 30. These two end caps 30 and 33 are more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, which depict them at least partially disassembled from two opposing views. The first end piece 30 includes positioning and centering means 31 which allow a compartment 26 to be blocked at the axial ends of the profile 2. These positioning and centering means take the form of a prismatic volume 31 suitable for fitting into the internal volume of the profile 2, in a compartment 26 intended to receive a ballast 4, or one or more equivalent ballast element(s). The end piece 30 is fixed for example by an axial screw 36 to said profile 2. This method of positioning / fixing the end piece 30 simultaneously achieves the proper positioning of the part of said first end piece 30 which remains outside the profile 2 (see in particular figures 4 and 5) in its function of locking the terminal part of the seal 10 protruding from the load bar.

[0034] This outer part mainly comprises a first support wall 32 surmounting a plate 37 and extending along the lateral face 27 of the groove 21 having the recess 25, as well as a plate 34 for receiving and fixing the second end piece 33. The latter is fixed there, for example, by two screws 35 screwing in a transverse direction. Note that the plate 37 has an external shape that places it in perfect continuity with the external shape of the profile 2 (see [Fig. 5]) in its area of ​​action.

[0035] The second end piece 33 has a wall 38 which, once the second end piece 33 is fixed, is located in line with the lateral face 28 of the groove 21 and serves as a bearing and stress-bearing surface for the seal 10. This wall 38 is provided with a prismatic stud 38a which acts on the straight section 11 of the seal 10, as shown for example in [Fig. 6] – which shows this stud 38a twice (one of which is artificially positioned in the assembly position of the ends 30, 33). This prismatic stud 38a allows the seal 10 to be pushed towards the wall 32 of the first end piece 30 so that it bears against it under pressure. This pressure support opposes any movement of the ring 12 in the direction of a possible unclipping of the groove 21. A wing 39 of the second end piece 33 is also pressed against the profile 2, whose external shape it also follows, resulting in closing the open end of said profile 2 in its area of ​​action.

[0036] When the assembly is fully completed, i.e., when the first end piece 30 is mounted to the profile 2 and the second end piece 33 is fixed to the first end piece 30, as shown in [Fig. 5] which shows the ring 12 of the seal 10, the first wall 32 and the second wall 38, each belonging to one of the ends pieces 30 and 33 respectively, lock the terminal part of the seal 10 by forming a kind of sheath which mechanically constrains the entire terminal part of the end seal 10 protruding from the groove 21. This terminal part completely contains it, making any unwanted or untimely manipulation impossible due to the lack of access to the seal 10.

[0037] As mentioned, the configuration of the end pieces 30, 33 can also be such that at least one of them can have a core extending towards the groove 21 of the profile 2, and fitting into the ring 12 to press one of its walls, for example the wall 14, against an internal face, in this case the face 27, of the groove 21 of the profile 2. The idea is again to lock the seal 10, and more precisely its ring 12, in the groove 21.

[0038] The design modalities illustrated by the figures are of course not exhaustive of the invention, which on the contrary includes variants of form in particular likely to affect the hollow ring 12, the shape of the section of the groove 21, and more generally the design of the profile 2 and its internal compartments, which are not limited to the lines appearing in the figures.

Claims

Demands

1. A flexible fabric (1) or blind for sheltering or closing an opening in a wall, which can be rolled up by rotation around a winding device, and which has a load bar consisting of a profile (2) fixed to a free edge of the fabric (1) located opposite a portion of the fabric (1) attached to the winding device, characterized in that the free edge has a flexible end seal (10) elastically extending from the fabric (1), one face of which is equipped with a hollow rod (12) adapted to clip into a groove (21) of the profile (2) via an upper opening (23) of said groove (21) with a width less than the width of the rod (12), two end caps (30), (33) attached to each end of the profile (2) together constituting removable locking means for a terminal portion of the end seal (10) protruding from the profile. (2).

2. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the joint (10) has a straight section (11) developing parallel to and in the immediate extension of the unrolled fabric (1), the rod (12) being attached laterally to said straight section (11), which extends beyond the bottom of said hollow rod (12) and has a length such that its free end reaches the bottom of the groove (21).

3. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rod (12) has a harpoon shape, consisting of a straight wall (13) attached to the straight section (11) of the joint (10), connected to a wall (14) rising away from the straight wall (13) and ending with an inclined terminal panel (15) folding back towards said straight wall (13), a lip (24) of the upper opening (23) of the groove (21) having an inner face (22) retaining the inclined terminal panel (15) of the rod (12).

4. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the bead (12) of the joint (10) is made of PVC and the straight section (11) of said joint (10) is made of TPE.

5. A flexible fabric (1) or blind according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first end piece (30) comprises means (31) for axial positioning and fixing in the profile (2), and has, in the extension of a first lateral inner face (27) of the upper groove (21), a first wall (32) suitable for providing support for the outside of the bead (12) fitting the joint (10).

6. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a second end piece (33) has means for positioning and fixing transversely to the first end piece (30) and, in the extension of a second internal lateral face (28) of the groove (21), a second wall (38) suitable for supporting the seal (10) in its part opposite the bead (12) and for pushing it towards the first wall (32) of the first end piece (30).

7. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first wall (32) of the first end piece (30) and the second wall (38) of the second end piece (33) form, when said end pieces (30), (33) are secured to the profile (2) of the load bar and to each other, the removable locking means housing the entire terminal part of the end seal protruding from the groove (21) and constraining it against at least one of the walls (32), (38).

8. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second wall (38) has a stud (38a) pushing back the joint (10) in order to press the rod (12) against the first wall (42).

9. Flexible fabric (1) or blind according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the end pieces (30), (33) has a core that fits into the rod (12) and is intended to press at least one of its walls against an inner face of the groove (21) of the profile (2).

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