A folding-slat enclosure system

Abstract

A folding-slat enclosure system comprised of one or more sliding guiderails (4) and several cars (2, 3) connected to the slats (1). It consists of at least one tractor car (2) moved by a drive system and in which the connection between two consecutive cars (2, 3) is achieved by a plate (5) with a slot (7) along which a pintle (6) joined to the adjacent car (2, 3) moves.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Folding slat closure

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to a folding slat closure that has a series of slats separated from each other, with a circulation guide and whose separation is controlled to be the exact and desired.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Pergolas with folding louvers, which can be stacked at one end, are known in the prior art. Two examples are found in US2022090445A1 and W02019084590A1. The first of these systems has a highly complex scissor mechanism, making it less reliable than desired. The second uses a simpler and lighter strap or belt system, which can break or become entangled in other elements.

[0007] The applicant is unaware of any solution similar to the claimed invention.

[0008] BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention consists of a folding slat closure, according to the claims. In its various embodiments, it solves problems of the prior art.

[0010] The folding slat enclosure, for example applicable to pergolas, comprises one or more sliding guides for a series of carriages connected to the slats. In one embodiment, all the carriages are attached to a drive system, generally with storage areas where they are detached, as is known in the art. In a second, more preferred embodiment, one or more of the carriages are drive carriages, moved by a drive system, and the remaining carriages are one or more trailed carriages, connected to a drive carriage. The carriages are connected to each other in pairs of consecutive carriages, where the connection between two consecutive carriages is made by a plate with a groove, on one of the carriages, along which a pin attached to the adjacent carriage moves.

[0011] The plate can be hinged to the carriage that carries it, or "carrier". Similarly, the plate can be curved or straight.

[0012] Other variations will be indicated in the rest of the report.

[0013] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following figures are included for a better understanding of the invention.

[0015] Figure 1: Perspective view of an example of a pergola where the enclosure can be applied.

[0016] Figure 2: View of the carriages and plates in the deployed position, according to an example of embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3: View of the closure, with emphasis on the plates and studs, from the example in Figure 2.

[0018] Figure 4: Different positions of adjacent carriages and the plate according to one embodiment: (A) folded carriages, (B) half-unfolded carriages, (C) carriages at maximum distance.

[0019] MODES OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

[0020] Next, a brief description is given of one way of carrying out the invention, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

[0021] Figure 1 shows an example of the closure applied to a folding pergola. It has a series of slats (1) that are generally rotatable about their longitudinal axis. These slats (1) are mounted on carriages (2,3) at their ends. The carriages (2,3) move along one or more guides (4) to unfold or fold the slats, so that the surface, in this case a pergola, opens or closes. In this embodiment, the carriages (2,3) are divided into two types: one or more drive carriages

[0022] (2), driven by any valid feed system (linear actuator, belt system, etc.) and a series of driven carriages (3). The movement of the driving carriage (2) is transferred to the driven carriages (3) by a movement system consisting of a plate (5) and a pin (6). The pin (6) is fixed to one of the carriages (2,3) and slides inside a groove (7) in the plate (5) of the adjacent carriage (2,3). The plate (5) can be straight or curved and fixed to the corresponding carriage (2,3) by a hinge or solidly. Thus, if the plate (5) is curved and not hinged, the movement of the pin (6) along the groove (7) causes the slats (1) to reorient. If the plate (5) is curved and hinged, it can be moved out of the way so that it does not collide with the plate (5) of the nearby carriages (2,3) as they approach each other.In another solution, the studs (6) are at a different height than the articulated fixing of the plates (5), so that the angle of the carriages (2,3) with the guide (4) varies according to the proximity between them.

[0023] As can be seen in the figures, the stud (6) can be used to articulate the plate (5), thus simplifying the design.

[0024] Thus, the ends of the slot (7) define the maximum and minimum separation between two consecutive carriages (2,3) (Figures 4A and 4C). The carriages (2,3) of the first and last slat (1) will only use one pin (6) or one plate (5), since they only have one adjacent carriage (2,3).

[0025] The pin (6) and the plate (5) can be on either carriage (2,3). In a first embodiment, the driving carriage (2) carries a plate (5). When it begins to fold the slats (1), it will push the driven carriages (3) as the distance between them decreases: First, the pin (6) of the first driven carriage (3) will travel along the groove (7) until it reaches the end. At that point, it will begin to be pushed. The pin (6) of the next driven carriage

[0026] (3) will begin to circulate through the slot (7) of that first trailed carriage (3). Thus, the first trailed carriage (3) will push the next one and successively all the slats (1) will fold. In the other direction, the tractor carriage (2) will pull the trailed carriages (3) when it is being unfolded, also successively.

[0027] If the tractor car (2) carries the pin (6), the operation is identical.

[0028] It should be noted that the slats (1) can be moved from one side or from both. In the latter case, there will be two sets of carriages (2,3), one on each side. The driving carriage (2) on each side will normally correspond to the same slat (1), but it could also be the slat (1) at the opposite end of the enclosure.

[0029] As noted, all trolleys (2,3) can be tractor trolleys (2,3), thus defining a trolley accumulation zone at one or both ends of the guides

[0030] (4) in which some of the carriages (2,3) are decoupled from the forward system. In this accumulation zone, the carriages (2,3) do function as trailed carriages (3), being moved by a tractor carriage (2). This movement can be direct or via other trailed carriages (3).

Claims

CLAIMS 1- Folding slat closure, comprising one or more sliding guides (4) for a series of carriages (2,3) connected to the slats (1), characterized in that it comprises at least one tractor carriage (2), moved by a feed system, and where the connection between two consecutive carriages (2,3) is made by a plate (5) with a groove (7) through which a pin (6) attached to the adjacent carriage (2,3) moves. 2- Folding slat closure, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (5) is articulated to the carrier carriage (2,3). 3- Folding slat closure, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (5) is curved. 4- Folding slat closure, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one trailed carriage (3) disconnected from the forward system and moved by a tractor carriage (2). 5- Folding slat closure, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (5) is straight.

Images