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(11) | EP 1 500 756 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Device for moving, aligning and positioning telescopic structures |
| (57) A device which allows an easy displacement of telescopic structure covering wide
areas is described. The device comprises a plurality of parallel tracks whereon the structure can move by suitable carriages, suitable fixing devices can be applied in order to block the telescopic structure in the desired position. |
Field of the invention
[0001] The object of the present invention are mechanical devices which allow the displacement of telescopic structures, in particular covering structures for wide areas.
State of the art
[0002] As it is known indoors activities are becoming more and more popular therefore the necessity of providing the spaces reserved for such activities with removable covers which permit to perform the wanted activity (especially sport and fitness) also under unfavourable weather conditions while giving the opportunity to live in the open air when the cover is no more necessary.
[0003] Among the covers used for the protection of indoors spaces, in particular swimming-pools, telescopic roofs are become widely used.
[0004] Such roofs consist of a plurality of sections capable of moving in and out from each other with a telescopic mechanism and allow the protection of rather wide surfaces while occupying a modest space when in the closed position.
[0005] The above said structures moves on wheel but their correct positioning is rather complicated because of their weight, when the structure is open (i.e. the inner parts of the telescopic structure are pulled outside) it is difficult to keep the whole structure straight (for example along the sides of a swimming pull) and often it is necessary to repeat the operations several times before having the whole structure disposed as desired.
[0006] The problem is even greater when the cover is made of two halves, i.e. of two telescopic structures disposed on the opposite ends of the area to be covered, in this case said two structures must meet exactly in the middle of the area to be covered.
[0007] Moreover there is also a problem of safety which must be considered. In fact the structure has to comply with standards of stability and safety. These standards refer to maximum loads to be safely sustained when the structure is in a fixed position.
[0008] It means that, if a plurality of fixing positions is desired, in order to partially open the structure, a corresponding plurality of fixing points must be foreseen, requiring the drilling of multiple fixing holes on the ground, with evident drawbacks.
[0009] From the above said it is easy to understand how it would. be desirable to dispose of a device which could help in overcoming the problems connected with the use of telescopic covers.
Description of the drawings
[0010]
Fig. 1 shows a view of the device according to the invention
Fig. 2 shows a view from the top of the plate of the carriage.
Fig, 3 shows a section of a track with a blocking nut engaged in it.
Detailed description of the invention
[0011] The present application allows the overcoming of the above said problems by a device consisting of a plurality of tracks in which the structure can move by suitable wheels and by providing a fixing system which permit to secure the structure in any desired position while complying with the necessary safety requirements.
[0012] As it is shown in Fig. 1, the device according to the invention comprises a plurality of tracks 10 disposed on the floor, parallel to each other on the lateral side of the telescopic structure.
[0013] Each track has a length at least sufficient for permitting the complete opening of the corresponding section of the telescopic structure, i.e. the longest track correspond to the length of the extension of the smallest or the largest part of the structure.
[0014] The tracks can cover the whole length of the area to be covered or, as said above, can cover just half such length and in this second case will meet at their end with the corresponding ends of the tracks carrying the corresponding opposite structure.
[0015] The posts of each structure (which are four) will be equipped with a carriage consisting of a plate 11 fixed to the post 12 by usual fixing means (for example screw/nut 13' and suitable plates 13").
[0016] On one side of the carriage the skate 14, bearing one or more wheel 15, preferably two, is fixed by the usual fixing means (for example screw/nut).
[0017] Preferably the two skates present on each side of each portion of the structure are placed in such a way to face each other.
[0018] Preferably the wheels 15 are shaped in order to present a ring 16 which engages into the track assuring a better rolling and a better alignment.
[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the plate 11 presents also one or more blocking nut 17 capable of engaging with the tracks and therefore acting as a brake when the posts must be fixed leaving the covering structure partially open.
[0020] The blocking nut can be engaged in the same track where the wheels are rolling 17 or in a parallel track, or in both positions. In this case the parallel track will continue even after the length of extension of the corresponding part of the structure.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the plate 11 presents, on its surface facing the floor, a layer of semi-elastic material 18 (for example neoprene) which helps in making more effective the fixing action of the blocking nut.
[0022] The tracks can be fixed to or into the floor according to the usual technique, for example by fixing means solidly connected with the tracks or to the floor.
[0023] As it can be immediately understood even in it simplicity the device according to the invention allows the overcoming off all the above said problems; in fact, by sliding on the tracks, the various parts of the telescopic structure will automatically find their correct position permitting, for example, also the perfect adhesion of the two halves in the cases when two telescopic structure are used for the covering.
1. Device for the moving and positioning of covering structures comprising a plurality
of parallel tracks in which the structure can move by suitable wheels.
2. Device according to claim 1 wherein a braking system which permit to fix the structure
in whatever position desired is also present.
3. Device according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the tracks are disposed on the floor, parallel
to each other on the lateral side of the telescopic structure.
4. Device according to claim 1 - 3 wherein each track has a length at least sufficient
for permitting the complete opening of the corresponding section of the telescopic
structure.
5. Device according to claim 4 wherein the posts of each structure (which are four) are
equipped with a carriage consisting of a plate 11 fixed to the post 12 by a usual
fixing means 13.
6. Device according to claim 5 wherein the skate 14 bearing one or more wheel 15 is fixed
by the usual fixing means on one side of the carriage.
7. Device according to claim 6 wherein the two skates present on each side of each portion
of the structure are placed in such a way to face each other.
8. Device according to claim 7 wherein the wheels 15 are shaped in order to present a
border 16 which engages into the track assuring a better rolling and alignment.
9. Device according to claims 1 - 8 wherein the plate 11 presents also one or more blocking
nut 17 capable of engaging with the tracks and acting as a brake device.
10. Device according to claim 9 wherein the blocking nut can be engaged in the same track
where the wheels are rolling (17) or in a parallel track, or in both positions.
11. Device according to claim 10 wherein the plate 11 present, on its surface facing the
floor, a layer of semi-elastic material 18.
12. Method for moving and positioning covering telescopic structure wherein a device according
to claims 1 - 11 is used.