The present invention relates to awnings, pergolas and the like.
Outdoor structures such as pergolas and awnings have undergone, over the years, a rapid evolution, becoming full-fledged coverings for any kind of weather and not only protections against the sun.
In practice, an appropriately designed awning or pergola excellently perform the function of a covering which is adapted not only against the sun but also against the rain and in some cases against snow (and the load associated with it).
These new applications have made it necessary to provide for the installation, on the supporting structures of these particular coverings, of gutters and channels for conveying rainwater.
Since these structures are the subject of particular care in terms of aesthetics and design, the presence of these additional elements for conveying water entails a worsening of the overall appearance.
The aim of the present invention is to provide awnings, pergolas and the like having a structure adapted to convey effectively rainwater which runs off the covering surface without altering their aesthetic appearance.
Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide awnings, pergolas and the like which have low cost, are relatively simple to provide in practice and are safe in application.
This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present awning, pergola or the like, as defined in claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of awnings, pergolas and the like, adapted to convey effectively rainwater, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a union for conveying rainwater in a structure of awnings, pergolas and the like,
The awnings, pergolas and the like suitable for fitting the union 1 comprise a fixed supporting structure 2 for at least one movable cross-member 3 which is rigidly coupled at least to the end of a covering dome 4.
The terminal cross-member 3a, i.e., the one associated with the end of the covering dome 4, is rigidly coupled to a collecting channel 5.
The channel 5 is open in an upper region and is provided with at least one protruding spout 6 for the outflow of the water that reaches the channel 5 from the covering dome 4: when the dome 4 is stretched, the rain that falls on its surface in fact runs on it until it falls into the channel 5, which collects it, and then flows away through the protruding spouts 6.
The fixed structure 2 comprises suitable substantially vertical tubular bodies 8 for collecting and conveying rainwater to the ground which are associated with respective front columns 7.
The tubular bodies 8 are provided with holes 9 which are aligned and proximate to the protruding spouts 6 of the channel 5.
In particular, the spouts 6 are accommodated within the holes 9 and convey the rainwater directly into the tubular bodies 8 when the cross-member 3 a is in the configuration in which it is moved fully forward toward the front columns 7 and the covering dome 4 is completely extended.
According to an embodiment of particular interest in application, the tubular bodies 8 are accommodated within respective axial seats 10 of the front columns 7.
In order to optimize their use, the tubular bodies 8 are accessible from outside through a respective upper opening 11, through the hole and through a lower drainage passage 12.
The structure 2 comprises upper beams 13 which are provided with suitable concave covering profiled elements 14.
When the profiled elements 14 are fitted on the beams 13, the concavity is directed upward so as to convey the rainwater toward the upper opening 11 of the tubular body 8 of the column 7 that is aligned with the beam 13 to which it is rigidly coupled.
The collecting channel 5 comprises at least one concave portion 15 and at least one coupling 16, which can be mated stably with one end of the portion 15 provided with the protruding spout 6.
In particular, the portions 15 can be a plurality in order to provide channels 5 of any length suitable for any kind of structure 2. In this case, the couplings 16 are divided into end couplings 16, which are closed at one end with an end wall 18 and are adapted to close the end of the portion 15 with which they are associated, and intermediate couplings 16, which are suitable for mating with two facing and proximate ends 19 of two contiguous portions 15.
The operation of the invention is as follows. By making the cross-member 3a advance, the correct arrangement of the covering dome 4 is provided.
As a consequence of this arrangement, the protruding spouts 6 are inserted within the openings 9 of the tubular bodies 8.
Accordingly, the rainwater runs over the surface of the dome 4 to fall into the channel 5.
From there (through the spouts 6), it is conveyed into the tubular bodies 8 and discharged onto the ground through the lower drainage passages 12.
Advantageously, the rainwater that falls onto the top of the beams 13 also is conveyed by the profiled elements 14 toward the upper opening 11 of the tubular body 8, ensuring its optimum draining.
In this manner it is possible to provide a structure 2 which has an appreciable aesthetic appearance, since all the ducts for conveying rainwater are not visible because they are contained within the structure 2.
It has thus been shown that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.