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(11) | EP 2 136 012 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Extendable outdoor awning |
| (57) An extendable outdoor awning (10) is described, of the type provided with a carrying
structure comprising at least two side crosspieces (12, 12') parallel to each other.
On the inner surface of each side crosspiece (12, 12') there is a respective guiding
rail (14, 14') and a series of transversal bars (16, 16', 16") assembled parallel
to each other is capable of sliding along said guiding rails (14, 14'), by means of
supporting and sliding means (38, 40). The transversal bars (16, 16', 16") support
a series of separate pieces of fabric (18), each of said pieces of fabric (18) being
hooked, in correspondence with both its front edge and rear edge, to pairs of supporting
transversal bars (16) and (16') adjacent to each other.
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[0001] The present invention relates to an extendable awning, destined in particular for being used in outdoor environments.
[0002] For the covering of outdoor areas such as gardens, balconies, attics, courtyards, etc., awning devices are known consisting of a fabric-awning sustained by a series of supporting bars transversally arranged with respect to the fabric and constrained below it at an equal distance from each other. The supporting bars are capable of sliding along longitudinal side guides sustained by a rigid carrying structure. Thanks to a manual control system or to the presence of motorized means, the fabric can be moved from an extended position, in which it is substantially unfolded to cover the area delimited by the rigid carrying structure, to a folded position, in which the supporting bars are close to each other and the fabric is folded between the bars themselves.
[0003] Even if it has to be assembled with an adequate inclination to allow the downflow of rainwater, a similar awning device however has the disadvantage that, as it consists of a single piece of fabric which is not always kept under perfect tensioning even when it is in the extended configuration, an accumulation of water can be created on top of the fabric with the consequent possibility that this stagnant water penetrates the fabric and its supporting transversal bars dripping into the underlying area.
[0004] Furthermore, the use of a single piece of fabric, especially for covering particularly vast areas, is often the cause of difficulties in the production, assembly and moving of the awning itself.
[0005] Finally, in the case of rips or tears, also of a minimum entity, it is necessary to substitute the whole awning, with the consequent difficulty of intervention and high costs.
[0006] A general objective of the present invention is therefore to solve the above drawbacks of the known art in a simple, economical and particularly functional way.
[0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide an extendable outdoor awning which is particularly simple to produce, assemble and move.
[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an extendable outdoor awning which allows the rapid and economical substitution of the fabric in the case of tears, rips or other types of damage, or also when the user wishes to adapt the fabric, or portions of it, to his own personal taste, by varying the colour, for example.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an extendable outdoor awning which does not require particular high technology equipment or machines for applying the fabric on the awning device.
[0010] In view of the above objectives, according to the present invention, an extendable outdoor awning has been conceived, having the characteristics specified in the enclosed claims.
[0011] The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages with respect to the known art will appear more evident from the following description, referring to the enclosed drawings, which show an extendable outdoor awning according to the innovative principles of the invention itself.
[0012] In the drawings:
figure 1 is a completely schematic exploded perspective view of an extendable outdoor awning according to the present invention, equipped with the relative supporting structure;
figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of a supporting bar for the extendable awning of figure 1;
figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the fabrics of the extendable awning of figure 1, in an unfolded or covering configuration;
figure 4 is a perspective view of the extendable awning of figure 1, which illustrates in particular the relative supporting and sliding crosspieces;
figure 5 is a perspective view which illustrates the supporting and sliding system of the fabrics in the extendable awning of figure 1;
figure 6 is an exploded view of the supporting and sliding means of the fabrics of the extendable awning of figure 1; and
figure 7 shows, in transparency, the supporting and sliding means of the fabrics of the extendable awning of figure 1.
[0013] With reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, these show embodiments of an extendable outdoor awning according to the present invention, indicated as a whole with the reference number 10.
[0014] The awning 10 is equipped with a carrying structure comprising at least two side crosspieces 12 and 12' parallel to each other, on the internal surface of each of which, a respective guiding rail 14, 14', consisting for example of an extruded drawpiece made of a metallic material equipped with a suitable guiding groove, is constrained or situated.
[0015] A series of transversal supporting bars 16, 16', 16" assembled parallel to each other, preferably having a tubular section, which support a series of fabrics 18 made of an impermeable material, is capable of sliding along the grooves of the guiding rails 14, 14', as is better described hereunder. The transversal supporting bars 16, 16', 16", also preferably obtained by the extrusion of a metallic material, for example aluminum, are equipped with one or more supports, such as the lower shaped seat 34 shown in figure 2, for means (illustrated hereunder) which allow them to be slidingly hooked into the respective grooves of the guiding rails 14 and 14'.
[0016] The carrying structure also comprises one or more supporting columns 20, 20' suitable for resting on the ground, which sustain a front crosspiece 22 constrained and orthogonal to the side crosspieces 12 and 12'. At the rear, the awning 10 can be equipped with a further crosspiece 24, also constrained and orthogonal to the side crosspieces 12 and 12', substantially parallel to the front crosspiece 22 and configured for fixing to the wall, when the awning 10 is used for example for covering balconies or terraces, or equipped with relative rear supporting columns (not shown), in the case of the independent installation of the awning 10 itself.
[0017] The side crosspieces 12, 12', front 22 and rear 24, surround the area of the carrying structure of the awning 10 according to the invention, consisting, as already mentioned, of a series of fabrics 18 separate from each other, each of which is hooked, in correspondence with its front and also rear edge, to pairs of transversal supporting bars 16 and 16' adjacent to each other.
[0018] More specifically, on the surface of each transversal supporting bar 16, there are at least two open slits 26 and 28 which develop parallel to each other and longitudinally for the whole length of the bar 16 itself. According to the invention, the slits 26 and 28 of a same transversal supporting bar 16 are situated on different horizontal and vertical planes, so that a first slit 26 is in a more advanced and raised position with respect to the second slit 28 in relation to the middle axis of the respective bar 16. Furthermore, said slits 26 and 28 can share the same opening 36 situated on the front surface of the bar 16 itself, as shown in the embodiment of figure 2.
[0019] Each fabric 18 is equipped, in correspondence with its front and rear facing edges, with respective front 30 and rear 32 end ribs, obtained for example by the insertion of rigid tubular rods inside suitable pockets or foldings situated on said facing edges of the fabric 18, for the whole length.
[0020] As illustrated in figure 3 of the enclosed drawings, the rear end rib 32 of a single piece of fabric 18 is inserted, after the assembly of the awning 10 according to the invention, in the rear and lower slit 28 of a certain transversal supporting bar 16, whereas the front end rib of the same piece of fabric 18 is inserted in the front and upper slit 30 of the subsequent transversal supporting bar 16', having the rear crosspiece 24 as starting reference, for example.
[0021] In this way, once a certain inclination for the carrying structure of the awning 10, according to the invention, has been established, i.e. by positioning the front crosspiece 22, for example, in the assembly phase, at a lower height with respect to that of the rear crosspiece 24, a system of fabrics 18 is created, arranged on different levels, sloping downwards in particular towards the front crosspiece 22, as in the case of a common layered roof. The pieces of fabric 18 consequently exert the function normally attributed to the covering tiles of a certain roof, i.e. allowing rainwater to be frontally discharged with respect to the awning 10.
[0022] As can be easily understood from figure 3, which shows the awning 10 in the unfolded or covering configuration, the water, following the slope of the fabrics 18 in an extended position, flows towards the front crosspiece 22 without the possibility of filtering between the fabrics and relative transversal supporting bars 16, 16', 16", thus avoiding consequent underlying dripping, thanks to the particular positioning of the slits 26 and 28, in which the end ribs 30 and 32 of the single pieces of fabrics 18 are hooked.
[0023] In the folded configuration, on the other hand, the awning 10 according to the invention, which can be activated by moving means (not shown) of the manual and/or automated type, has the typical conformation of single-fabric awnings of the known type, i.e. with the single pieces of fabric 18 packed between the transversal supporting bars 16, 16', 16" arranged adjacent to each other in correspondence with the rear crosspiece 24.
[0024] Figure 6 shows in detail the supporting and sliding means of the fabrics 18 of the awning 10 according to the invention in another embodiment. Said means firstly comprise a series of trolleys 38, each of these being slidingly constrained on one side to each guiding rail 14, 14' and irremovably constrainable on the other side to each of the two ends of the transversal supporting bars 16, 16', 16". The trolley 38 comprises anchoring means to each transversal supporting bar 16, 16', 16" consisting, in the embodiment shown, of a C-shaped hook 40.
[0025] The C-shaped hook 40 is configured for at least partially enveloping the body of each transversal supporting bar 16, 16', 16", without entering into contact, however, with the fabric 18 supported thereby. In this way, the pieces of fabric 18 do not need to be perforated during the assembly phase and this represents a considerable advantage for water sealing.
[0026] Bolts or pins 42 can therefore be envisaged for fixing the hooks 40 to the respective trolleys 38, in addition to a plate 44 with a relative bolt 46 for fixing the hooks 40 themselves in the lower shaped seat 34 of each transversal supporting bar 16, 16', 16", thus obtaining the assembled configuration visible in figure 7.
[0028] From what is described above with reference to the figures, it is evident how an extendable outdoor awning according to the invention is particularly useful and advantageous. The objectives mentioned in the preamble of the description have consequently been achieved.
[0029] In particular, the following objectives have been achieved:
- improving the impermeability of the extendable awning, thanks to the structure with "tile"-assembled fabrics;
- annulling the dripping of rainwater in the area below the awning, thanks to the particular arrangement, on the relative transversal supporting bars, of the superimposed and adjacent hooking slits and the slope of the fabrics;
- facilitating the production and assembly of the whole awning, also for the coverage of particularly wide areas, as all the fabrics have sufficiently limited dimensions for being easily assembled and moved, contrary to what occurs for single-fabric structures;
- allowing the rapid substitution of the fabrics alone which possibly have damaged portions, without having to intervene on the whole covering system;
- allowing the substitution of fabrics more suitable for the winter season with summer fabrics, combining different-coloured fabrics and/or the type of fabric on the same awning and alternating transparent fabrics (for example made of Vinitex) with normal impermeable woven fabrics in order to have a more luminous environment.
[0030] In addition, the use of particular high-technology equipment or machines for applying rubber caps or patellas, thermowelded or sewn, under the fabric, is not necessary. Application by thermowelding or sewing could in fact alter the physical characteristics of PVC or acrylic fabric. In particular, thermowelding operations, by dissolving the rubber material on the PVC fabric, can cause tears and consequently infiltrations of water and there is the risk of a possible detachment of the rubber cap or patella.
[0031] If rubber caps or patellas are applied on acrylic fabric by sewing, on the other hand, the seams may perforate the fabric, no longer ensuring its impermeability.
1. An extendable outdoor awning (10), of the type provided with a carrying structure
comprising at least two side crosspieces (12, 12') parallel to each other, on the
inner surface of each side crosspiece (12, 12') there being a respective guiding rail
(14, 14'), a series of transversal bars (16, 16', 16") assembled parallel to each
other being capable of sliding along said guiding rails (14, 14'), by means of supporting
and sliding means (38, 40), characterized in that said transversal bars (16, 16', 16") support a series of pieces of fabric (18) separate
from each other, each of said pieces of fabric (18) being hooked, in correspondence
with both its front edge and rear edge, to pairs of supporting transversal bars (16)
and (16') adjacent to each other.
2. The awning (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the surface of each of said transversal bars (16, 16', 16") there are at least
two open slits (26, 28) for the hooking of said fabrics (18), said open slits (26,
28) developing parallel to each other and longitudinally for the whole length of each
of said transversal bars (16, 16', 16").
3. The awning (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said open slits (26, 28) of a same transversal supporting bar (16) are situated on
different horizontal and vertical planes, so that a first slit (26) is in a more advanced
and raised position with respect to a second of said slits (28) in relation to the
middle axis of said transversal supporting bar (16).
4. The awning (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said pieces of fabric (18) is equipped, in correspondence with its front
and rear edges, with respective front (30) and rear (32) end ribs suitable for insertion
inside said at least two open slits (26, 28).
5. The awning (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said end ribs (30, 32) are obtained by the insertion of rigid tubular rods inside
suitable pockets situated along the whole length of said front and rear edges of each
of said fabrics (18).
6. The awning (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rear end ribs (32) of a single piece of fabric (18) is inserted in said second
rear and lower slit (28) of a first of said transversal supporting bars (16), whereas
the front end rib of said single piece of fabric (18) is inserted in said first front
upper slit (30) of a second transversal supporting bar (16), more advanced with respect
to said first transversal supporting bar (16) with reference to said rear transversal
bar (24).
7. The awning (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting and sliding means comprise a series of trolleys (38), each of these
being slidingly constrained, on one side, to each of said guiding rails (14, 14')
and irremovably constrainable, on the other side, to each of the two ends of each
transversal supporting bar (16, 16', 16").
8. The awning (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that each trolley (38) comprises anchoring means to each transversal supporting bar (16,
16', 16") consisting of a C-shaped hook (40), each C-shaped hook (40) being configured
for at least partially enveloping the body of each transversal supporting bar (16,
16', 16"), without entering into contact with the fabric (18) supported thereby.
9. The awning (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that each of said transversal bars (16, 16', 16") is equipped with one or more shaped
supporting seats (34) for the fixing of said C-shaped hooks (40).
10. The awning (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that each of said C-shaped hooks (40) is fixed in said shaped supporting seat (34) by
means of a plate (44) with a relative bolt (46).
11. The awning (10) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said carrying structure also comprises a front crosspiece (22) and a rear crosspiece
(24) substantially parallel to each other and orthogonal to said side crosspieces
(12, 12').
12. The awning (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said front crosspiece (22) of said carrying structure is assembled at a lower height
with respect to that of said rear crosspiece (24), said pieces of fabric (18) being
on different levels and sloping downwards towards said front crosspiece (22).
13. The awning (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it can be activated by moving means of the manual and/or automated type to form a
first unfolded or covering configuration, wherein said pieces of fabric (18) are in
an extended position, and at least a second folded configuration, wherein said pieces
of fabric (18) are packed between said transversal bars (16, 16', 16") positioned
adjacent to each other in correspondence with said rear crosspiece (24).
14. The awning (10) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said carrying structure also comprises one or more supporting columns (20, 20') suitable
for resting on the ground.