FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an anchor system for a fabric. Further, it relates
to the use of such system in umbrella and sunbrella equipment, shade sail equipment,
wind screen equipment, tent equipment, boating or surfing equipment, decoration equipment,
stage set equipment, and partitioning screen equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Anchoring systems for a fabric are used in a wide variety of applications, such as
in umbrellas, sunbrellas, shade sails or wind screens for protection against rain,
sun or wind, in tent equipment, in boating or surfing equipment for anchoring a fabric,
in decoration equipment, in stage set equipment, and in partitioning screen equipment
for separating two parts of a room.
[0003] Generally, such anchoring systems may be very simple, for example a hook for connecting
a rope anchored to the fabric. The fabric may also be anchored directly to the hook
in case the it is provided with rings or holes. The hook may be for example a screw
eye anchored to a wall or a tree, or simply a tent peg pushed into the ground.
[0004] In order to be capable of anchoring a fabric in case anchoring points are not present,
more complex anchoring systems provide rails to be fixed to a wall or poles with a
shaped groove wherein a metallic, plastic or wooden sliding block matching with the
groove is slidably fixed. This sliding block comprises then an anchoring point in
the form of a hook or ring to anchor a rope connected to the fabric. These sliding
blocks are kept at a desired position in the groove by a clamping system, resulting
in horizontal and/or vertical flexibility in choosing the anchoring points location
relative to the rail or the pole.
[0005] The clamping system comprises usually a screw and nut or wing nut, which unfortunately
can get lost easily when mounting or during periods the fabric and its anchoring system
is stored.
[0006] Further, mounting such anchoring systems usually requires additional equipment, such
as a spanner and the like.
[0007] Still another problem of using screw and nut systems is that every time one seeks
to change the position of the sliding blocks to change the fabric's position, the
nuts have to be released and tightened again.
[0008] In attempt to solve the above problems, quick release skewers are used. However,
such skewers require a relatively high force to move them in locking position or again
in release position.
[0009] A general problem with the above conventional anchor systems is that usually a ladder
or stool is required to allow mounting the anchor system at relatively high position
on the wall or pole or to allow changing the sliding block position, resulting in
ergonomic inefficiency and often also in unsafe situations.
[0010] Another general problem with the above conventional anchor systems is that, since
the fabric is anchored to the sliding block, thereby generating a pulling force on
that sliding block, a tension adjuster is required between anchor system and fabric
allowing diminishing the pulling force on the sliding block before changing its position
in the groove.
[0011] From the above, there is a clear need for an anchoring system which is simple and
can easily, quickly, without additional equipment, and with ergonomic efficiency be
mounted, while achieving reliable and safe anchoring of the fabric.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is that anchoring the fabric can be achieved
without requiring a relatively high force from the user.
[0013] Further another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring system for a fabric
that provides horizontal and/or vertical flexibility in choosing the location of the
anchoring points of the fabric relative to the rail or the pole.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring system for a fabric that
can be safely mounted by a person standing on the ground without the need of using
cumbersome and dangerous ladders or stools.
[0015] Still another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring system for a fabric
wherein it is not needed anymore to provide tension adjusters or to diminish the pulling
force of the fabric on the sliding blocks before changing its position.
[0016] A still further object of the invention is to provide an anchoring system that is
economical to manufacture.
[0017] The present invention meets the above objects by providing an anchor system for a
fabric having a clamping lever for clamping the sliding block in the groove at a desired
position, wherein the anchoring point for anchoring the fabric is located at the load
arm of the clamping lever.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is directed to an anchor system for a fabric, the system comprising:
- a profile having a groove with a sliding block slidably fixed in the groove;
- an anchoring point for anchoring the fabric to the system;
- a clamping lever for clamping the sliding block in the groove, the lever having a
fulcrum, a load arm and an effort arm;
characterized in that the anchoring point is located at the load arm of the clamping
lever.
[0019] Additionally the present invention is directed to the use of such anchor system in
umbrella or sunbrella equipment, shade sail equipment, wind screen equipment, tent
equipment, boating or surfing equipment, decoration equipment, stage set equipment,
and partitioning screen equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020]
FIG 1 illustrates an embodiment of an anchor system in accordance with the present
invention.
FIG 2 illustrates a clamping lever used in a preferred embodiment in accordance with
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] According to a first embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated in FIG
1, an anchor system is provided comprising:
- a profile (a) having a groove (b) with a sliding block (c) slidably fixed in the groove;
- an anchoring point (d) for anchoring the fabric to the system;
- a clamping lever for clamping the sliding block in the groove, the lever having a
fulcrum (e), a load arm (f) and an effort arm (g);
characterized in that the anchoring point is located at the load arm of the clamping
lever.
[0022] Since the anchoring point is located at the load arm of the clamping lever, the lever
may be moved in locking position without using relatively high force or even without
using any force. The fabric continuously generates a pulling force to the load arm
of the clamping lever such that upon slightly pushing the effort arm or even just
upon releasing it, the lever is moved into locking position.
[0023] Consequently, such anchor system is simple in use and can easily, quickly, without
additional equipment, and with ergonomic efficiency be mounted, while achieving reliable
and safe anchoring of the fabric.
[0024] A further advantage is that such anchor system provides horizontal and/or vertical
flexibility in choosing the location of the anchoring points of the fabric relative
to the profile. Indeed, the position of the sliding block may be changed very easily.
It may be sufficient to move the lever slightly in release position to release the
sliding block in the groove and to slide it into another position. Upon slightly pushing
then the effort arm again in locking direction of even just upon releasing it, the
sliding block may be clamped in the groove again.
[0025] Still another advantage is that it is not needed anymore to provide tension adjusters
to allow diminishing the pulling force of the fabric on the sliding blocks before
changing its position. Indeed, since the fabric is anchored at the load arm of the
clamping lever, the pulling force of the fabric may easily be defeated by moving the
effort arm slightly into releasing position.
[0026] The clamping lever may be any lever suitable for clamping the sliding block at a
desired position in the groove of the profile.
[0027] The lever fulcrum may be pivotally fixed to the profile and/or to the sliding block.
In case the lever fulcrum is fixed to the sliding block only, manufacturing may be
easier.
[0028] The effort arm may have any length, but may be sufficiently long such that a fabric
can be safely mounted by a person standing on the ground without the need of using
cumbersome and dangerous ladders or stools.
[0029] In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, an anchor system for a
fabric may be provided, wherein the groove has an inner groove surface, wherein the
clamping lever load arm is fixed to the sliding block, and wherein the clamping lever
fulcrum is pivotally and slidably fixed into the groove and has a protrusion pressing
against the inner groove surface upon moving the lever into clamping position.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, an anchor system
for a fabric may be provided, wherein the groove has an inner groove surface, and
wherein the clamping lever fulcrum is pivotally fixed to the sliding block and has
a protrusion pressing against the inner groove surface upon moving the lever into
clamping position. A clamping lever with protrusion (h) as used in the latter embodiment
is illustrated in FIG 2.
[0031] In a further embodiment, an anchor system in accordance with the present invention
may further comprise a tension adjuster placed between the anchoring point and the
fabric for increasing the pulling force of the fabric to the load arm of the lever
and to increase the reliability of clamping.
[0032] In accordance with the present invention, the profile may be any rigid profile, or
any profile which is flexible, but sufficiently rigid for holding the sliding block
in the groove. Preferably, the profile may be a rail, a pole or a wall bracket, and/or
may be collapsible for easier transport and storage.
[0033] Further, the profile, sliding block and clamping lever may be made of any material
suitable for using in anchor systems in accordance with the present invention. Preferably,
they may be made of aluminum, stainless steel, plastics, composite materials, or combinations
thereof. These materials have the advantage that they can be made lightweight and
rustproof.
[0034] Anchor systems in accordance with present invention may be used in umbrella or sunbrella
equipment, shade sail equipment, wind screen equipment, tent equipment, boating or
surfing equipment, decoration equipment, stage set equipment, and partitioning screen
equipment.
[0035] In a further embodiment an assembly is provided comprising a fabric and one or more
anchor systems in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, such assembly
may have as many anchor systems as the fabric has anchoring means.
[0036] The fabric may be any material used for the above mentioned applications. Preferably
it may be made of canvas, cloth, or all kinds of natural or synthetic fibers, such
as acrylic, polyester, textylene, polypropylene and nylon, or a combination thereof.
Even plastic foil may be used.
[0037] The fabric may have any form and size and may have one or more anchoring means. Such
anchoring means may be any means suitable for anchoring to the anchoring points, such
as anchoring holes, rings or ropes, or a combination thereof.
1. An anchor system for a fabric, the system comprising:
- a profile having a groove with a sliding block slidably fixed in the groove;
- an anchoring point for anchoring the fabric to the system;
- a clamping lever for clamping the sliding block in the groove, the lever having
a fulcrum, a load arm and an effort arm;
characterized in that the anchoring point is located at the load arm of the clamping lever.
2. An anchor system for a fabric according to claim 1, wherein the groove has an inner
groove surface, wherein the clamping lever load arm is fixed to the sliding block,
and wherein the clamping lever fulcrum is pivotally and slidably fixed into the groove
and has a protrusion pressing against the inner groove surface upon moving the lever
into clamping position.
3. An anchor system for a fabric according to claim 1, wherein the groove has an inner
groove surface, and wherein the clamping lever fulcrum is pivotally fixed to the sliding
block and has a protrusion pressing against the inner groove surface upon moving the
lever into clamping position.
4. An anchor system for a fabric according to claims 1 to 3 wherein a tension adjuster
is placed between the anchoring point and the fabric.
5. An anchor system for a fabric according to any of the above claims wherein the profile
is a rail, a pole or a wall bracket.
6. An assembly comprising a fabric and one or more anchor systems according to any of
the above claims.
7. Use of the anchor system according to claims 1 to 5 in umbrella or sunbrella equipment,
shade sail equipment, wind screen equipment, tent equipment, boating or surfing equipment,
decoration equipment, stage set equipment, and partitioning screen equipment.