Patent Publication Number: US-2018051466-A1

Title: Fan-type sunshade or weather protection device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a fan type sunshade or weather protection device and in particular, but not exclusively, to a drive system for splaying the spars of such a fan type sunshade or weather protection device. 
     PRIOR ART 
     A fan-shaped weather protection device (referred to hereinafter as a fan) is known from European patent application EP0963495, for example. Because it can be mounted at a single fixing point, it can be designed to be supported in such a manner as to be rotatable about multiple axes. As a result, the position adjustment of such weather protection arrangements is very flexible and versatile. In order to ensure the flexibility and the versatility of such a weather protection device, a relatively complex drive mechanism is used for spreading open and for closing the fan. The drive mechanism must be capable of exerting the forces which are necessary for opening, closing, rotating and tilting the fan. Furthermore, the drive must be able to resist high loads caused by wind, rain, snow etc. 
     on the protection device. Previously used drive mechanisms have therefore been of complicated and robust construction. In addition, the drive mechanism greatly limits the speed of the opening or closing movement of the fan. There is thus a need for a simplified drive mechanism which enables a fast spreading or closing of the fan. 
     It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,422 to use a cylindrical coil spring for automatically closing a sunshade. The spring, which is arranged in the central support of the ribs, exerts a rotational force on the end of the outermost rib. This arrangement has the disadvantage that it is suitable only for smaller or lighter fans. In the case of larger or heavier fans, the parts which bear the rotary forces would need to be disproportionately strongly constructed. Furthermore, the presence of the helical springs in the central mechanism brings about other disadvantages, in that it becomes consequentially more difficult to install further drive, tilt or rotation mechanisms. 
     In umbrellas and similarly constructed parasols, it is known to provide the supporting underframe with gas springs, for example to enable an automatic opening of the shade. Such an arrangement is mentioned in the introduction of the German utility model DE202012104640U1. However, such a frame is not suitable for fan-shaped sunshade. 
     It is known from WO2005/017298 to operate a foldable mosquito net by means of an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder drive. This arrangement has the disadvantage that it consumes electrical power and that the drive must always be connected to an external energy source (electrical power connection or hydraulic pump). Furthermore, no biasing of the opening or closing movement occurs in WO2005/017298 because the required drive energy cannot be stored in the electric motor or in the hydraulic cylinder. 
     It is known from BE396458A to provide a pretensioned closure of a fan-shaped sunshade by means of two sprung shafts and two corresponding pull cables which pass through eyelets of the spars. In order to avoid the need for fixing the parts individually to a wall, the spring shafts are mounted on a panel together with the spar support. Because of the large panel and the fixed-mounted sprung shafts, this arrangement has the disadvantage that a versatile tilt or rotation of the fan is rendered difficult or impossible. Furthermore, the spring shafts, pull cables and eyelets form a relatively complicated and failure-prone mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       On order to eliminate at least some of the above disadvantages, the invention foresees a fan-type sunshade or weather protection device according to claim  1 . Thanks to the biasing element, the splaying out or folding together of the fan can be actuated quickly and simply, and without the need for a complicated and costly drive mechanism. 
       The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in a schematic plan view, a first example of a fan according to the invention in an outspread (splayed) state. 
         FIG. 2  shows, in a schematic plan view, the fan illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a folded (closed) state. 
         FIG. 3  shows, in a schematic plan view, an enlarged representation of the section A indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows, in a schematic side view, the fan illustrated in  FIG. 2  in a closed state. 
         FIG. 5  shows, in a schematic plan view, an enlarged representation of the section B indicated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows, in a schematic plan view, a second example of a fan according to the invention in an outspread state. 
         FIG. 7  shows, in a schematic top view, the fans shown in  FIG. 6  in a folded closed state. 
         FIG. 8  shows, in a schematic plan view, a variant of the first example embodiment in the outspread state. 
         FIG. 9  shows, in a schematic plan view, the fan shown in  FIG. 8  in a folded-up state. 
         FIG. 10  shows, in a schematic plan view, an enlarged representation of the section C indicated in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows, in a schematic side view, the fan shown in  FIG. 9  in the folded-up state. 
         FIG. 12  shows, in a schematic plan view, an enlarged representation of the section D indicated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows, in a schematic plan view, an example of how one of the above illustrated fans can be removably mounted on a wall, for example. 
         FIG. 14  shows, in a schematic side view, the example mounting shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     The accompanying drawings are merely provided as illustrative examples to aid a better understanding of the invention. They are do not represent any limitation of the claimed invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for identical or functionally-similar elements. However, the use of different references does not mean that the indicated features are different. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following detailed description. The term “fan” is understood to be a splayable arrangement of at least two spars whose radial inner ends are mounted in a common joint hub, which spars extend substantially radially outwards in a common plane, and which can be outspread apart from one another and brought together, in the said plane, circumferentially with respect to an axis which passes through the hub orthogonally to the plane. In this way, the spars form a fan-like spreadable frame which can be provided with a flexible or foldable material such as tarp, netting, sheeting, fabric or an assembly of plates or leaves, for example. The numerous possible coverings of the fan are hereinafter collectively referred to by the term “canopy”. In its outspread state, such a fan can cover an area of at least one square metre, or at least three square metres. 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  show a fan  1  which has a plurality of spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′, a canopy  8  and a hub element  4 . In this example, six spars are shown: two of these,  2  and  3 , are larger, rigid outer spars, which transfer most of the weight of the fan  1  to the hub element  4  and which can hold the canopy  8  in tension when the fan is in its opened state. Four smaller spars  7 ,  7 ′ support and/or stiffen the canopy  8 , and each of these transfers a portion of the weight of the canopy  8 , in particular during the opening or closing of the fan, to the hub element  4 . In this example, one of the spars,  3 , is fixedly joined to the hub element  4 , while the other spars  2 ,  7 ,  7 ′ are rotatably mounted in the hub element  4  at their radially inner ends. The hub element  4  comprises a rotary bearing  15 ,  16  for each of the mobile (rotatable) spars  2 ,  7 ,  7 ′ for this purpose. The spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ and the pivot bearings are preferably arranged in such a way that the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ can lie substantially parallel, side by side, in the plane of the fan  1  when the fan  1  is in its closed state. For this reason, the radially inner end of the spar  2  is provided with an angled end portion. The hub element  4  may comprise two parallel plates between which the inner ends of the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ are mounted, for example. In this example, the spars  2 ,  7 ,  7 ′ are mounted rotatably about axes  15  and  16 , the spar  3  being fixed to the hub element  4 . However, the spar  3  may also be rotatably mounted. The spar  3  can also be formed as the surface of a wall. In the latter case, it is also referred to in this description as a spar. 
     The hub element  4  is illustrated as a single element, in which all the spars are mounted. The hub element  4  may alternatively consist of a plurality of individual elements, each element being able to support one or more spars. The hub element  4 , whether consisting of one or more than one physical element, is referred to in this description as one functional element. The individual pivot axes of the spars may be substantially parallel to one another and may be coaxial or spaced apart from each other, for example. Together, they are collectively referred to as a common outspreading axis of the fan. The respective radial positions along the first and second spars where the biasing member  5  is connected or secured to the first and second spars (also referred to as the intermediate positions) may be expressed in terms of a radial distance from the inner end of the respective spar, or in terms of a radial distance from the outspreading axis. Unless specified otherwise, the distance from the inner end and the distance from the outspreading axis can be understood to be the same for practical purposes. Between the spars  2  and  3  extends an elongate biasing element  5 , such as a gas strut (gas spring). The gas spring  5  is arranged in such a way that it keeps the canopy taut when the fan is in the outspread state (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In this state, the gas spring has an longitudinal dimension of a 1 . The gas spring is connected to the spars  2  and  3  by means of pivot joints  11  and  12 , for example. If the spars  2  and  3  are taken as first or second reference axes, the extended gas spring  10  has an extent of b 1  along the second reference axis and an extent of c 1  along a y-axis lying in the plane and extending orthogonally to the second reference axis. In the outspread state of the fan, the biasing element  5  is at an angle a 1  to the second reference axis. The values a 1 , b 1  and c 1  are preferably chosen so that the angle a 1  is less than or equal to 45 degrees, or preferably less than or equal to 35 degrees. 
     In the closed state of the fan  1  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the retracted gas spring has a longitudinal extent of a 2 , an extent along the second reference axis of b 2 , and an extent along the y axis of c 2 . In the closed state of the fan  1 , the biasing element  5  is at an angle a 2  to the second reference axis. The values a 2 , b 2  and c 2  are preferably selected so that the angle a 2  is at least 5 degrees, or preferably at least 10 degrees. 
     The dimension b 1  is preferably greater, or preferably at least 1.5 times the size, or preferably at least 1.8 times the first distance c 1 . The length a 1  of the extended biasing element  5  ( FIG. 1 ) is preferably at most twice, or preferably at most 1.8 times the length a 2  of the retracted biasing element  5  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     If the spar  2  is moved along the circumferential direction  13  (hereinafter referred to as the closing direction), the gas spring  5  is put under pressure, thereby storing an amount of energy.  FIG. 2  shows the fan  1  of  FIG. 1  in a closed (folded together) state, in which a maximum amount of energy is stored in the gas spring. In this example, the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ have been brought fully together and lie parallel to each other. In other variants, the closed or folded state could mean a partial closing or folding together, with the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ being still partially spread apart. It is to be noted that the terms “to close” and “closed” are used in this description and in the claims in the sense of a moving the spars together along the corresponding circumferential direction  13 , and not in the sense of “locked” or “fixed together”. 
     The fan  1  may comprise a blocking device, such as the locking pin  23  for holding the fan  1  in the closed state. Upon closing the fan, the locking pin  23  latches into a hole or into a recess in the oblique end part of the spar  2 . 
     In the closed state (see  FIG. 2 ), the energy stored in the biasing element  5  (gas spring in this example) is available for outspreading the fan  1  along the circumferential direction  14  (hereinafter referred to as opening direction). 
     The locking device described above can also function as a release device, for example by moving the latching locking pin  23  out of the hole or the recess, whereupon the fan  1  is outspread by means of the energy stored in the biasing element  5 . The outspreading is preferably achieved using only the energy stored in the biasing element  5 , without any external mechanical drive energy. The biasing member  5  is thus formed so that it can store enough energy to power the outspreading (or the closing, depending on the implementation) of the fan  1  between its closed state and its outspread state. The release device is preferably constructed such that it can be actuated from a distance of more than 1 m, for example with a pole or a remote control. Thus, the fan  1 , which may be mounted at a height of eg 2.5 m on a wall, for example, can be opened using the pole or the remote control. In another arrangement of the fan  1  (eg where the fan  1  is secured to the ground), the release device can be designed so that it can be operated directly by hand. 
     The fan  1  may comprise a damping device for damping the movement of the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ during the closing and/or spreading of the fan  1 . In the illustrated example, the gas spring  5  also performs the function of the damping device. However, a separate damping device could be arranged as one or more single elements or in the pivot axes of the spars. 
     The example depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 3  has an opening angle in the outspread state ( FIG. 1 ) of approximately 90 degrees. However, the opening angle may be greater or less than 90 degrees. 
     In the illustrated example, a biasing element  5  is shown which extends between the two circumferentially outermost spars  2  and  3 . The biasing element  5  can alternatively be arranged between any two of the spars, whereby the driving and tensioning force of the biasing element  5  can, if required, be transferred to the further spars in a different way. A plurality of biasing elements  5  can also be arranged between the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′, eg in an overlapping arrangement with each biasing element  5  skipping a spar to which another biasing element is connected. In this way, the opening angle of the fan  1  can be made as large as desired, eg when the hub element  4  and/or the bearings of the inner ends of the spars  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  7 ′ are also suitably redesigned. 
     In this description, the invention is explained using examples in which the pretensioning energy stored in the biasing element is used for spreading out the fan  1 . However, it should be noted that the fan  1  can alternatively be designed in such a way that the energy stored in the biasing element  5  serves for closing instead of opening the fan  1 . A biasing element  5  may be fitted which is charged during the linear expansion of the biasing element  5 . In the latter case, the fan is held in the closed state by the tensioning force of the biasing element  5 . In the outspread state of the fan  1 , the spars can be held outspread by other means. 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a tilting mechanism  6 ,  9 ,  10 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22  is also shown, which will now be explained with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In order to serve as protection against the sun or the weather, the fan  1  is attached or suspended at a fastening point. The mounting point is not shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 . A suitable mounting point may be a region of a wall, for example, or of a pillar, a stand, a roof, a roof beam, a roof rafter or the ground. The tilting mechanism, if fitted, may be used to change a tilt angle of the fan, eg to achieve a desired shade effect. The fan  1  can however be used without a tilting mechanism, ie without the adjustment element  6 . 
     For this purpose, the tilting mechanism comprises an adjustment element  6 , which can be fixed substantially rigidly at the fastening point. The fan  1  is supported on the adjusting element  6  by means of a rotary joint  17 , the fan  1  being able to rotate about the axis X relative to the adjusting element  6 . In order to increase the variety of possible settings, the adjusting element can be provided with further rotary axes or joints. The illustrated adjusting element  6  has a plurality of adjusting openings  20 , into which an adjustment pin  19  can be moved in order to thereby block the rotation of the fan  1 . Actuation of the adjusting pin  19  is effected by means of an actuating element  9  and an actuating connection  18 . In this example, the actuating connection is implemented, for example, as a cord or chain  18  which can be pulled by means of the actuating element  9  (such as a rotatable shaft) in order to unlatch the adjusting pin from the corresponding adjustment opening. As with the release device described above, the actuating element  9  can be designed such that it can be operated manually by the operator, either directly by hand, or with a pole or other remote control. The actuating connection  18  can extend at least partially through the spar  3 , for example in an inner hollow space of the spar  3 . 
     In the illustrated example, the tilting mechanism comprises a second biasing member  10 , such as a gas spring, for example. This extends between the hub element  4  of the fan  1  and the adjusting element  6  such that the second biasing element  10  biases the rotary movement of the fan  1  in a direction of rotation about the axis X. In this way, a relatively heavy fan can be easily moved by a user in the said direction of rotation. 
     In this example, a first end of the second biasing element  10  is mounted on a first bracket  21  which is rigidly or integrally connected to the hub element  4 . The second end of the second biasing element  10  is supported on a second bracket  22 , which is rigidly or integrally connected to the adjustment element  6 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a sunshade or weather protection device  1 ,  1 ′ which is essentially formed as a reflected version of the fan illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5 . Two fans  1 ,  1 ′ share a common spar  3  which is rigidly or integrally connected to the common hub element  4 ′. In these figures, the adjusting member  6  is fixed to a mounting point  33 , such as a wall, a stand, a roof or the ground, for example. The inclination angle of the combined fan  1 ,  1 ′ can be altered by operating the actuating element  9 , as described with reference to the example of  FIGS. 1 to 5 . Moving the fan  1 ,  1 ′ about the axis X is made substantially easier by the preloading second biasing element  10 . 
     The fan  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12  corresponds to the fan  1  of  FIGS. 1 to 5 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 to 12 , however, the fan  1  comprises a closing device  24 ,  25 ,  27 ,  34  for closing or folding the fan  1 . The spars  2 ,  3  are brought together using a pulling means  25 , such as a cord or a chain. The pulling together is carried out by a drive element  24 , such as a crankshaft  24 ,  27  or a motor. The drive element  24  is preferably housed in the hub element  4  and can be remote-controlled, as with the actuating element  9  and the release device  23  mentioned above. For this purpose, a drive ring  34  is provided, which can be rotated with a hook at the end of a pole, for example, to effect the closing of the fan. The closing device can be configured such that, when the fan is opened, the cord or chain  25  is unwound from the shaft  27  of the crankshaft or the motor substantially without or with little resistance. Preferably, at least part of the pulling means  25  passes through the spar  3 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show how the fan  1  can be mounted. The adjusting element  6  is provided with a first fastening element  29 , and the fastening point  33  is provided with a corresponding second fastening element  30 . The first and second fastening elements are configured to engage with each other to form a force-fit mounting. In the illustrated example, the first fastening element  29  is formed as an elongated rod or tube, the second fastening element  30  being formed as a tube. The tube  30  is drawn over the rod or tube  29  and fixed with a releasable locking element (not shown) at least against rotation about the axis X, preferably also against movement along the rod or tube  29 . The mounting shown is designed such that the fan  1  can be easily removed from the first fastening element  29 . The releasable locking element is designed such that it can be remote-controlled as with the actuating element  9 , the triggering device  23  and the drive element  24  as described above. Thanks to this remotely-controllable locking element, it is possible for one person to detach and remove the fan from the mounting. The adjusting element  6  is reinforced with support plates  31 ,  32 . The reference numeral  28  relates to connecting parts of the rotary joint  17 . 
     The features mentioned herein may be arbitrarily combined unless otherwise specified to form further embodiments of the invention.