Patent Description:
In outdoor installations, roller blinds of the type comprising a sheet are known, which in the condition of retracted awning is wound on a tubular shaft and in the condition of the unfolded awning is unwound by said shaft and is kept stretched by its connection with a flap to said tubular shaft and with the opposite flap to a rigid crosspiece which can be approached and removed from the tubular shaft itself.

In the case of a cantilevered awning, the rigid crosspiece is connected to the support structure of the tubular shaft by means of a pair of articulated arms, while in the case of a sliding awning the rigid crosspiece is made to slide with ends along two fixed parallel guides placed on the sides of the surface that must be able to be covered by the unfolded tent.

In the case of cantilevered awnings, it is also envisaged that the rigid crosspiece can have such a conformation as to cover the awning, when it is wrapped around the tubular shaft, and in this way to constitute a sort of protection box for the latter, which in this case is called cassette awning.

Independently from the type of awning, its motorization which leads to the winding of the sheet on the tubular shaft and its unwinding from the tubular shaft is obtained with a traditional tubular electric motor inserted inside the winding shaft and can be controlled, preferably via radio, directly from the user or from light and/or wind sensors. This solution is for example described in the winding covers described in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The current market need is to equip the roller blinds with lights that can be used to illuminate the surface below the awning and/or to constitute courtesy lights and/or to create lighting effects, in particular RGB effects.

Up to now this need has been satisfied in awnings with articulated arms by applying these lights, preferably LED lights, to the arms themselves and/or to the rigid crosspiece and/or to the support structure of the awning, and in sliding awnings by applying these lights to the guides and/or to the support uprights of the guides and/or to the other parts of the awning support structure.

Moreover, all this involves the need to create a lighting system with dedicated components which, together with the lights themselves, must be able to be applied to the support structure of the awning. In particular, a power supply and control unit for the lights must be provided, which in the known solutions is external or inserted in one of the supporting uprights of the awning, if provided. However, these are solutions of a certain installation complexity, which are certainly unsatisfactory in particular in the case of awnings with articulated arms and therefore without uprights.

In this regard, for example <CIT> describes a motorized roller blind which has a cover sheet having one edge associated with a winding roller while the other edge is associated with a rigid crosspiece; furthermore, guide arms are provided interposed between a bar with a rectangular section and said rigid crosspiece. Lighting elements are mounted on the bottom of the rectangular section bar, the guide arms and the rigid crosspiece. A first bracket is also provided for fixing the winding roller to the rectangular section bar and a second bracket for fixing the latter to the wall. Furthermore, both the rectangular section bar and the winding roller - together with a battery, an inverter and the control unit, which are fixed to the external end of said winding roller - are all housed inside a profile of containment which is substantially "C" shaped and which, in particular, is open towards the outside to allow the unwinding of the sheet and the translational movements of the guide arms. Photovoltaic cells are mounted on the upper external surface of the containment profile to generate electrical energy to be stored in a corresponding battery (always housed in said profile, at one of its ends) and to then be used to power the lighting elements.

This known solution is not completely satisfactory as it requires the use of a specially shaped and oversized profile only to be able to house all the components inside it and, in particular, to contain the assembly - including battery, inverter and control unit - protruding from the outer end of the take-up roller.

Tubular motors have also been proposed provided with an output for powering the lights and therefore motors in which the powering unit for the lights is integrated into the motor itself. This is a solution that in practice has eliminated at least in part the difficulty of installing the lighting system but which has highlighted some limitations, given that the lights are powered in low voltage (<NUM> or 24Vdc) and the power that can be supplied by the light output. of the motor can only power a small amount/number of lights.

In some installations, both indoors and outdoors - for example for the curtains covering windows, doors, glazing or other openings in general - the spaces in length are particularly limited. More in detail, blinds of this type are, for example, the "screen" type roller blinds. In addition, in such installations, the power required for the lighting elements is usually small.

<CIT> describes a device for the motorization of a tubular shaft for winding a curtain, and in which said device comprises a head for supporting the tubular shaft and a casing removably mounted on the head and containing the power supply batteries for the motor.

<CIT> describes a mount for a roller blind having a roller tube that is securable to a structure between first and second end brackets. The mount comprises a yoke and an axle member, wherein the yoke is securable to the first end bracket and has a generally horizontally oriented throat while the axle member is releasably securable to a first end of the roller tube with at least a portion retainable within the yoke's throat when the axle member is generally horizontal.

The object of the invention is to propose a device for controlling the lighting elements of a roll-up covering installation, preferably of a roller blind for windows, doors, glazing or the like, which eliminates all the drawbacks encountered in the known solutions and which, in particular, can be installed in conditions in which the available spaces, particularly in length, are reduced.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device with a particularly reduced overall dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device which is suitable for use in cases where the power of the light to be controlled is not particularly high, for example in the order of 50W.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device that is easy to install, even by non-specialized personnel.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device that is easy to program and manage.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device which is independent, autonomous and/or additional to the drive unit of the roll-up covering installation.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device which can also be controlled remotely from a mobile phone both to command the operation of the control device itself and to verify the correct execution of the commands received.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device which is an improvement and/or alternative to the traditional ones.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device which can be obtained simply, quickly and with low costs.

Another object of the invention is to propose an installation of a roll-up roof, in particular a roller blind, which is equipped with a device for controlling the lighting elements of said roof which has a particularly small footprint, which is simple and quick to assemble and install, easy to program and manage, as well as obtainable simply, quickly and with low costs.

All these objects, considered individually or in any combination thereof, and others that will result from the following description are achieved, according to the invention with a device for controlling the lights of a roll-up covering installation, in particular of a roller blind preferably for windows, doors, glazing or similar passages, as defined in claim <NUM>, as well as a roller blind installation, preferably a roller blind for windows, doors, glazing or similar passages, according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawing table, in which:.

As can be seen from the figures, the device according to the invention, globally indicated with the reference number <NUM>, for controlling lighting elements <NUM> is applied/mounted, in the illustrated example, to a roll-up covering installation, in particular a roller blind <NUM> which can be mounted in correspondence with a window, door, glazing or any opening.

Conveniently, the installation of the roller blind <NUM> is of the traditional type. Preferably, the roller blind is of the roller type.

Conveniently, the roller blind <NUM> is motorized and comprises a tubular shaft <NUM>, which is motorized in rotation around its longitudinal development axis, and a sheet <NUM> which has a flap fixed to the tubular shaft and which, following the rotation of the tubular shaft, can be wrapped around said shaft and unwound from it.

Conveniently, the winding/unwinding of the sheet <NUM> around the tubular shaft <NUM> can take place both along a substantially vertical direction and along a direction more or less inclined with respect to the vertical. Conveniently, the winding/unwinding of the sheet <NUM> around the tubular shaft <NUM> can take place along lateral guides for the sheet itself.

The tubular shaft <NUM> can be for example a shaft which, suitably, can have any cross section. Preferably, the tubular shaft <NUM> can have a circular or polygonal section, for example hexagonal, octagonal or the like.

Preferably, the installation of the roller blind <NUM> can comprise a rigid crosspiece <NUM> which is associated with the sheet <NUM> at the opposite edge to that associated with the tubular shaft <NUM>. Conveniently, the rigid crosspiece <NUM> can be constituted by a metallic or plastic section and can have any section.

Conveniently, the installation of the roller blind <NUM> can also comprise a support structure <NUM> for the tubular shaft <NUM> and configured to be mounted to a fixed structure (not shown), for example to a wall surrounding the opening (window, door, window, etc.) to be covered. Preferably, this support structure <NUM> can comprise at least a pair of lateral brackets <NUM> which suitably support the tubular shaft <NUM> at the ends and are associated directly, or through other components, to a fixed structure, for example to a wall that surrounds the passage (window, door, glass, etc.) to be covered. Preferably, the support structure <NUM> can also comprise a rigid band (not shown), which adheres appropriately to the fixed structure, for example to the wall, and which is fixed directly or by means of a further pair of fixing brackets to the fixed structure.

Preferably, for example, the sheet <NUM> is made of a darkening and/or filtering fabric. Preferably, the sheet <NUM> uses a "screen" type fabric, ie with a fabric having a perforated weft that allows you to see outside and not vice versa.

Conveniently, lighting elements <NUM> are mounted on the installation of the roller blind <NUM> and/or on the external and surrounding fixed structure. Advantageously, the lighting elements <NUM> can be mounted on any component of the roller blind <NUM> and in any position of these. More specifically, the lighting elements <NUM> can be mounted on the support structure <NUM> and/or on the rigid crosspiece <NUM> and/or on the tubular shaft <NUM> and/or also on the sheet <NUM>. Preferably, the lighting elements <NUM> can be mounted on the rigid elements of the roller blind <NUM>, such as the support structure <NUM> and/or the tubular shaft <NUM> and/or the rigid crosspiece <NUM>.

Advantageously, the lighting elements <NUM> are light sources and, preferably, are LED strips which define monochromatic and/or RGB light sources.

In particular, the lighting elements <NUM> consist of at least one LED strip which comprises a set of LED diodes, ie electronic components which, if powered by electrical energy, emit light. Conveniently, the LED diodes are fixed - preferably by welding - on a preferably flexible printed circuit (PCB), which performs the function of support and electrical connection. Advantageously, the led diodes of the led strip can be configured to emit monochromatic light or they can be of the RGB type.

Advantageously, as described in more detail below, the lighting elements <NUM> are connected - preferably by means of electrical connection cables/wires (not shown) - to the control device <NUM> housed in the tubular shaft <NUM>. Preferably, the conductive cables of electrical connection run inside the components of the roller blind and, therefore, are hidden from view from the outside.

Conveniently, the roller blind <NUM> also comprises means configured to cause rotation in the two directions of the tubular shaft, thus allowing the sheet having a flap fixed to said shaft to be wound and unwound. Advantageously, a drive unit <NUM> can be inserted in the tubular shaft <NUM> to cause rotation in both directions of the shaft itself. Preferably, this drive unit <NUM> is inserted inside the tubular shaft <NUM> at a first end thereof. Preferably, the drive unit <NUM> comprises a traditional tubular electric drive/towing motor, preferably of the single-phase asynchronous type, inserted into the tubular shaft <NUM>. Preferably, said drive unit <NUM> also comprises power supply means (for example a battery) of said electric motor and a command and control unit of said motor. More in detail, suitably, the motor is provided with a motor head which is suitably fixed with any known system to the support structure, preferably fixed to the lateral bracket <NUM> of the latter. The tubular motor is also provided with an output pinion to which a towing adapter (pulley) <NUM>' of the tubular shaft <NUM> is coupled, cooperating in a traditional way with a similar non-towed adapter, which is mounted near said head.

Alternatively, means can be provided - which can be manually operated and actuated - configured to cause rotation in both directions of the tubular shaft <NUM>. Conveniently, these means configured to cause rotation in both directions of the tubular shaft <NUM> can be consisting of a traditional hand-operated chain or winch.

Inside the tubular shaft <NUM> there is also inserted the device <NUM> for controlling the lighting elements <NUM>. Preferably, this device <NUM> is inserted at the other end of the tubular shaft <NUM>. Preferably, at one end of the tubular shaft <NUM> is inserted and housed in the drive unit <NUM> of the shaft itself, while the device <NUM> for controlling the lighting elements <NUM> is inserted and housed in correspondence with the other end of the tubular shaft.

Advantageously the control device <NUM> of the lighting elements <NUM> is substantially independent and autonomous - both from a construction and positioning point of view and from an operational operating point of view - with respect to the possible drive unit <NUM> of the roller blind installation <NUM>.

Advantageously, the control device <NUM> comprises a head <NUM> which alone supports the tubular shaft <NUM> so that the latter can rotate with respect to said head. Furthermore, the device <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM>, preferably tubular, which is removably inserted inside the tubular shaft <NUM> and which is removably mounted on said head <NUM>. In particular, said tubular casing <NUM> is mounted on said head <NUM> so as to be supported exclusively by the head itself. More in detail, no support adapter for the tubular shaft <NUM> is provided or mounted on the tubular casing <NUM>.

Preferably, the casing <NUM> is made of plastic.

Conveniently, on the head <NUM> a rotating element <NUM> idly mounted which is intended to be integral in rotation with the tubular shaft <NUM>. In particular, the element <NUM> rotates with respect to the remaining fixed part of the head and supports, by means of a adapter <NUM>", the tubular shaft <NUM> at one end thereof. More in detail, the head <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> which is fixed (ie does not rotate) and a rotating element <NUM>, preferably annular in shape, which is made integral in rotation with the tubular shaft <NUM> and which rotates with respect to the fixed body <NUM>.

Advantageously, an adapter <NUM>" is then mounted on the rotating element <NUM> for mounting the tubular shaft <NUM>. In particular, an adapter <NUM>' supporting the shaft itself is interposed between the rotating element <NUM> mounted on the head <NUM> and the tubular shaft <NUM>. Conveniently, the rotating element <NUM> supports the adapter <NUM>" which thus allows coupling with the various shapes of the cross section of the shaft <NUM>. Conveniently, the rotating element <NUM> is the only element of the device <NUM> which, for by means of the adapter <NUM>", it supports the tubular shaft <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> detachably engages the head <NUM>, in particular to an internal portion <NUM> of the head <NUM>. Preferably, said tubular casing <NUM> is hooked, preferably by means of clip attachment means to the head <NUM>. Advantageously, the head <NUM> also comprises a cap, preferably of a discoidal shape, which can be fixed to the fixed body <NUM> of the head <NUM> and which is provided with hooking flaps for the casing <NUM>.

Advantageously moreover, the internal portion <NUM> (ie the one intended to be inserted into the tubular shaft <NUM>) of the head <NUM> is inserted into the casing <NUM> and these are then fixed together by means of a traditional first mechanical locking member <NUM> (for example a screw or a grain). Preferably, in more detail, the casing <NUM> and the internal portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> are provided with mutual engagement means, defined for example by protruding portions <NUM>' and recessed/perforated counter-portions <NUM>", to thus prevent movement of the casing <NUM> with respect to the body <NUM> of the head <NUM>, while the engagement defined by said first locking member <NUM> prevents the longitudinal extraction/movement of the casing <NUM> with respect to the head <NUM>.

Furthermore, the device <NUM> comprises means <NUM> for the fixing of the head <NUM> to a lateral bracket <NUM>, preferably defined by a side plate, of the support structure <NUM>.

Conveniently, the fixing means <NUM> comprise at least two elements - respectively <NUM>' and <NUM>" - which clamp laterally an external portion <NUM> (ie the one destined to always remain outside the tubular shaft <NUM>) of the head <NUM>. Conveniently, at least a first clamping element <NUM>' can be configured in such a way that they fixed to the lateral bracket <NUM>, preferably by means of second mechanical locking members <NUM> (for example screws or bolts with corresponding nuts), while the other (second) clamping member <NUM>" is configured to be fixed to the first clamping element <NUM>', to thus externally wrap - at least in part - the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM>.

Conveniently, said elements <NUM>', <NUM>" clamp the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> so as to prevent the latter (with the corresponding casing <NUM> associated with it) - once clamped - can translate longitudinally (i.e. along an X axis which is substantially corresponding to or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing <NUM> or shaft <NUM>) or laterally (i.e. along a direction perpendicular to the axis X), or rotate around the X axis. Therefore, by binding the clamping elements <NUM>', <NUM>" to the lateral bracket <NUM>, the head <NUM> is also fixed to said bracket <NUM>.

Conveniently, said clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>", once arranged in sequence around the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM>, are fixed to each other by means of third fastening members <NUM> (for example screws).

Preferably, the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> defines a substantially complementary, or at least partially complementary, profile to that delimited internally by the internal surfaces of the clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>". Preferably, the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> defines a shaped profile/section which engages by interlocking with a profile/section defined on the internal surfaces of the clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>".

Conveniently, the head <NUM> comprises a circumferential flange <NUM> which separates the external portion <NUM> from the remaining part of the head itself and, in particular, from the internal portion <NUM>. Advantageously, the circumferential flange <NUM> is designed to rest frontally on the clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>", once the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> has been appropriately enclosed/embraced.

Advantageously, the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> is also shaped so that it can be inserted from the front (ie along an insertion direction substantially corresponding or parallel to the X axis), in order to make the flange rest on the first clamping element <NUM>', once this has been fixed to the lateral bracket <NUM>.

Conveniently, two clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>' are provided which, in combination, laterally envelop the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM>, preferably along the entire lateral extension of said one portion <NUM>.

Preferably, a guide element <NUM> for the fabric of the roller blind <NUM> can be mounted on the lateral bracket <NUM>.

Conveniently, both the head <NUM> and the clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>" are provided with through openings <NUM> for the passage of the cables from the electronic components, contained in the tubular casing <NUM>, towards the outside of the device <NUM>.

Conveniently, it is understood that the shape and dimensions of the tubular casing <NUM> are not related to those of the tubular shaft <NUM>, although obviously are compatible with those and, in particular, the tubular casing <NUM> has a shape and dimensions suitable for allowing its insertion and housing inside the tubular shaft <NUM>. Conveniently, the stability of the positioning of the tubular casing <NUM> inside the tubular shaft <NUM> is obtained by coupling said casing to the head <NUM>.

Conveniently, the tubular casing <NUM> can be made in a single piece or in several pieces that are joined together also by mutual mechanical interlocking with shape and/or snap coupling. More in detail, the tubular casing <NUM> can comprise:.

The installation of the device <NUM> according to the invention is particularly quick and simple. In particular, first a first clamping element <NUM>' is fixed to the lateral bracket <NUM>, then the external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM> of the assembly formed by the head itself is positioned/inserted with the tubular casing <NUM>, suitably hooked and/or fixed prior to the head, so that said external portion <NUM> is embraced laterally by said first clamping element <NUM>' ; finally, the other clamping element <NUM>" is positioned around the remaining external portion <NUM> of the head <NUM>, the two clamping elements <NUM>' and <NUM>" are then fixed to each other, thus locking the formed assembly to the lateral bracket <NUM> from the head <NUM> and from the tubular casing <NUM>.

Conveniently, the electronic components for powering and controlling the lighting elements <NUM> are contained within the casing.

Advantageously the control device <NUM> according to the invention comprises a power supply <NUM>, a control unit <NUM> and a receiver <NUM> which is connected or incorporated in said unit.

Advantageously, inside the tubular casing <NUM> is housed the power supply <NUM> for the lighting elements <NUM>.

Advantageously, inside the tubular casing <NUM> is also housed the control unit (for example a processor) <NUM> which is connected to an output interface provided outside the tubular casing and in turn connected to the lighting elements <NUM>. Conveniently, the connection between the control unit <NUM> (housed inside the casing <NUM>, and therefore to the interior of the tubular shaft <NUM>) and the output interface (positioned outside the tubular shaft), as well as between the latter and the lighting elements <NUM>, is obtained by means of conductive cables for connecting and transmitting electrical signals.

Preferably, the control/communication drivers are implemented in the control unit <NUM> with the output interface connected to the lighting elements <NUM>.

Preferably, inside the tubular casing <NUM> there is also the receiver <NUM> which is connected, via wireless and/or via wire, with the outside of the roller blind installation <NUM> to receive command signals from the outside to control, on the basis of the latter, said lighting elements <NUM>.

Advantageously, the receiver <NUM> is of the wireless type, preferably radio. Conveniently, through the receiver <NUM> the control unit <NUM> can receive from an external transmitter, and in particular from a remote control or even from a mobile phone or from other traditional wireless devices in general, control signals of the lighting elements <NUM>. Conveniently, for this purpose, the receiver <NUM> is connected and/or incorporated to the electronic circuit of the control unit <NUM> to be operatively connected with the control/communication drivers of the output interface connected to the lighting elements <NUM>.

Advantageously, the receiver <NUM> can be connected via radio to other traditional sensors present in the environment.

The receiver <NUM> can be advantageously replaced by a transceiver, preferably radio, which in addition to sending corresponding control signals to the lighting elements can remotely communicate the status of the elements themselves and, preferably, also the operating parameters or the possible presence of anomalies or malfunctions. In particular, for this purpose, the transceiver, in addition to controlling/communicating with its receiver side with the output interface connected to the lighting elements <NUM>, can transmit signals with the transmitter side about the status of the lighting elements themselves. Basically, suitably, in this way the user can remotely control, for example via a mobile phone (preferably via smartphone), the switching on, off and adjustment of the lighting elements and can receive, always with the mobile phone (preferably a smartphone), information on the current status of the latter. Conveniently, the transceiver is connected and/or incorporated into the electronic circuit of the control unit <NUM> to be operatively connected with the control/communication drivers of the output interface connected to the lighting elements <NUM>.

Advantageously, the power supply <NUM> housed in the tubular casing <NUM> can be powered from the outside, preferably it is powered directly through a cable connected to an external electrical source (preferably to the mains). It is also envisaged that, alternatively, the power supply <NUM> housed in the tubular casing <NUM> can be powered by one or more batteries <NUM> which are advantageously housed inside the tubular casing <NUM>.

Advantageously, on the side wall of the tubular casing <NUM> a first flap <NUM> is provided for accessing the inside of the tubular casing from the outside, for example to access - if provided - the rechargeable battery <NUM>. Advantageously, a second flap can also be provided in the tubular shaft <NUM> to access to the first flap <NUM> obtained in the tubular casing <NUM>. Conveniently, it is understood that the first flap <NUM> of the tubular casing <NUM> and the second flap of the tubular shaft <NUM> face each other.

The present invention also relates to a roll-up covering installation, in particular of the type with a roller blind <NUM> intended to be installed in correspondence with windows, doors, glazing or similar passages, with lighting elements <NUM> which are mounted on a component of said installation or around said installation. In particular, the installation <NUM> comprises a tubular shaft <NUM> rotating around its longitudinal development axis X and a cover, preferably a sheet <NUM>, to be wound on said tubular shaft <NUM> and to be unwound therefrom. The installation according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a device <NUM>, as described above, for controlling said lighting elements <NUM> which, preferably, are connected by cable to said device <NUM>.

Advantageously, in correspondence with a first end of the tubular shaft <NUM> of the installation <NUM> a drive unit <NUM> is inserted to cause rotation in both directions of the shaft itself, while at the other end (opposite the first end) of the tubular shaft <NUM> is inserted and housing the control device <NUM> of the lighting elements <NUM>.

From what has been said it is clear that the device according to the invention, for controlling the lighting elements mounted on a covering installation, is quite advantageous in that:.

The device according to the present invention has been described here in particular with reference to its application in a roller blind <NUM>, however it is intended that it can be applied in any installation of a roller shutter, both vertical and inclined, such as for example shutters, shutters.

Claim 1:
Control device (<NUM>) for lighting elements (<NUM>) to be mounted on a roll-up covering installation (<NUM>), in particular of the type intended to be installed in correspondence with windows, doors, glazing or similar passages, and comprising a tubular shaft (<NUM>) rotating around its longitudinal development axis (X) and a cover, preferably a sheet (<NUM>), to be wound on said tubular shaft (<NUM>) and to be unwound therefrom, said device comprises:
- a head (<NUM>) which is configured to idly support the tubular shaft (<NUM>) by itself,
- a casing (<NUM>) which is removably mounted on said head (<NUM>) and which is configured to be inserted and housed in said tubular shaft (<NUM>), said device being characterized in that said casing (<NUM>) contains control means for said lighting elements (<NUM>), and in that said device further comprises :
- means (<NUM>) for fixing the head (<NUM>) to a lateral bracket (<NUM>) of a support structure (<NUM>) for fixing said covering installation (<NUM>) to an external fixed structure and wherein said fixing means (<NUM>) comprise at least two elements (<NUM>', <NUM>") which clamp laterally an external portion (<NUM>) of the head (<NUM>), which is intended to always remain outside the tubular shaft (<NUM>).