Patent ID: 12203270

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will hereinafter be described using particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto and is only defined by the claims. The drawings presented here are only schematic representations and are not limiting. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain components may be shown enlarged, which therefore means that the components in question are not shown to scale, and this for illustrative purposes only. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to the actual practical embodiments of the invention.

In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms in question are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may operate in other sequences than those described or illustrated herein.

The term “comprising” and derivative terms, as used in the claims, should not be construed as being limited to the means stated thereafter; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term should be interpreted as a specification of the mentioned properties, integers, steps, or components referenced, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more additional properties, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. The scope of an expression such as “a device comprising the means A and B” is therefore not limited only to devices consisting purely of components A and B. On the other hand, what is intended is that, for the purpose of the present invention, the only relevant components are A and B.

With reference toFIG.3, each reference to an orientation of the beams will be interpreted with reference to the position when mounted in the terrace canopy. In this way there are four orientations, namely above, below, outer side and inner side. Here, “above” refers to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the top surface (the sky, e.g. the open sky), “below” refers to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the ground plane (the soil, e.g. the terrace floor), “outer side” to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented away from the roof, i.e. away from the roof infill (i.e. the left side inFIG.3) and “inner side” to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the inner side of the roof, i.e. towards the roof infill (i.e. the right side inFIG.3).

The term “substantially” includes variations of +/−10% or less, preferably +/−5% or less, more preferably +/−1% or less, and more preferably +/−0.1% or less, of the specified state, insofar as the variations are applicable to function in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the term “substantially A” is intended to also include “A”.

FIG.1illustrates a terrace canopy1for a ground surface, for example a terrace or garden. The terrace canopy comprises a plurality of columns2that support different beams3,4,5. The columns and beams together form frames to which wall infills6and/or roof coverings7can be attached, as described below. The terrace canopy1comprises three types of beams3,4,5, namely:a beam3which, on the outside of the terrace canopy, serves as external pivot beam3;a beam4which, centrally in the terrace canopy1, serves as the central pivot beam4; anda beam5which serves as a tension beam5.

It will also be appreciated that the beams3,4,5may be attached to other structures, for example a wall or facade, instead of resting solely on columns2as shown inFIG.1. In such a way, the terrace canopy1can generally be used to shield an outdoor space, as well as an indoor space.

FIG.2shows a terrace canopy1with a wall infill6. The terrace canopy1has four support columns2that support a frame, also called a roof frame. The frame is formed from two external pivot beams3and two tension beams5in between a roof covering7is provided.

In the embodiments shown, the roof covering7is formed by slats which are rotatably attached at their end faces to pivot beams3. The slats are rotatable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, there is an intermediate space between the slats through which, for example, air can be introduced into the underlying space or can leave this underlying space. In the closed position, the slats form a closed roof with which the underlying space can be shielded from, for example, wind and/or precipitation, such as rain, hail or snow. For the drainage of precipitation, the slats are typically arranged sloping towards one of both pivot beams3.

The slats are typically manufactured of a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a material, as it is at the same time robust and light-weighted, it can withstand bad weather conditions and requires little maintenance. However, other materials are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are assumed to be known by the skilled person. A slat can be produced using various techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, cutting, setting, casting, welding, etc. The appropriate production technique is assumed to be known by the skilled person. Preferably, the slats are manufactured by means of an extrusion process. Optionally, filler elements of, for example, polycarbonate, glass, wood, etc. can be used to fill the hollow slats at least partially, for instance to obtain a different appearance of the slat.

Additionally, in an embodiment, in their open position, the slats may optionally be provided slidable in the terrace canopy1, in order to further increase the control options in terms of incidence of light, radiant heat and ventilation.

More generally, the roof covering7is stationary or movable. A movable roof covering comprises, for example, tiltable and/or slidable slats (such as described above) and/or roll-in/roll-out screens and/or slidable panels. The individual elements of the movable roof covering7in their closed position form a substantially watertight roof with which the underlying space can be screened off from, for instance, wind and/or precipitation, such as rain, hail or snow. This roof covering7is typically drained to the pivot beams3,4and from there directly or via the tension beams5to the columns2. By sliding and/or rotating the slats and/or the panels and/or by rolling in a screen, the roof covering7can be at least partially opened and/or closed in order to be able to determine the incidence of light, radiant heat, ventilation, precipitation, etc. to the space below the roof covering7as desired.

Wall infills6are typically intended to screen openings below the terrace canopy1between the columns2. The wall infills6can be stationary or movable. Movable side walls comprise, for example, roll-in/roll-out screens and/or wall elements that are slidably arranged with respect to each other, etc. Stationary side walls can be manufactured of various materials, such as plastic, glass, metal, textile, wood, etc. Combinations of different wall infills6are also possible.

FIG.2illustrates a wall infill in the form of a roll-in/roll-out screen6. The screen6extends between two adjacent columns2and can be rolled out from the external pivot beam3. The screen6mainly serves as a wind and/or sun screen.

In general, the beams3,4,5are constructed of one or more profiles such as described below. The profiles are typically manufactured of a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a profile material, as it is at the same time robust and light-weighted, it can withstand bad weather conditions and requires little maintenance. However, other materials are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are assumed to be known by the skilled person. A profile can be produced using various techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, cutting, setting, casting, welding, etc., with extrusion being the preferred technique. The appropriate production technique is assumed to be known by the skilled person.

Generally, the beams3,4,5of the terrace canopy1are hollow as shown inFIG.3. The beams3,4,5are composed of a plurality of profiles. In what follows, the different profiles of the beams and their interconnection are briefly discussed. It goes without saying that several variants are conceivable for both the composition of the beams and the interconnection of the profiles, as well as that the specific design of the profiles may differ. In addition, it is also possible that the functionality of different profiles is combined into the same integrally manufactured profile, for instance it is possible to form the base profile12together with the external gutter profile13as an integrally formed core profile.

To form the beams3,4,5, the profiles are connected to each other in a specific way. Generally, use is made of pin connections and/or hook connections. In a pin connection, an elastic element (not shown) is typically present in a female element, for example a slot element, into which a male element, for example a pin, engages. Hence, a pin connection generally includes an elastically interlocking male and female element, but an additional elastic element may be provided for this purpose, but this is not necessarily the case. The elasticity may also be provided from the design of the male and female elements. Hook connections typically involve two elements with such a design that they hook into each other. There is no elastic element and the connection is separated by moving the elements away from each other in the correct direction.

In addition, generally, for each interconnection of two profiles, use is made of two separate connections. This improves the rigidity of the connection, but mainly contributes to the correct mutual positioning of the profiles. The fact is that if only one connection is used for two profiles, there is more clearance in the mutual positioning, which can give rise to a divergent positioning, in particular due to wind loads and/or precipitation loads.

FIG.3shows a cross-section through the external pivot beam3of the terrace canopy ofFIG.2. The external pivot beam3is intended to be placed on the outside of the terrace canopy1and must provide water drainage from precipitation incident on the terrace canopy. In particular, this precipitation may, for example, be collected by a slatted roof7which drains precipitation to this pivot beam3. The roof infill7drains the precipitation to the pivot beam3where it is collected in the external gutter28. Between the external gutter28and the cavity27the intermediate wall211is present which is provided with one or more openings, for example a series of perforations, such that the precipitation from the external gutter28is diverted to the cavity27. That is why the bottom of the external gutter28also preferably slopes towards the cavity27. The cavity27serves as an internal gutter for the passage of precipitation from one or more adjoining pivot beams3to a column2along which this precipitation may leave the terrace canopy1, as described below.

The pivot beam3is composed of a number of profiles, namely a base profile12, a double gutter profile13, a front cover14, a cover profile15, a connection profile16and an end profile19. A screen cavity25is formed by the base profile12, the double gutter profile13and the front cover14. The screen cavity25is intended to hold a screen6that can be rolled in and out, which serves as a side wall of the terrace canopy1, as shown inFIG.2. The cover profile15serves to close a technical area26in the external pivot beam3. This technical space26may serve for housing drive means for tilting the slats of the roof covering7and/or cabling for, for example, lightning, etc. The front cover14and the cover profile15are both removable. As a result, the screen cavity25and the technical room26are accessible such that modifications, adjustments and/or repairs may be made, if necessary.

The front cover14typically forms the outer side of the external pivot beam3and is attached to the base profile12through a connection profile16. In the embodiments shown, the front cover14is further provided with a reinforcing rib41and a slot42. The reinforcing rib41contributes to the rigidity of the front cover14and is useful for obtaining the required resistance at higher loads, especially when bridging relatively long lengths. The slot42is provided for arranging therein a holder (not shown) which serves as a abutment for the screen6when it is being rolled-up. Alternatively, the slot42or another wall may serve as such a screen roll abutment.

The pivot beam3also comprises a space32between the cover section15and a portion of the base section12. The double channel section13is also provided with spaces29,30which are closed off with the aid of the generally U-shaped end profile19.

Furthermore, the external pivot beam3is further provided with screw channels115,116,117,208,219,220for screwing a headboard to an end of this beam3with the aid of screws or bolts for the purpose of connecting the beam with a column of the terrace canopy1. Screw channel115is provided on the underside of the base profile12; screw channel116is provided centrally in the base profile12in the screen cavity25; screw channel117is provided at the top of the base profile12in the technical space26; screw channel208is provided on the upper outer corner of the internal gutter27; and the screw channels219,220are provided below the internal gutter27on either side thereof. Of course, more or less screw channels are also possible and/or the placement thereof may differ.

The terrace canopy1ofFIG.2also comprises two tension beams5. A cross-section thereof is not shown as this is quite similar to the one of the pivot beam3with the main difference being the absence of an external gutter28. In the tension beam5screw channels are also provided for screwing a headboard to an end of this beam5with the aid of screws or bolts for connecting the beam to a column of the terrace canopy1. Preferably, the screw channels of the tension beam5have the same positioning as in the pivot beam3.

A cross-section through a column2of the terrace canopy1is shown inFIG.4. The column2comprises an integrally formed core part (generally indicated by reference numeral70). In particular, the core part70is formed by a profile of the same or similar type as the profiles of the beams3,4,5. The profile70is typically manufactured of a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a profile material, namely, it is at the same time robust and light-weighted. However, other materials, such as steel, stainless steel, wood, plastic, etc., are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are assumed to be known by the skilled person. A profile can be produced using various techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, cutting, setting, casting, welding, etc., with extrusion being the preferred technique. The appropriate production technique is assumed to be known by the skilled person.

The profile70serves as a support pillar for the terrace canopy1. In particular, almost the entire weight of the beams3,4,5and the elements connected therewith, such as the side walls6or the roof covering7, is supported by the support pillar70.

In the embodiments shown, the core profile70has a substantially square shape. Hence, each core profile70has four side walls71, each having an outside72and an inside73. Each outside73is provided with two mounting means77, in particular mounting slots, preferably female pin connection means. These slots77serve for the attachment of finishing profiles78by means of a corresponding connecting means79, preferably a pin. It should be understood that the pin connection79is only one example of a way of attaching the finishing profiles78to the core profile70and other ways are known to the skilled person. It should also be understood that the slots77need not necessarily be continuous, although this is preferred since the core portion70is preferably made by an extrusion process. The slots77are symmetrically positioned with respect to the centre of a side wall71, such that the attachment points of a finishing profile78to the side wall71are also symmetrical, which is advantageous.

Although the use of two mounting means77per side wall71is preferred, in view of the fact that the use of two separate attachments between two profiles allows for less clearance in the mutual positioning, which clearance may give rise to a divergent positioning, in particular by wind loads and/or precipitation loads, a connection with only one mounting means per side wall is also possible. On the other hand, more than two mounting means may also be provided per side wall.

It should be understood that the core profile70, as described above, is not limited to a substantially square shape. Also, the four side walls71can be arranged in a different geometric shape, for example a rectangle or parallelogram. In addition, it is also possible to provide more or less side walls71per core profile70, in particular tri-, hexa- or octagonal core profiles70are also possible. Furthermore, the core profile70may also be elliptical, in particular circular, in which case the desired number of application slots is then provided in the one continuous side wall comprising the core profile70.

The column2is further provided with four finishing profiles78, namely one on each side wall71. Each finishing profile78is provided with a flat outer wall81, the outside83of which determines the visual appearance of the column2. In other words, the finishing profile78hides the core profile70in the built-up terrace canopy1. Furthermore, each finishing profile78is provided with pins79, namely one pin per mounting slot77. The pins79are connected to the outer wall81by means of walls82that serve as spacer. In particular, the length of the walls82determines the distance D between the outside72of a wall71and the inside84of the outside wall81. By providing spacers82, cavities85are also created. One or more of these cavities85may be used to integrate electrical cables that serve to drive the wall infill6, the roof infill7and/or other electrically driven elements.

The connection of the support pillar70to the beams3,4,5will be described with reference toFIGS.5to11.

FIG.5shows the connection of a headboard60to the end of the external pivot beam3ofFIG.3. For this connection, the beams3,5are provided with screw channels115,116,117,208,219,220, which are provided at the same location for each beam. In this way, the same headboard60can be connected with any embodiment of external pivot beam3and tension beam5. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to provide different headboards60for different beams3,4,5if the placement of the screw channels varies.

The headboard60for use with the beams3,5is shown in more detail inFIGS.6A and6B.FIG.6Ashows the backside of the head board60, i.e. the side which is directed away from the beams, after attachment.FIG.6Bshows the frontside of the head board60, i.e. the side which is directed towards the beams after attachment.

Six openings62are provided in the headboard, corresponding in positioning to the screw channels115,116,117,208,219,220. This allows the headboard60to be attached by means of six bolts61passing through openings62to the beams3,5. It should be understood that more or less openings and screw channels can be used if desired. Although it is also possible to provide the screw channels in the headboard and to screw the bolts from the beams onto the headboard, the embodiment shown is preferred. This is because the headboard can be made more compact, in particular thinner, if no long screw channels need to be present.

As shown inFIG.6Athe headboard60is at its backside provided with four openings64, and two hooks65. These form each an alternative way to attach the headboard60to the column2as described below in more detail.

At the bottom side, the headboard60is provided with spout-shaped part63which connects to the central gutter27of the beams3,5. In this way, precipitation collected in the internal gutter27can leave it via spout63. The external gutter28is provided with a closure (not shown) at its end face such that the precipitation collected in the external gutter28cannot but flow to the internal gutter27. Also provided on the bottom wall of the headboard60is a recess66in which a clamping piece34can be placed as further described with reference toFIGS.9A and9B.

FIG.6Balso illustrates the provision of a plurality of containers at the frontside of the headboard. In particular, a cable duct67is provided in which an electricity cable can be provided. The cable duct67opens onto an electronics holder68in which the necessary electronics can be placed, for example for driving the screen6. Along the electronics holder68a screen holder69is present in which one end of the screen roll can be placed.

FIG.7illustrates core profile70onto which a crown43is rigidly attached. In particular, the core profile70is provided on its topside with four openings74(seeFIG.4) which are suitable for receiving bolts or screws44. Accordingly, the crown43is provided with four legs520, in particular one leg520for each vertex of the crown43. Between the legs520, openings521are provided which serve as a passage for precipitation drainage. In particular, as described further, the spout portion63of a headboard60and/or an end48of the water drainage46fits into the passage521. The legs520are hollow such that the bolts44can be threaded through the legs520onto the section70to allow to directly to attach the crown71to the profile70as shown inFIG.10. As a result of this attachment, the profile70and the crown43together form the core76of the column2as indicated inFIG.8. It is this core76that serves as a structural element, in particular as a support for the beams3,5. It should be understood that other connecting means are also possible to attach the legs520to the top of the support pillar70, such as using an elongated rod and securing it by one or more transverse pins or by welding the components together. A threaded rod can also be used as connecting means, it being for instance provided fixedly on the topside of the profile70and over which the legs520are slid.

The crown43serves for the attachment of the beams3,5to the column2. For this purpose, the crown43is provided with openings45into which the bolts are screwed in order to fixedly connect the headboard60to the crown43. Alternatively (or in addition) the topside of the crown43can be used to place the hooks65thereon to attach the headboard60to the topside of the crown43. The hooks65are easy to use and may be used, for example, during installation to hook the beams3,5first and then, without having to support them, to attach them with the bolts66. The fastening with bolts66is more rigid and is preferred. In practice, both connections are used simultaneously. In this way, the headboards60together with the crown43actually form a corner connection between the beams3,5and the support pillar70.

Although this corner connection could be manufactured integrally, i.e. one integral element combining the functionality of the headboards and the crown, it is preferable to make a partition between the crown43and the headboards60. First, this allows to change the design of the headboards60in function of the beam3,4,5(for example the other headboard needed for a central pivot beam4) and still use only one crown43. Furthermore, such an integrated corner connection is very difficult to be placed when three or four beams meet on the same support pillar70.

The main advantage of the construction of column2is that the forces from the beams3,4,5, for example by their weight or by wind load on a side wall that is attached to the beams3,4,5, are directly transmitted to the core76, in particular to the crown43thereof. In other words, although the headboards60are located between the beams3,4,5and the crown43, they no longer serve as a support element to directly transfer the forces to the support pillar70forming the bottom side of the column2.

For further strengthening the connection between the beams3,4,5and the core76of the column2, use can be made of a tension piece4as shown inFIGS.9A and9B. The tension piece34is provided on its one side with two connecting means, in particular pins38, which fit into the mounting slots77provided on the side walls71of the core profile70. On the opposite side, the tension piece34is provided with a connection means, in particular a tooth40, which engages in the recess66provided on the underside of the headboard60. By arranging this clamping piece34, there is an additional connection between the beams3,4,5and the support pillar70of the column2.

FIGS.10and11illustrate the precipitation drainage from the beams3,4,5to the column2. The core profile70is hollow (seeFIG.4), which allow to provide a drainage46for precipitation. This cavity75can also be used to integrate electrical cables. Although the cavity85between profile70and finishing profiles78is preferably utilized for this purpose, since this is more easily accessible after mounting.

The drainage shown46is designed as a collecting cup which comprises at the topside two insertion cavities47formed by ends48(seeFIG.11). The spout63of a headboard60is fitted into a corresponding insertion cavity47. The drain shown46is provided for the coupling of two beams3,4in a corner which is supported by a column2. A downward tube49is provided centrally in the drain46such that the supplied precipitation may be diverted to the bottom side of the column2where it can exit column2through an opening (not shown).

In view of the plurality of possible corner connections between the beams3,4,5of the terrace canopy (seeFIG.1), a plurality of different drainages46are possible. This may range from a simple corner drain as shown inFIGS.10and11to a central drain onto which four beams exit to a passage from one beam to the other where no downward tube49is present. Optionally, the downward tube49can also be omitted such that precipitation flows through the cavity75of the core profile70.

In an embodiment, the terrace canopy1is constructed by performing the following steps. In a first phase, the headboards60are attached to the beams3,5. In particular on the base profile12and the gutter profile13. At this stage, the crown43is also placed on the support pillar70such that the core76of the column is formed. Subsequently, the headboards60(with part of the beams3,5already thereon) are hooked, via hooks65, on the core76, in particular on the crown43. Since the front cover14has not yet been placed on the beam3,5, it is now possible to place bolts through openings64in the headboard60to screw it to the crown43via openings45therein. In the next phase, the screen roll can be placed in the beams3,5and/or another type of wall infill and/or other internal components such as the roof covering7, the tension piece34, etc. After the installation of all internal components, typically the front cover14and/or the cover profile15and/or the end profile19is placed for finishing.

While certain aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is understood that these aspects may be implemented in other forms within the scope as defined by the claims.