ATTACHMENT SYSTEM OF RIBS AND STRETCHERS IN A COVER SYSTEM

AND USE THEREOF

Technical field

The present application describes an attachment system of ribs and stretchers in a cover system and use thereof.

State of the art

The purpose of a cover system, as its name implies, aims at the protection of the user(s) and/or object (s) against the impact of the sun and rain. This type of objects are quite common nowadays (parasols), being also much used to provide cover against the rain, for example, in terraces.

The drawback of the existing cover systems in the state of the art is the fact that a parasol always has the same diameter, never can be adjusted to different locations, should the user wish. As the current state of the art does not contemplate the assembly of the components by the user, similarly it does not allow the change of shape of the parasol, i.e., the parasol has presently a fixed geometry, as in the current state of the art the user cannot replace components .

Upstream, at the production and/or marketing level, the current state of the art intensifies the great need of stock of the various dimensions and geometries of parasols, as well as the need to collect the damaged parasols for subsequent repair/replacement of fixed parts normally subjected to great damage due to bad weather and bad handling of the product. Storage is also a very important factor given that this is presently a non-modular product with a considerable volume.

The document KR101255473B discloses an umbrella with automatic folding equipped with a spring inside a pole consisting of various sections.

The document US6520192B discloses an umbrella whose main pole consists of an upper tube and a lower tube with a tongue-and-groove type of fitting.

The document JP2012223539A discloses an umbrella whose ribs and stretchers are operated by springs.

Summary

The present application describes an attachment system of ribs and stretchers in cover systems comprising:

- at least one pole;

- at least two ribs that fit into the hub;

- at least two stretchers that fit into the runner; a clamping mechanism between the rib and the stretcher;

- a hub ;

- a runner;

- finishing tips;

- a pole bolt.

In one embodiment, the hub and the runner of the cover system comprise internal springs that allow the attachment of ribs and stretchers through connection by means of pins that exist therein. In another embodiment, the hub and/or the runner of the cover system include guides with side opening thus allowing the connection of the ribs and stretchers.

Yet in another embodiment, the ribs and/or stretchers of the cover system comprise internal springs that subsequently fit into the hub and runner.

The present application describes the use of the attachment system of ribs and stretchers in cover systems such as a parasol .

General Description

The present application describes an attachment system of ribs and stretchers in cover systems that allows for easy assembly and easy adjustment (modular) .

The advantages of an attachment system of ribs and stretchers in cover systems with easy assembly and adjustment are varied, including:

For the manufacturer:

- Reduced cost of production. The production of a cover system requires intensive labour. With the present application, the labour required is less given the possibility of assembling by the client or greater facility of assembly thereof in the case of the manufacturer to assemble the product ;

- Reduced need for stock, since with a single structure it is possible to ensure various sizes and dimensions of cover systems, as it is a modular system where the ribs and stretchers define the size and dimension; - Replacement of damaged parts becomes possible at the customer site, not requiring the replacement of the product but only the damaged parts .

For the client:

- More affordable product;

- Simplicity of adjustment in different directions, allowing the adjustment of diameter and shape, including square, rectangular, circular and other more creative forms, as this is a modular product;

- Possibility of customising the cover system, as this is a modular product.

What is meant to be solved with this technical solution is the storage problem, the need to stock parts, and replacement of parts and size of the cover system in order to be adjustable to the site. To this end it was necessary to develop a mechanism where the user himself can assemble/disassemble and adjust the cover system with greater convenience, allowing additionally the constant customisation thereof.

Description of the figures

For an easier understanding of the technique there are attached figures, which represent preferred embodiments that, however, are not intended to limit the object of the present application.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a view of the cover system, where are shown the elements with the following reference numbers:

1 - Pole; 2 - Pole bolt;

3 - Clamping mechanism of the rib with stretcher;

4 - Rib;

5 - Stretcher;

6 - Hub;

7 - Runner;

8 - Base support.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a view of the clamping mechanism between the rib and the stretcher, shown in figure 1 as the clamping mechanism of the rib with stretcher (3), where are shown the elements with the following reference numbers:

4 - Rib;

5 - Stretcher;

9 - Hinge;

10 - Pin/screw/stud/rivet;

11 - Stud/screw/rivet.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a view of the hub mechanism (6) and the runner (7) shown in figure 1 (in the embodiment where the hub (6) and the runner (7) include guides with side opening) and the connection of the ribs and stretchers, respectively, where are shown the elements with the following reference numbers:

12 - Upper part of hub and runner;

13 - Lower part of hub and runner;

14 - Coupling piece.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a view of the fitting/coupling piece incorporated in the ribs and stretchers, for subsequent insertion in the hub and runner (in the embodiment where the hub (6) and the runner (7) include guides with side opening) , respectively, as shown in figure 3, where is shown the element with the following reference number:

14 - Coupling piece.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically a view of the hub mechanism (6) and the runner (7) shown in figure 1 (in the embodiment where the hub and the runner of the cover system comprise internal springs with connection by means of pins at the ends of the rib and stretcher, respectively) and the connection of the ribs and stretchers, respectively, where are shown the elements with the following reference numbers :

4 - Rib;

5 - Stretcher;

6 - Hub;

7 - Runner;

12 - Upper part of hub and/or runner;

13 - Lower part of hub and/or runner;

15 - Screw button;

16 - Internal spring.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a view of the of the lower part of the hub mechanism (6) and of the runner (7) shown in figure 1 (in the embodiment where the hub and runner of the cover system comprise internal springs with connection by means of pins at the ends of the rib and stretcher, respectively) and the connection of the ribs and stretchers, respectively, where are shown the elements with the following reference numbers:

4 - Rib;

5 - Stretcher;

13 - Lower part of hub and runner; 16 - Internal spring;

17 - Pin.

Figure 7 illustrates schematically a view of the part of the internal springs (16) which allow the attachment of the ribs and stretchers in the hub and the runner, respectively as shown in figures 5 and 6, where is shown the element with the following reference number:

16 - Internal spring.

Figure 8 illustrates schematically a view of a part that allows the removal of the rib (4) and stretcher (5) in the hub and runner, respectively, as shown in figure 6, where is shown the element with the following reference number:

18 - Key.

Figure 9 illustrates schematically a view of the lower part of another solution of the hub (6) and runner (7) mechanism and the connection of the ribs and stretchers (in the embodiment where the ribs and stretchers of the cover system comprise external springs that subsequently fit into the hub and runner) , respectively, where are shown the elements with the following reference numbers:

4 - Rib;

5 - Stretcher;

13 - Lower part of hub and runner;

19 - External spring;

20 - Button.

Figure 10 illustrates schematically a view of the external springs that allow the attachment of the ribs and stretchers in the hub and runner, respectively, as shown in figure 9, where is shown the element with the following reference number:

19 - External spring.

Description of embodiments

The present application describes an attachment system of ribs and stretchers in cover systems of large dimension that allows the easy assembly and adjustment thereof.

The attachment system in cover systems now presented comprises various types of tubes with round, rectangular and/or flat shapes with different diameters. The number of tubes required varies depending of the embodiment of the cover system, as well as their diameters. It is a relationship between strength and aesthetics. However, the minimum number of tubes required to make a cover system is a pole, two ribs that serve as support for the fabric and provide the shape of the cover system, and two stretchers that serve to support the ribs as well as to allow the stretching/opening of the cover system.

Hub and runner

It should be noted that the hub (6) and the runner (7) shown in figure 1 are parts that are alike in their design, but are positioned in different locations. The hub (6) has the function to enable the connection of the ribs, and therefore, to allow their articulation and then to enable the adjustment of the fabric on the ribs, thus covering the cover system. The runner (7), in turn, allows the fitting of the stretchers, providing their articulation with the ribs and therefore, the opening of the cover system, i.e., the runner "slides" along the pole (1) in order to allow for the opening of the cover system. The hub (6) and the runner (7) are essential parts so that a cover system can be assembled/disassembled since they allow the fitting of the ribs and stretchers that provides the shape and geometry of the cover system.

The tubes that form the top of the cover system, giving shape to the fabric, are called ribs (4) that fit into the hub (6) . The stretchers (5) serve to support the ribs (4) and to allow the stretching/opening of the cover system, and fit into the runner (7) .

So that the rib (4) and the stretcher (5) support something, they must be linked to each other, as shown in figure 2, through a mechanical connection such as rivets or screws, welding or braze welding. Accordingly, the fitting system of the part in figure 2 is comprised by the stretcher (5) that will be bolted/screwed (10) in the hinge (9), which, in turn will be bolted/screwed (11) in the rib. The hinge (9) enables the attachment between said rib (4) and stretcher (5) .

In an embodiment the coupling piece (14) allows for the manual assembly of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) in the respective guides of the hub (6) and the runner (7), as shown in figure 3. The way of fitting is provided by the entry angle of the coupling piece (14) in the hub/rib, which can vary between 0° and 90°, usually 0° for the runner and 90° for the hub, where after fitting it remains fixed, since it will never reach the entry angle, unless the user wishes to subsequently disassemble the cover system. In another embodiment, as shown in figures 6 and 7, the hub (6) and the runner (7) contain internal springs (16) inside, so that the rib (4) and the stretcher (5) can be inserted and secured by the internal springs (16), by means of pins (17) at the ends of the rib (4) and stretcher (5) . The way of removal of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) is possible through the introduction of a key (18) in the entry guides of the hub (6) and runner (7) that extend the internal springs (16) and allow for the removal of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) .

In yet another embodiment, as shown in figures 9 and 10, the hub (6) and the runner (7) allow that the ribs and the stretchers are connected trough external springs (19) placed inside thereof, i.e., inside the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) . The way of removal of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) is possible by pushing the button (20) that presses the external spring (19) .

It should be noted that the embodiments addressed in figures 6 to 10, the hub and the runner are equal parts used in both embodiments, varying only the placement of the springs inside the hub/runner or ribs/stretchers. The springs, however, are pieces with different dimensions and geometries for one embodiment and the other, as can be seen in figures 7 and 10, respectively. It should also be noted that the upper part of the hub and the runner are symmetrical in relation to the lower part.

With regards to the embodiment addressed in figure 3 and 4, the hub (6) and the runner (7) have a different geometry from the embodiments addressed in figure 6 to 10, allowing the insertion of the ribs and stretchers by means of guides into the hub (6) and the runner (7) .

Mode of Operation of the Cover System

Like any other modular product, the various parts are to be assembled. Therefore, the cover system is originally separated among the various components, such as pole (1), ribs (4), stretchers (5), hinge (9), hub (6), runner (7), springs (16 or 19), pins (17) when the internal springs (16) are used in the embodiment addressed in figures 6, 7 and 8 or the coupling piece (14) when the hub and runner are used in the embodiment addressed in figure 3, base support and finishing tips.

Initially, the ribs (4) with the stretchers (5) should be connected through the hinge (9) in order to be articulated with each other.

Afterwards, the hub (6) is fixed on the highest point of the pole (1) by means of riveting, welding or braze welding. The runner (7) is free on the pole (1) . Subsequently, the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) are fitted into the hub (6) and the runner (7), respectively, this way forming the dimension and geometry of the frame of the intended cover system. The runner (7) is no longer free on the pole (1) and starts the function of lengthening the cover system since it is secured to the stretchers (5) and, therefore, exerting manual or automatic mechanical force at the opening of the same and subsequently on the ribs (4) by articulation with the stretchers (5) . The runner (7) is locked by means of a pole bolt (2) that, after upward movement of the runner (7), will be trespassed in the pole (1) previously pierced as to allow such passage of a pole bold .

Finally, the base support (8) will be introduced at the lower point of the pole (1) in order to stabilise the cover system, detailed below. Finishing parts will then be inserted as a merely aesthetic matter, as it will be detailed below. Lastly, the fabric should be inserted or tied up to the ribs (4) in order to finalise the cover system.

To close the cover system, firstly the pole bolt (2) must be removed. By gravity force the frame will force the downwards sliding of the runner (7) and consequently the closure of the cover system. Subsequently, the disassembly process is repeated to the assembly process with the particularity of being necessary the use of a key (18) that, after being inserted in the hub (6) and runner (7) extends the internal spring (16) and allows the removal of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) (in the embodiment dealt with in figure 6, 7 and 8) or pressing the button (20) that pushes the external spring (19) and allow the removal of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) (in the embodiment dealt with in figures 9 and 10) . The way of removal of the ribs (4) and stretchers (5) in the embodiment dealt with in figure 3 is carried out by the pressure thereof until they reach the level of output, i.e., 0° for the stretchers (5) in the runner and 90° for the ribs (4) in the hub (6) .

Base support

The base support (8) of the cover system, as the name implies, supports and gives stability to the cover system. It is a requirement to complete the product, however, the base support is a by-product since it can be acquired separately, i.e., the cover system is not restricted to a single application of base support, as any base support will stabilise the cover system.

Finishing

Subsequently, it may be possible to insert the finishing ends to the ribs (in order to finish/cover the end of the tube) . The same happens with the finishing tip of the pole that covers the lower part of the pole.

Finally, after insertion of the fabric on top of the cover system and attachment of the ribs (4), the finishing tip on top of the pole is placed, which will serve to secure/immobilise the fabric.

Other finishing may be included, however this is purely an aesthetic matter.

Figures 3 to 10 illustrate the various possibilities of arrangement of the hub and the runner, and the fitting of the ribs and stretchers, which is a crucial component for the present embodiment of a cover system with easy assembly, customisation and adjustment.

The cover system disclosed in the document can be used as a parasol .

The present embodiment is not, of course, by no means restricted to the embodiments described in this document and a person of ordinary skill in the art can anticipate many possibilities of modification thereof without departing from the general idea, such as defined in the claims .

The preferred embodiments described above are obviously possible to be combined to each other. The following claims additionally define preferred embodiments.