The present invention relates to an improved handling apparatus, to be preferably installed in at least one covering and/or closing element, for example in pergolas, windows, skylights, doors and roofs in general, or even in a piece of furniture, such as for example the support table of a desk or a wardrobe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some installations, for the movement of one or more covering and/or closing elements, the use of two linear motors is already known. In particular, for example, two motors are used to move the slats of a particularly large pergola, or they are used to move the slats of two independent portions provided in the same pergola, or are used to move the slats of two installed pergolas in the same environment.

In cases where coordination/synchronization of the two motors is then required, the latter must be connected, by means of their respective wiring, to an electronic board which is separate and distinct from the housings of both motors, thus requiring installation and dedicated housing.

In the not infrequent case, in which the electronic board has to be moved in position, it is necessary to carry out laborious interventions of modification and re-installation of the relative wiring.

In particular, in the known solutions, a power supply cable emerges from the casing of each of the two motors and, moreover, a further cable is provided to connect the encoder, which is provided and/or associated with at least one of the two motors, to the electronic control card external to said two motors; suitably, through this dedicated cable, the encoder associated with the motor can send an appropriate signal to the electronic board to be used to coordinate/synchronize the two motors with each other. However, it may happen that the coordination/synchronization signal sent through the dedicated cable is subject to external disturbances and interference, thus compromising the coordinated/synchronized operation of the two motors.

More in detail, the so-called "pergolas" consist of rigid support structures affected on the upper wall and sometimes also on the side walls by movable lamellar closures. Each closure comprises a plurality of parallel slats, which can be moved both by translational motion perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, to pass from an unfolded or closed condition to a packed or open condition, and by rotary motion around their longitudinal axis to be oriented according to the shielding effect to be obtained with them. In particular, in the latter case, they can be simultaneously oriented for an angular excursion of just under 90°, in order to be able to pass from a substantially coplanar arrangement for interception of the light to a substantially parallel arrangement for the passage of the light. US2014/175240 discloses an actuation mechanism for the slats of a canopy which comprises a linear actuator, housed inside a containment casing, and a control unit with a wireless receiver for receiving command and control signals from the outside.

Again, in the known motorization systems for the slats of a pergola it is necessary to create a coordination between the translation and rotation movements, in the sense that only when the slats are unfolded, that is, they have assumed an open configuration, can they be oriented, while they cannot be oriented when they are fully or partially packed, ie they have assumed a closed configuration.

At the same time, the translation of the slats must be allowed only when they are arranged parallel to each other, while it must be possible to prevent it when the slats are oriented differently.

In known systems for moving the slats of a pergola, the two distinct movements of translation and rotation are obtained with separate electric motors, controlled by a control unit through a single card, in which separate control units are provided for the two motors.

The conditioning of the movements of the two motors is obtained with traditional mechanical sensors, which are located in correspondence with the extreme positions of both the translation movement of the slats and the rotation movement of these.

For example, EP2868833 describes a pergola in which the roof is defined by a plurality of slats and in which the motor for moving the slats in translation and the motor for moving the slats in rotation are both managed by the same control unit. In addition, two position sensors are provided which are suitably mounted on the support structure of the pergola, and therefore are external to the two motors, to detect respectively if the slats are coplanar (and therefore in a closed condition) and if the cover is in an open condition (i.e. if the slats are unfolded and spaced apart). These sensors then generate corresponding signals which are sent to the control unit which is suitably installed within an upright of the support structure of the pergola.

To obtain the necessary coordination in the operation of the two motors, the position sensors must be connected to the control unit, to which the two motors are also connected, and this requires a series of wiring, which may require laborious installation and even more laborious interventions modification, in the not infrequent case in which the control unit has to be moved in position.

All these problems are considerably accentuated with current tubular motors, which are equipped with internal limit switches, which are more difficult to access to establish the necessary electrical connections with the control unit.

EP3770358 describes a handling apparatus for a covering and/or closing installation in which the master device which is equipped with a wireless receiver always and only outputs a linear movement.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to propose an apparatus for moving at least one covering and/or closing element, or a part of a piece of furniture, which eliminates, at least in part, the drawbacks encountered in traditional solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose an apparatus which is simple and easy to install even by unskilled personnel.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose an apparatus which is perfectly in line with the safety requirements imposed by the sector regulations.

Another object of the invention is to propose an apparatus which allows to preserve the integrity of the coordination/synchronization signals and/or other signals which are transmitted between the components of the device itself from interference and disturbances.

Another object of the invention is to propose an apparatus which can also be used in cases in which the installation of external control units is difficult.

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

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

Another object of the invention is to propose an apparatus which involves low installation costs.

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

Another object of the invention is to propose a handling apparatus for a roofing and/or closing installation, in particular of a pergola, which is simple to install, easy to program and manage, as well as obtainable in a simple, quick and convenient way and with low costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

All these objects and others which will result from the following description, both individually and in any combination thereof, are achieved, according to the invention, with a handling apparatus for a covering and/or closing installation according to claim 1 and also from an installation according to claims 22, 24 or 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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 tables of drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pergola provided with slats moved in a controlled manner by means of an apparatus according to the invention, figure 2 shows in a schematic view from above a pergola provided with slats moved in a controlled manner by means of an apparatus according to the invention, figure 3a shows a lateral schematic view of an enlarged joint of the movement in rotation of the slats, figure 3b shows an enlarged detail of the movement in translation of the slats in lateral schematic view, figure 4 schematically shows the apparatus according to the invention, figure 4a shows an enlarged detail of fig. 4, figure 5 shows a block diagram of the device according to the invention, figure 6 schematically shows in greater detail a component of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND OF SOME OF ITS PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen from the figures, the handling apparatus according to the invention, indicated as a whole with the reference number 60, for a roof installation, in particular in a pergola, indicated as a whole with the reference number 1, comprises at least a first device 15 and at least a second device 4.

In particular, the pergola 1 is substantially of the traditional type and in practice consists of a rigid supporting structure 2 having a parallelepipedic and interested shape on the upper wall and sometimes also on the side walls by mobile lamella closures. More in detail, each closure comprises a plurality of parallel slats 3, which can be oriented simultaneously around their longitudinal axis, and possibly packable.

Conveniently, the slats 3 can be rotated around their longitudinal axis in order to be oriented according to the shielding effect that is to be obtained with them. In particular, they can be simultaneously oriented with an angular excursion of about 90°, in order to be able to pass from a substantially coplanar arrangement for intercepting the light to a substantially parallel arrangement suitable for allowing the passage of light.

Preferably, the slats 3 can also be moved by translational motion perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, to pass from an unfolded or closed condition to a packed or open condition.

In the present description we will speak of translation (see fig. 3b) to define the movement that leads the slats 3 to pass from an open configuration (unfolded slats) to a closed configuration (packed slats) and vice versa, while we will speak of rotation (see fig. 3a) to define the movement that leads to orient the slats 3 around their longitudinal axis to allow more or less light to pass between them.

Conveniently, in the illustrated example, the first device 15 according to the invention is installed inside the pergola 1 to cause the rotary movement of said slats 3, i.e. to define the movement that leads to orient the slats 3 around their longitudinal axis to let more or less light pass between them. Furthermore, the first device 15 is installed inside the pergola 1 in combination with a further (second) device 4 configured to actuate the moving movement which brings the slats to pass from the open configuration (unfolded slats) to the closed configuration (packed slats).

Conveniently, a motion transmission and conversion system (not shown) is also provided in the pergola 1, configured to transform the rotary motion produced at the output of the first device 15 into a rotary motion of the slats 3 around their own longitudinal axis. In particular, the first device 15 is configured to provide rotary motion at its output.

The first device 15 according to the invention comprises a first motor 7, of the tubular electric type, which is provided and/or associated with at least one output shaft 8 and which is configured to rotate said at least one output shaft.

In a possible embodiment, at the output of the first device 15, two output shafts 8 can be provided, preferably at two opposite sides.

Conveniently, the first device 15 can also comprise at least one reduction mechanism 6 configured to modify the number of revolutions between the motor shaft and a rotating output shaft 8 of the first device 15.

Preferably, the first motor 7 is of the conventional type. Preferably, the first motor 7 is in direct current, and can be with brushes (brushed) or without brushes (brushless).

Preferably, the rotating output shaft 8 is intended to be fixed to the external element to be moved, in particular said element to be moved being external to said first device 15 and to said apparatus 60.

The first device 15 comprises a housing structure, indicated generally with the reference number 12. Conveniently, the housing structure can have a substantially tubular shape, with a substantially circular or elliptical cross section, or it can have a substantially parallelepiped shape, with a square or rectangular cross section.

Conveniently, the first device 15 according to the invention comprises a first control unit 31 configured to control the first motor 7. Preferably, said first control unit 31 comprises and is implemented on a traditional first electronic board 30.

Conveniently, said first control unit 31 comprises a microcontroller or a microprocessor 35 which, preferably, is mounted on said electronic board 30.

Conveniently, said first control unit 31 comprises a memory unit.

Conveniently, said first control unit 31 also comprises a wireless receiver 36 which, preferably, is mounted on said electronic board 30. Conveniently, the receiver 36 is connected to the microcontroller/microprocessor 35.

Conveniently, the first device 15 according to the invention comprises a power supply unit 33 which supplies to the electronic board 30 the electrical power supply for the first motor 7, for the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 and for the receiver 36 and, preferably, for the other components mounted on the electronic board 30.

Conveniently, the power supply unit 33 comprises an electrical apparatus connected and/or mounted on the electronic board 30. Preferably, said electrical apparatus can comprise a DC-DC converter configured to supply voltage and current levels, and therefore power, suitable for the operation of the first motor 7.

In particular, the power supply unit 33 is configured to receive and at the input the electrical power supply from the outside, preferably by means of two electrical supply wires 38’ and 38" associated with an external electrical supply source (not shown), preferably from the mains. Preferably, the supply voltage can be 24 Volts in direct current. More in detail, a first electric wire 38’ is provided for the positive polarity in direct current, while the second electric wire 38" is provided for the negative polarity in direct current. Conveniently, the electric wires 38’ and 38" are configured to electrically connect the external electric source to the power supply unit 33.

It is also provided that, alternatively, the power supply unit 33 can receive the electrical energy of power supply from one or more batteries (not shown) which, preferably, can be recharged with one or more external photovoltaic panels which, suitably, can be mounted on the pergola 1 and/or can be external and independent with respect to the latter.

Preferably, in the first control unit 31 the control drivers 34 of the first motor 7 are also provided. Conveniently, the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 is connected to the first motor 7 by means of the driver circuits 34 so as to send corresponding signals to said motor command.

Advantageously, the first device 15 comprises means for detecting the position and/or the rotation speed of the first motor 7 and/or the output shaft 8.

Preferably, said means comprise an encoder 46, preferably a rotary encoder, which is housed inside the housing structure 12 and is configured to detect the angular position of the first motor 7. In particular, preferably, the rotary encoder 46 is of the magnetic type and is mounted on the first motor 7. Optionally, the encoder 46 can be mounted inside the reduction mechanism 6 and/or on the output shaft 8.

Advantageously, the means, which preferably consist of a rotary encoder 46, detect both the rotation speed of the first motor 7 and are also configured to detect, on the basis of the angular path and/or number of rotations performed by said motor, the reaching of the end-of- stroke positions of the element which is actuated by the rotation of the drive shaft cites 8 of the first device 15.

Preferably, the encoder 46 comprises a magnetic portion which is associated/mounted on the first motor 7 and an encoder interface 37 (sensor) which faces said magnetic portion and is mounted on the electronic board 30. Conveniently, the encoder interface 37 is configured to detect (sample) the variation of the magnetic field generated by said magnetic portion and transform it into a corresponding electrical signal. Conveniently, moreover, the encoder interface 37 is electrically connected with the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 to send to the latter electrical signals representative of the position, speed and/or direction of advancement of the first motor 7. Advantageously, the first device 15 can comprise a temperature sensor which is electrically connected or integrated in the first control unit 31. Preferably, the temperature sensor is configured in such a way as to detect the temperature of the environment in which the device is installed.

The apparatus 60 also comprises a data transmission wire 40. Preferably, the apparatus 60 comprises exclusively three wires and, in particular, the two electric power supply wires 38’ and 38", and a data transmission wire 40.

Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 is connected to the first control unit 31 of the first device 15. Preferably, the data transmission wire 40 is connected to the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 of the first control unit 31 by means of an interface module 41.

Advantageously, said three wires 38’, 38" and 40 are brought together within a single cable 42. Alternatively, while the two power supply wires 38', 38” can be brought together/housed inside a first cable, the data transmission wire 40 can be housed within a second dedicated cable, which is separate from the first cable.

Advantageously, the first control unit 31 is housed in the housing structure 12 which also houses the first motor 7 and, preferably, also the encoder 46. Conveniently, the electronic board 30 on which the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 are mounted, the receiver 36, the power supply unit 33 - and preferably also the drivers for the motor 34, the encoder interface 37 and the interface module 41 with the data transmission wire 40 - is housed in the housing structure 12 which also houses the first motor 7.

Conveniently, the three wires 38’, 38" and 40 - preferably gathered in a single cable 42 - have a first end (internal end) connected to the first control unit 31 (and in particular to the electronic board 30), housed inside the housing structure 12 and which then protrude from the latter.

Preferably, the receiver 36 is connected via wireless with the outside to receive command signals from the outside to control, on the basis of these, the first motor 7 of the first device 15 (whose control unit is equipped with said receiver 36) and/or other external devices, which are connected to said device and which are not equipped with a receiver. Furthermore, the receiver 36 is conveniently connected and/or incorporated to the microcontroller/microprocessor 35.

Advantageously, the receiver 36 is of the wireless type, preferably radio. Conveniently, the receiver 36 can be configured for wireless data reception using Wi-Fi technology or on the basis of traditional standards, such as Bluetooth® or ZigBee®.

Conveniently, through the receiver 36 the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 can receive from an external transmitter, and in particular from a remote control or even from a mobile phone (preferably a smartphone) or from other traditional wireless devices in general, command signals for the first motor 7 of the device itself and/or for other devices which are connected to said first device 15 by means of the data transmission wire 40, as will become clearer hereinafter.

Advantageously, the receiver 36 can be connected, via wireless and/or via wire, to sensors for the detection of meteorological and/or environmental parameters, such as for example light, wind and/or rain sensors mounted outside the device. 15.

Advantageously, the receiver 36 - in addition to a receiver module - can advantageously be provided with a transmitting module, preferably radio, to thus define a transceiver. Preferably, the transceiver is configured to operate in the ISM bands.

Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 which emerges from the housing structure 12 of the first device 15 can be connected at the other end (external end) to an interface external to said device 15, preferably to an output interface in which other connections come together via cable, or which is connected to a home automation system. Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 can be connected to an output interface comprising a unit or a diagnostic instrument of the first motor 7.

Conveniently, in the apparatus 60, the data transmission wire 40 which protrudes from the housing structure 12 of the first device 15 can be connected to at least one further (second) device 4 which has no wireless receiver and which also comprises a second motor 51 which, preferably, is a tubular electric motor.

In particular, the first device 15 - which is equipped with a wireless receiver 36 - always and only outputs a rotary motion, while the second device 4 - which is always without a wireless receiver 36 - can output a rotary motion or a linear motion.

Advantageously, the first motor 7 and the second motor 51 can be of the same type, preferably they are the same in terms of structural and/or dimensional characteristics, as well as of performance.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the second device 4 comprises only the second motor 51 , without any mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the latter, thus providing an output rotary motion from said second device 4. Conveniently, the second device 4 comprises at least one output shaft 55 which is rotated by the second motor 51. Conveniently, in a possible embodiment, the second device 4 can comprise two output shafts 55 in opposite positions.

Preferably, the second device 4 comprises a (second) tubular electric motor 51 which is provided and/or associated with at least one output shaft 55 and which is configured to rotate said output shaft 55. Conveniently, the second device 4 can it also comprises a reduction mechanism 56 configured to modify the number of revolutions between the motor shaft and the rotating output shaft 55 of the second device 4. Preferably, the second electric motor 51 is of the conventional type. Preferably, the motor is in direct current, and can be brushed or brushless. Preferably, the rotating output shaft 55 is intended to be fixed to the external element to be moved, in particular said element to be moved being external to the second device 4 and to the apparatus 60. Alternatively, the second device 4 also comprises an actuator linear type (ie a slider movable with respect to a guide element) and a mechanism for transmitting and converting the rotary movement of the second motor 51 into linear movement of the slider with respect to the preferably fixed guide element. Conveniently, in this way, the second device 4 outputs a linear movement.

Preferably, in a possible embodiment, said second device 4 can have the same characteristics as the first device 15, with the exception of the fact that said first device 15 always and only outputs a rotary motion and the fact that the second device 4 is without wireless receiver. In particular, said second device 4 comprises, within the same further housing structure 57, a second motor 51 associated with a second encoder 52, as well as a corresponding second control unit 53 with the same components, with the exception of the receiver 36, described above with reference to the first control unit 31 of the first device 15.

Preferably, the receiver 36 of the first device 15 is connected, via wireless and/or via wire, with the outside to receive command signals from the outside to control based on these, both the first motor 7 of the first device 15 (whose control unit is equipped with said receiver 36) and the second motor 51 of the second device 4, which is connected to the first device 15 by means of the data transmission wire 40.

Advantageously, the receiver 36 of the first device 15 can be connected to a centralized or distributed home automation unit which is configured to receive the information from the receiver 36, and send it, preferably via Wi-Fi and Internet protocols, to the external portable device and/or to a cloud archive accessible from the external portable device, so as to allow remote control of the first device 15 and/or of the second device 4, in addition to monitoring its/their operation. Conveniently, the connection between the receiver 36 and the home automation unit can take place via cable or wireless, in particular via radio waves (for example Wi-Fi or according to the Bluetooth protocol).

Conveniently, in the case of the receiver 36 of the first device 15 also provided with a transmitting module (i.e. a transceiver), in addition to receiving corresponding control signals for the first motor 7 of the device itself and/or for the second motor 51 of the second device 4, can remotely communicate their status and, preferably, also the operating parameters or the possible presence of anomalies or malfunctions of the motors 7 and/or 51. In particular, for this purpose, the transceiver of the first device 15, in addition to controlling the first motor 7 and/or the second motor 51 on the basis of the signals received with its receiver side, it can transmit with its transmitter side signals on the state of said motors 7 and/or 51. Basically, suitably, in this way the user can remotely control, for example via a mobile phone (preferably via smartphone), the startup, shutdown and adjustment of the motors 7 and/or 51 and can receive, again with the phone (preferably a smartphone), information about their current status.

Conveniently, the receiver 36 of the first device 15, preferably provided with a transmitting module, is connected and/or incorporated to the electronic circuit of the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 of the first control unit 31 to be operatively connected with the control drivers 34 of the first motor 7 and with the interface module 41 of the data transmission wire 40 to communicate in this way (both in transmission and in data reception) with the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (which is precisely connected and communicates with the first device 15 by means of said data transmission wire 40).

Conveniently, the second device 4 comprises a further housing structure 57 substantially corresponding, in terms of shape and/or dimensions, to the housing structure 12 of the first device; preferably, the second motor 51, the second encoder 52 and the second control unit 51 are housed inside a further housing structure 57 substantially corresponding to the housing structure 12 of the first device 15.

Advantageously, the second device 4 can also be provided with a further connection via wire/cable with sensors for the detection of meteorological and/or environmental parameters, such as for example light, wind and/or rain sensors mounted outside the second device 4.

Preferably, while the first device 15 - with the first motor 7 and with the first control unit 31 - acts as a master, the second device 4 - with the second motor 51 and with the second control unit 53 - acts as a slave.

Conveniently, in substance, the handling apparatus 60 according to the invention comprises a first device 15 and a second device 4, each provided with its own motor (respectively 7 and 51) and its own control unit (respectively 31 and 53). Furthermore, suitably, the control units 31 and 53 of said two motors 7 and 51 are connected - and communicate - with each other by means of the data transmission wire 40 which emerges from the respective housing structures 12 and 57.

Preferably, the first control unit 31 and the second control unit 53 are configured so as to communicate with each other in a bidirectional way exclusively by means of said data transmission wire 40.

Advantageously, when the first device 15 is associated with the second device 4, the power supply wires 38’ and 38” are bifurcated and suitably connect the external power source in parallel to the respective control units 31 and 53 of said devices (see fig. 4 and 4a).

Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 precisely allows data transmission from the first control unit 31 of the first device 15, which acts as a master, to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4, which acts as a slave, and/or vice versa.

Advantageously, the control signals for the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) are sent, by means of the data transmission wire, from the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4. In therefore, the first control unit 31 - having no receiver - receives the command signals for the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) only by means of the data transmission wire 40. Conveniently, also to the second motor 51 of the second device 4 is associated with an encoder 52 for detecting the position and/or speed of the second motor 51 of said second device 4. Advantageously, the setting and setting of the second control unit 53 for the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) is carried out by wirelessly sending corresponding signals to the receiver 36 of the first device 15, and in particular provided in first control unit 31 of the first device 15 and, suitably, these signals are then transmitted from the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4 by means of the data transmission wire 40.

Basically, the data transmission wire 40 defines a bidirectional communication channel (bus) on a wire between the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 and the second control unit 53 of the second device 4. Preferably, said data transmission wire 40, with its interface module 41, define an alternate bidirectional communication channel (half-duplex) between the control units 31 and 53 of the respective devices 15 and 4.

Conveniently, the control unit 31 and 53 are configured so that the data communication protocol through wire 40 also comprises a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) for the verification of integrity of data transmission, and in particular to identify any random transmission errors due to interference, line noise and distortions.

Advantageously, in the apparatus 60 according to the invention, the first motor 7 of the first device 15 and the second motor 51 of the second device 4 can operate in a coordinated/synchronized way or in an uncoordinated/synchronized way.

In particular, in the operating mode of the apparatus 60 in which the two motors 7 and 51 are coordinated/synchronized with each other, the first control unit 31 for the first motor 7 of the first device 15 (master) sends to the second control unit 53 of the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) - by means of the data transmission wire 40 - the start and stop signals and/or the coordination/synchronization signals.

Conveniently, said coordination/synchronization signals are defined by the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 on the basis of the signals which in turn the second control unit 53 of the second device 4 sends, again through the data transmission wire 40, to said first control unit 31 of the first device 15.

Advantageously, again through the data transmission wire 40, the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 sends to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4 the signals relating to the readings carried out by sensors associated with the installation (for example sensors for the detection of meteorological and/or environmental parameters, such as for example temperature, rain, wind or snow sensors), or of the command signals deriving from said measurements.

Advantageously, again through the data transmission wire 40, the second control unit 53 of the second device 4 sends to the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 the signals relating to the measurements carried out by the sensors associated with the installation (for example sensors for the detection of meteorological and/or environmental parameters, such as temperature, rain, wind or snow sensors), or of the command signals deriving from said measurements.

Conveniently, in the operating mode of the apparatus 60 in which the two motors 7 and 51 are not coordinated/synchronized with each other (to be used for example in a pergola divided into two independent zones or in several pergolas present in the same environment), each motor is controlled by the respective control unit 31 and 53 independently of the other and, by means of the data transmission wire 40, only start/stop commands and/or signals for checking the status of each individual motor are transferred/sent. In particular, the first control unit 31 of the first device 15 sends the start and stop signals to the second control unit 53 of the second device 54 - by means of the data transmission wire 40 - and/or requests information on the state of the second motor 51 of the second device 4.

Conveniently, in substance, the handling apparatus 60 - which comprises the first device 15 configured so as to output a rotary motion and the second device 4, preferably also configured to provide an output rotary motion - can be used to vary the orientation of the slats 3 (i.e. make them rotate around their longitudinal axis) of two different pergolas, and to vary the orientation of the slats of the same large pergola provided with correspondingly large slats and such as to suggest the use of two motors for their movement.

Conveniently, the handling apparatus 60 can be operationally mounted on a pergola- type roofing and/or closing installation, comprising a bearing structure 2 and having at least one wall presenting a plurality of slats 3, and in which the first device 15 of the apparatus 60 is configured to cause the rotation of said slats 3 around their longitudinal axis, and in which the second device 4 is also configured to cause the rotation of said slats 3 around their longitudinal axis.

Conveniently, the handling apparatus 60 can be operationally mounted on a covering and/or closing installation of the pergola type and comprising two groups of slats, and in which the first device 15 of the apparatus 60 is configured to cause rotation of the first group of slats about their longitudinal axis, and in which the second device 4 is also configured to cause the rotation of the second group of slats about their longitudinal axis.

Conveniently, moreover, the handling apparatus 60 according to the invention can also be used in pergolas in which the slats 3 can be moved both by rotary motion around their longitudinal axis to be oriented according to the shielding effect the user wants to obtain, both of translational motion perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, to pass from an unfolded or closed condition to a packed or open condition. In particular, in this case, the first device 15 configured in such a way as to provide a rotary motion at the output (in particular in correspondence with the rotating output shaft 8) which is used to vary the orientation of the slats 3 around their longitudinal axis, while the second device 4 - which can preferably also be configured in such a way as to provide a rotary motion at the output (in particular in correspondence with the rotating output shaft 55) is used to cause the translation of the slats to pass from a expanded condition to a packed one, or vice versa. Conveniently, in this case, the second rotary output shaft 55 of the second device 4 is associated with a mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the second rotary output shaft 55 into a translation motion of the lateral guide elements on which some slats 3 are mounted.

Preferably, the movement for varying the orientation of the slats 3 around their longitudinal axis is transferred through at least a first belt 18 positioned at the ends of the rotating output shafts 8 - or their extensions 17 - of the first device 15. Preferably, the movement to cause the translation of the slats 3 is transferred through a second belt 19 positioned at one end of the rotating output shaft 55 - or an extension of the latter - of the second device 4. Alternatively, the second device 4 which causes the translation of the slats 3 can be configured to output a movement, in particular, it can comprise a motor which carries out the thrust translation of an output shaft.

Conveniently, the first control unit of the first device 15 and the second control unit 53 of the second device 4 are configured in such a way as to exchange through said data transmission wire 40 communication signals suitable for controlling the actuation of the respective motors 7 and 51 in a coordinated way. Preferably, the two motors are controlled in a coordinated way according to a preset mode, preferably so that the elements moved by said motors 7 and 51 do not mechanically interfere with each other during the respective movement (in translation and/or rotation).

Conveniently, also in this case, the corresponding motors 7 and 51 of said two devices 15 and 4 act in a coordinated/synchronized way, and in particular their activation can take place in sequence in an automated way, thanks to the signals exchanged through the data transmission wire 40 and, in particular, the apparatus 60 is configured so that the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (which causes the slats 3 to be packed) is activated only when the slats 3 are or have reached - in front of the activation of the first motor 7 - a certain orientation around its own longitudinal axis.

More in detail, only when the second motor 51 of the second device 4 has brought the slats to an unfolded condition, i.e. they have assumed an open configuration (for example identified by the second encoder 52 of the second device 4), is it sent by the second device 4 a corresponding signal through the data transmission wire 40 to the first device 15, to thus allow the activation of the first motor 7 of said first device in order to vary the orientation of the slats 3. On the contrary, when the slats 3 are partially or completely packaged (ie they have assumed a closed configuration), the second device 4 does not send any signal through the data transmission wire to the first device 15, or it sends a signal through the data transmission wire to the first device 15 which indicates this status/condition, and therefore there is no activation of the first motor 7 of the first device 15 that causes the variation of the o retraction of the slats 3.

Furthermore, only when the first motor 7 of the first device 15 has brought the slats to be all arranged parallel to each other (situation which is advantageously identified by means of the first encoder 46 of the first device 15), is it sent by the first device 15 a corresponding signal through the data transmission wire 40 to the second device 4, to thus allow the activation of the second motor 51 of said second device in order to start the translation and packing of the slats 3. On the contrary, when the slats 3 are substantially coplanar with each other or in any case they are not parallel with each other, the first device 15 does not send any signal through the data transmission wire 40 to the second device 4, or it sends a signal through the data transmission wire to the second device 4 which indicates this state/condition of the slats, and therefore there is no activation of the second motor 51 of the second device 4 that causes the translation and packing of the slats 3.

Advantageously, the pergola 1 can comprise two second devices 4 to thus pack the slats 3, starting from the center, on the two opposite sides of the rigid supporting structure 2.

From what said it is clear that the apparatus according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that:

- is quick and easy to install,

- can be easily and easily controlled and set from the outside,

- it allows the activation of two motors to be controlled automatically and in sequence, so as to cause a sequential and correct movement of the elements associated with the outputs of said motors.

In particular, in the device according to the invention, both the control unit and the encoder (or the other means for detecting the position and/or speed of the motor and/or the cursor) are housed inside a suitable housing and, therefore, their electrical connection is defined in the factory at the time of construction of the device and, moreover, it is suitably protected inside the housing of the device itself; in other words, there is no external wire or cable, to be installed on site, in order to connect the encoder to the control unit which is generally external. This is particularly advantageous as it simplifies installation and, moreover, avoids the presence of external disturbances and interference in the transmission of the signals detected by the encoder to the control unit.

The apparatus according to the present invention which supplies a rotary motion at its output has been described here in particular with reference to its application in a pergola, however it is understood that any covering and/or closing installation can be used, such as for example windows or skylights, or it can be used in a substantially equivalent way for a person skilled in the art in a piece of furniture for moving a part thereof, such as for example the support table in a desk.

Unlike EP3770358 in which the first device, which acts as a master and which is equipped with a wireless receiver, always and only outputs a linear movement from the device itself, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the master device, which is provided of wireless receiver, it always and only supplies a rotary motion at the output from the device itself. Furthermore, the present solution is particularly advantageous with respect to the EP3770358 solution since, unlike the latter, the first device, which acts as a master and which is equipped with a wireless receiver, is equipped with a first motor which is of the type tubular electric.

The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is understood that executive variations may apply thereto in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention.