Description

Cover with adjustable shape and size

The present patent application relates to a cover with adjustable shape and size.

Various types of covers are known, such as umbrellas and canopies, which generally comprise a frame and a cloth supported by the frame. The umbrella is composed of an upright with a sliding rod, from which a plurality of articulated rods fixed to the cloth branches off in radial direction. By making the rod slide in the upright, the umbrella can change from a closed position with minimum volume to an open position with maximum volume to cover a well defined area. The umbrella can advantageously be opened and closed rapidly, in addition to be easily transported, in case of modest dimensions.

Canopies comprise a fixed framework that supports a cloth and defines the shape. Because of the multiple constructive techniques of frameworks, canopies are very versatile and can be used to cover large areas, such as trade show pavilions, and small areas, such as ordinary gazeboes.

Canopies composed of a cloth tensioned by means of an anchoring and supporting system designed to transmit loads to the ground are also known. In this way the cloth simultaneously acts as external cover and framework. The advantage of canopies is that they are very light, since they are not provided with a real supporting frame.

Moreover, pneumatic cover structures similar to tension structures or canopies are known. In pneumatic tension structures, the cover cloth is tensioned by means of internal overpressure. On the contrary, pneumatic canopies are provided with parts that are inflated to create a supporting framework.

All of the above cover systems are impaired by the fact that they must be especially built for the space to be covered. Otherwise, multiple cover

modules with standard size must be used to cover an area that is multiple of the size of the individual modules.

The said drawback has been partially solved with tents with extensible or folding arms. By actuating the arms, the tent can be extended or retracted, along a specific direction, in order to progressively adjust to the area to be covered. Nevertheless, the extension of the tent is limited to one direction only and to a surface with regular quadrilateral shape.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known technique by devising a versatile cover designed to adjust to areas with different shapes and sizes.

Another purpose of the present invention is to devise a cover that is easy to mount and install, and at the same time inexpensive and simple to make.

These purposes have been achieved by the present invention, with the characteristics illustrated in the enclosed independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The surface of the cover of the invention is composed of a plurality of triangles with an angle facing the centre or vertex of the cover, defined between a cathetus and a hypotenuse, in which the end of the hypotenuse comprises ground anchoring means that can be moved in position to raise the vertex of the cover and the catheti of the triangle with respect to the hypotenuse, in such a way to obtain a cover with adjustable shape and size.

Additional characteristics of the invention will appear evident from the following detailed description, which refers to merely illustrative, not limiting embodiments, illustrated in the enclosed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a cover of the invention, shown in extended configuration;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the cover of Fig. 1 , in raised configuration, ready for use; Fig. 3 is a front view of the cover of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a supporting frame of a cover according to a

second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a partially interrupted perspective view that illustrates the connection system of the rods of the supporting frame of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a flange of the connection system of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a coupling of the connection system of Fig . 5;

Fig . 8 is a perspective view of a sleeve of the connection system of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view that illustrates two cover modules of the invention placed side by side;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a closing element of the modular configuration of Fig . 9;

Fig. 1 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation view that illustrates two cover modules of the invention partially overlapped;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view that illustrates a configuration of the cover of the invention, in which the lateral volume is reduced;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation view of the cover of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a front view of a closing element of the cover of the invention; Figs. 15 and 16 are two diagrammatic plan views that respectively illustrate two closing systems of the frame of the cover of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic front elevation view that illustrates a system to increase the usable area under the cover of the invention;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic front elevation that illustrates a stiffening system of the cover of the invention; and

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view that illustrates the cover of the invention used as adjustable umbrella.

The cover of the invention is described with reference to the figures.

With reference to Fig . 1 , a first embodiment of the cover of the invention is described, indicated generally with numeral 1 . The cover 1 comprises a plurality of panels 2 with basically triangular shape, connected

by means of hinges 3.

More precisely, each panel 2 has an angle α facing the centre of the cover 1 and the sides of each panel 2 that define the angle in the centre α are hinged on the sides of two adjacent panels. The panels 2 are made of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as for example plastics, wood or similar materials, in such a way that the cover 1 can self-stand without the need of a supporting frame. The hinges 3 can be traditional hinges, based on the pin-sleeve combination, in such a way to define an axis of rotation parallel to the corresponding sides of the panel 2 in which the hinges 3 are arranged.

For illustrative purpose, Fig. 1 shows two hinges 3 on each side of the panels; nevertheless, a different number of hinges can be provided.

Preferably, eight panels shaped as a right-angled isosceles triangle can be used in order to form a square surface. In this case the angle in the centre α is 45° and the hinges 3 are arranged respectively on a cathetus and on the hypotenuse of each panel 2. Therefore, the axes of the hinges 3 follow the two diagonals and the two central axes of the square defined by the panels.

Obviously, triangular panels with different shape can be used to form surfaces other than square, such as rectangular, octagonal, circular surfaces, etc.

The angles of the panels 2, on the four corners of the square, are provided with suitable ground anchoring means 4 for the cover 1 , such as hooks, ties, pickets and similar items that are not shown, being of known type. To set up the cover 1 , it is simply necessary to bring closer the angles of the square, that is to say the anchoring means 4. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, this operation determines the raising of the centre of the square, that is to say of the angles in the centre of the panels 2 that form the vertex of the cover 1. The raising of the vertex of the cover 1 determines the gradual raising of the hinges 3 along the central axes of the square and simultaneously the gradual lowering of the hinges 3 along the diagonals of

the square, until the cover 1 covers the desired surface.

Once the cover 1 has covered the desired surface and the vertex has reached the desired height, the anchoring means 4 of the panels are anchored to the ground T, in such a way that the cover 1 can self-stand firmly. It must be noted that the cover 1 is fixed to the ground in four points, which form the four angles of a square. Consequently, the cover 1 can naturally generate also four entrances 5 on the four sides of the square. Evidently, to form a suitable entrance 5, the middle point of each side of the square must be raised from the ground at a height h higher than 2 m, preferably more than 3 m, to guarantee comfortable access of users through the entrance 5 of the cover 1. In any case, according to the specific requirements, three, two or one entrance can be formed by moving the position of the ground anchoring points.

Fig. 4 illustrates a supporting frame, generally indicated with numeral 10, designed to support a cloth to obtain a cover according to a second embodiment.

The frame 10 comprises a plurality of rods connected by means of articulated joints. Exactly, the frame 10 comprises a central hub 11 from which four diagonal rods 12 and four central rods 13 branch off in radial direction, being separated by an angle α of 45°. The diagonal rods 12 are longer than the central rods 13.

The ends of the diagonal rods 12 are connected to corresponding angular joints 14 arranged according to the four angles of a square. The ends of the central rods 13 are connected to corresponding intermediate joints 15 arranged according to the central points of the four sides of the square. Eight perimeter rods 16 have one end connected to the angular joints 14 and the other end connected to the intermediate joints 15, in such a way that each perimeter rod 16 forms half of the side of a square.

The hub 11 , the angular joints 14 and the intermediate joints 15 comprise the same mechanical elements (shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8) in order to obtain an articulated joint for rotation around a first axis and rotation

around a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.

As shown in Fig. 5, each joint 11 , 14, 15 comprises a pair of opposite flanges 20, among which a plurality of connection couplings 30 are arranged, with one end hinged to a sleeve 40 designed to be fixed to any of the rods 12, 13, 16.

As shown in Fig. 6, the flange 20 has a disc-shaped configuration and is provided with a plurality of peripheral holes 21. Preferably, the flange 6 has eight peripheral holes 21 separated by 45°. At least one of the two flanges 20 is provided with a cylindrical empty part 22 that acts as spacer and mounting element for the other flange.

As shown in Fig. 7, the connection coupling 30 comprises a parallelepiped block with a hole 31 at one end. The other end of the connection coupling 30 is provided with a U-shaped groove 32 that defines two plates 33 with coaxial holes 34 with orthogonal axis with respect to the axis of the hole 31.

As shown in Fig. 8, the sleeve 40 comprises a cylindrical part 41 designed to be fixed at the end of any of the rods 12, 13, 16 that are suitably provided with the same diameter. The sleeve 41 ends with a plate 42 designed to be inserted into the groove 32 of the connection coupling 30. A hole 43 is provided in the plate 42 of the sleeve.

To mount the articulated system, the connection coupling 30 is arranged between the two flanges 20 in such a way that the hole 31 of the coupling is coaxial to a peripheral hole 21 of the flanges. Then a pin 25 is inserted in the hole 21 of the flanges and in the hole 31 of the coupling in such a way to hinge the coupling 30 around the axis of the pin 25.

The plate 42 of the sleeve 40 is inserted into the groove 32 of the coupling 30 and a pin 35 is inserted in the holes 34 of the coupling and in the hole 43 of the plate of the sleeve, in such a way to hinge the sleeve 40 around the axis of the pin 35 of the coupling 30. In the specific case of the frame 10, the hub 11 has two flanges 20, between which eight couplings 30 with corresponding eight sleeves 40 are

arranged, being connected to the four diagonal rods 12 and to the four central rods 13. The couplings 30 rotate with respect to the flanges 20 according to vertical axes. Conversely, the sleeves 40 rotate with respect to the couplings 30 according to horizontal axes. The angular joint 14 is provided with two flanges 20 with three connection couplings 30 in intermediate position, with three sleeves 40 connected to two perimeter rods 16 and a diagonal rod 12. The couplings 30 rotate with respect to the flanges 20 according to vertical axes. Conversely, the sleeves 40 rotate with respect to the couplings 30 according to horizontal axes.

The intermediate joint 15 is provided with two flanges 20 with two couplings 30 in diametrically opposite intermediate positions, with two sleeves 40 connected to two perimeter rods 16. The intermediate joint 15 is mounted and slides on the central rod 13. The central rod 13 is inserted in the sleeve 22 of the flange of the intermediate joint. In this case, the couplings 30 rotate with respect to the flanges 20 according to horizontal axes. Conversely, the sleeves 40 rotate with respect to the couplings 30 according to vertical axes.

To compensate for the translation of the intermediate joint 15 on the central rod 13, the perimeter rods 16 are of telescopic type, in such a way to be extended and shortened according to the sliding movement of the intermediate joint 15 on the central rod 13.

The special conformation of the frame 10 ensures maximum versatility and freedom of movement, in such a way to generate a structure that covers the desired surface, which can be different from square or rectangular surfaces.

The angular joints 14 are provided with ground anchoring means, similar to the anchoring means 4 described in the first embodiment. In this way, by bringing the angular joints 14 closer, the central hub 11 and the intermediate joints 15 are raised. Consequently, the central rods 13 are raised with respect to the diagonal rods 12; and the perimeter rods 16 form triangles with respect to the ground. If a cloth tied to the rods 12, 13 and 16 is

arranged on the frame 10, the cloth has a triangle configuration, such as the one of cover 1 illustrated in the first embodiment of the invention and obtained by means of hinged triangular panels.

In the following description, the cover 1 of the invention generically indicates a cover that can be obtained both with hinged panels (as described in the first embodiment) and with a supporting frame provided with a cloth (as described in the second embodiment).

The cover 1 can be used in a modular way to cover large surfaces by placing the cover modules side by side or by overlapping them, without altering the adjustability characteristics.

Fig. 9 illustrates two cover modules 1 that are placed side by side. In this case the connection between the two modules can be completed with an adjustable piece (illustrated in Fig. 10) obtained according to the same constructive principles as the frame 10 of Fig. 4. Fig. 11 illustrates two cover modules 1 that are partially overlapped.

The overlapping is obtained by raising the angular joints 14 of the frame 14 from the ground, by means of a spacer 50, or the anchoring means 4 of the cover with panels.

With the modular use of the cover 1 , and in particular to cover quadrangular surfaces, a reduction of the lateral volumes of the cover 1 may be useful.

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an embodiment of the cover 1 with reduced lateral volumes. In the case of cover with panels, the said reduction can be obtained by providing triangular panels with angle β lower than 45° between the diagonal and the perimeter side.

Conversely, in the case of cover with frame, the reduction can be obtained by making the intermediate joint 15 slide on the central side 13, bringing it closer to the central hub 11.

The said reduction system permits to cover surfaces with more common dimensions and shapes, or in any case ensures the minimum volume between the maximum opening and the minimum opening of the cover

1 .

With reference to Fig. 2, it must be noted that the lateral openings 5 of the cover 1 have a triangular shape with variable side according to the position of the cover 1. Therefore, it is impossible to create a closing that ideally adjusts to all shapes of the cover.

For this reason, as shown in Fig. 14, an adjustable closing 60 has been created, being composed of two triangular panels 61 hinged by means of a hinge 62 in a corresponding angle, in order to be overlapped and adjust to the various conformations of the opening 5 of the cover. The frame structure 10 can be foldable for temporary or removable covers. As shown in Fig. 15, in order to close the structure, the intermediate joint 15 slides on the central side 13, getting closer to the hub 1 1.

Fig. 16 illustrates a version in which each perimeter rod 16 is divided in two perimeter rods 16' connected by means of corresponding joints 70. In this way, the frame of the supporting structure can be closed by pushing the joints 70 towards the hub 11.

These solutions make it possible to close the frame 10 with the flexible cloth, taking a little space during transportation and storage, and making installation quicker. It must be considered that unusable areas with low height are formed in the angles that lie on the ground. To solve this drawback, as shown in Fig. 17, the cover 1 is raised from the ground T with supports 50 arranged under the angular joints 14 (in the case of frame) or under the anchoring means 4 (in the case of panels). In some cases the stiffening of the supporting frame 10 of the cover may be necessary, for example when the forces exerted on the support points 14 of the frame must be only vertical, to prevent the cover from opening and collapsing when the support points of the frame cannot be anchored, or when raised supports 50 are used. As shown in Fig. 18, ties 80 arranged between the two perimeter rods

16 contiguous to the frame 10 are used to stiffen the frame 10.

Fig. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the cover of the invention is used as umbrella. In this case a telescopic system must be provided, comprising an upright 90 fitted to the ground T and a rod 91 that slides vertically inside the upright 90. The upper end of the rod 91 is fitted to the vertex of the cover. In case of the supporting frame, the upper end of the rod 91 is fitted to the hub 11.

The upright 90 is provided with stops 93 designed to lock the end of the struts 94 connected to the panels of the cover (in case of cover with panels) or to the diagonal rods 12 and the central rods 13 (in case of cover with supporting frame).

Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiments of the invention by an expert of the field, while still falling within the scope of the invention as claimed in the enclosed claims.