DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field concerning building coverings and it refers to a sunroof covering device particularly suitable for winter gardens, greenhouses, dehor and in general for fixed or mobile and openable structures.

BACKGROUND ART

There are known openable covers of various types provided with panels or doors sliding on rails and moved in opening and closing condition by means for their movement which, in the event of breakage of said means, can be dangerous for persons and objects therebelow.

Further disadvantage of the known opening roofs consists in that, being movable on guides in an exclusively straight direction, they can be equipped only with brush seals or the like and are affected by infiltrations of meteoric water and by air passages.

Another disadvantage of some of the known opening roofs consists in the fact that they cannot open completely and even in their end opening condition they occupy a part of the closed surfaces when they are closed.

A disadvantage of these known devices consists in that they can be subjected to jamming and sliding blocks which are difficult to unlock without maintenance.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a relatively simple, inexpensive and reliable openable cover device which is intrinsically safe and not dangerous for persons, animals and objects laying below the cover.

Another object is to propose a device which can be equipped with effective seals and virtually free of water and air infiltrations even if it is installed horizontally or slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

A further object is to propose a device which in its end opening condition can be collected in a respective lateral housing with respect to the surface occupied by it and covered in its closing condition.

Another object is to propose a device which is almost free of blocking and which, in the event of stopping due to a blockage of the progress towards opening, is capable, at least in the majority of cases, of returning to the closed condition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention are shown below with particular reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 shows an axonometric, partial and schematic view of the opening cover device, object of the present invention, in a closed condition of its doors, first on the left, second in the middle and third on the right of the figure, supported by two means with side beams, one right and the other left;

figure 2 shows a schematic view from below of the device of figure 1 in which the side beam means and other parts have been removed to better illustrate other characteristics of the device;

figure 3 shows a sectional view according to plane III - III of figure 2 in which some details have been removed to better highlight others;

figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a detail of figure 3;

figure 5 shows a sectional view according to plane V - V of figure 2 in which some details have been removed to better highlight others;

figures 6 to 11 show enlarged views of the device of figure 3 under conditions of progressive opening;

figures 12 to 14 show axonometric views of the device of figure 1 under conditions of progressive opening until the end opening condition of figure 14 is reached;

- figures 14 to 17 show side views, with different proportions, of the device of figures 12 to 14 under the same conditions of the latter.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to figures 1-17, numeral 1 indicates the openable covering device according to the present invention, suitable for winter gardens, greenhouses, dehor and in general for fixed or mobile opening structures and for civil, industrial or commercial buildings. The device 1 illustrated by way of example in the figures is provided with a first panel 3, an intermediate panel 5 and a last panel 7 of rectangular or square shape and movable in a longitudinal opening and closing direction between a closing condition C in which are almost side by side and a condition of end opening A in which they are overlapped, at least partially.

The invention provides that the number of intermediate panels 5 may be any and that the dimensions of the panels can vary greatly to adapt the cover to the most varied requirements. Each panel comprises a sheet-like body or a frame which forms a frame for containing or fastening the edges of a panel, a sheet of glassy material or a double-glazing unit and the like.

In an operative condition of the device 1, the longitudinal opening direction and the longitudinal sides of the panels 3, 5, 7 are mutually parallel and horizontal or inclined down towards the closing direction and the transverse sides of each panel 3, 5, 7, one front facing the opening direction and the other rear facing the closing direction, are almost horizontal and each panel 3, 5, 7 has respective upper and lower sides.

In this operating condition, the geometric plane defined by the lower face of the last panel 7 is higher than the geometric planes defined by the upper faces of the other panels 3, 5 and the geometric plane defined by the upper face of the first panel 3 is lower than the geometrical planes defined by the lower faces of the other panels 5, 7; the same provision is provided for any plurality of intermediate panels.

The right longitudinal sides of each panel 3, 5, 7 are contained or housed in a right side beam means 9 and the left longitudinal sides of each panel 3, 5, 7 are contained or housed in a left lateral beam means 11 where said side beam means 9, 11 are, for example, of the type with a "C" section and are arranged parallel to the longitudinal sides of the panels 3, 5, 7.

Each intermediate panel 5 and the last panel 7 has two respective first support means 13 fixed to the side portions of a rear transverse side of the respective panel 5, 7 and projecting downwards; in addition each intermediate panel 5 and last, or upper, 7 has two first abutment means 15 fixed to the side portions of the front transverse side of the respective panel 5, 7 and protruding downwards.

Each intermediate 5 and first 3 panel has two respective second support means 19 fixed to the side portions of the front transverse side of the respective panel 5, 3 and projecting upwards; in addition each intermediate panel 5 and first 3 panel has two second abutment means 21 fixed to the side portions of the rear transverse side of the respective panels 5, 3 and projecting upwards.

The active or interacting parts of the first abutment means 15 and of the second support means 19 of each side of the panels are arranged on respective first geometrical lateral planes, parallel to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the planes defined by the panels, so that they 15, 19 can mutually interact while the active or interacting parts of the first support means 13 and the second abutment means 21 of each side of the panels are arranged on respective second lateral geometric planes, parallel to the first geometric planes and spaced apart from them, so that said first support means 13 and second abutment means 21 can interact with each other without interfering with the first abutment means 15 and the second support means 19.

The device 1 further comprises movement means 25 connected to the first panel 3 to move it from the closing condition C to the opening condition A and vice versa.

Starting from the opening condition A, the movement means 25 translate the first panel 3 towards the closing condition C; when the second abutment means 21 and the second support means 19 of the first panel 3 are respectively abut to the first support means 13 and to the first abutment means 15 of the intermediate panel 5 adjacent to the first panel 3, a sort of connection is established between said panels and the first panel 3, by way of movement means 25, it moves in its translation towards the opening condition also this intermediate panel 5 and progressively the subsequent eventual additional intermediate panels and the last panel 7 up to overlap of all the panels 3, 5, 7 or until reaching said opening condition A.

Starting from this opening condition A, to return to the initial closing condition C, the movement means 25 translate the first panel 3 and all the other panels 5, 7 in the opposite direction, dragging them 3, 5, 7 until reaching said closing condition C in which each panel detects respective stop means which block its further translation in the closing direction.

The side beam means 9, 11 can have a longitudinal extension approximately equal to the sum of the longitudinal dimensions of all the panels and in this case, in the open condition A the last panel remains in its closed position and all the other panels are collected below it, but preferably, and as shown in the figures, the side beam means 9, 11 have a longitudinal extension approximately equal to the product of the longitudinal dimension of the panels multiplied by the number of panels plus at least 1 and the movement means 25 drag all the panels, including the last 7 up to the front end of the side beam means 9, 11 completely opening the surface occupied by the panels in the closed condition and reaching the total opening condition A of figure 14. The first support means 13, the first abutment means 15, the second support means 19 and the second abutment means 21 are in pairs and are arranged at the lateral ends of the respective transverse sides of the panels 3, 5, 7.

Each of the first 13 and second support means 19 comprises a short upright protruding, respectively, downwards and upwards, starting from the corresponding panel to which it is fixed. The end of each first support means 13 or second 19 opposite to that fixed to its panel, is provided with a sliding block or preferably a rolling means consisting, for example, in an idle 35 wheel with a rotation axis perpendicular to the translation direction of the doors. Each of the first abutment means 15 and the second abutment means 21 has a first section with an inclined plane and a second section parallel to the longitudinal or slightly inclined direction and which ends with an stop protrusion.

During the movement of the panels 3, 5, 7 towards the opening condition, the wheel 35 of each support means first 13 or second 19 first detects the first inclined plane section, on which it rolls, of the corresponding first 15 or second 21 abutment means, then it rolls along the second section and finally stops against the stop projection causing the drag towards the opening of the overlying panels. During said sliding of the wheels along the respective first inclined section there is also a raising of the overlying panel and, in the opposite translation or towards the closing condition, there is a corresponding lowering of the panel.

The extent of such lifting and lowering, or the predetermined size of the cantilever of the inclined plane, depends on the geometrical characteristics of the first inclined plane section, in particular from its extension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transversal sides of the panels 3, 5 and 7. The side and bottom portions of the first panel 3 are provided with rolling means 27 projecting downwardly and rolling along respective track means 29 formed in or fixed to the side beam means 9, 11.

Said stopping means, of which at least the intermediate 5 and the last 7 panels are provided, and optionally also the first, comprise respective side arm means 31, for example in the form of a protruding wing and parallel to the panel plan, laterally fixed to the panel and fit for, at least in the closing condition C, abut against the respective bracket means 33 "L" shaped or "C" shaped and fixed to the side beam means 9, 11 to stop the closing stroke of the respective panel and/or to support it in said closing condition C.

Each of the bracket means 33 of the stop means comprises a rear wall almost perpendicular to panel plane and intended to match with a side arm means 31 of a respective panel to stop its travel in the closing direction in correspondence with the closing condition and it comprises a lower wall, almost parallel to the panel plane, intended in this last condition to support said side arm means 31 and with it the respective panel.

Each bracket means 33 optionally comprises an upper wall parallel to the lower one or inclined in line with the inclined plane of the first portion of the abutment means and placed at a distance from said lower, equal to or slightly greater than the sum of the thickness of the side arm means 31 and of the predetermined length of the overhang of the first section with an inclined plane or decreasing towards the rear wall. These last forms of the bracket means 33 prevent the excessive lifting of the closed panels in case of significant atmospheric events.

The two bracket means 33 and the two corresponding side-arm means 31 of a longitudinal side of a panel 5, 7, are vertically staggered or are less in height than the vertical movement of the respective panel or in any case arranged to avoid interference during translation of the panel. As an alternative to the foregoing, the invention provides that the panels 3, 5 and 7 can slide along respective guides, not shown, fixed to the side beam means 9, 11 parallel to said beam means.

The lateral longitudinal portions of the upper faces of the first and intermediate panels 5 and of the lower sides of the intermediate 5 and last panels 7 have respective longitudinal lanes for the fluid rolling, i.e. without jamming, of the wheels 35 of the corresponding first 13 and second 19 support means.

The track means 29 of the side beam means 9, 11 have respective recess means 39, for example in the shape of a circumference segment or inclined planes, designed to house respective portions of the rolling means 27 of the first panel 3 in the closed condition C. Said recess means 39 have a depth corresponding to the predetermined length of the overhang of the first inclined section of the first 15 and second 21 abutment means.

At least some of the lower perimeter edges of the panels 3, 5 and 7 are provided with sealing gaskets, not shown, projecting downwards and destined, in the closing condition C, to abut with respective abutment and sealing surfaces fixed to the side beam means 9, 11 or to a supporting structure of the last means 9, 11; or, on the contrary, the planes can be obtained or connected to some lower perimeter edges of the panels 3, 5 and 7 and the gaskets can be fixed to the side beam means 9, 11 or to the respective supporting structure.

It should be noted that the first inclined plane sections of the first abutment means 15 and the second abutment means 21 and the recess means 39 cause a 2-6 mm lifting of the panels 3, 5, 7 when they leave their respective position in the closed condition to translate to the open condition and cause a corresponding lowering when the panel return to their rest position; this allows to optimize the contact and the seal of the gaskets with their respective planes in the closed condition, eliminating or almost eliminating the friction and wear of the gaskets and guaranteeing a perfect seal against water and air in the closing condition.

The movement means 25 of the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures comprise two rack means 41, each longitudinally fixed to a respective side beam means 9, 11 and engaged to a respective pinion 43 driven in rotation by a respective motor 45 fixed to a corresponding carriage constrained to move longitudinally along the respective rack means 41 or along the respective side beam means 9, 11.

Each carriage is connected by means of a coupling or an articulated arm to a lateral end of the front transverse edge of the first panel 3 to move it into the closing and opening directions and to allow it to be cantilevered in a direction perpendicular to the plane of panel.

The rack means extend almost all along the longitudinal extension of the side beam means 9, 11.

The teeth of the rack means are facing downwards to protect the teeth themselves and the pinions from any foreign objects fallen from above. Each carriage is provided with a pair of wheels or pulleys arranged to roll along the face of the corresponding rack means opposite to the toothed one; in this way the trolley and with it the motor 45 are constrained to translate along the rack means.

Each of the two motors 45 is provided with means for detecting revolutions or revolutions of the motor, with encoder or other type and/or with means for detecting the absorbed current where said detection means send data, pertaining to the detected quantities, to control means of the device, for example of the microprocessor type and programmable, which independently actuate the two motors 45 to guarantee the movement of the panel and to release it in the event of jamming by operating retrograde the last motor 45 which has stopped following the block a predetermined amount or function of the number of revolutions performed by said last motor to lock after the other engine has stopped. Alternatively, the invention provides for the adoption of a single rotation motor of both pinions by means of a transverse axis for transmitting motion. A further alternative provides for the adoption, in place of the racks and pinions, of two threaded axes parallel to the beam means and each placed in axial rotation by its own motor and engaged in a respective nut screw fixed to the first panel 3 so that the rotation of the axes produced by the respective motors causes the translation of the respective nuts and with them of the first panel.

Other embodiments are provided alternative of the movement means 25 which, for example, can comprise belts or chains engaged with pulleys or crowns fixed to the ends of the side beam means 9, 11 and driven by a single motor or by two independent and motors fixed to respective longitudinal sides of the first panel to translate it.

Optionally, the first panel 3 may be equipped with microswitches or other end limit switches in the closed condition and optionally in the open condition for stopping the motors when these conditions are met. Starting from the closing condition C, in which the panels are placed side by side, the rolling means 27 of the first panel 3 are housed in the respective recess means 39 of the track means 29, the side arm means 31 of the intermediate 5 and last panels are resting on the respective bracket means 33 and the sealing gaskets abut with respective planes, the actuation of the motors causes the beginning of the translation of the first panel into the opening direction and its lifting of a few millimeters, due to the outputs of the rolling means 27 from the recess means 39, and the detachment of the respective seals from the planes.

The translation of the first panel proceeds and when the contact of the second abutment means 21 and of the second support means 19 of the first panel 3 occurs with the first support means 13 and with the first abutment means 15 of the lower intermediate panel which causes, in sequence the slight raising of this intermediate panel and the translation of the same in the opening direction. In succession, any further intermediate panel and the last panel are slightly raised and translated until the end opening condition A is reached in which the motors are stopped. The return to the closing condition is obtained by activating, in the opposite direction to the previous one, the motors which cause translation and storage of the last panel and of the intermediate panels onto the respective bracket means 33 until the rolling means of the first panel returns to the recess means 39, carrying out the closing condition and restoring the seal between the gaskets and the planes.