Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device (100) for displacing a distal side (2) of a curtain (1) relative to a stationary side (3) of said curtain (1), from a position in which the curtain (1) is stowed at the stationary side (3) to a position in which it is at least partially extended and vice versa. The device (100) comprises a curtain (1) having a distal side (2) and a stationary side (3), a first rigid rod-like element (4) connected to said stationary side (3) of the curtain, a second rigid rod-like element (9) connected to said distal side (2) to be displaced, first (10) and second (14) pairs of arms (11, 12, 15, 16), which are articulatingly connected together in a point (13, 17) at one end thereof, each being articulatingly connected by its free end (11a, 12a) to said first (4) and second (9) rigid rod-like elements respectively, at the ends thereof. The device is characterized in that it comprises a cable (18) made of an electrically conductive Shape Memory Alloy (SMA), whose length changes as an electric actuation signal is applied, and which extends in a path from a point (22) close to a first end (6) of said first rigid rod-like element (4) to a point (23) close to the second end (8) of such first rigid rod-like element (4) through the pairs (10, 14) of articulatingly connected arms, and along the longitudinal extend of said second rigid rod-like element (9).
Abstract:
A blind including a fixed frame (1), at least one pair of arms (5) each having one of the ends thereof pivotally fitted to the fixed frame, a movable frame (4) moved in parallel with the fixed frame in response to the turning motion of the pair of arms in such a manner as to come into and out of contact with and from the fixed frame and a shading screen (3) wound around a roll (2) turnably supported on the fixed frame side with one of the edges thereof fixed to the roll and with the other edge thereof fixed to the movable frame, wherein spring means (16) for biasing the arms to erect them is provided to the pivot of the arms to the fixed frame and an electric actuator (17) having reverse driving restriction means for imparting to the roll the turning force for taking up the shading screen against the biasing force of the spring means is disposed. In this blind apparatus, the resilient force of the spring means imparts the turning force to the arms in the erecting direction and the turning force of the electric actuator imparts the winding force of the shading screen to the roll. Since the electric actuator cannot be driven reversely, the shading screen can be stopped under the state where it is pulled out by an arbitrary distance, when the electric actuator is stopped and moreover, since the resilient force of the spring always acts on the arms, the shading screen does not slacken at any position. The delivery and take-up speeds of the screen can be stably controlled by the rotating speed of the electric actuator.
Abstract:
The arm is comprised of a first (10) and second (11) tubular sections connected by a hinge (12) which comprises a cylindrical core (13) with an axial orifice receiving a shaft connected at its extremities to lugs (15, 15a) between which the core (13) rotates. Members (16, 17) extend from the core (13) and from the lugs (15, 15a) and join the sections (10, 11) oriented with an angle with respect to the plane normal to the axis of the hinge (12). The first section (10) houses a traction spring attached by a flexible element, resting on the core (13), to the second section (11). Said flexible element is comprised of a planar plastic built (18, 40) with internal metal reinforcement filaments (18a, 40a), and integrates in its two extremities, which are conformed by casting or injection molding, both metal terminals (19, 20) in order to join the belt (18, 40) to the traction spring at one extremity and to the second arm (11) at the other extremity.
Abstract:
A power track assembly is provided which may be used with an accessory base (454) therefore. The power track assembly includes a track housing (402) having at least one track (470) with first and second conductors (484, 485). The conductors provide power to the accessory base which may be connected to an accessory (32, 34, 36, 37) requiring power for operation. The accessory base (454) may also be used with power tracks in a roller tube awning assembly (20), a cassette awning assembly (120), or hardware assembly (328).
Abstract:
The invention relates to an articulated arm (24) for an awning (10) comprising a first arm part (28) and at least one second arm part (30), whereby the first arm part (28) and the second arm part (30) are interconnected via an articulation whose articulation axis extends in a perpendicular manner to the longitudinal axis of the arm parts (28, 30). At least two springs (52a to 52c) are adjacently arranged in the first arm part (28). One end (54a to 54c) of said springs is fixed to the first arm part (28), and one end (68a to 68c) of at least one flexible traction element (60a to 60c) is fastened to the other end (62a to 62c) of said springs. The traction element is guided into the second arm part (30) by the articulation, and is fixed by the other end thereof to the second arm part (30). At least one flexible traction element (60a to 60c) is assigned to each spring (52a to 52c), whereby each traction element (60a to 60c) is individually fastened to the spring (52a to 52c) assigned thereto.
Abstract:
An extension arm (1) for an awning (2), comprising two substantially straight, hollow profile sections (4, 5), hinge means (6) arranged between the adjacent ends of the profile sections (4, 5) to enable relative pivotal movement of the two profile sections about a first pivot axis (7), and fastening (21) and mounting (23) means arranged at respective ends of the profile sections (4, 5), opposite the bends thereof for connecting said ends (4, 5) to an anchoring device (19) and a load bar (19) about a second pivot axis (22) and a third pivot axis (24), respectively. The first, second and third pivot axes (7, 22, 24) are parallel. The two profile sections (4, 5) of the arm (1) have substantially the same length and the same cross section. The fastening means (21) and the mounting means (23) have the same structure, and the arm (1) is symmetrical relative to a folding plane (P), whereby said arm (1) is reversible.
Abstract:
A telescopic tube (100) includes a moveable handle (116) which is attached to cables (118) for causing the tube portions (104, 106) to extend telescopically or retract. Various applications are disclosed for using the telescopic tube (100).
Abstract:
Ratchet device, especially for awnings, comprising two rotatably interconnected elements (2, 14), one element (2) having a portion formed as a sector of a ratchet wheel and the other element (14) being provided with a pawl (20) cooperating with the teeth (6) of the first element (2), and a movable member (23) which prevents resp. permits interengagement of the pawl and the teeth due to relative rotation in the elements. In a known device of this type, the movable member is a control tooth rotatably connected to the pawl. This demands a complicated construction which, when the parts are subjected to wear, may cause malfunction of the device. In the device according to the invention, the movable member (23) is arranged movably in relation to the second element (14) and is adapted to be moved upon influence of the frictional force which is brought about between the member (23) and the first element (2) during relative rotation of the element (2, 14).
Abstract:
Articulated arm (10) for outdoor awnings, which comprises: - a first longitudinally extended element (11), to be connected with one of its ends to a supporting structure and provided with elastic tensioning means (13) which are accommodated at least partially inside it, - a second longitudinally extended element (12), to be connected rotatably on one side of the first longitudinally extended element (11), with the rotation fulcrum (30) in a region comprised between the two ends of the first element (11), - an elongated flexible element (14) adapted to connect the elastic tensioning means (13) to the second longitudinally extended element (12), surrounding at least partially the region in which the fulcrum (30) is located.