UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM FOR ROLLER BLINDS AND AWNINGS WITH SIDE RAILS

Abstract

An universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails, comprising a crossbar (2) equipped with a spring pin (6) that can move along a side guide (3) that defines the rail for the shift of the awning (1), characterized in that it includes one or more fixed clip(s) (4) that can be hooked by the spring pin (6) causing the locking of the roller blind (1); a further movement of the awning's crossbar (2) will force the spring pin (6) engaging with a mobile flap (5) that works as a sort of bridge for the spring pin (6), causing the unlocking of the crossbar (2), so as to realize the setting for the automatic tensioning of the roller blind (1).

Claims

1. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails comprising: a crossbar (2) equipped with a spring pin (6) that can move along a side guide (3) that defines the rail for the shift of the awning (1), characterized in that it includes one or more fixed clip(s) (4) that can be hooked by the spring pin (6) causing the locking of the roller blind (1); a further movement of the awning's crossbar (2) will force the spring pin (6) engaging with a mobile flap (5) that works as a sort of bridge for the spring pin (6), causing the unlocking of the crossbar (2), so as to realize the setting for the automatic tensioning of the roller blind (1).

2. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to claim 1, characterized in that in includes two of said spring pins (6), which are set on opposite sides of the awning's crossbar (2) and two (or multiple) fixed clips (4) with their corresponding mobile flaps (5) in order to determine a balanced tensioning of the awning (1).

3. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to the claim 2, characterized in that the fixed clip (4) and the mobile flap (5) are joined together forming a so-called static part that can be secured in a position near the end limit of the side rails (3) and/or in many other intermediate positions, in order to ensure the automatic tensioning of the roller blind (1) in different points.

4. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to the claim 3, characterized in that said static part can be shifted up or down along side rails (3) and placed in different position in the two sides, in order to ensure a correct functioning of the tensioning system also in case of installations with irregular measures.

5. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to claim 4, characterized in that said static part can be inserted (hidden) into metallic side guides (3) or put out (naked or clothed by a cover) on side rail, especially in case of steel cables (3.sup.I), obtaining the same performance.

6. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to claim 1, characterized in that awning controls may be manual, with operation by means of a hand winch, or motorized and operated by means of a remote control and moreover, in this latter case, commands can be also given automatically from devices sensitive to the wind force, the brightness of light or the rain.

7. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to claim 1, characterized in that the invention is described as an accessory for drop-down awnings and roller blinds (1) can also be applied, obtaining the same performance, for roll-up awnings and horizontal or sloped roller blinds.

8. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic tensioning system, described as an accessory for awnings (1) with simple side guides may be also applied, obtaining the same performance, for awnings with Shy Zip guides and with rails made of steel cables (3.sup.I).

9. Universal automatic tensioning system, for roller blinds and awnings with side rails according to claim 1, characterized in that the invention can be applied as accessory for roller blind (1) with cover box or for awning without a cover box (1.sup.I), obtaining the same performance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other characteristics will now be made more evident through the description of some embodiment of the invention, given merely for illustrative purposes without restricting the scope of this patent. With reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the tensioning system, installed on a sample awning (with an aluminum guide on left side and a steel cable on the right side).

[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the static part of the tensioning system.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the static part of the tensioning system.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the static part of the tensioning system.

[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective front view of the static part of the tensioning system.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective front view of the dynamic part of the tensioning system.

[0019] FIG. 6a/6b represents further details of FIG. 6.

[0020] FIG. 7 shows some side elevation views of the whole tensioning system, as phases of the working mechanism; it highlights the interaction between the static and the dynamic devices in order to work correctly.

[0021] FIG. 7a-7f represents further details of FIG. 7, showing better single phases of the tensioning system functioning.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] With reference to said figures, 1 indicates an awning or roller blind, having at least one crossbar, one roller and operation mechanisms (with or without a cover box), 2 the crossbar at the bottom side of the fabric, 3 the side rails (extruded aluminum guides or steel cables), 4 the fixed clip, 5 the mobile flap, 6 the spring pin, 7 the stopper of the crossbar, 8 a metal pin that allows the union between the fixed clip (4) and the mobile flap (5), 9 the metal screws that permit the securing and the shifts of the whole static part of the tensioning system along side rails (3).

[0023] The device works as follows: during the scrolling, in any position, the spring pin (6) flows along the side rails (3) and it comes up against the fixed clip (4); after it has exceeded completely the protrusion (4.sup.I) the extension phase is ended and the reversion starts, so the spring pin (6) will be forced to stand still, allowing the tensioning of the fabric.

[0024] When the roller blind (1) is to be moved from lock position, firstly is scrolled enough to permit to the spring pin (6) the complete overtake of the mobile flap (5), secondly the awning (1) is scrolled in the opposite direction (manually or automatically with a motor) and now the spring pin (6) engages the mobile flap (5), that swings toward the protrusion (4.sup.I) of the fixed clip (4), allowing to the crossbar (2) the bypassing of the lock position and the return to free moving.

[0025] It should be made clear that the use on roller blinds and awnings is a peculiar but not exclusive application of the automatic tensioning system according to the invention; is not excluded the possibility of using the tensioning system on different types of awning, blind, window, door and other similar.

[0026] In practice the construction details, shape, materials, dimensions and other aspects of the invention may change without derogate from the goal of this industrial patent.

[0027] Finally, all the elements can be replaced with other technically equal ones.