Ventilation device

Abstract

A ventilation device including a flexible support having first and second edges delimiting a longitudinal opening and being provided with first and second closing devices arranged to cooperate with one another, the ventilation device including at least one elastic spacer member which includes a first tab extending along the first edge and a second tab extending along the second edge, the elastic spacer member being constrained when the closing devices are in the closed position, so that the first and second tabs tend to separate from one another, the length of at least the first tab being less than half the length of the first edge.

Claims

1. A ventilation device comprising: a flexible support having a first edge and a second edge provided with first and second closing devices arranged to cooperate with one another, the closing devices having an open position in which the first and second edges are separated from one another so as to delimit a longitudinal opening in the flexible support, and a closed position in which the first and second edges cooperate so as to block the longitudinal opening, a first elastic spacer member which includes a first tab extending along the first edge and a second tab extending along the second edge, and a second elastic spacer member which includes a first tab extending along the first edge and a second tab extending along the second edge, wherein, when the closing devices are in the closed position, the first elastic spacer member is constrained so that the first and second tabs of the first elastic spacer member tend to separate from one another, the length of at least the first tab of the first elastic spacer member being less than half the length of the first edge, and wherein, when the closing devices are in the closed position, the second elastic spacer member is constrained so that the first and second tabs of the second elastic spacer member tend to separate from one another, the length of at least the first tab of the second elastic spacer member being less than half the length of the first edge.

2. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first tab of the first elastic spacer member is less than one-third of the length of the first edge.

3. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the second tab of the first elastic spacer member is less than half the length of the second edge.

4. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the second tab of the first elastic spacer member is substantially equal to the length of the first tab.

5. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic spacer member comprises a stem of plastic material.

6. The ventilation device according to claim 1, comprising at least one first sheath integral with the flexible support, in which the first elastic spacer member extends at least partially.

7. The ventilation device according to claim 6, wherein the first sheath comprises a first lateral portion extending along the first edge and a second lateral portion extending along the second edge.

8. The ventilation device according to claim 6, comprising a second sheath integral with the flexible support, in which the second elastic spacer member extends at least partially.

9. The ventilation device according to claim 1, comprising a reinforcing part cooperating with the first elastic spacer member.

10. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic spacer member has a “U” or a “V” shape.

11. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic spacer member is positioned in proximity to a first end of the longitudinal opening.

12. The ventilation device according to claim 11, wherein the first elastic spacer member comprises a central portion mounted on the flexible support in proximity to the first end of the longitudinal opening.

13. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic spacer member is positioned in proximity to a second end of the longitudinal opening, opposite to the first end of the longitudinal opening.

14. The ventilation device according to claim 13, wherein the second elastic spacer member comprises a central portion mounted on the flexible support in proximity to the second end of the longitudinal opening.

15. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the first closing device comprises a first zipper portion and wherein the second closing device comprises a second zipper portion, configured to cooperate with the first zipper portion to close the longitudinal opening when the first and second closing devices are placed in the closed position.

16. A garment comprising at least one ventilation device according to claim 1.

17. A tent comprising at least one ventilation device according to claim 1.

18. A sleeping bag comprising at least one ventilation device according to claim 1.

19. A ventilation device comprising: a flexible support having a first edge and a second edge provided with first and second closing devices arranged to cooperate with one another, the closing devices having an open position in which the first and second edges are separated from one another so as to delimit a longitudinal opening in the flexible support, and a closed position in which the first and second edges cooperate so as to block the longitudinal opening, a first elastic spacer member which comprises a stem of plastic material, the first elastic spacer member including a first tab extending along the first edge and a second tab extending along the second edge, and a second elastic spacer member which includes a first tab extending along the first edge and a second tab extending along the second edge, wherein, when the closing devices are in the closed position, the first elastic spacer member is constrained so that the first and second tabs of the first elastic spacer member tend to separate from one another, the length of at least the first tab of the first elastic spacer member being less than half the length of the first edge, and wherein, when the closing devices are in the closed position, the second elastic spacer member is constrained so that the first and second tabs of the second elastic spacer member tend to separate from one another, the length of at least the first tab of the second elastic spacer member being less than half the length of the first edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure will be better understood upon reading the description that follows of the embodiments of the disclosure, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a ventilation device according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a ventilation device according to the disclosure, in which the closing devices are in the closed position;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the ventilation device of FIG. 2, in which the closing devices are in the open position;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a first variant of a spacer member of the ventilation device according to the disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a ventilation device according to the disclosure, in which the closing devices are in the closed position;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates the ventilation device of FIG. 5, in which the closing devices are in the open position; and

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a second variant of a spacer member of the ventilation device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) The disclosure relates to a ventilation device, particularly for a garment, tent or sleeping bag.

(10) A first embodiment of a ventilation device according to the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this example, the ventilation device 10 comprises a flexible support 20, first and second closing device 30,32 and two elastic spacer members 40,50. In a non-limiting manner, the ventilation device 10 could comprise only a single elastic spacer member 40.

(11) The flexible support 20 can be a sheet of a textile material or any other deformable material, preferably being able to be folded or wound over itself. The flexible support 20 can be a tent canopy, a sleeping bag or a portion of a garment such as a sleeve of a jacket. It extends in a plane P.

(12) The flexible support 20 comprises a first edge 22 and a second edge 23. The first and second edges 22,23 each comprise a first end 22a,23a and a second end 22b,23b, opposite to the first end.

(13) They both further have the same length L. The first edge 22 is provided with the first closing device 30 and the second edge 23 is provided with the second closing device 32. In this non-limiting example, the first closing device 30 comprises a first zipper portion and the second closing device 32 comprises a second zipper portion. These first and second zipper portions each comprise a plurality of engagement elements 34. The engagement elements 34 of the first zipper portion are configured to cooperate with the engagement elements 34 of the second zipper portion.

(14) The ventilation device further comprises a cursor configured to slide along the first and second closing devices 30,32. The first edge 22 extends over the entire length of the first zipper portion and the second edge 23 extends over the entire length of the second zipper portion.

(15) The closing devices 30,32 can assume a closed position, illustrated in FIG. 2, and an open position illustrated in FIG. 3.

(16) In this non-limiting example, the first and second elastic spacer members 40,50 are identical. Thus, only the first elastic spacer member 40 will be described in detail below.

(17) A first non-limiting variant of the first elastic spacer member 40 is shown in FIG. 4 in a deployed position. It includes a flexible arched stem of plastic material. It has a “V” shape when it is deployed. Without departing from the scope of the disclosure, the first spacer member would be substantially rectilinear in the deployed position.

(18) The first spacer member 40 comprises a first tab 42 having a length L.sub.1 and a second tab 44 having a length L.sub.2. In a non-limiting manner, the length L.sub.2 of the second tab 44 is substantially equal to the length L.sub.1 of the first tab 42.

(19) The first tab 42 of the first elastic spacer member 40 has a first end 40a, corresponding to a first free end of said first elastic spacer member 40. The second tab 44 of the first spacer member includes a first end 40b, opposite to the first end 40a of the first tab 42, and corresponding to a second free end of the first spacer member 40. The first spacer member 40 also comprises a central portion 46 from which extend the first 42 and second 44 tabs.

(20) The first spacer member 40 can be further constrained by moving its first tab 42 and its second tab 44 closer to one another. The first spacer member is then placed in the folded position in which its first and second tabs tend to separate from one another.

(21) Referring again to FIG. 2, it is observed that the first elastic spacer member 40 is attached to the flexible support 20 in proximity to the first ends 22a,23a of the first and second edges 22,23. In particular, the central portion 46 of the first elastic spacer member 40 is attached to the flexible support 20 in proximity to said first ends 22a,23a.

(22) The second spacer member 50 also comprises a first tab 52, a second tab 54 and a central portion 56. It is attached to the flexible support 20 in proximity to the second ends 22b,23b of the first and second edges 22,23. In particular, the central portion 56 of the second elastic spacer member 50 is attached to the flexible support in proximity to the second ends 22b,23b.

(23) In this non-limiting example, the first elastic spacer member 40 is sewn to the flexible support.

(24) It is noted in FIG. 2 that, according to the disclosure, the length L.sub.1 of the first tab 42 is less than half the length L of the first edge 22. Preferably, the length L.sub.1 of the first tab 42 is less than one-third of the length L of the first edge 22 and, also preferably, approximately equal to one-quarter of the length L of the first edge. The first end 40a of the first tab is attached to the flexible support 20 at less than half the length L of the first edge.

(25) Moreover, the length L.sub.2 of the second tab is less than half the length L of the second edge 23, preferably less than one-third of the length L of the second edge and still preferably approximately equal to one-quarter of the length L of the second edge 23. In addition, the first end 40b of the second tab 44 is attached to the flexible support 20 on the second edge at less than half the length L of the second edge 23.

(26) The first and second elastic spacer members 40,50 extend in a plane substantially parallel to the plane P of the flexible support 20 and of the first and second edges 22,23. The first and second edges 52,54 of the second elastic spacer member have substantially the same length as the first and second tabs 42,44 of the first elastic spacer member.

(27) FIG. 2 shows the ventilation device 10 according to the disclosure in which the first and second closing devices 30,32 are placed in a closed position. In this closed position, the engagement elements 34 of the first zipper portion and of the second zipper portion cooperate so that the first and second edges 22,23 also cooperate and are positioned in proximity to one another, edge to edge and substantially parallel.

(28) Consequently, in this closed position, the first tab 42 of the first elastic spacer member 40, extending along the first edge 22, and the second tab 44 of the first spacer member, extending along the second edge 23, are located near one another. The first elastic spacer member 40 is therefore constrained and in the folded position and its first and second tabs 42,44, tend to be spaced and to separate from one another. However, the closing devices 30,32 being in the closed position, they oppose the spacing of said tabs.

(29) Likewise, in this closed position, the second spacer member 50 is constrained and its first and second tabs 52,54 tend to be spaced and to separate from one another. However, the closing devices 30,32 being in the closed position, they oppose the spacing of said tabs.

(30) The closing devices can then be placed in an open position. To this end, as illustrated in FIG. 3, it is necessary to slide the cursor 26 in a first direction, along the first and second closing devices 30,32. This has the effect of breaking off the cooperation between the engagement elements 34 of the first and second zipper portions of the first and second closing devices. The first and second edges 22,23 then delimit a longitudinal opening 28 having a longitudinal direction.

(31) The longitudinal opening 28 has a first end 28a, surrounded by the first elastic spacer member 40 and a second end 28b, surrounded by the second elastic spacer member 50.

(32) The first ends 22a,23a of the first and second edges 22,23 join at the first end 28a of the opening 28 and the second ends 22b,23b of the first and second edges 22,23 join at the second end 28b of the opening 28.

(33) The first elastic spacer member 40 is attached to the flexible support 20 in proximity to the first end 28a of the longitudinal opening 28. In particular, the central portion 46 of the first elastic spacer member 40 is attached to the flexible support 20 in proximity to said first end of the longitudinal opening 28.

(34) During passage from the closed position to the open position, the first and second spacer members 40,50, which until then were constrained by the cooperation between the closing devices, are deployed.

(35) The first and second tabs 42,44 of the first spacer member 40 are spaced and separate from one another. Inasmuch as the first and second tabs 42,44 of the first spacer device 40 are attached along the first and second edges 22,23, they cause a spacing and a separation of said edges relative to one another, in a direction transverse to the edges. The opening 28 is then delimited by the first and second edges 22,23.

(36) The tabs 52,54 of the second spacer member 50 also separate from one another, which further improves the spacing of the first and second edges and increases the dimensions of the longitudinal opening 28 in said direction transverse to the edges.

(37) Inasmuch as the length of the tabs of the elastic spacer members 40,50 is less than half the length L of the edges 22,23, the angle formed by the tabs relative to a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal opening is large, preferably greater than 10°, and a maximum spacing force is exerted on the first and second edges 22,23.

(38) The angle formed by the tables of the elastic spacer members 40,50 according to the disclosure, relative to a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal opening 28 is much greater than the angle formed by the tabs of the devices of the prior art, relative to said longitudinal direction of the longitudinal opening.

(39) Moreover, the first end 40a of the first tab 42 and the first end 40b of the second tab 44 are attached to the flexible support between the half and the first end 22a,23a respectively of the first and second edges 22,23, where the first and second edges can have a maximum spacing.

(40) The opening can again be blocked by sliding the cursor 26 along the first and second closing devices 30,32 in a second direction, the engagement elements 34 of the first and second zipper portions of the first and second closing devices 30,32 then cooperate and the first and second edges 22,23 are brought closer. The closing devices are placed in the closed position and the ventilation device 10 is again in the condition illustrated in FIG. 2.

(41) FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the ventilation device according to the disclosure. In this example, the ventilation device 10 also comprises a first sheath 60 integral with the flexible support 20, in which the first spacer member 40 extends, and a second sheath 70 integral with the flexible support 20, in which the second elastic spacer member 50 extends.

(42) The first sheath 60 comprises a first lateral portion 62, extending along the first edges 22, and receiving the first tab 42 of the first elastic spacer member 40. It further comprises a second lateral portion 64, extending along the second edge 23, and receiving the second tab 44 of the first elastic spacer member.

(43) The second sheath 70 comprises a first lateral portion 72, extending along the first edge 22 and receiving the first tab 52 of the second elastic spacer member 50. It further comprises a second lateral portion 74, extending along the second edge 23, and receiving the second tab 54 of the second elastic spacer member 50.

(44) The first and second sheaths 60,70 allow maintaining the first and second elastic spacer members 40,50 in substantially the same plane parallel to the plane P of the flexible support 20 and to guide the tabs of said elastic spacer member along the edges.

(45) When the closing devices 30,32 are placed in the open position, the tabs of the first and second elastic spacer members 40,50 are spaced, which causes a separation of the lateral portions of the first and second sheaths 60,70 and therefore a separation of the first and second edges 22,23 relative to one another. The sheaths 60,70 therefore allow guiding the elastic spacer members and attaching them to the flexible support 20.

(46) A second variant of an elastic spacer member 10 of the ventilation device according to the disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this non-limiting example, the elastic spacer member is provided with a reinforcing part 80.

(47) This reinforcing part 80 comprises, in a non-limiting manner, an insert portion 82 extending inside the elastic spacer member 40 at the central portion 46 and partially at the first and second tabs 42,44. The insert portion reinforces the spacer members and avoids its breakage when it is constrained.

(48) The reinforcing part 80 also comprises an attachment portion 84 protruding from the central portion 46 of the elastic spacer member 40 and allowing attaching said spacer member to the flexible support 20.

(49) The reinforcing part 80 can be made of a different material from that of the elastic spacer member.