Adapter element and modular system

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter element for fastening a planar element, in particular an awning, to a vehicle, including an adapter body, which has a first edge region for fastening the adapter element to a vehicle, and a second edge region for fastening a planar element to the adapter element. The first edge region of the adapter body is equipped with a vehicle connection element for releasably fastening the first edge region to a vehicle. The second edge region of the adapter body is equipped at the second edge region with a planar element connection element for releasably fastening the second edge region to an edge region of a planar element. The invention also relates to a modular system having such an adapter element and having a planar element.

Claims

1. An adapter element for fastening a planar element, in particular an awning, to a vehicle, said adapter element comprising an adapter body, which has a first edge region for fastening the adapter element to a vehicle and a second edge region for fastening a planar element to the adapter element, wherein the first edge region of the adapter body is equipped with at least two vehicle connection elements for releasably fastening the first edge region to a vehicle in each case, the at least two vehicle connection elements being of different kinds, wherein the second edge region of the adapter body is equipped at the second edge region with a planar element connection element for releasably fastening the second edge region to an edge region of a planar element.

2. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein the adapter body has or is formed from a fabric, wherein a respective edge region of the fabric forms the first or second edge region.

3. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein the first edge region and the second edge region of the adapter body are opposite one another and preferably extend substantially over the same length.

4. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein the planar element connection element is designed as a zip side part extending along the second edge region.

5. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein the adapter body is equipped at the second edge region with a cover strip covering the planar element connection element the cover strip projecting beyond the planar element connection element.

6. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein a keder bead flap is connected to the adapter body at the first edge region, which is guided around a keder bead body and is adhered together in an adhesive region between the adapter body and the keder bead body, and in that a barring seam extending from a respective narrow side of the keder bead flap is provided on one or both narrow sides of the keder bead flap in the adhesive region.

7. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein the first edge region of the adapter body is equipped with a plurality of fastening straps, arranged over the width of the first edge region.

8. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein the first edge region of the adapter body is equipped with a tunnel extending along the first edge region, which preferably has a plurality of openings arranged over the width of the first edge region.

9. The adapter element according to claim 1, wherein an eyelet is provided at one or both lateral ends of the second edge region.

10. The adapter element according to claim 9, wherein an opening of the eyelet is arranged in a line with the planar element connection element.

11. An adapter element for fastening a planar element, in particular an awning, to a vehicle, said adapter element comprising an adapter body, which has a first edge region for fastening the adapter element to a vehicle and a second edge region for fastening a planar element to the adapter element, wherein the first edge region of the adapter body is equipped with a vehicle connection element for releasably fastening the first edge region to a vehicle, wherein the first edge region of the adapter body is equipped with a double keder bead with two keder beads of different diameters running along the first edge region; and, wherein the second edge region of the adapter body is equipped at the second edge region with a planar element connection element for releasably fastening the second edge region to an edge region of a planar element.

12. A modular system, comprising an adapter element according to claim 1 and a planar element, wherein the second edge region of the adapter body is adapted to an edge region of the planar element and wherein the edge region of the planar element has a connection element complementary to the planar element connection element for releasably fastening the planar element to the second edge region of the adapter body.

13. The modular system according to claim 12, wherein eyelets corresponding to one another are provided at one or both lateral ends of the second edge region of the adapter body and at one or both lateral ends of the edge region of the planar element, each eyelet having a respective opening, wherein the openings of the respective eyelets at the one or the both lateral ends are superimposed if the planar element is fastened to the adapter element as intended.

14. The modular system according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of planar elements with edge regions adapted to one another, wherein connection elements corresponding to one another are provided at the edge regions for optionally releasably fastening the planar elements to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features of the adapter element and of the modular system emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference being made to the attached drawing.

(2) In the drawing

(3) FIG. 1a-d show an exemplary embodiment of an adapter element according to the present invention,

(4) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the modular system according to the present invention,

(5) FIG. 3a-b show a fastening of the adapter element from FIG. 1 to a vehicle,

(6) FIG. 4a-b show an alternative fastening of the adapter element from FIG. 1 to a vehicle and

(7) FIG. 5a-b show a further alternative fastening of the adapter element from FIG. 1 to a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1a-d show an exemplary embodiment of an adapter element for fastening a planar element, in particular an awning, to a vehicle in a schematic representation. FIG. 1a shows a view, FIG. 1b-c show sectional views corresponding to the section planes drawn and marked with Ib or Ic in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1d shows a perspective representation of the double keder bead of the adapter element.

(9) The adapter element 2 comprises an elongated adapter body 4 made of a plastic fabric, for example of polyester or PVC fabric. The adapter body 4 has a first edge region 6 for fastening the adapter element 2 to a vehicle and a second edge region 8 for fastening a planar element, for example an awning, to the adapter element 2.

(10) The first edge region 6 of the adapter body 4 is equipped with different connection elements for releasably fastening the first edge region to a vehicle:

(11) First, the first edge region 6 is equipped with a double keder bead 10 running along the first edge region 6. For this purpose, a keder bead flap 12 in the form of a fabric strip is sewn onto the adapter body 4 (seam 11). The keder bead flap 12 is guided around two tubular keder bead bodies 14a-b with different diameters and adhered together in the respective adhesive region 15a or 15b adjoining the keder bead bodies 14a-b such that two keder beads 10a-b with different diameters result. By inserting one of the keder beads 10a-b into a keder rail (82 in FIG. 3b) provided on a vehicle, the adapter element 2 can be fastened to the vehicle. By providing a double keder bead 10 with two keder beads 10a-b with diameters of different sizes, the keder bead suitable for the respective keder rail can be selected.

(12) FIG. 1d shows the double keder bead 10 in perspective view, wherein the connection with the adapter body 4 has been hidden for the sake of clarity. It has been found that the adhesive region 15a, from which the keder bead flap 12 extends to the adapter body 4, is exposed to great stresses during use, such that an early failure of the adhesive bond can occur. It was further found that this problem can be remedied by providing the keder bead flap in the adhesive region 15a with a barring seam 17. It is not necessary for the barring seam 17 to extend along the entire adhesive region 15a. In fact, it was determined that it is sufficient for a barring seam 17 extending from the respective narrow side to be provided on both narrow sides of the keder bead flap 12 in the adhesive region 15a.

(13) Furthermore, the first edge region 6 of the adapter body 4 is equipped with a tunnel 20 with openings 22 arranged distributed over the width of the first edge region 6. In the case of the adapter element 2, the tunnel 20 is formed by a part of the adapter body 4, which is sewn together at the first edge region 6 as a hollow seam (seam 11). The tunnel 20 extends along the width of the first edge region and is opened at one or both ends so that a rod 24 can be inserted into the tunnel. The rod 24 is accessible from the outside at the openings 22 so that further connection elements, in particular suction cups, can be mounted on the rod with which the adapter element 2 can be fastened to a vehicle. The adapter body 4 is preferably reinforced in the region of the openings 22, in particular through seams 26, in order to avoid the adapter body 4 tearing in the region of the openings 22.

(14) Instead of a rod 24, a string can also be pulled through the tunnel 20 and tensioned. In this way, a stabilisation and fixing of the adapter element 2 can also be achieved.

(15) Furthermore, the first edge region 6 of the adapter body 4 is equipped with a plurality of fastening straps 30, in particular Velcro straps, arranged distributed over the width of the first edge region 6, with which the adapter body 4 can be fastened, for example, to a roof railing of a vehicle. The fastening straps 30 can for example be sewn with the adapter body 4 in the region of the openings 22.

(16) Due the first edge region 6 being fitted with different connection elements as previously described, the adapter element 2 can be flexibly connected to different vehicles, wherein in each case the connection elements suitable for the vehicle in question can be used.

(17) The adapter body 4 is further equipped at the second edge region 8 with a planar element connection element 40 for releasably fastening the second edge region to an edge region of a planar element. In the case of the adapter element 2, the planar element connection element 40 is designed as a zip side part extending along the second edge region 8, with which the adapter element 2 can be connected to a planar element which has a corresponding zip side part.

(18) The adapter body 4 can be equipped at the second edge region 8 with a cover strip 42 extending along the second edge region 8 and covering the planar element connection element 40 and projecting beyond this (illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1b with dashed lines). In this way, the planar element connection element 40 and a corresponding connection element of the planar element connected thereto can be sealed against rain.

(19) At the lateral ends 44, 46 of the second edge region 8, the adapter body 4 in each case has a tab 48, 50 with a respective eyelet 52, 54 through which, for example, guy ropes can be threaded in order to tension the adapter element.

(20) The opening of the eyelets 52, 54 are arranged in line with the zip side part 40. If the adapter element is tensioned through the eyelets 52, 54, this position of the eyelets reduces forces acting transversely on the zip side part 40 and thus facilitates actuation of the zip. In addition, this position makes it possible to overlap the eyelets 52, 54 with the respective eyelets of a planar element connected to the adapter element 2.

(21) FIG. 2 now shows an exemplary embodiment of the modular system with the adapter element 2 from FIG. 1a-b in schematic representation.

(22) The modular system 60 comprises the adapter element 2 and one or a plurality of planar elements, of which in FIG. 2 one planar element 62 is shown.

(23) The planar element 62 has a planar body 64, which is preferably formed from a plastic fabric, for example polyester or PVC. The planar body 64 has a triangular shape, in particular with side edges of equal length, and accordingly has three edge regions 66a-c at the three side edges. Alternatively, quadrangular or polygonal planar elements are also conceivable. Planar elements with curved side edges are also conceivable. However, the triangular shape is preferred, since it offers the greatest design freedom when connecting a plurality of planar elements.

(24) On the three side edges, the planar body 64 is in each case equipped with connection elements 68 extending along the edge regions 66a-c in the form of a zip side part. Zip slides are also provided on some of the zip side parts.

(25) The connection element 68 on at least one of the side edges of the planar element 62 is adapted to the planar element connection element 40 of the adapter element 2 such that, as shown in FIG. 2, they can be releasably connected to one another. The planar element 62 can be connected to similar planar elements 62 using the connection elements 68 on the remaining side edges in order to obtain an overall system with the desired shape, for example as sun protection. The adapter element 2 enables the simple and secure fastening of this overall system to a vehicle and thus simplifies its design and increases its stability.

(26) The planar element 62 has respective tabs 70 with eyelets 72 at its three corners. The eyelets are positioned such that their openings are in a line with the zip side parts 68 of the adjoining side edges. In this way, the eyelets 52, 54 of the tabs 48, 50 of the adapter element 2 lie exactly over two eyelets 72 of the tabs 70 of the planar element 62, so that a guy rope can be threaded through two eyelets on top of one another and the adapter element 2 and the planar element 62 can be tensioned together.

(27) FIG. 3a-b show in a schematic representation a possible fastening of the adapter element 2 from FIG. 1 to a vehicle. FIG. 3a shows a side view of the vehicle 80 with adapter element fastened thereto and FIG. 3b shows a sectional view on the rear of the vehicle. In this example, the vehicle 80 is a caravan. Alternatively, the vehicle 80 can, however, also be a passenger car, for example.

(28) A keder rail 82 runs on one side of the vehicle 80 above the vehicle door and vehicle windows. Such keder rails are common in caravans or motorhomes, for example. In order to fasten the adapter element 2 to the vehicle 80, the keder bead 10a of the double keder bead 10 is pushed or pulled into the keder rail 82. Using the planar element connection element 40, a planar element, such as for example the planar element 62 from FIG. 2, can be fastened to the adapter element 2 and in this way can be easily and securely fastened to the vehicle 80. In this way, for example, an awning can be attached directly to a vehicle 80 equipped with a keder rail.

(29) FIG. 4a-b show in a schematic representation an alternative fastening of the adapter element 2 from FIG. 1 to a vehicle 86 with a roof railing 88 extending on the roof of the vehicle 86 along one side of the vehicle, for example a passenger car. FIG. 4a shows a sectional view and FIG. 4b a sectional view on the rear of the vehicle.

(30) Various passenger cars have such roof railings. To fasten the adapter element 2 to the vehicle 86, the Velcro straps 30 arranged distributed over the width of the first edge region 6 are placed around the roof railing. For additional tightening of the adapter element 2, a rod 24 can also be pushed into the tunnel 20. Using the planar element connection element 40, a planar element 62 can then be easily and securely fastened to the adapter element 2 and thus to the vehicle 86. In this way, for example, an awning can be attached directly to a vehicle with a roof railing.

(31) A guy rope 92 can be threaded through the overlapping eyelets 54 and 72 of the adapter element 2 and of the planar element 62 in order to tension the adapter element 2 and planar element 62.

(32) FIG. 5a-b show in a schematic representation a further alternative fastening of the adapter element 2 from FIG. 1 to a vehicle 96. FIG. 5a shows a sectional side view and FIG. 5b a sectional view on the rear of the vehicle.

(33) The vehicle 96 has neither a keder rail nor a suitable roof railing. To fasten the adapter element 2 to such a vehicle, a rod 24 is first pushed into the tunnel 20. Suitable connection elements for fastening to the vehicle 96 can then be connected to the rod 24 through the openings 22. In FIG. 5a-b, suction cups 100 are connected by means of mechanical coupling means 98 to the rod 24, which, as shown in FIG. 5b, can be placed on an outer surface 102, for example on a body panel or window of the vehicle 96. In this way, the adapter element 2 and thus also a planar element that can be fastened thereto can also be fastened to a vehicle which has neither a keder rail nor a suitable roof railing.