SOLAR PROTECTION OR WIND PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to solar/wind protection devices. In one example embodiment, a protection device includes a plurality of longitudinal rods including longitudinally coupled longitudinal sub-rods, a plurality of transverse rods including longitudinally coupled transverse sub-rods, and at least one covering unit stretched between the longitudinal rods. The transverse rods at least partially connect the plurality of longitudinal rods to one another, and at least one transverse rod includes at least one tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of the at least one covering unit in the transverse direction. The at least one tension adjusting device is arranged between two transverse sub-rods of the plurality of transverse rods.

Description

The invention relates to a solar protection or wind protection device having a plurality of longitudinal rods, which have longitudinally coupled longitudinal sub-rods, having a plurality of transverse rods, which have longitudinally coupled transverse sub-rods, having at least one covering unit, which is stretched between the longitudinal rods, wherein the transverse rods at least partially connect the longitudinal rods to one another, and wherein at least one transverse rod has at least one tension adjusting device for adjusting the tension of the covering unit in the transverse direction.

Such solar protection or windbreak devices usually use fabrics such as sails or cloths as the covering unit, which are stretched by the rods. In order for the device to provide shade and wind protection as intended, the covering unit must be tensioned between the longitudinal rods to a certain extent. To achieve this, the longitudinal rods are often threaded into tabs or similar connecting loops of the covering unit and the longitudinal rods are then spread with the transverse rods accordingly to achieve the desired tensioning effect. The longitudinal rods thus preferably support the covering unit, while the transverse rods define the positions of the longitudinal rods relative to each other. It can of course also be provided that the transverse rods are connected to the covering unit.

The longitudinal rods and the transverse rods have coupled, i.e. longitudinally coupled, sub-rods at their ends. These sub-rods can be connected, for example, by means of connecting bushings into which they are inserted. This allows easy transport in a non-connected state, in that the device can be folded up very small. Once the sub-rods are longitudinally coupled, they can transmit force. For this purpose, the longitudinal rods and transverse rods are preferably elastic in design in order to form defined shapes in tension. For example, arches or domes can be formed. The connecting bushings usually have centrally arranged stops in their interiors, which only allow the sub-rods to penetrate the connecting bushing to a defined depth. This defines an end position of the sub-rods to the connecting bushing in an assembled state.

In order to be able to better adjust the degree of tension, especially when different covering units are available for exchange, tension adjusting devices are known which have tension adjusting devices at the end of the transverse rods. Often, these tension adjusting devices are designed as axial screw connections of connecting elements for connecting to the longitudinal rods and the transverse rods. By turning the connecting elements, the length of the transverse rods and thus the distance of the longitudinal rods from one another can thus be increased or decreased somewhat in order to achieve a higher tension as a result of the change in length. However, it is disadvantageous that for this purpose the connecting elements of the transverse rods must be detached from the longitudinal rods in order to carry out the change in length. Furthermore, adjustment is difficult when the device is already mostly or fully assembled because, as described, the covering unit is generally connected to the longitudinal rods and adjustment makes these areas difficult to access by the user. By being connected to the longitudinal rods, the covering unit obstructs access to the tension adjusting device, since the latter is generally not elastic or only slightly elastic. Furthermore, these tension adjusting devices are usually not elastic or have a different elasticity than the other parts of the transverse rods. Accordingly, when force is applied to the transverse rods, irregular deformation of the transverse rod occurs. This is visually unappealing.

The object of the invention is thus to avoid the disadvantages mentioned and to provide a solar protection or wind protection device which has improved operability.

According to the invention, this object is solved in that the tension adjusting device is arranged between two transverse sub-rods of the transverse rod.

This moves the tension adjusting device away from the longitudinal rod, making it more accessible to the user. This facilitates adjustability as the covering unit can be pushed away from the tension adjusting device more easily when it is further away from the longitudinal rod. This goes so far that the adjustment may even be possible with only one hand.

The longitudinal sub-rods and/or also the transverse sub-rods are preferably connected to each other by means of rubber bands extending inside the rods. The sub-rods can be detachably connected to each other by means of connecting bushings, but the individual parts are captive due to the rubber bands.

It is particularly advantageous if the tension adjusting device is arranged approximately halfway along the length of the transverse rod. This also enables a uniform shape of the transverse rod in the event of bending.

Furthermore, it may be provided that the tension adjusting device comprises a bushing longitudinally coupling two transverse sub-rods to each other and the bushing comprises at least one thread for connection to a corresponding thread of a first transverse sub-rod of the two transverse sub-rods. Preferably, this bushing receives the ends of the first and second transverse sub-rods and thus simultaneously acts as a connecting element of the two transverse sub-rods coupling them longitudinally thereto. When the bushing is rotated, its thread engages the thread of the first transverse sub-rod, which thereby moves further into the interior of the bushing, thereby changing the position of the first sub-rod relative to the bushing. The second sub-rod, on the other hand, preferably abuts a stop of the bushing and is thus in a defined position relative to the bushing. Screwing the bushing thus leads to an adjustment of the distance between the first and second transverse sub-rods, and thus to a change in the length of the transverse rod. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous since it can be adjusted from the outside only by turning the bushing, which is particularly simple and easy to handle. Moreover, the mechanism is not visible from the outside and does not interfere visually and is protected from external mechanical or chemical stresses. Preferably, therefore, the thread of the bushing is arranged inside the bushing while the first transverse sub-rod is inserted into the bushing. Alternatively, the thread may be arranged on the outside of the bushing and a transverse sub-rod may comprise a recess at the end facing the bushing and having a corresponding thread.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the thread of the first transverse sub-rod is arranged in the region of the end of the first transverse sub-rod facing the bushing, and a second transverse sub-rod has no thread at the end of the second transverse sub-rod facing the bushing. Preferably, the second transverse sub-rod is flat at its end facing the bushing.

It is particularly advantageous if the thread of the bushing has a stop against which a second transverse sub-rod rests in the assembled state. In this way, a particularly compact and easy-to-manufacture design of the bushing is found. The bushing can be designed as a tube, in the interior of which a constriction is provided in which the thread is arranged. Thus, the constriction acts as a retaining member of the thread and the end wall of the constriction acts as a stop for the second transverse sub-rod.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the thread of the bushing is arranged in the area of about one third of the longitudinal extension of the bushing. This leaves a particularly large amount of space for the arrangement of the second transverse sub-rod in the bushing, which ensures a particularly stable connection with the latter. This is not necessary for the first transverse sub-rod, since this is in any case in a sufficiently firm connection with the bushing by means of the thread. This means that the bushing can be made shorter.

If the thread of the first transverse sub-rod has an external diameter d, and the second transverse sub-rod has, at least in the region of the end facing the bushing, a recess whose internal diameter D is greater than the external diameter of the thread, the first transverse sub-rod can be partially accommodated by the second transverse sub-rod if the threads interlock to such a depth that the thread of the first transverse sub-rod extends as far as the second transverse sub-rod. In this way, the thread of the first transverse sub-rod can also be made particularly long and the length adjustment of the transverse rod can extend over a particularly large range.

In order to be able to use different covering units of very different sizes, it can be provided that at least one transverse rod has at least one extension sub-rod which can be coupled longitudinally to at least one transverse sub-rod. With these removable extension parts, the length can be greatly increased.

If the transverse rods are connected to the longitudinal rods at least partially via elastic gripping clamps, the connection of the transverse rods to the longitudinal rods can be easily established. The connection via the gripping clamps allows on the one hand a displaceability of the transverse rods along the longitudinal rods and on the other hand also an easy mounting and dismounting. For this purpose, the gripping clamp is pressed against the longitudinal rod with force, as a result of which the clamp bends up elastically and thus encompasses the longitudinal rod. For this purpose, the gripping clamp preferably has a cylindrical part which connects to the transverse rod and an at least partially elastic gripping part which can partially embrace the longitudinal rod. This also results in a rotatability about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal rod.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if a head rod and a foot rod connect at least two longitudinal rods to each other at their ends, and the head rod and the foot rod each comprise a connecting member for fastening the solar protection or wind protection device to a suitable base such as a sun lounger, wherein the connecting members are pivotable about an axis of rotation transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head rod or foot rod. This allows the device to be ideally aligned depending on the sun or wind conditions, and to be readjusted at any time. Preferably, the connecting members are also pivotable about a tilt axis, wherein the tilt axis is arranged substantially parallel to the head or foot rod, depending on which rod the connecting member is arranged on. Alternatively, the connecting member may also be connected to the support in such a way that pivotability about a tilt axis results, for example via a clamp connection.

Connecting members preferably have toothed, interlocking rotating parts which can be twisted against each other in a relaxed position and pressed against each other in a tensioned position and thus fixed to prevent undesired twisting but still allow good adjustability.

The head and foot rods can be designed like the transverse rods, but can also be stronger and mechanically stronger, especially if they are to bend the longitudinal rods into defined shapes. The head and foot rods can have tension adjusting devices like the transverse rods.

Preferably, side parts are also provided which comprise the longitudinal rods which are not connected to the other longitudinal rods via transverse rods, but are preferably only movably connected to the other rods at their ends in a very particularly preferable manner. Thus, a side part sloping in the direction of the ground can be formed by gravity pulling this longitudinal rod in the direction of the ground.

It can be provided that the longitudinal rods or the head or foot rods have connection means for wheels, castors, skids or similar means of locomotion. In this way, such means of transport can be attached to the device in order to better transport the sun or wind sail in the assembled state. In the simplest case, holes may be provided in the longitudinal rods in the region of their ends through which connecting members such as screws or axles of the means of locomotion are passed.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to non-limiting embodiments shown in the figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention in a top view without a covering unit;

FIG. 2 shows a section of a bushing together with parts of a first and a second transverse sub-rod;

FIG. 3 a side view of an elastic gripping clamp;

FIG. 4 a side view of a connecting member in a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 a side view of a part of a connecting member in a second embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a solar protection or wind protection device 1 without a covering unit. In this case, two longitudinal rods 2a, three transverse rods 6 and one head rod 15 and one foot rod 15 each form a rod assembly which can tension a covering unit. In this case, the longitudinal rods 2a are assembled parallel to one another and are composed of longitudinal sub-rods 2 which are connected to one another longitudinally via connecting bushings 9. The covering unit is connected to the longitudinal rods 2a and is stretched between them. The transverse rods 6, which are normal to the longitudinal rods 2a and parallel to one another, each have two transverse sub-rods 61, wherein tension adjusting devices 11 are arranged in the middle of the transverse rods 6, which have bushings 10 connecting the transverse sub-rods 61 to one another. The head and foot rods 15 do not comprise tension adjusting devices, but may equally comprise such in alternative embodiments. The head and foot rods 15 are U-shaped in design and accommodate the ends of the longitudinal rods 2a. The transverse rods 6 are connected to the longitudinal rods 2a via gripping clamps 7. In alternative embodiments, it may be provided that more than two transverse sub-rods 61 are provided, wherein a plurality of tension adjusting devices 11 is provided between them. By adjusting the tension adjusting devices 11, the lengths of the transverse rods 6, and thus the distance of the longitudinal rods 2a from each other, and thus the tension of the in the transverse direction q can be adjusted. In the region of the ends of the longitudinal rods, these have bores 16 which, in the assembled state, correspond to bores in the foot rod 15 and are disposed over one another. Skids or wheels can be fitted over these to facilitate transport.

In FIG. 2, the tension adjusting device 11 is shown in more detail. This has a hollow cylindrical bushing 10, which has a thread 12 inside. The thread is arranged on a base 13, which has shoulders in the direction of the openings of the bushing 10, which can serve as a stop 14. The thread 12 is arranged at approximately one third of the total length L of the bushing 10. A first transverse sub-rod 66a comprises, at an end facing the bushing 10, a thread 67 corresponding to the thread 12 of the bushing 10, which can be screwed thereto. Thus, when the bushing 10 is rotated by the user, the first transverse sub-rod 66a slides into or out of the bushing 10. On the opposite side of the bushing 10, a second transverse sub-rod 66b is arranged which is designed as a hollow tube. In this case, the inner diameter D of this resulting recess is larger than the outer diameter d of the thread 67. The end of the second transverse sub-rod, when inserted into the bushing 10, rests against a stop 14 of the thread 12. When the threads 67, 12 are fully rotated into one another, an edge of the first transverse sub-rod 66a similarly abuts a stop 14.

FIG. 3 shows a gripping clamp 20 which can establish a connection between a transverse rod 6 and a longitudinal rod 2a. For this purpose, the transverse rod 6 can be inserted into the recess of the cylindrical part 21. To connect with the longitudinal rod 2a, the elastic gripping part 22 of the gripping clamp 20, which has the shape of a part of a hollow cylinder, is pressed against the longitudinal rod 2a. The gripping part thereby deforms elastically and grips around the longitudinal rod 2a. This provides a stable connection, but one that can be released if required, and also allows rotation about an axis x corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the gripping part and the longitudinal rod 2a.

FIG. 4 shows a connecting member 30 which has a first connecting part in the form of a draw clamp 32 for gripping the foot or head rod 15 and a second connecting part in the form of a gripper 31 for connection to a sun lounger, a railing, a carabiner driven into the ground or other support for attaching the device. The gripper 31 and the draw clamp 32 are connected via a screw shaft 33, wherein a rotary part designed as a toothed plate 34 with teeth or alternatively other fixing means is firmly connected to each of the gripper 31 and the draw clamp 32. In the position shown, the draw clamp 32 and gripper 31 are rotatable or pivotable relative to one another about the screw axis 33—which defines the axis of rotation y—and thus transversely to the longitudinal axis of the foot rod 15 or head rod 15. If the screw axis 33 is screwed into a corresponding thread in the gripper 31 via a handle 35, then on the one hand this closes the draw clamp 32 and thus brings it into engagement with a foot rod 15 or head rod 15 arranged therein, which is not shown. Furthermore, the toothed plates 34 are pressed together, the teeth are brought into engagement and the rotational position of gripper 31 to draw clamp 32 is fixed. Thus, the rotational position can be freely selected in the open state, but fixed in the closed state, thus preventing unintentional adjustment. In this respect, the draw clamp 32 and/or the gripper 31 may allow rotation about a further axis, either about the longitudinal axis of the head or foot rod 15 or about the element encompassing the gripper 31.

FIG. 5 shows a part of an alternative embodiment of a first connecting part of the connecting member 30, this part representing one half of a draw clamp 32 which has around it a semi-cylindrical recess 36 for accommodating and fixing the head or foot rod 15 together with a corresponding counterpart, preferably substantially shaped like this part. Preferably, it also comprises another similarly shaped recess of a different diameter so as to be usable for head or foot rods 15 of other dimensions. A bore 37 passes through the part, through which an axle can be passed which can connect the described counterpart and a second connecting part to the part. In this regard, a circular toothed plate 34 is arranged around the bore, which can be engaged with a corresponding toothed plate of the second connecting part. The part has a semi-circular shape, which makes it easy for a user to grasp and thereby easily adjust the angle.

Such an embodiment with interlocking toothed plates allows for good adjustability. Alternatively, an embodiment may also provide an axle rotatably connecting a first connecting part of the connecting member 30 connectable to the head or foot rod 15 to a second connecting part of the connecting member 30 for connection to the suitable base. In this case, a locking body such as a ball is pressed onto the axle via a spring member, thereby preventing unwanted rotation due to wind or other external forces. Only when sufficient force is applied, such as by the hand of the user, is the spring force overcome and the device can be pivoted. In this regard, the axle may have surface modifications such as indentations or projections at least in the region of the locking body in order to improve the connection to the locking body. Preferably, the force of the spring can be adjusted by an adjusting screw. This allows a user to initially determine how much force is required to pivot the device by adjusting the set screw.

Claims

1. Solar protection or wind protection device comprising:

a plurality of longitudinal rods including longitudinally coupled longitudinal sub-rods;

a plurality of transverse rods including longitudinally coupled transverse sub-rods; and

at least one covering unit stretched between the longitudinal rods;

wherein the transverse rods at least partially connect the plurality of longitudinal rods to one another;

wherein at least one transverse rod of the plurality of transverse rods includes at least one tension adjusting device configured and arranged for adjusting the tension of the at least one covering unit in the transverse direction (q), characterized in that the at least one tension adjusting device is arranged between two transverse sub-rods of the plurality of transverse rods.

2. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tension adjusting device is arranged approximately halfway along a length of the transverse rod.

3. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 1, wherein the tension adjusting device includes a bushing which couples the two transverse sub-rods to one another longitudinally, and the bushing has at least one thread for connection to a corresponding thread of a first transverse sub-rod of the two transverse sub-rods.

4. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 3, wherein the corresponding thread of the first transverse sub-rod is arranged in the region of the end of the first transverse sub-rod facing the bushing, and a second transverse sub-rod of the two transverse sub-rods has no thread at an end facing the bushing.

5. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 3, wherein the at least one thread of the bushing includes a stop, and wherein a second transverse sub-rod of the two transverse sub-rods is configured and arranged to rest against the stop in an assembled state.

6. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 3, wherein the at least one thread of the bushing is arranged in the region of about one third of a longitudinal extension of the bushing.

7. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 4, wherein the corresponding thread of the first transverse sub-rod has an outer diameter (d), and the second transverse sub-rod has, at least in the region of the end facing the bushing, a recess whose inner diameter (D) is greater than the outer diameter (d) of the corresponding thread.

8. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of transverse rods includes at least one extension sub-rod configured and arranged to be coupled longitudinally to the at least one transverse sub-rod.

9. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of transverse rods are connected to the plurality of longitudinal rods at least partially via elastic gripping clamps.

10. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 1, further including

a head rod including at least one connecting member;

a foot rod including at least one connecting member;

at least two longitudinal rods of the plurality of longitudinal rods; and

wherein the head rod and the foot rod interconnect the at least two longitudinal rods at their ends, and the at least one connecting members are configured and arranged for fastening the solar protection or wind protection device to a suitable base such as a sun lounger, wherein the connecting members are configured and arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of the head or foot rod.

11. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 2, wherein the tension adjusting device includes a bushing which couples the two transverse sub-rods to one another longitudinally, and the bushing has at least one thread for connection to a corresponding thread of a first transverse sub-rod of the two transverse sub-rods.

12. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 4, wherein the at least one thread of the bushing includes a stop, and wherein a second transverse sub-rod of the two transverse sub-rods is configured and arranged to rest against the stop in an assembled state.

13. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 5, wherein the at least one thread of the bushing is arranged in the region of about one third of a longitudinal extension of the bushing.

14. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 6, wherein the corresponding thread of the first transverse sub-rod has an outer diameter (d), and the second transverse sub-rod has, at least in the region of the end facing the bushing, a recess whose inner diameter (D) is greater than the outer diameter (d) of the corresponding thread.

15. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the plurality of transverse rods includes at least one extension sub-rod configured and arranged to be coupled longitudinally to the at least one transverse sub-rod.

16. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of transverse rods are connected to the plurality of longitudinal rods at least partially via elastic gripping clamps.

17. The solar protection or wind protection device of claim 9, further including a head rod including at least one connecting member;

a foot rod including at least one connecting member;

at least two longitudinal rods of the plurality of longitudinal rods; and

wherein the head rod and the foot rod interconnect the at least two longitudinal rods at their ends, and the at least one connecting members are configured and arranged for fastening the solar protection or wind protection device to a suitable base such as a sun lounger, wherein the connecting members are configured and arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of the head or foot rod.