Method For The Unwinding/Winding a Laminar Sheet and Winding Structure For Covering Areas Suitable For Implementing Said Method

Abstract

A method for unwinding/winding a laminar sheet ( 2 ) arranged so as to cover an area (a) and forming part of a winding structure ( 1 ), which comprises a supporting structure ( 3 ) associated with the area and including a cylinder ( 9 ) for supporting said laminar sheet that identifies a first longitudinal axis of rotation, drive means ( 11 ) for rotating the cylinder around the first longitudinal axis and elastic means ( 12 ) cooperating mechanically with the drive means ( 11 ) during the unwinding/winding of the laminar sheet. The unwinding of the laminar sheet from the cylinder is due to the effect of the rotation of the cylinder induced by the drive means, while the winding of the laminar sheet onto the cylinder is due to the effect of the recovery of the mechanical energy stored by the elastic means during the unwinding of the laminar sheet.

1 ) Method for unwinding/winding a laminar sheet ( 2 ) for spreading so as to cover an area (A) and forming part of a winding structure ( 1 ) that comprises:
 a supporting structure ( 3 ), for installing in said area (A), that includes a cylinder ( 9 ) for supporting said laminar sheet ( 2 ) and identifying a first longitudinal axis of rotation (Z);   drive means ( 11 ) for rotating said cylinder ( 9 ) around said first longitudinal axis (Z);   elastic means ( 12 ) cooperating mechanically with said drive means ( 11 ) during the unwinding/winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ),   characterized in that the unwinding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ) from said cylinder ( 9 ) occurs due to the effect of the rotation of said cylinder ( 9 ) induced by said drive means ( 11 ), and the rewinding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ) onto said cylinder ( 9 ) is due to the effect of the recovery of the mechanical energy stored by said elastic means ( 12 ) during said unwinding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ).   
   
   
       2 ) Method according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that said cylinder ( 9 ) rotates around said first longitudinal axis (Z) in one direction during said unwinding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ) and in the opposite direction during the winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       3 ) Method according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that said elastic means ( 12 ) are progressively loaded and released, respectively, during said unwinding and winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       4 ) Method according to  claim 3 ), characterized in that said elastic means ( 12 ) are loaded/released due directly to the effect of the rotation of said cylinder ( 9 ), with which they are associated, around said first longitudinal axis (Z). 
   
   
       5 ) Method according to  claim 4 ), characterized in that said elastic means ( 12 ) slide in one direction along said first longitudinal axis (Z) inside said cylinder ( 9 ), thereby becoming loaded, during the unwinding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ), and slide in the opposite direction, thereby becoming extended during the winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       6 ) Method according to  claim 3 ), characterized in that said elastic means are loaded/released due to the effect of the rotation of transmission means, to which said elastic means are connected, around a second longitudinal axis identified by a supporting element forming part of said supporting structure and to which said transmission means are connected. 
   
   
       7 ) Method according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that the unwinding/winding of said laminar sheet from/onto said cylinder involves the unwinding/winding of two sheets of substantially the same size, forming together said laminar sheet, in opposite directions lying on the same plane. 
   
   
       8 ) Method according to  claim 7 ), characterized in that said longitudinal plane is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       9 ) Method according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that the rewinding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ) is done automatically when the parameter used to measure the weather conditions reaches or exceeds a pre-set critical value. 
   
   
       10 ) Method according to  claim 9 ), characterized in that said critical value is at least 60 km/h when said parameter is the wind speed. 
   
   
       11 ) Method according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that said unwinding/winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ) is enabled by the user by means of a central data processing unit ( 14 ). 
   
   
       12 ) Method according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises a procedure for preloading said elastic means ( 12 ), conducted during the installation of said structure ( 1 ) while said laminar sheet ( 2 ) is unwound. 
   
   
       13 ) Method according to  claim 12 ), characterized in that it comprises a procedure for the horizontal positioning of said cylinder ( 9 ) that is completed before/after said procedure for preloading said elastic means ( 12 ). 
   
   
       14 ) Winding structure ( 1 ) for covering areas (A) comprising:
 a laminar sheet ( 2 ) for arranging so as to cover said area (A);   a supporting structure ( 3 ), for installing in said area (A) and including the following components:
 at least one supporting element ( 4 ,  5 ) for associating with a supporting surface (S) in said area (A), complete with transmission means ( 6 ,  7 ) connected by tensioning means ( 8 ) to said laminar sheet ( 2 ); 
 a cylinder ( 9 ), that supports said laminar sheet ( 2 ) and identifies a first longitudinal axis of rotation (Z), for associating by means of fixing means ( 10 ) with said supporting surface (S); 
   drive means ( 11 ) for inducing the rotation of said cylinder ( 9 ) around said first longitudinal axis (Z);   elastic means ( 12 ) cooperating mechanically with said drive means ( 11 ) during the unwinding/winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ),   characterized in that said elastic means ( 12 ) are contained inside one of said components comprising said supporting structure ( 3 ) and are associated with means of rotation ( 13 ), operatively connected to said drive means ( 11 ), suitable for loading/releasing said elastic means ( 12 ) during said unwinding/winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ).   
   
   
       15 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said elastic means ( 12 ) are contained inside said cylinder ( 9 ) and said drive means ( 11 ) are installed inside said supporting element ( 4 ,  5 ). 
   
   
       16 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 15 ), characterized in that said means of rotation ( 13 ) consist of said cylinder ( 9 ). 
   
   
       17 ) Structure according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said elastic means are contained inside said supporting element and said drive means are associated with said cylinder. 
   
   
       18 ) Structure according to  claim 15 ), characterized in that said means of rotation consist of said transmission means. 
   
   
       19 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said laminar sheet ( 2 ) is a sheet made of plastic material. 
   
   
       20 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said laminar sheet ( 2 ) is attached to said cylinder ( 9 ) by connection means ( 16 ) provided in line with one edge ( 2   a ) of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       21 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said laminar sheet ( 2 ) consists of two sheets ( 21 ,  22 ) of substantially the same size, joined together in the vicinity of said edge ( 2   a ) by joining means ( 17 ). 
   
   
       22 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 21 ), characterized in that said sheets ( 21 ,  22 ) are wrapped onto said cylinder ( 9 ) in opposite directions. 
   
   
       23 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 21 ), characterized in that said joining means ( 17 ) consist of a seam of stitches ( 18 ) extending over the full length (L) of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       24 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 20 ), characterized in that said connection means ( 16 ) comprise a shaped cavity ( 19 ) that is open on one side ( 19 ′), in the side wall ( 9   a ) of said cylinder ( 9 ), to allow for the insertion of a cylindrical core ( 20 ) contained inside a fold ( 23 ) created in the vicinity of said edge ( 2   a ) along the full width (L) of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       25 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 24 ), characterized in that said profile ( 19 ′) of said shaped cavity ( 19 ) is in the form of an incomplete circle whose circumference extends around at least 180°. 
   
   
       26 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 24 ), characterized in that said cylindrical core ( 20 ) has an internally threaded hole ( 24 ) at one end ( 20   a ) at least, whereon a screw ( 25 ) engages thereby pulling said laminar sheet taut ( 2 ). 
   
   
       27 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 24 ), characterized in that said cylindrical core ( 20 ) is made of plastic. 
   
   
       28 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said supporting element ( 4 ,  5 ) consists of a tubular element ( 26 ,  56 ) that identifies a second longitudinal axis of rotation (Y) and is associated by means of supporting means ( 29 ) with a first upright ( 28 ) coming to bear on said supporting surface (S). 
   
   
       29 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 28 ), characterized in that said supporting means ( 29 ) include a shaped bracket ( 30 ) and a pair of shaped arms ( 31 ,  32 ), situated above said shaped bracket ( 30 ), projecting from the outer wall ( 28   a ) of said first upright ( 28 ). 
   
   
       30 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 29 ), characterized in that the bottom ( 26   a ) of said tubular element ( 26 ,  56 ) rests on said shaped bracket ( 30 ) while, near the top ( 26   b ), it is connected laterally by restraining means ( 33 ) to said shaped arms ( 31 ,  32 ). 
   
   
       31 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 30 ), characterized in that said restraining means ( 33 ) consist of screw means ( 37 ) inserted in at least one slot ( 38 ,  39 ) obtained in at least one of said arms ( 31 ,  32 ), and a threaded hole ( 401 ,  402 ), communicating with said slot ( 38 ,  39 ) and obtained on a ring ( 40 ) coupled coaxially and externally to said tubular element ( 26 ,  56 ). 
   
   
       32 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 31 ), characterized in that said screw means ( 37 ) are complete with a screw head ( 37   a ) projecting from the lateral surface ( 31   a ,  32   a ) of one of said arms ( 31 ,  32 ). 
   
   
       33 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 31 ), characterized in that said slot ( 38 ,  39 ) has an elongated shape with a slightly arched profile so as to enable the angular adjustment of said tubular element ( 26 ,  56 ) with respect to said first upright ( 28 ). 
   
   
       34 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 30 ), characterized in that said transmission means ( 6 ,  7 ) are situated above said top ( 26   b ) of said tubular element ( 26 ,  56 ). 
   
   
       35 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 26 ), characterized in that said transmission means ( 6 ,  7 ) comprise a pulley ( 34 ), coaxial to said tubular element ( 26 ,  56 ), with a spiral-shaped continuous groove ( 35 ) on its outer surface ( 34   a ) wherein said tensioning means ( 8 ) are contained during said winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       36 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 35 ), characterized in that said tensioning means ( 8 ) consist of metal cables ( 36 ), having one end ( 36   a ) attached to said edge ( 34   b ) of said pulley ( 34 ) and the opposite end ( 36   b ) attached to said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       37 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 29 ), characterized in that said first upright ( 28 ) is complete with a pair of shaped wings ( 41 ,  42 ), projecting from said outer wall ( 28   a ) of said first upright ( 28 ) on the side opposite the shaped arms ( 31 ,  32 ), to which ties ( 43 ) are attached to contrast the force exerted by said tensioning means ( 8 ) during said winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       38 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that it includes a central data processing unit ( 14 ) at the user's disposal, electrically connected to said drive means ( 11 ), suitable for automatically controlling the unwinding/winding of said laminar sheet ( 2 ). 
   
   
       39 ) Structure according to  claim 38 ), characterized in that it includes means for monitoring ( 15 ) the weather conditions, electrically connected to said central data processing unit ( 14 ). 
   
   
       40 ) Structure according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said supporting element consists of a container placed inside said supporting surface. 
   
   
       41 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 ), characterized in that said means ( 10 ) for fixing said cylinder ( 9 ) to said supporting surface (S) comprise at least a second upright ( 44 ,  45 ) that comes to bear on said supporting surface (S) and, at its free end ( 44   a ,  45   a ), has a female thread whereon a threaded pin ( 46 ,  47 ) projecting coaxially from the end ( 9   b ,  9   c ) of said cylinder ( 9 ) engages. 
   
   
       42 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 41 ), characterized in that said cylinder ( 9 ) contains:
 a shaft ( 48 ) coaxial to said cylinder ( 9 ) and developing along said first longitudinal axis (Z), complete with said threaded pin ( 46 );   an internal spacer cylinder ( 49 ), coming between said cylinder ( 9 ) and said shaft ( 48 );   a cylindrical bumper ( 50 ), slidingly arranged inside said cylinder ( 9 ) and fixed to the free inside end ( 48   a ) of said shaft ( 48 ).   
   
   
       43 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 42 ), characterized in that said elastic means ( 12 ) consist of a spiral spring ( 51 ) coupled externally to said internal cylinder ( 49 ), with one end ( 51   a ) attached by locking means ( 52 ) to said cylindrical bumper ( 50 ), and the opposite end ( 51   b ) connected to a shaped plate ( 53 ) projecting from said shaft ( 48 ). 
   
   
       44 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 42 ), characterized in that said cylindrical bumper ( 50 ) is precisely coupled to said cylinder ( 9 ). 
   
   
       45 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 42 ), characterized in that said cylindrical bumper ( 50 ) is made of plastic. 
   
   
       46 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 42 ), characterized in that said internal cylinder ( 49 ) is made of plastic. 
   
   
       47 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 42 ), characterized in that it comprises means for loading ( 54 ) said elastic means ( 12 ), associated with said cylinder ( 9 ). 
   
   
       48 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 47 ), characterized in that said loading means ( 54 ) form part of a bearing block ( 55 ), with a first part ( 55   a ) coupled to said second upright ( 44 ,  45 ) and a second part ( 55   b ) with an internally threaded through hole ( 59 ) wherein said threaded pin engages ( 46 ). 
   
   
       49 ) Structure ( 1 ) according to  claim 48 ), characterized in that said first ( 55   a ) and second parts ( 55   b ) of said bearing block ( 55 ) are connected together by hinged means ( 60 ) suitable for enabling the horizontal positioning of said cylinder ( 9 ).