Unwinding and/or winding device, particularly for awnings and the like

Abstract

An unwinding and/or winding device, particularly for awnings, comprising a rotating shaft rotatably coupled to a supporting element for the rotation of the rotating shaft around its longitudinal axis. A flexible element is also comprised, a portion of which is associable with a covering sheet to be tightened and fixed, at a first one of its ends, to the rotating shaft for the unwinding or winding of the same flexible element, respectively, from or onto the rotating shaft. The device also comprises a slider that moves with respect to the supporting element in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft and is kinematically associated with the rotating shaft by means of motion conversion elements for converting the rotary motion of the rotating shaft into a translational motion of the slider. During its unwinding or its winding, respectively, from or onto the rotating shaft, the flexible element is guided by the slider.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An unwinding and/or winding device, particularly for awnings and the like, comprising a rotating shaft rotatably coupled to a supporting element for the rotation of said rotating shaft around its longitudinal axis, a flexible element being also provided, a portion of which is associable with a covering sheet to be tightened and fixed, at a first one of its ends, to said rotating shaft for the unwinding or winding of said flexible element, respectively, from or onto said rotating shaft, further comprising a slider that moves along said supporting element in parallel with said longitudinal axis and kinematically associated with said rotating shaft by means of a motion conversion means for converting the rotary motion of said rotating shaft into a translational motion of said slider, during its unwinding or its winding, respectively, from or onto said rotating shaft, said flexible element being guided by said slider. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a covering element fitted with play at least on said rotating shaft and jointly connected to said supporting element, said covering element defining, at said rotating shaft, a slit extending substantially in parallel with said longitudinal axis for the guided sliding of said slider with respect to said covering element, said flexible element passing through said slit. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said motion conversion means comprise at least one ferrule that is firmly connected, in translation, to said slider, and an endless screw that is firmly connected, in rotation, to said at least one rotating shaft and firmly connected, in translation, to said supporting element. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said endless screw is defined on said rotating shaft and that said flexible element winds or unwinds, respectively, in or from coils lodged in the hollows defined between one crest and the next of the threaded profile of said endless screw. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 11 , further comprising drive means associated with said supporting element and operatively connected to said rotating shaft for its rotation around said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said drive means are housed at least partly inside said covering element. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said drive means comprise a motor of the electric type with the axis of rotation of the rotor substantially coaxial with said at least one rotating shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a first return pulley rotatably associated with a flap of said covering sheet, said flexible element being partly wound, at said portion, around said first return pulley and having a second end, opposite to said first end associated with said rotating shaft, which can be removably fixed to a fastener associated with either said supporting element or said covering element for the immediate rewinding of said covering sheet. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a second return pulley rotatably associated with either said supporting element or said covering element and located between said slit and said fastener, said flexible element being partly wound around said second return pulley. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said supporting element is associated with a vertical pole of an awning coaxially thereto.