Compact device for covering a surface comprising two axles for deploying and removing the cover

Abstract

A device for covering a is provided that includes (a) a cover, each longitudinal edge of which is provided with a protruding element; (b) a drum mounted so as to rotate on frames and capable of winding the cover; (c) a translation system for translatably moving the drum on rails that are placed on either side of the surface; (d) a system for continuously locking/unlocking the protruding element into/from the rails during the translation of the drum. The translation system includes: —a first rotation means (M 1 ) for activating the rotation of a closing axle that winds a pull cord ( 21 ) enabling the drum to be pulled in an opening direction (Do) along the rails. The drum ( 2 ) is translatably mounted so as to also be moved in translation along a component perpendicular to the plane (X, Y) so that the drum always rests on the surface or on the rails.

1 . A device ( 1 ) for covering a surface ( 3 ) contained within a rectangle having first and second lengths extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) and first and second widths extending parallel to a transverse axis (Y) normal to the longitudinal axis (X) and defining with the latter a plane (X, Y), the device comprising:
 a substantially rectangular cover ( 10 ) with dimensions equal to those of the rectangle and having first and second longitudinal edges opposite one another and first and second transverse edges opposite one another, the second transverse edge ( 10   f ) being fixed at the second width of the rectangle in which the surface ( 3 ) is inscribed and each longitudinal edge being provided with a projecting element ( 12 ) extending along the corresponding longitudinal edge defining a profile in section normal to the corresponding longitudinal edge having a minimum diameter (d);   two rails ( 6 ) placed on respective opposite sides of said surface ( 3 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), each rail consisting of a profiled member having an opening ( 14 ) on one of its faces and oriented away from the surface to be covered, the opening giving access to a space ( 14   e ) in the rail defining with the opening a groove extending all along each rail;   a drum ( 2 ) formed of an axle ( 2   e ) and at least a portion of the cover ( 10 ) that is at least partially rolled around the axle and the first transverse edge of which is fixed to the axle in which:
 the drum ( 2 ) extends above the surface parallel to the transverse axis (Y), the axle ( 2   e ) is mounted at each of first and second ends on first and second chassis ( 23 ), on the one hand, rotationally enabling rolling and unrolling of the cover ( 10 ) and, on the other hand, enabling movement in translation of the drum parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) along the two rails ( 6 ), on the one hand, in a closing direction (Dc) and, on the other hand, in an opening direction (Do); 
 the axle ( 2   e ) is provided with a second rotation means (M 2 ) enabling the drum to be turned in one direction to roll the cover ( 10 ) up on the drum and at the same time to drive the movement in longitudinal translation of the drum in the opening direction (Do) leading to the removal of the cover from the surface ( 3 ); 
    an insertion system adjacent to the drum ( 2 ) on each of the first and second chassis ( 23 ) on each side of the surface to be covered and making it possible to guide, to position and to insert the projecting element ( 12 ) of each longitudinal edge of the cover in the space ( 14   e ) through the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail ( 6 ) during the movement in translation of the drum in the closing direction (Dc), the insertion system including a cover insertion pulley ( 32 );   in which the projecting element ( 12 ) at each longitudinal edge and the groove of the corresponding rails are configured so that once inserted in the space ( 14   e ) by the insertion system the projecting element occupying on its own the space ( 14   e ):    is not able to leave it only by the action of a force (F) applied parallel to the transverse axis (Y) in the direction of the surface to be covered, and    can leave it during rolling up of the cover ( 10 ) onto the drum ( 2 ) moving in the opening direction (Do) leading to removal of the cover;    wherein the drum ( 2 ) is mounted to be mobile in translation also enabling movement in translation along a component perpendicular to the plane (X, Y) in order for the drum to remain at all times:    either on a cover portion between the second transverse edge ( 10   f ) and the cover insertion pulley ( 32 ) of the insertion system provided downstream relative to a closing direction (Dc) of the drum ( 2 ) for any value of a radius (R) of the drum that depends on the length of the cover rolled up on the axle ( 2   e ) of the drum, or    on the rails or on the surfaces adjacent to the rails between each rail and the surface, downstream relative to the closing direction (Dc) of the cover insertion pulley ( 32 ) of the insertion system; and    wherein the device further comprises:    first and second pull cords ( 21 ) each having a mobile end ( 21   m ) coupled so as to move with a first and second chassis ( 23 ) and a fixed end ( 21   f ) coupled to first and second corners of the surface, respectively, so as to remain substantially immobile in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X), the first and second corners being defined by the intersection between the first width of the surface and the first and second lengths, respectively; and    a closing axle ( 1 ) extending parallel to the transverse axis (Y) and having first and second ends each fixed in rotation enabling rolling and unrolling of the first and second pull cords ( 21 ), the closing axle ( 1 ) being provided with a first axle rotation means (M 1 ) enabling the closing axle to turn in one direction to roll the first and second pull cords ( 21 ) onto the closing axle ( 1 ) and at the same time to drive the movement in longitudinal translation of the chassis ( 23 ) and of the drum ( 2 ) along the two rails in the closing direction (Dc), driving rotation of the drum ( 2 ) and deployment of the cover over the surface ( 3 ).   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein
 the fixed end ( 21   f ) of each pull cord ( 21 ) is coupled to the first or second corner of the corresponding surface; 
 the mobile end ( 21   m ) of each pull cord ( 21 ) is coupled to the closing axle ( 1 ); and 
 the closing axle ( 1 ) is coupled to the first and second chassis ( 23 ) downstream of the drum ( 2 ). 
 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein
 the fixed end ( 21   f ) of each pull cord ( 21 ) is coupled to the first or second corner of the corresponding surface; 
 the mobile end ( 21   m ) of each pull cord ( 23 ) is coupled to the closing axle ( 1 ); and 
 the closing axle ( 1 ) is coupled to the first and second chassis ( 23 ) and is positioned inside and coaxially with the axle ( 2   e ) of the drum ( 2 ). 
 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein
 the closing axle ( 1 ) is positioned at the level of the first width of the surface; 
 the fixed end ( 21   f ) of each pull cord ( 21 ) is coupled to the closing axle ( 1 ) at the corresponding first or second corner of the surface; and 
 the mobile end ( 21   m ) of each pull cord ( 21 ) is fixed to the corresponding chassis ( 23 ). 
 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising first and second idler pulleys ( 31 ) on the first and second chassis ( 23 ) on each side of the surface to be covered making it possible to guide, to position and to insert the corresponding pull cord ( 21 ) in the space ( 14   e ) through the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail ( 6 ) during the movement in translation of the drum in the opening direction (Do). 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the drum ( 2 ) is mounted on each of the first and second chassis ( 23 ) by
 either a lever arm ( 2 L) having a first end coupled to a respective chassis and a second end coupled in rotation to the drum, the lever arms being configured to pivot relative to the respective chassis about an axis parallel to the transverse axis (Y); 
 or a guide ( 2   r ) extending along at least one component normal to the plane (X, Y); and 
 wherein the rotation of the lever arm ( 2 L) or the guide ( 2   r ) enabling the first and second ends of the drum to rest at all times on the rails or on the surfaces adjacent to the rails between each rail and the surface, including during movements of the drum ( 2 ) in the opening direction (Do) and the closing direction (Dc). 
 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first rotation means (M 1 ) and the second rotation means (M 2 ) comprise a motor or a crank. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein
 in a section normal to each longitudinal edge of the cover the corresponding projecting element ( 12 ) defines a generally convex geometry; 
 in a cross section normal to the longitudinal axis (X) the opening ( 14 ) of the groove has a maximum width (Lo) and the space ( 14   e ) has a maximum width (Le) greater than the maximum width (Lo) of the opening ( 14 ) (Lo<Le), where the maximum widths (Lo, Le) are measured parallel to the transverse axis (Y); and 
 the projecting element ( 12 ) of each longitudinal edge and the groove of the corresponding rail are configured so that once inserted in the space ( 14   e ) by the cover insertion pulley ( 32 ) the projecting element occupying on its own the space ( 14   e ) is not able to leave it by only the action of a force (F) applied parallel to the transverse axis (Y) in the direction of the surface to be covered. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein
 the minimum diameter (d) of the projecting element is less than the maximum width (Lo) of the opening ( 14 ) (d<Lo); 
 the projecting element has a maximum diameter (D) greater than the maximum diameter (Lo) of the opening ( 14 ) (Lo<D); and 
 the cover insertion pulley ( 32 ) is configured to orient the projecting element ( 12 ) through the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail by having a diameter between d and D inclusive and less than Lo, the projecting element changing orientation once the projecting element is located in the space ( 14   e ). 
 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the projecting element of each longitudinal edge is compressible so that
 in a rest configuration the minimum diameter (d) is equal to do which is between the maximum widths (Lo, Le) of the opening ( 14 ) and of the space ( 14   e ) of the corresponding rail, inclusive (Lo<d 0 <Le); and 
 in a compressed configuration the minimum diameter is equal to d 1  which is less than or equal to the maximum width (Lo) of the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail (d 1 ≤Lo); and 
 wherein the cover insertion pulley ( 32 ) enables compression of the projecting element ( 12 ) into its compressed configuration during its insertion through the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail ( 6 ), the projecting element ( 12 ) recovering its alignment configuration once the projecting element is located in the space ( 14   e ). 
 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the projecting element ( 12 ) of each longitudinal edge is a cable in the form of consecutive turns forming a coil spring the axis of which is parallel to the corresponding longitudinal edge of the cover ( 10 ), in which the turns are defined so that
 in a rest configuration the minimum diameter (d) measured parallel to the transverse axis (Y) of each turn at rest is equal to do which is between the maximum widths (Lo, Le) of the opening ( 14 ) and of the space ( 14   e ) of the corresponding rail, inclusive (Lo<d 0 <Le); and 
 in a deformed configuration the angle between the deformed turns and the longitudinal axis (X) is modified so that the minimum diameter (d) measured in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis (X) of each deformed turn is equal to d 1  which is less than or equal to the maximum width (Lo) of the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail (d 1 ≤Lo); and 
 wherein the insertion system enables local deformation of the turns into their deformed configuration during their insertion through the opening ( 14 ) of the corresponding rail ( 6 ), the turns recovering their rest configuration once they are located in the space ( 14   e ). 
 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the projecting element ( 12 ) of each longitudinal edge includes a plurality of hooks placed side by side and having an “L” or “j” profile having
 a portion continuously aligned with the surface of the cover and fixed to the corresponding longitudinal edge of the cover; and 
 a transverse portion forming a hook extending transversely relative to the aligned portion; and 
 wherein each rail includes a flange ( 6   a ) partially closing the side of the opening ( 14 ) of each rail ( 6 ) adjacent to the surface to be covered and adapted to receive the transverse portion of the hooks. 
 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a first and second anti-lifting guides ( 25 ), wherein the first and second anti-lifting guides ( 25 ) have an external portion coupled to the corresponding first and second chassis and an internal portion coupled to the corresponding rail so as to be able to slide freely along the rails parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) and unable to be extracted from the rails ( 14 ) by the application of a force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X). 
     
     
         14 . The use of a device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the surface ( 3 ) is selected from:
 a pool filled or not with a liquid, or 
 a sports ground, or 
 a vehicle body, or 
 a glazed surface, 
 an opening in a wall.