FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a cushion for shading system of the type comprising a piece of cloth sliding in a pair of uprights, associated to or incorporated in the frame of a window to be shaded; the cushion is inserted in the uprights, in order to deaden the wind effect which tends to move sharply the piece of cloth between the uprights. The invention also relates to a cushion system comprising the above-mentioned cushion and to a section bar whereto the cushion is fastened. The invention also relates to a particularly advantageous upright section bar, whereon the cushion is to be assembled.

PRIOR ART

It is known that a shading system comprises a piece of cloth suitable to shade an opening, for example a piece of cloth made of plastic material or fabric, connected to a cord or rod in order to be withdrawn from the opening, allowing the light to get through, or lying along it, for shading. The shading system opening and closing is for example a rolling gate, in which case the piece of cloth is sliding in a pair of guide uprights, associated to a frame or incorporated therein.

In general, guide uprights are perpendicular to the floor and the piece of cloth appears vertically sliding; there is nothing to prevent the uprights from being horizontal and the piece of cloth horizontally sliding. More particularly, opposed sides of the piece of cloth are inserted in section bars, preferably plastic ones and known per se, which form the piece of cloth guide in the upright. Substantially, the section bar has the same length as the upright and it is retained in a thickness of the upright with a predetermined play, which favours the horizontal movement of the piece of cloth.

Known shading systems are quite noisy, especially when they are lying, due to the fact that the piece of cloth can be knocked down by air draughts which tend to move it sharply between the uprights, causing the section bars to bang against them. What has been said above appears evident fromFIGS. 1 and 1a, related to a detail of a section bar A (FIG. 1) and to a front cross section thereof (FIG. 1a). The section bar A, as said above, is fastened in the upright of a window frame and it comprises a seat S for an edge or side of the piece of cloth; during the assembly, the piece of cloth edge appears slidingly insertable in the seat S through an opening E of the section bar, letting the rest of the piece of cloth coming out of the seat S (and of the upright) through a fissure B of the section bar, which has a width being lower than the piece of cloth edge, in order to retain the edge in the seat S. The opposed edge of the piece of cloth is similarly associated to a section bar of the other frame upright. When the air acts on the piece of cloth surface, the piece of cloth moves the section bar which, as said above, is coupled to the upright with a predetermined play, causing it to bang against it.

On the other side, keeping the piece of cloth in tension between the uprights, for example by rigidly fastening the section bar to the uprights, without leaving any movement margin to the section bar in the uprights, in the attempt to prevent the piece of cloth from waving under the action of the wind, is not an effective solution, since in the long run the wind damages the piece of cloth or it loosens anyway the coupling thereof with the section bar, and it spoils the shading system.

Cushion systems are also known, which comprise a little sponge C or a plurality of little sponges stuck along the section bar, in order to cushion the impact of the section bar against the upright.

However, in these shading systems too it is necessary to leave some movement margin to the section bar in the upright, which prevents an optimal tension of the piece of cloth, also in the absence of wind. Moreover the little sponges are wearing, which causes the detaching thereof from the section bar or the loss of effectiveness in deadening the stroke against the upright. Moreover, the application thereof is quite difficult, especially when carried out by hand.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to think up a cushion for shading system which is very simple to realize and simple to apply to the section bar, also mechanically, which is capable to effectively reduce the noise caused by the section bar movement in the upright, avoiding the piece of cloth to be damaged due to the opening, closing and adjusting operations of the shading system or to the action of the wind, but also allowing an optimal tension of the piece of cloth, both in wind condition, and in the absence thereof, being finally cheap, and overcoming the limits and drawbacks still affecting known shading systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The idea underlying the present invention is to apply on the section bar of a shading system a cushion which prevents the direct contact between the section bar and a respective upright, the cushion comprises a tongue with an end turned towards the upright, preferably always in contact therewith, and an opposed which is applicable or applied to the section bar.

More particularly, a cushion for a shading system according to the present invention is a cushion of the a type including a piece of cloth slidingly fastenable to a section bar of an upright, and comprising:

a flexible tongue having an end adapt to be attached to the section bar and an opposed end adapt to be spaced therefrom to contact the upright and to serve as a spring between the section bar and the upright, allowing the section bar to come nearer to the upright in a compression phase or to be spaced in a predetermined measure in an absence of compression.

Preferably, the flexible tongue has a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness which are constant along the length of the flexible tongue. For instance, the length of the flexible tongue is from 2 to 4 cm and the width is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm. as apparent in the following disclosure, the flexible tongue may have different shape at rest.

In an aspect of the present invention, the flexible tongue is directly attached to the section bar.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the present invention, one end of the flexible tongue is adapted to be attached to the section bar and includes a surface, preferably flat, adapted to be glued on a corresponding coupling surface, preferably flat, of the section bar. Nothing prevents that the surface to be glued has a different shape, for instance is curved, and the section bar includes a recess o same curvature to receive the glue and the surface of the flexible tongue to be glued.

In another embodiment still related to this aspect of the present invention, the end of the flexible tongue is attached to the section bar through male/female coupling means.

Preferably, the male/female coupling means includes a male element on the end of the flexible tongue and a female element on the section bar. For instance, the male element is a pin protruding from a flat portion at the end of the flexible tongue, the pin including a head with a cross section and an annular portion with a section smaller than the section of the head. The annular portion is between the head and a base portion of the pin. The female element of the section bar includes a hole of a section corresponding to the section of the annular portion, adapted to retain the pin when the head is passed through the hole. Preferably, the flexible tongue is removable from the section bar. The section bar includes a plurality of female elements, for instance at a predetermined pitch one form the other. A plurality of flexible tongues may be attached to the section bar, engaging all the female elements or only part of them, depending of the cushioning strength to be obtained.

Preferably, the flexible tongue is plastic, more preferably polypropylene. The applicant has realized that using a transparent plastic which is also UV light resistant has great advantages since the cushioning property is not affected by sun rays, also after long period of exposure. Therefore the cushion has longer durability. Moreover, it is aesthetically appreciated.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the flexible tongue includes a metallic core, and the metallic core is preferably covered at least at the opposite end by plastic, for instance transparent and UV light resistant plastic.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cushion includes more than one flexible tongue, for instance two flexible tongues. The second flexible tongue may have substantially the same shape or may be made with the same material of the first flexible tongue. The second flexible tongue is substantially parallel to the first flexible tongue at rest, and the first and second flexible tongues are attached to each other at the end, through which they are also adapted to be attached to the section bar.

The attachment of the two tongues to the section bar may be realized in different ways. For instance, in one embodiment, one end of the second flexible tongue is adapted to be attached to the section bar and includes a flat surface adapted to be glued on a corresponding coupling surface of the section bar or to be attached thereto through female/male coupling. The first flexible tongue may be, in its turn, glued at its end to the end of the second flexible tongue, so as the end of the second flexible tongue is arranged between the section bar and the first flexible tongue.

In one embodiment, a length of the second flexible tongue which is arranged closer to the section bar, during use, is shorter than a length of the first flexible tongue which is arranged closer to the upright, during use.

Different material may also be used for the first and second flexible tongue, to provide improved cushioning effect. For instance, the first flexible tongue may be more flexible than the second flexible tongue. The first flexible tongue and the second flexible tongue are at a predetermined distance at rest and are adapted to enter in contact with each other during use. With different flexibility of the tongues, for instance, with the second flexible tongue less flexible and shorter than the first flexible tongue, great advantages may be achieved. Indeed, during use, when a force is applied to the section bar, first the opposite end of the first flexible tongue enters in contact with the upright; then, depending on the intensity of the force, a greater surface portion of the first flexible tongue may enter in contact with the upright, for instance involving also a middle portion of the first flexible tongue; then, if the resistance of the first flexible force is not sufficient for compensating the force, a surface of the first flexible tongue which is opposite to the surface in contact with the upright, enter in contact with the opposite end of the second flexible tongue; the remaining portion of the second flexible tongue, for instance the middle portion thereof, enters in contact with the first flexible tongue in case the force applied to the section bar is not still sufficiently compensated.

According to other possible embodiments of the present invention, the first flexible tongue and the second flexible tongue may be attached to the section bar by means of a raceway. In the following description, it is disclosed an embodiment of the cushion in which the cushion includes a raceway and one flexible tongue only but all the features disclosed here below also apply to another embodiment in which the cushion includes a raceway and two different flexible tongues. Moreover, all the features disclosed here below with reference to the flexible tongue, for instance their shape (straight, curved, concave, convex, material, etc.) also apply to the embodiments already disclosed in which the cushion does not include any raceway.

The raceway has a substantially C-shaped cross-section to fasten the cushion to an edge of the section bar, wherein the end of the flexible tongue towards the section bar is attached to the raceway.

As already explained above, at rest, for example in the absence of wind, the tongue is lying between the section bar and the upright, and in operating conditions, for example when the wind pushes the section bar towards the upright, it is deformed between them, preventing the contact therewith.

In one embodiment, the opposite end of the flexible tongue projects out from the raceway in a direction parallel to an axis of the raceway. In such embodiment, preferably, the flexible tongue is concave with respect to a side surface of the raceway to which the end of the flexible tongue is attached or to surface of the section bar.

In another embodiment, the opposite end of the flexible tongue at rest is substantially vertically aligned with an end of one side of the raceway opposite to an end at which the end of the tongue is attached. In such embodiment, preferably, the flexible tongue is convex with respect to a surface of the one side of the raceway.

More particularly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the tongue is straight in rest conditions. For example, the tongue at rest is perpendicular to the raceway and it is curved when it is compressed between the upright and the section bar, in operating conditions. According to an alternative embodiment, the tongue is always straight at rest but it has a predetermined angle with respect to the raceway or with respect to a frame contact surface (or with respect to the section bar, when directly attached thereto). Without limiting the scope of protection of the invention, the raceway has a C-shaped cross section, it is equipped with a bottom and two side walls with a predetermined length, and the tongue is formed on a side wall, for example coplanar to the bottom, preferably on the whole length of the raceway. Alternative embodiments are provided, in which the tongue is perpendicular to the side wall but not coplanar to the bottom or in which the tongue does not cross the whole length of the raceway.

The Applicant has also thought up an upright suitable to cooperate with the cushion and to improve the flexion of the tongue. In particular, the upright is preferably made of aluminium and it is equipped with a curved outline suitable to facilitate the curvature of the tongue towards the raceway, in the compression step of the plastic outline on the upright, thus preventing the tongue from bending in an undesirable direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, the tongue has a predetermined curvature also in rest conditions and it is deformed between the upright and the section bar in operating conditions, assuming a different curvature.

The tongue is pre-loaded due to a predetermined shape and/or dimensional factor, in order to space the section bar from the upright, in the absence of wind, which allows the cloth to be tightened between the uprights, and it is also flexible, with shape memory, in order to allow the section bar to be brought nearer to the upright, under the action of the wind, preventing sudden movements thereof.

In an aspect of the invention, the cushion is shaped as a spring clip, and it is applicable by shape coupling to the section bar; for example, the cushion raceway is snap inserted in the section bar and the tongue has an end on the raceway and an opposed end turned towards the upright. Preferably, the tongue is extruded or co-extruded enbloc with the raceway.

According to this aspect of the invention, the cushion is directly applicable on an upright section bar and the flexible tongue is turned towards the upright and it serves as a spacer. A plurality of cushions are applicable along a single section bar, in order to cushion the contact with the respective upright, along the whole upright; in particular, the section bar has the same length as the upright and it is associated to and it keeps slidingly a first edge of the piece of cloth in the upright. A plurality of cushions are applicable on the section bar of the opposed upright of the window, which is coupled to the other edge of the piece of cloth.

According to this solution idea, the above-explained technical problem is also solved by a cushion for shading system of the type comprising an upright section bar along an opening to be shaded, including a raceway with a substantially C-shaped cross section, suitable to be fitted, preferably snap inserted, on a section bar edge, and a plastic tongue having an end on the raceway and an opposed end spaced therefrom, at least one portion of said tongue being flexible, in order to cushion the contact between the upright and the section bar. Advantageously, the upright and the section bar never come into contact with each other and the stresses, exerted by the wind or by the user on the piece of cloth during the shading system closing or opening, are discharged on the flexible tongues, which come nearer to the raceways without however coming into contact therewith. Same advantages, are obtained with a cushion having one or more flexible tongues directly attached to the section bar (i.e. with cushion not provided with a raceway).

According to several aspects of the present invention, in the absence of compression, the flexible tongue can be straight or sloping with respect to the raceway or curved. The tongue is elastically deformable and outside the raceway.

According to an aspect of the invention, a raceway bottom has a predetermined width and two raceway sides are convergent from the bottom towards the opening of the C-shaped cross section, in order to realize a pressing contact on the section bar edge, the parties being assembled. Advantageously, according to this aspect of the invention, the cushion is firmly fixed to the section bar edge since it is insertable until the raceway bottom abuts against the edge and it is kept by the sides which press on the section bar surface. To this purpose, the sides are advantageously flexible and with shape memory, and they exert a predetermined pressure on the section bar.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one of the sides comprises a flange with a tip turned towards the bottom of the raceway, which hooks in one thickness of the section bar delimiting a groove. Preferably, the insertion of the flange into the groove is by snapping. For example, the flange is associated to a distal portion of the side which delimits the C-shaped opening, and it is flexible in order to bend towards the side during the insertion of the raceway in the section bar. Advantageously, the flange improves the coupling between the cushion and the section bar and it keeps the correct positioning thereof, when being used.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, one side of the raceway is substantially perpendicular to the bottom and the other side, till more preferably the side with the flange, is sloping towards the opening of the C-shaped cross section, and it reduces the width thereof at rest. According to this aspect of the invention, the tongue end belonging to the raceway is associated to the side being perpendicular to the bottom. Advantageously, according to this structure, a distal portion of the tongue applied to a section bar appears substantially parallel to an upright surface and it provides a supporting surface, on which cushion is made.

Even more particularly, the tongue end is associated to an end of the side and the opposed tongue end is substantially aligned with the other end of the side, when the tongue is at rest. During the contact with the upright, said opposed tongue end, which forms the supporting surface, bends towards the side.

The raceway has preferably a length L of about 2 cm. The opposed tongue end at rest, is about 1 cm away from the side. There is nothing to prevent the size from being different, however not changing the solution idea on which the invention is based.

To this purpose, the Applicant has noticed that with a cushion system comprising a plurality of cushions of the above-described type, and assembled with a predetermined pitch on a section bar of a shading system, for example with a pitch comprised between 5 cm and 15 cm, surprising results are obtained in terms of quietness of the shading system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, which concerns the cushion composing material, the Applicant has noted a particular advantage in using polypropylene with an extrusion method.

The above-explained technical problem is also solved by a cushion system according to the present invention comprising a plurality of cushions of the above-described type, assembled with a predetermined pitch on an edge of an upright section bar. Preferably, these cushions are assembled on two opposed edges of the section bar and the latter is equipped with a rib, between the two edges, having a fissure for housing a piece of cloth edge. The pitch of the cushions on the edges is predetermined, preferably at 5-15 cm.

According to an aspect of the invention, the section bar edge whereon the cushion raceway is fitted comprises a portion of reduced thickness serving as a raceway draft and a groove for hooking the tip of the cushion flange, preferably for a snap insertion.

As already explained, the cushion system may include a plurality of cushions without raceway. For instance each cushion of the cushion system has a flexible tongue directly attached to the section bar, i.e. assembled or glued with a pitch on an edge and/or on opposed edges of an upright section bar.

The technical problem is also solved by a section bar for a frame upright, comprising an edge insertable in a cushion raceway. The edge has a portion of reduced thickness which serves as a raceway draft, preferably said reduced thickness being lower or equal to the opening of the raceway C-shaped cross section at rest and the remaining edge portion having a thickness being higher or equal to the opening of the C-shaped cross section at rest, said section bar delimiting a longitudinal groove, preferably in correspondence with said remaining portion, suitable to receive by snapping the tip of the raceway flange in order to hook the raceway to the section bar. The section bar is preferably equipped with opposed edges with respect to a central rib in which the piece of cloth is fastened and the edges are suitable to house a plurality of cushions. According to this embodiment, the reduced edge facilitates and speeds up the assembly of the cushions on the upright section bars.

In an embodiment covered by the present invention, which also solve the technical problem mentioned above, the section bar include a plurality of female elements in which a plurality of corresponding male elements are inserted, preferably removable. In this case, no raceway is provided on the cushion.

Further features and advantages of the cushion and section bar of the system according to the present invention will be apparent from an embodiment thereof, given only by way of not limiting example with reference to the attached figures.

