FR2928953A1 - FOLDING ARTICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of folding an article comprising a structure in arches, and foldable between an extended position of use and a folded storage position in which the article has a circular configuration. It finds particular application to tents, shelters, or folding game ball device.The invention thus relates, in a first aspect, to a method of folding an article comprising a collapsible arch structure with at least one loop closed, in a folded position in which this loop is in the form of three preferentially circular superimposed turns. The method consists in particular of forming with the loop a substantially flat figure with three loops: a central loop and two lateral loops, all substantially in the same plane. Each lateral loop is then brought back on the central loop to form the three superposed turns.

Description

FOLDING ARTICLE

The present invention relates to the field of articles which comprise a structure in one or more arches, and which are foldable between a deployed use position and a folded storage position, in which folded position they have a substantially circular configuration. This invention finds particular application folding items of the tent type, shelter, or ball game device. These items typically include an upper canvas, often referred to as a roof covering in the case of a tent or shelter. This is called arch structure when the fabric is secured to flexible structural elements which take, in the deployed position of the article, a circular arc configuration. These structural elements may consist of flexible rods with elastic return, in particular formed of rods of composite material or metal or plastic, the rods being optionally connected to each other. In some articles, the flexible rods are in the rectilinear state in the folded position of storage of the article and do not take the configuration in an arc in the assembly of the article. This is particularly the case of some tents commonly referred to as dome tents. In other articles, the structural elements form a closed loop, this loop in particular to give the article its three-dimensional dimension. Such an article is described for example in US-3,960,161. In this document, the structure element, in the form of closed loop, is in the folded position of the article, in the form of three superimposed circular turns. It is the same for the tent described in US-3,675,667. Other examples of such articles are known from the following documents: US Pat. No. 5,816,278, US Pat. No. 6,357,510, US Pat. No. 5,411,046, US Pat. No. 5,249,592, US Pat. No. 2,805,300, and US Pat. 5137044. For the folding of such articles, the constraints exerted by the flexible rods constituting the arch structure tend to prevent the formation of three superimposed turns. This is all the more true as the diameter of the turns is reduced. However, to reduce the bulk of the article in the folded position, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of these turns, and therefore increase the number of turns to initial diameter of the constant structure. A number of three turns thus corresponds to a satisfactory solution in terms in particular of final size and difficulty of folding. Articles such as those described in the documents mentioned above must therefore be folded easily and quickly by the user, to obtain an article in the folded position which is compact and easy to carry. In each of these documents, the folding of the article consists mainly, from the form set volume, so three-dimensional, to nest the loops forming the article to fold back into each other.

Optionally, if the article placed in volume does not occur in a configuration in which the loops for forming the final turns are already formed, the loops are imbricated simultaneously with their formation. The process therefore consists of a succession of laborious steps during which, and at the end of which, the object to be folded is kept in a three-dimensional configuration, with the exception, of course, of the final configuration in three superposed turns it can be likened to a substantially flat configuration. The problem with these folding methods is therefore their difficulty of implementation. These methods are particularly difficult to implement by a single person. Indeed, the simultaneous manipulation of the three loops in the three dimensions is difficult. The problem that arises then is to have a method of folding an article which comprises a hoop structure, from a deployed position to a folded position in which the hoop structure forms a series of three superimposed turns, which is easy and quick to implement, especially by a single person.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution to the aforementioned problem among other problems. The invention thus relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of folding an article which comprises a folding arch structure itself comprising at least one closed loop, in a folded position in which this loop is presented under the shape of three superimposed turns. These turns are preferably substantially circular, but may also be oblong or oval. Typically, the method includes forming with the loop a substantially flat figure with three loops: a central loop and two side loops, all substantially in the same plane. Each of these lateral loops is then brought back successively on said central loop to form the three superposed turns. Specifically, a first of the two side loops is first brought back on the central loop, then the second of these two side loops is brought back on the central loop and the first side loop, to form these three superimposed turns. Thus, the folding method is easy to implement, in particular by a single person, because of the passage through a step at the end of which the initial loop forms a flat figure with three smaller loops. It is indeed not necessary to manipulate simultaneously the three loops intended to form the three final turns. Maintaining the loop in a substantially flat shape at the end of each step (step of creating the three loops in the same plane, superposition step of a first lateral loop on the central loop, and superposition step of the second lateral loop on the assembly formed by the superposition of the first lateral loop on the central loop), facilitates the implementation of folding, for example by keeping the assembly on the ground. In a first variant, to form the three-loop plane figure, a first portion of the loop having a vertex is grasped and brought back to the plane of the complementary portion of this loop also having a vertex, so that on the one hand that the first portion crosses the complementary portion at two crossing points, and secondly that the top of the first portion is found beyond the top of the complementary portion. Thus, in a single and simple appropriate manipulation, the initial loop is subdivided into three smaller loops in the same plane and ready to be superimposed to form the three final turns. Alternatively, to form the plane figure, we seize a first portion of the loop, which is twisted so as to create a first cross point. Then we seize a second portion of the loop, opposite to the first portion, which is also twisted so as to create a second crossing point. In these two alternatives, to bring the first lateral loop on the central loop, or the second lateral loop on the central loop and on the first lateral loop, this first or second lateral loop is rotated around its point of intersection with said loop. Central. In another variant, possibly in combination with the two previous alternatives, the arch structure comprises several loops of substantially the same size. In this case, prior to the formation of the planar figure, these loops are superimposed so as to form virtually a single closed loop, to which the method as presented above can then be applied. Preferably, in this case, the superimposed loops are held together by means of at least one attachment element, for example a diametral strap or a link, to facilitate the subsequent manipulation of this loop superposition as a single loop. In yet another variant, possibly in combination with one or more of any of the previous ones, the three superposed turns are held together by means of a fastening element preferably of diametrical strap type, or of link type.

In yet another variant, optionally in combination with any one or more of the preceding, the three superposed turns are inserted in a cover preferably substantially circular, but which can also be oblong or oval. The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to an article comprising an arch structure itself comprising at least one closed loop, folded into a folding position in which the loop is in the form of three superimposed turns, preferably substantially circular, obtained by the folding method as presented above. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and completely on reading the following description of the preferred variants of implementation of the method, which are given by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and perspective view of the arch structure of a tent-type article in the deployed position, FIG. 2 is a schematic and side view of a tent-type article in the deployed position, FIGS. 6: schematically represent the different steps of the method of the invention, in a first variant embodiment, - FIGS. 7a to 7c show schematically the transition from the stage of FIG. 3 to the stage of FIG. 4 (formation of FIG. planar in the first embodiment), FIGS. 8 to 12 show schematically the various steps of the method of the invention in a second variant of implementation. In Figure 1 is shown an arch structure of a tent type article 1 in the deployed position. In this example, the structure comprises two closed loops 2, 2 '. Specifically, the structure has an upper loop 2 and a lower loop 2 '. For purposes of explaining the folding process, discussed later in this description, various points of the upper and lower loops 2 'are also referenced in FIG.

Thus, reference is made in this FIG. 1 to two opposite ends or vertices 3a and 4a of the upper loop 2, corresponding to the two lower ends of this upper loop 2, ie the two ends in which this upper loop 2 joins the lower loop 2 ' in the deployed position. These ends or vertices 3a and 4a thus merge with two opposite ends or vertices of the lower loop 2 '. FIG. 1 also refers to the two ends or tops 10 and 11 of the upper loop 2, at the highest points of this upper loop 2 in the deployed position, ie at the points of this upper loop 2 furthest from the lower loop 2 'in the deployed position. Finally, this figure 1 shows two other opposite ends or vertices 12 and 13 of the lower loop 2 ', at the points of this lower loop 2' furthest from the upper loop 2 in the deployed position. 2 schematically shows the tent 1 provided with the arch structure shown in Figure 1, with a fabric 7, generally called roof fabric, stretched between the arches of the structure. Conventionally, the loops 2 and 2 'are slid into sleeves 20 connected, for example by sewing, to the roof fabric 7. It is shown in Figures 3 to 6 the different main stages of the folding process of the invention in a first implementation variant, applied to a general folding article which comprises at least one closed loop 2. The application of this method to the particular case of an article 1 with two closed loops 2, 2 ', such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, will be developed further. FIG. 3 thus represents the closed loop 2, such as that represented in FIG. 1, seen from below. According to the article in question, as for example with the tent 1 shown in Figure 2, this loop 2 is not necessarily flat, as will be seen in particular with reference to Figures 7a and 7b. But the representation mode chosen in bottom view shows the projection of this loop 2 in a plane, so in the form of a plane curve which can be oblong or circular, for example. According to the method of the invention, to fold the article provided with the arch structure comprising such a loop 2 is formed from this loop 2 a substantially flat figure, comprising a central loop 2b, and two side loops 2a and 2c, as shown in Figure 4, in one example. In this example, for the formation of this planar figure, the first portion 3 of the loop 2 comprising the vertex 3a is grasped, and it is brought back progressively in the plane of the complementary portion 4 of the loop 2 which comprises the vertex 4a. To do this, pressure is exerted along an axis perpendicular to the axis connecting the vertices 3a and 4a to tighten the first portion 3 for the subsequent formation of the central loop 2b. At the end of this operation, the first portion 3 intersects the complementary portion 4 at two crossing points 5 and 6, and the vertex 3a of the first portion 3 is found beyond the top 4a of the complementary portion 4. L operation to move from the stage of Figure 3 to that of Figure 4 as described in the previous paragraph, is decomposed in Figures 7a to 7c, 20 in a succession of perspective views of the loop 2. Figure 7a therefore corresponds to a perspective view of the loop 2 as shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7c therefore corresponds to a perspective view of the loop 2 as represented in FIG. 4. Furthermore, FIG. 7b corresponds to a view in FIG. perspective of the loop 2 in an intermediate position, when the first portion 3 of the loop 2 has not yet been completely returned in the plane of the complementary portion 4. When the flat figure is thus formed, is brought back one of the loops 2b to the central loop 2b, to form the substantially flat intermediate figure as shown in Figure 5. To bring this side loop 2a back to the central loop 2b, the side loop 2a is rotated around its cross point 5 with the central loop 2b.

Finally, the other side loop 2c is brought back to the central loop 2b and the first lateral loop 2a in the same manner. Specifically, to bring this side loop 2c back to the central loop 2b and the side loop 2a, this side loop 2b is rotated around its crossing point 6 with the central loop 2b. At the end of these operations, the loop 2 is in the form of three superimposed turns 2a, 2b and 2c, as shown in Figure 6. These turns are preferably substantially circular, but can also be oblong or oval.

One can then optionally insert these three superposed turns 2a to 2c in a cover, preferably substantially circular, provided for this purpose. To facilitate this insertion into the cover, and avoid the redeployment of the loop 2 inadvertently, it is possible to provide an attachment element to maintain these three turns 2a to 2c together. It may be for example a diametral strap, preferably elastic, or one or more links. The application of the method as presented above to the tent 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 requires that the two lower loops 2 'and upper 2 be joined, or superimposed, so as to form virtually a single loop 2, prior to the formation of the plane figure then of the three superimposed turns. In this example, the superposition of the two loops 2 and 2 'is obtained by making coincide the vertices or ends 12 and 13 of the lower loop 2' furthest from the upper loop 2 in the deployed position, respectively with the ends or vertices 10 and 11 of the upper loop 2 farthest from the lower loop 2 'in the deployed position. The user then holds in one hand the lower loop 2 'and the upper loop 2 at the respective vertices 13 and 11, and in the other hand the lower loop 2' and the upper loop 2 at the respective vertices 12 and 10.

The lower loops 2 'and upper 2, thus joined or superimposed, then virtually form a single loop 2 as shown in Figure 3 or 7a. To facilitate the manipulation of this virtual loop 2 in fact comprising the two lower loops 2 'and upper 2 together or superimposed, it can be provided to maintain these two loops 2, 2' together by means of at least one attachment element ( one or more links for example). The user must still return this virtual loop 2, so that its convexity is oriented upwards as in FIG. 7a, and not downwards as in FIG. 1, to implement the detailed folding process. high with reference to Figures 3 to 6 and 7a to 7c. In another variant embodiment, the formation of the three-loop plane figure 2a, 2b, 2c can be obtained in another manner, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12.

In this variant, a first portion 8 of the loop 2 as shown in FIG. 8 is grasped, which is twisted so as to create a first crossing point 5, as shown in FIG. a second portion 9 of the loop 2, opposed to the first portion 8, is grasped, which is twisted in turn so as to create a second crosspoint 6, as shown in FIG. 10. In this FIG. the three-loop plane figure, the central one 2b, and the two other lateral 2a and 2c, thus comprises three loops 2a to 2c substantially aligned (in the sense that their respective centers are substantially aligned), whereas in the first variant (Figure 4), the two lateral loops 2a and 2c are offset with respect to the central loop 2b so as to form a kind of clover (in the sense that their respective centers form the vertices of a substantially isosceles triangle, possibly equilateral) . Then, in the same way as in the first variant, the lateral loops 2a and 2c are successively brought back to the central loop 2b, to form the three superposed turns 2a, 2b, 2c of FIG. 12. lateral loop 2a on the central loop 2b, the procedure is the same as in the first variant: the lateral loop 2a is rotated around its cross point 5 with the central loop 2b. Similarly, to bring this side loop 2c back to the central loop 2b and the side loop 2a, this side loop 2b is rotated around its crossing point 6 with the central loop 2b. Of course, in this variant also, at the end of these operations, the loop 2 is in the form of three superposed turns 2a, 2b and 2c of substantially circular preferences, or possibly oblong or oval.

In this case also, one can insert these three superposed turns 2a to 2c in a cover, preferably substantially circular, provided for this purpose. In the same way to facilitate this insertion into the cover, and avoid the redeployment of the loop 2 inadvertently, one can provide an attachment element to maintain these three turns 2a to 2c together, such as a diametral strap, preferably elastic, or one or more links. The present description is given by way of example and is therefore not limiting of the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to the folding of a tent as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but applies to a tent whose arch structure has a single loop 2 or more than two loops 2, 2 . Furthermore, as indicated in the introduction, the method of the invention is not limited to the folding of a tent, but concerns the folding of any article with an arch structure comprising at least one closed loop, so that this loop presents itself in the folded position, in the form of a superposition of three turns. Therefore, the method also applies to other examples of such items, such as shelters or collapsible ball game devices. Finally, the invention is not limited to the two modes of implementation presented above for the formation of the three-loop plane figure. Other ways of forming such a figure can be envisaged, provided that one goes through this step of forming a three-loop plane figure, that is to say three loops substantially in the same plane, that the it can then easily be brought back to one another as described above.

Claims (9)

1. A method of folding an article (1), comprising a structure in one or more foldable arches and comprising at least one closed loop (2), in a folded position in which said loop (2) is in the form of three superposed turns (2a, 2b, 2c), preferably substantially circular, characterized in that it consists in particular of forming with said loop (2) a substantially flat figure comprising a central loop (2b) and two lateral loops (2a, 2c), and to bring back a first (2a) of the two lateral loops (2a, 2c) on said central loop (2b) then to bring back the second (2c) of these two lateral loops (2a, 2c) on said central loop ( 2b) and said first lateral loop (2a) to form said three superposed turns (2a, 2b, 2c). 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein, to form the planar figure, a first portion (3) of the loop (2) having a vertex (3a) is grasped and brought back to the plane of the complementary portion (4). ) of said loop (2) having a vertex (4a), so that said first portion (3) intersects said complementary portion (4) at two cross points (5, 6) and that the vertex (3a) of said first portion (3) is beyond the top (4a) of the complementary portion (4). 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein, to form the planar figure, a first portion (8) of the loop (2) is gripped so as to create a first cross point (5), then a second portion (9) of the loop (2), opposed to the first portion (8), is gripped so as to create a second crossing point (6). 4. Method according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein, to bring the first lateral loop (2a) on the central loop (2b), or the second lateral loop (2c) on the central loop (2b) and on the first lateral loop (2a), said first or second lateral loop (2a, 2c) is rotated around its point of intersection (5, 6) with said central loop (2b) 5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the ring structure comprising several loops (2, 2 ') of substantially the same size, wherein, prior to the formation of the planar figure, said loops are superposed (2 , 2 ') so as to form virtually a single closed loop (2). 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the loops (2, 2 ') superimposed are held together by means of at least one attachment element. 7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the three turns (2a, 2b, 2c) superimposed are held together by means of a fastening element preferably diametral strap type. 8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the three turns (2a, 2b, 2c) superimposed are inserted in a cover preferably substantially circular. 9. Article (1), comprising an arch structure comprising at least one closed loop (2), folded into a folding position in which said loop (2) is in the form of three turns (2a, 2b, 2c) superposed, preferably substantially circular, characterized in that said three turns (2a, 2b, 2c) are obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.