FR3054531A1 - FOLDING COVER FOR SELF-DEPLOYING ARTICLE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cover (1) for folding and storage for self-expanding article comprising one or more flexible loops. The cover (1) is delimited by a peripheral edge (4) and comprises a folding means (6) configured to bring at least two remote points (8, 10) of the peripheral edge (4). The cover (6) has: - an open state in which the peripheral edge (4) has a loop shape and is intended to conform to the shape of at least one of the flexible loops of the self-expanding article, and - a closed state in which each portion of the peripheral edge delimited by two successive remote points (8, 10) of the peripheral edge has a sub-loop shape. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of folding and storage of a self-expanding article.

Description

Holder (s): DECATHLON Société anonyme.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): CABINET BEAU DE LOMENIE Civil society.

FOLDING COVER FOR SELF-DEPLOYING ARTICLE, AND CORRESPONDING METHOD.

FR 3 054 531 - A1 (57) The present invention relates to a cover (1) for folding and storing for self-deploying article comprising one or more flexible loops. The cover (1) is delimited by a peripheral edge (4) and comprises a folding means (6) configured to bring at least two distant points (8, 10) to the peripheral edge (4). The cover (6) has:

an open state in which the peripheral edge (4) has the shape of a loop and is intended to follow the shape of at least one of the flexible loops of the self-deploying article, and

- A closed state in which each portion of the peripheral edge delimited by two successive distant points (8, 10) of the peripheral edge has a form of sub-loop.

The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of folding and storing a self-deploying article.

Invention background

The present invention relates to the field of self-deploying articles, in particular those comprising one or more flexible loops. In particular, the present invention relates to a storage means for such self-deploying articles.

Self-deploying articles are known which have the advantage of being easy to deploy and to fold. Such items are therefore particularly used, in particular for temporarily installing a play area or shelter, and are easily transportable, once folded.

Examples of such items can include: mini football goal structures, beach shelter structures, water polo goal structures, tent structures, etc.

An example of a self-deploying game device is described in particular in patent application FR 2 915 904. Such a device offers the advantage of being able to be deployed easily and quickly, in order to be operational immediately for the user.

However, such a device requires numerous manipulations on the part of the user, who must strictly follow several folding steps, in order to be able to fold the device and put it in its transport bag. In addition, the manipulations can sometimes require force and dexterity, which can put off some users who are afraid of breaking the self-deploying structure, or which can lead other users to break the structure by applying too much force. during improper handling.

Thus, some users fail to fold the device, and transport it in the deployed or half-folded state without being able to put it back in the carrying case.

In order to overcome such a drawback, there are self-deploying devices comprising a folding means, for example in the form of a strap to be pulled, or in the form of colored patterns allowing the user to better handle the device during its folding.

However, such devices are not entirely satisfactory since they are generally not uniform, so that the user must adapt, for each of the self-deploying devices in his possession, to the corresponding folding means. He must in particular continue to consult the folding instructions in order to ensure that the correct handling is carried out, which sometimes remains tedious or inappropriate when the device must be stored quickly.

Subject and summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a means for easy folding of a self-deploying device, in particular by being intuitive and avoiding bad handling. Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a folding means requiring little or no force and dexterity to fold the self-deploying device.

Thus, in one aspect, there is provided a folding and storage cover for self-deploying article comprising one or more flexible loops. The cover is delimited by a peripheral edge and comprises a folding means configured to bring at least two points distant from the peripheral edge. The cover, or the folding means, has:

an open state in which the peripheral edge has the shape of a loop and is intended to follow the shape of at least one of the flexible loops of the self-deploying article, and

- A closed state in which each portion of the peripheral edge delimited by two successive distant points of said at least two points distant from the peripheral edge, has a form of sub-loop.

By loop is meant here any element of the self-deploying article, of any shape, such as circular, square or oval, which returns to its starting point. The loop can be open or closed. It may for example be a metal blade, or even a sheath accommodating a metal blade.

In the closed state, the portions of the peripheral edge delimited by two successive points distant from the peripheral edge are presented as having the form of a sub-loop: here a sub-loop is understood to mean a portion of a loop whose ends are close l 'from each other with respect to the dimension of the sub-loop, for example the diameter or the perimeter. The sub-loop is open.

Thus, thanks to the invention, it becomes easy to fold a self-deploying article. Just position it in the cover and manipulate the folding means provided for this purpose to fold the self-deploying article. In particular, it has been found, surprisingly, that the cover could be used on certain articles, whatever the orientation of the article inside the house. The cover according to the invention therefore does not require any particular precaution to be taken, and facilitates the folding operations, in particular by being intuitive for a user. In addition, the cover can be used for different self-expanding articles, while remaining light and easy to transport since it also forms the transport bag for the self-deploying article.

Preferably, in the closed state, each portion of the peripheral edge delimited by the two successive points distant from the peripheral edge has a peripheral length at least twice, preferably at least three times or even four times, greater than the distance separating said two points. successive distant.

Thus, and as mentioned previously, the sub-loops formed by the portions of the peripheral edge are not closed: their ends remain at a distance from each other. However, the distance separating the two ends of the sub-loops remains much less than the dimension of the sub-loop, in particular at its perimeter. For example, the distance between the two ends of the sub-loop can be two or even three or four times smaller than the perimeter of the sub-loop.

Preferably, the folding means is mounted in a sliding or fixed manner, in said at least two points distant from the peripheral edge. The folding means having to bring at least two points distant from the peripheral edge, being slidably mounted on at least one of said distant points facilitates the action of the folding means. For example, the folding means can be mounted fixed on a first distant point and sliding on a second distant point: in this case, it suffices to slide the folding means at the second distant point to bring the first distant point closer to second.

Preferably, the folding means comprises a strap.

Preferably, the cover also comprises at least one first attachment means, in particular reversible, for example velvet-hook parts or male-female parts, configured to superimpose at least two sub-loops. The first attachment means makes it possible to prevent the self-deploying article, once folded in the cover, from being inadvertently deployed. In order to avoid such redeployment, the cover includes a first attachment means, potentially reversible, making it possible to maintain the superimposed sub-loops.

Preferably, the first attachment means comprises two parts configured to cooperate together, and two sub-loops each comprise one of said parts, preferably equidistant from the two successive distant points delimiting them.

Thus, each sub-loop being associated with a part of the first attachment means, these remain secured together when the first attachment means is closed. Furthermore, by positioning the parts of the first attachment means equidistant from the two distant points delimiting the sub-loop, one benefits from the diameter of the sub-loop as a lever arm, to bring the sub-loops one of the 'other and close the first attachment. Indeed, it should be noted that the elastic force tending to move the superimposed sub-loops away to deploy the self-deploying article, is exerted mainly at the distant points delimiting the sub-loops: the positioning of the parts of the first means of attachment thus limits the force to be exerted to fold the self-deploying article and reduce the distance separating the two sub-loops.

Preferably, at least one of the parts of the first attachment means is fixed to the cover via a tightening means, for example a strap. Such an embodiment makes it possible to facilitate the bringing together of the sub-loops to be superimposed, by providing a clamping means on one of the parts of the first attachment means: the user then only has to loosen the clamping means to allow a easier closing of the first fastening means, then tightening the tightening means, to achieve the desired result.

Alternatively, the first attachment means may comprise a velvet part and a hook part, each part being fixed to one of the sub-loops to be superimposed. Preferably, the velvet part and / or the hook part extends longitudinally from a point located on or near the peripheral edge of the cover, in a direction perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the cover. It is then possible to fix the two velvet-hook parts together at different places along the longitudinal direction of the first fastening means, so as to more or less bring the two sub-loops to be superimposed.

Preferably, the cover also comprises a second attachment means, in particular reversible, comprising a first part and a second part, for example velvet-hook parts or male-female parts. The first part of the second attachment means is mounted on the folding means, preferably at its free end, and the second part of the second attachment means is mounted on or near the peripheral edge of the cover, preferably at equidistance of the two successive distant points delimiting a sub-loop. The second attachment means allows, when the cover is folded, to hang the end of the folding means on an edge of the folded cover so, for example, to form a strap or a carrying strap.

Preferably, the cover extends in a main plane and is delimited, in said main plane, by said peripheral edge. The cover thus allows the storage or the transport of the self-deploying article in a practical way.

Preferably, the folding means is mounted at two diametrically opposite points on the peripheral edge. Such an embodiment makes it possible to form two substantially identical sub-loops. Furthermore, by symmetry, this makes it possible to position the self-deploying article in the cover without requiring any particular direction.

Preferably, the cover is devoid of self-deploying means.

Preferably, the cover includes a hood configured to surround the sub-loops in the superimposed state. Such a hood makes it possible to have a smooth final appearance, without wrinkles and aesthetics.

According to another aspect, there is also proposed a method of folding and storing a self-deploying article comprising one or more flexible loops. According to the process:

- The self-deploying article is introduced into a cover as described above, so as to position the flexible loop (s) of the self-deploying article along the peripheral edge of the cover, then

- the distant points are brought closer to the folding means, so as to form at least two sub-loops, then

- the at least two sub-loops are superimposed.

Preferably, prior to the introduction of the self-deploying article in the cover, the self-deploying article is folded at least once so as to obtain at least two superimposed flexible loops.

In this embodiment, the cover can be used to perform the second step of folding the self-deploying article, that is to say the most difficult since it requires handling the self-deploying article partially folded. Thanks to the invention, the partially folded self-deploying article can be stored in the cover, then the user can, without constraint, easily carry out the second folding with the cover, in order to obtain the fully self-deploying article. folded up.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a particular embodiment, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a cover in the open state, according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic representations of the cover of FIG. 1, during folding,

- Figures 4 and 5 are schematic representations of the cover of Figure 1, in the closed state.

Detailed description of the invention

Figures 1 to 5 schematically illustrate the different stages of folding a self-deploying article using a cover 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates more particularly the cover 1, in the open state, in which the self-deploying article is stored. The cover 1 may have a general shape of a disc, that is to say comprise two circular faces 2, for example front and rear, facing one another and connected to each other according to their perimeter or peripheral edge. In this case, the cover 1 has a peripheral edge 4 which corresponds to the perimeter of the front and rear faces 2.

The cover 1 is made of flexible material, for example fabric, preferably non-stretchy, and may include, for example along a portion of the peripheral edge 4, an opening means such as a zipper, allowing '' insert and remove the self-deploying article from the cover 1.

The self-deploying article intended to be folded by the cover 1 comprises one or more flexible loops which are not all folded when the self-deploying article is positioned in the cover 1 in the open state. Thus, the self-deploying article can be stored in the cover 1 in the deployed state, that is to say in its configuration of use. In such a case, the cover will generally not have a disc shape, but rather a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the deployed shape of the self-deploying article.

In the present case, the self-deploying article can be a goal structure for mini-football as described in document FR 2 915 904. Such a goal structure requires in particular two stages of folding the flexible loops, in order to get a space-saving folded item. The first folding can generally be carried out in a simple manner by the user directly on the article, for example via colored indications. The user then obtains a half-folded article, that is to say with superimposed loops, which has a generally circular planar shape corresponding to that of the cover 1 in the open state. The article thus partially folded can be introduced into the cover 1 in order to carry out the last folding steps. It was in particular noted by the applicant, that the complete folding of the self-deploying article with the cover did not depend on the orientation of the article in the cover 1 in the open state.

To this end, the cover 1 comprises a folding means in the form of a strap 6 mounted along a diameter of the circular face 2. More particularly, the strap 6 can be fixed at a first point 8 on or near the peripheral edge 4 of the cover 1, and slidably mounted at a second point 10 on or near the peripheral edge 4 of the cover 1, for example by means of a guide 12 (or passing).

Alternatively, the strap can be fixed at the second point 10 or near the second point 10, slide on the first point 8, for example via a loop fixed on the first point 8, and return to the second point 10 of sliding way. In such an embodiment, the strap 6 then goes around the cover, extending along a diameter of the cover, on each side of the cover.

The strap 6 can also include a handle mounted at its free end and having a width greater than that of the guide 12 in which the strap 6 slides. In the present case, the strap 6 comprises, at its free end, a male part 14 of a fastening means, the female part 15 of which is fixed on or near the peripheral edge 4 of the cover, substantially equidistant from the first and second points 8, 10. As will be explained below, the male 14 and female 15 parts allow, when the cover 1 is folded, to fix the end of the strap 6 on the edge of the folded cover 1, in order to form a shoulder strap or carrying strap.

The first and second points 8, 10 thus form points which are distant, in the present case diametrically opposite, from the peripheral edge 4 of the cover. In the open state, the strap 6 is released and the male part 14, in particular thanks to its width greater than that of the guide 12, makes it possible to keep the strap 6 engaged in the guide 12. As will be described below, a tension applied to the strap 6 will allow the two points 8, 10 to be brought closer to the peripheral edge 4. The male part 14 can in particular be used to exert a force on the strap 6 in a more comfortable and easier manner. In order to limit friction during folding, and therefore the efforts to be provided by the user, the strap 6 can be a woven strap, for example like automobile seat belt straps. The guide 12 makes it possible to maintain the position of the strap 6 at the second point 10 and to prevent it from sliding along the peripheral edge 4 under the effect of the stress forces exerted during the folding.

The cover 1 also includes another attachment means in particular in the form of a velvet part 16 and a hook part 18 configured to be able to be assembled and disassembled together. The velvet and hook parts 16, 18 are also mounted diametrically opposite, on or near the peripheral edge 4 of the cover, each equidistant from the points 8, 10 where the strap is mounted

6. The velvet-hook parts 16, 18 make it possible in particular to keep the cover 1 in the folded state, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The velvet-hook parts 16, 18 are preferably fixed on the opposite faces 2 of the cover 1, in this case the hook part 18 on the rear face and the male part 16 on the front face.

Advantageously, at least one, or even the two hook-and-loop parts 16, 18 extend longitudinally, that is to say have a ribbon shape: the hook part 18 can be sewn onto the cover 1, so as to extend perpendicular to the peripheral edge from a point on or near the peripheral edge 4, to the center of the cover 1, while the velvet part 16 can be fixed by one end to a point on or near the peripheral edge 4 of the cover, and extend perpendicularly to the peripheral edge 4 towards the outside of the cover 1. The longitudinal shape of the hook-and-loop parts 16, 18 makes it possible to position the velor part 16 on the hook part 18 in different ways depending on the proximity of the two sub - overlapping loops.

Advantageously, and alternatively, one of the velvet-hook parts can be mounted on the cover by means of a clamping means (not shown) allowing the part mounted on the clamping means to be brought closer to the peripheral edge 4 of the cover 1. In the state open, the tightening means is released to facilitate the closing of the velvet-hook parts, then the tightening means is tightened to bring the two superimposed sub-loops together.

Figure 2 illustrates the next step of folding the item. In this step, the user pulls the strap 6 so as to bring the male part 14 closer to the first point 8, which results in a central narrowing of the cover 1 and the start of the formation of two sub-loops. A colored indication can for example be added to the strap 6 in order to indicate to the user how far he must pull on the latter. The user can then form an "8" by twisting the cover 1, so as to obtain two sub-loops 24, 26: a sub-loop 24 with the hook part 18, and a sub-loop 26 with the velvet part 16 (figure 3).

The two sub-loops 24, 26 are then superimposed as illustrated in FIG. 4, by folding them one over the other, and the velvet and hook parts 16, 18 are closed. In particular, in order to facilitate the superposition of the sub-loops 24, 26, the velvet and hook parts 16 extend longitudinally to allow them to be closed even if the two sub-loops 24, 26 are not exactly superposed one on the other.

Finally, in an optional final step illustrated in FIG. 5, the strap 6 can be hung up on the cover 1 by connecting the male part 14 with the female part 15 disposed on the peripheral edge 4 of the cover 1. This then gives a shoulder strap or handle for carrying the cover 1, for example on the back by positioning the strap 6 thus closed over a shoulder and across the chest of the user.

Thanks to the cover according to the invention, the self-deploying article can be easily folded, and in a single way. In addition, information elements, particularly colored, can make the use of the folding cover even more intuitive.

Claims (12)

1. Cover (1) for folding and storing for self-deploying article comprising one or more flexible loops, the cover (1) being delimited by a peripheral edge (4) and comprising a folding means (6) configured to bring together at least two distant points (8, 10) from the peripheral edge, the cover having: an open state in which the peripheral edge (4) has the shape of a loop and is intended to follow the shape of at least one of the flexible loops of the self-deploying article, and - A closed state in which each portion of the peripheral edge (4) delimited by the two successive distant points (8, 10) of said at least two points distant from the peripheral edge has a form of sub-loop (24, 26). 2. Cover (1) according to claim 1, in which, in the closed state, each portion of the peripheral edge delimited by the two successive distant points (8, 10) of the peripheral edge has a peripheral length at least twice, of preferably at least three times, greater than the distance separating said two successive distant points (8, 10). 3. Cover (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding means (6) is slidably or fixedly mounted, in said at least two distant points (8, 10) from the peripheral edge. 4. Cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising at least a first fastening means (16, 18), for example velvet-hook parts or male-female parts, configured to superimpose at least two sub-loops (24, 26). 5. Cover (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first attachment means comprises two parts (16, 18) configured to cooperate together, and in which two sub-loops (24, 26) each comprise one of said parts (16 , 18), preferably equidistant from the two successive distant points (8, 10) delimiting them. 6. Cover (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the parts of the first attachment means is fixed to the cover via a tightening means, for example a strap. 7. Cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, extending in a main plane and being delimited, in said main plane, by said peripheral edge (4). 8. Cover (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the folding means (6) is mounted at two diametrically opposite points of the peripheral edge (4). 9. Cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, devoid of self-deploying means. 10. Cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a second attachment means with a first part (14) and a second part (15), the first part (14) of the second attachment means being mounted on the folding means (6), and the second part (15) of the second attachment means being mounted on or near the peripheral edge (4) of the cover, preferably equidistant from the two successive distant points ( 8, 10) delimiting a sub-loop (24, 26). 11. A method of folding and storing a self-deploying article comprising one or more flexible loops, in which: - The self-deploying article is introduced into a cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, so as to position the flexible loop (s) of the self-deploying article along the peripheral edge of the cover, then - the distant points (8, 10) are brought closer to the folding means (6), so as to form at least two sub-loops (24, 26), then - the at least two sub-loops (24, 26) are superimposed. 5 12. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein, prior to the introduction of the self-deploying article in the cover (1), the self-deploying article is folded at least once so as to obtain at least two loops flexible superimposed. 1/2 2/2