NL1027398C2 - Warehouse with film used to form windows in roof, uses system of springs and movable ridge beam or gutter to tension film - Google Patents

Abstract

A means which can be moved by applying a load to the film (13) is used to hold the film under a predetermined tension. The tensioning means comprises one or more springs and a ridge beam (6, 7) or gutter (8) movably connected to the roof.

Description

4

DEPARTMENT STORE

The invention relates to a glasshouse comprising a roof supported by uprights which comprises at least two substantially parallel cams and a gutter lying between them, that the roof comprises at least two longitudinally extending beams, wherein a foil is tensioned between the beams, which foil is kept under a predetermined bias by means of at least one tensioning means.

The use of foil as a roof element for replacing well-known windows in a department store is known. Such foils must be tensioned in order to be able to absorb the pressure differences occurring during use, due to wind or rain.

A problem is that an additional load on the stretched foil, for example in the form of snow or suction due to wind, leads to permanent deformation in the foil with the prior art department stores, with all the negative consequences that that entails. The films can only withstand a limited tensile stress.

The object of the invention is to provide a department store in which permanent deformation will occur less rapidly with the use of existing films. This object is achieved according to the invention in that the tensioning means is a tensioning means that can be moved by loading the film. As a result, the tensioning means will move when the film is loaded, whereby the tensile forces in the film can be reduced. Because the tensioning means is movable, when loading the film, such as by rain, wind or snow, the tensioning means can move in such a way that the tensioning force is not increased in proportion to the load. According to the state of the art, a load on the film via the film 1027398 "2 on the fixed points of engagement on the film in the tensioning means was derived in the roof. For example, the invention allows the film to be extended or the distance between the tensioning means to be increased In contrast to the state of the art with fixed points of engagement on the film and fixed tensioning means, a greater load in an embodiment according to the invention does not lead to a proportional increase in the tensioning force / tensile force in the film / tensioning means.

According to another aspect of the invention, a film according to the invention is tensioned even after deformation. As a result of an overload, the film can be permanently deformed, in particular stretched. In the invention this does not lead to a loss of tension, since the tensioning means will use the allowed freedom of movement to tension the film.

According to the invention there is preferably a ratio between a length of the film between the tensioning means and a mutual distance between the tensioning means under the predetermined bias, and this ratio changes in use under the load on the film. Changing this ratio means that additional stress on the film is not fully absorbed by higher tension forces in that film. This ratio of 'film length': 'distance of tensioning means' will increase with extra load.

With permanent deformation of the film, the distance between the tensioning means is extended when the additional load is lost. The invention provides tensioning means which are movably connected to the roof when the film is deformed. In the event of deformation, the tensioning means will react. The 'old' predetermined voltage is preferably restored, for example by lengthening the distance between the tensioning means.

1027398-3

The tensioning force in the film can for instance be generated by means of a weight pulling on the film. The weight generates a constant tension in the film. This tensioning force cannot be increased even when the film is loaded. The weight can move freely relative to the roof. The extra load is absorbed by the bulging of the foil. The additional load or suction is taken over by the underlying structures. The length of the foil between the suspension points in the roof increases. The weight will thereby move upwards relative to the roof.

When the additional load is reduced, the tensioning means will move back to the starting position of the predetermined bias. With permanent deformation of the foil, the equilibrium position will change.

The tensioning means is preferably movable relative to the roof. In contrast to the state of the art, the clamping means is not fixedly connected to the roof or the department store. This makes a change of position of the tensioning means possible, whereby tensioning forces can be limited with additional load.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the beams is the tensioning means and is movably connected to the roof. A roof is hereby obtained in which an integral part thereof is not fixed, as a result of which additional loads of the foil can be absorbed by moving that beam. The beams move towards each other with extra load. In one embodiment the beam engages the foil, for example with clamping means.

In another embodiment, the film applied with the bias 30 is movably stretched over the beam. This allows the foil that is present between the beams to be extended. As a result, the film can bulge, whereby an improved distribution of load and tension force is obtained.

The tensioning means are preferably adapted to generate a predetermined tension force that is substantially independent of the load on the film. A tensioning means is hereby obtained which substantially tensiones the film with a constant tensile force. This is in contrast to the state of the art where the attachment is stuck. The tensile force is then substantially increased in proportion to the additional load. The fastener engages or clamps the foil. According to the invention, at least one fixing means is movably attached to the roof.

The tensioning means preferably comprise at least one spring means. The spring means can, for example, couple the tension means to the roof. In addition, the fastening means that clamp the film is present. A spring means such as a coil spring is embodied with a property in which the spring force is substantially constant at various deviations. When the spring provides the tensioning force for the tensioning means, the tensioned object, in this case the film, can change the deflection of the spring without this resulting in an increase or decrease in the tensioning force.

Preferably the tensioning means tensioning the film move towards each other under additional load.

The cam is preferably the tensioning means and is movably connected to the roof, preferably as a result of additional loading on the foil. The ridge height of the department store is therefore variable. When the film is loaded, the cam will become lower so that the film can bulge. The pure tension on the film decreases as a result. The cam can for instance be coupled to the rest of the roof by means of a spring. The ridge can also be the beam. The cam 1027398-5 can engage the film or the film can be stretched over the cam. The film is tensioned between two channels between which the cams are arranged, the film being tensioned over the cam.

In another embodiment the gutter is the tensioning means, and that gutter is movably connected to the roof. The gutter is then tensioning means and fastening means. When the film is loaded, the gutter will move upwards, so that the tension is not increased. The weight of the gutter corresponds to the maximum tension force in the foil. Increasing the load does not result in extra tension. The roof preferably comprises guide means for guiding the gutter or ridge substantially in a vertical direction. As a result, a load only leads to a displacement of the cam or gutter in the height direction.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a detail of a department store according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a detail according to arrow II;

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a department store according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a detail according to arrow IV; Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a third embodiment of a department store according to the invention;

Figures 6A and 6B show cross-sections of a fourth embodiment of the department store according to the invention;

Figures 7 shows an embodiment of a department store with a skylight;

Figures 8a-8d show details of an embodiment with skylight; and 1027398-6

Figures 9a-9b schematically show a cross-section of yet another embodiment according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a part of a department store 1 partly in cross-section. Department stores are well known. Reference is made to the possible construction of a department store according to one of the earlier patent (application) and one of the current applicants, such as NL 1 011 902 or NL 193894.

Shown are the uprights 2, 3. The uprights 2, 3 form part of a number of uprights which are regularly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 4 of the greenhouse 1. A cross-member 5 is arranged between uprights 2 and 3. The uprights 2, 3 support a channel 6, 7, which is shown here with a U-shaped cross-sectional profile. Other embodiments of the trough 15 are possible. The gutters 6, 1 are fixedly connected to uprights 2, 3. The gutters, ridge and foil form the roof.

The ridge of the department store 1 is formed by means of a ridge profile 8 which extends in the longitudinal direction. The cam 8 is supported on the cross-member 5 by means of a tube 9 and a connecting means which is generally indicated by 10. The connecting means 10 is shown in detail in Figure 2. The cam profile 8 is further connected by means of cam braces 11, 12 with tube 9. The cam brace 11, 12 serves to keep the cam straight.

A foil 13 is stretched over the cam 8, the ends of this embodiment of the foil 13 being firmly connected to the channels 6, 7. The edge of the foil 13 is engaged via a suitable connecting means, for example a clamp or an engaging means. 30 fixed on the gutters 6, 7. The gutters 6, 7 form the beams that extend in the longitudinal direction, between which the foil is tensioned. The clamping of a foil on a gutter is known in the prior art. The person skilled in the art can here choose 1027398-7 different versions for clamping. A detail is shown in Figures 8b and 8d.

The connecting means 10 is shown in Figure 2. The connecting means 10 consists of a tube 13 in which a spring 14 is received. The spring is supported on a helical part 15 which protrudes through cross-member 5 and which is accessible via a recess 16. The spring 14 is depressed. The spring exerts a force upwards on the cam 8. As a result, the foil 13 is tensioned. The spring force can be adjusted by means of screw 15, which is adjustable in height according to arrow 17.

The spring force is sufficient to hold the cam up, at least one cam part between two uprights + the vertical part of the tension on the foil 13.

According to this embodiment, the adjustment of the spring force becomes possible by engaging through recess 16 on the screw 15. Tube 9 is accommodated in the tube 13 in a vertically conductive manner, in fact telescopic. Suitable materials for the guidance can be used, for example steel or aluminum. Tube 13 forms the vertical guide means of the cam. In this embodiment, the cam forms the tensioning means that tension the film 13.

Figure 1 shows the state of use of the department store in which the foil 13 is tensioned in a certain prestress. The bias voltage can be adjusted by means of connecting means 10.

In use, the foil 13 can be loaded, for example by snowfall or rainfall or by wind. As a result, additional pressure can be built up on the foil 13. With an additional load, cam 8 will move downwards somewhat vertically 30 according to arrow 17. The spring 14 will decrease. The cam is movably connected to the frame, uprights and sleepers. The distance between the bearing points of the foil, here the gutters and the ridge, are reduced. By reducing a distance between the tensioning means, the film will bulge. The bias remains essentially the same. However, no change will occur at the location of the film, locally. Due to the additional load, little or no difference occurs in the tensile stresses on site. The reduced distance, which would result in less tensile stress, is however compensated by the extra load. The extra load does not therefore lead to considerable extra local tensile stresses in the film, which could have led to distortion or breakage.

The spring 14 can for instance be designed such that moving downwards according to arrow 17 results in no or hardly any increase in the spring force. In the starting position according to Figure 1, the spring force 15 is, for example, 1,000 Newton, and in the case of a load, for example, 1,050 Newton. However, the load itself, for example, weighs 500 Newton. The forces exerted by the tensioning means have therefore not increased in proportion to the load. As a result, the tensile stress in the film 20 has also hardly increased, if at all, as it would in the prior art with a fixed gutter and ridge.

According to this embodiment, an uneven load can also occur. Due to wind, the snow or rain can only end up on the left side of the ridge. The right-hand side is then less taxed. However, the additional load leads to a reduction in the cam and an increase in the tensile stress in the film on the right-hand side. The extra load is distributed over the entire film. The better distribution leads to lower peak loads. Incidentally, in another embodiment the foil can also be fixedly connected to the cam.

As a result of the additional load or in the case of suction by wind, the foil 13 will bulge somewhat.

1027398-9

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment with a movable cam 30. The cam 30 will move due to a load on the foil or upon deformation of the foil. Cam 30 comprises a first cam tube 31 and a second cam tube 32 which is placed on a cross-member 33 connected to uprights 34. wherein a channel 35, 36 is arranged on the uprights which clampingly engages foil 37 which is stretched over the cam 30. Shown is a partially cut-away view of the department store.

At a regular distance along the longitudinal direction 38 of the department store, a cross-member with a cam as shown in figure 3 is arranged. As a result, the foil 37 is tensioned between the channels 35, 36 which also extend in the longitudinal direction. The cam tubes 31, 32 and member 39 form the tensioning means that tension foil 37 between the gutters.

The member 39 is shown in more detail in Figure 4. Tubes 32 and 31 are of telescopic design, tube 31 being able to move inside tube 32 as according to arrow 40. A projection 41 is provided near the end of tube 31. The wire 20 bears on the cam 42 which is attached 43 to the second tube 32 and which is coupled via a bearing wheel 44 to a weight 45 via cam 46. Weight 45 pulls F45 on the wire 42 with an unchangeable force F45. first tube 31 is retained in the position as shown in figure 4 in that it rests with thread 41 on wire 42. With a load on foil 37, tube 31 will move according to arrow 40 while the same force F45 is substantially maintained. In other embodiments the coupling of the weight 45 with tube 31 can be made more directly, whereby the upward force is even more constant.

With the member 39, tube 31 cannot substantially generate more upward force than F45. The tensile force in the film 1027398 "10 37 can therefore also not increase. This despite additional load, for example in the form of snow.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention. Uprights 50, 51, 52 are shown in the department store 53. A cross-section of the department store 53 is shown, looking in the longitudinal direction. Crossbar 54 is arranged between uprights 50, 51, while crossbar 55 is arranged between uprights 51, 52. A fixed cam tube 56, 57 is arranged on the sleepers 54, 55 on which a cam tube 58, 59 is placed. This cam tube 58, 59 is not movable relative to the uprights 50-52. Film 60, 61 is tensioned between the channels 62, 63 and 63, 64, respectively. The film 60 is clampingly connected to channels 62-64.

Gutters 62-64 are provided on their underside with a tube 65-67 which is accommodated in respective uprights 50-52.

Telescopic elements are always obtained here. Tubes 65-67 are movable according to arrows 68-70 relative to posts 50-52. The gutters 62-64 plus tubes 65-67 hang with their weight on foil 60-61. In one embodiment the gutters can be immovably connected to the frame alternately.

For example, upright 51 can be fixedly connected to trough 63.

At a load on foil 60, trough 62 and trough 63 will move upwards according to arrows 68 and 69. The foil 60 will thereby be bulged. In this case, no additional tensioning force can be generated on the film because the pulling weight is constant. Incidentally, loading of foil 60 has consequences for the tension in foil 61. This can be absorbed by alternately fixing the gutters.

In one embodiment, the foil is tensioned between cam 30 and trough. The film 60 then consists of two parts left and right of the cam 58. When one of the parts, for example the right part of the film 60, is loaded, only the channel 63 will move upwards according to arrow 69.

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Figure 6Α shows the manufacture of yet another embodiment of a department store according to the invention. A post 71 is connected via a cross member 72 to a post 73. Fixedly mounted on the posts 71, 73 are gutters 74, 75 which are clampingly connected to foil 76. The cam is vertically movable according to arrow 77 and is guided vertically relative to cross member 72 by means of guide means 78. The cam 79 has a tube 80. Two cross members 81, 82 are connected to cross member 72 between which a spring 83, a wire 84 and an adjusting means 85 can be tensioned. The pre-stressed film 76 is shown in Figure 6B. By means of adjusting means 85, the tensioning means formed by cam 79, spring 83, thread 84 and adjusting means 85 can be adjusted to a predetermined tension.

An additional load of foil 76 will move cam 79 downwards according to arrow 77, whereby spring 83 will stretch. A construction is hereby obtained which is comparable with figures 1 and 3.

In an embodiment shown in Figure 9a, the film 20 is connected at one end to a spring means or (not shown) directly connected to a weight. This can for example be on the gutter side. Instead of being fixedly connected to the gutter, the foil can be tensioned between a ridge and gutter, wherein on the gutter side a spring means is arranged between foil and fixed gutter or other fixed part of the roof. The foil is engaged by and connected to the spring means or to the weight. The spring means generates the bias.

In another embodiment, the foil protrudes beyond the gutter or ridge and a weight tensiones the foil by pulling directly on the foil. The weight is free. When loaded, the weight moves up and the film is extended.

When the foil is connected to a skylight edge, the 1027398 "12 bias will be proportionally less. Because this part of the roof is now skylight, for example 30% of the distance between ridge and gutter, the foil only needs 70% of the 'normal' bias.

When the film is loaded, the film will be slightly extended because the film protrudes less beyond the gutter or cam, for example because that end of the film is connected to a weight or a spring. This embodiment also leads to a change in the ratio of the length of the film that is stretched between the carriers and the distance between those carriers. As a result of the extension of the foil there will be less compressive stress of the tensioning means on that foil. This is compensated by the tax.

In one embodiment, a skylight is arranged in or near the ridge. The film is then stretched between a length of the length of that skylight and that gutter, with a tensioning means absorbing 'the extra load' in a similar way, or neutralizing the deformation of the film.

The invention can be applied in various other ways. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications within the scope of this invention.

j 1027398-

Claims (9)

1. Warehouse comprising a roof supported by uprights comprising at least two substantially parallel cams and a gutter lying between them, the roof comprising at least two beams extending in a longitudinal direction of the roof, wherein a foil is tensioned between the beams, which film is kept under a predetermined bias by means of at least one tensioning means, characterized in that the tensioning means is a tensioning means that can be moved by loading the film. 2. Warehouse according to claim 1, characterized in that under the predetermined bias there is a ratio between a length of the film between the tensioning means and a mutual distance between the tensioning means, and wherein this ratio in use under a load on the film in the roof. 3. Warehouse according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the beams is the tensioning means and is movably connected to the roof. Department store according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the film applied with the bias is movably stretched over the beam 5. Warehouse according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning means are arranged in such a way to generate a tension force substantially independent of a load on the foil. 6. Warehouse according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning means comprise at least one spring means. Warehouse according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cam is the tensioning means and is movably connected to the roof. 1027398- Department store according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gutter is the tensioning means and is movably connected to the roof. Department store according to claim 7 or 8, that the roof 5 comprises guide means for guiding gutter or ridge substantially in a vertical direction. 1027398-5