WO2012069431A1

WO2012069431A1 - Greenhouse comprising at least one gutter positioned at the top of posts and screw-fastened to height extensions of the posts

Info

Publication number: WO2012069431A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/070599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-René CESBRON; Christophe Cesbron
Original assignee: Serres Jrc
Priority date: 2010-11-22
Filing date: 2011-11-21
Publication date: 2012-05-31
Also published as: FR2967552B1; FR2967552A1

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a greenhouse, comprising a frame comprising: - two rows of posts (1); - a series of connecting means (2) forming a framework, connecting one row of posts to the other and intended to be covered by a roofing material, - at least one gutter (3) carried at the top of the posts (1) and intended to collect water running off the roofing material, characterized in that the gutter (3) has, at least in the region of the posts, at least one lateral guideway (30), said posts bearing at least one height extension joined by screw-fastening to a mounting plate (5) inserted into said guideway such that one wall of the gutter is clamped between the mounting plate and the extension.

Description

Greenhouse comprising at least one gutter disposed at the top of posts and fixed by screwing to extensions in height of the posts.

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of greenhouses. More specifically, the invention relates to large greenhouses used especially in horticulture, market gardening or nursery.

Large greenhouses are greenhouses that can be used in particular to accommodate machinery for working crops, such as tractors with cabs, which can have heights of up to 3.5 meters.

More generally, greenhouses of large dimensions are those which have at least one man height on the essential of the covered area.

In general, the term "greenhouse" refers to a structure used to cultivate and / or protect plants and crops, and which promotes the transmission of solar radiation under controlled conditions to improve the growth environment.

In a conventional manner, a greenhouse comprises a framework consisting essentially of:

two rows of columns, the rows extending parallel to one another;

a series of structural connection means, usually in the form of arches, connecting a row of columns to the other and being intended to be covered by a roofing material.

This cover material is transparent or translucent.

One of the main categories of greenhouses is the "plastic greenhouses", in which the roofing material is a flexible plastic film.

In addition, it is also conventional to equip the gutter greenhouse. These are carried to the top of the posts and are intended to collect the water flowing from the roofing material. These gutters are particularly useful when the greenhouses are grouped together, that is to say when several greenhouses are contiguous to each other.

Currently, the technique used to join the gutters to the posts, when the gutters are extruded, involves welding operations.

Of course, the welding guarantees in theory a satisfactory mechanical strength, which can however degrade over time (corrosion, breaking stress ...).

In any case, the joining technique by welding the gutters on the posts involves several major drawbacks, namely:

welding operations are relatively long, which tends to increase the cost of manufacturing the greenhouse;

welding operations are performed in the workshop; the pieces (poles, gutters or even the hoops) welded together constitute assemblies with a footprint that is generally very restrictive when it comes to transport this set on the site where the greenhouse must be installed. The object of the invention is notably to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a greenhouse including gutters, which is simpler and / or faster to mount compared to welded greenhouses as described above.

In particular, the invention aims to provide such a greenhouse that can be manufactured in the workshop and mounted only on site.

The invention also aims to provide such a greenhouse that is not binding in terms of transport before installation on site.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved thanks to the invention which is obj and a greenhouse, comprising a framework comprising: two rows of poles;

a series of connection means forming a framework, connecting a row of columns to the other and being intended to be covered by a roofing material,

at least one gutter carried at the top of the posts and intended to collect water flowing from the roofing material, characterized in that the gutter has, at least at the level of the posts, at least one lateral slide, said posts carrying at least one height extension coupled by screwing to a plate inserted in said slide so that a wall of the gutter is clamped between the plate and the extension. Thus, thanks to the invention, it overcomes the disadvantages caused by the welding technique used to secure the gutters to the poles of the greenhouse.

Indeed, despite the fact that the screwing operations are numerous on a greenhouse according to the invention, the current motorized screwdrivers make it possible to perform them easily and quickly.

In addition, the operations of assembly of the gutters on the posts can be carried out without major constraint on the site where the greenhouse must be installed. In other words, a greenhouse manufactured according to the invention can be transported in detached parts, which makes it possible to avoid the significant transport stresses (and costs) generated by pre-assembled assemblies by welding according to the prior art. .

According to an advantageous solution, the extension is itself also fixed by screwing on the pole.

Note that with this type of assembly, the extension can be attached to the post either in the workshop or directly on site.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the extension is secured to screw connection means. Again, with this type of assembly, the connection means (in practice constituted by arches) can be pre-assembled with the extensions of posts, this in the workshop, or assembled only on site.

According to a preferred solution, the gutter has a slide on each of its sides, and the posts carry, on either side of the gutter, a height extension coupled by screwing to a plate inserted in said slide so as to tighten a wall the gutter between the plate and the corresponding extension.

In this way, the mechanical strength of the gutter / column assembly through the extensions of the columns is reinforced.

Moreover, such a configuration is particularly suitable for greenhouses contiguous to each other, each gutter being common to two greenhouses.

Preferably, said one or more side rails extend over the entire length of the gutter.

As will become clearer later, a gutter thus formed can be manufactured easily and cheaply by extrusion.

However, it is conceivable that the platen receiving rails extend only a limited length at each post, a platen introduction window can then be provided for each slide.

According to a preferred embodiment, the greenhouse comprises at least two gutters in the extension of one another, each gutter having at its end opposite the end of the other gutter at least one lateral slide provided for s extend in the extension of the lateral slide of the other gutter, and the gutters are coupled to each other by at least one splice introduced into the lateral rails in the extension of one another, said splint having a cross section adjusted to those of said slides.

In this way, an effective connection is made between two gutters in the extension of one another. Of course, the section of the splice, and therefore that of the sliders of the gutters, is dimensioned so that the splint has a satisfactory flexural strength.

Preferably, at least one seal surrounds said splint between the gutters.

Such a seal makes it possible to make up for any gaps between the gutters and / or between the splice and the gutter runners, thereby contributing to the tightness of the connection.

Preferably, the two gutters in the extension of one another are also coupled by two flanges arranged on either side of the gutters and interconnected by screwing.

The mechanical strength of the connection between the two gutters is thus reinforced.

Advantageously, the gutter has a flow zone bordered by two grooves intended to receive a fixing ring of the cover material.

In this case, said grooves each advantageously overhang a chute intended to collect the condensation water likely to flow on the inner face of the roofing material.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a greenhouse frame, seen from the front;

Figure 2 is a view in a cross section of a gutter according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of an assembly of a gutter on a pole according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is an exploded view of an assembly of two gutters in the extension of one another, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a greenhouse of the type of that including a gutter that can be mounted and fixed according to the invention.

Such a greenhouse comprises a frame formed in particular by:

two rows of posts 1;

connecting means, in this case in the form of arches 2 forming a frame and connecting a row of poles to another.

Each arch thus connects a pair of poles, thus forming a portico. Each greenhouse consists of a plurality of gantry interconnected by particular median bars. The number of gantries varies of course depending on the length of the greenhouses.

As an indication, a gantry can have a width of up to about 10 meters at a height ridge of 4 meters (or more). The gantry is for example formed of a galvanized steel tubular structure, the tubes having a diameter of about 60 mm.

The hoops are intended to be coated with a cover 20, constituted by way of example of a plastic film 200 microns thick.

Several frameworks of greenhouses can be assembled together, a gutter 3 then being provided between the frames of the two neighboring greenhouses, so as to collect the water likely to flow from the cover 20 of each greenhouse.

It is noted that the rigidity of the gantries can be reinforced by the presence of struts and reinforcing bars.

As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the gutter has, according to the principle of the invention, a lateral slide 30 extending behind a side wall 31 of the gutter, the cavity of the slideway being delimited by:

a bottom wall 300;

an upper wall 302; a bottom wall 301, connecting to the bottom wall 300 and the top wall 302;

a portion of the side wall 31 of the gutter, in which is formed an opening 304, whose height is less than the distance extending between the bottom wall 300 and the upper wall 302.

Referring to Figure 3, the assembly of the gutter on the top of the post (the base of the gutter being supported on the top of the post) is obtained by the implementation of the following elements:

at least one extension 4 in height of the post 1;

for each extension, a plate 5 inserted in the lateral slide of the gutter 3, and screwed to the extension 4 so that the side wall 31 of the gutter is clamped between the plate 5 and the extension 4.

As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gutter 3 has a symmetrical cross section relative to a median vertical axis Y. The gutter therefore has a slide 30 on each of its side walls 31.

According to this embodiment, each post carries, on either side of the gutter, an extension 4 in height, the clamping of the gutter 3 against the extensions 4 being ensured by means of a plate 5 inserted into each slide 3 , each plate being coupled by screwing to the corresponding extension 4 so as to clamp the corresponding side wall 31 of the gutter between the plate and the extension 4.

In addition, we note that:

each extension 4 in height of the post is fixed to the post by buttoning: holes 10 are provided for this purpose on the post 1 and the orifices 40 are formed in each extension 4 and positioned so as to be brought into coincidence with the orifices 10 of the post, allowing the passage bolts 41 (here two in number) for cooperating with nuts (not shown) placed on the other side of the pole; each extension 4 has a U-shaped section capable of receiving the end of a hoop 2, the upper end of the extension 4 being provided with two orifices 42 facing one another, the hoop 2 having its end two orifices 20 provided to be brought into coincidence with the orifices 42 so as to allow the passage of a bolt 43 through the orifices 42 and orifices 20 in order to secure the end of the arch 2 to the extension 4 using a nut (not shown). Furthermore, the plate 5 has a height h slightly less than the distance separating the bottom wall 300 of the upper wall 302 of the slide 30 of the gutter 3. In any case, the height h of the plate 5 is greater than the height of the opening 304 of the slide 30 in the side wall 31 of the gutter. The length of the plate 5 is in turn preferentially significantly greater than the height h of the plate.

In addition, each plate 5 is traversed by at least one bolt 50 (by two bolts according to the present embodiment) and each extension 4 has a pair of orifices 44 positioned so as to be traversed by the bolt or bolts 50, this or these extending through the opening 304 of the slide 30.

The clamping of the corresponding wall 3 1 of the gutter against the extension 4 is obtained by one or more nuts placed inside the U-shaped section of the extension 4.

The U-shaped section of the extension 4 can be replaced by a simple plate having the same pair of orifices 44 for receiving the bolts 50, in particular for the extensions placed at the periphery.

The assembly of the gutter on the top of the post can for example be obtained in the following way: the extensions 4 are positioned and fastened by screwing on the posts 1, these being unclamped at first to preserve freedom of movement thereafter; the plates 5, with their bolts 50, are inserted into the rails 30 of the gutter, so that the bolts 50 are projecting through the opening 304 of the corresponding slideway;

the gutter is brought to the top of the posts 1, so as to bring the bolts 50 in front of the orifices 44 of the extensions of poles;

screw nuts on the bolts 50 against the pole extensions.

Preferably, the side rails 30 of the gutters extend over the entire length thereof.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the gutters 3 have: a groove 32, on either side of the flow zone 33 intended to collect the water flowing from the cover, these grooves 32 bordering the flow zone and being intended to accommodate a rod (not shown) necessary for fixing the roofing material;

chutes 34, overhung by the grooves 32, and intended to collect the condensation water may flow on the inner face of the cover material.

Such a gutter is made according to an extrusion technique, and preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy. It is of course conceivable to make this gutter of other materials, for example galvanized steel according to a conceivable variant.

With reference to FIG. 4, another characteristic of the invention will be described below. As shown in this figure, the length of the greenhouses is such that it is necessary to have several gutters 3 in the extension of each other.

It should be noted that the ends of the gutters 3 placed facing each other each have a pair of slides 30. In this case, these slides 30 extend over the entire length of the gutters 3 and are therefore confused with that already described previously.

In addition, the gutters are identical to each other, so that, when they are placed in the extension of one another, the gutter runners 30 extend in the extension of each other.

In this configuration, the gutters are coupled to each other by means of a splice 6 introduced into each of the side rails 30 of the gutters. The ribs 6 have a cross section adjusted to that of the slides 30. In other words, the ribs 6 have a shape and external dimensions corresponding, with the game, the shape and internal dimensions of the slides 30.

According to the present embodiment, the fishplates 6 thus take the form of hollow tubes of rectangular cross section.

In addition, as illustrated, a seal 60 is disposed around each splice to ensure sealing between the splice and the slide 30 of each gutter.

Another seal 7, whose shape matches the shape of the lower part of the gutters 3, is arranged to overlap under the two gutters to be assembled.

The assembly of the two gutters in the extension of each other is completed by two flanges 8. Each flange 8 has an upper edge 80 forming a hook, intended to hang the flange on a rim 35 provided in the upper part of the gutter and on each side of it. The flanges 8 also have, at their lower part, a series of orifices 81. The fixing of the flanges 8 on the gutters 3 (overlapping the two ends of the gutters) thus takes place by hooking the upper edge 80 of the flanges on the flanges. 35 gutters, then bolting together the lower ends flanges, by means of bolts 82 inserted through the orifices 81 flanges placed in coincidence with each other.

The assembly of the two ends of the gutters is therefore for example as follows:

the ribs 6 are inserted in each of the slides 30 of a first gutter, this on about half the length of the fishplates;

a seal 60 is placed around the ribs 6; the second gutter is brought in such a way as to insert the splices into the slides of the second gutter, this possibly keeping a spacing of a few millimeters between the two gutters;

there is a seal 7 on the lower periphery of the assembly, this seal extending from below the chute 34 on one side of the gutters to go below the other chute 34 passing. from below the chénaux; the two flanges are placed on each side of the gutters, hanging them by the upper flange 80 on the rim 35 of the gutters;

we assemble and tighten the two flanges together, by buttoning on their lower part.

Claims

A greenhouse comprising a framework comprising:

two rows of poles;

a series of connection means constituting a framework, connecting one row of columns to the other and intended to be covered by a roofing material,

at least one gutter carried at the top of the posts and intended to collect water flowing from the roofing material, characterized in that the gutter has, at least at the level of the posts, at least one lateral slide, said posts carrying at least one height extension coupled by screwing to a plate inserted in said slide so that a wall of the gutter is clamped between the plate and the extension.

2. Greenhouse according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension is fixed by screwing on the pole.

3. Greenhouse according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the extension is secured to connection means by screwing.

4. Greenhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gutter has a slide on each of its sides and in that the posts carry, on either side of the gutter, a height extension coupled by screwing to a plate inserted in said slide so as to clamp a wall of the gutter between the plate and the corresponding extension.

5. Greenhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said one or more lateral rails extend over the entire length of the gutter.

6. Greenhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least two gutters in the extension of one another, each gutter having at its end opposite the end of the another gutter at least one lateral groove intended to extend in the extension of the lateral slide of the other gutter, and in that the gutters are coupled to each other by at least one splice introduced into the lateral rails in the extension of one another, said splice having a cross section adjusted to that of said slides.

7. Greenhouse according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one anoint surrounds said splint between the gutters.

8. Greenhouse according to claim 6, characterized in that the two gutters in the extension of one another are also coupled by two flanges arranged on either side of the gutters and interconnected by screwing.

9. Greenhouse according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gutter has a flow area bordered by two grooves for receiving a fixing ring of the cover material.

10. Greenhouse according to claim 9, characterized in that said grooves each overhang a chute for collecting condensation water may flow on the inner face of said cover material.