An apparatus for using slats (3) of adjustable inclination to cover and uncover a surface (2) defined by a carrier structure (5), the apparatus comprising:
- a carrier structure (5);
- a series of adjustable slats (3) comprising odd-numbered slats including at least one head slat and even-numbered slats interposed between the odd-numbered slats, each of the adjustable slats having longitudinal edges and end edges, the adjustable slats extending parallel to one another via the longitudinal edges and each of the adjustable slats being fitted at the end edges with respective pivot pins (4), the odd-number adjustable slats and even-numbered adjustable slats forming a set of numbered adjustable slats, numbering of the adjustable slats increasing from the at least one head slat;
- each adjustable slat (3) is supported via the pivot pins (4) thereof by a set, the set comprising a first carriage (101) and a second carriage (102), each of the first and second carriages guided to move in translation along two guide tracks (8);
- the two guide tracks (8) for guiding movement of the first and second carriages in translation, the two guide tracks being provided on the carrier structure (5) and being arranged in parallel with each other along two opposite sides of the surface;
- an adjustment system (I) for adjusting an inclination of the adjustable slats (3) and adapted to cause at least some of the adjustable slats to pivot so that the longitudinal edges of the adjustable slats touch so as to close the surface or do not touch so as to open the surface;
- a movement system (II) for moving the adjustable slats (3) between a stowed position in which the adjustable slats touch one another and a deployed position in which at least some of the adjustable slats, including the at least one head slat, are deployed in register with the surface;
- position and movement sensors for detecting the stowed and deployed positions and the movements of the adjustable slats (3);
- and
- a control device connected to the position and movement sensors, to the movement system (II), and to the adjustment system (I), in order to move at least some of the adjustable slats in translation and to adjust an inclination of the adjustable slats that have been moved in translation;
- the apparatus being characterized in that:
- the movement system (II) comprises:
- for the at least one head slat, movement motors (12) on board the first and second carriages thereof;
- for the even-numbered slats, firstly a retractable coupling (A) fastened between the first carriage of one of the even-numbered adjustable slats and the first carriage belonging to the at least one head slat or to a neighboring adjustable slat of lower number, and secondly a drive system (S) for driving the second carriage of the even-numbered adjustable slat in translation;
- and
- for each odd-numbered slat that is present, a retractable coupling (A) fastened between the second carriage (102) of the odd-numbered adjustable slat and the second carriage (102) belonging to a neighboring adjustable slat of lower number, and a drive system (S) for driving the first carriage of the odd-numbered adjustable slat in translation;
- and
- in that the movement motors (12) on board the first and second carriages are connected to transformation mechanisms for transforming rotary motion into movement of the adjustable slats in translation along a direction parallel to the two guide tracks.