A device (1) for covering a surface (3) contained within a rectangle having first and second lengths extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) and first and second widths extending parallel to a transverse axis (Y) normal to the longitudinal axis (X) and defining with the latter a plane (X, Y), the device comprising:
- a substantially rectangular cover (10) with dimensions equal to those of the rectangle and having first and second longitudinal edges opposite one another and first and second transverse edges opposite one another, the second transverse edge (10f) being fixed at the second width of the rectangle in which the surface (3) is inscribed and each longitudinal edge being provided with a projecting element (12) extending along the corresponding longitudinal edge defining a profile in section normal to the corresponding longitudinal edge having a minimum diameter (d);
- two rails (6) placed on respective opposite sides of said surface (3) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), each rail consisting of a profiled member having an opening (14) on one of its faces and oriented away from the surface to be covered, the opening giving access to a space (14e) in the rail defining with the opening a groove extending all along each rail;
- a drum (2) formed of an axle (2e) and at least a portion of the cover (10) that is at least partially rolled around the axle and the first transverse edge of which is fixed to the axle in which:
- the drum (2) extends above the surface parallel to the transverse axis (Y), the axle (2e) is mounted at each of first and second ends on first and second chassis (23), on the one hand, rotationally enabling rolling and unrolling of the cover (10) and, on the other hand, enabling movement in translation of the drum parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) along the two rails (6), on the one hand, in a closing direction (Dc) and, on the other hand, in an opening direction (Do);
- the axle (2e) is provided with a second rotation means (M2) enabling the drum to be turned in one direction to roll the cover (10) up on the drum and at the same time to drive the movement in longitudinal translation of the drum in the opening direction (Do) leading to the removal of the cover from the surface (3);
- an insertion system adjacent to the drum (2) on each of the first and second chassis (23) on each side of the surface to be covered and making it possible to guide, to position and to insert the projecting element (12) of each longitudinal edge of the cover in the space (14e) through the opening (14) of the corresponding rail (6) during the movement in translation of the drum in the closing direction (Dc), the insertion system including a cover insertion pulley (32);
- in which the projecting element (12) at each longitudinal edge and the groove of the corresponding rails are configured so that once inserted in the space (14e) by the insertion system the projecting element occupying on its own the space (14e):
- is not able to leave it only by the action of a force (F) applied parallel to the transverse axis (Y) in the direction of the surface to be covered, and
- can leave it during rolling up of the cover (10) onto the drum (2) moving in the opening direction (Do) leading to removal of the cover;
- wherein the drum (2) is mounted to be mobile in translation also enabling movement in translation along a component perpendicular to the plane (X, Y) in order for the drum to remain at all times:
- either on a cover portion between the second transverse edge (10f) and the cover insertion pulley (32) of the insertion system provided downstream relative to a closing direction (Dc) of the drum (2) for any value of a radius (R) of the drum that depends on the length of the cover rolled up on the axle (2e) of the drum, or
- on the rails or on the surfaces adjacent to the rails between each rail and the surface, downstream relative to the closing direction (Dc) of the cover insertion pulley (32) of the insertion system;
- and
- wherein the device further comprises:
- first and second pull cords (21) each having a mobile end (21m) coupled so as to move with a first and second chassis (23) and a fixed end (21f) coupled to first and second corners of the surface, respectively, so as to remain substantially immobile in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X), the first and second corners being defined by the intersection between the first width of the surface and the first and second lengths, respectively;
- and
- a closing axle (1) extending parallel to the transverse axis (Y) and having first and second ends each fixed in rotation enabling rolling and unrolling of the first and second pull cords (21), the closing axle (1) being provided with a first axle rotation means (M1) enabling the closing axle to turn in one direction to roll the first and second pull cords (21) onto the closing axle (1) and at the same time to drive the movement in longitudinal translation of the chassis (23) and of the drum (2) along the two rails in the closing direction (Dc), driving rotation of the drum (2) and deployment of the cover over the surface (3).