WO2004048741A1

WO2004048741A1 - Screening device

Info

Publication number: WO2004048741A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/001592
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graham Anthony Tapscott; Helmut Hilz
Original assignee: Scottken Pty Ltd; Cado Metal Design Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-28
Filing date: 2003-11-28
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Also published as: AU2002953022A0

Abstract

A screening device (10) for an aperture such as a window. The screening device (10) comprises an upper section (11), a lower section (13), and a track (15) interconnecting the upper and lower sections, the track defining two spaced apart track rails (17). A space (19) is enclosed by the upper and lower sections (11, 13) and the two track rails (17), with the space (19) conforming to the size of the aperture to be screened. The upper section comprises an upper screen (21) and the lower section comprises a lower screen (22). The upper and lower screens (21, 22) are each being moveable into and out of a screening position with respect to the space (19), wherein either screen can occupy the screening position while the other is out of the screening position, and wherein both screens can be out of the screening position. A control means (31) is operable for moving the upper screen (21) into and out of the screening position. The lower screen (22) is biased away from the screening position and selectively operable to move into the screening position in response to movement of the upper screen (21) out of the screening position. The lower screen (22) is releasably attachable to the upper screen whereby movement of the upper screen (21) out of the screening position draws the second screen (22) towards the screening position.

Description

"Screening Device"

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a screening device for an aperture such as a window.

Background Art

It is common to shade windows in order to block vision, exclude light and provide protection against heat. Typically, windows are shaded for such purposes by way of curtains and blinds including holland blinds, Venetian blinds and vertical blinds.

While a curtain or blind can provide some flexibility as to the extent of shading that it offers through having a fully open condition, a fully closed condition, and also an intermediate (partially closed) condition therebetween, it can be nevertheless visually obtrusive when in the intermediate condition.

In recent times, blind technology has made use of perforated mesh screen material which can provide shading to block or obscure vision, as well as subdue light and provide some protection against heat. The screen material also has the advantage of allowing ventilation. With such blinds, the screen material is stored on a roller and can be extended and contracted for movement between the closed and open conditions. Again, the only variation to the extent of screening available is by varying the extent to which the blind is opened or closed.

It is against this background, and the problems and difficulties associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a screening device for an aperture, comprising first and second screens each moveable into and out of a screening position to provide a screen for the aperture, wherein either screen can occupy the screening position while the other is out of the screening position and wherein both screens can be out of the screening position to leave the aperture unscreened.

The screening device preferably further comprises control means operable for moving the first screen into and out of the screening position.

The second screen may be biased away from the screening position and selectively operable for movement into the screening position in response to movement of the first screen out of the screening position.

The second screen may be releasably attachable to the first screen, whereby movement of the first screen out of the screening position draws the second screen towards the screening position.

The first and second screens may cooperate to occupy the screening position, with each partially being in the screening position so that the two screens together fully screen the aperture.

Preferably, at least one of the screens is perforated. Typically, both screens are perforated. The or each perforated screen may comprise a mesh screen.

Where both screens are perforated, the extent of perforation preferably differs so that different shading conditions are provided by the two screens.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a screening device comprising an upper section, a lower section, and a track interconnecting the upper and lower sections, the track defining two spaced apart track rails, whereby a space is enclosed by the upper and lower sections and the two track rails, the upper section comprising an upper screen and the lower section comprising a lower screen, the upper and lower screens each being moveable into and out of a screening position with respect to said space, wherein either screen can occupy the screening position while the other is out of the screening position, and wherein both screens can be out of the screening position, control means operable for moving the upper screen into and out of the screening position, the lower screen being biased away from the screening position and selectively operable to move into the screening position in response to movement of the upper screen out of the screening position, the lower screen being releasably attachable to the upper screen whereby movement of the upper screen out of the screening position draws the second screen towards the screening position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of the screening device, with the two screens being retracted out of the screening position;

Figure 2 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view of the screening device with the lower screen out of the screening position and the upper screen shown partially occupying the screening position;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic elevational view of the screening device, with the lower screen shown in the screening position and the upper screen shown out of the screening position;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic elevational view of the screening device, with both screens shown partially occupying the screening position; Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a schematic elevational view of the upper screen and the housing therefore incorporating a control means operable to move the upper screen into and out of the screening position;

Figure 10 is a schematic end elevational view of the arrangement shown in

Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a schematic elevational view of the lower screen and the housing therefor;

Figure 12 is a schematic end elevational view of the arrangement shown in Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of the bottom end of the upper screen and the upper end of the lower screen connected together by way of a connection system;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 with the exception that the two screens are not shown connected together;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 with the exception that the connection means is shown in a released position; and

Figure 16 is a schematic end view of the connection system.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a screening device 10 for an aperture such as a window in a building.

The screening device 10 comprises an upper section 11 , a lower section 13 and a track 15 which interconnects the upper and lower sections 11 , 13 and which is defined by two spaced apart track rails 17. A space 19 is enclosed by the upper and lower sections 11 , 13 and the two rails 17. The screening device 10 is adapted to be fitted onto a window, with the space 19 conforming to the size of the window.

The upper section 11 comprises an upper screen 21 moveable into and out of a screening position in which it occupies the opening 19. Similarly, the lower section 13 comprises a lower screen 22 moveable into and out of the screening position in which it occupies the opening 19.

The upper screen 21 comprises a screen member 23 formed of flexible sheet material such as cloth and a transverse element in the form of a cross-rail 25 attached to a bottom end of the screen member 23. The cross-rail 25 extends between, and is slidable with respect to, the two track rails 17 for guided movement therealong. The upper end of the screen member 23 is attached to a roller 27 supported within a housing 29 (known as a cassette). With this arrangement, the screen member 23 can be wound about the roller 27 into a storage condition away from the screening position, as best seen in Figures 1 and 9 of the drawings.

A control mechanism 31 is provided for driving the roller 27 to allow the screen member 23 to wind onto, and unwind from, the roller. The control mechanism 31 comprises an endless drive element such as a chain 33 operatively connected to a drive wheel 35 from which drive is transmitted to the roller 27 through a gear box 37. The gear box 37 is of such construction as to retain the screen member 23 and the cross-rail 25 attached thereto at any position into which it is moved through operation of the control mechanism 31.

The lower screen 22 comprises a screen member 41 formed of flexible sheet material such as cloth, and a transverse element in the form of a cross-rail 43 attached to the top end of the screen member 41. The cross-rail 43 extends between, and is slidable with respect to, the two track rails 17 for guided movement therealong. The lower end of the screen member 41 is attached to a roller 47 supported within a housing 49 (known as a cassette). With this arrangement, the screen member 41 can be wound about the roller 47 into a storage condition away from the screening position, as best seen in Figures 1 , 3 and 11. The roller 47 is spring loaded so as to bias the screen member 41 into a condition in which it is wound about the roller 47 in a storage condition away from the screening position. The roller 47 is spring loaded by way of a. spring mechanism within the roller. Unwinding of the screen member 41 from the roller 47 tensions the spring mechanism within the roller, with a result that such unwinding movement is resisted by the spring tension. In this way, the screen member 41 is biased into the wound condition about the roller 47.

While the screen members 23, 41 are each formed of flexible sheet material such as cloth, each provides different shading characteristics. In this regard, each cloth is perforated by being of mesh construction, with the grade of the mesh of one cloth being different from that of the other cloth, thereby offering different shading characteristics. By way of example, in this embodiment the upper screen member 23 has larger perforations than the lower screen member 41. In this way, the upper screen member 23 allows transmission of more light (and hence provides less obstruction to vision) than the lower screen member 41.

A connection means 51 is provided for releasably interconnecting the upper and lower screens 21 , 22. With such an arrangement, movement of the upper screen 21 under the control of the control mechanism 31 can be used to control movement of the lower screen 22. The connection means 51 comprises two couplings 53, each comprising a rotatable latch 54 on the upper cross-rail 25 and an associated catch 55 on the lower cross-rail 43. Each latch 54 incorporates an engaging portion 57 configured for engagement with the associated catch 55. Each latch 54 is angularly moveable into and out of engagement with its associated catch 55 manually through operation of a control knob 59.

The screening device 10 according to the embodiment is fitted to the window with the upper section 11 installed adjacent the top of the window, the lower section 13 installed adjacent the bottom of the window, and the two track rails 17 positioned one to each side of the window. With this arrangement, the screening device 10 neither impedes vision through the window nor interferes with operation of the window to any significant extent. The window can remain unscreened when the upper screen member 23 is fully retracted onto its roller 27 (and thus accommodated in the upper housing 29), and the lower screen member 41 is fully retracted onto its roller 47 (and thus contained within the lower housing 49). Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

When the window is to be screened, various options are available. One option involves lowering of the upper screen member 23 into the opening 19 to any desired extent by operation of the control mechanism 31. This is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, where the upper screen member 23 is shown partly occupying the opening 19. While not shown in the drawings, the upper screen member 23 can be lowered fully so as to entirely occupy the opening 19. Where screening is required to a different extent than that offered by screen member 23, the lower screen member 41 can be utilised. In this regard, the lower screen member 41 can be used to provide the full screening function, in which case the lower screen member would entirely occupy the opening 19, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. Alternatively, the lower screen member 41 can be used in conjunction with the upper screen member 23, whereby both screen members each partially occupy the opening 19 and perform a screening function. This thus provides an intermediate screening condition between that provided by the upper screen member and that provided by the lower screen member 41.

Movement of the lower screen 22 into and out of the opening 19 is performed under the control of the upper screen 21. Specifically, it is necessary to couple the lower screen 22 to the upper screen 21 by way of the connection means 51 in order to move the lower screen member 41. With the lower screen 22 coupled to the upper screen 21 by way of the couplings 53 as previously described, the lower screen member 41 can be drawn upwardly into the opening 19 as the upper screen member 23 is also moved upwardly as it is wound about its respective roller 27. As the lower screen member 43 is moved upwardly, the roller 47 on which it is accommodated is tensioned, with the force provided by the spring tension being overcome by the upward force applied by the ascending upper screen member 23. The lower screen member 41 is moved out of the opening 19 by lowering the upper screen member 23, so allowing the lower screen member 41 to wind about its respective roller 47 to return to the storage condition accommodated within the housing 49.

From the forgoing, it is evident that the present embodiment provides a simple yet highly effective arrangement for providing shade to a window. Various degrees of shading can be easily achieved, as well as a condition where there is no shading provided to the window at all.

While the embodiment has been described in relation to two screen members 23, 41 both of which only partially obstruct vision and light, it should be understood that one of the screen members can be arranged to totally block light and vision if desired. Alternatively or additionally, one or the other of the screen members may be fully transparent, so as to screen against elements such as wind, dust and insects, while not obscuring vision or light to any significant extent.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

1. A screening device for an aperture, comprising first and second screens each moveable into and out of a screening position to provide a screen for the aperture, wherein either screen can occupy the screening position while the other is out of the screening position and wherein both screens can be out of the screening position to leave the aperture unscreened.

2. A screening device according to claim 1 wherein the first screen comprises an upper screen and the second screen comprises a lower screen.

3. A screening device according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising control means operable for moving the first screen into and out of the screening position.

4. A screening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second screen is biased away from the screening position and selectively operable for movement into the screening position in response to movement of the first screen out of the screening position.

5. A screening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second screen is releasably attachable to the first screen, whereby movement of the first screen out of the screening position draws the second screen towards the screening position.

6. A screening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each screen comprises a screen member of flexible material and a roller about which the flexible screen member can be wound.

7. A screening device according to claim 6 wherein the screen member has two opposed ends, one of which is attached to the roller and the other of which is attached to a transverse element supported for guided movement with the screen member upon movement of the screen into and out of the screening position.

8. A screening device according to claim 7 further comprising an upper section, a lower section, and a track interconnecting the upper and lower sections, the track being defined by two spaced apart rails, wherein each transverse element extends between, and is slidable with respect to, the two tracks for guided movement therealong.

9. A screening device according to claim 8 wherein the upper section comprises the upper screen and the lower section comprises the lower screen.

10. A screening device according to any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the control means comprises a control mechanism operable to drive one of the rollers to cause the respective screen member to wind onto, and unwind from, the roller.

11. A screening device according to claim 10 wherein the control mechanism comprises an endless drive element operatively connected to a drive wheel for imparting rotational drive thereto, drive being transmitted from the drive wheel to the respective roller through a gearbox, the gearbox being adapted to retain the respective screen at any position into which it is moved through operation of the control mechanism.

12. A screening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the roller for second screen is spring loaded so as to bias the screen member into a condition in which it is wound about the roller in a storage condition away from the screening position.

13. A screening device according to any one of claims 5 to 12 wherein the second screen is releasably attachable to the first screen by way of a connection means provided for releasably interconnecting the two screens.

14. A screening device according to claim 14 wherein the connection means comprises a coupling, the coupling comprising a rotatable latch on the transverse element of one screen and an associated catch on the transverse element of the other screen, the latch being angularly moveable into and out of engagement with the catch.

15. A screening device according to any one claims 6 to 14, wherein at least one screen member is formed of perforated sheet material.

16. A screening device according to claim 15 wherein both screen members are formed of perforated sheet material, the perforations in one sheet being of a different grade from the perforations in the other sheet.

17. A screening device comprising an upper section, a lower section, and a track interconnecting the upper and lower sections, the track defining two spaced apart track rails, whereby a space is enclosed by the upper and lower sections and the two track rails, the upper section comprising an upper screen and the lower section comprising a lower screen, the upper and lower screens each being moveable into and out of a screening position with respect to said space, wherein either screen can occupy the screening position while the other is out of the screening position, and wherein both screens can be out of the screening position, control means operable for moving the upper screen into and out of the screening position, the lower screen being biased away from the screening position and selectively operable to move into the screening position in response to movement of the upper screen out of the screening position, the lower screen being releasably attachable to the upper screen whereby movement of the upper screen out of the screening position draws the second screen towards the screening position.

18. A screening device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.