Screen for indoor use or outdoor use

Abstract

 Screen comprising a number of supporting means (4,5), having an upright rod-shaped portion (4',5'), onto which bearing members (2,3) can be pushed, between which bearing members (2,3) a sheet (6) or panel can be fastened; and comprising baseplates (15,15') with two bores (16,16',17,17'), which are at a distance apart from one another such that, when two rod-shaped portions (4',5') are positioned in these bores (16,16',17,17'), the correct distance between the bearing member (2,3), which have been pushed onto these portions (4',5'), is obtained to tension the sheet (6) fastened between these bearing members (2,3), or to be able to set up a panel connected to these bearing members (2,3); and comprising spacer slates (20), which can be fastened to the top end of two bearing members (2,3), which have been set up next to one another, in order to increase the stability of the structure. For outdoor use, the support means (5) are pickets, which are easy to drive into the ground. For indoor use, the support means (4) are base bieces (18) which can be set up stably on the ground and may optionally be provided with wheels (19).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a screen which comprises a sheet or panel, and at least two bearing members, which can be fastened to the sheet or panel with an intermediate spacing, it being possible for the bearing members to be set up in a position of use, spaced apart from one another, at a use distance, in order to hold the sheet or panel in an upright position.

[0002] Screens of this kind are already known, but they exhibit various drawbacks, as will be seen from the following description of the prior art.

[0003] A known screen, which is often used as a windbreak on the beach or in the garden, consists of at least two, and generally more, rod-shaped bearing members, which are provided with a pointed end, and of a sheet or canvas, which is provided in order to fasten bearing members, which extend in parallel directions and over the full height of the sheet, at various locations. This fastening is facilitated by providing the sheet or canvas with loop-shaped sections, which extend over the full height and into which a rod-shaped bearing member can be pushed. A loop of this kind is formed, for example, by sewing the actual sheet or canvas up in places to form a loop.

[0004] When setting up the screen, the bearing members have to be pushed into a loop-shaped portion of the sheet, and their pointed ends then have to be driven into the ground one by one in the upright position (the position of use). The screen is formed by setting up the bearing members at a distance apart from one another (the use distance) which is such that, in an upright position (the position of use), the (part of the) sheet or canvas extending between each pair of bearing members is tensioned therebetween, and thus comes to stand in a vertical plane. The bearing members do not necessarily have to be set up in a straight line in this case. Thus, the screen can be set up straight or forming an angle, as desired. The bearing members are designed, for example, as cylindrical wooden posts having a pointed end. However, windbreaks of this kind have various drawbacks.

[0005] In order to prevent the bearing members from coming to stand at an angle or falling over, as a consequence of the wind exerting a force on the sheet or canvas, a considerable length of these bearing members has to be set in the ground. This is the case, in particular, if the screen is set up in the sand. In order for the part of the bearing members which projects above ground still to be sufficiently long to extend over the entire height of the sheet or canvas, each bearing member then has to have a length of the order of magnitude of 220 cm (in order to obtain a screen with a height of approximately 180 cm). This length makes it extremely difficult to drive the bearing members into the ground.

[0006] Indeed, when setting up the screen, each bearing member first has to be placed in its upright position, before starting to drive it into the ground. To do this, it is necessary to hit the top end, which is situated approximately 220 cm above the ground, with a hammer. Since most people are considerably shorter than this, this is extremely difficult. The force and accuracy with which one can hit the bearing member are very low, as a result of which the work takes a long time and is tiring, while the bearing members often do not end up in their correct position of use. It is even impossible for some people to set up a screen of this kind, owing to their small build. A possible solution consists in standing on something, such as a chair or a ladder. This is, however, impractical and laborious, whilst in addition such an aid is often not available.

[0007] Another drawback of these windbreaks is that it is difficult to determine the required distance between the bearing members (in order to tension the sheet fastened therebetween correctly) when setting them up. Correctly estimating this use distance is, moreover, made more difficult by the wind blowing on the sheet at the same time. If the distance between these bearing members is selected to be too small, the sheet is not tensioned correctly. The sheet hangs loosely between the bearing members or flaps to and fro in the wind. The risk of the bearing members coming to stand at an angle or falling over is consequently much higher, and the flapping sheet is annoying and gives a slovenly impression.

[0008] If the distance between two bearing members is made too large, a first bearing member, which has already been set up, will be pulled out of position when positioning a second adjacent bearing member, with the result that the stability of the structure is lost. It then has to be set up again.

[0009] A further drawback of these known windbreaks lies in the fact that they are suitable for use only at locations where the bearing members can be driven into the ground. The possible applications for such a screen are consequently very limited.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to remedy the abovementioned drawbacks by providing a windbreak which can be set up quickly and easily without any problem in determining the correct distance between the various bearing members, while the screen offers excellent resistance to the force of the wind being encountered, and while the screen can be provided for erection at locations where it is not possible to drive bearing members or other structural parts into the ground.

[0011] The abovementioned objectives are achieved by providing a screen having the features from the first paragraph of this description, but which comprises a support means for each bearing member, which support means can be releasably connected to the bearing member, it being possible for the support means to be set up such that the bearing member which is connected thereto is set up in its position of use, and which also comprises a baseplate, which is provided in order to set up at least two support means at a specific distance apart from one another, such that the respective bearing members, which are connected to these support means, are set up at the use distance apart from one another.

[0012] When assembling this screen, firstly the baseplate is positioned on the surface on which the screen is to be set up. Using the baseplate, it is then possible to set up the support means at the correct distance apart from one another. By connecting the bearing members to the support means, the bearing members are set up in their position of use and at the use distance from one another. Finally, the sheet or panel is fastened to the bearing members.

[0013] Due to the fact that the support members can be shorter than the bearing members, there is no problem whatsoever in setting them up. Due to the fact that, moreover, the use distance between the bearing members is obtained immediately, all the abovementioned drawbacks of the known screens are remedied.

[0014] By providing support means of various constructions, it is possible to set up the screen according to the invention both at locations where it is possible to drive a member into the ground (hereinafter referred to as outdoor use) and at locations where this is impossible (hereinafter referred to as indoor use).

[0015] For indoor use, support means which can be placed on the ground and which can hold the bearing members stably in their upright position are used, while for outdoor use support means which have to be driven into the ground in order to hold the bearing members stably in their upright position are used.

[0016] As a result, the number of applications for a screen of this kind is much larger than the possible applications for the existing windbreak.

[0017] The screen according to the invention can be used as a windbreak, both for outdoor use and for indoor use (for example on terraces with a floor) and as a movable screen in business premises, shops or hospitals, or can be used in the construction of decorative backdrops or stands at trade fairs.

[0018] If the screen according to the invention is used outdoors and support means are provided which have to be driven into the ground, the problems in existing windbreaks of driving the bearing members into the ground are likewise solved.

[0019] After all, with the screen according to the invention, it is not the bearing member which has to be driven into the ground, but the support member.

[0020] Since these support means simply have to ensure that the bearing member which is pushed onto them remains standing stably in its position of use, these support means can be much shorter than the existing bearing members, and consequently can be set up by anyone without any problems.

[0021] Moreover, the screen according to the invention can be set up very quickly and easily, and is extremely stable.

[0022] Preferably, the baseplate is provided with at least two bores which are at the abovementioned specific distance apart from one another, and the support means are provided with parts which fit into these bores.

[0023] The correct distance between two support members is obtained by placing the parts thereof which fit into the bores into the respective bores of the same baseplate. This can be carried out extremely easily, quickly and expediently.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the support members are of hollow construction over at least part of their length, starting from a open bottom end, and the support means are provided with a rod-shaped portion, which can be pushed into a bearing member, along the open end thereof.

[0025] According to the invention, to assemble this screen, the support means are set up with their rod-shaped portion in the upright position, while the rod-shaped portion of every two adjacent support means projects upwards through the bores of the same baseplate. The bearing members are then fastened to the one or more sheets or panels. A bearing member is then pushed onto each rod-shaped portion of a support means, every two adjacent bearing members being fastened to the same sheet or panel. The sheets or panels can also be fastened to the bearing members, after the latter have been pushed onto the support means.

[0026] Because the distance between two adjacent support means, and consequently also the use distance between two adjacent bearing members, is fixedly determined by the distance between the bores in the baseplate, and because the distance between these bores is virtually equal to the distance between two bearing members fastened next to one another on the sheet or panel, no problems are experienced in setting up the screen (for example in ensuring that the sheet fastened between two bearing members is correctly tensioned).

[0027] The bearing members are inevitably set up at the use distance from one another if the above-described method is followed.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the screen according to the invention is provided with one or more spacer slats, which can be fastened to each of two bearing members, which are fastened next to one another on the sheet or panel, above the bottom end of said bearing members.

[0029] A particularly advantageous embodiment of this invention is obtained if the length of the portion of the spacer slat which extends between two bearing members is adjustable.

[0030] This makes it possible to set up the bearing members with different intermediate spacings between their top ends. As a result, it can be ensured that a sheet extending between these bearing members is always correctly tensioned. Moreover, the correct tensioning can still be ensured if the width of the sheet has changed owing to its stretching or shrinking.

[0031] Preferably, the spacer slat is provided at at least one end with a fastening means which can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the spacer slat.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the spacer slat comprises an L-shaped piece at each end, the first leg of which is provided with a screw thread and is screwed into a bore in an end edge of the spacer slat, which bore is provided with a screw thread.

[0033] The second leg of each fastening means can be pushed (in a downwardly directed position) into a cavity provided at the top end of a bearing member. This cavity is preferably the top portion of a groove provided for fastening the sheet, which groove extends along the longitudinal direction of the bearing member.

[0034] By turning one (or both) supporting means, the distance between the said second legs can be altered, so that the length of the portion of the spacer slat which extends between two bearing members can also be altered.

[0035] If a spacer slat is fastened above the bottom end of each of two bearing members which are fastened next to one another to a sheet or panel, the stability of this structure is increased considerably when these bearing members are set up.

[0036] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the spacer slats and the bearing members are designed as described in Claim 5, and each spacer slat is fastened to the top ends of the bearing members.

[0037] An arrangement of this kind offers maximum stability, since every two bearing members set up next to one another form, together with the base slat and the spacer slat which extends between these bearing members, a rectangular or square framework.

[0038] In an embodiment which can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner, and in addition can be assembled very effectively and easily, the screen according to the invention comprises a spacer slat and pins as described in Claim 6.

[0039] An advantageous embodiment is obtained if the bearing members for fastening the sheet are provided with at least one groove on the outside, which extends along the longitudinal direction and has an internal width which is larger than the width of the entry to the groove, and if the sheet or panel, for the purpose of fastening to each bearing member, is provided with an elongate fastening means, which fits into the groove and the width of which is larger than the width of the entry to the groove.

[0040] As a result, the sheet or panel can be fastened to the bearing members very simply and quickly. For example, along one end of the groove, the elongate fastening means is pushed into this groove. The fastening is very efficient, since the sheet or panel only pulls in the lateral direction with respect to a bearing member, and it is impossible for the fastening means to leave the groove in that direction, owing to its width being larger than the width of the entry to the groove. The sheet or panel can also be released from the bearing members (for example in order to wash the sheet) very rapidly and in a simple manner, by, for example, pushing each fastening means back out of the groove at one end thereof.

[0041] The said elongate fastening means are obtained in a particularly simple manner if the sheet or panel is provided with elongate thickened portions.

[0042] Furthermore, the screen can also be provided with at least one bearing member which is provided on the outside with at least two grooves for fastening a sheet.

[0043] As a result, a plurality of sheets or panels can be fastened to the same bearing member. This is particularly advantageous if a screen is constructed of two or more separate sheets or panels. A bearing member which is not set up at an end of the screen can then be provided with two grooves, so that the two sheets or panels which extend on either side of the same bearing member can be fastened thereto. These grooves are then preferably (but not necessarily) set up with the entry to their grooves facing in opposite directions.

[0044] By providing a bearing member with two or more grooves whose entries to the grooves are in various angular directions, this bearing member can be used in order to fasten thereto various sheets of the erected screen at angles to one another.

[0045] The support means for outdoor use are preferably designed as elongate pickets having a pointed end.

[0046] The support means for indoor use are preferably provided with a base piece, which can be set up stably on a surface (generally the ground or the floor) with the rod-shaped portion in an upright position.

[0047] If said base piece is provided with at least three wheels, on which it can be set up stably on a surface, the screen can be moved in a very simple manner, or the various bearing members can be moved with respect to one another (in order, for example, to convert a straight screen section to an angled screen section).

[0048] If, in a screen which is set up on support means provided with wheels, the baseplate is designed according to Claim 13, the support means can be set up without being fastened under this baseplate, having their rod-shaped portions positioned through a bore, while their orientation with respect to the baseplate is maintained.

[0049] The most preferred embodiment of a screen according to the invention is described in Claim 14.

[0050] The characteristics of a number of preferred arrangements of an assembled screen according to this invention are described in Claims 15, 16, 17 and 18.

[0051] In yet another very advantageous embodiment of this invention, the screen comprises at least one connecting member for connecting two bearing members in line.

[0052] By making use of these connecting members, compound bearing members can be formed, which consist of two or more interconnected bearing members. Two compound bearing members can be placed on one support means, and one or more sheets or panels extending between these compound bearing members can be held. Due to the greater length of the compound bearing members, a screen of a greater height can be obtained. To this end, either one sheet or panel of a greater height, or a plurality of sheets or panels above one another, are fastened between the compound bearing members.

[0053] The connecting member preferably comprises two pins, which extend on either side of a wider middle section. To connect two bearing members, each pin is pushed into a hollow end of a respective bearing member. The centre section of the bearing member is wider than the internal diameter of the hollow ends, so that the centre section is held between the bearing members. The radial dimensions of the centre section are, however, provided such that the free passage for a fastening means of a sheet or panel in the grooves situated one above the other in the two bearing members is not impeded by the centre section.

[0054] The invention will be explained in more detail, and additional features will be described, in the following detailed description of an example of two preferred embodiments of the screen, without, however, the invention thus being limited to these possible embodiments alone.

[0055] In this detailed description, reference is made to the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a disassembled screen for indoor use, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective representation of a disassembled screen for outdoor use, according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-section of a bearing member which is shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a top view of a spacer slat;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 each show a cross-section of a bearing member according to the invention;

Figures 8 and 9 respectively show a side view and a top view of a base slat, which is particularly suitable for indoor use;

Figure 10 is a top view of another base slat, which is provided for indoor use;

Figure 11 is a side view in the longitudinal direction of a base slat as shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a fastening pin for fastening a spacer slat;

Figure 13 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of a support means for indoor use without wheels; and

Figure 14 is a top view of a support means for indoor use, indicating the location for fastening the wheels to the underside.

[0056] A preferred embodiment of the screen (1) for indoor use (see Figure 1) comprises at least two rectangular or square sheets (6), on which an elongate fastening means (7), (8) is provided in the region of two opposite sides. These fastening means (7), (8) extend over the full length of the opposite sides, and are, for example, designed as an elongate rod, profile, rope, cord or the like fastened to the sheet (6), or as an elongate thickened portion of the sheet which results from an elongate material, such as a rod or a rope or a cable, for example, being sewn into the sheet at that point.

[0057] The screen (1) furthermore comprises bearing members (2), (3), the number of which exceeds the number of sheets (6) by at least one. Each bearing member (2), (3) has an elongate profiled shape, is hollow over its entire length, and has a length which approximately corresponds to the length of the sides of the sheets (6) on which a fastening means (7), (8) is provided.

[0058] Two elongate C-shaped grooves, which extend in the longitudinal direction over the entire length and are each set up with the entry to their grooves in opposite directions with respect to the axis of the bearing member (2), (3), are provided on the outside of each bearing member (3) which is not set up at the end of the screen (1). The internal width (11) of each groove (10) is larger than the width (12) of the entry to the groove. The bearing members (2) which are set up at the end of the screen (1) can be identical to the bearing members (3), as in Fig. 1, but can also be constructed with only one groove (10).

[0059] The elongate fastening means (7), (8) or thickened portions of the sheet (6) fit into the groove (10) and can be pushed into it via the end of the groove (10). These fastening means (7), (8) cannot be pulled out via the entry to the groove, because their width (13) is larger than the width (12) of the entry to the groove.

[0060] Furthermore, the screen (1) comprises base-plates (15), (15'), the number of which is at least equal to the number of sheets (6) (see Figures 1, 8, 9, 10). Each baseplate (15), (15') is provided with two bores (16), (16') and (17), (17') with an intermediate spacing which is virtually identical to the intermediate spacing between two bearing members (2), (3) fastened to the sheet (6).

[0061] There are two different designs for the baseplate (15), (15'). Both designs have the shape of a flat, essentially rectangular plate, which is provided with a downwardly projecting edge on its two longest sides. In one design (see Figure 10), these edges are provided over the entire length of the said sides. In the other design (see Figures 8 and 9), these edges terminate at a specific distance from the end of these sides.

[0062] The bearing members (3) to which two sheets (6) are to be fastened are set up on a rod-shaped portion (4') of a support means (4) which projects through two bores (16), (16'), (17), (17'), which are respectively provided in two different base slats (15), (15'). These base slats (15), (15') therefore have to overlap one another partially, so that the said bores are located above one another.

[0063] In order to provide this overlapping as well as possible, and in order to permit the two base slats (15), (15') to be set up in an angular position with respect to one another, a base slat (15) of one design and a base slat (15') of the other design are taken alternately for the successive base slats (15), (15').

[0064] Furthermore, the screen (1) comprises support means (4) (see Figures 13 and 14), the number of which is at least equal to the number of bearing members, each support means (4) consisting of a flat, plate-shaped base piece (18), to which three wheels (19) are fastened on one side and on which a cylindrical, rod-shaped portion (4') which is essentially perpendicular thereto is provided on the other side, which rod-shaped portion is in the vicinity of one of the sides, while two of the wheels (19) are arranged on the same side in the region of the corners and the third wheel (19) is arranged such that the three fastening locations for the wheels (19) form an isosceles triangle.

[0065] The screen (1) also comprises spacer slats (20) (see Figure 4), the number of which is at least equal to the number of sheets (6). Each spacer slat (20) has the shape of an elongate, flat plate, and is provided with two bores (21), (22) in the region of its ends. For fastening to the top end of two erected bearing members (2), (3), a fastening pin (23) is provided (see Figure 12), which consists of two cylindrical parts (30), (31) which are in line and are separated from one another by a concentric projecting edge (32) having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the widest cylindrical part (31).

[0066] One cylindrical part (30) can be pushed into a bore (21), (22) of a spacer slat (20), while the other cylindrical part (31) can be pushed into the open top end of a hollow bearing member (2), (3).

[0067] A spacer slat (20) is fastened by a pin (23) to every two adjacent bearing members (2), (3) between which the same sheet (6) extends and to which it is fastened.

[0068] The bearing members (2) which are set up at the ends of the screen (1) do not necessarily have to be provided with two slots (10), since only one sheet (6) has to be fastened thereto. However, the other bearing members (3) do have to have at least two slots (10) for the purpose of fastening the sheets (6) which extend on either side thereof.

[0069] When the screen (1) has been set up, the support means (4) are situated with their rod-shaped portion (4') in the bores (16), (17) of the baseplates (15), (15'), while the underside of these baseplates (15), (15') rests on the base pieces (18).

[0070] The downwardly projecting edges of these baseplates (15), (15') are in this case situated on either side of the base piece (18) and hold the support means (4) in a fixed orientation with respect to the baseplate (15), (15').

[0071] The support means (4) can be designed without wheels (19) and be covered on their underside with an anti-slip material and can be of any shape.

[0072] A screen (1) according to the invention for outdoor use (see Figure 2) is provided with support means (5) which are designed as pickets, one end of which is pointed and the other end (5') of which is of rod-shaped design.

[0073] The baseplates (25) are designed as flat, elongate plates without a downwardly directed edge.

[0074] The successive baseplates (25) which extend next to one another are positioned on top of one another, in the desired orientation with respect to one another, having in each case one bore in one baseplate (25) above one bore in the baseplate (25) which extends next to it (see bottom section of Figure 2, which shows a top view of these successive baseplates (25)), while a rod-shaped section (5') of a picket (5) is positioned through these bores which lie above one another.

[0075] A bearing member (3), to either side of which two sheets (6) are fastened, is then pushed onto these portions (5'). Bearing members (2) to which one sheet (6) is fastened are set up at the ends of the screen (1).

[0076] Cross-sections of possible embodiments of a bearing member (3) to which four sheets (6) can be fastened are shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

[0077] The bearing members (2), (3) are designed, for example, as enamelled aluminium profiles. The sheet (6) can consist of a fabric or of plastic, depending on the application area. Thus, advertising or any other message or decoration can be printed on the sheet. A sheet (6) made of plastic is most suitable for these applications.

[0078] The baseplates and spacer slats are made, for example, of aluminium or of plastic.

[0079] In a variant embodiment of the invention, both the design for indoor use and the design for outdoor use can be provided with a panel-shaped element in place of each sheet (6). This panel-shaped element can be made, for example, of wood, metal or plastic. These panel-shaped elements are - just like the sheets (6) - provided with elongate fastening means (7), (8), by means of which they can be fastened to the bearing members (2), (3), by being pushed into the grooves (10). These fastening means (7), (8) can, however, also be omitted, and the grooves can be of U-shaped design (without a constriction at the entry to the groove), so that fastening takes place by pushing the edges of the panel-shaped elements into these grooves.

Claims

1. Screen comprising a sheet or panel (6) and at least two bearing members (2), (3), which can be fastened to the sheet or panel (6) with an intermediate spacing, it being possible for the bearing members (2), (3) to be set up in a position of use, spaced apart from one another, at a use distance, in order to hold the sheet or panel (6), which is fastened thereto, in an upright position, characterized in that the screen comprises a support means (4), (5) for each bearing member (2), (3), which support means can be releasably connected to the bearing member (2), (3), it being possible for the support means (4), (5) to be set up such that the bearing member (2), (3) which is connected thereto, is set up in its position of use; and in that the screen comprises a baseplate (15), (15'), which is provided in order to set up at least two support means (4), (5) at a specific distance apart from one another, such that the respective bearing members (2), (3), which are connected to these support means (4), (5), are set up at the use distance apart from one another.

2. Screen according to Claim 1, characterized in that the baseplate (15), (15') is provided with at least two bores (16), (16'); (17), (17') which are at the abovementioned specific distance apart from one another; and in that the support means (4), (5) are provided with parts (4'), (5') which fit into these bores.

3. Screen according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support members (2), (3) are hollow over at least part of their length, starting from a bottom open end, and in that each support means (4), (5) is provided with a rod-shaped portion (4'), (5'), which can be pushed into a bearing member (2), (3), along the open end thereof.

4. Screen according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one spacer slat (20), which can be fastened to each of two bearing members (2), (3), which are fastened next to one another on the sheet or panel (6), above their bottom ends.

5. Screen according to Claim 4, characterized in that the spacer slat (20) is provided with two upright pins (23) on one side; and in that the bearing members (2), (3) have a cavity at their top end, into which a pin (23) can be pushed, such that the spacer slat (20) can be fastened to the top end of the bearing members (2), (3).

6. Screen according to Claim 5, characterized in that the spacer slat (20) is provided with two bores (21), (22), and in that two pins (23), which are made separately, are provided for each spacer slat (20), one end of which pins can be pushed into one of the bores (21), (22) and the other end of which can be pushed into the cavity, provided at the top end, of one of the bearing members (2), (3).

7. Screen according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing members (2), (3) are provided, on the outside, with at least one groove (10), which extends along the longitudinal direction and has an internal width (11) which is larger than the width (12) of the entry to the groove; and in that the sheet or panel (6), for the purpose of fastening to each bearing member (2), (3), is provided with an elongate fastening means (7), (8), which fits into the groove and the width (13) of which is larger than the width (12) of the entry to the groove.

8. Screen according to Claim 7, characterized in that a fastening means (7), (8), which fits into the groove (10) is formed by an elongate thickened portion of the sheet or panel (6).

9. Screen according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one bearing member (2), (3) which is provided on the outside with at least two grooves (10) extending in the longitudinal direction, for the purpose of fastening a sheet or panel (6).

10. Screen according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means are elongate pickets (5), one end (5') of which is rod-shaped and the other end of which is pointed.

11. Screen according to one of Claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the support means (4), (5) comprise a base piece (18), which can be placed stably on a surface, so that the rod-shaped portion (4'), (5') thereof is situated in an upright position.

12. Screen according to Claim 11, characterized in that the base piece (18) is provided with at least three wheels (19), on which it can be placed stably on a surface.

13. Screen according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the baseplate (15), (15') is provided along one side with one or more raised edges or ribs, which are provided in order to hold the base parts (18) of the support means (4) in a virtually identical orientation with respect to the base plate (15), when the base plate (15), (15') rests with the abovementioned side on these base parts (18), while the rod-shaped portions (4') are positioned through the bores (16), (16'); (17), (17').

14. Screen according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two square or rectangular sheets or panels (6), to which, in the vicinity of two opposite sides, in each case one bearing member (2), (3) can be fastened in such a way that it extends over virtually the entire length of this side; in that it comprises bearing members (2), (3) the number of which exceeds the number of sheets or panels (6) by at least one, while the length of the bearing members (2), (3) is at least virtually equal to the length of the said opposite sides; in that among said bearing members (2), (3), there are provided bearing members (2), (3) for fastening at least two sheets or panels (6) thereto, said number being at least one less than the number of sheets or panels (6), in that it comprises support means (4), (5), the number of which is at least identical to the number of bearing members (2), (3); and in that it comprises baseplates (15), (15'), the number of which is at least identical to the number of sheets or panels (6).

15. Screen according to one of Claims 3 to 14, characterized in that at least two support means (4), (5) are set up with their rod-shaped portions (4'), (5') in the upright position; in that the rod-shaped portions (4'), (5') of every two adjacent support means (4), (5) project upwards through a bore (16), (16'); (17), (17') in the same baseplate (15), (15'); in that a bearing member (2), (3) is pushed over each rod-shaped portion (4'), (5'), as a result of which each bearing member (2), (3) is in an upright position; and in that every two adjacent bearing members (2), (3) are fastened to the same sheet or panel (6) which extends between these bearing members (2), (3).

16. Screen according to Claim 15, characterized in that a different sheet or panel (6) extends between each pair of adjacent bearing members (2), (3), to which sheet or panel both bearing members (2), (3) of said pair are fastened; and in that at least two sheets or panels (6) are fastened to a bearing member (2), (3) which is not set up at the end of the screen (1).

17. Screen according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that each pair of adjacent bearing members (2), (3) is connected to the same spacer slat (20).

18. Screen according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing members (2), (3) are provided, on the outside, with at least one U-shaped groove, which extends along the longitudinal direction; and in that the screen comprises a panel-shaped element (6), two opposite edges of which can be pushed into a groove of a respective bearing member (2), (3).

Drawing