[0001] This invention relates to a device for protecting a window opening or doorway surrounded
by a case against insects, comprising: a frame, which can be secured to the top of
the case; a plurality of slats of insect-repellent screen gauze, which can be secured
to the frame; and securing means for securing the slats to the frame.
[0002] Such a device is known from the International patent application WO 84/03536. This
publication describes a so-called screen curtain, in which the slats are secured to
a frame by means of adhesive tape. This device has drawbacks, because adhesive tape
is laborious in use and not very robust. In particular during the installation thereof,
it is difficult to have the slats suspended properly vertical. Also, it is hard to
realize a regular overlap of the slats. Furthermore, the use of adhesive tape is inconvenient,
because such screen curtains are often used only for a part of the year and are therefore
preferably installed and removed again regularly. Moreover, a robust construction
is desirable for doorways, because regularly walking in and out places too great a
load on the attachment of the slats to the frame.
[0003] The invention has for its object to avoid these drawbacks and to provide an improved
device, which can be easily installed and removed again.
[0004] This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph,
in which the securing means comprise at least a plurality of parallel slots extending
in the longitudinal direction of the frame, and in which at the free end of each slat
a thickened part is formed, which can be accommodated in one of the slots.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the device is characterized in that two slots are present.
In particular, two slots offer the advantage that the slats can be accommodated alternately
in one and in the other slot with some overlap. The invention has the advantage that
the slats can be easily suspended vertical, and that an overlap can be distributed
easily.
[0006] A further preferred embodiment is formed by a device according to the above-mentioned
aspects, characterized in that each slot extends over substantially the whole length
of the frame, and that a slat can be slidably accommodated in the slot over substantially
the whole length of the frame. This has the result that the slats can be slid over
each other, so that a free opening is formed, if so desired. According as more slots
are present, the curtain can be slid further open.
[0007] Preferably, at least a part of a wall of a slot is formed by a lip-shaped part, which
can retain a thickening of an end of the slat in the slot. The lip offers a robust
attachment of the slat in the slot. A compact construction can then be obtained, because
the lip forms at least a part of a wall between two adjacent slots. The thickening
of the end of a slat can then be formed by a strip, which is folded in an edge of
a slat at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the slat, which strip can
be accommodated in the slot. Preferably, the thickening is fixed by the manufacturer
through welding or gluing, so that a vertical suspension is obtained. The ends can
then be - adjusted at the bottom for height, with the aid of weighting means, etc.
[0008] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in
which:
[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.
[0010] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 taken on the line I-I.
[0011] In the figures, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0012] The screen curtain 1 in Fig. 1 comprises a section 2, manufactured from a suitable
material, such as plastic or aluminum, by extrusion. The section 2 can be mounted
on a case, for instance with the aid of brackets or suspension clips. Preferably,
the section 2 is mounted on the case permanently, and the slats 3, for instance in
the summer period, are coupled to the frame. The slats 3 consist of an insect-repellent
screen gauze. As will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 2, a thickening
fitting into the slots 4 or 5 is provided at the top of the slats 3. The slat can
be slid into the slots 4, 5 from an open side 6 of the section 2. According to an
alternative, the slat 3 can be clampingly clicked into the slots 4, 5. In the preferred
embodiment of Fig. 2, successive slats are provided in slot 4 or slot 5 alternately,
so that the slats 3 have some overlap. This improves the insect-repellent effect and
also renders it possible to push the slats 3 slightly towards the sides (shown by
arrows P), so that the doorway is partly cleared when the screen curtain 1 need not
be used temporarily. Optionally, more than two slots may be provided, so that the
doorway can be cleared further.
[0013] Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line I-I in Fig. 1. As shown in the figure,
the slots 4 or 5 are formed above each other in a slightly oblique - downward direction.
A slot 4 or 5, formed by a bottom edge 7 and raised walls 8, can contain a thickened
end 9 of a screen slat 3. This thickened end 9 is formed by a strip 10, which is folded
in an edge of a slat. Of course, there are many other possibilities to thicken the
end of a screen slat, for instance by folding over the screen gauze a number of times.
The thickened end 9 is clamped in the slot 4 or 5 by lips 11 or 12, so that the lip
11, 12 retains the end 9 in the slot. In the compact embodiment of Fig. 2, the lip
11 forms a part of a wall between the slots 4 and 5.
[0014] The ends of the section 2 can be closed by means of suitable coverings to embellish
the appearance and to prevent the slats from inadvertently sliding out of the section.
[0015] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, but
may comprise all kinds of variations and modifications thereof, of course as far as
falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims.
1. A device for protecting a window opening or doorway surrounded by a case against insects,
comprising: a frame, which can be secured to the top of the case; a plurality of slats
of insect-repellent screen gauze, which can be secured to the frame; and securing
means for securing the slats to the frame, characterized in that the securing means comprise at least a plurality of parallel slots extending in the
longitudinal direction of the frame, and that at the free end of each slat a thickened
part is formed, which can be accommodated in one of the slots.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that two slots are present.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each slot extends over substantially the whole length of the frame, and that a slat
can be slidably accommodated in the slot over substantially the whole length of the
frame.
4. A device according to claims 1 - 3, characterized in that at least a part of a wall of a slot consists of a lip-shaped part, which can retain
a thickening of an end of the slat in the slot.
5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lip forms at least a part of a wall between two adjacent slots.
6. A device according to at least any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the thickening of the end of a slat is formed by a strip, which is folded in an edge
of a slat at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the slat, which strip can
be accommodated in the slot.
