System of holding and locking devices for return-action mosquito nets

Abstract

 Return-action mosquito net, with adjustable locking devices (10,11) on the bar (3) and holding devices (29,30) at the end of the guide (8,9), whose position on the guide (8,9) is optional. The mosquito net, be it vertically or horizontally sliding, functions with three members only: the box housing the wound net, and the two guides (8,9). Thus, a vertical side guide is not needed for a horizontally sliding mosquito net to function.
The present invention is industrially applied to return-action mosquito net frame and device manufacture and industry.

Description

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of door and window frame engineering, specifically return-action mosquito nets.

[0002] The present invention relates to a mosquito net with moveable and length adjustable locking devices and devices for holding the net in both pre-set and optional positions on the horizontal guides, be they vertically or horizontally sliding nets and with or without a side guide.

[0003] Existing state of the art systems for locking return-action mosquito nets consist of devices predominantly used with horizontally sliding nets or devices predominantly used with vertically sliding nets.

[0004] As regards the devices predominantly used with horizontally sliding nets, the mosquito net slides in a four-sided frame on which it is mounted. Horizontally sliding mosquito nets usually locks as follows:

[0005] The vertical bar housing the free side of the net contains two grooves along the length of its body. The first groove is found on the side of the bar adjoining the vertical side guide when the net is locked. A brush is mounted along the whole length of the said groove. The second groove, where the mosquito net handle is also placed, acts as a holding means/recess receiving the hooking means. The vertical bar horizontally slides in the two horizontal parallel guides of the mosquito net frame.

[0006] The user unwinds the return-action mosquito net from the box by using the handle found on the vertical bar and sliding it towards the opposite side guide/ frame.

[0007] The ends of the upper and lower parallel guides of the frame are joined by a vertical side frame/guide on which the corresponding hooks/hooking means are mounted in fixed positions.

[0008] The return-action mosquito net is locked and held in place when the vertical bar is slid to the end of the guides in the frame and the hooks/hooking means mounted at fixed positions on the side guide connect and enter the corresponding holding means/recesses along the length of the aluminium surface.

[0009] The main technical problems presented by this type of return-action mosquito net are as follows:

[0010] One technical problem presented by all types of mosquito net, that is both vertically and horizontally sliding nets, is the following:
The essential requirement for the smooth and long-lasting use of a mosquito net without any wear and tear is that the vertical bar must always slide parallel to the box housing the wound net. The net must always be locked and released with the bar sliding parallel to the box. The parallel positioning of both these elements during the operation of the mosquito net ensures that the surface of the net remains flat at all times, without stretching and sliding out of its correct position between the two guides. Stretching of the net surface and thickness faults in the weave damage the cohesion of the square weave that always characterises the net and force it out of the two parallel guides.
All horizontally sliding mosquito nets consist of a frame of four metallic members, that is the box, the two parallel guides and the vertical side guide. The said four members are precisely mounted on the four parts of the frame. Consequently, they faithfully replicate any imperfections in the alignment of the frame that commonly exist and as a result the four members no longer stand at right angles to each other. Thus, when the bar connects with the vertical side guide it is no longer parallel to it. A gap is formed at either the upper or the lower corner of the mosquito net and as a result the upper and lower hooks/hooking means of the vertical side guide cannot both lock in to the fixed and immovable holding means/recesses found along the length of the bar. The result is that in order to avoid leaving one corner open to insects, strong pressure is applied on the bar to force it into a position parallel to the vertical side guide so that it may connect with the guide's hooks/hooking means at both ends. However, when the net is locked in this position, the bar is no longer parallel to the box and as a result, the surface of the net is no longer flat. Repeating this move over a period of time causes the surface of the net to become uneven and the square cohesion of the weave to be distorted; with use the net becomes creased and comes out of the two parallel guides, needing immediate replacement.

[0011] Another technical problem most commonly presented by the devices used in horizontally sliding nets is the following: When the mosquito net is slid towards the vertical side guide by the handle on the bar so as to lock it, the bottom surface of the bar rubs against the bottom surface of the lower horizontal guide along which it slides, causing friction. At the same time, the side surfaces at both ends of the bar are dragged within the side surfaces of the horizontal guides thus causing side friction at both ends of the bar. The consequence is that while sliding the bar along the two horizontal guides, increasing force must be applied in guiding the bar towards the vertical side guide until the bar can reach its locking position against the said guide. At this point the aluminium surface of the bar must be held steady for a few seconds, the holding force of the mosquito net be maintained and the return force applied by the net roller spring resisted until the holding means/recesses on the length of the aluminium surface of the bar can be placed exactly onto the corresponding hooks/hooking means of the vertical side guide.
   Consequently, yet another problem presented by the devices most commonly used with horizontally sliding nets, is difficulty of use: when unwinding the mosquito net, the user must apply increasing force in order to counteract not only the return force exerted by the spring found in all mosquito net systems, but also the strong friction created when the bottom surface of the bar is dragged along the bottom surface of the lower horizontal guide along which it slides as well as the side surfaces of both guides.
   Conversely, in order to release the mosquito net the three following steps must be followed: firstly, the net must be pushed so that the holding means/recesses on the length of the aluminium surface of the bar can move forward to freed from the corresponding hooks/hooking means of the vertical side guide. Secondly, force must be applied in order to maintain the aluminium surface of the bar in this forward position for a few seconds and at the same time resist the return force applied by the roller spring that winds the mosquito net. Thirdly, the aluminium surface of the bar must be slid sideways and removed from the hooks/hooking means of the vertical side guide, so that the bar does not again latch onto the said hooks/hooking means the moment the bar is no longer held. Following this, the roller spring is allowed to wind the mosquito net and return the bar to its starting point.

[0012] Therefore, yet another technical problem mostly presented by horizontally sliding mosquito nets is that the user must make several moves requiring the constant use of force against the return force applied by the roller spring in order to release the mosquito net.
   Thus, return-action mosquito nets of this type are difficult to use and not user-friendly.

[0013] The same technical problems are nonetheless presented by other more developed systems most commonly used with horizontally sliding mosquito nets, such as the device described by Patent No. WO 0169031 (PCT/IT01/00124). The said device uses two inclining teeth one of which is found at the upper end of the bar and the other at the lower end of the bar. Both these teeth move with the bar and alongside the two horizontal guides (Figure 1/4) and are shielded from the user's view. The bar locks onto two inversely inclining hooks, one of which is found in the upper and the other in the lower end of a plastic component mounted within the vertical side guide (Figure 2/4, n. 85), in a way similar to the devices used by older systems. The difference is that the devices described by WO 0169031 (PCT/IT01/00124) are not mounted on the exterior of the vertical side guide but its interior so as to be invisible to the user. For this reason an additional inclining elastic means (Figure 2/4, n.90) is used to push the two inclining teeth into the correct locking position.
   Therefore, the device described in the said Patent in the first place does not solve the technical problem presented when locking the mosquito net, namely the friction created when the bottom surface of the bar drags along the bottom surface of the lower horizontal guide.
   Additionally, the said device does not solve the problems resulting from imperfections in the alignment of the frame, particularly the side of the frame where the mosquito net locks and where a gap occurs with the wall as a result of fixing the four elements of the mosquito net's frame onto the frame and thus faithfully replicating the said imperfections.
   Moreover, the said device presents a new technical difficulty when unlocking the net, namely that the user has to use additional force to overcome the return force applied by the additional elastic means (n.90). At the same time the user must carry out a number of movements in order to free the mosquito net from the two inclining hooks (n.85) found in the interior of the vertical side guide and invisible to the user.

[0014] Yet another technical problem presented by all existing horizontally sliding mosquito net locking devices is the difficulty of using them when mounted on frames consisting of two door panels one of which is shut (fixed) and the other can either be shut or open (free). In these cases two panels of mosquito net are used, locking the one faced to the other. The mosquito net is locked by mounting on one of the vertical bars the hooking means, which then hook into the recesses of the other vertical bar. The technical problem presented by this type of mosquito net is that the two panels of the said mosquito net cannot move independently of each other but must both be shut or both open. Consequently, when one door panel is permanently shut (fixed) and only the other opens and shuts, the user must constantly open and shut both the mosquito net panels and not just the panel corresponding to the free door panel.

[0015] As regards the devices used with vertically sliding mosquito nets only, these are usually mounted on windows but very often on doors as well. These systems use a bar similar to that used by horizontally sliding nets.
However, two locking devices are used to lock the net and they are both placed below the two bottom ends of the two vertical parallel guides of the mosquito net frame at the point where the guides touch the floor, one locking device to the right and the other to the left. The two vertical guides are 'Π' shaped. One side of the 'Π' presses into an appropriately shaped recess in the locking device and in this way the locking device is fixed to the floor. Mounted on the side of the locking device is an adjustable hook/hooking means, which, once the mosquito net is mounted, is attached to the vertical side guide parallel-wise and suspended at floor level. The said hook/hooking means hooks onto the aluminium frame of the bar, which is pulled down, thus locking the mosquito net.

[0016] The most important technical problem presented by vertically sliding systems is that for the system to function properly the two vertical guides must absolutely be cut to the exact dimensions of the frame. Should the vertical guides be cut even a few millimetres shorter than the correct length they would have to be replaced in order to be mounted correctly. If the said guides are not replaced and are mounted the wrong length even by a few millimetres, they no longer press onto the locking devices. The return force exerted by the roller spring of the mosquito net pulls and shifts the locking devices out of position thus creating a gap between the mosquito net and the floor through which insects can enter. Of course, this problem is also presented by horizontally sliding nets when the two horizontal guides have not been cut to the correct length.

[0017] Another significant problem presented by the said vertically sliding systems is that if they are mounted on a door rather than a window frame, the hook/hooking means inside the opening that is suspended above the floor is at risk of being knocked over and damaged at any moment either by a person walking through or an object being carried through the door.

[0018] Although Patent No WO 0169031 (PCT/IT01/00124), which uses with vertically sliding mosquito nets the same device presented for use with horizontally sliding nets, does not present the aforementioned problems, it does nonetheless present the same problems as the use of the device with horizontally moving problems presents and which were described above, namely the difficulty in locating the elastic means for releasing the mosquito net. Moreover, it presents an additional problem that previous devices do not present. The device does not use an adjustable hook/hooking means adjusting the distance of the bar from the floor but a fixed and immovable tooth that hooks the bar in only one specific horizontal position. Thus, where the floor is in any way uneven, gaps are created through which insects can enter.

[0019] The present invention relates to a device for locking mosquito nets using the same components for both horizontally sliding and vertically sliding mosquito nets that solves the aforementioned technical problems created by existing state of the art devices by using only three metallic members, namely, the box housing the wound net and the two guides in which the net slides. For the very first time the present invention dispenses with the need for a vertical side guide to be used with horizontally sliding nets.

[0020] Specifically, the present invention relates to a mosquito net locking system that functions in the same way and uses the same components whether it be used to lock a vertically or a horizontally sliding mosquito net. It is characterised by two locking devices mounted on either end of the bar and moving with it and two holding devices mounted on either end of a guide.

[0021] As regards the locking devices:
The two locking devices are characterised by a hook/hooking means of adjustable length, a multi-edge protrusion, a screw socket and a curved outer bulge or, in its place, a rolling axial wheel.

[0022] The bar of both horizontally and vertically sliding nets is characterised by a groove running along its length. The mosquito net handle and the two locking devices bearing the suitable multi-edge protrusion are mounted in the said groove. These devices are visible to the user and can move along the length of the bar. The two locking devices are fixed on the vertical bar and slide it along and within the two guides. The thickness of the two said devices is such that when mounted and fixed on the bar they keep it in a position where it is an equal distance away from either side surface of the two guides. In this way, they ensure that the bar slides through the guides in a steady line, along the virtual axis running lengthwise through the centre of the horizontal guides. In this way, the bar moves within the guides without touching the interior of the side surfaces of the said guides thus solving the technical problem of side friction presented by other state of the art devices.

[0023] Specifically with regard to horizontally sliding nets the two locking device, upper and lower, are fixed as follows:
To fix the lower said device to the bar, the bar is lifted and held away from the bottom interior surface of the lower horizontal guide at a distance where it does not touch any part of the surface of the lower horizontal guide. The lower locking device is slid lengthwise along the groove of the bar until it reaches the lower horizontal guide. At this point the device is screwed into position and thus the distance between the raised bar and the lower horizontal guide is fixed. In this way, the vertical bar rests on the lower locking device and the curved outer bulge of the latter, and in this way, the bottom surface of the bar does not touch the surface of the lower horizontal guide in any way. The bar moves within and along the length of lower horizontal guide, via the curved outer bulge of the locking device or the rolling axis while that support it. Thus, the bar moves within the lower guide without touching its surface, in this way solving the surface friction problems presented by all other state of the art devices.
   For the upper locking device to be fixed on the bar, the said device must be slid lengthwise along the groove of the bar until it reaches the upper horizontal guide. The curved outer bulge or rolling axial wheel of the locking device is the only point of contact between the locking device and the upper horizontal guide. The upper locking guide is screwed and fixed on the bar in this position.
   When used with a vertically sliding mosquito net, the two locking devices are fixed in a simpler way: The said devices are simply slid until they reach either end of the bar where the curved outer bulge of the locking devices meets the vertical side guides. When used with a vertically sliding mosquito net, the two devices do not need to be screwed onto the bar because the bar moves freely within the guides when sliding vertically and its weight does not rest on the lower guide. Therefore omitting to screw the two locking devices on the bar does not result in the said devices being shifted.

[0024] Regarding both horizontally and vertically sliding mosquito nets, once the locking devices are fixed on the bar, the hook/hooking means of the locking devices moves parallel to the guide on which the locking device slide.
At the same time, both hooks are perpendicular to the bar of the mosquito net. The multi-form curved head of each hook protrudes ahead of the surface of the bar in such a way that the two heads of the hooks and the bar form a 'Π' shape.

[0025] The multi-form head of each hook points away from the net and when the bar moves the edge of each hook's multi-form head is constantly in contact with and follows lengthwise the outer side surface of the guide.

[0026] As regards the two holding devices:
Regarding both horizontally and vertically sliding mosquito nets, the two holding devices receiving the hooks/hooking means are mounted at the end and on the outside of both guides, visible to the user. They are shaped in a 'Π' similar to the guide surface. The two edges of the two guides are inserted into the two holding devices and are fixed once they reach a suitably shaped internal hooking means contained in the holding devices.

[0027] On their outer side, the sides of two holding devices are characterised by a rising slope that ends in an inclining holding recess. The distance between the beginning of the inclining holding recess and the end of the holding device is equal to or less than the length of the free part of the brush.

[0028] The mosquito net locks following a predetermined course, as follows:
As the bar moves within and along the length of the two guides, the two locking devices mounted on the bar move with it. The two hooks/hooking means borne by the locking devices and, more precisely, the edges of the multi-form curved head of the two hooks, are at all time in contact with and follow the side surface of the two guides and are dragged with the bar lengthwise along the two guides. When the bar reaches the end of the two guides, the edges of the head of the two guides, which protrude ahead of the bar, meet the two holding devices first, slide up the rising slope of the two holding devices and, immediately after, enter the inclining recesses of the holding devices, locking the mosquito net. This means of locking the mosquito net is characterised by the locking devices following a predetermined course that ensures the mosquito net is locked quickly and easily by the user who does not have to try to locate the locking teeth etc., as is the case with existing state of the art devices.

[0029] Where the interior of the holding devices does not contain the suitably shaped internal hooking means that fixes them to the end of the guides, the said devices may be slid freely to any other part of the parallel guide and be fixed to the frame using the same screw fixing the guide.

[0030] The length adjustable hooks/hooking means move within the two locking devices. Usually their length may be adjusted via a washer with an internal screw pitch or a safety plastic locking flap with locking teeth that allow the hook to be adjusted to the length chosen by the user.

[0031] The present invention presents the following advantages, which solve the aforementioned technical problems:
The first advantage presented by the present invention is that it eliminates the friction created when both the side and the bottom surfaces of the bar of the horizontally sliding mosquito net being unwound rub against the lower horizontal guide along which the bar slides. With existing state of the art devices, the user has to apply even more force in order to counteract this friction in addition to the return force applied by the mosquito net's roller spring, making the mosquito net difficult to use.

[0032] Shaping the locking device to include the curved outer bulge or the addition of the rolling axial wheel solves the problem presented by the friction created when the bottom surface of the bar moves within the sides of the guide. The bottom surface of the bar rests on the locking device and in this way does not come into any contact with the surface of the lower horizontal guide. The movement of the bar along the length of the horizontal guide is achieved through the locking device, as the locking device and specifically the outer horizontal bulge of the said device or the rolling axial wheel are the only means for the bar's movement along the horizontal guide, thus eliminating the said friction.
At the same time the problem presented by the friction created when the side surfaces of the bar rub along the interior of the side walls of the guide as the bar moves within the guides, is solved by the specific thickness of the devices, which is such as to ensure the bar moves steadily and without any deviations along the virtual axis running lengthwise through the centre of the guides; thus the bar never touches the side walls of the guides.
The elimination of all friction makes the mosquito net extremely user friendly and requires only the application of the force needed to counteract the return force exerted by the mosquito net roller spring.

[0033] Another advantage presented by the present invention is that it solves the technical problem presented when trying to lock horizontally sliding mosquito nets, namely that locking requires the performance of multiple moves with the continued use of force because the hooking means must be located and then the holding recesses of the bar correctly guided to lock with the corresponding hooking means; moreover, in the case of patent No. WO 0169031 (PCT/IT01/00124), the said means are not even visible.

[0034] The present invention is characterised by a predetermined locking course and the hooks do not need to be located. The hook/hooking means of each locking device is at a fixed position parallel to the side guide and, when the bar moves, the end of the multi-form curved head of the hook constantly touches and follows the side of the horizontal guide as it moves with the bar lengthwise along the guide. The said position leads the hook/hooking means along the predetermined course to meeting and entering the recesses of the holding devices, thus locking the mosquito net. In this way the device described by the present invention presents the advantage that it renders the mosquito net extremely user friendly in that the user only has to perform one move to lock it, namely lead the bar to the end of the two guides. The rising slope that characterises the two holding devices and the position of the inclining recesses at the end of that slope ensure that the mosquito net locks immediately without the need to locate any of the parts before locking.

[0035] Another advantage presented by the present invention is the ease with which it can be released. In this case, the two hooks of the locking devices are released from the two inclining recesses of the holding devices with only one move required of the user, who pulls the bar towards him. Moreover, because the bar was locked following a predetermined course into recesses visible to the user, without the need for an additional, as is the case with Patent No WO 0169031 (PCT/IT01/00124), releasing the mosquito net with this one move under the present invention requires minimal force to be exerted by the user.

[0036] Another advantage presented by the present invention is that it solves a number of technical problems by eliminating the vertical side guide of horizontally sliding mosquito nets and functioning without the said guide, using only three metallic members, namely the box that houses the wound net, and the two guides. Eliminating the said guide is possible because, under the present invention, the holding devices are not mounted on the vertical side guide, as the standard practice of existing state of the art devices has been until now, but on the two parallel guides.
   Specifically, eliminating the vertical side guide gives rise to the following advantages presented by the present invention: The present invention can be mounted on two panel frames that lock facing each other at a fixed point and independently of each other. Two independent one-panel mosquito nets can be mounted facing each other and independent of each other in order to cover a two-panel opening. When the present invention is mounted on a door frame consisting of two panels, one of which is fixed (shut) and the other can be open and shut, the mosquito panel corresponding to the fixed (shut) door panels can stay locked at all times and the mosquito panel corresponding to the free door panel can be open or shut accordingly.
   Another advantage presented by the present invention that also rises from eliminating the vertical side guide is that the two holding devices and the way in which they are mounted solve the common problem that occurs with both vertically and horizontally sliding mosquito nets when one of the two guides has been cut shorter than the frame, a difference in length usually varying between 5 and 8 millimetres. Specifically, each holding devices includes a leeway capable of covering these few millimetres often missing from a guide. The holding device is initially mounted to the end of the guide as normal but can then be pulled away from the guide extending the latter's length by the missing millimetres. The said device is fixed to the frame with the same screw used to fix the guide. In this way, the guide that was cut too short regains the correct length and equals the length of the guide that has been cut to the correct dimensions. Therefore, with horizontally sliding mosquito nets, the virtual straight line that runs vertically through the ends of the two members is parallel to the bar and the box and perpendicular to the floor. Therefore, with vertically sliding mosquito nets, the virtual straight line that runs horizontally through the ends of the two members is parallel to the bar and the box and horizontal to the floor. In this way, it is ensured that the bar will always lock in the correct position, that is, parallel to the mosquito net box.

[0037] The most important advantage presented by the present invention, which also arises from the elimination of the side guide, is that it solves the problem of locking the mosquito net when the frame or the floor are tilted making the dimensions of the frame unequal. As aforementioned, for the mosquito net to function properly, be it vertically or horizontally sliding the bar must always be parallel to the box both when sliding along the guides or being locked. The parallel position of these two elements ensures that the surface of the net remains even at all times without being stretched or pulled out of its correct place between the two guides. When the bar is being locked in a position that is not parallel to the box, the surface of the net is no longer even, the cohesion of the square weave of the net is disturbed and with use the net is creased and escapes from the two parallel guides. The bar locks in a position that is not parallel to the box, where the vertical side wall is tilted meaning that the vertical side guide mounted on that wall and following its surface is also tilted (horizontally sliding mosquito nets) or when the floor is tilted (vertically sliding mosquito nets). The use of the holding devices in conjunction with the adjustable hooks/hooking means for locking the net ensure that the bar always locks parallel to the box in the following way:
Assuming that when mounting the guides who have been cut to the same dimensions it is noticed that one of the two guides does not reach the corner of the side frame (horizontally-sliding mosquito net) or the corner of the floor (vertically sliding mosquito nets) and therefore that the frame or the floor are tilted. The gap created between the end of the guide and the frame is firstly covered by the holding device of the guide, which is moved until it reaches the wall (or the floor) and is fixed to that point with the same screw fixing the guide to the wall. In this way, both guides now reach the side frame (horizontally sliding mosquito net) or the floor (vertically sliding mosquito net), via the holding devices. Consequently, the net slides parallel to the box. Where the frame (or floor) is tilted, when one of the hooking means at one end of the bar reaches the holding device at the end of the guide and locks into it, the hooking means at the other end of the bar has not yet locked into the corresponding holding device at the end of the latter's guide. Instead of shifting the bar out of its parallel position to be box so as to lock the second holding hook into the second holding device as well and thus damage the even surface of the net, the bar is kept in its original position where the first hooking means is locked and the adjustable hook of the second hooking means is extended until it reaches and slots into the holding device found at the end of the bar. The mosquito net locks in this position and the bar remains parallel to the box, where it should be. The brush of the bar always sufficiently covers the gap created in one corner.

[0038] Another important advantage presented by the present invention that also arises from eliminating the side guide is that it significantly decreases production and retail costs to the benefit of the end consumer.

[0039] The position of the hooking means is always parallel to the two guides and resting against them protects the said means and solves another aforementioned technical problem namely the danger of a person or an object coming through the mosquito net damaging the hooking means that are suspended.

[0040] Finally, as regards horizontally sliding mosquito nets, additional holding devices that do not contain the suitably shaped internal hooking means can be mounted on the guides. The said devices can be pulled freely to any part of the guide and fixed there with the same screw fixing the guide to the wall. This gives the mosquito net that is the object of to the present invention the added advantage of a new starting point which is very useful in the case of very large openings in that it makes the mosquito net easier and faster to use as the user will have to move the bar for a shorter distance each time.    Thus, the object of the present invention is not simply a system for locking but also holding the mosquito net at another point along the guides.

[0041] A way of executing the present invention is described below with the help of non-exclusive examples and with reference to the diagrammatically drawn figures.

[0042] The system of locking and holding a horizontally or vertically sliding mosquito net characterised by a frame made of three metallic members can be applied to both vertically and horizontally sliding mosquito nets.
The mosquito net (no.1, fig. 1) is wound in a box (no.2, fig. 2) and moves via a return-action system. The free end of the net is housed in a vertical bar (no. 3, fig. 1,4), containing a groove (no.4, fig.1, 3,4) along its length. A mosquito net handle (no. 5, fig. 1) is attached and moves along the length of the bar. On the other side of the bar and along its length, another groove (no. 6, fig. 3) housing a brush (no. 7, fig. 4) is found. The vertical bar (no.3, fig. 1) always slides parallel to the box (no. 2, fig. 2) within the two parallel horizontal guides, the upper horizontal guide (no. 8, fig. 1) and the lower horizontal guide (no. 9, fig. 1).

[0043] Moving and locking the vertical bar (no. 3, fig. 1) are two locking devices, the upper locking device (no. 10, fig. 1,2) and the lower locking device (no. 11, fig. 1,2). Each locking device is mounted on the corresponding upper and lower end of the vertical bar. This is carried out by first slotting each of the said devices within the groove (4) of the bar, the upper locking device (10) from the upper end of the groove and the lower locking device (11) from the lower groove. The two devices enter the groove of the bar with the help of the corresponding multi-edge protrusion (no. 12, fig. 4, 6, 7, 8) of each locking device.

[0044] The locking devices operate as follows:
Each locking device consists of the body (no. 13, fig. 4 and 5) of the device and a length adjustable hook/hooking means that is square (no. 14, fig. 4 and 8) or with a rounded lower side (no. 39, fig. 11).
The length of the rounded hook (39, fig. 11) can be adjusted using a washer (40) with an internal screw pitch (41). The square hook (14, fig. 4) can be adjusted with the help of locking teeth (20) found along the length of the adjustable hook (14).

[0045] The hook (14, 39) is characterised by a multi-form curved head (21, fig. 4).

[0046] Within the body is an open-ended screw (16) recess (no. 15, fig. 4, 5, 7 and 8) with a Y-Y' axis that is vertical to the surface of the groove (no. 4) of the bar. At the end of the open-ended recess and within the multi-edge protrusion (no. 12, fig. 4, 6, 7 and 8) a nut (26) is added. Instead of a nut, an open-ended socket with an internal female screw may be used.

[0047] On the body of the device is a curved bulge (no. 17, fig. 7) or a rolling axial wheel (no. 18, fig. 8).

[0048] When the square hook is used (14, fig. 4, 8) the body of the device includes a square cavity (no. 19, fig. 4, 5, 7 and 8) holding the square hook. The E-E' axis runs lengthwise through the cavity (19) and perpendicular to the Y-Y' axis running lengthwise through the open-ended screw recess (no. 15, fig. 7,8). At the same time, when the device is mounted on the bar, the cavity is parallel to the guide along the Z-Z' axis running lengthwise through the centre of the guide (no. 9, fig. 3). Within the square cavity (19) the length adjustable hook (no. 14, fig. 4 and 8) is mounted; the said hook has locking teeth (no. 20, fig. 4) along its length. The exterior of the cavity contains an inclining locking recess (25, fig. 4,7,8).
Finally, when the hook does not include a washer (no. 40, fig. 11) but locking teeth (no. 20. fig. 4) the body of the device includes a plastic locking flap (no. 22, fig. 5, 7, 8) on which there is a protrusion of locking teeth (23) inversely inclined to the teeth along the length of the adjustable hook (20). It also includes an inclining locking protrusion (no. 24, fig. 5, 7, 8).
The length adjustable hook (14) enters the square cavity (19) with its multi-form curved head (21) facing the guide (9, fig. 3, 4).

[0049] The plastic locking flap (22) of the locking device is raised in direction A to B, the locking teeth (23) on the flap (22) slotting into the inversely inclining teeth (20) of the length adjustable hook (14); at the same time the locking protrusion (24) enters and locks into the inclining locking recess (25) (fig. 5, 7, 8).
In this way, the length adjustable hook is fixed to the locking device.

[0050] Following this, the two locking devices (10, 11) are fixed to the two ends of the vertical bar (3) as follows:
The screw (16) enters the open-ended recess (no. 15, fig. 4, 7, 8) of the body (13) of the device and screws into the nut (no. 26) that is inside the multi-edge protrusion (no. 12). Screwing continues until the bottom part of the screw and the nut touch the surface of the groove (4) of the bar. When that happens, the plastic multi-edge protrusion (no. 12) of the locking device presses against the metallic protrusions (28, fig. 3 and 4) of the bar and in this way the locking device is fixed on the bar.

[0051] Particularly when mounting the lower locking device (no. 11, fig. 3, 4), before the screw is fixed, the vertical bar (3) is lifted and held away from the bottom interior surface of the lower horizontal guide (9) so that the bottom surface of the bar does not touch any part of the surface of the lower horizontal guide. The lower locking device (11) is dragged lengthwise along the groove (4) of the bar until it reaches the lower horizontal guide (9). At this point, the device is bolted and thus fixes the distance between the raised bar and the lower horizontal guide. In this way, the bar (9) rests on the lower locking device (11) and the point of contact between the said device and the lower horizontal guide is the curved outer bulge of the device (17) or the rolling axial wheel (18) (fig. 8). Thus, the bar slides along the two horizontal guides without its lower surface touching the lower surface of the guide.

[0052] The distance X-X' (fig. 6, 7) between the end of the square cavity (19) and the end of the multi-edge protrusion (12) is such that when the device is mounted on the bar (3), it keeps the latter moving at a fixed equal distance form the two inside side surfaces of the guide (9) and parallel to the axis running lengthwise through the centre of the horizontal guide (9) (fig. 3 and 6). In this way, the bar moves along the length of the two horizontal guides without ever touching their sides.

[0053] Once the two locking devices are mounted on the bar (3), their hooking means/hook (14) is crossed lengthwise through the centre by the E-E' axis, which also runs lengthwise through the centre of the square cavity (19) (fig. 3). In this position, the hooks/hooking means of the two devices are parallel to the guide along which the devices are slid along the Z-Z' axis.

[0054] At the same time, the E-E' axis that crosses the centre of the hooks is vertical to the H-H' axis running lengthwise through the centre of the bar (fig. 3). In this way, the two hooks/hooking means are vertical to the bar (3) of the mosquito net (fig. 3, 4). The multi-form curved head (21) of each hook is ahead and forward of the surface of the bar so that the two heads of the hooks and the bar form a 'Π' shape.

[0055] The two hook/hooking means holding devices, the upper holding device (29) and the lower holding device (30) are found at the end of the upper (8) and lower (9) horizontal guides (fig. 1, 2). The holding devices are mounted on the exterior and visible to the user. They are 'Π' shaped like the surface of the horizontal guides. To be mounted, they are moved to the ends of the two guides, (8 and 9, fig. 4, 9, 10) and fixed there once the guides meet the suitably shaped internal hooking means of the holding devices (no. 31, fig. 4, 9, 10).
The outer sides of each holding device (29 and 30) have a rising slope (32, part E-I and E'-I', fig. 4, 9, 10) that ends in an inclining holding recess (no. 33, fig. 3, 4, 9, 10). The distance between the inclining recess (33) and the end (38) of the holding device is equal to the free part of the brush (no. 7, fig. 4) or smaller, because the said recess (33) is absolutely aligned with the end of the bar (3), the point at which the free end of the brush begins (fig. 3).

[0056] The vertical bar (3) moves within and along the length of the vertical side guides (8 and 9). As the bar moves, the edge of the multi-form curved head (21) of the two adjustable hooks (14) constantly touches and follows the side surface of the two horizontal guides (8 and 9, fig. 16a). At the end of the two horizontal guides, the edges (21) of the two curved heads meet the upper (29) and the lower (30) holding device, at point E (8 and 9, fig. 16b). They slide up the rising slope E-I at the side of the holding devices (8and9, fig. 16c), and immediately after the edge of the multi-form curved head (21) of each hook enters the inclining holding recess (33), locking the mosquito net having followed this predetermined locking course (8 and 9, fig. 16d).

[0057] Eliminating the use of a vertical side guide for horizontally sliding mosquito nets, allows the application of the present invention to an opening of two panels that lock facing each other (fig.12, 13) at a fixed point and independently of each other (fig. 13). Two separate one-panel mosquito nets (34 and 35, fig. 13 and 14) with two upper and lower holding devices each can be independently mounted facing each other and shut a two-panel opening. With an application of this type, the two holding devices (29 and 30) of the first single-panel mosquito net (34) and the two holding devices (36 and 37) of the second single-panel mosquito net (35) are mounted facing each other so that they can connect as respective pairs, upper (29 with 36) and lower (30 with 37) (fig. 13 and 14).

[0058] With regard to horizontally and vertically sliding mosquito nets, where the common problem of a guide having been cut too short arises, the internal leeway (K-M, fig. 4) of the holding device is used to increase the length of the guide by the few massing millimetres. The holding device is first mounted to the end of the guide as normal with its suitably shaped internal hooking means (31, fig. 4, 9 and 10). It is then dragged away from the end of the guide thus extending the length of the guide by the missing millimetres. At that point, it is fixed to the frame with the same screw used to fix the guide. In this way, the shorter guide regains the correct length and becomes as long as the guide that has been cut to the correct length.

[0059] As regards both types of sliding mosquito nets, where the common problem presented by uneven frames or floors arises, the length adjustable hooks/hooking means (14, fig. 3 and 4) of the locking devices ensure that the bar always locks parallel to the box, in the following way:
The user slides the bar ( 3, fig. 16) always parallel to the box (2). When the head of one of the two hooks (21) found at the end of the bar meets the holding device (29) at the end of its guide (8) and locks into it, the head of the hook (21) at the other end of the bar has not yet locked into the holding device (30) found at the end of its guide (9) because the frame or the floor are uneven. For the second hook to lock into the recess (33) of the second holding device (30) without violently forcing the bar or shifting it out of a position parallel to the box thus damaging the flat surface of the net, the bar stays in that position parallel to the box (2), with one hook locked and the other adjustable hook is extended until the edge of its head (21) meets and locks into the recess (33) of the holding device (30) found at the end of the guide (9). In this position, the mosquito net locks and the bar remains parallel to the box, as it should be. The brush (7) of the bar always suffices to cover the gap created in one corner.
Regarding both horizontally and vertically sliding mosquito nets (fig. 14), when the holding devices are without the suitably shaped internal holding means (31) they can be dragged freely to any other part of the parallel guide (fig.. 1, 2, 13, 14, 15) and be fixed with the same screw fixing the guide to the wall, thus creating a new starting point for the mosquito net, which makes the mosquito net quicker and easier to use when the opening is very large, as the user will need to move the bar a short distance each time. In this way, the object of the present invention is not only a device for locking a mosquito net but also a device for holding it at various places of the guides.

[0060] The present invention is industrially applied to return-action mosquito net frame and device manufacture and industry.

Claims

1. System for holding in place and locking a return-action mosquito net characterised by the fact that it has two locking devices (10, 11) mounted on the two ends of the mosquito net bar (3) and sliding with the said bar, and two holding devices (29, 30) mounted on the end of each mosquito net guide (8, 9),
where each locking device (10, 11) is made up of:

A) the body of the device (no 13)

- with an open-ended screw (16) recess (no 15) with a Y-Y' axis that is vertical to the surface of the groove (no 4) of the bar, with or without an internal female screw,

- with a protrusion (12) at the end of the open-ended recess,

- with a curved outer bulge (no. 17) or rolling axial wheel (no 18),

- with a square cavity (19) for holding a hook, the said cavity being along the E-E' axis vertical to the Y-Y' axis running through the open-ended screw recess (15) and, when the device is mounted on the bar, the said cavity also being parallel to the guide (no 9) along the Z-Z' axis running lengthwise through the centre of the guide,

- with a plastic locking flap (no 22) on which there is a protrusion of locking teeth (23) and an inclining locking protrusion (no 24), with a corresponding locking recess (no 25) where the flap locks,

and

B) a length adjustable hook/hooking means (14) mounted into the cavity (19) for holding the hook, along the E-E' axis and parallel to the Z-Z' axis crossing the guide (no 9)

- with a multi-form curved head (21) and

- with locking teeth (20) along the length of the body of the hook (14), inclining inversely to the locking teeth (23) of the plastic locking flap (no 22)

- with at least part of the length of the said hook being square

and where the interior of each holding device (29 and 30) is shaped as the outer form of the horizontal guide (9) and bears:

- on at least part of both its outer sides a rising slope (part E-I, E'-I') ending in an inclining holding recess (33) and

- an interior suitably shaped internal hooking means (no 31) for fixing the holding device to the end of the guide (8 and 9).

2. A system for holding and locking a return-action mosquito net, according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that once the two locking devices (10, 11) are fixed on the bar (3) of the mosquito net, the two length adjustable hooks/hooking means (14) are along the E-E' axis vertical to the open-ended screw recess (15) following the Y-Y' axis, are parallel to the guides along which the said devices are slid following the Z-Z' axis and are perpendicular to the mosquito net bar following the H-H' axis running lengthwise through the bar and that the multi-form curved head (21) of each adjustable hook is ahead of the surface of the bar (3) and protrudes from it in such a way that the bar and the two heads (21) of the hooks form the shape 'Π'.

3. A system for holding and locking a return-action mosquito net, accordingly to claim 1, characterised by the fact that when sliding the bar to lock it, throughout the whole locking course, the end of the multi-form curved head (21) of the two length adjustable hooks (14) touches and follows the outer side surface of the two horizontal guides (8 and 9) in a parallel straight line at all times and then slides up the outer rising slope (part E-I, E-I) on the outer sides of the two holding devices (29 and 30) terminating in the inclining recess (33).

4. A system for holding and locking a return-action mosquito net, accordingly to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the square length (14) adjustable hook/hooking means (14), the locking teeth (20), the plastic locking flap (no22), the protrusion bearing the locking teeth (23) and the inclining locking protrusion (no 24) with the inversely inclining locking recess (no 25) can be replaced by a length adjustable hook/hooking means (14) part of which is rounded (39) and part square, an outer washer (40) and an internal screw pitch (41).

5. A system for holding and locking a return-action mosquito net, accordingly to claims 1 and 4, characterised by the fact that the distance X-X' between the end of the cavity (19) and the end of the multi-edge protrusion (12) is such that when the device is fixed to the vertical bar (3) it keeps the said bar at an equal distance from the interior of the two side surfaces of the guide (8, 9) and always parallel to the Z-Z' axis running lengthwise through the centre of the horizontal guide (8, 9).

6. A system for holding and locking a return-action mosquito net, accordingly to claim 1, characterised by the fact that on the holding device (29 and 30), the distance between the inclining recess (33) and the end (38) of the said device is equal to or less that the length of the free part of the brush (7).

7. A system for holding and locking a return-action mosquito net, accordingly to claim 1, characterised by the fact that when the holding devices (29, 30) are to be used as a system for holding the mosquito net in any other place along the guide, other than its end, they do not contain the suitably shaped internal hooking means (31).

Drawing