PARTITION

Abstract

 A screen (1), comprising a drawer (2) provided with an opening in its upper opening (3), a transparent panel (4), lateral guides of the panel (4) that allow guiding it according to a displacement between a concealed position and an operative position in which it protrudes through the upper opening (3) so that the partition is adjustable in height (H), comprising vertical pushing means on the panel (4) provided with two belts (C1, C2), one return axis (6) of the belts (C1, C2), rolling tube (7) of the belts (C1, C2) and rotary drive means of the rolling tube (7) being arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis (6), the lower edge (41) of the panel (4) being arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis (6) where the vertical pushing force of the belts (C1, C2) is applied on the panel (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a screen for terraces intended to delimit the terrace and to constitute a barrier to the wind, the type of which comprises inside a transparent panel with variable height that can be concealed in the drawer.

Background of the invention

[0002] The present invention falls in the scope of the screens, comprising a drawer provided with an opening in its upper part, a transparent panel, lateral guides of the panel that allow guiding it according to a displacement between a concealed position in which the panel is inside the drawer and an operative position in which it protrudes through the upper opening so that the screen is adjustable in height.

[0003] Such type of screens is known, for example, from the publication ES 1 110 757 U.

[0004] To move it from the concealed position to the operative position this type of screens comprises vertical pushing means on the panel.

[0005] An example of vertical pushing means is described in the utility model published with the number ES 1 127 680. This document describes a pantograph system which rests on the floor or the lower surface of the drawer on one side, and on the other side on the lower edge of the panel, with interposition of some structural element, can push a panel in a vertical direction.

[0006] This solution has several drawbacks. A pantograph involves many mechanical parts, occupies space and also has a kinematics that involves high efforts in the most collected configuration, which can only be solved with particular arrangements of the drives or with mechanical actuators capable of making great efforts. It also implies non-constant speeds, unless a specific control is available to guarantee a constant speed.

[0007] Another solution is based on linear actuators that directly push the lower edge of the panel. This is a complicated solution from the point of view of the integration of the actuators, since they must be arranged under the edge of the panel or must be arranged adjacent to the panel with the use of an additional complex structure for the transmission of forces.

[0008] The inventors consider that these solutions can be significantly improved. In particular, they consider that they can be improved from the point of view of the quantity of components, their simplicity, the occupation of space and the facility for control.

Description of the invention

[0009] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention proposes a screen comprising a drawer provided with an opening in its upper opening, a transparent panel, lateral guides of the panel that allow guiding it according to a displacement between a hidden position in which the panel is inside the drawer and an operative position in which it protrudes through the upper opening so that the partition is adjustable in height, comprising vertical pushing means on the panel, wherein the vertical pushing means on the panel comprise at least two belts, at least one return axis of the belts, rolling tube of the belts arranged with its axis parallel to the general plane of the panel and perpendicular with respect to the guiding direction, rotary drive means of the rolling tube, the rolling tube being arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis and on one side thereof, the lower edge of the panel being arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis and on the other side thereof, the belts being arranged so that there is a belt section rolled on the rolling tube, a section extending from the rolling tube to the return axis, a section extending from the return axis to the lower edge of the panel, where the vertical pushing force of the belts is applied on the panel.

[0010] This structure solves the shortcomings of the state of the art. The use of rotating elements for the drive simplifies the arrangement of the different elements inside the drawer.

[0011] Specifically, it is sufficient to arrange the axes properly to achieve the correct vertical thrust of the panel.

[0012] The use of a common tube for the two belts ensures that the thrust of the two belts is simultaneous, so that the stability of the panel is guaranteed, avoiding its stiffness or blockage in the side guides. That is, it must be ensured that the displacement of the panel is performed in a direction perpendicular to its lower edge.

[0013] In some embodiments, the rotary drive means are a motor. This engine may be accompanied by a reduction gear assembly if necessary.

[0014] In some embodiments the motor may be an element other than the tube mechanically bonded therewith.

[0015] In other embodiments, these rotary drive means are a tubular electric motor, i.e., the tube itself has inside the electromagnetic elements associated with the motor part. In particular, tubular motors such as those used in awnings, which are widely used and very reliable, may be used.

[0016] In other embodiments, the rotary drive means are a crank assembly and drive system from the crank to the rolling tube. This solution can be used in combination with a motor drive, in particular to guarantee the service when there is no power or due to some fault.

[0017] In some embodiments, the sections extending from the return axis to the bottom edge of the panel are connected by their free end to the lower edge of the panel. In this case, there are only elements on one side of the panel, which results in a very simple and compact solution. It is emphasized that in this solution, the rising speed of the belt end coincides with the rising speed of the panel.

[0018] In this variant, the connection between the belts and the lower edge comprises a roller attached to the lower edge of the panel, the ends of the belts being arranged forming a closed loop about the roller. That is, the belt end attaches to itself after rolling around the roller.

[0019] According to other variant, the belts surround the panel at its bottom and are attached to an anchor integral with the drawer, the anchor being arranged on the side of the panel opposite the side by which the return axis is.

[0020] In this case, an anchoring shaft arranged on the other side of the panel must be provided. However, it is an arrangement which takes advantage of the pulley effect, i.e., the rising speed of the lower end of the belt has a speed corresponding to half the rolling speed of the belt. Therefore, with this solution engines can be used or apply moments whose magnitude is half, to the detriment of the rising/falling speed, which will be half.

[0021] In this case it is also conceivable that each belt has a roller attached to the lower edge of the panel for the transmission of the pushing force between belts and panel. The presence of this roller for this variant is especially advantageous as this arrangement involves a sliding speed between the belt and the lower edge of the panel, a circumstance which is not present for the first variant in which the belt end is attached to the lower edge of the panel.

[0022] In some embodiments a U-profile is provided which engages the lower edge of the panel. This profile, which does not have to be continuous throughout the entire lower edge of the panel, guarantees a distribution of the forces applied by the belts on the whole panel, which may have some fragility in the case of glass. In addition, it serves as a structure for fixing the roller supports.

[0023] In some embodiments, the screen comprises at the level of the opening two opposing profiles arranged on each side of the panel, the distance between profiles being increasing in its lower section and in the downstream direction, so as to define a widening for engagement and retention of the upper ends of the U-shaped profile.

[0024] Therefore, in the upper end position the horizontal immobilization of the panel is guaranteed.

[0025] In some embodiments, the opening is arranged proximate one of the upper edges of the drawer, and comprising a removable pot fitted between the opening and the other upper edge.

[0026] Therefore, the drawer is used to make it a gardener. The pot can be equipped with an integrated irrigation system and/or a drainage system.

[0027] Finally, the panel may be made of glass or methacrylate.

Brief description of the drawings

[0028] For a better understanding of what has been set forth, drawings are attached in which, schematically and only by way of non-limiting example, practical examples of the embodiment of screen of the invention are shown.

Figure 1 is a section of the screen in one embodiment wherein the ends of each belt are secured to the lower edge of the panel and in a configuration in which the panel is in its lowermost position.

Figure 2 is analogous to Figure 1, but the screen is shown in its upper end position.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a screen, to which the front cover has been removed, according to an especially preferred embodiment.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively analogous to Figures 1 and 2, but in one embodiment in which the belts pass under the panel and their ends are fixed to an anchoring shaft.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the system of connection between the lower edge of panel and the belts.

Description of the preferred embodiments

[0029] As can be seen in the figures, the invention relates to a screen 1 intended in its most common application to form a partition for a terrace of a bar, for example.

[0030] The screen comprises a drawer 2 provided with an opening in its upper part 3 intended for the passage of a transparent panel 4. Side guides of the panel 4 allow guiding it according to a displacement between a concealed position Pinf in which the panel 4 is inside the drawer 2 and an operative position Psup in which it protrudes through the upper opening 3 so that the screen 2 is adjustable in height h.

[0031] Obviously, vertical pushing means are required on the panel 4 to bring the panel from the concealed position to an operative position.

[0032] According to the present invention, and as shown in Figure 3, these vertical pushing means on the panel 4 comprise at least two parallel belts C1, C2, at least one return axis 6 of the belts C1, C2, a rolling tube 7 of the belts C1, C2 arranged with its axis parallel to the general plane of the panel 4 and perpendicular with respect to the guiding direction and rotary drive means of the rolling tube 7.

[0033] The rolling tube 7 is arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis 6 and on one side thereof while the lower edge 41 of the panel 4 is arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis 6 but on the other side thereof.

[0034] The belts C1, C2 are arranged so that there is a belt section C11, C21 rolled on the rolling tube 7, a section C12, C22 extending from the rolling tube 7 to the return axis 6 and a section C13, C23 extending from the return axis 6 to the lower edge of the panel where the vertical pushing force of the belts C1, C2 on the panel 4 is carried out.

[0035] As will be seen later, this thrust can be performed in two different ways.

[0036] With respect to the rotary drive means, they may be a motor, which may be integrated in the tube, so that it is a tubular motor, which supposes a particularly reliable and compact solution, it may be a crank assembly and drive system from the crank to the rolling tube 7 or may be a combination of both.

[0037] According to a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sections C13, C23 extending from the return axis 6 to the lower edge of the panel are connected by their free end to the lower edge 41 of the panel 4. That is, the forward speed of the belt is the same as the rising speed of the panel 4. This embodiment envisions, as shown in Figure 6, that the connection between the belts C1, C2 and the lower edge 41 comprises a roller 42 attached to the lower edge 41 of the panel 4, the ends of the belts being arranged forming a closed loop about the roller 42. This solution allows the indirect anchoring of the belt end and prevents any type of friction. In addition, sewing the belt end is a common solution in many applications that is very solid and reliable.

[0038] According to a second embodiment, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the belts C1, C2 surround the panel 4 at their lower part and are attached to an anchor A integral with the drawer 2. In this case, the anchor A must be arranged in the side of the panel 4 opposite the side by which the return axis 6 is.

[0039] As mentioned, this solution differs from the previous one in that the rolling speed of the belt will be twice the rising speed of the panel. This solution can be interesting if you want to install a lower power motor and if it is acceptable that the rising or falling speed of the panel is half.

[0040] As shown in the sections of Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, there is provided a U-shaped profile 42 which embraces the lower edge 41 of the panel 4. This profile is intended to protect the lower end of the panel, which is subjected to high stresses because the vertical pushing forces are applied there.

[0041] As shown for example in Figures 1 and 2, the screen comprises at the level of the opening 3 two opposing centering profiles 51 arranged on either side of the panel 4.

[0042] The distance between profiles 51 is increased in its lower section and in the downward direction, so as to define a widening for engagement and retention of the upper ends of the U-shaped profile 42.

[0043] As shown in the sections, the opening 3 is arranged proximate one of the upper edges of the drawer 2, which leaves room for a removable pot 51 fitted between the opening 3 and the other upper edge.

[0044] Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the described screen is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all of the above details can be replaced by others technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A screen (1), comprising a drawer (2) provided with an opening in its upper opening (3), a transparent panel (4), lateral guides of the panel (4) that allow guiding it according to a displacement between a concealed position (Pinf) in which the panel (4) is inside the drawer (2) and an operative position (Psup) in which it protrudes through the upper opening (3) so that the partition (2) is adjustable in height (H), comprising vertical pushing means on the panel (4), characterized in that the vertical pushing means on the panel (4) comprise at least two belts (C1, C2), at least one return axis (7) of the belts (C1, C2), rolling tube (7) of the belts (C1, C2) arranged with its axis parallel to the general plane of the panel (4) and perpendicular with respect to the guiding direction, rotary drive means of the rolling tube (7), the rolling tube (7) being arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis (6) and on one side thereof, the lower edge (41) of the panel (4) being arranged at a level lower than that of the return axis (6) and on the other side thereof, the belts (C1, C2) being arranged so that there is a belt section (C11, C21) rolled on the rolling tube (7), a section (C12, C22) extending from the rolling tube (7) to the return axis (6), a section (C13, C23) extending from the return axis (6) to the lower edge of the panel, where the vertical pushing force of the belts (C1, C2) is applied on the panel (4).

2. A screen according to claim 1, wherein the rotary drive means are a motor.

3. A screen according to claim 2, wherein the rotary drive means are a tubular electric motor.

4. A screen according to claim 1, wherein the rotary drive means are a crank assembly and drive system from the crank to the rolling tube (7).

5. A screen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sections (C13, C23) extending from the return axis (6) to the lower edge of the panel are connected by their free end to the lower edge (41) of the panel (4).

6. A screen according to claim 5, wherein the connection between the belts (C1, C2) and the lower edge (41) comprises a roller (42) attached to the lower edge (41) of the panel (4), the ends of the belts being arranged forming a closed loop about the roller (42).

7. A screen according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the belts (C1, C2) surround the panel (4) at its bottom and are attached to an anchor (A) integral with the drawer (2), the anchor (A) being arranged on the side of the panel (4) opposite the side by which the return axis (6) is.

8. A screen according to claim 7, comprising for each belt (C1, C2) a roller (R) attached to the lower edge (41) of the panel (4) for the transmission of the pushing force between belts (C1, C2) and panel (4).

9. A screen according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a U-shaped profile (42) that embraces the lower edge (41) of the panel (4).

10. A screen according to claim 9, comprising at the level of the opening (3) two opposing profiles (51) arranged on each side of the panel (4), the distance between profiles (51) being increasing in its lower section and in the downstream direction, so as to define a widening for engagement and retention of the upper ends of the U-shaped profile (42).

11. A screen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (3) is arranged proximate one of the upper edges of the drawer (2), and comprising a removable pot (51) fitted between the opening (3) and the other upper edge.

12. A screen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel (4) is made of glass or methacrylate.

Drawing