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(11) | EP 3 527 774 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | EASY-MOUNTING SCREENING DEVICE AND RELATED INSTALLATION METHOD |
| (57) A screening device comprising an upper guide (2) engageable along an upper side of
a window, a lower guide (3) engageable along a lower side of the window, and a shielding
assembly (4) comprising an upright (5), a movable bar (6) parallel to the upright
(5) and a screening sheet (7) having mutually opposite end edges, respectively engaged
to the movable bar (6) and to the upright (5). At least the upper guide (2) comprises
a section bar (2a) having opposite ends slidably engaged with respect to coupling
terminals (12). Thrust devices (46) configured to push opposite ends of the upper
guide (2) mutually moving away which operate between the section bar (2a) and the
coupling terminal (12) at, at least, one of the opposite ends of the upper guide (2),
to push said section bar (2a) and coupling terminal (12) in opposite directions respectively.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a screening device. The invention also relates to an installation method for a screening device.
[0002] More in detail, the invention particularly refers to fly nets, blind nets, decorative panels or similar devices to be installed on windows, French doors or other type of millworks in rooms for residential or commercial use.
[0003] The screening devices of the above described type comprise essentially a screening sheet engaged between a first and a second supporting section bars along two of its opposite sides, respectively. One of the supporting section bars, usually referred to as fixed upright or "box", can be fixed along a side of the window, a French door or another opening on which the device is to be installed. The other supporting section bar, usually called "handle-bar", is movable away from and approaching the fixed upright, to bring the screening sheet selectively between a use condition, wherein it is laid in the area of the opening and a rest condition wherein it is wound or compacted near the fixed upright to free the passage through the opening on which the screening device is installed. The opposite ends of the handle-bar are normally guided along two guide bars, respectively upper and lower, extending in the movement direction.
[0004] An auxiliary upright, fixed along the side of the window opposite to the fixed upright, carries magnetic or mechanical elements operatively engageable with the handle-bar, to keep it in the use condition.
[0005] At the current state of the art there are some problems related to difficulty of mounting and reduced versatility of fly nets installation. In fact, the constructive conception of the current fly nets is such as to require the anchoring of the fixed upright and of the auxiliary upright along the respective vertical sides of the window or French door, by means of a plurality of cleats, with the consequent need to drill many holes in the masonry parts and/or architectural elements made of marble or wood, placed to finish the sides of the window.
[0006] These operations necessarily involve long execution times and require the use of skilled labour.
[0007] Moreover, in the perspective of wanting to restore the original state of the window in the event of deciding to remove the fly net in the future, the drilling of many holes in the architectural elements, especially if valuable, may also represent a disincentive to the installation of the fly net by the users.
[0008] The necessary use of skilled labour also precludes the end user from easily removing and remounting the fly net, for example for cleaning and maintenance operations, or for storage during the winter or other non-usage periods. It follows that the fly net remains permanently exposed to bad weather even for long periods in which its presence is not necessarily required, as for example during the winter season.
[0009] Additional problems can occur in cases, not unlikely to happen, in which the user wants to reverse the opening direction of the fly net.
[0010] The object of the present invention is to improve the state of the art by proposing a fly net which can be installed more easily.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to make a fly net which can be easily dismounted and remounted even by the end user, without the intervention of skilled labour.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to offer a fly net which can be mounted indifferently in one or the other direction so as to allow it to be opened from the right or from the left as needed. It is also desired to offer a fly net that, where appropriate, can be easily dismounted and remounted by the user in the event in which it is desired to change the opening direction.
[0013] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention a screening device, comprising: an upper guide engageable along an upper side of an opening or window arranged in a building; a lower guide engageable along a lower side of the window; a shielding assembly comprises an upright, a movable bar parallel to the upright and a screening sheet having mutually opposite end edges, respectively engaged on the movable bar and on the upright; at least a first and a second slider each carried by one of the opposite ends of the movable bar and slidably engaged respectively along the upper guide and the lower guide, to guide the movement of the movable bar moving away and approaching the upright; anchoring members for fixing the upright and the movable bar each with respect to a vertical side of the window. Preferably, the anchoring members comprise an upper anchor operating between one end of the upper guide and an upper end of the upright, and a lower anchor operating on one end of the lower guide and on a lower end of the upright.
[0014] According to a further aspect, a method is proposed for installing a screening device in an opening of a building or window, wherein said opening has an upper side, a lower side and two vertical sides, comprising the actions of: arranging a shielding assembly, comprising an upright, a movable bar parallel to the upright, and a screening sheet having mutually opposite end edges, respectively engaged on the movable bar and on the upright; fixing an upper guide along an upper side of the window; fixing a lower guide along a lower side of the window; engaging the shielding assembly between the upper guide and the lower guide; fixing the upright to one of the vertical sides of the window, by means of an upper anchor operating between one end of the upper guide bar and an upper end of the upright, and a lower anchor operating at one end of the lower guide and at one lower end of the upright.
[0015] In at least one of the aforementioned aspects, the invention also comprises one or more of the following preferred characteristics.
[0016] Preferably, said anchoring members comprise inserts arranged near the opposite ends of at least one of said upper guide and lower guide.
[0017] Preferably, each of said inserts has a mounting portion carrying a sealing seat, and a guiding portion having decreasing thickness moving away from the sealing seat.
[0018] Preferably, at least first inserts can be slidably positioned and removably fixed along a longitudinal groove arranged in the lower guide.
[0020] Preferably, said anchoring members further comprise removable engagement devices operating on each of the sliders and on a respective end of each of said upper guide and lower guide.
[0021] Preferably, said removable engagement devices comprise at least one engagement projection carried by the first and/or second slider and elastically snap-engageable in a sealing seat carried by the respective upper or lower guide.
[0023] Preferably, each sealing seat is formed in an insert removably fixed to the respective lower and/or upper guide.
[0024] Preferably, the upright, in a section of its development extending from the upper anchor to the lower anchor, is approached along the respective vertical side of the window in the absence of additional fixing elements.
[0025] Preferably, at least one of said upper guide and lower guide comprises a section bar having at least one end engaged to a coupling terminal.
[0026] Preferably, the end of the section bar and the coupling terminal are mutually connected in a sliding engagement relationship.
[0027] Preferably, the opposite ends of the section bar are engaged in respective coupling terminals.
[0029] Preferably, each coupling terminal can be fixed to the window, at an angle formed by the upper or lower side, with one of the vertical sides.
[0030] Preferably, each coupling terminal has a shell engaging the end of the upper guide and a closing terminal wall rigidly engageable at the corner of the window.
[0031] Preferably, the shell has an open side extending between two projecting perimetral edges towards each other, thereby each one forming an undercut.
[0032] Preferably, the end of the upper guide is engageable by forced insertion through the open side, possibly imposing an elastic split to the shell at the projecting perimetral edges, to engage in the respective undercuts the terminal edges of the opposite wings of the upper guide, so that this remains held in the shell.
[0033] Preferably, thrust devices are also provided which are configured to push opposite ends of the upper guide mutually away.
[0034] Preferably, said thrust devices operate between the section bar and the coupling terminal at, at least, one of the opposite ends of the upper and/or lower guide, to push said section bar and coupling terminal in mutually opposite directions.
[0035] Preferably, the thrust devices comprise a base body carried by one of the ends of the section bar, and a thrust insert slidably engaged to the base body and movable along a longitudinal extension direction of the section bar.
[0036] Preferably, the thrust insert is movable upon action of a rotationally actuatable control screw.
[0037] Preferably, the control screw extends parallel to the longitudinal extension of the section bar and rigidly carries a conical driven wheel operationally engaged with a conical control wheel.
[0038] Preferably, the conical control wheel is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the section bar.
[0039] Preferably, the conical control wheel is pivotally engaged in a housing arranged in the base body.
[0040] Preferably, the conical control wheel has, on its own side facing away from a base wall of the section bar, an axial coupling seat accessible from an opening defined between opposite wings of the section bar itself.
[0041] Preferably, said upper anchor operates between the upper end of the upright and one of said coupling terminals.
[0042] Preferably, the upper anchor comprises at least one mounting seat defined close to the closing wall of each coupling terminal, to receive a gripping portion defined at the upper end of the upright, preferably by insertion along a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the upright itself.
[0043] Preferably, the lower anchor comprises at least one mounting pin protruding below from a terminal insert brought below from the upright and engageable in the sealing seat of the respective insert, so as to firmly constrain the lower end of the upright itself.
[0044] Preferably, the lower anchor comprises a toothed insert carried by the lower end of the upright and operatively engaged with an auxiliary rack arranged along the lower guide.
[0045] Preferably, said upper guide, lower guide and anchoring members are specularly symmetrical with respect to a vertical centreline of the screening device and/or of the window.
[0046] Preferably, the first slider is slidably engaged at the upper end of the movable bar and movable towards the latter in contrast to elastic thrust members.
[0047] Preferably, the movable bar is slidably engaged between the upper guide and the lower guide in conjunction with the upright fixing.
[0048] Preferably, fixing of at least one of the upper and lower guides is implemented by a friction action produced between the guide itself and a corresponding vertical side of the window.
[0049] Preferably, the friction action is produced by pushing mutually away a section bar and a connection terminal both being part of the upper and/or lower guide and being mutually connected in sliding engagement relationship.
[0050] Preferably, the thrust action is obtained by means of thrust devices which can be driven from the outside of the screening device.
[0051] Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, yet not limiting, embodiment of a screening device according to the present invention.
[0052] Such description will be set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative and, therefore, nonlimiting purpose, wherein:
figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a screening device according to the present invention, with the respective screening sheet partially extended in operating condition;
figure 2 shows a section of a construction detail pointing out an upper anchor between the upright and the upper guide of the device;
figure 3 shows a section of a construction detail pointing out a lower anchor between the upright and a lower guide;
figure 4 shows in perspective and in partial section a further enlarged detail pointing out the upper anchor;
figure 5 shows a perspective view of one of the coupling terminals arranged at the ends of the upper guide;
figure 6 shows a transverse section of a detail pointing out engagement devices between the end of the lower guide and the second slider placed below the movable bar;
figure 7 shows a partially interrupted perspective view of a detail pointing out the second slider placed at the lower end of the movable bar;
figure 8 shows a partially interrupted perspective view of a detail pointing out the first slider placed at the upper end of the movable bar;
figure 9 shows an interrupted perspective section of a preferred embodiment variant, pointing out the engagement between the upper guide and the upper end of the upright;
figure 10 shows an interrupted perspective section of the embodiment variant of figure 9, pointing out the engagement of the end of the upper guide opposite to that seen in figure 9, with a corresponding angle of the window;
figure 11 shows an interrupted perspective section of the embodiment variant of figure 9, pointing out the engagement of the end of the lower guide with the corresponding end of the upright.
[0053] With reference to the mentioned figures, number 1 globally indicates a screening device, according the present invention.
[0054] In the illustrated example, the screening device 1 can be installed in the opening defining a window or French window (not indicated in the drawings) to perform the functions of fly net, i.e. to prevent the passage of flies, mosquitos and other insects or small animals through the opening itself.
[0055] For this purpose, the screening device 1 essentially comprises an upper guide 2 engageable along an upper side of the window, a lower guide 3 engageable along a lower side of the window, and a shielding assembly 4, preferably pre-assembled, operably engageable between the upper guide 2 and the lower guide 3.
[0056] The shielding assembly 4 comprises an upright 5, constituted for example by at least one tubular section bar which can be fixed along a vertical side of the window on which the screening device 1 is to be installed.
[0057] The upright 5 is parallel with respect to a movable bar 6, which can also be made in the form of a tubular metal section bar.
[0058] A screening sheet 7 has two opposite end edges respectively engaged to the upright 5 and the movable bar 6.
[0059] The screening sheet 7 can be made, for example, in the form of a net of synthetic material having mesh sizes approximately comprised between 0.3 mm and 2 mm, or in any case such as to provide an effective barrier to the passage of small insects such as ants and mosquitos, while promoting an adequate air permeability.
[0060] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a first terminal edge of the screening sheet 7 is rigidly fixed to an anchoring element (not shown) carried by the movable bar 6. A second terminal edge is in turn engaged to a winding roller (not shown) operatively arranged inside the upright 5 and subjected to the action of elastic means which tend to rewind the screening sheet 7 onto the winding roller itself.
[0061] The assembly of the screening sheet 7 with the upright 5 and the movable bar 6 in order to obtain the shielding assembly 4 can be carried out, for example, during production or at an authorized dealer.
[0062] The movable bar 6 can be manually translated moving away and approaching with respect to the upright 5. Moving away the movable bar 6 from the upright 5 the unwinding of the screening sheet 7 and its distension in the lying plane of the window on which the screening device 1 is installed can be determined, in contrast with the action of the elastic return means associated with the winding roller. Approaching the movable bar 6 to the upright 5, on the other hand, the screening sheet 7 can be rewound inside the upright 5 itself, upon the action of the aforementioned elastic return means.
[0063] However, the possibility to use, instead of the winding roller, a screening sheet 7 of pleated type designed to be extended and compacted as an accordion it is not excluded.
[0064] The movable bar 6 is guided along the upper and lower guides 2, 3, by means of a first slider 8 and a second slider 9 each carried by one of the opposite ends, respectively upper and lower, of the movable bar 6 itself. The upper guide 2 comprises a section bar 2a preferably having a substantially inverted "U" cross-section, having a base portion 10 from whose side edges two opposite wings 11 extend between which the first slider 8 is housed, so as to be hidden at the sight of the observer.
[0065] In a preferential embodiment, the upper guide 2 further comprises a pair of coupling terminals 12, preferably connected in sliding engagement relationship with the opposite ends of the section bar 2a and fixable to the window, each at one of the corners formed by the upper side with each of the vertical sides.
[0066] Each coupling terminal 12 preferably has a closing terminal wall 13, from which a shell 14 extends perpendicularly, partially circumscribing the end of the section bar 2a belonging to the upper guide 2.
[0067] Preferably, the shell 14 has at least one open side 14a extending between two projecting perimetral edges 15 towards each other, so that each one form an undercut 15a. The open side 14a allows the forced insertion of the end of the upper guide 2 towards the inside of the shell 14, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the upper guide itself, imposing an elastic split to the shell 14 at the projecting perimetral edges 15. When the insertion is completed, the projecting perimetral edges 15 snap elastically engaging the respective undercuts 15a with the terminal edges of the opposite wings 11 of the upper guide 2, so that it remains held in the shell 14.
[0068] Each coupling terminal 12 is rigidly engageable at a respective corner of the window, for example by means of a screw operating through a hole 13a formed in the closing terminal wall 13, and optionally combined with an expansion fixing plug.
[0069] Alternatively, fixing the coupling terminal 12 can be achieved by gluing or interposing a double-sided adhesive tape.
[0070] In addition, or alternatively, as exemplified in figures 9 to 11, fixing the coupling terminals 12 and the upper guide 2 as a whole can be achieved by means of friction developed against the corresponding side of the window.
[0071] For example, thrust devices 46 can be provided, configured to push the opposite ends of the upper guide 2, with the possible coupling terminals 12, mutually moving away. The thrust devices 46 preferably operate between the section bar 2a and the coupling terminal 12 arranged at, at least, one of the opposite ends of the upper guide 2, so that the same section bar and coupling terminal are pushed in opposite directions respectively.
[0072] For this purpose, the thrust devices 46 preferably comprise a base body 47 carried by one of the ends of the section bar 2a. For example, the base body 47 can be fixed to the section bar 2a by threaded members or by interlocking. The base body 47 has a guide seat 47a at which a thrust insert 48 is slidably engaged. The thrust insert 48 is movable in the guide seat 47a along a longitudinal extension direction of the section bar 2a, upon action of a pivotable control screw 48a through the base body itself and operatively engaged in a threaded hole arranged in the same thrust insert 48.
[0073] The control screw 48a extends parallel to the longitudinal extension of the section bar 2a and rigidly carries a conical driven wheel 49 operationally engaged with a conical control wheel 50. The conical control wheel 50 is pivotally engaged in a housing 47b arranged in the base body 47 and has, on its own side facing away from the base wall 10, an axial coupling seat 50a accessible by a passage or opening defined between the wings 11 of the section bar 2a.
[0074] With the aid of a screwdriver or other suitable manual tool engageable with the axial coupling seat 50a, the conical driven wheel 49 can be rotated about its own axis perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the section bar 2b. The rotating drive of the conical driven wheel 49 causes the rotation drive of the control screw 48a and the consequent movement of the thrust insert 48 along the guide seat 47a arranged in the base body 47. The thrust insert 48 therefore can be pushed against the respective coupling terminal 12 at the closing terminal wall 13, pushing the coupling terminal against the corresponding side of the window. Simultaneously, the base body 47 in conjunction with the section bar 2a are pushed towards the coupling terminal 12 mounted on the opposite end to the one carrying the thrust devices 16, pushing the coupling terminal itself against the corresponding side of the window. The opposed pushes exerted through the coupling terminals consequently determine the locking of the upper guide 2 by friction against the corresponding sides of the window.
[0075] In a similar way to the foregoing, the thrust devices 46 may optionally equip the lower guide 3, in addition or alternatively to the upper guide 2. As better exemplified in figure 8, the first slider 8 can be slidably engaged to the upper end of the movable bar 6, and translatable towards the latter in contrast to elastic thrust members 16. More particularly, the first slider 8 can for example comprise one or more rods 17 slidably engaged through a guide terminal 18 fixed to the upper end of the movable bar 6. Preferably the stem 17 is integral with a plate-shaped body 19, carrying one or more pairs of first sliding rollers 20 acting in rolling relation against the base portion 10 of the upper guide 2. A thrust spring 16 or other elastic element operating between the upper end of the movable bar 6 and the plate-shaped body 19 maintains the first slider 8 in elastic thrust relationship against the upper guide 2.
[0076] The lower guide 3, positioned along the lower horizontal side of the opening, has a substantially flattened cross-sectional section, with a longer side substantially perpendicular to the lying plane of the screening sheet 7 in an extended condition. More particularly, the lower guide 3 is provided with a base portion 21 lying against the corresponding lower side of the window. From the base portion 21, at least one longitudinal relief 22 protrudes from above, preferably in a centred position, which slidably engages a lateral containment groove 23 arranged in a lower surface of the second slider 9. Laterally opposite flanks of the longitudinal relief 22 can act against respective lateral surfaces of the containment groove 23, so as to guide the second slider 9 along a straight trajectory along the longitudinal extension of the lower guide 3. As exemplified in figure 7, one or more pairs of second sliding rollers 24 can be provided pivotally carried by the second slider 9. The sliding rollers 24 act along opposite longitudinal bands of the base portion 10, to promote translation of the slider along the lower guide 3. The opposite longitudinal bands of the base portion 10 are each interposed between the second slider 9 and the lower side of the window, so as to protect the lower side of the window from scraping contacts with the second slider 9.
[0077] The lower guide 3 can also engage a movable containment member 25, arranged to protect the corresponding lateral edge of the screening sheet 7. The movable containment member 25 has a first section fixed to one of said movable bar 6 and upright 5, and a second section slidingly guided along the other of said movable bar 6 and upright 5. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the first section of the movable containment member 25 is terminally constrained to a terminal insert 26 fixed to the lower end of the upright 5, while the second section is slidably housed inside the movable bar 6.
[0078] The movable containment member 25 is dragged longitudinally with the movement of the movable bar 6, so as to extend its first section along the corresponding lateral edge of the screening sheet 7, which thus remains slidably engaged in a longitudinal housing defined in the movable containment member 25 itself, and suitably retained in relation to lateral and/or vertical displacements. In a manner known per se, the movable containment member 25 can be for example made in the form of a flexible strip in plastic material, or from a plurality of mesh elements 27 consecutively hinged in a chain manner, so as to be easily bent to deviate its movement trajectory by entering and exiting the movable bar 6, in the transition zone between the first section and the second section. The screening device 1 further comprises anchoring members 28, 29, 33, 40 for fixing at least the upright 5 and preferably also the movable bar 6, each with respect to one of the vertical sides of the window.
[0079] More particularly, for the upright 5 an upper anchor 28 and a lower anchor 29 are preferably provided. Preferably, the upper anchor 28 operates between an upper end of the upright 5 and an end of the upper guide 2, preferably on the respective coupling terminal 12. The lower anchor 29 operates preferably between one end of the lower guide 3 and a lower end of the upright 5. In a section of its extension extending from the upper anchor 28 to the lower anchor 29, the upright 5 is preferably approached along the respective vertical side of the window, in the absence of additional fixing elements.
[0080] In the illustrated examples, the upper anchor 28 provides the presence of at least one mounting seat 30 defined close to the closing terminal wall 13 of each coupling terminal 12, for example by one or more ribs 31 protruding internally from the shell 14 parallel to the terminal wall itself. The mounting seat 30 can receive a gripping portion 32 defined at the upper end of the upright 5, preferably by insertion along a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the upright itself. The gripping portion 32 can be made directly on the tubular section bar constituting the upright 5 as exemplified in figure 2, or in a terminal insert 5a fixed to the end of the upright itself, as exemplified in figure 9.
[0081] In the embodiment better represented in figures 1, 3 and 6, the lower anchor 29 provides in turn the use of at least one, preferably two inserts 33 which are removably fixed to the lower guide 3, each one close to one of the ends of the latter. Each insert 33 is slidably engaged along a longitudinal groove 34 formed in the longitudinal relief 22 of the lower guide 3 and locked for example by a threaded grain 35 at the corresponding end of the lower guide 3 itself. Each insert 33 has a mounting portion 33a carrying a sealing seat 36, for example made in the form of a through hole, and a receiving portion 33b having a decreasing thickness moving away from the sealing seat 36.
[0082] As better illustrated in figure 3, a mounting pin 37 protruding below from the terminal insert 26 brought below by the upright 5 can be engaged in the sealing seat 36 of the respective insert 33, so as to firmly constrain the lower end of the upright 5 itself.
[0083] In the embodiment better represented in figure 11, the lower anchor 29 exploits the presence of an auxiliary rack toothing 44 arranged along the lower guide 3, for example fixed at the longitudinal groove 34. This auxiliary rack toothing 44 can be configured to cooperate with at least one toothed pinion associated with mechanical transmission members operating in the movable bar 6, not described and illustrated as not relevant for the purposes of the present invention. More particularly, the lower anchor 29 may comprise a toothed insert 45 carried by the lower end of the upright 5 and operatively engaged with the auxiliary rack toothing 44. Preferably, the toothed insert 45 is removably fixed relative to the upright 5, for example at the terminal insert 26.
[0084] The toothed insert 29a can be easily removed or omitted to allow a sliding engagement of the upright 5 with respect to the lower guide 3, for example when the screening device 1 provides for the use of two or more shielding assemblies 4 arranged one after the other along the lower 3 and upper 2 guides. In this case the upright of 5 of a second shielding assembly 4 can be fixed to the movable bar 6 of a first shielding assembly 4, the latter having its upright 5 fixed against one of the vertical sides by the opening on which the screening device 1 is mounted.
[0085] As better exemplified in figures 5 to 8, at least for the movable bar 6, the anchoring members 28, 29, 33, 40 may further comprise removable engagement devices operating between each of the sliders 8, 9 and a respective end of each of said upper guide 2 and lower guide 3. The removable engagement devices preferably comprise at least one second engagement projection 39 carried by the second slider 9 and elastically snap-engageable in the sealing seat 36 carried by the insert 33 mounted on the end of the lower guide 3 opposite to the upright 5.
[0086] In the illustrated example, a first engagement projection 38 and a second engagement projection 39 are provided, respectively carried by the first slider 8 and by the second slider 9. In conjunction with the first engagement projection 38, it is provided that each of the coupling terminals 12, or at least the one positioned on the end of the upper guide 2 opposite to the upright 5, has at least one auxiliary insert 40 carrying a respective auxiliary sealing seat 41 arranged to house the first engagement projection 38. Each auxiliary inserts 40, structurally and conceptually similar to each of the inserts 33 mounted on the lower guide 3, is preferably integrally formed with the respective coupling terminal 12, and housed in a longitudinal recess 42 formed in the upper guide 2 starting from the respective end of the same.
[0087] Each engagement projection 38, 39 is preferably made of a bead possibly pushed by a loading spring 39a operating inside a housing defined in the respective first and second sliders 8,9. The bead protrudes from the housing so as to have a convexity facing the respective sealing seat 36, 41.
[0088] When the movable bar 6, moved away from the upright 5, comes close to the vertical side of the window opposite to the upright itself, the engagement projection 38, 39 carried by each of the sliders 8, 9 comes into contact with the receiving portion 33b of the respective insert 33, 40. The increasing section of the receiving portion 33b determines a displacement of the engagement projection 38, 39 towards the respective end of the movable bar 6, compressing the respective loading spring and/or the thrust spring 16 operating on the first slider 9.
[0089] At the end of the travel of the movable bar 6 moving away from the upright 5, each engagement projection 38, 39 snaps inside the respective sealing seat 36, 41. The movable bar 6 is therefore firmly retained in an approaching condition to the respective vertical side of the window, on the opposite side of the upright 5, with the screening sheet 7 in an extended condition.
[0090] The convex configuration of each engagement projection 38, 39 promotes the disengagement thereof from the respective sealing seat 36, 41, when the movable bar 6 is manually moved towards the upright 5.
[0091] At least near the upper end of the movable bar 6, the engagement devices can provide, in addition to or alternatively to the first engagement projection and the respective auxiliary insert 40, a different magnetic or mechanical retaining system operating between upper end of the movable bar 6 itself and the coupling terminal 12.
[0092] It is preferably provided that the upper guide 2, the lower guide 3 and the anchoring members 28, 29, 33, 40 are specularly symmetrical with respect to a vertical centreline axis of the screening device 1 . This centreline axis is transversal with respect to the longitudinal extension of the upper 2 and lower 3 guides.
[0093] The installation of the screening device 1 provides that the upper guide 2 and the lower guide 3 are fixed respectively along the upper and lower sides of the window, upon eventual execution of cutting operations according to a measure substantially equal to or slightly less than the extension of the sides themselves. Fixing the lower guide 3 can for example be obtained by gluing, for example with the aid of a double-sided adhesive tape.
[0094] The fixing of the upper guide 2 is instead preferably performed by fixing each of the coupling terminals 12 against a respective corner of the window. In the embodiment better represented in figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the shell 14 of each coupling terminal 12 is carried against the upper side of the window, while the respective closing terminal wall 13 is fixed against the end of the corresponding vertical side. The upper guide 2 can then be fixed against the upper side by snap-insertion of its opposite ends into the shells 14 of the coupling terminals 12, so as to remain held by means of the undercuts 15a defined by the terminal edges 15. The terminals 33 are fixed near of respective opposite ends of the lower guide 3.
[0095] The embodiment better represented in figure 9 further provides that the coupling terminals 12 are fixed by means of a friction action produced against the corresponding vertical side of the window. To this end, after positioning the upper guide 2 against the upper side of the window, the user actuates the thrust devices 46 by means of a screwdriver or other suitable tool previously engaged in the axial coupling seat 50a carried by the control wheel 50. The consequent thrust mutually moving away of the section bar 2a with respect to the connection terminal 12 arranged at the end carrying the thrust devices determines the locking of the coupling terminals 12 and of the upper guide 2 as a whole with respect to the window.
[0096] The pre-assembled shielding assembly 4 can be operatively coupled to the lower 3 and upper 2 guides previously installed. To this end, the shielding assembly 4 is arranged between the upper 2 and the lower 3 guides, according to an orientation substantially coplanar to them and initially inclined in the lying plane of the window, so that the gripping portion 32 defined on the end the upper of the upright 5 is positioned at the mounting seat 30 arranged in one of the coupling terminals 12. The shielding assembly 4 is then oriented parallel to the vertical sides of the window, determining the insertion of the gripping portion 32 inside the mounting seat 30. When the vertical orientation is achieved, the insertion of the mounting pin 37 into the sealing seat 36 of the respective insert 33 previously fixed to the end of the lower guide 3 (figure 3) or the engagement of the toothed insert in the auxiliary rack toothing (figure 11) is also determined.
[0097] The upright 5 is thus firmly fixed with respect to the respective adjacent vertical side of the window, by means of the upper anchor 28 and the lower anchor 29 operating at the respective ends of the upper 2 and lower 3 guides. At the same time, the movable bar 6 is slidably engaged to the upper 2 and lower 3 guides, by means of the first and second sliders 8, 9 carried by the opposite ends of the movable bar 6.
[0098] The symmetry of the upper guide 2, of the lower guide 3 and of the anchoring members 28, 29, 33, 40 with respect to the vertical centreline of the window and of the screening device 1, causes the shielding assembly 4 to be indifferently mounted so as to provide for the opening of the movable bar 6 in one or the other direction, that is to say from right to left or vice versa.
[0099] The shielding assembly 4 can also be easily removed from the upper and lower guides 2, 3, by a simple sequence of actions in the reverse order to those carried out for the assembly purpose. These operations can also be performed by the user himself. The user therefore has the ability to easily remove the shielding assembly 4 to carry out cleaning, maintenance and/or storage operations, or to reassemble it with a reverse opening direction with respect to the previous one, without having to resort to skilled labour.
1. Shielding device comprising:
an upper guide (2) engageable along an upper side of a window;
a lower guide (3) engageable along a lower side of the window;
a shielding assembly (4) comprising an upright (5), a movable bar (6) parallel to the upright (5) and a screening sheet (7) having mutually opposite end edges, respectively engaged to the movable bar (6) and to the upright (5);
at least a first (8) and a second slider (9) each carried by one of the opposite ends of the movable bar (6) and slidably engaged respectively along the upper guide (2) and the lower guide (3), to guide the movement of the movable bar (6) moving away and approaching the upright (5);
anchoring members (28, 29, 33, 40) for fixing the upright (5) with respect to a vertical side of the window,
wherein said anchoring members (28, 29, 33, 40) comprise an upper anchor (28) operating between one end of the upper guide (2) and an upper end of the upright (5), and a lower anchor (29) operating between one end of the lower guide (3) and a lower end of the upright (5).
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein at leas one among said upper guide (2) and lower
guide (3) comprises a section bar (2a) having at least one end engaged with respect
to a coupling terminal (12).
3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the end of the section bar (2a) and the coupling
terminal (12) are mutually connected in a sliding engagement relationship.
4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the opposite ends of the section bar (2a)
are engaged with respective coupling terminals (12)
5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising thrust
devices (46) configured to push opposite ends of the upper guide (2) and/or lower
guide (3) mutually away.
6. Device according to claim 5 and one or more of claims from 2 to 4, wherein said thrust
devices (46) operate between the section bar (2a) and the coupling terminal (12) in
correspondence of at least one of the opposite ends of the upper guide (2) and/or
lower guide (3), for pushing said section bar (2a) and coupling terminal (12) in mutually
opposite directions.
7. Device according to claim 5 and one or more of claims 2 to 4, wherein the thrust devices
(46) comprise a base body (47) carried by one of the ends of the section bar (2a),
and a thrust insert (48) slidably engaged to the base body (47) and movable along
a longitudinal development direction of the section bar (2a).
8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the thrust insert (48) is movable upon action
of a rotationally actuatable control screw (48a).
9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the control screw (48a) extends parallel to the
longitudinal extension of the section bar (2a) and rigidly carries a conical driven
wheel (49) operatively engaged with a conical control wheel (50), said conical driven
wheel (50) being preferably rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal
extension of the section bar (2a).
10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lower anchor
(29) comprises a toothed insert (45) carried by the lower end of the upright (5) and
operatively engaged with an auxiliary rack toothing (44) arranged along the lower
guide (3).
11. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said upper guide
(2), lower guide (3) and anchoring members (28, 29, 33, 40) are specularly symmetrical
with respect to a vertical centerline of the shielding device (1).
12. Method for installing a screening device in an opening or window provided in a building,
wherein said opening has an upper side, a lower side and two vertical sides, comprising:
providing a shielding assembly (4), comprising an upright (5), a movable bar (6) parallel to the upright (5), and a screening sheet (7) having mutually opposite end edges, respectively engaged on the movable bar (6) and to the upright (5);
securing an upper guide (2) along an upper side of the window;
securing a lower guide (3) along a lower side of the window;
engaging the shielding assembly (4) between the upper guide (2) and the lower guide (3);
securing the upright (5) to one of the vertical sides of the window, by means of an upper anchor (28) operating between one end of the upper guide bar (2) and an upper end of the upright (5), and a lower anchor (29) operating between one end of the lower guide (3) and a lower end of the upright (5).
13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the fixing of at least one of the upper (2)
and lower (3) guides is implemented by a friction action produced between the guide
itself and a corresponding vertical side of the window.
14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the friction action is produced by pushing mutually
away a section bar (2a) and a connection terminal (12), both being part of the upper
(2) and/or lower guide (13) and being mutually connected in a sliding engagement relationship.