EP3848552B1 - System for guiding a flexible curtain - Google Patents

Description

field of invention

The present invention relates to a system for guiding a flexible curtain to at least partially close an opening.

State of the art

Systems for closing an opening with a flexible curtain usually have frame members along which a support bar or handle bar connected to the curtain is guided, whereby the opening can be closed. A common application is, for example, closing a door or window with an insect protection net or pleated blind.

The movement of the support slat along the frame members can be restricted by dirt on the sliding surfaces of the support slat or frame member and damage to the sliding surfaces can occur, which in the worst case can lead to the movement being permanently disturbed. Another problem with previous systems is that the curtain can be damaged or even tear when stretched out if an external force acts on it, for example if a door with an insect screen is slammed shut by a gust of wind and the door handle collides with the insect screen.

The EP 2 675 965 B1 relates to a conventional insect protection device with a frame and with a pull bar, wherein a hanging material or curtain can be moved by means of the pull bar in such a way that an opening delimited by the frame can be closed with the hanging material. The frame has a lower frame profile on which the pull bar is slidably arranged with a slider. The slider is positively guided on the lower frame profile.

However, guiding a curtain in this way leads to the problem that when the curtain is spread out, ie when the opening is at least partially closed, can be damaged if, for example, a foreign object collides with the curtain. As a result, the function of the curtain may be impaired. Furthermore, with this guide there is a risk that easily accessible areas of the guide will become dirty, which can lead to increased friction and therefore faster wear or, in extreme cases, to a blockage of the guide.

The documents U.S. 2007/199667 A1 as well as EP 0790384 A1 each disclose a system for guiding a flexible curtain to close an opening.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of preventing damage when a foreign body strikes a support strip or a curtain attached thereto, which at least partially closes an opening.

Brief description of the invention

The stated object is solved by the system according to independent claim 1 . Preferred developments are specified in the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a system for guiding a flexible curtain for at least partially closing an opening, for example a door or a window, preferably a door or a window of a vehicle and more preferably a door or a window of a camping vehicle.

According to a first aspect, not covered by the wording of the claims and thus not according to the invention but purely illustrative, the system comprises an upper, a lower and at least one lateral frame element which delimits an opening, ie defines an area to be closed . A first edge of a flexible curtain is fixed to the side frame member. The system further includes a support bar configured to support a second, opposite edge of the flexible curtain. A top and a bottom end of the support bar are slidably guided in the upper and lower frame elements. The lower frame member has a guide area and a cover area covering the guide area, which extend along a longitudinal direction of the lower frame member. It can thus be prevented that dirt gets into the guide area. Furthermore, the covering area, for example in the case of a door curtain, can also serve as a stable step strip. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the covering area, there is the possibility of positively influencing the aesthetics of the lower frame element, for example by hiding the guide area and the elements that are necessary for the guide. The lower end of the support bar has a slide member slidably engaged with the guide portion. In addition, the sliding element can be supported with respect to the lower frame element via sliders.

There is preferably a first distance between the lower end of the support strip and the covering area. The first distance is preferably at least 1 mm and particularly preferably at least 2 mm. Furthermore, the first distance can be at least 3 mm and for example between 3 mm and 5 mm.

The frame elements and the support bar are preferably made of metal or plastic, preferably aluminum. Alternatively, the frame elements and/or the support strip are preferably made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) or a compound of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). One or more frame members can also be an integral part of a window or door. For example, the system can be used in mobile homes. In this case, the system can be fitted into a door or window of an RV. Alternatively, one or more frame members of the system may be an integral part of a window or door of the mobile home, for example identical to one or more frame members of the window or door.

The flexible curtain may include one or a combination of the following: insect screen or netting, pleats, fabric, fabric, pleated insect screen, honeycomb pleats, and honeycomb insect screen.

Additionally, the system may include a second side frame member that bounds the opening on a second side. The second side frame member is preferably configured to be engaged with the support slat when the flexible curtain is in a fully deployed condition. This ensures that the flexible curtain completely closes the opening, i.e. without gaps between the flexible curtain and the frame members. More preferably, the second frame member is configured to releasably fix the support bar to the second edge of the opening such that a minimum force is required to disengage the support bar and the second frame member. It can thus be prevented that the support strip unintentionally detaches from the second edge of the opening, as a result of which the opening is no longer completely closed. Magnetic elements or a locking mechanism, for example clamping hooks, snap hooks, ring snap connections, spring connections or combinations thereof can be used to fix the support strip to the second frame element.

The cross section of the lower frame element and/or the cross section of the lower end of the support strip are preferably designed as a C-profile. The covering area of the lower frame element preferably extends into the opening formed by the C-profile of the lower end of the support strip, so that the covering area covers the guide area when viewed from above. Alternatively, the cross-section of the lower frame member and/or the cross-section of the lower end of the slat may have any profile that allows engagement of the two members, eg an L-profile or a U-profile engaged by a cranked hook. The lower frame member and the lower end of the support bar can have different cross-sections.

The lower end of the support bar is preferably an injection molded part made of, for example, polyamide (PA). Alternatively, the lower end of the support bar may include or consist of metal, preferably aluminum or brass. Furthermore, the lower end of the support strip can have a bush made of a metal, which is preferably embedded in a plastic, particularly preferably in a thermoplastic. Polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example, are suitable for this.

The sliding element and/or the guide portion of the lower frame element preferably has connecting elements in order to be brought into engagement with one another. These connecting elements can preferably be designed as a web or projection and/or recess and/or as a joint and/or as elastic elements and/or as magnetic elements that are designed to connect to a corresponding connecting element of the guide area of the lower frame element or of the Slider to be engaged. Alternatively, both the guide area of the lower frame element and the sliding element can have one or more connecting elements and one or more recesses. The connecting element can be designed as a projection or web which engages in a groove of the respective other connection partner. The at least one connecting element preferably extends vertically. Alternatively, the connecting element can be horizontal or inclined, i.e. a combination of vertical and horizontal, in order to enable the sliding element to be guided as required along the lower frame element.

The recess and/or the connecting element is/are preferably formed on an underside of the sliding element, which faces the upper side of the guide area. The advantage of such an arrangement is that the engagement of the sliding element with the lower frame element cannot be released unintentionally due to gravity.

The sliding element preferably has a brush on a side facing the guide area in order to remove unwanted particles from the guiding area when the sliding element is moved relative to the lower frame element. Thus a low-friction sliding of the sliding element along the lower frame element can be ensured.

The lower frame member preferably includes a cord portion through which a cord is passed to tension the flexible curtain. Such a clamping mechanism is common for such management systems of flexible curtains and, for example, in EP 2 675 965 B1 described. The cord is preferably guided from the cord area of the lower frame element through the sliding element into the support bar. At least one cord tensioner can be provided in at least one frame element for tensioning the cord.

The cord area is preferably arranged in the cover area, preferably above the guide area. The cord area can be on an inside of the lower frame element or on an outside on which the lower end of the support bar is located. Preferably, the lower end of the support bar is configured to guide the cord from the cord area into the support bar.

The lower frame element can have several cord areas in order to implement complex cord systems/courses.

Preferably, the slide member is releasably engaged with the guide portion. In other words, the sliding element can be non-destructively detached from the guide portion under the influence of an external force that is not parallel to the surface to be closed. The force required to release the engagement and effective at the engagement point is preferably between 10 and 50 N, preferably between 20 and 40 N, particularly preferably between 25 and 30 N. The force is transmitted to the engagement by an external force, whereby this can be removed without destroying it. This external force can be, for example, an external force which acts on the support bar and/or the curtain and the amount of which is required to release the engagement depends on the position at which it acts on the support bar or the curtain. Alternatively, there is a predetermined breaking point on the sliding element and/or the guide area of the lower end of the support strip provided, which is destroyed to release the engagement between the sliding element and the guide area under the influence of the external force.

Preferably, the sliding element can be brought back into engagement with the guide area by being returned to its initial state.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a system for guiding a flexible curtain to at least partially close an opening. The system includes top, bottom and side frame members defining an opening defining the area to be sealed. The side frame member is configured to secure a first edge of a flexible curtain to a side of an opening. Furthermore, the system according to the invention has a support strip which is designed to hold a second edge of a flexible curtain. An upper and a lower end of the support bar are slidably guided in the upper and lower frame members. The lower frame member has a guide area. The lower end of the support bar has a sliding element. The guide portion and the sliding member slidably engage with each other via connecting members. At least one of the connecting elements is designed to be deformable, so that a movement of the support strip perpendicular to the area defined by the opening is made possible. Preferably, at least one of the connecting elements is non-destructively and reversibly deformable.

At least one of the connecting elements is preferably designed in multiple parts, particularly preferably in two parts. The multi-part connecting element preferably has at least one joint and/or a web or projection and/or an elastic element. The joint is preferably a joint or hinge connection made of metal, e.g., spring steel, or plastic, e.g., polyurethane. The joint or the hinge connection can alternatively consist of several materials and comprise a rotatably mounted web or projection.

Furthermore, the lower end of the support strip is preferably constructed in several parts, so that the sliding element can be separated from the remaining part of the lower end of the support strip without being destroyed can be decoupled. The connection of the sliding element to the remaining part of the lower end of the support bar can be done, for example, via magnetic elements. The sliding element is preferably released non-destructively from the guide area by a force acting perpendicularly to the surface defined by the opening. At least one of the connecting elements is preferably deformed for this purpose. The web or projection of the at least one connecting element is particularly preferably tiltable in relation to the guide area and/or the sliding element in order to enable the movement of the support strip perpendicular to the surface defined by the opening.

The web or projection is preferably mounted by an elastic element in order to return it to its original position after the force acting on it falls below a certain threshold value.

Preferably, the sliding element can be brought back into engagement with the guide area by being returned to its initial state.

The system may further include a second side frame member bounding the opening on a second side. Preferably, the second frame member is adapted to be engaged with the support bar when the flexible curtain is in a fully deployed condition.

The system may further include a flexible curtain attached at least at one edge to the support bar.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a door or a window, preferably a door or window for a camping vehicle such as a mobile home or a caravan, which has a frame with the system according to the invention described above.

Brief description of the characters

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Systems;

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Ansicht des unteren Rahmenelements und des unteren Endes der Stützleiste gemäß einer Ausführungsform eines nichterfindungsgemäßen Systems;

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Perspektivansicht des in Fig. 2 dargestellten unteren Rahmenelements und des unteren Endes der Stützleiste gemäß einer Ausführungsform eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Systems;

Fig. 4:

eine schematische Ansicht der Schnurführung aus dem unteren Rahmenelement in das untere Ende der Stützleiste gemäß einer Ausführungsform eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Systems;

Fig. 5:

eine schematische Ansicht der Schnurführung aus dem unteren Rahmenelement mit zwei Schnurbereichen in das untere Ende der Stützleiste gemäß einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6:

eine schematische Ansicht des unteren Rahmenelements mit einem innenliegenden Schnurbereich und des unteren Endes der Stützleiste gemäß einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 7:

eine schematische Ansicht des unteren Rahmenelements mit einer breiten Trittleiste gemäß einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 8:

eine schematische Ansicht des Eingriffs des Gleitelements in das untere Rahmenelement gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 9:

eine schematische Ansicht des unteren Rahmenelements und des unteren Endes der Stützleiste, nachdem deren Eingriff ineinander unter Einwirkung einer äußeren Kraft gelöst wurde, gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 10

eine schematische Ansicht einer Scharnierverbindung.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic view of the system according to the invention;

Figure 2:

Figure 12 is a schematic view of the lower frame member and lower end of the slat according to an embodiment of a system not in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3:

a schematic perspective view of the in 2 illustrated lower frame member and the lower end of the support bar according to an embodiment of a system not according to the invention;

Figure 4:

a schematic view of the cord routing from the lower frame member in the lower end of the support bar according to an embodiment of a system not according to the invention;

Figure 5:

a schematic view of the cord guide from the lower frame element with two cord areas in the lower end of the support bar according to an embodiment not according to the invention;

Figure 6:

a schematic view of the lower frame member with an internal cord area and the lower end of the support bar according to an embodiment not according to the invention;

Figure 7:

a schematic view of the lower frame member with a wide step bar according to an embodiment not according to the invention;

Figure 8:

12 is a schematic view of the engagement of the slide member with the lower frame member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9:

Figure 12 is a schematic view of the lower frame member and the lower end of the slat after they have been disengaged from each other under the application of an external force, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

10

a schematic view of a hinge connection.

Detailed description of the invention

1 shows a schematic view of the system 1 according to the invention for guiding a flexible curtain 2 for at least partially closing an opening. The system according to the invention has a lower frame element 20, an upper frame element 30 and at least one first lateral frame element 40, which fixes a first edge of the flexible curtain 2 on one (here: the left) side of the opening. A second edge of the flexible curtain 2 is supported by the support bar 15, the upper and lower ends of which are guided in the upper and lower frame members 30,20. Alternatively, the system according to the invention can have a second lateral frame element (not shown) which forms a closed frame together with the other frame elements.

2 Figure 12 shows a schematic view of the lower frame member 20 and the lower end 10 of the slat 15 according to an embodiment of a system not according to the invention. The lower end 10 of the support strip 15 engages in a guide area 100 of the lower frame element 20 via a sliding element 12 . The sliding element 12 is engaged in the lower frame element 20 via connecting elements which are 2 are shown by way of example as a projection 21 and a recess 11 . The slide member 12 is further supported by slides 60 against the lower frame member.

The lower frame member 20 has a cover portion 200 that extends along a longitudinal direction of the lower frame member and covers the guide portion 100 . When viewed vertically from above, the guide area is preferably completely covered by the covering area 200 . It is thus possible to prevent unwanted particles from getting into the guide area 100 and impairing the movement of the sliding element 12 along the lower frame element 20 . The cover area 200 can have one or more reinforcement struts 23 in order to stabilize the cover area 200 . This is particularly advantageous if the covering area 200 also serves as a tread strip when the system is used in a door. For this purpose, the The upper side of the covering area 200 also have a corrugation 25, as shown schematically in FIG 2 is shown to avoid slipping off the step bar.

3 shows in perspective how the lower end 10 of the support bar 15 is engaged with the lower frame member 20. FIG. The lower end 10 of the support bar 15 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the lower frame element 20 .

As in 4 As can be seen schematically, the cover portion 200 is continuously spaced from the lower end 10 of the support slat. The distance between the covering area 200 and the lower end can vary, as shown. However, it should preferably be at least 1 mm. A larger distance is preferred on the upper side of the cover area 200, since the upper side of the cover area 200, especially when the cover area 200 also serves as a step strip when using the system in a door, is particularly easily soiled, which can lead to impaired sliding.

A cord area 300 can also be provided within the covering area 200, through which a cord 50 is passed in order to stretch the flexible curtain 2. The cord 50 is guided from the cord area 300 into a cord area 310 of the lower end 10 of the support bar 15 .

As in figure 5 As shown schematically, within the cover portion 200 of the lower frame member 20, one or more cord portions 300 may be provided at various locations. This enables the implementation of alternative line guide concepts, in which preferably no or very little torque is transmitted to the lower end of the support strip. More preferably, the cord portion 300 is provided centrally within the cover portion 200 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the opening.

An alternative arrangement of the cord portion 300 is in 6 shown. The cord area shown here is closer to an inside of the lower frame member 20. The

Cord 50 is thus better protected against damage that can be caused, for example, by dirt entering the covering area.

The sliding element 12 can have a brush 70 (cf. 4 and 5 ) in order to free the guide region 100 from unwanted particles, for example dirt, when the sliding element 12 moves relative to the lower frame element 20 . The sliding surfaces of the system are thus cleaned with each movement of the sliding element 12 relative to the lower frame element 20 . As in the 4 and 5 can be seen, the guide area 100 of the lower frame element 20 is smaller than the guide area 100 of the lower frame element 20 in 2 . The cleaning of the guide area 100 is thus simplified.

7 Figure 12 shows another embodiment not in accordance with the invention in which the cross-sectional profile of the lower frame member 20 is changed compared to the previously described embodiments. The projection 21 is located on an additional arm 22 of the lower frame element 20. The sliders 60 are arranged on the inside of the recess 11 so that the sliding element 12 touches the lower frame element 20 only in the area of the recess 11. Further contact points for guiding the support strip along the lower frame element 20 are not necessary. The size of the guide area 100 is thus significantly reduced and the guide area 100 can be kept free of undesired particles more easily.

The covering area 200 of the lower frame element 20 can, as in 7 shown, also be made wider than is necessary for guiding the lower end 10 of the support strip 15 along the lower frame element 20 . A wider tread strip can thus be formed by the covering area 200 . In addition to aesthetic reasons, this can also have an advantageous effect on the stability of the footboard. Furthermore, this can reduce the risk of slipping when stepping on the footboard.

In 8 the engagement of the slide member 12 with the lower frame member 20 is shown schematically in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. The

Connecting elements are embodied here, for example, as an articulated web or projection 21 on the lower frame element 20 and as a recess 11 on the sliding element 12 . However, the arrangement can be reversed, i.e. a hinged ridge or projection can be attached to the slide member 12, whereas the lower frame member 20 can be recessed. Combinations of several webs or projections and recesses are also conceivable.

As continues in 9 As shown schematically, under the action of a force on the lower end 10 of the support bar 15, the articulated web or projection 21 can fold over (in the direction of the arrow), whereby the engagement of the sliding element 12 with the lower frame element 20 is disengaged and a lateral movement ( in the direction of the arrow) of the sliding element 12 or the lower end 10 of the support strip 15 relative to the lower frame element 20 is made possible.

The articulated mounting of the web or projection and/or the web or projection can preferably be made of plastic such as polyurethane. As an alternative to this, a web or projection 21 made of aluminum can be articulated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the entire web 21 including the articulated mounting is designed as a one-piece injection-molded part, with the three joints 28 being formed by the material being designed with a smaller wall thickness at the corresponding points. The wall thickness at the joints is preferably less than 3 mm, more preferably less than 2 mm and particularly preferably between 0.25 mm and 1.5 mm.

Instead of the joints 28 shown, however, film hinges or joints made of an elastic material can also be provided, for example. Alternatively, the combination of joint and bearing could also have one or more spring elements. Still alternatively, a friction based hinge connection 90 may be provided. As in 10 As shown, such a hinge connection 90 may consist of a first hinge member 91 connected to the lower frame member 20 and a second hinge member 92 connected to the first hinge member 91. The engagement of the projection / web 21 with the recess 11 is via a Holding force realized, which results from the friction between the contact surfaces of the first and second hinge elements 91, 92. Under the action of an external force, the magnitude of which is greater than the magnitude of the holding force, the second hinge element 92 can rotate relative to the first hinge element 91, as a result of which the web 21 can fold over and disengage from the recess 11.

Of course, the articulated web or the hinge element can also be used in the other preferred embodiments shown, the hinge variant according to FIG 10 especially good for the embodiments of 2 and 7 suitable is.

The folding movement of the web or projection 21 is preferably reversible, i.e. the sliding element 12 can be brought back into engagement with the lower frame element 20 via the recess 11 when the force is removed. The restoring force required for this can be generated by the elasticity of the material used for the articulated mounting. Alternatively, the required restoring force can be provided by an additional elastic element on the articulated mounting of the web or projection 21 .

If the lower end 10 of the support strip 15 is constructed in several parts, the sliding element 12 can remain in engagement with the web or projection 21 even under the influence of an external force. For this purpose, elements can be provided between the sliding element 12 and the remaining part of the lower end 10 of the support strip 15, which enable a reversible decoupling of the sliding element 12 from the remaining part of the lower end 10, for example magnetic elements.

The system according to the invention is characterized in that the separation of the sliding element from the lower frame element makes it possible to avoid damage to the curtain when an undesired external force acts on the support strip or the curtain.

Claims (11)

1. A system (1) for guiding a flexible curtain (2) for at least partially closing an opening, said system comprising:

   an upper, a lower and a lateral frame element (20, 30, 40) which delimit an opening defining an area; and

   a support strip (15),

   wherein the lateral frame element (40) is configured to fix a first edge of a flexible curtain (2) to one side of an opening;

   wherein the support strip (15) is configured to hold a second edge of a flexible curtain (2);

   wherein an upper and a lower end of the support strip (15) are displaceably guided in the upper and lower frame elements (20, 30);

   wherein the lower frame element (20) comprises a guide area (100);

   wherein the lower end (10) of the support strip (15) comprises a sliding element (12);

   wherein the guide area (100) and the sliding element (12) displaceably engage with each other by means of connection elements (11, 21; 91, 92);

   characterized in that at least one of the connection elements (11, 21; 91, 92) is configured in a deformable manner such that a movement of the support strip (15) perpendicular to the area defined by the opening is made possible.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element (11, 21; 91, 92) is structured in a multi-part manner, preferably in a two-part manner.
3. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting element (11, 21; 91, 92) comprises one or a combination of the following elements: at least one joint, preferably a joint made of polyurethane, a bar or projection, an elastic element.
4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one connecting element (11, 21; 91, 92) is non-destructively and reversibly deformable in order to enable the movement of the support strip (15) perpendicular to the area defined by the opening.
5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one connecting element (11, 21; 91, 92) is non-destructively and reversibly tiltable with respect to the guide area (100) and/or the sliding element (12) in order to enable the movement of the support strip (15) perpendicular to the area defined by the opening.
6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sliding element (12) can be non-destructively detached from the guide area (100) by a force acting perpendicularly to the area defined by the opening.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the force required to release the engagement is between 10 and 50 N, preferably between 20 and 40 N, particularly preferably between 25 and 30 N.
8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sliding element (12) can be brought back into engagement with the guide area (100) by returning it to its original state.
9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises a second lateral frame element that delimits the opening on a second side and is configured to be engaged with the support strip when the flexible curtain is in a fully stretched state.
10. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flexible curtain, wherein an edge of the curtain is attached to the support strip.
11. A door or a window, preferably a door or a window for a recreational vehicle, wherein the door or the window comprises a frame comprising the system according to any one of the preceding claims.

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