EP3587725B1

EP3587725B1 - Protective device for temporarily covering window openings

Info

Publication number: EP3587725B1
Application number: EP17897799.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Constantin-Viorel TANASE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-22
Filing date: 2017-11-10
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-10
Also published as: ES1178609Y; ES2894302T3; EP3587725A4; ES1178609U; ES1178609U8; EP3587725A1; WO2018154152A1

Description

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

This invention, as set forth in these specifications, is a protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, providing the function for which it is intended with a number of benefits and characteristics, which will be described in detail in due course and which represent a new feature in the current state of the art techniques.
Moreover, the purpose of the invention focuses on a device designed to serve as a safety and protection system for temporarily covering window openings in all types of building during the execution of a wide range of work such as the disassembly and assembly of frames, exterior finishes, etc., as a means of preventing objects from falling through them, which is easy to assemble and disassembly and, furthermore, adapts to different dimensions to enable it to be used in different types of openings.

SCOPE

The scope of this invention is geared to the construction industry, particularly the field of protection, safety and occupational risk systems.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The problem this invention is designed to resolve consists of the fact that, when performing different types of work such as, for example, the dismantling of window profiles or frames to replace them with others, executing exterior finishes, etc., the openings of these windows are temporarily exposed, with the corresponding risk that, during the period of time in there is no glass, or in other words, until the window panes are installed, the opening will let in the cold, rain and wind and objects could fall through accidentally.
Hence, the purpose of the invention is to provide a temporary device to cover these openings and to prevent the aforementioned risks and inconvenience in a simple and rapid manner.
Furthermore, and as a reference to the current state of the art of technique, it should be pointed out that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other protective device designed to cover window openings on a temporary basis, or of any such invention with identical or similar technical, structural and constitutive characteristics as those specified in the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The document GB2216935A discloses an adjustable security barrier for a window or other opening, comprises a plurality of overlapping panel sections slidable over each other to suit the area of the opening and means for fixing the panel sections relative to each other and said opening. The fixing means may be adjustable screw jacks passing through holes b and corresponding slots. The panel which is outermost may be reinforced by strip.
The document GB2306544A discloses an adjustable barrier for a window or other opening has overlapping panels that interfit at their outer edges so that they can slide relative to each other to increase or decrease the size of the barrier and so that one panel section is removable from another only by a sliding operation. The interfitting edges are formed as folded channels. The diagonally opposed pair of rectangular panels are larger in area than the other diagonally opposed pair. The panel sections may be perforated, and wires or straps may be used to mount the panels to telescopic bars across the opening.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Specifically, the protective device to cover window openings on a temporary basis comprising the invention represents a remarkable novelty, as the implementation of the device achieves the aforementioned goals in an emphatic manner, whereby the specific details of how this is done are duly set forth in the final claims submitted along with this description. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
As mentioned previously, the specific purpose of the invention is the provision of a protective device to cover window openings on a temporary basis, designed to adapt to different sizes of openings and which is simple to assemble and disassemble.
As such, the device comprises a telescopic rod with three fastening points to which four plates are secured, the position of which can be adjusted. These plates feature horizontal grooves into which the fastening points are inserted, thereby allowing for the relative position of the same to be adjusted.
Hence, in addition to adjusting the height of the set of plates to adapt it to the height of the opening to be covered, by extending or retracting the telescopic rod, the width of the set of plates can also be adjusted to adapt the system to the width of the opening, moving the plates to one side or the other by sliding the fastening points in their horizontal grooves.
Moreover, the plates also feature vertical grooves designed for additional side fasteners to join them together.
It should be emphasised that the telescopic rod comprises two sections of tubing and should preferably be made of metal, featuring, in addition to the aforementioned fastening points attached to them using a rotary system to improve their adjustment to the plates, anti-slip pads at the upper and lower ends.
Ideally, this rod should be 90 cm in length, extendable to 180 cm, although this is not a restriction, as other sizes could be manufactured in accordance with the needs of the market. In turn, the plates should, ideally, be made of 3mm thick transparent polycarbonate, but could also be made of other materials with other thicknesses pursuant to the needs in question.
Thus, the protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis is an innovative system of unknown structural and constitutive characteristics up to now for the purpose for which it has been designed, which, together with the practicality it entails, provide sufficient grounds for granting the privilege of exclusivity being requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SKETCHES

As a means of complementing the description provided and with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, these specifications include, as part and parcel of the same, a series of diagrams, which are of an illustrative nature and are not limited to, the following:

Figure n° 1. - Provides a sketched view of the front elevation of an example of the protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, illustrating the parts and elements comprising the system, as well as the configuration and layout of the same.
Figures n° 2 and 3. - Provide views of the front and side elevation of the telescopic rod comprising the invention device, illustrating the parts involved.
And, figures n° 4 and 5. - Provide views of the front elevation of an upper and a lower plate respectively, illustrating the parts involved.

THE IDEAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the aforementioned figures, and pursuant to the numbering used, a nonlimiting example of the device for covering window openings on a temporary basis can be observed, which comprises the parts specified and described in detail below.
Hence, as illustrated in these figures, the device (1) in question is made up of at least one telescopic rod (2) to which four adjustable plates (3) are attached using fastening points (4) on the rod (2), which are inserted in the horizontal grooves (5) in the plates (3), allowing for the adjustment of the height of the set of plates (3) by extending or retracting the rod (2), and adjusting the width of the set of plates (3) by moving the plates (3) to one side or the other, sliding them with the fastening points (4) in the horizontal grooves (5).
According to the present invention, the device (1) comprises two upper plates (31) and two lower plates (32) and the rod (2) is composed of two sections (21, 22) of tubing and has three fastening points (4), one upper (41), at the end of the upper tube (21), one central (42) and one lower (43) in the lower section of tubing (22), the upper (41) being inserted in the upper horizontal groove (5) of the two upper plates (31), and the central (42) and lower (43) in the upper and lower horizontal grooves (5) in the two lower plates (32).
Thus, the two upper plates (31) can be raised or lowered to adjust the height of the device to the size of the opening to be covered, extending or retracting the upper section (21) of the rod (2) with regard to the lower section (22), and both the upper (31) and lower (32) plates can be separated more or less in order to adjust the width of the opening, by sliding them to one side or the other with the three fastening points (4) in the horizontal grooves (5). Furthermore, the two lower plates (32) are also fitted with vertical grooves (5'), at least on the outer side of each one, as illustrated in Figure 5, which are designed to receive additional fastening points (4') provided at the outer ends of the two upper plates (31), whereby the upper (31) and lower (32) plates are joined together by their respective outer ends to reinforce the robustness and strength of the device as a whole.
It should be pointed out that, ideally, all the fastening points (4, 4') are tightened manually, or in other words, there is no need for the use of tools such as nuts or knobs. And with regard to the fastening points (4) on the rod (2), these are coupled using rotary fasteners (6) designed to facilitate their adaptation to the plates (3).
In turn, the sections of tubing (21, 22) comprising the rod (2) have a locking mechanism (7) and a rack (8) for fixing the relative position of the system, ensuring there is no undesired movement when subjecting the rod to the weight of the plates (3).
Finally, it should be noted that the upper and lower ends of the rod (2) feature respective rubber pads (9) with a rough anti-slip surface to ensure the device remains securely in position in the opening to be covered.
Now that the nature of the invention and the means of putting it into practice have been described in sufficient detail, no further explanations are regarded as necessary for any expert in the area to understand the scope of the device and the benefits in relation to the same. It should also be pointed out that the device, true to its essential characteristics, could be implemented in other embodiments differing in detail within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, comprising at least one telescopic rod (2) to which four adjustable plates (3) consisting of two upper plates (31) each comprising an upper horizontal groove (5) and two lower plates (32) each comprising a lower horizontal groove (5), are attached using fastening points (4) on the rod (2), which are inserted in said horizontal grooves (5) of the upper and lower plates (3), allowing for the adjustment of the height of the four plates (3) by extending or retracting the rod (2), and adjusting the width of the four plates (3) by moving the plates (3) to one side or the other, sliding them with the fastening points (4) in the horizontal grooves (5); and
wherein the rod (2) comprises two sections (21,22) of tubing, an upper tubing section (21) and a lower tubing section (22); and wherein

the two upper plates (31) are arranged to be raised or lowered to adjust the height to the size of the opening to be covered, extending or retracting the upper tubing section (21) of the rod (2) with regard to the lower tubing section (22), and both the upper plates (31) and lower plates (32) can be separated more or less in order to adjust the width of the opening by sliding them to one side or the other with the three fastening points (4) in the horizontal grooves (5); and

wherein the lower plates (32) are also fitted with vertical grooves (5'), at least on the outer side of each one, which are designed to receive additional fastening points (4') provided at the outer ends of the two upper plates (31) whereby the upper (31) and lower (32) plates are joined together by their respective outer ends, the device being characterised in that

each lower plate (32) also comprises an upper horizontal groove (5); and

in that the fastening points of the device comprise three fastening points, one upper fastening point (41) at the end of the upper tubing section, one central fastening point (42) and one lower fastening point (43) at the lower tubing section (22); and

in that the upper fastening point (41) is inserted in the upper horizontal grooves of the two upper plates (31), whereas the central fastening point (42) and the lower fastening point (43) are inserted in the upper and lower horizontal grooves (5) of the two lower plates (32) respectively.
Protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sections of tubing (21, 22) of the telescopic rod (2) feature a locking mechanism (7) and a rack (8) to fix the relative position of the same.
Protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, in accordance with any of claims 1 to 2, wherein all the fastening points (4, 4') are tightened manually.
Protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening points (4) on the rod (2) are coupled using a rotary fastening system (6).
Protective device for covering window openings on a temporary basis, in accordance with any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper and lower ends of the rod (2) feature respective rubber pads (9) with a rough anti-slip surface.