GB2330301A

GB2330301A - Screen storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2330301A
Application number: GB9720123A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-09-23
Filing date: 1997-09-23
Publication date: 1999-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-23
Also published as: GB2330301B; GB9720123D0

Abstract

A device (A) for storing a screen element such, as a shower curtain, a hospital bed screen or a blind when not in use, wherein said device comprises a housing (4) which defines a storage space (11) and a movable support (10) for supporting the screen element when in use and retaining the screen element in the storage space (11) when not in use. In the storage mode, the housing (4) is closed so as to conceal the screen element and the support (10) therein. The support (10) is optionally associated with a panel (7) which is movable from a storage position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the storage device (A) to an operational position perpendicular to said axis. The support (10) may have a second element associated therewith so as to provide a support length greater than the maximum length of the housing (4).

Description

NOVEL STORAGE DEVICE The invention relates to a storage device for storing, particularly but not exclusively, a curtain or the like, for use particularly but not exclusively, in the instance of said curtain not being used /drawn.

It is known from the prior art to provide permanent fixed curtain track(s) or pole(s) around selected environments such as a hospital bed or changing area or sleeping compartment or a selected area in a caravan or boat or a cubicle or the like so as to provide a defined path along which a curtain may be drawn. Thus in a drawn position the curtain provides relative seclusion to an individual within said environment. The curtain, when drawn provides a barrier to vision and/or a physical barrier to a specific environment or environmental factors. In use, the curtains may be manually or automatically pulled around said selected environment along permanently fixed track(s) so as to provide privacy or prevent water splashes in the instance of the curtain being a shower curtain. When not in use the curtains are pulled to one side/end of the track and simply stay hanging in view until they are required again. Effectively the curtain(s) become part of the scenery.

Preventing water splashes to carpets/floors from an issuing shower head, said shower head being provided integral or attached to a bathroom wall is typically achieved by provision of hanging shower curtain which curtain moves along a fixed predetermined path and hangs around or over a bath edge. Alternatively fixed glass or perspex or plastics portions can be attached to the wall and/or bath so as to contain splashes to the inside.

However, all of these splash prevention measures are plainly visible even when a shower is not in use. Furthermore, a person bathing may find it neither convenient nor comfortable to be hampered with a screen or curtain, and may inadvertently damage/tear/knock/break said splash prevention devices.

Furthermore, it is known to use partition boards or screens to provide separation between environments. Screens/partitions may be fixed or moveable or maybe, if flexible, be concertinaed so that in an extended position they form an elongate surface which provides separation. However, when not in use such separating devices are difficult to dismantle and store and typically remain in situ and in view.

A more primative form of providing a secluded environment is to use a simple hook or the like and to affix said hook in a solid surface to which hook, one end of a curtain may be attached and provision of a second hook in an opposite solid surface, permits another end of a curtain to be attached thereto, thus providing a partition. However, the curtain when unhooked still remains in view, may crease and collect dust/dirt.

The problems associated with the prior art is that when the curtain is not in use the curtain is simply pushed to one side/end of a track or pole or hung at one end where it remains until it is required for use. This means that the curtain remains hanging and permanently in view and can be considered to be unattractive and/or untidy. Furthermore the presence of the curtain itself may interfere with surrounding activities, for example during medical emergencies/ward rounds doctors and/or nurses can be caught up in a hospital bed curtain and the curtain can be caught upon passing objects hence, there is a tendency to damage and/or tear the curtain. A hanging curtain can be considered a fire risk in the confined space of a boat or caravan or campervan or the like. Additionally, a permanent track fixture attracts dust and is difficult to clean by virtue of its height and thus can be considered unhygienic, especially in a hospital environment.

Additionally screens and/or partition boards are bulky and cumbersome and may not easily be stored or readily concealed.

The invention of this application has elegantly and inventively overcome many of the problems associated with the prior art by providing a safe, discrete, hygienic, convenient, storage device for storing a curtain from view when not in use, moreover the device of the invention efficiently utilises space available for storage purposes.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hygienic, convenient, safe, tidy curtain storage device.

It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a discrete storage device for storing a curtain when not in use.

It is a yet further object of the invention to improve the aesthetic appearance of a bathroom or hospital or any other environment where it is necessary to provide a barrier to vision and/or splashes or the like.

It is a yet further object of the invention to improve longevity of a curtain.

In its broadest aspect, the invention provides a novel storage device for storing a curtain or the like when not in use, said storage device comprising a housing means and a collapsable movable support means for supporting a curtain means. In the instance of said curtain being stored, said curtain is ideally pulled towards the housing means across the support means into a defined space and subsequently said support means is collapsed and folded into a storage position, said housing means is ideally closed so as to conceal said curtain means and support means therein.

Reference herein to curtain is intended to include any suitable barrier to vision and/or splashes and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a storage device comprising; a housing means wherein said housing means is suitably sized and shaped and adapted so as to accommodate at least one movable support means comprising an elongate member suitably sized and shaped and adapted so as to accommodate a curtain means whereby said support means can be moved between at least two positions, a first collapsed position where said support means is housed in said housing means and an erected second position where said support means is positioned outside of said housing means so that said curtain can hang therefrom.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said housing means comprises a plurality of panels, ideally said panels are substantially flat and elongate and are suitably connected together, ideally at right angles, so that in the instance of providing two elongate panels said housing means is substantially "L" shape in cross-section or is provided as two separate panels suitable positioned thereapart and in the instance of providing three elongate panels said housing means is substantially "U" shape in cross-section and in the instance of providing a four elongate panels said housing means is substantially square or oblong in cross-section.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said housing means is circular in cross-section and ideally is provided with a door means ideally said door means is hinged or alternatively is suitably adapted so as to slide within a main body of said housing means.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of providing a housing means that the shape and configuration of said housing means can be circular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or the like in cross-section, the exact configuration of which is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said housing means comprises at least one additional surface ideally said surface is suitably positioned at an uppermost terminal or a lowermost terminal portion of said housing means, and even more ideally said housing means is provided with two additional surfaces, one at an uppermost and the other at a lowermost terminal position of said housing means.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of providing a storage device for a curtain means that a single elongate panel may provide concealment, however, it may be preferable to provide two or three or four panels so as to provide a box-like structure with optional upper and lower terminal surfaces in order to more fully conceal and completely/sealingly house a curtain means therein, the number of elongate panels and additional terminal surfaces of said housing means is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention at least one panel of said housing means is provided with at least one hinge, ideally said hinge(s) is/are suitably positioned with respect to an uppermost terminal surface, even more ideally said hinged panel lies in a plane parallel to the surface to which said housing means is attached when in a collapsed position and, in contrast, when erected said hinged panel lies in a plane perpendicular to said surfaces, thus swinging between these two positions. Ideally, at least one stop member, typically lockable, is provided, so as to determine the degree of movement or swing and thus the orientation of said panel or said support when at rest and/or extended.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention at least one panel of said housing means is provided with at least one hinge suitably positioned along the length of said panel.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention at least one panel of said housing means is provided with a handle means so as to facilitate opening and closing of said panel, ideally said panel is hinged.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said housing means is suitably covered with an appropriate material ideally a decorative material such as tiles or paint or wallpaper or the like so as to be commensurate with the aesthetic appearance of the surface to which said housing means is attached to, or associated with, or integral with, or recessed into.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said housing means and/or said support means are constructed of suitable material so as to be robust, rust-proof and durable, ideally said housing means and/or said support means is/are constructed of plastics or the like and even more ideally said plastics is pre-formed or extruded or moulded. In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said support means is articulated and ideally is provided with at least one pivot means and/or one hinge means and/or at least one joint.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said support means comprises at least one hollow receiving means and at least one supporting member wherein said receiving means is suitably sized and shaped so as to receive said supporting member when inserted therein, ideally said receiving means is marginally greater in cross-sectional diameter than the crosssectional diameter of said supporting member so as to facilitate insertion.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said support means is attached to, or associated with, or integral with an upper portion of said housing means ideally a rear panel thereof, and even more ideally an uppermost terminal surface thereof, and most ideally said support means is directly attached to a wall surface. The position and nature of the attachment of said support means is variable and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said supporting member comprises a rod or pole or the like, ideally said rod or pole is lightweight and hollow and constructed of a suitable robust, rust-proof, durable material and even more ideally said rod or pole is of a predetermined selected length said length being marginally shorter than that of an elongate panel of a housing means so that said rod or pole may be concealed or housed within said housing means when in a collapsed and stored position. In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said receiving means is adapted so as to releasably engage said supporting member or vice versa, ideally further associated with said receiving means and/or supporting member is a controllable engaging means wherein, upon insertion of said supporting member into said receiving means, said engaging means is activated in one direction so as to permit insertion therein whilst not permitting retraction thereof without release of said engaging means. It will be appreciated that the engaging means may be any type of one way press lock means that is known in the art and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said support means is attached to, or associated with, or integral with an underside of a hinged panel of said housing means, ideally said panel lies in a plane parallel to the surface to which said housing is attached when in a collapsed position and, in contrast when erected said hinged panel lies in a plane perpendicular to said surface thus swinging said support means between these two positions.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said support means is hinged between two opposing panels of said housing means suitably positioned thereapart. In this particular embodiment of the invention it will be appreciated that the support means pivots about one of its ends. It will also be appreciated that the exact nature of the hinging mechanism is not intended to limit the scope of the application and maybe a flush or butt or pivoted hinge or any other type of hinge which is known to use so as to provide pivotal movement about a selected point.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said curtain means comprises a flexible material, ideally said curtain means is adapted so as to hang from said supporting means and ideally associated with said curtain means there is provided a plurality of attachment means adapted so as to permit attachment of said curtain means to said supporting means, so that in the instance of said curtain means being provided in a stored position said curtain means is gathered to one side and housed within said housing means and, in use, where said support means is provided in an extended position said support means permits movement therealong of said curtain means, ideally said curtain means is slidably moved therealong so as to provide a barrier to vision and/or splashes or the like when in a drawn position.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of providing a suspended/hanging curtain that the curtain may be adapted to provide a channel through which a supporting member is threaded or alternatively said curtain can be clipped to said supporting member or alternatively said supporting member is suitably adapted so as to provide a track or the like, the exact configuration of said curtain and/or said supporting member is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said curtain means comprises a roller blind or the like whereby said roller blind in use, is pulled down to a selected position and released when not in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention said storage device as hereinbefore described, is used for preventing splashes from a shower unit to a selected environment.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said curtain means is water-proof and/or splash proof and/or impervious to water.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said storage device is provided attached to, or associated with, or integral with a bath or the like.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention said lowermost terminal surface and/or said panels of said housing means are of commensurate depth dimensions to that of a bath edge/rim.

According to a third said aspect of the invention, said storage device as hereinbefore described, is provided in as a kit of components parts.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures, wherein: Figure 1 represents a front perspective view of a bath and integral shower unit in the instance of a curtain being stored in said storage device.

Figure 2 represents a front perspective view of a bath and shower unit in the instance of a support means being attached to an underside of a panel, in an extended position.

Figure 3 represents a front perspective view of a bath and shower unit in the instance of a support means being independent of a panel in an extended position.

Figure 4 represents a front cross-sectional perspective view of the support means.

Figure 5a represents a plan cross-sectional view of a storage device.

Figure 5b represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a storage device.

Figure 5c represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a storage device.

Figure 5d represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the storage device.

Figure 5e represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative of a storage device.

Figure 5f represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a storage device.

With reference now to Figure 1 there is shown a bath (1) and attached at one end there is shown a shower unit (2). It will be appreciated that shower unit (2) in this particular embodiment of the invention is shown attached to a rim (9) of bath (1), however shower unit (2) maybe directly attached to wall (3), in either instance of shower unit positioning there is provided a storage device (A) for containing a shower curtain therein. Storage device (A) comprises a housing means (4), said housing means is provided with substantially flat elongate panels (7 and 8). Panel (8) is a side panel, the distance which it projects from the wall is commensurate with the distance of bath rim (9). Panel (7) is provided with a hinge (6) so as to connect panel (7) with an uppermost terminal surface (7A). Furthermore, panel (7) is provided with a handle means (5) for opening/closing said panel. In this particular embodiment of the invention it will be apparent that a shower curtain is housed within storage means (4) and thus in this particular instance the curtain is in a stored position and concealed from view.

In use, (with reference to Figure 2) panel 7 is opened by applying sufficient pressure to handle means (5) so as to release said panel, said panel swings in an upward direction so as to expose support means (6) attached therebeneath.

Interior space (11) of storage device (4) is suitably sized and shaped so as to accommodate a curtain means which hangs downwardly (not shown) from receiving means (12). In the instance of supporting member (10) being engaged in receiving means (12) a track is formed which permits said curtain means to slide along supporting member (10) to a terminal end (iOA).

Terminal (1or) is of a greater cross-sectional diameter than supporting member (10) so as to prevent a curtain means from sliding all the way off. It is apparent from this particular embodiment of the invention that storage device (4) comprises essentially an elongate box defined by panels (7, 8, 13 and 14) with terminal uppermost surface (7A) and terminal lowermost surface (7B). It will be appreciated that in the instance of a curtain means comprising a roller blind said roller blind is attached to or associated with supporting member (10) and in use will be pulled downwards so as to provide a screen from splashes.

Typically, at least one stop member (not shown ) is provided so as to determine the position of the extended supporting member (10) and most ideally locking means are associated therewith so that supporting member 10 can be securely, but reversibly, held in an extended position when in use.

In a yet further embodiment of the invention (depicted in Figure 3) storage device (4) comprises an elongate box of panels (7, 8, 13 and 14), in this instance panel (7) is hinged along its length and is provided with hinges (6A and 6B). In this embodiment of the invention panel (7) is opened and closed in a door like fashion and supporting member (10) is provided independent of attachment to a panel and in a collapsed position is pivoted so as to be housed within storage device (4).

Thus in Figures (1, 2 and 3) it is apparent that the storage device essentially comprises an elongate box in which a curtain means or roller blind or any other means to prevent splashes in a bathroom, may be housed. Said curtain means when not in use is consertinaed/folded so as to be accommodated and suspended from receiving means (12) and supporting member (10) is disengaged from said receiving means (12) and pivoted or removed so as to collapse and be housed within the storage device. In use supporting member (10) is engaged in receiving means (12) so as to provide a path the length of supporting member (10).

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an exploded view of one embodiment of the invention in which an articulated version of said support means is shown. It will, however, be appreciated that this is only one embodiment of the invention and that a number of other methods of hinging or jointing or pivoting maybe appropriate. In this particular embodiment of the invention, storage device (4) comprises elongate panels (13, 14, 17 and 18) and an uppermost terminal surface (7A) to which surface is attached by attachment means (16) receiving means (12). Furthermore, supporting means (12) is adapted so as to provide an engaging means (15). Engaging means (15) is resiliently biased and employs a one way push lock mechanism, so that insertion of supporting member (10) into receiving means (12) depresses engaging means (15) in one way direction only so that said supporting member may not be retracted without manual depression of said engaging means.

In this particular embodiment of the invention supporting member (10) is provided within a frame with side supports (20A and 20B). Side supports (20A and 20B) are adapted so as to provides recess (18) suitably sized and shaped so as to accommodate a motion limiting cross-support (17) therethrough, whereby insertion of supporting member (10) into receiving means (12) permits limited movement of cross-support (17) in a defined recess (18 andl9) in a slidable motion until said cross support (17) is located in recess portion (19) cross-support (17) is then engaged.

Curtain means (not shown) whilst not in use is stored along region (X) of receiving means (12) and upon completion of the insertion procedure, said curtain means is transferred onto supporting member (10) and support means (C) provides a support for said curtains means to be drawn along to a terminal end (lOA) thus providing an effective barrier to splashes.

It will be appreciated that the number of panels and position of panels of housing means (4) is not intended to limit the scope of the application, and with reference to Figure 5A there is shown a single panel (13) attached to wall (22) from which projects receiving means (12) of a support means.

Referring to Figure 5B there is shown a single panel (8) which protrudes a selected distance so that line (Y) is marginally greater than the protrusion of receiving means (12).

Referring to Figure 5C there is shown three panels (8, 13 and 14) which comprise housing means (4) for housing receiving means (12). Protrusion of panels (14 and 18) are greater than that of the protrusion distance of receiving means (12). It will be appreciated that although not depicted in the Figures, an alternative embodiment of the invention is to provide three panels (14, 8 and 7) so as to house receiving means (12).

Referring now to Figure 5D there is shown a pair of panels (13 and 18) partially concealing receiving means (12).

Referring now to Figures 5E and 5F there is shown the preferred embodiments of the invention wherein said storage device comprises four panels substantially box-like in structure, and in the instance of Figure 5E panel (7) is pivoted by hinges (6) so as to move upwardly in direction (Z); in the instance of Figure 5F panel (7) is provided with hinge (6) so as to open in a door like fashion.

The invention as hereinbefore described has inventively and elegantly overcome the problems associated with the prior art and has provided a novel storage device for housing a curtain when not in use, so as to improve safety and aesthetic appeal to any environment in which said storage device is installed.

Claims

CLAIMS A A storage device for storing a screen element or the like when not in use, said storage device comprising a housing which defines a storage space and a collapsible movable support for supporting the screen element. whereby in a storage mode the screen element is drawn across the support into the storage space and the support is collapsed for storage in said storage space, the housing concealing the screen element and support therein 2 A storage device comprising a housing evllich defines a storage space, the housing being sized, shaped and adapted so as to accommodate at least one movable support comprising an elongate member suitably sized shaped and adapted so as to carry a screen element, whereby said support can be moved between at least txo positions, a first collapsed position where said support is housed within the housing and an erected second position where said support is disposed outside said housing so that a screen element may depend therefrom 3 A storage device as claimed in claim l or claim 2, in which said housing comprises a plurality of panels suitably sized and shaped for connection together to define the storage space for the support and a screen element 4 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said housing is of circular cross-section and includes a door hingedly attached thereto or adapted to slide within the main body of the housings 5 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing is elongate and has a substantially closed cross-section of any suitable shape and has terminating end portions to more fully enclose the storage space 6 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing comprises at least two elongate panels so as to provide a box like structure adapted to conceal a screen element when it is not in use 7. A storage device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, in which at least one panel of the housing is provided with a hinge, said panel being pivotally attached about said hinge to one of the terminating end portions. so that in use the hinged panel lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and when not in use is swung into a position closing the screen element storage space 8 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support is articulated and includes at least one articulated joint 9 A storage device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the support comprises at least one hollow receiving means and at least one supporting member wherein the receiving means is suitably sized and shaped so as to receive the supporting member when inserted therein, said receiving means and said supporting member being movable telescopically 10. A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support is secured at one end to a portion of panel of the housing I 1 A storage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the support is attached directly to a wall surface 12 A storage device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which said supporting member comprises a lightweight, hollow pole comprising a predetermined length of robust, rust-proof, durable material, said length being such that said pole may be concealed within the housing when not in use 13. A storage device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, in which said receiving means is releasably engageable to said supporting member, one of said receiving means or supporting member carrn ing a lockable engagement means to lock the receiving means and support member in their in use configuration 14 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support is adapted for association with a hinged panel of the housing so that when the panel and support are moved from the storage position to the operational position, the support moves concurrently xith the panel into a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 15 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said screen element comprises a flexible material and is adapted to hang from the support, the support means permitting movement of the screen element therealong so as to provide a barrier, for example to vision andíor splashes, when the screen element is in its operational position 16 A storage device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to li, in which the supporting member is adapted to include attachment means such as a track so that a suspended screen element or curtain max be drawn tlerealong 17 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the screen element comprises a blind such as a roller blind or the like. which in use is unfurled to a selected position 18 A storage device as claimed in any one of claims I to 16, in which the screen element comprises a splash-proof shower curtain or an opaque curtain for providing pri\acy, for example, around a hospital bed 19 A storage device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided as a kit of component parts 20 A storage device substantially as herein described xvith reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings