GB2468922A

GB2468922A - Retractable Screens

Info

Publication number: GB2468922A
Application number: GB0905347A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Korn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-27
Filing date: 2009-03-27
Publication date: 2010-09-29
Also published as: GB2482086A; GB201118449D0; GB0905347D0; WO2010109247A2; WO2010109247A3; GB2482086B

Abstract

A retractable screen (100, 200)) comprising a coilable split tube extendable member (101, 201) and one or more screen panel members (102, 202) attached to and extending there from, such that when the split tube extendable member is extended the one or more panel members provides a screen portion and when the split tube extendable member is coiled the screen portion is retracted.

Description

SCREENS

INTRODUCTION

Screens, boards and dividers are of use in many different applications and environments. Such environments include hospitals, schools, offices and exhibitions, amongst others. Screens, boards and dividers may be used as display surfaces, surfaces for writing upon, to divide one area of space from another, or to enclose one area of space from another.

Screens, boards and dividers are, by their nature, bulky objects. It is desirable that such screens, boards and dividers be made compactable, for example by being dismantleable or retractable. However, before this invention, where screens have been made to be dismantled or retracted, for example into a housing, it has been necessary to sacrifice rigidity of the extended screen, or to provide rigidity with a complex arrangement of auxiliary parts. A need therefore exists for improved screens, boards and dividers having the ability to be stored and/or transported in compact form, but having improved simplicity and rigidity when in use. There is a particular need for screens, boards and dividers which, in use, can form free standing rigid structures, but which can be collapsed or retracted for storage and/or transport.

Screens, boards and dividers are of particular use in a hospital environment in isolating a patient for privacy, hygiene or other reasons.

Curtains are commonly used in the hospital environment to achieve these aims. Although curtains are retractable to some extent for storage, they do not provide a rigid barrier when extended. Moreover, the use of curtains as a screen or divider in this environment is associated with certain disadvantages. Firstly, the curtains used may contain folds and crevices where the accumulation of dirt, debris and undesirable organisms may occur. These folds and crevices are also difficult to clean properly.

The use of curtains may be associated with other disadvantages. When retracted, curtains may be too bulky, taking up a large amount of available space. When in use, curtains may not form a stable barrier, and may easily be inadvertently moved as a result of air movement or contact by other objects or individuals. Furthermore, when in use curtains may not fully reach floor level, and will therefore allow the movement of air beneath them. As a result, curtains will not generally provide an effective means of isolation.

The isolation of patients in a communal ward for hygiene reasons (for example to control the spread of infectious organisms, e.g. so-called "superbugs") is termed "barrier nursing". Barrier nursing relies on curtains to create a threshold to prevent unnecessary access to and from the patient's bed, and to serve as a reminder to staff to take specific precautions and undergo specific procedures such as hand washing, and changing gowns and gloves. However, because curtains are also used to screen patients for privacy, they provide an inadequate psychological trigger to remind staff of the necessary barrier nursing procedures.

Moreover curtains visually isolate patients from their surroundings and can have a detrimental effect on patients' mental wellbeing, resulting, for example, in feelings of stigmatisation.

A need exists for an improved screening methods and apparatus for hospital environments that solves the problems of providing effective isolation and an adequate psychological trigger for effective barrier nursing without the disadvantages noted above.

Many room dividers that are currently available are not practical for use in such an environment, as a result of their bulk and other aspects of their structure. For example, certain currently available dividers that are retractable have a lattice structure having a great many individual moving parts and crevices. Such crevices, are, for the reasons mentioned above, undesirable in a hospital environment, and unsuitable for infection control and barrier nursing.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides new retractable and dismountable screens by employing split tubular extendable members to create a frame for attaching a screen material to.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a retractable screen comprising a coilable split tube extendable member and one or more screen panel members attached to and extending therefrom, such that when the split tube extendable member is extended the one or more panel members provides a screen portion and when the split tube extendable member is coiled the screen portion is retracted.

The use of a split tube extendable member (STEM) is advantageous since it uniquely combines the features of rigidity and retractability. By attaching appropriate screen materials to a frame which comprises one or more STEMs in accordance with the teaching of this application, the inventor has created a range of adaptable and simple rigid screen structures with excellent retractable or packaging properties making them ideal for use in a wide range of situations.

In some embodiments the invention provides a retractable screen wherein the screen portion comprises one or more panel members, each separately attached to the split tube extendable member, and wherein on coiling the split tube extendable member the screen portion is coiled around the rotational axis of the coiled split tube extendable member.

The one or more panel members may be in the form of elongate strips of material extending from the split tube extendable member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.

Such embodiments can be used, for example, as a doorway into a screened area, allowing for access by parting the screen panel member strips. Doorway embodiments of the present invention are often combined with other embodiments to form a screening system comprising more than one screen of the invention.

Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention provides a screening system for screening an area comprising two or more retractable screens of the invention forming wall members of the screening system, and a further retractable screen extending between two wall members to form a doorway into the screened area.

In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention the screen forming the doorway comprises a single split tube extendable member and, in use, the split tube extendable member is arranged horizontally and the elongate strips of material forming the screen portion hang down from the split tube extendable member.

Screening systems of the invention find particular utility in hospital environments for providing improved isolation of patients in their bed area, as is discussed in greater detail below.

The invention also provides A retractable screen in which the screen portion extends between two split tube extendable members to provide a screen with two opposing rigid and coilable edges. Such screens provide may be extended and retracted in a horizontal direction and can provide for interchangeable screen panel members. Interchangeable screen panel members provide for functional flexibility, making embodiments of the invention ideal for screening in a number of situations.

The invention further provides, more generally, a screen comprising one or more split tube extendable members forming a support frame, and one or more screen panel members attached to the support frame to provide a screen portion. Such embodiments may be in the form of retractable screens having one or more STEM support frame members, or may be free standing screens designed to be dismantled and easily packaged.

In this specification a number of features of each aspect of the invention are described in detail. The skilled reader will understand that any feature described in relation to one aspect or embodiment of the invention may be combined with any other embodiment or aspect of the invention where it is feasible to do so.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1A shows a screen of the invention having a single STEM.

Figure lB shows attachment of screen panel member strips to a STEM.

Figure 2A shows a retractable screen of the invention in both its extended and closed configurations.

Figure 2B shows a perspective view of a retractable screen of the invention in its retracted configuration.

Figure 2C shows an arrangement of screen panel members in a screen of the invention.

Figure 2D shows the attachment of a panel to the central line of a STEM.

Figure 2E shows a perspective view of a retraction mechanism of a retractable screen of the invention.

Figure 2F shows a top down cross section view of a retraction mechanism of a retractable screen of the invention.

Figure 2G shows a perspective view of a retraction mechanism of a retractable screen of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a system of the invention for providing a screened area.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention comprising four STEMs releasably connected to each other by joining members to create a substantially rectangular support frame for a correspondingly shaped screen portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves the use of split tubular extendable members, such as those described in WO 97/35706, as a support frame for screens.

An extendable member, as described in WO 97/35706, may comprise fibres embedded in thermoplastic polymers in such a way that the extendable member can take two forms, that of a long, rigid, tubular structure or that of a compact, coiled strip.

Unlike other coiled extendible structures, structures as described in WO 97/35706 are stable in both the coiled and extended states, can move between the two states repeatedly and can be rolled and unrolled freely to any desired length. The extendable member may also support its own weight over several metres without collapsing.

Support frames constructed from STEMs may be arranged into a number of different architectures to provide for a wide range of screens, boards and dividers. Screens of the invention may have support frames constructed from one, two, three, four or more STEMs. The STEMs may be attached to each other directly or via joining members or via screen portions to provide a range of support frame structures.

In one aspect of the invention, a retractable screen of the invention comprises one coilable STEM and one or more screen panel members attached to and extending therefrom, such that when the STEM is extended the one or more panel members provides a screen portion and when the STEM is coiled the screen portion is retracted.

En one such embodiment of the invention, two or more screen panel members are attached to and extend from the STEM. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art upon reading this specification that screen panel members of the invention can vary in dimension. It will also be appreciated by the person skilled in the art upon reading this specification that a screen panel member of the invention may have one or more points of attachment with the STEM.

For example, where a plurality of screen panel members are attached to and extend from the STEM, screen panel members may be cut to a width of approximately 20cm wide, with each panel having 3 to 5 points of attachment with the STEM.

In use, screens of the invention comprising a single STEM may be used by arranging the STEM such that when it is in its extended form it runs from end to end in a generally horizontal direction, such that the screen portion extends therefrom in a generally downward direction. When the STEM is coiled up the strip panel members are, together, coiled around the rotational axis of the STEM to form a compact column.

A retractable screen of this aspect of the invention may, in use, be supported permanently at one end of the extended STEM, and may be provided with a further support, when extended, at the opposite end of the STEM. In one embodiment, the STEM is coiled around a spindle, and, in use extends from the spindle to a support member, onto which the end of the STEM may be releasably attached. In preferred embodiments, the spindle and further support members may be attached to, or part of separate screens of the current invention, in order to provide for a screening system comprising walls and a doorway. Where a screen of this aspect of the invention extends between two screens it may provide a doorway into a screened area, with access being gained by separating the screen panel member strips.

Screen panel members may be attached to a STEM of the invention using various methods and in various ways, as described in further detail herein.

The attachment of screen panel members to the STEM can be arranged to allow for some flexibility or movement of the fixture. This may be important in order to accommodate changes in the length of the STEM which occur upon extension and coiling.

A screen panel member of this aspect of the invention may be made of a variety of materials, as described in further detail herein.

In some embodiments in which the screen portion comprises more than one screen panel members, screen panel members may be attached to other screen panel members using releasable fastenings. Various types and methods of releasable fastening may be used, some of which are described in further detail herein, as will be apparent to the skilled person

upon reading this specification.

In another aspect of the invention, a retractable screen of the invention may comprise two coilable STEMs and one or more screen panel members attached to and extending therefrom, such that when the STEM is extended the one or more panel members provides a screen portion extending between the two STEMs to provide a screen with two opposing rigid and coilable edges. When the STEMs are coiled the screen portion is retracted.

In some embodiments the opposing rigid and coilable edges form the top and bottom edges of a screen which may be retracted and extended by pushing and pulling the screen in a horizontal direction towards and away from a fixed point, respectively. The fixed point may comprise a housing for storage of the retracted screen, and may comprise one or more spindles upon which the STEMs are seated, and about which the STEMS are coiled. In some embodiments a vertical frame member extends between the ends of the two STEMS distal to the fixed point, providing extra rigidity to the screen in its extended conformation, and allowing for a user handle to be provided for extending and retracting the screen.

The screen panel members may be made from any suitable material as described elsewhere herein. However, in a preferred embodiment, the screen portion comprises one or more elastic screen panel members.

Related embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more elastic screen panels and one or more non-elastic screen panel members.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art upon reading this specification that where the screen portion comprises one or more elastic screen panel members and further comprises one or more non-elastic screen panels, the elastic screen panels may comprise a greater proportion of the screen portion than the non-elastic panels.

Alternatively, the elastic screen panels may comprise the same proportion of the screen portion than the non-elastic panels. As a further alternative, the elastic screen panels may comprise a lesser proportion of the screen portion than the non-elastic panels.

Elastic screen panel members may be employed to provide flexibility within the screen portion in order to take account of changes in the length and width of the STEM that occurs upon extending and coiling. When a STEM is extended its cross section changes from a substantially flat shape to a substantially "C", or semi-tubular shape, and accordingly the edges of the two STEMS are drawn apart from each other. This can result in stretching of the panel portion between the STEMS and could provide a risk of tearing, or a requirement for extra material in the panel portion to compensate.

In some embodiments the panel portion therefore includes elastic screen panel members which provide an interface between inelastic screen panel portions and the STEM or STEMs forming the rigid edges. In some embodiments the elastic screen panel members are provided as a relatively narrow border on one or both sides of a main panel portion, between the main panel portion and the STEM framework. In some embodiments the entire panel portion may be constructed from an elastic material.

Where a retractable screen of the invention comprises more than one screen panel member, screen panel members may be attached to other screen panel members using releasable fastenings, thereby allowing for modular interchangeability of screen panel members. Various types and methods of releasable fastening may be used, some of which are described in further detail herein, as will be apparent to the skilled person

upon reading this specification.

A screen panel member may be attached to a STEM of the invention using various methods and in various ways, as described in further detail herein.

Retractable screens according to invention may further comprise a housing into which the screen may be retracted into and extendable from, as described in further detail herein.

In another aspect, the invention provides a screen comprising one or more STEMs forming a support frame, and one or more screen panel members attached to the support frame to provide a screen portion.

In one embodiment the support frame comprises at least two STEMs forming at least two sides of the support frame.

A screen panel member may be attached to the STEMs of this aspect of the invention using various methods and in various ways, as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the screen portion is releasably attached to the support frame comprised of one or mores STEMs as described above. In other embodiments according to this aspect of the invention the screen portion is attached in a non-releasable fashion.

In embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the STEMs may be releasably or permanently connected to each other by joining members. Useful joining members include elbow joining members used to form a corner between two STEM framework members. Where the elbow joining member or other joining member creates a right angle, two STEM framework members joined together using the joining member will form two perpendicular sides of the support frame. Joining members may be designed to create any angle between two STEM framework members, in order to allow for any two-dimensional framework shape appropriate to support a desired screen. Various other joining members may be used, as will be apparent to the skilled person upon reading this specification, to produce screens of various shapes. Joining members may be designed to join together three, four or more STEM framework members to create more complex structures for supporting screen panel members if desired.

In one embodiment the support frame comprises four STEMs releasably connected to each other by joining members to create a substantially square or rectangular support frame for a correspondingly shaped screen portion, as shown in Figure 4.

Screens according to this aspect of the invention are easily dismantled for storage or transport by releasing the screen portion from the support frame, disconnecting the at least two STEMs from the joining members, and separately coiling the STEMs.

Screens according to this aspect of the invention therefore provide a simple method of providing a lightweight framed screen, as opposed to the heavier, more costly, more fragile fold-out aluminium frames for projection screens for example.

A screen panel member may be attached to a STEM framework of this aspect of the invention using various methods and in various ways, as described in further detail herein.

A screen panel member for this aspect of the invention may be made of any suitable material, as described in further detail herein, and as will be apparent to the skilled reader.

The present invention also envisages the provision of a kit of parts comprising two or more STEMs suitable for releasable attachment to a screen portion, joining means to connect the STEMs to provide a support frame, and a screen portion for attachment to the support frame.

A further aspect of the invention provided are combinations of the embodiments already described herein, thereby providing screening systems for screening an area.

A screening system for screening an area may comprise two or more horizontally extendable/retractable screens of the invention, each comprising a frame having two coilable STEMs. In preferred embodiments, each of the two or more retractable screens of the invention forms a wall member of the screening system, and may be used together to completely or partially enclose an area, when extended. The screening system may further include a retractable screen of the invention comprising one coilable STEM, where said retractable screen of the invention comprising one coilable STEM extends between the wall members of the screening system to form a doorway into the screened area.

As described above, the retractable screen of the invention (comprising one coilable STEM) forming the doorway, may comprise two or more screen panel members in the form of elongate strips. When such a retractable screen of the invention is in use, forming the doorway of the screening area, the STEM may be arranged horizontally and the elongate strips of material forming the screen portion hang down from the STEM.

Where multiple screens of the invention are used to create a screening system, any suitable configuration or mixture of screens may be used to achieve the desired screening effect and appropriate access to the screened area. Any number of screens of the invention may be used.

Screens of the invention may provide all or part of the screening system, and may be combined with other elements to complete screening of the desired area. For example, one or more retractable screens of the invention may be positioned to cooperate with a fixed wall or other screen which is not part of the invention to provide further walls to screen a desired area.

In a preferred embodiment the screening system may be used to partition hospital wards, and in particular to provide a screen around an individual patient's bed area. In some embodiments two retractable screens are placed one either side of the patient's bed, such that, when extended, the screens run substantially parallel to the bed, thereby creating side wall screens. In some embodiments a third screen of the invention may be provided to extend between the two ends of the side wall screens (when extended) in order to provide a doorway into the screened area.

Advantageously, the screen providing the doorway comprises a single STEM framework member having a plurality of screen panel member strips hanging down therefrom. Access to the screened area requires the strips to be parted.

Such screening systems create an adequate psychological barrier reminding hospital staff of the procedural requirements of the required level of patient isolation. Preferably, part or substantially all of the panel portions of at least one of the screens making up the screening system is made of transparent material in order to reduce the psychological isolation and/or stigmatisation of the enclosed patient and/or risk to the patient as a result of not being visible to nursing staff.

Although one representative arrangement of panels is described above, it will be apparent that other arrangements may be used to coordinate with the space available and the nature of the area required to be screened.

A screening system for hospital bed areas may advantageously take advantage of the wide range of materials that the screens of the invention may employ in the panel portion. Screen panel members may be designed to allow for magnetic attachment of notes or other information, or for directly being written on to the panel members. Screen panel members may be chosen having releasable fastening properties such as hook and loop fastening properties to allow items to be attached thereto.

Screen panel portions may be made of materials that are easily cleaned in situ for additional hospital hygiene.

In one embodiment of the screening system, the screens of the invention include panel portions comprising one or more screen panel members that may be removed and replaced with another screen panel member of the same or different type. Such modular interchangeability allows for panel members to be removed and cleaned, or for panel members with different functionality to be substituted. For example additional privacy can be provided by replacing a transparent screen panel member with an opaque or translucent screen panel member as required.

Further privacy may be provided by providing retractable screens in the screening system having two screen panel portions attached to separate STEM frames. Each separate retractable screen may be extended or retracted separately from the other, and may operate to provide a "double glazing" effect. In such embodiments, a first of the two retractable screens may have a transparent or partially transparent screen panel portion and the second may have an opaque or translucent screen panel portion. Whilst privacy is not required, only the first retractable screen may be extended. When privacy is required, the second retractable screen may be extended to provide an opaque or translucent barrier. The two screens may be constructed together as a unitary item or may be separate and free standing from each other.

Any suitable material may form the screen panel members according to any aspect of the invention. Desirable features of such screen panel members may include the appearance of rigidity when extended whilst retaining enough flexibility to roll up easily without bulging.

Additional desirable properties may include that the material should be easy to print onto.

In embodiments where it is important or desirable to provide a transparent screen panel portion a quality of transparency is required.

In order to provide robust retractable screens, screen panel members should be constructed of suitably durable material, which will not rip or scar in normal use.

In certain embodiments it is desirable that screen panel members are easily cleaned and/or can be wiped clean.

Suitable materials having these properties will occur to the skilled reader.

Suitable materials include urethane, polypropylene and polyester.

However the inventor has found that polyester is a preferred material as it holds its own shape (and so does not exhibit wrinkle lines as a polypropylene sheet does) and is a suitably rigid material. Moreover, when polyester is made into very thin sheets (for example, 100 and 125 microns thick) it can be rolled up, but when unrolled retains its general shape and does not flop.

Where polyester is used in an embodiment according to the present invention, sheets of differing thicknesses and transparency may be used.

Preferably such sheets are between 75 and 250 microns thick, for example 100 or 125 microns in thickness. Polyester sheets of all colours and transparencies may be used in embodiments according to the invention. Such sheets can also be sourced to be fire retardant. Such sheets may also be treated for printing.

The screen portion of screens according to the invention may comprise one material. Alternatively, the screen portion of screens according to the invention may comprise two or more materials. In preferred embodiments the screen panel members comprise both elastane and polyester, with each material forming one or more screen panel members.

Where the screen portions of screens according to the invention comprise two or more materials, each material may exhibit one or more of the desirable features mentioned above.

In embodiments in which, a retractable screen of the invention comprises more than one screen panel member, a screen panel member may be attached to other screen panel members using releasable fastenings, such as zips, poppers, plastic zip-locks, hook and loop fastenings and any other suitable fastening as will be apparent to the skilled reader. In a preferred embodiment, separate screen panel members are attached to each other using zips.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the screen portion comprises one or more elastic screen panel members and one or more non-elastic screen panel members, the non-elastic screen panel members being fastened to the elastic screen panel members using zips.

A preferred elastic material is elastane. Elastic material may be included in the screen panels in order to account for changes in dimensions occurring on extension and coiling of the STEM frame. In embodiments where the panel portion includes a transparent screen panel member it is desirable to include one or more further screen panel members which form a border of elastic material. Desirably a sufficient portion of the screen portion should be made of elastic material such that when the screen is in its extended configuration the transparent optical properties of the transparent screen panel member are not impaired or compromised.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that the relative arrangement and amounts of elastic material may be adjusted to ensure that the transparent (or other) screen panel members are kept adequately taut at all times during operation of the retractable screen.

The use of other materials in the screen panel members of embodiments according to the invention is envisaged. For certain embodiments, such as a magnetic notice or display boards, the material may be magnetic.

For certain embodiments, such as portable exhibition screens, the material may be felt, onto which Velcro (or a similar hook and Loop releasable fastening material) could be attached.

In some embodiments where the screen is used to project images, the use of materials which form a good projection surface is envisaged by the present invention. Such a projection screen could be linked to a hand-held collaborative device.

In other embodiments the use of materials which may be written on (to create a white board), are also envisaged by the present invention.

Screen panel members of the invention may be attached to a STEM in various ways. For example, screen panel members may be attached to an edge of a STEM. Alternatively screen panel members may be attached to any other part of the of the STEM. In some embodiments the screen panel member may be attached along a line running laterally along substantially the mid point of the extended STEM from one end thereof to the other, referred to herein as the centre line.

Attachment of the one or more panels to the centre line is easier to accomplish than attachment to an edge of the STEM and results in a stronger screen. In some embodiments the extra strength is an advantage. However in other embodiments it is preferred to attach the screen panel member to the edge of the STEM since attachment of the one or more panels to an edge of the STEM has the result that a crevice, into which debris and dirt can accumulate, is not formed. The accumulation of such debris can present a serious health hazard (where the screen is used in a hospital environment), and can also hinder the working of the screen, for example by jamming the screen when it is being extended from or retracted into a housing.

Attachment of the one or more panels to the STEM may be accomplished by any suitable means, and may be releasable or permanent. Preferable releasable means include popper fastenings or zip fastenings.

For permanent fastening, screen panel members may be attached to the STEM by processing using heat. In some embodiments, the screen panel member is attached to the STEM by processing it under heat and pressure, for example at 182°C for 15 minutes.

In embodiments according to the invention where the retractable screen comprises one STEM, and where a screen panel member comprising solely a non-flexible material (such as polyester) is pierced and attached to the STEM with, for example, popper fastenings, it has been found that when the tubular member is rolled up into its coiled state, the screen panel member can rip at its points of attachment to the tubular extendable member.

Accordingly, in such embodiments, screen panel members may be attached to the STEM by the interaction of holes on the screen panel member receiving and engaging with attachment members fixed to the STEM, for example poppers. Advantageously, the holes whereby the one or more panels are attached to the STEM may be separated from each other by slits cut into the screen panel member. More preferably, slits in the screen panel members are finished with small holes at the end. Such small holes act to prevent propagation of the slit in the event of damage.

This feature enables the screen panel member to flex slightly about each attachment point, so that the additional strain, placed upon the panel by the rolling up of the split tube extendable member is reduced.

In some embodiments there are multiple screen panel members and each panel member has been cut to form elongate slits of approximately 20cm width. In such embodiments and each panel has 3 to 5 points of attachment with the STEM. The provision of multiple panels of lesser width is advantageous, as it is the outlying points of attachment on such a panel that are damaged to the greatest extent as the additional strain on the screen increases as a result of coiling the screen; the provision of such multiple panels of lesser width reduces this effect.

In embodiments where the points of attachment of the screen panel members are formed of holes, one or more of the attachment holes may be extended sideways to allow for lateral movement. Advantageously the outermost attachment holes of a screen panel member are extended in this way.

Where a screen is provided, according to an aspect of the invention mentioned above, comprising one or more STEMs forming a support frame and one or more screen panel members attached to the support frame to provide a screen portion, the screen portion may be releasably attached.

Where the screen portion is releasably attached, the attachment may be accomplished using any of the methods described herein or that would be apparent to the person skilled in the art upon reading the specification.

In some aspects, STEMs for use according to the invention may be coated.

Desirable properties of such coating materials include: a. Thin -the coating material must not add to the dimensions of the tubular member such that a long length (for example, greater than 3 metres) no longer rolls up neatly and instead rolls up in a kinked fashion.

b. Flexibility, such that the change in shape that occurs when the tubes roll up is not hampered c. The provision of a robust barrier to protect the tubular member, which can fray' if left exposed, for example by friction with parts of a housing d. Desirable appearance e. Ease of cleaning f. Ease of retraction into and extension from a housing g. Adherence to the tubular member and not peel-off' during repetitive use h. Low friction surface when sliding through the mechanism Suitable coating materials will be apparent to the skilled reader, but may include: Urethane rubber, polypropylene, elastane, polyester, various papers, other fabrics including, for example bed sheets.

Mechanism As mentioned above, retractable screens according to the invention may comprise a housing. Such a housing may comprise a mechanism for: a) supporting the STEMs to ensure that they remain horizontal when extended, and that they do not slip down when rolled up and/or b) guiding the STEMs as they are coiled/retracted into or extended from the housing.

It will generally be appreciated that the one or more STEMs may be rotatably fastened to a spindle within the housing, and when in use coiled around the spindle.

Given the conformational change that STEMs undergo when coiled, the mechanism may comprise one or more guide members. In some embodiments of the invention the mechanism comprises at least two guide members. Guide pins are an example of guide members but it will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that guide members may take various conformations.

The guide members are placed to ensure that the transition of the split tube extendable member from its extended state to its coiled state occurs predictably and evenly. At the point where a guide member is placed it has a conformation to support the expected conformation of the split tube extendable member has at that point. Such an arrangement supports the STEMs well, so that when the retractable screen of the invention is extended enough lateral and vertical stability is provided for the screen to remain upright.

Optionally the guide member first encountered by a portion of split tube extendable member as it enters the housing may have a pin roller positioned at the point where the edge of the STEM would otherwise rub up against it. Such an arrangement prevents damage to the STEM by reducing friction between the STEM and the guide member, thereby preventing damage to the tube.

Where a plurality of guide members are housed within the mechanism, guide members may be joined by a member, for example, a rod. Joining the guide members in this manner provides additional strength to the guide members and prevent them vibrating, and thereby producing undesirable noise, when the STEM is retracted into the housing.

As mentioned above, retractable screens of the invention that further comprise a housing and are rotatably fastened to a spindle within the housing, and when in use coiled around the spindle. In such embodiments, the spindle may further comprise a resilient means, for example a constant force spring. This resilient means applies a force to the split tube extendable members of the retractable screens invention, such that it assists in the coiling/retraction of the split tube extendable member(s) in winding the STEMs tightly around the spindle (thereby preventing jamming of the retractable screen within the housing), but is insufficient to result in the retraction of an extended screen on its own, without external pressure being applied.

The retraction mechanism may further include a back plate that assists with guidance of the STEM into and out of its coiled configuration. Further guides, pins and plates may be provided to improve the guiding and friction, as will be apparent to the skilled reader.

Retractable screens of the invention may be extended and retracted by a motor. In such an embodiment, rollers are positioned between, or in place of, the guide members, thereby extending the STEMs upon the operation of the motor.

The invention is further described in the following examples which are not intended to be limiting in any way on the disclosure or scope of the invention. The skilled person will understand that features discussed in relation to the examples or in relation to any particular embodiment at any point of this specification may be incorporated mutatis mutandis in any other embodiment or example without departing from the invention, which is defined within the claims.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

A shown, in Figure 1A, a retractable screen (100) is provided comprising one coilable STEM (101) and a plurality of screen panel members (102) attached to and extending therefrom, such that when the STEM (101) is extended the plurality of panel members (102) provide a screen portion and when the STEM (101) is coiled the screen portion is retracted.

The plurality of screen panel members (102) are attached to the edge of the STEM (101). The screen panel members solely comprise polyester, a non-flexible material, which is pierced and attached to the STEM with popper fastenings (see Figure 1B).

As shown in Figure 1B, the individual screen panel members (107) are attached to the STEM (101) by the interaction of holes (103) on the screen panel member (107) receiving and engaging with poppers fixed to the STEM. The holes whereby each screen panel member is attached to the STEM are separated from each other by slits (104) cut into the screen panel member, which are also finished with small holes (105) at the end.

Each panel member has been cut to form an elongate slits of approximately 20cm width. Each panel member has 3 to 5 points of attachment with the STEM.

One or more of the attachment holes (106) is extended sideways to allow for lateral movement.

In use, this retractable screen (100) comprising a single STEM (101) is used by arranging the STEM such that when it is in its extended form it runs from end to end in a generally horizontal direction, such that the screen portion extends therefrom in a generally downward direction.

When the STEM is coiled up the strip panel members (102) are, together, coiled around the rotational axis of the STEM (101) to form a compact column.

EXAMPLE 2

With reference to Figures 2A to 2G, a retractable screen (200) is provided comprising two coilable STEMs (201) and a screen portion (202) attached to and extending therefrom. The screen portion extends between the two STEMs to provide a screen with two opposing rigid and coilable edges.

When the STEMs are coiled the screen portion is retracted into a housing (211) as shown in Figure 2B. The opposing rigid and coilable edges form the top and bottom edges of a screen which may be retracted and extended by pushing and pulling the screen in a horizontal direction towards and away from the housing, respectively.

The housing (211) for storage of the retracted screen, comprises a retraction mechanism (221) shown in greater detail in Figures 2E to 2G.

As described in greater detail below, the housing comprises a spindle (222) upon which the STEMs are seated, and about which the STEMS are coiled.

A vertical frame member (203) extends between the ends of the two STEMS distal to the housing, providing extra rigidity to the screen in its extended conformation, and a user handle (204) is provided for extending and retracting the screen. The vertical frame member is further attached to casters (205) to allow the screen to glide across the floor when being extended or retracted.

As shown in Figure 2C, the screen portion comprises one elastic screen panel member (231), made from elastane and one transparent non-elastic screen panel member (232), made from polyester of a thickness of 100 or microns. The non-elastic polyester screen panel members is fastened to the elastic screen panel members using zips (233) along its edges.

As shown in Figure 2D, the elastane screen panel member (231) is attached to the STEM (201) along a line running laterally along substantially the mid point of the extended STEM from one end thereof to the other, referred to herein as the centre line (242).

Housing (211), which encloses the retraction mechanism (221) and the retracted screen is comprised of hinged side panels (212) made from powder coated aluminium.

Attached to the exterior of the housing is a retractable support enabling the housing to be clamped to an existing fixture present in a hospital environment e.g. a curtain rail.

Also attached to the exterior of the housing is a stability bracket (213) to which retractable fold down feet (214) are provided, which, when in use, increase the stability of the screen, by virtue of their mass.

As shown in Figures 2E to 2G, within the housing (211) the two STEMs (201) are rotatably fastened to a spindle (222) within the housing, and when in use are coiled around the spindle. The spindle further comprises a resilient means, for example a constant force spring (223) for biasing the STEMS towards their coiled configuration, and for assisting in coiling of the screen.

The mechanism comprises two guide members (224) joined by a rod (225). At the point where the guide members are placed they have a conformation to support the expected conformation of the split tube extendable member has at that point.

The guide member first encountered by a portion of split tube extendable member as it enters the housing may have a pin roller (226) positioned at the point where the edge of the STEM would otherwise rub up against it.

As the STEM feeds into the mechanism it encounters a further pin roller (227) which acts to assist in straightening the STEM as it coils around spindle (222).

A back plate (228) is further provided to further guide the STEM towards its coiled configuration and to prevent damage to the STEM in use.

EXAMPLE 3

A screening system for screening an area is provided from a combination of the embodiments described herein.

As shown in Figure 3, the screening system (300) comprises two horizontally extendable/retractable screens (301) each comprising a frame having two coilable STEMs (as described in Example 2). Each of the two retractable screens of the invention forms a wall member of the screening system which is used to enclose an area, when extended.

The screening system further includes a doorway constructed from a retractable screen (302) comprising one coilable STEM (303) (as described in Example 1). The doorway screen has transparent screen panel member strips (304) attached thereto and hanging therefrom. The retractable screen (302) extends between the wall members of the screening system to form a doorway into the screened area. Access to the screened area requires the strips (304) to be parted. In this Example, the two wall members of the screen system (according to Example 2) each further comprise lug (not shown) onto which the retractable screen forming the doorway is placed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A retractable screen comprising a coilable split tube extendable member and one or more screen panel members attached to and extending therefrom, such that when the split tube extendable member is extended the one or more panel members provides a screen portion and when the split tube extendable member is coiled the screen portion is retracted.
2. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen portion comprises a plurality of panel members, each of which is separately attached to the split tube extendable member, and wherein on coiling the split tube extendable member the screen portion is coiled around the rotational axis of the coiled split tube extendable member.
3. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 2 wherein two or more of the panel members are in the form of elongate strips of material extending from the split tube extendable member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.
4. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen portion extends between two split tube extendable members to provide a screen with two opposing rigid and coilable edges.
5. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 4 wherein the screen portion comprises one or more elastic screen panel members.
6. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 5 wherein the screen portion further comprises one or more non-elastic screen panel members, optionally wherein said one or more non-elastic screen panel members provides more of the screen portion than the one or more elastic screen panel members.
7. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 4 wherein the screen portion comprises more than one screen panel member.
8. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 7 wherein the more than one screen panel members together form a one-piece screen portion extending between the two split tube extendable members.
9. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least two of the screen panel members are attached to each other with a releasable fastening, e.g. a zip or hook and loop fastening, to allow for modular interchangeability of screen panel members.
10. A retractable screen of any of claims 4 to 9 wherein, in use, the two opposing rigid and coilable edges of the screen form the top and bottom edges of the screen, and wherein coiling the split tube extendable member results in retraction of the screen in a horizontal direction.
11. A-retractable screen as claimed in any of claims 4 to 10 wherein said screen is retractable into a housing.
12. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 11 wherein said housing comprises a mechanism for supporting the split tube extendable members and for guiding the split tube extendable members as they are coiled and extended.
13. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the split tube extendable members are each rotatably fastened to a spindle within the housing, and, in use, are coiled around said spindles.
14. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 13 further comprising resilient means adapted to bias the split tube extendable members to their coiled positions, preferably wherein said resilient means comprises a constant force spring.
15. A retractable screen as claimed in claim 14 wherein said resilient means has insufficient biasing effect to result in coiling of the split tube extendable members, and retraction of the screen, without external pressure being applied.
16. A retractable screen as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15 wherein said mechanism comprises at east two guide members.
17. A retractable screen as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the mechanism comprises a guide pin.
18. A retractable screen as claimed in any of claims 12 to 17 wherein the mechanism comprises a back plate to provide further guidance.
19. A retractable screen as claimed in any preceding claim wherein retraction or extension of the screen is effected by motorised means.
20. A screen comprising one or more split tube extendable members forming a support frame, and one or more screen panel members attached to the support frame to provide a screen portion.
21. A screen as claimed in claim 20 wherein said support frame comprises at least two split tube extendable members forming at least two sides of the support frame.
22. A screen as claimed in claim 21 wherein the screen portion is releasably attached to the support frame.
23. A screen as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein at least two of said split tube extendable members are connected to each other, in use, by an elbow joining member to create two perpendicular sides of the support frame.
24. A screen as claimed in claim 23 wherein the support frame comprises four split tube extendable members connected to each other by elbow joining members to create a substantially square or rectangular support frame.
25. A screen as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24 wherein the screen may be dismantled for storage or transport by releasing the screen portion from the support frame, disconnecting the at least two split tube extendable members from the elbow joints, and separately coiling the split tube extendable members.
26. A screen as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one screen panel member is made from urethane, polypropylene or polyester.
27. A screen as claimed in any of claims 4 to 20 wherein the screen portion is attached to at least one of the split tube extendable members by an elastic screen panel member.
28. A screen as claimed in claim 27 wherein the elastic screen panel member is attached to an edge of the split tube extendable member, or is attached to the centre line of the split tube extendable member.
29. A screen as claimed in any of claims 5, 27 and 28 wherein said elastic panel member is made from elastane.
30. A screen as claimed in any of claims 27 to 29 wherein the screen portion comprises a transparent screen panel member and an elastic screen panel member and wherein the elastic screen panel member imparts sufficient flexibility to the screen portion such that the transparent optical qualities of the screen portion remain substantially unaltered and/or unimpaired during extension and retraction of the screen in use.
31. A screening system for screening an area comprising two or more retractable screens as claimed in any of claims 4 to 20 forming wall members of the screening system, and a retractable screen as defined by claim 3 extending between two wall members to form a doorway into the screened area.
32. A screening system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the screen forming the doorway comprises a single split tube extendable member and wherein, in use, the split tube extendable member is arranged horizontally and the elongate strips of material forming the screen portion hang down from the split tube extendable member.
33. A kit of parts comprising two or more split tube extendable members, elbow joining means to connect the split tube extendable members to provide a support frame, and a screen portion for releasable attachment to the support frame.
34. A screen of claim 26 wherein at least one screen panel member is made of polyester having a thickness of 75 to 250 microns.
35. A screen of claim 34 wherein the polyester is 100 microns thick or microns thick.
36. A retractable screen substantially as hereinbefore described and as depicted in any one of figures 1, or 2A to 2E.
37. System substantially as hereinbefore described an as depicted in Figure 3.