NL2013664B1

NL2013664B1 - Screen apparatus.

Info

Publication number: NL2013664B1
Application number: NL2013664A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Okachi Yasubumi; Nishioka Yuichiro
Original assignee: Metaco Inc
Priority date: 2014-07-15
Filing date: 2014-10-22
Publication date: 2016-09-21
Also published as: GR20140100562A; JP2016020600A; JP6320863B2; GR1008792B

Abstract

A second connector has a first body and a pair of guide strips protruding externally from one end of the first body; the first body has a fixing section for a jump member at one side and a hollow section penetrating the second connector at the other side; the hollow section has second projections protruding to the interior from a pair of opposing inner wall surfaces; the first body residing at a lower end of the hollow section has a first notch; the first body is slidable in the second accommodating section in the length direction of a screen mounting frame section as the guide strips are inserted between a partition and rails in a slide guide frame section; a first connector has: a second body detachably slotted into the hollow section of the second connector, grooves on a pair of opposing side surfaces of the second body, and a piece of cover as a one side surface of the second body and has the same profile as that of the hollow section of the second connector; the first connector and the second connector are connected with each other as the second body is inserted into the hollow section of the first body, the second projections fit in the grooves, the hollow section of the first body is closed by the cover, and first tension members are inserted into the first notch; the first and the second connector are disconnected as the cover is removed from the first connector.

Description

Title: Screen apparatus Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to a screen apparatus arranged to allow replacement of a screen with increased ease when the screen gets dirty or torn.

Prior Art A screen apparatus has been provided by the applicant, as described in EP 0999335 B1, which removes restraints in installing such apparatus to be used as a light adjusting means such as a curtain or window blind, a screen door, or a partition, and also enables excellent operability and the shape stability of the screen.

For the screen apparatus described in EP 0999335 B1, the applicant has made improvements such that a screen is easily replaced when it gets dirty or torn and that the screen can be replaced at the installation site of the screen apparatus (EP 2034123 B1).

In the screen apparatus described in EP 2034123 B1, a screen is detachable from screen mounting frame sections. In the apparatus, first tension members, penetrating and traversing the screen, are connected to a first connector at their ends, which have been pulled out from the screen. Proximal to a free end of a slide guide frame section, one end of a jump member is anchored, while the other end of the jump member, which has been pulled out to a screen mounting side, is connected to a second connector. In such screen apparatus, the first connector and the second connector are detachable, and the screen can be replaced in a state in which the slide guide frame sections have been pulled out from the screen mounting frame sections.

As mentioned above, for the screen apparatus described in EP 2034123 B1, the screen can be replaced in a state that the slide guide frame sections have been pulled out from the screen mounting frame section to a certain extent. The screen can be dismounted from the screen mounting frame sections by disconnecting the first connector and the second connector. Mounting a replacing new screen is as simple as connecting together the first connector and the second connector and then mounting the new screen to the screen mounting frame sections.

Thus, the screen apparatus described in EP 2034123 B enables replacement of a screen with ease; further, replacement can take place at the site where the apparatus is installed. Even a user of the screen apparatus can perform the screen replacement by himself. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems To Be Solved

As a result of follow-up study of the screen apparatus described in EP 2034123 B1, we found that further improvements should be made. Concerning the detachable first and second connectors for replacement of a screen, the jump member for placing the second connector in the screen mounting frame section is in a dangling state therein. Because a pair of slide guide frame sections enter and exit the screen mounting frame in accordance with the opening and closing of the screen apparatus, the jump member in the dangling state could contact the screen mounting frame section. Especially in a case the width of visible face of the screen mounting frame section has been made narrow for the appealing appearance of the overall screen apparatus, the jump member is highly likely to come in contact with the slide guide frame section, interfering with the opening and closing of the screen apparatus.

In addition, with such dangling jump member, a firm support against the second connector by hand of, for example, the user, is required in order to connect and disconnect the first connector and the second connector, which is not very convenient.

The present invention addresses the above mentioned problems with an objective of providing a screen apparatus arranged to allow replacement of a screen with increased ease when the screen gets dirty or torn.

Means For Solving The Problems A screen apparatus according to the invention has the following basic characteristics. A screen apparatus includes: a pair of hollow screen mounting frame sections, opposing to each other and at least one of which being slidable; a screen that is mounted between the screen mounting frame sections compressibly and extendably and is also detachable therefrom; and a pair of slide guide frame sections that can be disposed proximal to two edges of the screen, neither of which being a mounting side to the screen mounting frame sections, that can be accommodated in and pulled out from the screen mounting frame section, wherein each of said slide guide frame sections has at least one end which is a free end.

The screen apparatus further includes: a plurality of rigid units collectively forming the slide guide frame sections; first tension members, penetrating the screen in the compressing and extending directions to support the screen; and a crossed loop-like second tension member disposed in the screen mounting frame section, mounted to the free ends of the slide guide frame sections to interconnect the slide guide frame sections.

Still further, the screen apparatus includes: a jump member, whose one end is anchored proximal to the free end of the slide guide frame section, which jump member has been pulled out to a screen mounting side in the screen mounting frame section; a first connector mounted to one ends of the first tension members that have been pulled out from the screen; and a second connector mounted to the other end of the jump member that has been pulled out to the screen mounting side.

In such screen apparatus, the rigid unit has: a pair of side walls opposing to each other; a bridge interconnecting the side walls; a first projection projecting externally at one end of the side wall; a through hole provided in the other end of the side wall; and a rotation restricting means. The first projection fits in the through hole to connect the rigid units with each other, thereby forming the slide guide frame sections. The rigid units can move rotationally with the first projection serving as a rotational axis between adjacent rigid units. This rotational movement of the rigid units imparts flexibility to the slide guide frame sections, which yet retain linearity due to the rotation restricting means.

In such screen apparatus, the first connector and the second connector can be connected and disconnected, which enables replacement of the screen.

With the screen apparatus having the aforementioned characteristics, the screen apparatus of the invention has the following features for solving the above mentioned problems.

The screen mounting frame section is divided by a partition in the length direction thereof into a first accommodating section that can accommodate the slide guide frame sections and a second accommodating section that can accommodate a second connector. In the second accommodating section, a pair of rails is disposed along the length direction of the screen mounting frame section, protruding to the interior of the screen mounting frame section, opposing to each other and spaced away from the partition.

The second connector has: an upright first body having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a thickness; and a pair of guide strips each externally protruding from one end in the thickness direction of the first body. The first body has a fixing section for the jump member at one side in the length direction, and a hollow section at the other side, having an upright rectangular shape in a plan view and penetrating in the thickness direction of the second connector. In the hollow section, second projections are provided, protruding from an opposing pair of inner wall surfaces to the interior of the hollow section and extending in the length direction of the hollow section, while the first body located at the lower end of the hollow section has a first notch made linearly in the thickness direction of the first body.

The first body of the second connector is slidable in the second accommodating section along the length direction of the screen mounting frame section, since the guide strips are inserted between the partition and the rails in the screen mounting frame section.

The first connector has: a second body having an upright rectangular shape in a plan view and a thickness, which can be detachably slotted into the hollow section of the second connector; a groove on each one of side surfaces opposite to each other in the width direction of the second body, wherein the grooves are in the length directions of the side surfaces; and a piece of cover, disposed as a one side surface in the thickness direction of the second body and having the same profile as a profile of the hollow section of the second connector.

The first connector and the second connector are connected with each other when the second body is inserted into the interior of the hollow section of the first body through a first opening on the other side of the guide strips, the second projections of the first body are fitted into the grooves of the second body, the first opening of the hollow section of the first body is closed with the cover of the second body, and the first tension members are inserted into the first notch in the first body. By detaching the cover from the second connector, the second projections of the first body are dislodged from the grooves of the second body, and the second body is removed from the hollow section of the first body such that the first connector and the second connector are disconnected.

Effects Of The Invention

In accordance with a screen apparatus of the invention, replacement of a screen can be performed with increased ease when the screen gets dirty or torn. A user can connect and disconnect a first connector and a second connector by one hand in a simple motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cutaway elevational view showing a first embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a screen mounting frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a first connector and a second connector with a jump member and first tension members of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a connected state of the first connector and the second connector shown in FIG. 4 and their position in the screen mounting frame section; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one end of one screen mounting frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the end shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a plan view showing one end of the screen mounting frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a cutaway elevational view showing a second embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a cutaway elevational view showing a third embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention; FIGS. 12a and 12b are perspective views showing: a first rigid unit forming one slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 11; and a part of the one slide guide frame section of the same, respectively; FIG. 13 is a cutaway elevational view showing a fourth embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention; and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing one slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 13.

EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a cutaway elevational view showing a first embodiment of a screen apparatus 1 according to the invention.

The screen apparatus 1 includes: a pair of hollow screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b, opposing to each other and at least one of which being slidable; and a screen 3 mounted between the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b compressibly and extendably, and detachably from the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b.

The screen apparatus 1 also includes a pair of slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b that can be disposed proximal to two edges of the screen 3, neither of which being a mounting side to the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b, that can be accommodated in and pulled out from the screen mounting frame section 2a, wherein each of said slide guide frame sections has at least one end which is a free end.. The slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b are formed by a plurality of rigid units 5.

The screen apparatus 1 also includes: first tension members 6 penetrating the screen 3 in the compressing and extending directions to support the screen 3; and a crossed loop-like second tension member 7 disposed in the screen mounting frame section 2a and mounted to the free ends 4A of the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b, interconnecting the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b.

The screen apparatus 1 further includes: a jump member 8, whose one end is anchored proximal to the free end 4A of the slide guide frame section 4a and whose other end is pulled out to a mounting side of the screen 3 in the screen mounting frame section 2a; a first connector 9 mounted to one ends of the first tension members 6 that have been pulled out from the screen 3; and a second connector 10 mounted to the other end of the jump member 8 that has been pulled out to the mounting side of the screen 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. A rigid unit 5 has: a pair of side walls 11 opposing to each other; a bridge 12 interconnecting the side walls 11; a first projection 13 projecting externally at one end of the side wall 11; a through hole 14 provided in the other end of the side wall 11; and a rotation restricting means 15.

The first projection 13 fits in the through hole 14 to connect the rigid units 5 with each other, thereby forming the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b. The rigid units 5 can move rotationally with the first projection 13 serving as a rotational axis between adjacent rigid units. This rotational movement of the rigid units 5 imparts flexibility to the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b, which yet retain linearity due to the rotation restricting means 15.

In such screen apparatus 1, the first connector 9 and the second connector 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be connected and disconnected, which enables replacement of the screen 3. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the screen mounting frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the first connector and the second connector with the jump member and first tension members of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a connected state of the first connector and the second connector shown in FIG. 4 and their position in the screen mounting frame section.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the screen mounting frame section 2a is divided by a partition 16 in the length direction thereof into a first accommodating section 17 that can accommodate the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b and a second accommodating section 18 that can accommodate a second connector 10. In the second accommodating section 18, a pair of rails 19a, 19b are disposed along the length direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a, protruding to the interior of the screen mounting frame section 2a, opposing to each other and spaced away from the partition 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second connector 10 has an upright first body 20 having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a thickness, and a pair of guide strips 21a, 21b each externally protruding from one end in the thickness direction of the first body 20. The first body 20 has a fixing section 22 for the jump member 8 at one side in the length direction, and a hollow section 23 at the other side, having an upright rectangular shape in a plan view and penetrating in the thickness direction of the second connector 10. In the hollow section 23, second projections 25 are provided, protruding from an opposing pair of inner wall surfaces 24 to the interior of the hollow section 23 and extending in the length direction of the hollow section 23. The first body 20 located at the lower end of the hollow section 23 has a first notch 26 made linearly in the thickness direction of the first body 20.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the first body 20 of the second connector 10 is slidable in the second accommodating section 18 along the length direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a, because the guide strips 21a, 21b are inserted between the partition 16 and the rails 19a, 19b in the screen mounting frame section 2a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first connector 9 has a second body 27 having an upright rectangular shape in a plan view and a thickness, and can be detachably slotted into the hollow section 23 of the second connector 10. The first connector 9 also has a groove 29 on each one of a pair of side surfaces 28a, 28b opposite to each other in the width direction of the second body 27, wherein the grooves 29 are in the length directions of the side surfaces 28a, 28b. The first connector 9 further has a piece of cover 31, disposed as a one side surface 30 in the thickness direction of the second body 27 and having the same profile as a profile of the hollow section 23 of the second connector 10.

In such screen apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first connector 9 and the second connector 10 are connected with each other because the second body 27 is inserted into the interior of the hollow section 23 of the first body 20 through a first opening 32 on the other side of the guide strips 21a, 21b, the second projections 25 of the first body 20 are fitted into the grooves 29 of the second body 27, the first opening 32 of the hollow section 23 of the first body 20 is closed with the cover 31 of the second body 27, and the first tension members 6 are inserted into the first notch 26 in the first body 20. On the other hand, by detaching the cover 31 from the second connector 10, the second projections 25 of the first body 20 are dislodged from the grooves 29 of the second body 27, and the second body 27 is removed from the hollow section 23 of the first body 20 such that the first connector 9 and the second connector 10 are disconnected.

Thus, in the screen apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the interior of the screen mounting frame section 2a is divided by the partition 16 into the first accommodating section 17 that can accommodate the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b and the second accommodating section 18 that can accommodate the second connector 10, wherein the second connector 10 is separated from the first accommodating section 17 by the partition 16. The second connector 10 is slidable in the second accommodating section 18 along the length direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a, because the guide strips 21a, 21b are inserted between the partition 16 and the rails 19a, 19b in the screen mounting frame section 2a.

In this way, the jump member 8 which has been pulled out to the mounting side of the screen 3 and the other end of which is mounted to the second connector 10 will not be dangling in the screen mounting frame section 2a but be steadily contained in the second accommodating section 18. Therefore, there is little chance that the jump member 8 will come in contact with the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b that can be accommodated in the first accommodating section 17. Even when the width of visible face of the screen mounting frame section 2a is made small to improve the overall appearance of the screen apparatus 1, it is unlikely that the jump member 8 and the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b will come into contact with each other. Hence, there is little chance that the opening and closing of the screen apparatus 1 will be hindered.

The second connector 10 is slidably supported between the partition 16 and the rails 19a, 19b in the second accommodating section 18. Consequently, it is almost unnecessary for a user to hold against the second connector 10 firmly by one hand when connecting and disconnecting the first connector 9 and the second connector 10. The first connector 9 and the second connector 10 can now be readily connected and disconnected. The operation is so simple that the user only pinches the cover 31 of the first connector 9 by fingers while holding the second connector 10 with other fingers. For the screen apparatus 1, replacement of the screen 3 is thus easy when it gets dirty or torn.

Furthermore, the first connector 9 and the second connector 10 can be connected and disconnected within the second accommodating section 18; therefore, one does not have to take into account the accommodation status of the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b within the first accommodating section 17. As long as the second connector 10 is within the reach of a user, the screen 3 can be replaced.

More specifically, the screen apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in an aperture of a building in a horizontally sliding manner. The screen mounting frame section 2b on the right side can be fixed to a right-side edge of the aperture by tapping screw or the like. The screen mounting frame section 2a on the left side is horizontally slidable on the aperture: a leftward slide will extend the screen 3, thereby closing the aperture; whereas a rightward slide will compress the screen 3, thereby opening the aperture. On a left-side edge of the aperture, a doorstop 47 extending in the height direction thereof can be installed. The doorstop 47 can serve as a bumper for the screen mounting frame section 2a when the screen mounting frame section 2a is slid to the left-side edge of the aperture, and also can prevent formation of a gap between the left-side edge of the aperture and the screen mounting frame section 2a.

At a lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2a, a wheel 48 is disposed, slightly projecting downward from the lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2a and rotatably arranged around a rotational axis. On a lower end of the aperture, a bottom rail 49 is disposed longitudinally. The wheel 48 can rotate on the bottom rail 49, enabling a smooth slide of the screen mounting frame section 2a.

On an upper end of the aperture, a top rail 50 is disposed having a U-shaped cross-section. Upper ends of the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b are inserted in a hollow section in the top rail 50. This stabilizes the horizontal slide of the screen mounting frame section 2a. Further, the slide guide frame section 4a can remain covered while it is being pulled out from the screen mounting frame section 2a along the upper end which is not a mounting side of the screen 3 of the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b.

Further, in the screen apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the other ends of the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b, which are not the free ends 4A, are fixed to an upper end and a lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2b, respectively. Thus, just the first accommodating section 17 in the screen mounting frame section 2a is sufficient to accommodate the slide guide frame section 4a. Concavely curved guide surfaces 37 are preferably disposed at an upper end and a lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2a, respectively. The guide surfaces 37 can guide the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b as they curve while moving forward and backward in the first accommodating section 17 in the screen mounting frame sections 2a, assisting to smoothen the back-and-forth motion.

Furthermore, a tension adjusting member 38 is preferably disposed at each one of the upper end and the lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2a, on an opposite side to the mounting side of the screen 3. Preferably, the tension adjusting member 38 has a disc-like shape and is rotatable, supported by a rotational axis. The second tension member 7 is looped about the circumference of each of the tension adjusting members 38, which in turn provide the second tension member 7 with an appropriate tension such that the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b synchronize with each other and travel equal distances. One example of such tension adjusting member 38 is, for instance, a pulley.

On either mounting side of the screen 3 of the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b, an elongated setting plate 51 extending in the height direction of the screen is provided. The respective setting plates 51 are provided with guide members 52a, 52b, vertically spaced at regular intervals, wherein the guide members 52a serve as guides for the corresponding first tension members 6 penetrating the screen 3, pulling them out of the screen 3 and then guiding toward a lower position. On the other hand, the guide members 52b fix the first tension members 6 at their one ends. Exterior to the guide members 52a, a vertical elongate cover member 53 having a generally U-shaped cross section is mounted so as to accommodate the first tension members 6 guided downward therein, preventing them from tangling with the jump member 8.

At a lower end of the setting plate 51 on the left end of the screen 3, a reorienting member 54 is preferably disposed to turn the first tension members 6 upward. The reorienting member 54 includes a cylindrical tension adjusting member 55, which is rotatable supported by a rotational axis, wherein the cylindrical member has every first tension member looped therearound to provide every first tension member an appropriate tension.

As shown in FIG. 2, for the individual rigid units 5 that collectively form the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b, the side wall 11 is illustrated like a plate having a profile similar to that of a track in the transport field, for example. One end of the side wall 11 where the first projection 13 is disposed can be cut in circle in the thickness direction of the side wall 11, in which case the outer surfaces of the side walls 11 of the interconnected rigid units 5 are in flush with each other for the entire slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b. The illustrated first projection 13 has a cylindrical shape and the illustrated through hole 14 has a circular shape. Here, the size of the through hole 14 may be the same as or slightly larger than that of the diameter of the first projection 13.

In the rigid unit 5, a small projection 45 and an oblong hole 46 are provided as an example of the rotation restricting means 15. The small projection 45 is adjacent to the first projection 13, externally protruding from the sidewall 11, while the oblong hole 46 is adjacent to the through hole 14 and has a crescent shape, penetrating the side wall 11. In such rotation restricting means 15, the small projection 45 is inserted into the oblong hole 46, and when the small projection 45 contacts one end of the oblong hole 46 in adjacent rigid units 5, the rotation of the rigid units 5 is restrained. Due to this restrain of rotation, the linearity of the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b can be maintained. The illustrated bridge 12 is also plate-like, which can be disposed in an upper part of a pair of side walls 11. As an example, the rigid unit 5 including the small projection 45 may be made of a relatively hard resin for the purpose of reducing the weight of the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the screen 3 is, for example, pleated or honeycombed. In the screen mounting frame section 2a, as shown in FIG. 5, a hollow third accommodating section 56 is provided in the second accommodating section 18, opposite to the first accommodating section 17. The third accommodating section 56 accommodates the compressed screen 3 therein, and its respective ends in the width direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a are open. A side of the third accommodating section 56 away from the second accommodating section 18, is wide open. In the third accommodating section 56, a first projecting piece 57 protrudes from one side of a section bordering the second accommodating section 18 to the interior of the third accommodating section 56, extending in the length direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a. From the other side of the section, a projection 58 protrudes to the interior of the third accommodating section 56, opposing to the first projecting piece 57. The first projecting piece 57 is provided with a support strip 59 which protrudes to the interior of the third accommodating section 56, extends in the length direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a, and has an L-shaped cross section. A section of the support strip 59 facing the first projecting piece 57 is directed to the interior of the third accommodating section 56, and the section and the first projecting piece 57 creates a gap therebetween, whose size corresponds to the thickness of the setting plate 51 shown in FIG. 1 or slightly larger.

As shown in FIG. 3, the setting plate 51 has a first claw 60 at one side edge, protruding to the side of the second accommodating section 18. The first projecting piece 57, the projection 58, the support strip 59, and the first claw 60 together facilitate mounting of the screen 3 to the screen mounting frame section 2a. To mount the screen 3 to the screen mounting frame section 2a, a planar section of the setting plate 51 which is not the side where the first claw 60 is disposed, is inserted into the gap between the first projecting piece 57 and the support strip 59; the side edge where the first claw 60 of the setting plate 51 is disposed is pushed in from the third accommodating section 56 to the second accommodating section 18, whereby the first claw 60 is forced into elastic deformation to thereby cross over and snap into the projection 58. This engagement fixes the screen 3 to the screen mounting frame section 2a. To dismount the screen 3, the setting plate 51 is pulled about its center to the side edge, which is the side where the first claw 60 is disposed, toward the third accommodating section 56, whereby the first claw 60 is disconnected from the projection 58, and then the section, which had been inserted into the gap between the first projecting piece 57 and the support strip 59, is removed therefrom. Thus, mounting and dismounting of the screen 3 to and from the screen mounting frame section 2a are easy.

In order to take advantage of the elastic deformation of the first claw 60 as described above, examples of preferable material for the setting plate 51 include those having flexibility and light weight such as light metals, for instance, aluminum, and relatively soft resins. In contrast, a certain level of rigidity is required for the screen mounting frame section 2a, yet operability and weight reduction must be taken into account. Thus, examples of preferable material for the screen mounting frame section 2a include light metals, for instance, aluminum, and relatively hard resins.

Incidentally, the third accommodating section 56 as well as the first projecting piece 57, the projection 58, the support strip 59, and the first claw 60 can be also adopted in the screen mounting frame section 2b shown in FIG. 1 in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the second connector 10 is provided with a pair of first fixing members 62a, 62b at one end in the width direction and the length direction of the fixing section 22, and also a slit 61 between the first fixing members 62a, 62b, into which the jump member 8 can be inserted. Each one of the first fixing members 62a, 62b has an L-shaped cross section and a bottom. In the center of the fixing section 22 of the second connector 10, a screw 63 is provided, which can move forward and backward in the thickness direction of the fixing section 22. The jump member 8 is looped around the screw 63, and then drawn through a hollow section via the slit 61 formed between the pair of first fixing members 62a, 62b, and knotted at an end. Because the first fixing members 62a, 62b have bottoms, the knot is anchored at an inner bottom wall of the hollow section. With the knot anchored at the inner bottom wall of the hollow section, screwing in the screw 63 toward the fixing section 22 will fix the jump member 8 in the second connector 10.

The second connector 10 including the first fixing members 62a, 62b may be made of resin having flexibility. Similarly, the first connector 9 may be made of resin having flexibility. The one ends of the multiple first tension members 6, which have been pulled out from the screen 3, are inserted into a cylindrical second fixing member 64 that can be inserted into and withdrawn from the second body 27, and swaged and fixed by the second fixing member 64. The first connector 9 has a bottom, and a wall of the bottom has a circular hole into which the first tension members 6 can be inserted. Thus, the first tension members 6 are inserted into the second body 27 via the hole, and one ends of the first tension members 6 are fixed to the second fixing member 64. In this state, the second fixing member 64 is inserted into the second body 27, whereby one ends of the first tension members 6 are fixed in the first connector 9. Examples of material for the second fixing member 64 include light metals such as aluminum, which are lightweight and flexible so as to enable swaging of the first tension members 6 for fixation.

For the first tension members 6 as well as the second tension member 7 shown in FIG. 1 and the jump member 8, a variety of selections are available including cords, metallic wires, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, an elongate third opening 65 is formed partially in a surface opposing to the partition 16 of the first accommodating section 17 of the screen mounting frame section 2a, extending along the length direction of the screen mounting frame section 2a. The third opening 65 provides access to the inside of the first accommodating section 17, facilitating inspection, maintenance, and the like for the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b and the second tension member 7. At longitudinal edges of third opening 65, second projecting pieces 66a, 66b protruding toward the first accommodating section 17 are disposed, respectively. Further, a closing member is detachably provided for the third opening 65.

As shown in FIG. 3, normally in the screen mounting frame section 2a, a closing member 67 is mounted on a surface opposite to the third accommodating section 56 such that the first accommodating section 17 is a closed space. On the edges of the closing member 67 in the width direction, a pair of second claws 68a, 68b is disposed, respectively, protruding at the back side of the closing member 67. As the second claws 68a, 68b are inserted into the inside of the third opening 65 and the closing member 67 is pushed against the screen mounting frame section 2a, the second claws 68a, 68b will be elastically deformed, pushed over and beyond the ends of the second projecting pieces 66a, 66b to engage therewith, whereby the closing member 67 is fixed in the screen mounting frame section 2a. To dismount the closing member 67, the closing member 67 is pulled externally relative to the screen mounting frame section 2a such that the closing member 67 is detached from the screen mounting frame section 2a. In order to facilitate dismounting of the closing member 67 from the screen mounting frame section 2a, for example, a third projecting piece 69 can be provided on the front side of the closing member 67, protruding to the exterior. The third projecting piece 69 is essentially for preventing light from escaping from an overlapping section with the doorstop 47 shown in FIG. 1, but it can also function as a help in dismounting the closing member 67. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one end of one screen mounting frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the end member shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, an upper end of the screen mounting frame section 2a of the screen apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be formed by an end member 33. As shown in FIG. 7, the end member 33 includes a hollow third body 34 and a guide block 35 for guiding the curving of the slide guide frame section 4a and applying tension to the second tension member 7.

The third body 34 has a leg 36 protruding externally from the third body 34 so that it can fit between the partition 16 and the pair of rails 19a, 19b of the screen mounting frame section 2a as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. The guide block 35 has a curved guide surface 37 for guiding the curving of the slide guide frame section 4a and a disc-like tension adjusting member 38 that is rotatable supported on a rotational axis, wherein the second tension member 7 is looped around a part of the circumference of the tension adjusting member 38.

One end member 33a forming the upper end of the screen mounting frame section 2a also includes a cap 40 closing a second opening 39 opposite to the leg 36 in the third body 34. The cap 40 has a small tab 41 at an end to be located at a mounting side of the screen 3 of the screen mounting frame section 2a when closing the second opening 39; the small tab 41 protrudes toward the third body 34 so as to prevent the slide guide frame section 4a from deviating to the exterior from the third body 34. In the end member 33a, a second notch 43 is made in a part of a side wall 42 of the third body 34, which corresponds to the small tab 41. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cap 40 is mounted to the end member 33a to close the second opening 39, the surface of small tab 41 and the surface of the side wall 42 of the third body 34 are in flush with each other.

More specifically, when the one end member 33a forms the upper end of the screen mounting frame section 2a shown in FIG. 1, in the third body 34 of the end member 33a, a flat face 70 contiguous with the surface in which the third opening 65 is made as shown in FIG. 5, is provided with a fixing rail 71 protruding to the inside of the third body 34 and extending in the length direction of the third body. The profile of the fixing rail 71 is generally trapezoidal in a plan view. In the guide block 35, a section opposite to the guide surface 37 is straightened, where a fixing groove (not shown) is made having the same shape as the profile of the fixing rail 71. The width of the guide block 35 is smaller than that of the flat face 70 of the end member 33a such that the guide block 35 is accommodated in the third body 34 and fixed therewithin. To fix the guide block 35 within the third body 34, the fixing rail 71 is inserted into the fixing groove from a lower end thereof via the second opening 39 of the third body 34. An upper end of the flat face 70 of the third body 34 is partially cut in the length direction, forming a third notch 72. The straightened section of the guide block 35 is provided with a top 73 having the width and thickness corresponding to the width and depth of the third notch 72, respectively. Thus, when a bottom face of the top 73 comes in contact with a top face of the third notch 72, the guide block 35 is fixed within the third body 34. The length of the guide block 35 is shorter than that of the third body 34; therefore, in the fixed state, the guide block 35 is accommodated in the third body 34. A top face of the top 73 is in flush with a top face of the side wall 42 of the third body 34. An end face of the top 73 at a side of the straightened section of the guide block 35 is in flush with the surface of the flat face 70 of the third body 34 as shown in FIG. 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, at upper end sections of the side wall 42 of the third body 34 and a side wall 74 opposite to the side wall 42, which upper end sections being proximal to the flat face 70, fourth projecting pieces 75a, 75b are disposed, respectively, slightly protruding to the interior of the second opening 39. In the cap 40, positioning tabs 76, each having an L-shaped cross section, are disposed on the respective end sections of one end opposite to the small tab 41 in the length direction. The positioning tabs 76 are disposed symmetrically in the width direction of the cap 40, and are open to the exterior of the cap 40. In the state in which the guide block 35 is accommodated in the third body 34 as described above, by sliding a bottom face of the cap 40 in the width direction of the third body 34 against the top faces of the side walls 42 and 74 of the third body 34, the fourth projecting pieces 75a, 75b enter the open sections of the positioning tabs 76. When end faces of the positioning tabs 76 in the front of the cap 40 in the sliding direction come in contact with a back face of the flat face 70, an end face 77 of the cap 40 in the width direction is positioned in flush with a front surface of the flat face 70 of the third body 34. At this time, the small tab 41 is in line with and fits the second notch 43 made in the side wall 42 of the third body 34, whereby the surface of the small tab 41 and the surface of the side wall 42 are in flush with each other. In this way, the cap 40 is positioned relative to the third body 34.

The cap 40 is preferably provided with a circular first screw hole 78 vertically penetrating through the center thereof, and the guide block 35 is provided with a second screw hole 80 at a section corresponding to the screw hole 78 in a top face of a frame 79 supporting the guide surface 37. In a state the cap 40 is positioned relative to the third body 34 as described above, the screw 81 is screwed in through the first screw hole 78 to the second screw hole 80, thereby fixing the cap 40 to the third body 34. Thus, the guide block 35 is fixed in the third body 34 and the cap 40 is fixed as well, closing the second opening 39. In this state, the leg 36 of the end member 33a is inserted between the partition 16 and the rails 19a, 19b of the screen mounting frame section 2a shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, forming the upper end of the screen mounting frame section 2a.

The small tab 41 disposed on the cap 40 of the end member 33a assists the slide guide frame section 4a (shown in FIG. 1) when it is curved by the guide surface 37 and enters the first accommodating section 17, such that the slide guide frame section 4a is not displaced perpendicularly including an angle of 90 degrees off the third body 34 to cause the side wall 11 of the rigid unit 5 (shown in FIG. 2) to enter between the side wall 42 of the third body 34 and a side face of the cap 40. Further, the small tab 41 prevents a projection 82 of the cap 40 (to be described later) from entering a gap between the bridges 12 generated by rotation of the rigid units 5 resulting in hindering the opening and closing of the screen apparatus 1. Thus, the small tab 41 enables stable opening and closing of the screen apparatus 1.

It should be noted that the tension adjusting member 38 may be positioned at an upper end of the guide block 35, and the second notch 43 may be made in one end in the width direction of the side wall 42 of the third body 34. Additionally, a second notch 43 may be made in the side wall 74 at a position opposite to the second notch 43 made in the side wall 42. Thus making another second notch 43 in the side wall 74 is beneficial for reducing a parts count because the third body 34 can have a symmetrical shape in the thickness direction.

The lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2a shown in FIG. 1 may be formed by an end member 33 similar to the end member 33a. To exemplify specifically, the end member 33 forming the lower end of the screen mounting frame section 2a lacks the cap 40 of the end member 33a, but added a wheel 48 to the lower end of the guide block 35, rotatably supported by a rotational axis.

The end member 33a may be mounted to the screen mounting frame section 2b shown in FIG. 1 to form an upper end thereof. This will also contribute to reduction of a parts count for the screen apparatus 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cap 40 can have a projection 82 by elongating a section from the center (in the width direction) of the cap to the end having the small tab 41 so that the section becomes longer than the width of the side wall 42 of the third body 34. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing one end of the screen mounting frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

To mount the end members 33a to the screen mounting frame sections 2a,2b shown in FIG. 1, the two caps 40 are positioned symmetrically in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, when the screen apparatus 1 is opened, a protruded part of the projection 82 of one cap fits a non-protruded part of the projection 82 of the other cap 40. This can easily prevent dusts from entering the third accommodating section 56 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. By using the projections 82 to mount the end members 33a to the screen mounting frame section 2a, 2b, the same caps 40 can be employed for the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b, such that a parts count can be reduced. FIG. 9 is a cutaway elevational showing a second embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention.

For a screen apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 9, the components same as those in the screen apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 are identified by the same reference numbers and description therefor will be omitted.

For the screen apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 9, a screen mounting frame section 2b of the screen apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1) is identical to a screen mounting frame section 2a such that both screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b can be horizontally slid to open and close on an aperture of a building. In other words, the screen apparatus 1a is a double slidable screen apparatus.

Due to the double slidable configuration, the screen apparatus 1a is different from the screen apparatus 1 in some structures of slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view a slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 10, a coupling unit 83 is provided in the middle of each one of the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b. The respective slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b includes a first unit 84a formed by multiple interconnected rigid units 5 and a second unit 84b having the same structure as the first unit 84a, wherein the two units are rotatably connected with each other via the coupling unit 83.

The coupling unit 83 has: a pair of side walls 85 opposing to each other; a bridge 86 interconnecting the side walls 85; and third projections 87 projecting externally at the respective ends of the side walls 85. The coupling unit 83 also has a rotation restricting means 88 in the form of a small projection 89. The side wall 85 is illustrated like a plate having a profile similar to that of a track in the transport field, for example. The thickness of the side wall 85 is the same as the section in the rigid unit 5 where the circular cut is made and the first projection 13 is disposed. The bridge 86 is also illustrated like a plate, which can be disposed in an upper part of a pair of side walls 85.

The third projection 87 has the similar shape as the first projection 13 of the rigid unit 5. The small projection 89 is disposed adjacent to the third projection 87 at a side of an end of the side wall 85. The small projection 89 also has the similar shape as the small projection 45 of the rigid unit 5.

The first unit 84a is coupled to the right side of the coupling unit 83, and the second unit 84b to the left side. Specifically, the third projection 87 is inserted into a through hole 14 of the left most rigid unit 5 of the first unit 84a, and the small projection 89 is inserted into an oblong hole 46, such that the first unit 84a is coupled to the coupling unit 83. The first unit 84a is rotatable around the third projection 87 as a rotational axis, while the rotation of the rigid units 5 is restrained when the small projection 89 comes in contact with one end of the oblong hole 46.

The second unit 84b is positioned in an upside down mode of the first unit 84a. That is, in the second unit 84b, the bridge 12 is disposed in a lower part of a pair of side walls 11. The second unit 84b is different from the first unit 84a in no other way than the upside down mode. Thus, it is coupled to the coupling unit 83 in the same manner as the first unit 84a. The third projection 87 is inserted into a through hole 14 of the right most rigid unit 5 of the second unit 84b, and the small projection 89 is inserted into an oblong hole 46, such that the second unit 84b is coupled to the coupling unit 83.

With such slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b, the screen apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 9 enables both screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b to slide horizontally and smoothly, allowing a double slidable configuration. In addition, the widths of visible face of the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b can be reduced. FIG. 11 is a cutaway elevational view showing a third embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention. FIGS. 12a and 12b are perspective views showing: a first rigid unit forming one slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 11; and a part of the one slide guide frame section of the same, respectively.

For a screen apparatus 1 b shown in FIG. 11, the same components as those in the screen apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 are identified by the same reference numbers and description therefor will be omitted.

For the screen apparatus 1b shown in FIG. 11, the size of first rigid units 5a forming one slide guide frame section 4a residing in the upper part is different from that of second rigid units 5b forming the other slide guide frame section 4b residing in the lower part. The first rigid unit 5a is smaller than the second rigid unit 5b.

As shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b, the first rigid unit 5a has a dent 90 recessed in the width direction of the first rigid unit 5a in a half section 11A from the center to one end of a side wall 11a. In a half section 11B from the center to the other end, a through hole 14a is made, penetrating the half section 11B, and also a protrusion 91 is made adjacent to the through hole 14a on the inner side in the center. The dent 90 is provided with a rotational axis 92 protruding externally. Also in the dent 90, a sector has been cut off from the center of the dent 90 toward one end of the side wall 11a in the height direction, thereby making a cut-off section 93. In adjacent two first rigid units 5a, a rotational axis 92 of one first rigid unit 5a rotatably fits into a through hole 14a of the other first rigid unit 5a from the inside in order to connect the two first rigid units 5a. Further in the adjacent two first rigid units 5a, the one first rigid unit 5a is rotatable relative to the other first rigid unit 5a until a protrusion 91 comes in contact with each one of one end 93a and the other end 93b of a cut-off section 93, such that the slide guide frame section 4a is allowed to keep both flexibility and linearity. A second rigid unit 5b has the same structure as the rigid unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. That is, the second rigid unit 5b has a rotation restricting means 15 in the form of a small projection 45 and an oblong hole 46. The small projection 45 is adjacent to a first projection 13, externally protruding from a side wall 11b, while the oblong hole 46 is adjacent to a through hole 14 and has a crescent shape, penetrating the side wall 11b. In adjacent two second rigid units 5b, wherein a small projection 45 has been inserted into an oblong hole 46, when the small projection 45 comes in contact with one end of the oblong hole 46, rotation of the second rigid unit 5b is restrained, such that the slide guide frame section 4b is allowed to keep linearity.

When the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b are accommodated within a first accommodating section 17 of a screen mounting frame section 2a shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the side walls 11a of the first rigid units 5a reside inside the side walls 11b of the second rigid units 5b, such that the slide guide frame section 4a and the slide guide frame section 4b cross each other inside the first accommodating section 17 of the screen mounting frame section 2a.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b, the slide guide frame section 4a primarily has a similar structure as the slide guide frame section 4b. That is, the first rigid unit 5a has a pair of side walls 11a opposing to each other, and a bridge 12a interconnecting the side walls 11a. The bridge 12a extends from one end to the center of the side walls 11a in the length direction. In the side wall 11a, a generally cylindrical rotational axis 92 is protruding externally therefrom. The side wall 11a also has a through hole 14a penetrating therethrough in the other end which does not have the bridge 12a.

The slide guide frame section 4a is formed by a plurality of the first rigid units 5a, wherein a rotational axis 92 of one first rigid unit 5a fits in a through hole 14a of an adjacent rigid unit 5a so as to connect the plurality of the first rigid units 5a with each other. In this way, the slide guide frame section 4a has flexibility as the slide guide frame section 4b does.

It is understood that a small projection 45 and an oblong hole 46 that are present in the second rigid unit 5b are absent in the first rigid unit 5a. Instead, the first rigid unit 5a is provided with a protrusion 91 and a cut-off section 93 as a rotation restricting means 15. The protrusion 91 has a top face 91a that is flat and extends in the length direction of the half section 11B, and a bottom face 91b that is inclined relative to the top face 91a. The inclination angle of the bottom face 91b relative to the top face 91a may be, for example, 30 degrees.

For the cut-off section 93, a sector of the dent 90 from the bottom face of the half section 11A to one half of the height of the half section 11A has been cut off. The cut-off section 93 has one end 93a along the length direction of the side wall 11a and the other end 93b along the height direction of the side wall 11a.

The first rigid unit 5a further includes a chamfered section 94 at a top end of the rotational axis 92 with an outward inclination in the length direction of the side wall 11a. As described above, adjacent two first rigid units 5a are connected with each other by fitting the rotational axis 92 of one first rigid unit 5a into the through hole 14a of the other first rigid unit 5a from the inside. Here, the chamfered section 94 on the rotational axis 92 assists fitting of the rotational axis 92 into the through hole 14a to facilitate the connection between the first rigid units 5a. In the connected state of two adjacent two first rigid units 5a, one first rigid unit 5a is rotatable relative to the other first rigid unit 5a within a range of an angle about 60 degrees, which is an angle for the top face 91a of the protrusion 91 to come in contact with each one of one end 93a and the other end 93b of the cut-off section 93. Thus, the slide guide frame section 4a, in which a plurality of the first rigid units 5a are interconnected rotatably relative to each other, is imparted flexibility. Still yet, the slide guide frame section 4a retains its linearity when the top face 91a on the protrusion 91 disposed on the side wall 11a of the first rigid unit 5a comes in contact with one end 93a of the cut-off section 93 in the dent 90. Thus, the protrusion 91 and the cut-off section 93 function as the rotation restricting means 15 for the slide guide frame section 4b shown in FIG. 11; accordingly, the rotation limit for the first rigid unit 5a is determined by the protrusion 91 and the cut-off section 93. Hence, the slide guide frame section 4a also can maintain linearity.

Furthermore, an oblong hole 46 such as the one provided for the side wall 11b of the second rigid unit 5b as is shown in FIG. 2 is absent in the first rigid unit 5a; therefore, even though the width of visible face of the side wall 11a is reduced, the strength can be maintained.

As described above, the first rigid unit 5 for the slide guide frame section 4a is smaller than the second rigid unit 5b for the slide guide frame section 4b. Therefore, when the slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b are accommodated within a first accommodating section 17 of a screen mounting frame section 2a shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the side walls 11a of the first rigid units 5a reside inside the side walls 11 b of the second rigid units 5b, such that the slide guide frame section 4a and the slide guide frame section 4b cross each other inside the first accommodating section 17 of the screen mounting frame section 2a.

The crossing of the slide guide frame section 4a, 4b within the first accommodating section 17 of the screen mounting frame section 2a is beneficial for reducing the width of the first accommodating section 17 and the width of visible face of the screen mounting frame section 2a. It should be noted that, in this situation, a first connector 9, a second connector 10, and a jump member 8 shown in FIG. 11 are still separated from the first accommodating section 17 by a partition 16 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5; therefore, the above-described ease with which a screen 3 is replaced is not affected at all.

Furthermore, because the first rigid unit 5a does not employ a small projection 45 and an oblong hole 46 like a rotation restricting means 15, the screen mounting frame section 2a is easy to split, for example, by inserting a tool such as a driver between bridges 12a in the first accommodating section 17. Thus, in adjusting the height of the screen apparatus 1b to that of the aperture of a building, the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b can be readily shortened. FIG. 13 is a cutaway elevational view showing a fourth embodiment of a screen apparatus according to the invention.

For a screen apparatus 1c shown in FIG. 13, the components same as those in the screen apparatus 1b shown in FIG. 11 are identified by the same reference numbers and description therefor will be omitted.

The screen apparatus 1c shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the screen apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 9. That is, a screen mounting frame section 2b of the screen apparatus 1b (shown in FIG. 11) is identical to a screen mounting frame section 2a such that both screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b can slide horizontally to open and close on an aperture of a building, making a double slidable screen apparatus.

Due to the double slidable configuration, the screen apparatus 1c is different from the screen apparatus 1b in some structures of a slide guide frame section 4a. The structure of a slide guide frame section 4b is the same as the slide guide frame section 4b shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing one slide guide frame section of the screen apparatus shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 14, a coupling unit 95 is provided in the middle of the slide guide frame section 4a, as in the slide guide frame section 4b shown in FIG. 10. In the slide guide frame section 4a, a first unit 96a formed by multiple interconnected rigid units 5 and a second unit 96b having the same structure as the first unit 96a are rotatably coupled to the coupling unit 95.

As is the first rigid unit 5a, the coupling unit 95 has a pair of side walls 97 opposing to each other and a bridge 98 interconnecting the side walls 97. In the coupling unit 95, a dent 99 identical to the dent 90 of the first rigid unit 5a is made at the respective ends of side walls 97 in the length direction, and a rotational axis 100 is disposed in the dent 99, protruding externally from the side wall 97. The rotational axis 100 is the same as the rotational axis 92 of the first rigid unit 5a. In the dent 99, as is the first rigid unit 5a, a sector of the dent 99 from the bottom face of the side wall 97 to one half of the height of the side wall has been cut off to form a cut-off section 101. The cut-off section 101 has one end 101a along the length direction of the side wall 97 and the other end 101b along the height direction of the side wall 97.

The first unit 96a and the second unit 96b are connected with each other via the coupling unit 95, wherein the rotational axis 100 on either side of the coupling unit 95 fits into the through holes 14a from the inside at the coupling sides of the units. In the first unit 96a and the second unit 96b, the first rigid units 5a at the respective coupling sides of the first unit 96a and the second unit 96b are rotatable relative to the coupling unit 95 until each one of the protrusions 91 of the respective first rigid units 5a comes in contact with each one of one end 101a and the other end 101b of the cut-off section 101 of the coupling unit 95.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, each one of the two rotational axes 100 of the coupling unit 95 is provided with a chamfered section 102 at the top end thereof, having an outward inclination in the length direction of the side wall 11a. Due to the chamfered sections 102 provided for the rotational axes 100, the rotational axes 100 can readily fit into the through holes 14a of the first rigid units 5a forming the first unit 96a and the second unit 96b, respectively, and whereby the first unit 96a and the second unit 96b are easily connected via the coupling unit 95, completing the slide guide frame section 4a. At the coupling unit 95, both the first unit 96a and the second unit 96b are rotatable relative to the coupling unit 95, until each one of the top faces 91a of the protrusions 91 of the first rigid units 5a comes in contact with each one of one end 101a and the other end 101b of the cut-off section 101, which is an angle of about 60 degrees. Thus, the slide guide frame section 4a also has flexibility and yet is capable of retaining linearity.

With such slide guide frame sections 4a, 4b, the screen apparatus 1c shown in FIG. 13 enables both screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b to slide horizontally and smoothly, allowing a double slidable configuration. In addition, the widths of visible face of the screen mounting frame sections 2a, 2b can be reduced. A screen apparatus according to the invention is not limited to the first to fourth embodiments. Details including sizes and structures of a screen mounting frame section, a slide guide frame section, a rigid unit, and a screen and materials thereof can have a wide variety.

Claims

A screen device comprising: - a pair of hollow screen mounting frame sections (2a, 2b) that are opposite each other and at least one of which is slidable; - a screen (3) is compressible and extendable, mounted between the mounting frame sections and is also detachable therefrom; - a pair of sliding guide frame sections (4a, 4b) that can be proximally attached to two edges of the screen, of which there is no mounting side on the screen mounting frame sections, which can be accommodated in and pulled from the screen mounting frame section, each of said sliding guide frame sections being at least one has an end that is a free end; a plurality of rigid units (5) that form the sliding guide frame sections; - first tensioning elements (6) which penetrate the screen in the compression and extension direction to support the screen; - a second tensioning element (7) in the form of a crossed loop arranged in the screen mounting frame section, mounted on the free ends of the sliding guide frame sections to mutually connect the sliding guide frame sections to each other; a transition element (8), one end of which is anchored proximally to the free end of the sliding guide frame section, which transition element (8) is pulled out to a screen mounting side in the screen mounting frame section; - a first connector (9) mounted on one end of the first tensioning elements that are pulled out of the screen; and - a second connector (10) mounted on the other end of the transition element that is pulled out to the screen mounting side, wherein: the rigid unit comprises: a pair of side walls (11) opposite each other; a bridge (12) connecting the side walls to each other; first protrusion (13) protruding outward at one end of the side wall; a through hole (14) provided in the other end of the side wall; and a rotation restriction member (15), the rigid units being connected to each other by providing the first protrusion in the through hole so that the sliding guide frame sections are formed; the rigid units can rotate with the first protrusion serving as a rotation axis between adjacent rigid units, providing rotational movement of the rigid unit flexibility to the sliding guide frame sections that still remain linear due to the rotation restriction member; the first connector and the second connector can be coupled and disconnected, allowing for replacement of the screen, the screen mounting frame section by a separator (16) is longitudinally divided into a first accommodation section (17) that can accommodate the sliding guide frame sections and a second accommodation section (18) capable of accommodating the second connector, in the second accommodation section, a pair of rails (19a, 19b) is provided along the longitudinal direction of the screen mounting frame section, projecting toward the interior of the screen mounting frame section, facing each other and spaced from the separation element , the second connector comprising an upright first body (20) with a rectangular shape in a plan view and a thickness, and a pair of guide strips (21a, 21b) each projecting outward from one end in the thickness direction of the first body, the first body a fastening section (22) for the transition element on one side in the longitudinal direction, and a hollow section (23) on the other side, with an upright rectangular shape in a plan view and penetrating in the thickness direction of the second connector, wherein, in the hollow section, second protrusions (25) are provided which project from a pair of opposed inner wall surfaces (24) to the interior of the hollow section and extend in the longitudinal direction of the hollow section, and wherein the first body located at the lower end of the hollow section is a first has notch (26) provided linearly in the thickness direction of the first body, the first body of the second connector in the second accommodation section is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the screen mounting frame section, because the guide strips between the separation element and the rails in the sliding guide section have been put inside; the first connector comprises: a second body (27) with an upright rectangular shape in a plan view and a thickness, and which is releasably fit into the hollow section of the second connector; a groove (29) on each of a pair of side surfaces (28a, 28b) opposite to each other in the width direction of the second body, the grooves (29) being in the longitudinal directions of the side surfaces (28a, 28b); and a portion of cover members (31) disposed as a one-sided surface (30) in the thickness direction of the second body and having the same profile as a profile of the hollow section of the second connector, and the first connector and the second connector having are connected to each other when the second body is inserted into the interior of the hollow section through a first opening (32) on the other side of the guide strips, the second protrusions of the first body being arranged in the grooves of the second body, the first opening of the hollow section of the first body is closed with the cover member of the second body, and wherein the first tensioning elements are inserted into the first notch in the first body, on the other hand, by detaching the cover member from the second connector the second protrusions of the first body taken out of the grooves of the second body, and the second body is removed from the hollow section in the first body so that the first connector and the second connector are disconnected from each other.

A screen device according to claim 1, wherein: - end elements (33) are provided that form respective longitudinal ends of the screen mounting frame section; - each of the end elements comprises a hollow third body (34) and a guide block (35) for guiding the arc of the sliding guide frame section and applying tension to the second tensioning element, - wherein the third body has a leg (36) which protrudes from the third body so that it can be arranged between the separator and the pair of rails in the screen mounting frame section; - the guide block comprises: a curved guide surface (37) for guiding the arc of the sliding guide frame section; and a disk-shaped tension adjusting element (38) rotatably supported on a rotation axis, the second tensioning element being wrapped around a portion of the circumference of the tension adjusting element; - one end element (33a) also comprises a cap (40) which closes a second opening (39) opposite the leg in the third body; - the cap has a small lip (41) at one end to be received on a mounting side of the screen of the screen mounting frame section when the second opening is closed, and wherein the small lip protrudes in the direction of the third body to prevent the sliding guide frame section deflects toward the exterior of the third body; - in the one end element a second notch (43) is provided in a part of the side wall (42) of the third body, which corresponds to the small lip; and - when the cap is mounted on the one end element to close the second opening; the surface of the small lip and the surface of the side wall of the third body are aligned with respect to each other.

Screening device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - the size of the first rigid units (5a) forming sliding guide frame section (4a) is different from that of second rigid units (5) forming the other sliding guide frame section (4b); wherein the first rigid units are smaller than the second rigid units; - for each of the first rigid units, a dent (90) that is recessed in the width direction of the first rigid unit is made in a half section (11A) from the center to one end of a side wall (11a); a through hole (14a) is made in a half section (11B) from the center to the other end, penetrating into the half section; in addition to the through hole, a protrusion (91) is provided on the inner side in the middle; the dent having a rotation axis (92) protruding outwardly and also with the one cut section (93) by cutting a sector from the center of the dent in the direction of one end of the side wall in the height direction of the side edge; in two adjacent first rigid units, the axis of rotation of one first rigid unit is rotatably arranged from the inside in the through hole of the other first rigid unit to connect the adjacent two first rigid units together; one first rigid unit being rotatable relative to the other first rigid unit until the protrusion comes into contact with one end (93a) or the other end (93b) of the cut-out section so that the other sliding guide frame section can maintain both flexibility and linearity ; - the second rigid unit has the rotation restriction member in the form of a small protrusion (45) and a slotted hole (46); wherein the small protrusion is adjacent the first protrusion, projecting outward from the side wall, while the slotted hole is adjacent to the through hole and is crescent shaped, penetrating into the side wall; wherein in two adjacent second rigid units, wherein the small protrusion is introduced into the slotted hole, when the small protrusion comes into contact with one end of the slotted hole, rotation of the second rigid unit is restricted, so that the one sliding guide frame section is linear can be held; and when the sliding guide frame sections are accommodated within the first accommodation section of the screen mounting frame section, the side walls (11a) of the first rigid units reside within side walls (11b) of the second rigid units; so that the one sliding guide frame section and the other sliding guide frame section intersect within the first accommodation section of the screen mounting frame section.

The screen device of claim 3, wherein: - the one sliding guide frame section formed by the first rigid units comprises: a coupling unit (95) in its center; and a first unit (96a) formed by a plurality of interconnected first rigid units and a second unit (96b) also formed by a plurality of interconnected rigid units are coupled to a longitudinal end of the coupling unit to forming the sliding guide frame section; - the coupling unit has a pair of side walls (97) opposite each other and a bridge (98) connecting the side walls to each other; wherein in the coupling unit a dent (99) identical to the dent of the first rigid unit is provided in the longitudinal direction at the respective ends of the side walls, and a rotation axis (100) is arranged in the dent protruding outwards from the side wall, wherein the axis of rotation is the same as the axis of rotation in the first rigid unit; wherein in the dent as the first rigid unit, a sector of the dent is cut from the bottom surface of the side wall to half the height of the ziwand to form a cut section (101), with one end (101a) over the longitudinal direction of the side wall and the other end (101b) over the height direction of the side wall; and - wherein the first unit and the second unit are connected to each other via the coupling unit, the rotation axis on each side of the coupling unit being arranged in the through holes from the inside on the coupling sides of the units; and wherein in the first unit and the second unit, the respective first rigid units on the respective coupling sides of the first unit and the second unit are rotatable relative to the coupling unit until each of the protrusions of the respective first rigid units comes into contact with each one end and the other end of the cut section of the coupling unit.