WO1997049322A1

WO1997049322A1 - Self-mountable, replaceable rolling screen shutter for shower bath and household applications

Info

Publication number: WO1997049322A1
Application number: PCT/ES1997/000155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pedro Manzanares Munuera
Original assignee: Pedro Manzanares Munuera
Priority date: 1996-06-21
Filing date: 1997-06-17
Publication date: 1997-12-31
Also published as: ES1034999Y; ES1034999U; AU3095197A

Abstract

Rolling shutter useable in the bathroom and in a house, adaptable to the external configurations of bath tubs and openings which need to be closed, the rolling shutter comprising a frame provided with adjustable horizontal guide means for supporting and displacing variable, flexible laminar slats, said slats forming a screen or partition and being easily replaceable.

Description

ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATHROOM, SHOWER, AND HOME.

The present invention relates to a household curtain used in bathtubs windows and doors of type comprising a frame provided with adjustable upper and lower horizontal guides (being able to suppress the upper guide) for the support and displacement of a changeable sheet plate, according to The desired object, essentially vertical, being directed is guided by it.

At the moment the closing of bathtubs and windows is known, between the extreme gaps that remain between the walls or a frame of work, systems such as the screens are also known, screens, protective curtains or artificial walls.

In all cases it has the same purposes, but its main interest, in the case of the shower screen or shower curtain, is to protect the exterior from splashes and moisture from the bathtub or shower, as well as hide from view of other people to who is showering or bathing, in which case both the curtain and the screen are opaque.

In the case of protective curtains, we refer to those that prevent the entry of insects from the outside, or light.

At present the screens known today are of a rigid material

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) , hard plastic glass and the case of curtains of plastic and textile materials. The screens are built by at least one laminar plate, which run and are supported by horizontal guides, in solidarity with the construction, and which overlap each other to leave an open space through which to access the bathtub or shower.

In these known screens, the gap left to enter the bath or shower when the screen is open with two or more overlapping plates, is no more than a fraction of the total opening that would remain if the screen was not present. As a result, it happens that the open space to access the bath or shower is narrow and makes entry difficult, especially for the elderly, which is a first inconvenience.

Another drawback of which they suffer, both the screens and the curtains known in bathtubs or showers, is their difficulty in cleaning, in the case of curtains, they have to be lifted and washed regularly, so they deteriorate with great ease, so that are washed rarely, also the moisture and soap are adhered to them, so in the case of the screens must be cleaned from the inside with the screen closed so that there is no inaccessible sheet as it happens when it is open, which causes the cleaning to be uncomfortable and, in practice, to stop performing.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In the case of the screens and curtains known today, other inconveniences arise that suffer from these, are difficult to assemble and disassemble being their volume, another added problem, in addition to their cost. Therefore, in practice these, make free spaces difficult and constitute an inconvenience, both in public and private places.

With the purpose of creating a product that solves these inconveniences and in the face of the inconvenience and deterioration that it represents for the housewife, and the many disorders that it represents due to unhealthy use of the continued use of several people that prevent its drying and cleaning, occurring daily in hotel establishments and homes around the world.

Wishing to offer a product capable of solving infinity of needs in the home and with the purpose of solving all the aforementioned inconveniences, the invention aims at a curtain used for the bathroom, windows or enclosures, of novel design and concept, which in essence is characterized in that the sheet plate is variable and flexible, exerting the screen or protective curtain effect, its sheet being changeable without the need to disassemble its skeleton, removing it from its interior and not requiring work or tools.

The frame is provided at one of its ends with a vertical profile, (although if you prefer, a semi-covered rectangular box can be used where

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the curtain coupling will be placed) and inside which there will be a device that will hold and roll the sheet plate, also comprising a second vertical profile, at the opposite end of the first profile and that closes the frame, being arranged, an upright vertical, integral with the end of the sheet plate movable between the first profile and the second vertical profile that closes the frame, said vertical upright being constituted of an inner strip or the wall, between which the front end of the sheet plate is joined.

According to another outstanding feature of the present invention, in the case of the shower curtain, it is that the first vertical profile or box is provided with a tongue and a cover, both of a flexible material, which scratch and lick the outer face of the laminar plate during the closing and opening of the curtain

, to remove from it the remains of moisture and dirt.

According to another feature of the invention, the first profile or vertical box has a support capable of holding the roller of the curtain sheet, this support can become a button, pressing into a hole that exerts as a prisoner or in the form of a thread, joining the roller of the curtain sheet and simply turning left or right, as preferred, the support that holds the curtain roller to the first profile or box will be attached. This coupling maneuver can also be performed by placing the curtain support on a projection of the first profile as an alkaline or simply

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) hugging the curtain to its axis, which supports the curtain winding device, thus facilitating the user to maneuver the assembly and disassembly of the curtain, without using any tool installation in its installation.

This simple system makes it easy for the curtain to be replaceable, and the bathroom decoration can be varied with a simple maneuver, which consists in replacing the roller of the curtain sheet. without having to invest a considerable amount of time, saving the inconvenience that this represents for the user.

In view, the curtain frame is exposed in its recollection state, making the absence of a curtain imperceptible from the outside when it is collected or absent.

Being all the components of the roller, disposable, it represents a significant improvement for the housewife, since she does not have to commission the installation to another member of the family unit.

Another advantage of the invention, in the case of the prtector sheet, when it is desired to cover an exterior window or door, by simply stretching the element that holds the curtain device, it can be used as a prtector curtain if desired.

The profiles or box are provided with an absorbent material or

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) adhesive, for fixing the curtain (although it is also feasible, its placement in the traditional way) in addition to a support capable of admitting a horizontal, lower and upper assembly, end to end in solidarity with the closing profile is desired.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the curtain is adaptable and variable to a bathtub or shower at an angle or circumference. comprising the respective upper or lower horizontal guides, curved guide portions, adapted to run inwardly sliding in solidarity with the sheet plate.

Below I make a detailed description of particular, although not exclusive, embodiments of the present invention, for a better understanding of which is accompanied by drawings, given merely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Fig. 1, shows several embodiments of the curtain of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows several perspectives of the curtain of the invention, for greater understanding,

Fig. 3 is a schematic elevational view according to the invention, seen from the outside, in which for greater descriptive clarity cuts have been made.

Fig. 4 is a preferred plan view of the closed curtain of fιg3,

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 although in greater detail, showing the curtain in its completely closed position, as well as its displacement system;

Fig. 6 according to the preference of the invention is a plan view of a first curtain fastener of the present invention to its support;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the second element of the curtain roller fastener;

Fig. 8 is a view of the clamp of the element chosen on this occasion for the attachment of the curtain roller to the first profile or box, another system that holds the replaceable curtain roller according to fig. 9, acts as a male within the hollow of the first profile or box according to fig. 10 for greater descriptive clarity of the system.

Fig. 9 shows a non-limiting preferential way, three elements that make up another possible coupling mode: The support (a) will be firmly attached to the profile or box, using for this purpose for example some screws, then the element ( b) which will act by joining them, either by thread or other systems shown in the invention to c, which will support and drive the curtain winding,

Figure 10 is a general view of the element that makes it possible to engage in its neck the spring that exerts the winding action of the curtain, and which in turn rotates on the support of Fig. 9, element that holds the curtain.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Fg. ll is a view of a joint splice guide with another simple guide.

Fig. 12 is a view of the same curtain installed, in the closed and open position.

Fig. 13 is a view of two curtains attached to the wall and ending in a corner (and fig, 14, 15, and l6 for further description).

Different embodiments of the curtain 1 of the present invention are shown in the drawings. The curtain 1 described in the following invention is suitable for the enclosure of bathtubs, showers or the like and its constitution allows it to adapt to the external shapes of said bathtubs and showers, also for interior and decoration division, the system being the replaceable curtain for its pressurized, screwed and other systems.

In said drawings it can be seen how the curtain 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a frame 3 provided with upper and lower horizontal sliding guides 6. These guides 5 and 6 serve to support and displace an essentially vertical vertical laminar plate 2, which can optionally be opaque or translucent.

A novel feature of the curtain 1 of the present invention is the fact that the sheet plate 2 is replaceable on the one hand and that the frame 3 is provided at one of its ends with a vertical profile, inside which it is wound and fastens 29 to the laminar plate 2 in the collected position.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The laminar plate 2 is adapted to the vertical profile 7 through a vertical longitudinal system 24 of which said profile 7 is provided, whose height is slightly greater than the laminar plate 2. Preferably the laminar plate 2 is wound in the

inside the vertical profile 7 by action of a cylindrical spring (not shown in the drawings) of the known type and subject to the oppression exerted by the system (click) fig.6 and 9 on the sheet 2 of the curtain and which forces the laminar plate 2 to said winding position in the absence of other actions on it.

The frame 3 comprises a vertical profile 7. disposed at the opposite end of the profile 4 and both with two clamping grooves and which, together with the latter and with the telescopic guides 5 and 6 define the periphery of the frame, adjusting and closing it.

Between the profile 4 and the vertical profile 7 there is arranged a vertical upright 10, integral with the end of the sheet plate 2, which is movable between an extreme opening position, in which the upright 10 adjacent to the profile 7 and a second position extreme to the closure, in which the post 10 is arranged adjacent to the second vertical profile 4.

The movement towards the extreme opening position of the curtain 1 is indicated in the drawings (fig. 4) by the arrow A and the closing movement or towards the extreme closing position by the arrow.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) As mentioned, the curtain 1 of the present invention can be adapted to the external shapes when closing the bathtubs or showers in which the curtain 1 should be incorporated, thus for example. the frame 3 of the embodiment of the curtain 1 shown in fig 1 is essentially arranged on a vertical plane, adapted in the curtain 1 to a quadrangular opening made in a single wall, to close, for example in this particular case a shower

As an alternative, a curtain 1 adapted to the curved shapes of several examples is shown in fig.2 In this case, the frame 3 of the curtain 1 is adapted to the angle of the curtain.

As a preferred example and in order to carry out the closing and opening of the curtain 1 of the present invention, the outer strip 12 of the upright 10 comprises a handle 13, for the opening of the curtain closure 1 from the extender, and strip anterior 1 1 comprises a thin profile at 15, arranged vertically essentially along the entire height of the pillar 10 for the opening and closing of the curtain 1 To facilitate these opening and closing operations from the inside. profile 15 has the

wing 16 turned inwards

As an example To the closure adjacent to the handle 13, the upright 10 comprises a trigger 14, for which by collaboration of a hook 19 the second vertical profile is provided, and thus perform the fixing of the closing position of the curtain 1. To close

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) -li¬

the curtain 1 from an open or ajar position thereof, the trigger 14 and the hook 19 can be displaced one on the other by means of complementary wedges which are respectively provided. The mutual block of the lock 14 and the hook 19, overcome the action of the quoted spring on the sheet plate 2, which forces it permanently to its open position and keeps the curtain in its closed position.

To open the curtain 1, it is only necessary to overcome the action of fixing the trigger 14 on the hook 19 by exerting a presetting effort between both elements 14 and 19. as the spring forces the sheet plate 2 to its winding position and therefore Both of opening the curtain 1, the manual opening can be grabbed by accompanying the laminar plate 2 by the profile 15. However, preferably, the pretension of the spring is such that the closing of the curtain 1 can be carried out without the need to accompany it by hand, at a speed low enough that there is no impact at the end of the closing and winding path to the sheet 2 in the vertical profile 7.

The curtain 1 is provided with sliding means of the sheet plate

2 between the two aforementioned extreme positions, which consists of slides 17, arranged in solidarity at the ends of the outer strip 12 of the vertical upright 10, and by respective continuous grooves 18 of which guides 5 and 6 are provided in the shapes of embodiment qug are shown in the drawings, fig. 5 (a) such slots 18

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) they are turned towards the inside, while the slides 17 are turned outwards and inserted into the corresponding slots 18 of the guides 5 and 6

According to the particular embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen in Figs. 1 to 2, said slides 17 are essentially elongated according to the direction of movement of the curtain 1 and comprise two cylindrical and hollow end portions 22 of a diameter somewhat smaller than the interior width of the groove 18 of the hoπzontal guides 5 and 6, joined without continuity solution by an intermediate portion 23

Another essential feature of the curtain 1 of the present invention, which confers its distinctive advantages, is the fact that the vertical vertical edge of the vertical longitudinal groove 24 of the vertical profile 7 is provided with a tongue 25 and a sheath 26 both of a flexible material, which lick the laminar plate 2 during the closing or opening of the curtain 1 to remove dirt or moisture from them

In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the frame 3 of the rolling curtain 1 of the present invention is preferably provided with an adhesive material 27 for fixing the curtain to a wall 28 or to an internal frame of a work space. Thanks to this, the curtain 1 is adaptable to the openings already made in the constructions without the need for further conditioning work or

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) plays.

For this, the horizontal guides, 5 and 6 are easily adjustable, sliding, for adaptation to different widths and can be attached to profiles 7 and 4 by supporting them in the grooves at the ends of which are fixed in profiles 7 and 4 , by rotating support or on this occasion by pressure, and a second vertical profile 4 at the opposite end of the first profile 7 and closing the frame, a vertical upright 10 integral with the end of the slide plate 2 sliding between the profile 4 being arranged and the second profile in which the ends are fixed to the supports of guides 5 and 6.

In the figures several embodiments of the curtain are shown, in which the internal angle of for example is adapted. a bathtub 33. In this case, the upper 5 and lower 6 horizontal guides are adapted so that runners 17 run along the sheet 2, and joints 31 for joining the curved portions 20 (not described) to run inside. the straight sections 8 and 9 of the upper guides 5 and lower 6 respectively, which in turn are fixed at their ends to the rotating or pressurized supports which coincide with the walls of the construction.

Another feature of the invention already mentioned above but which due to its relevance is worth mentioning is its ease in replacing the curtain 1 of its holding position by simply stretching it in all the present fastening systems

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) or not in the invention, which release it from the curtain winding system of the support above profile 7 (fig. 6, 9, 10).

In this sense, in the forms of the embodiment shown in the curtain fastening drawings and the profiles, they have a particular conformation, although other embodiments are obviously valid within the scope of protection of the invention.

Once the object of the present invention has been sufficiently described, it only remains to be noted that modifications of non-fundamental sizes or other forms, as well as those derived from routine experimentation of the disclosed, should be considered as included in the scope of the invention.

Essentially what is requested as an invention is what is summarized in the following claims.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

FIRST.- ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATHROOM, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized in that it is composed of a frame

provided with upper and lower horizontal guides for its support by thread or pressure to the profile and displacement of its essentially vertical laminar plate, and characterized in that the laminar plate is flexible and the frame is provided at one of its ends with a first vertical profile, inside which the plate is rolled

laminate to the support, in a collected position to a circular tube also comprising the vertical frame that closes frame, said vertical upright being constituted by a strip inside the window or the shutter closure.

SECOND - ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATH, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized according to the preceding claim characterized in that the inner and outer vertical edges of the vertical longitudinal groove of the vertical profile are respectively provided with a drying tongue and a sheath, both of a flexible material, which scratch and lick the inner or outer face of the sheet plate during the closing or opening of the blind, to remove dirt or moisture from it.

THIRD.- ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATHROOM, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized according to the preceding claims, because the quadrangular frame is provided at its ends with an adhesive material for fixing the curtain to a wall or to the internal frame of a work hole.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) FOUR.- ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATHROOM, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized according to the preceding claims, because it is adaptable to the windows or hollow at an angle, comprising the upper and lower horizontal guides respectively, curved portions-guides adapted to run on the inside a sliding supporter to the laminar plate.

FIFTH - ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATH, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized according to the preceding claims, because at least one of the guides comprises, a tension-curved guide portion, so that its upper and lower edges describe a trajectory substantially parallel to the upper and lower guide respectively, during the closing of the

blind.

SIXTH.- ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATHROOM, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized according to the preceding claims, this invention is replaceable with its sheet attached to the profile and its axis to the click.

SEVENTH.- ROLLABLE, CHANGABLE AND AUTOMONTABLE CURTAIN FOR BATHROOM, SHOWER AND HOME, characterized according to the previous claims, because the horizontal upper and lower guide are adjustable to the length of the window or hollow, characterized by a fixing system of the sheet of the curtain, when coupling the sheet in the profile, coupling them in turn in the adjustable guides and obtaining a perfect assembly of the curtain without works no tools.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)