WO2013057744A1

WO2013057744A1 - Mosquito net

Info

Publication number: WO2013057744A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000349
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Montanaro
Original assignee: Mv Line S.P.A.
Priority date: 2011-10-18
Filing date: 2011-10-18
Publication date: 2013-04-25

Abstract

A mosquito net (1) comprising a fixed frame (2), intended to be installed in a corresponding through opening of an element of the type of a wall and the like, and a fine mesh net (3), associated with at least one corresponding guide bar (4) integral with the fixed frame (2), designed in at least one configuration thereof to occlude the passage delimited by the frame (2). At least one end portion (5) of the fine mesh net (3), intended to be coupled with the guide bar (4), is folded back on itself, fixing a strip (6) contiguous to its free end to the region of net facing and proximate thereto, thus defining a pocket (7) with the opening parallel to the terminal edge of the net (3). The pocket (7) slideably accommodates the guide bar (4) and slides thereupon during the movement operations of the mosquito net (1).

Description

MOSQUITO NET

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mosquito net that is adapted to any type of installation, even with extremely reduced dimensions.

Background Art

Conventional mosquito nets are constituted by a fixed frame, intended to be installed in a corresponding through opening (for example in a wall), and by a fine mesh net, intended in at least one configuration thereof to occlude the passage delimited by the frame.

Generally the fine mesh net is associated with at least one guide assembly so as to be capable of performing a translational movement with respect to the fixed frame. This is in order to enable the deployment of the net in a configuration of blocking the installation opening, in a rolled-up configuration (in which it does not interfere with the aforesaid opening), and in any intermediate configuration between these two.

The fine mesh net is generally provided in metallic and/or polymeric material.

The coupling of a portion of the net with the respective guide assembly (or assemblies) is provided through the fixing of an end band made of a different material to the terminal edge of the portion.

The band is generally made of fabrics or, more generally, highly deformable laminar sheets, folded over in order to enclose the terminal edge of the portion of net. The fixing can be obtained, depending on the individual case, through stitching, adhesive bonding and/or welding of the laminar sheets folded onto the net.

The band thus obtained enables a valid purchase for fixing the guide assembly, since the ability to choose the material best adapted to the specific application (adding it to the net) ensures good mechanical strength against stresses.

This embodiment is expensive and requires having a plurality of different materials in storage.

Moreover the band, in order to be effectively associated with the terminal edge of the net, must have dimensions no smaller than limits set by the working requirements.

This imposes the provision of a guide assembly of encumbrances that are such as to accommodate the band completely (in order to not make it visible during use), and thus not adapted to applications in which the encumbrances must necessarily be minimized.

The upper box, in which the net is rolled up when the mosquito net is open, must also have dimensions adapted to the accommodation of the net associated with the respective side bands. It is clear that in the parts where the net is overlaid with the band, the thickness will be particularly pronounced (compared to the thickness of the net on its own), and for this reason the upper box must have dimensions that are such as to also contain these portions in which there is overlaying. This can lead to encumbrance problems with the box, making it unsuitable for some specific applications.

Recent regulations require that a mosquito net withstand mechanical stresses applied to the net in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane that contains it. Conventional mosquito nets provided with the band exhibit some problems relating to the difficulty of complying with the regulations since the band can easily come out of its seat when the stress is applied.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a mosquito net in which the encumbrances of the fine mesh net are minimal even when the mosquito net is in the rolled-up configuration, it being possible as a consequence for it to be accommodated inside a box of reduced dimensions.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a mosquito net in which the guide assembly associated with the fine mesh net can be of any thickness without compromising the aesthetic characteristics thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mosquito net that is adapted to withstand, without compromising the operation thereof, stresses directed along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the fine mesh net.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mosquito net that is constituted by a minimal number of different components.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mosquito net which is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

This aim and these objects are achieved by a mosquito net of the type comprising a fixed frame, intended to be installed in a corresponding through opening of an element of the type of a wall and the like, and a fine mesh net, associated with at least one corresponding guide bar integral with the said fixed frame, intended in at least one configuration thereof to occlude the passage delimited by the said frame, characterized in that at least one end portion of said fine mesh net, intended to be coupled with said guide bar, is folded back on itself, fixing a strip contiguous to its free end to the region of net facing and proximate thereto, thus defining a pocket with the opening parallel to the terminal edge of said net, said pocket slideably accommodating said guide bar and sliding thereupon during the movement operations of said mosquito net.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the mosquito net according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mosquito net according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the fine mesh net of a mosquito net according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a specific intermediate configuration of a mosquito net according to the invention.

Ways of carrying out the invention

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a mosquito net according to the invention.

The mosquito net 1 comprises a fixed frame 2, intended to be installed in a corresponding through opening of an element of the type of a wall and the like.

The mosquito net 1 is moreover provided with a fine mesh net 3, associated with at least one corresponding guide bar 4 integral with the fixed frame 2.

The fine mesh net 3 is intended in at least one configuration thereof to occlude the passage delimited by the frame 2.

In fact the object that it is intended to achieve by adopting a mosquito net (and thus also by adopting the mosquito net 1 according to the invention) is that of preventing access to an environment, through the passage of the wall in which it is installed, to insects, while still allowing the free circulation of air.

With particular reference to the technical and constructional specifications of the present invention, at least one end portion 5 of the fine mesh net 3, intended to be coupled with the guide bar 4, is folded back on itself, fixing a strip 6 contiguous to its free end to the region of net 3 facing and proximate thereto.

The folded portion 5 defines a pocket 7 with the opening parallel to the terminal edge of the net 3. The pocket slideably accommodates at least one guide bar 4 and slides thereupon during the movement operations of the mosquito net 1.

The strip 6 contiguous to the free end of the fine mesh net 3 and the region of net 3 facing and proximate thereto are mutually coupled by way of bonding of the type of welding, adhesive bonding, stitching, riveting, clamping and the like.

In particular attention is drawn to the fact that it is possible to weld such components to each other by using for example a heated slider that exerts a pressure on the two overlaid flaps of net 3, while the net 3 is resting on a respective surface (which may also be heated).

Different solutions for coupling the flaps are not ruled out, such as for example adhesive bonding and forms of mechanical coupling.

Of note among the forms of mechanical coupling is clamping of the flaps to each other using adapted fastening assemblies, for example assemblies provided with slats coupled together by way of screws.

It should be noted that the guide bars 4, according to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, are two in number, on opposite sides from each other.

The fine mesh net 3, in this case, has respective folded portions 5 that are also on opposite sides, each one of which defines a specific pocket 7 intended to accommodate a corresponding guide bar 4.

In this manner the net 3 is stretched between two opposite bars 4. This embodiment ensures an optimal tensioning of the net 3 and a high resistance to wind and to any small impacts against the net 3.

The frame 2 comprises specific side housings 8 for covering and hiding the at least one guide bar 4.

The housings 8 have a transverse encumbrance, with respect to the passage delimited by the frame 2, of dimensions similar to the width of the folded portion 5 shaped like a pocket 7.

In essence the housings 8 can thus protrude to a very small extent from the passage of installation of the mosquito net 1 , thus minimizing the visual impact and ensuring the full usability of the passage itself (be it constituted by the space for a window, for a door or the like).

In order to ensure an optimal operation of the mosquito net 1 and an extended service life with minimum need for maintenance, the at least one guide bar 4 cari preferably have a smooth outer surface. This in fact increases its slideability, facilitating the sliding of the pocket 7 of the net 3 during the movement of the net 3.

Advantageously, at least the outer layer of the bar 4 can be provided in a material preferably chosen among polytetrafluorethylene, polyamide, polymers additivised with graphite, polyethylene, polycarbonate, methacrylates, polyoxymethylene, silicone resins, aramid resins, phenolic resins, polymers additivised with lubricating particles, steel, aluminum, composite materials and related combinations.

In the materials listed, common characteristics are sought of reduced surface friction against the sliding of the net 3.

The frame 2 comprises an upper box 9 for the rotating accommodation of a roller designed for winding the fine mesh net 3.

The net 3 will define, as a function of the level of its winding on the roller, two limit configurations: a first, rolled-up configuration in which the net 3 is mostly wound on the roller and the passage delimited by the frame 2 is open, and a second configuration of use in which only a minimal part of the net 3 is wound on the roller and the passage delimited by the frame 2 is occluded by the net 3.

According to a particular embodiment of undoubted applicative interest, the lower edge of the fine mesh net 3, i.e. the opposite end, in the assembled configuration, to the winding roller, is coupled to an actuation cross-member 10 with the ends slideably accommodated in respective guide slots 1 1 in the side housings 8 that accommodate the guide bars 4.

According to this application, the end face of each pocket 7 constituted by the folded-back portion 5 (this face constitutes the side end of the lower edge of the fine mesh net 3) is coupled to a corresponding slide 12 which can slide on the corresponding guide bar 4.

Each slide 12 is rigidly coupled to the cross-member 10. Each slide 12 represents, in this particular application, the end of the cross-member 10 that is slideably accommodated in a corresponding slot 1 1 of the carter 8.

With specific reference to an application of proven efficiency, the actuation cross-member 10 comprises a locking unit 13.

The unit 13 is arranged with elastic twisting on a fixed component, of the type of the frame 2, a housing 8, and the guide bar 4 (in particular, with respect to the guide bar 4 the unit can also act indirectly, by operating on the slide 12 that is engaged thereon).

The external action of an operator on the unit 13, an external action against the elastic twisting to which the unit is normally subjected, frees the cross-member 10 to slide and, thus, the movement of the fine mesh net 3.

At at least two of the corners of the passage delimited by the frame 2, respective fixing elements 14 are stably coupled, which are intended to stably accommodate the lower and/or upper extreme ends of each guide bar 4 and to lock the housings 8.

The lower extreme end of each guide bar 4 is directly accommodated in the respective fixing element 14 fixed to the threshold of the passage, while the upper extreme end is coupled to a fixing element 14 which is not visible in the accompanying figures because it is provided inside the box 9.

It should conveniently be pointed out that the actuation cross-member 10 comprises a lower longitudinal seat 15 for the accommodation of deformable means. In the configuration of blocking the passage, the deformable means will be resting, deformed or otherwise, on the lower threshold of the passage, in order to completely close it. Such means can be constituted by gasket seals made of polymeric material, rubber and expanded polymeric foams, or by brushes the bristles of which exhibit high deformability.

For the purposes of the optimal operation of the mosquito net 1, the roller for winding the fine mesh net 3 comprises elastic elements for the automatic rotation thereof in the direction of rewinding and rolling-up of the net 3.

Advantageously the present invention solves the problems outlined above, by providing a mosquito net 1 in which the encumbrances of the fine mesh net 3 are minimal even when the mosquito net 1 is in the rolled-up configuration, it being possible as a consequence for it to be accommodated inside a box 9 of reduced dimensions. The absence of the additional band in fact reduces the overall thickness and thus minimizes the encumbrances. Thanks to the provision of the pockets 7 it is thus possible to achieve this major reduction in encumbrances.

Conveniently the present invention solves the problems outlined above, by providing a mosquito net 1 in which the guide assembly (constituted by the guide bars 4 and by the side housings 8 that accommodate them) associated with the fine mesh net 3 can be of any thickness without compromising the aesthetic characteristics thereof. In fact it is not possible for elements other than the net 3 (such as for example the band of other material, sewn or welded, adopted in the known art) to protrude, and in any case the net 3 presents a folded portion 5 (so as to form the pocket 7) of extremely small dimensions.

Profitably the mosquito net 1 is adapted to withstand, without compromising the operation thereof, stresses directed along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the fine mesh net 3. This is because the slots 1 1 (front openings of the housings 8) have a smaller width than the diameter of the guide bars 4, thus a stress applied to the net 3 only causes a forcing of the bars 4 toward the corresponding slot 1 1 , but without their coming out, owing to geometric interference. The mosquito net 1 according to the invention thus complies optimally with the regulations.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a mosquito net 1 that is low cost. This is related to the elimination of raw material for completing the net 3 (no additional band is needed, which is necessary in the known art), and to its manufacture.

Positively, the present invention provides a mosquito net 1 constituted by a minimal number of different components. This ensures that the maker can reduce the quantity of different raw materials (and/or semi-processed products) in their stores.

Effectively the present invention provides a mosquito net 1 that is easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A mosquito net of the type comprising a fixed frame (2), intended to be installed in a corresponding through opening of an element of the type of a wall and the like, and a fine mesh net (3), associated with at least one corresponding guide bar (4) integral with the said fixed frame (2), intended in at least one configuration thereof to occlude the passage delimited by the said frame (2), characterized in that at least one end portion (5) of said fine mesh net (3), intended to be coupled with said guide bar (4), is folded back on itself, fixing a strip (6) contiguous to its free end to the region of net facing and proximate thereto, thus defining a pocket (7) with the opening parallel to the terminal edge of said net (3), said pocket (7) slideably accommodating said guide bar (4) and sliding thereupon during the movement operations of said mosquito net (1).

2. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said strip (6) contiguous to the free end of the fine mesh net (3) and said region of net facing and proximate thereto are mutually coupled by way of bonding of the type of welding, adhesive bonding, stitching, riveting, clamping and the like.

3. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide bars (4) are two in number, on opposite sides from each other, said fine mesh net (3) having respective folded portions (5) that are also on opposite sides, each one of which defines a specific pocket (7) intended to accommodate a corresponding guide bar (4).

4. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (2) comprises specific side housings (8) for covering and hiding said at least one guide bar (4), said housing (8) having a transverse encumbrance, with respect to the passage delimited by the said frame (2), of dimensions similar to the width of said folded portion (5) shaped like a pocket (7).

5. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one guide bar (4) has a smooth outer surface, in order to increase the slideability, at least the outer layer of said bar (4) being made of material preferably chosen among polytetrafluorethylene, polyamide, polymers additivised with graphite, polyethylene, polycarbonate, methacrylates, polyoxymethylene, silicone resins, aramid resins, phenolic resins, polymers additivised with lubricating particles, steel, aluminum, composite materials and related combinations.

6. The mosquito net according to claim 1 , characterized in that said frame (2) comprises an upper box (9) for the rotating accommodation of a roller designed for winding said fine mesh net (3) thus defining two limit configurations for said net (3), a first, rolled-up configuration in which said net (3) is mostly wound on said roller and the passage delimited by the said frame (2) is open, and a second configuration of use in which only a minimal part of said net (3) is wound on said roller and the passage delimited by the said frame (2) is occluded by the said net (3).

7. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower edge of said fine mesh net (3), opposite to the winding roller in the assembled configuration, is coupled to an actuation cross-member (10) having the ends slideably accommodated in respective guide slots (1 1) in said side housings (8) accommodating said guide bars (4).

8. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end face of each one of said pockets (7) constituted by said folded portion (5), the face constituting the side end of said lower edge of said fine mesh net (3), is coupled to a corresponding slide (12) which can slide on the corresponding guide bar (4), said slide (12) being rigidly coupled to the said cross-member (10).

9. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation cross-member (10) comprises a locking unit (13), said unit (13) being arranged with elastic twisting on a fixed component, of the type of the frame (2), a housing (8) and a guide bar (4), the external action of an operator on said unit (13), brought to bear against the said elastic twisting to which the unit (13) is subjected, freeing said cross-member (10) to slide and thus the movement of said fine mesh net (3).

10. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at at least two of the corners of the said passage delimited by the said frame (2), respective fixing elements (14) are stably coupled, which are intended to stably accommodate the extreme ends of said guide bars (4) and to lock said housing (8).

1 1. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation cross-member (10) comprises a lower longitudinal seat (15) for the accommodation of deformable means, in the configuration of blocking the said passage said means being resting, deformed or otherwise, on the lower threshold of said passage in order to completely close it.

12. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said roller comprises elastic elements for the automatic rotation thereof in the direction of rewinding and rolling-up of said fine mesh net (3).