WO2014125509A1

WO2014125509A1 - Mosquito net

Info

Publication number: WO2014125509A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Montanaro
Original assignee: Mv Line S.P.A.
Priority date: 2013-02-13
Filing date: 2013-02-13
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Also published as: EP2956608A1

Abstract

A mosquito net (1) comprising a fixed frame (2), intended to be installed in a respective through opening of an element such as a wall and the like, and a fine-mesh net (3), associated with at least one respective guiding bar (4) that is integral with the fixed frame (2) and is intended, in at least one of its configurations, to block the passage delimited by the frame (2); the net (3) is constituted by a weave of filaments (3a, 3b) of which at least one part is made of polymeric material; at least one end portion (5) of the fine-mesh net (3), intended for coupling with the guiding bar (4), is folded onto itself, fixing a strip (6) that is contiguous to its free end to the region of the net that faces it and is proximate thereto, forming a pocket (7) in which the opening is parallel to the end edge of the net (3); the pocket (7) accommodates slidingly the guiding bar (4), sliding thereon during the operations for moving the mosquito net (1); the at least one guiding bar (4) has a smooth outer surface, for enhanced sliding properties.

Description

MOSQUITO NET

The present invention relates to a mosquito net suitable for any type of installation, even with extremely small space occupations.

Mosquito curtains of the known type are constituted by a fixed frame that is designed to be installed in a respective through opening (for example of a wall) and a fine-mesh net, which is intended, in at least one of its configurations, to block the passage delimited by said frame.

Generally, the fine-mesh net is asphyxiated with at least one guiding assembly so that it can translate with respect to the fixed frame: this is done to allow arrangement of the net in a configuration for blocking the installation opening, in a gathered configuration (in which it does not interfere with said opening) and in any configuration that is intermediate between them.

The coupling of a portion of said net with the respective guiding assembly (or assemblies) is provided by means of fixing of an end band made of a different material to the end edge of said portion.

The band is generally made of fabrics or more generically laminar sheets that are highly deformable and are folded onto themselves so as to surround the end edge of the net portion: fixing can be achieved, depending on the usage, by sewing, adhesive bonding and/or heat-sealing of the laminar sheets folded onto the net.

The band thus obtained allows a valid grip for fixing the guiding assembly, since the possibility of choosing the material that is most suited for the specific application (by applying it onto the net) ensures good mechanical resistance to stresses.

This constructive solution has high costs and requires to have in store a plurality of different materials.

Moreover, the band, in order to be associated effectively with the end edge of the net, must have dimensions that are not smaller than the limits preset by working requirements. This requires the provision of a guiding assembly that has such dimensions as to accommodate the band completely (to avoid making it visible during use) and is therefore unsuitable in applications in which instead the dimensions necessarily must be minimized.

In some embodiments, raised portions (such as buttons and the like) are associated with the lateral edges of the net, more preferably with the bands associated with said edges, and force the net to remain with its edges correctly retained within the lateral guides of the mosquito curtain.

However, these solutions have the problem of causing larger space occupations, since these inserts, when the net is arranged in the gathered (rolled up) configuration, mutually overlap, requiring the adoption of large housings (large housings cannot always be installed due to reasons of space and/or due to aesthetic reasons).

The upper housing, in which the net is gathered when the mosquito curtain is open, also must have dimensions that are suitable for accommodating the net associated with the respective lateral bands: it is evident that where the net is superimposed on the band the thickness is particularly high (with respect to the thickness of the net alone) and for this reason the upper housing must have such dimensions as to accommodate also these portions in which the overlap occurs. This can cause problems of space occupation of the housing, making it unsuitable for some specific applications.

Recent statutory provisions require a mosquito curtain to withstand mechanical stresses applied to the net in a direction substantially at right angles to the plane that contains it: known mosquito curtains provided with the band cause problems due to the difficulty of complying with the statutory prescriptions, since the band can easily escape from its seat when the stress is applied.

Finally, it must be noted that bands made of specific material, adopted to be coupled to the respective guiding means, by sliding on (or in) them, are subjected intensely to yielding and/or wear.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, providing a mosquito net in which the space occupation of the fine- mesh net is minimal even when the mosquito net is in the gathered configuration, with the consequent possibility of accommodation within a small housing.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to disclose a mosquito net in which the guiding assembly associated with the fine-mesh net can have any thickness without compromising its aesthetic characteristics.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a mosquito net that avoids any phenomenon of yielding and/or wear of the bands of the mosquito net associated with the guiding means.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a mosquito net that is adapted to tolerate, without compromising its operation, stresses directed along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane that contains the fine-mesh net.

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

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mosquito net that has low costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.

This aim and these objects are achieved by a mosquito net of the type comprising a fixed frame, intended to be installed in a respective through opening of an element such as a wall and the like, and a fine-mesh net, associated with at least one respective guiding bar that is integral with said fixed frame and is intended, in at least one of its configurations, to block the passage delimited by said frame, characterized in that said net is constituted by a weave of filaments of which at least one part is made of polymeric material; at least one end portion of said fine-mesh net, intended for coupling with said guiding bar, is folded onto itself, fixing a strip that is contiguous to its free end to the region of the net that faces it and is proximate thereto, forming a pocket in which the opening is parallel to the end edge of said net, said pocket accommodating slidingly said guiding bar and sliding thereon during the operations for moving said mosquito net, said at least one guiding bar having a smooth outer surface, in order to enhance the sliding properties, at least the outer layer of said bar being made of a material selected preferably from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, polymers with the addition of graphite, polyethylene, polycarbonate, methacrylates, polyoxymethylene, silicone resins, aramid resins, phenolic resins, polymers with the addition of lubricating particles, steel, aluminum, composite materials and combinations thereof.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the mosquito net according to the invention, 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 the mosquito net of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a net of a mosquito net according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional perspective view of a detail of the net of Figure 3.

With reference to the figures, the 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 respective through opening (such as for example a window, door, a skylight and the like) of an element such as a wall and the like.

The mosquito net 1 comprises a fine-mesh net 3, which is associated with at least one respective guiding bar 4 that is integral with the fixed frame 2. The fine-mesh net 3 is designed, in at least one of its configurations, to block the passage delimited by the frame 2.

The purpose to be achieved by adopting a mosquito net (and therefore also by adopting the mosquito net 1 according to the invention) is in fact to prevent access of insects to the interior of an enclosed space, through the passage of the wall in which it is installed, yet allow the free circulation of air.

According to the invention, the net 3 is constituted advantageously by a weave of filaments 3a, 3b, of which at least one part is made of polymeric material: the filaments 3a, 3b are arranged with respect to each other according to two different alignments, arranged in a substantially mutually perpendicular configuration, in compliance with the arrangement of the weft and warp of an ordinary fabric.

With particular reference to the technical and construction specifications of the present invention, at least one end portion 5 of fine- mesh net 3, intended for coupling to the guiding bar 4, is folded onto itself, by fixing a strip 6 that is contiguous to its free end to the region of the net 3 that faces it and is proximate thereto.

This folded portion 5 forms a pocket 7 in which the opening is parallel to the end edge of the net 3: the pocket accommodates slidingly at least one guiding bar 4, sliding thereon during the operations for moving the mosquito net 1.

In order to ensure optimum operation of the mosquito net 1 and an extended life thereof in operation with minimal need for maintenance, the at least one guiding bar 4 may preferably have a smooth outer surface: this in fact enhances its sliding properties, 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 made of a material selected preferably from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, polymers with the addition of graphite, polyethylene, polycarbonate, methacrylates, polyoxymethylene, silicone resins, aramid resins, phenolic resins, polymers with the addition of lubricating particles, steel, aluminum, composite materials and combinations thereof.

Among the cited materials, the search for common characteristics of reduced surface friction with respect to the sliding of the net 3 is specified.

It is appropriate to note that the filaments 3a, 3b that constitute the weft or warp of the fine-mesh net 3 are constituted by polymeric material. The filaments 3 b, 3 a that constitute respectively the warp or weft of the net 3 are instead constituted by material selected preferably from glass fiber, carbon fiber, composite materials, metals and aramid fibers.

More specifically, the filaments 3a that constitute the weft of the net 3, the ones that therefore are arranged parallel to the guiding bar 4, are made of glass fiber, whereas the filaments 3b that constitute the weft, i.e., arranged at right angles to the bar 4, are made of polyester.

This solution allows having a net 3 that has optimum mechanical strength and rigidity (in relation to the presence of glass fiber filaments 3a having optimum structural performance) yet at the same time is particularly flexible, along specific bending directions, since the polyester of the filaments 3b has this characteristic. In any case, both glass fibers and propylene are particularly resistant to traction stresses, giving the net 3 a high resistance to penetration.

In particular, the provision of the net 3 can provide for "weaving" by adopting the filaments 3a, 3b, which, for preservation against mechanical degradation phenomena (wear and yielding) and physical/chemical degradation (aging caused by thermal stresses, luminous/solar radiation, environmental corrosive actions and the like) may be coated with a protective film 3c made of a specific polymeric material.

In particular, the convenience of adopting polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for the coating 3c is noted, since it is particularly insensitive to the action of atmospheric agents. The use of filaments 3a, 3b (made of the most suitable materials) already coated with a protective film 3c (for example made of PVC) in order to manufacture the net 3 is not excluded.

For example, it might be possible to adopt filaments 3a made of glass fiber (or carbon fiber or metal or aramid fiber or polymeric fibers) covered with PVC for the warp and other filaments 3b made of polyester (or of other polymeric material) coated with PVC for the weft.

In this manner it is possible to avoid subjecting the finished net 3 to the process of depositing the protective film 3 c (since the individual filaments are already protected autonomously).

In any case, it is convenient to provide for thermal treatments of the net 3 completely coated by the protective film 3c (by adopting individual coated filaments or by means of a coating that takes place subsequently to the "weaving" of the net 3) in order to facilitate the optimum distribution of the polymeric coating layer (for example made of PVC) and ensure the best cohesion of the various filaments to each other and to the coating polymer 3c (for example PVC).

Analyzing in greater depth the structure of the mosquito net 1 according to the invention, the strip 6 that is contiguous to the free end of the fine-mesh net 3 and the region of the net 3 that faces it and is proximate thereto are mutually coupled by couplings such as heat-sealing, adhesive bonding, sewing, riveting, clamping and the like.

In particular, it is specified that it is possible to mutually heat-seal these components by adopting for example a heated slider that applies pressure to both superimposed portions of the net 3 while said net is resting on a respective abutment (which also might be heated).

Different solutions for coupling the flaps, such as for example adhesive bonding and mechanical couplings, are not to be excluded.

Among mechanical couplings, it is appropriate to mention the clamping of the flaps onto each other by means of adapted clamping assemblies, for example assemblies provided with slats that are mutually coupled by means of screws.

It is appropriate to specify that the guiding bars 4, according to a constructive solution of unquestionable interest in practice and in application, are two in number and are mutually opposite.

In this case, the fine-mesh net 3 has respective folded portions 5 that are also mutually opposite, each one forming a specific pocket 7 that is designed for the accommodation of a corresponding guiding bar 4.

In this manner, the net 3 is stretched between two mutually opposite bars 4: this constructive solution ensures optimum tension of the net 3 and high resistance against wind and any small impacts against the net 3.

The frame 2 comprises specific lateral casings 8 for covering and concealing the at least one guiding bar 4.

The casings 8 have a transverse space occupation, with respect to the passage delimited by the frame 2, whose dimensions are similar to the width of the folded portion 5 that is shaped like a pocket 7.

In practice, these casings 8 therefore can protrude very little from the installation passage of the mosquito net 1 , minimizing the visual impact and ensuring full usability of said passage (be it constituted by the opening of a window, of a door or others).

The frame 2 comprises an upper housing 9 for the rotatable accommodation of a roller designed for rolling up the fine-mesh net 3.

The net 3 forms, depending on the level of its winding on the roller, two limiting configurations: a first gathered configuration, in which the net 3 is predominantly wound on the roller and the passage delimited by the frame 2 is open, and a second configuration for use, in which only a minimal part of the net 3 is wound onto the roller and the passage delimited by the frame 2 is blocked by the net 3.

According to a particular constructive solution of unquestionable interest in application, the lower edge of the fine-mesh net 3, the one that in the assembled configuration lies opposite the winding roller, is coupled to an activation beam 10, the ends of which are accommodated slidingly within respective guiding slots 11 of the lateral casings 8 that accommodate the guiding bars 4.

According to this application, the front end of each pocket 7 constituted by the folded portion 5 (said front constitutes the lateral end of the lower edge of the fine-mesh net 3) is coupled to a respective slider 12 that can slide on the corresponding guiding bar 4.

Each slider 12 is coupled rigidly to the beam 10.

Each slider 12 represents, in this particular application, the end of the beam 10 that is accommodated slidingly within a corresponding slot 11 of the casing 8.

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

The unit 13 is arranged with elastic forcing on a fixed component, of the type of the frame 2, of a casing 8 and of the guiding bar 4 (in particular, with respect to the guiding bar 4, the unit can also operate indirectly, operating on the slider 12 that is engaged thereon).

Any external action of an operator on the unit 13, an external action that is opposite with respect to the elastic forcing to which the unit is normally subjected, releases the sliding of the beam 10 and therefore 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 coupled stably and are intended for the stable accommodation of the lower and/or upper ends of each guiding bar 4 and for the locking of the casings 8.

The lower end of each guiding bar 4 is accommodated directly in the respective fixing element 14 that is fixed on the threshold of the passage, while the upper end is coupled to a fixing element 14 that is not visible in the accompanying figures since it is provided entirely inside the housing 9. It should be noted appropriately that the actuation beam 10 comprises a longitudinal lower recess 15 for the accommodation of deformable means: in the configuration for blocking the passage, the deformable means rest, optionally deformed, on the lower threshold of the passage in order to close it completely. Said means can be constituted by gaskets made of polymeric material, rubber and expanded polymeric foams or by brushes the bristles of which are highly deformable.

For the purpose of optimum operation of the mosquito net 1 , the roller designed to wind the fine-mesh net 3 comprises elastic elements for its automatic rotation in the direction for winding and gathering the net 3.

Favorably, the present invention solves the problems described above, disclosing a mosquito net 1 in which the space occupation of the fine-mesh net 3 is minimal even when the mosquito net 1 is in the gathered configuration, with the consequent possibility of accommodation within a housing 9 having reduced dimensions: the absence of the additional band in fact reduces the overall thickness and therefore minimizes space occupation. Thanks to the provision of the pockets 7 it is therefore possible to achieve this important reduction in space occupation.

Conveniently, the present invention solves the problems described above, providing a mosquito net 1 in which the guiding assembly (constituted by the guiding bars 4 and by the lateral housings 8 that accommodate them) associated with the fine-mesh net 3 can have any thickness without compromising its aesthetic characteristics: elements other than the net 3 (such as for example the band made of other material that is sewn or heat-sealed and is adopted in the background art) cannot protrude and besides said net has a folded portion 5 (so as to shape the pocket 7) that has extremely small dimensions.

Conveniently, the mosquito net 1 is suitable for tolerating, without compromising its operation, stresses that are directed along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane that contains the fine-mesh net 3 : this occurs because the slots 1 1 (front openings of the housings 8) are narrower than the diameter of the guiding bars 4 and therefore a stress applied to the net 3 causes exclusively a forcing of the bars 4 toward the corresponding slot 1 1 , but without their escape due to reasons of geometric interference. The mosquito net 1 according to the invention therefore complies with statutory prescriptions in an optimum manner.

Advantageously, the present invention proposes a mosquito net 1 that has low costs: this occurs in relation to the elimination of raw material for the completion of the net 3 (no additional band, needed in the background art, is required) and to its processing.

Conveniently, the present invention avoids any phenomenon of yielding and/or wear of the bands of the mosquito net 1 that are associated with the guiding bars 4, since said bands are constituted by the lateral flaps of said net 3 folded onto themselves: the presence of filaments 3a, 3b made of polymeric material in the net 3 increases (with respect to those of the traditional type) its flexibility and ability to be deformed, avoiding wear and yielding phenomena.

Positively, the present invention proposes a mosquito net 1 that is constituted by a minimal number of different components: this gives assurance to the manufacturer of reducing the quantity of different raw materials (and/or semifinished parts) in his store.

Effectively, the present invention discloses a mosquito net 1 that is relatively simple to provide practice and is safe in application.

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

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

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

Claims

1. A mosquito net of the type comprising a fixed frame (2), intended to be installed in a respective through opening of an element such as a wall and the like, and a fine-mesh net (3), associated with at least one respective guiding bar (4) that is integral with said fixed frame (2) and is intended, in at least one of its configurations, to block the passage delimited by said frame (2), characterized in that said net (3) is constituted by a weave of filaments (3a, 3b) of which at least one part is made of polymeric material; at least one end portion (5) of said fine-mesh net (3), intended for coupling with said guiding bar (4), is folded onto itself, fixing a strip (6) that is contiguous to its free end to the region of the net that faces it and is proximate thereto, forming a pocket (7) in which the opening is parallel to the end edge of said net (3), said pocket (7) accommodating slidingly said guiding bar (4) and sliding thereon during the operations for moving said mosquito net (1), said at least one guiding bar (4) having a smooth outer surface, in order to enhance the sliding properties, at least the outer layer of said bar (4) being made of a material selected preferably from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, polymers with the addition of graphite, polyethylene, polycarbonate, methacrylates, polyoxymethylene, silicone resins, aramid resins, phenolic resins, polymers with the addition of lubricating particles, steel, aluminum, composite materials and combinations thereof.

2. The mosquito net according to claim 1 , characterized in that said filaments (3a, 3b) that constitute said weft/warp of said net (3) are constituted by polymeric material, the filaments (3b, 3a) that constitute said warp/weft of said net (3) are constituted by a material selected preferably from glass fiber, carbon fiber, composites, metals and aramid fibers.

3. The mosquito net according to claim 2, characterized in that said filaments (3a) that constitute said warp of said net (3), i.e., the filaments that are arranged parallel to said guiding bar (4), are made of glass fiber, and the filaments (3b) that constitute said weft of said net (3), i.e., the filaments arranged at right angles to said guiding bar (4), are made of polyester.

4. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said strip (6) that is contiguous to the free end of the fine-mesh net (3) and said region of the net that faces it and is proximate thereto are mutually coupled by means of couplings of the type of heat-sealing, adhesive bonding, sewing, riveting, clamping and the like.

5. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said guiding bars (4) are two in number and are mutually opposite, said fine- mesh net (3) having respective folded portions (5) that are also mutually opposite, each one forming a specific pocket (7) intended to accommodate a corresponding guiding bar (4).

6. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (2) comprises specific lateral casings (8) for the covering and concealment of said at least one guiding bar (4), said casings (8) having a transverse space occupation, with respect to the passage delimited by said frame (2), whose dimensions are similar to the width of said folded portion (5) shaped like a pocket (7).

7. The mosquito net according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (2) comprises an upper housing (9) for the rotary accommodation of a roller designed for the winding of said fine-mesh net (3), forming two limiting configurations for said net (3), a first gathered configuration in which said net (3) is wound predominantly onto said roller and the passage delimited by said frame (2) is open, and a second configuration for use, in which only a minimal part of said net (3) is wound onto said roller and the passage delimited by said frame (2) is blocked by said net (3).

8. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower edge of said fine-mesh net (3), the one that lies opposite, in the assembled configuration, to the winding roller, is coupled to an actuation beam (10) the ends of which are accommodated slidingly within respective guiding slots (1 1) of said lateral casings (8) that accommodate said guiding bars (4).

9. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end front of each one of said pockets (7) constituted by said folded portion (5), said front constituting the lateral end of said lower edge of said fine-mesh net (3), is coupled to a respective slider (12) that can slide on the corresponding guiding bar (4), said slider (12) being coupled rigidly to said beam (10).

10. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation beam (10) comprises a locking unit (13), said unit (13) being arranged with elastic forcing on a fixed component, such as the frame (2), of a casing (8) and of a guiding bar (4), the external action of an operator on said unit (13), which is opposite to said elastic forcing to which it is subjected, releasing the sliding of said beam (10) and the movement of said fine-mesh net (3).

1 1. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective fixing elements (14), intended for the stable accommodation of the ends of said guiding bars (4) and for the locking of said housings (8), are coupled stably at at least two of the corners of said passage delimited by said frame (2).

12. The mosquito net according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation beam (10) comprises a longitudinal lower recess (15) for the accommodation of deformable means, in the configuration for blocking said passage said means resting, optionally deformed, on the lower threshold of said passage for the complete closure thereof.

13. 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 for winding up and gathering said fine-mesh net (3).