INSECT SCREEN FOR BOATS

Abstract

An insect screen for boats, particularly for portholes and manholes, has a rigid frame that supports a rigid mesh and embeds an opposite pair of plate-like lobes that jut out from its internal edge and are provided with through holes crossed by respective bars that slide and revolve relative to the holes. Each bar is provided at one end with a hooked end section, folded at right angle, whereas the other end is associated with a knob that is subject to the thrust of a helical spring externally inserted on each bar in intermediate position between the knob and the lobes.

Claims

1. Insect screen for boats, particularly for portholes or manholes, comprising a frame and a watertight hatch, characterized in that it comprises: a frame made of a rigid material, having the same shape and size as the hatch and embedding an opposite pair of plate-like lobes that jut out from its internal edge and are provided with through holes; a rigid fine mesh with perimeter edges fixed to the frame; two identical bars with circular section that are inserted in said holes with the possibility of sliding and revolving relative to said holes; each bar being provided at one end with a hooked end section folded at right angle, whereas the other end is associated with a knob; and a helical spring that is externally inserted on each bar in intermediate position between said knob and said lobes in order to oppose the travels of said bar in the direction that corresponds to a movement of the knob towards the mesh.

2. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a pair of identical frames that are disposed in specular opposite position and are fixed together in order to tighten the perimeter edge of said rigid mesh in intermediate position.

3. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein each bar is coupled with a housing and guiding bush fixed in said through holes.

4. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein said rigid mesh is woven with a stainless-steel wire.

5. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein said hooked end section of said bars is coated with a sheath made of a soft anti-scratch material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] For explanatory clarity the description of the insect screen according to the invention continues with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are shown only for illustrative, not limiting purposes, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of the insect screen for boats according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the insect screen of FIG. 1 taken along the plane II-II of FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic axonometric view of a porthole of a boat suitable for being covered with the insect screen of FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a view of the insect screen of the invention applied to a porthole and seen from outside the boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] With reference to the aforesaid figures, the insect screen (1) according to the invention comprises a supporting frame, consisting of a frame (2) made of a rigid material, preferably a metal material, having the same shape as the porthole or manhole to which it is to be fitted.

[0040] More precisely, said frame (2) has the same dimensions as the hatch (P) of the frame, in such a way that, after opening the hatch, said frame (2) can be perfectly embedded inside the frame (T) and fixed against the flat annular rim (T1) of the frame, which is suitable for acting as a watertight stop surface of the hatch (P), in closing position, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] Said frame (2) acts as a support for a rigid fine mesh (10) suitable for preventing the passage of small insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, midges, bees and the like; said rigid mesh (10) is woven with a stainless steel wire, preferably with a diameter of 0.6 mm, and in any case having a sufficient strength to prevent the intrusion of larger animals, such as rats, stray cats and birds.

[0042] Such a frame (2) is provided with an opposite pair of plate-like lobes (3) that protrude from its inner edge (2a) and are provided with respective through holes (3a).

[0043] A bar with circular section (4) is slidingly and revolvingly inserted into each one of said holes (3a), said bar (4) ending at one end with a hooked section (4a), bent at a right angle, whereas its other end is associated with a knob (5) that facilitates the easy operation of said bar (4), either to make it translate or rotate, in opposite direction, within said hole (3a).

[0044] In the preferred embodiment of the insect screen (1) according to the invention—in order to facilitate the alternate rotations and translations of said bar (4) with respect to the frame (2)—said bar (4) is coupled with a respective housing and guide bushing (6), which is in turn fixed in correspondence with said through holes (3a).

[0045] A helical spring (7) is inserted in said bar (4) and is interposed between said knob (5) and said lobes (3), with the task of contrasting the travels of said bar (4) in the direction that corresponds to an approaching movement of the knob (5) relative to the mesh (10) and, consequently, exerting a recall force on the bar when the bar is forcedly pushed along a travel in the aforementioned direction.

[0046] Finally, it should be pointed out that said frame (2) preferably comprises a pair of identical frames (2a) that are specularly opposed and fixed to each other, thus tightening the perimeter edge of said rigid mesh (10).

[0047] This description continues by illustrating the assembling/disassembling modes of the insect screen (1) according to the invention.

[0048] After opening the hatch (P) of the porthole or manhole, the frame (2) must be centered and positioned in the same housing of the frame (T) where the hatch (P) is accommodated in closed position.

[0049] During such a maneuver, the hooked end sections (4a) of the bars (4) must be directed towards the center of the mesh (10) or, in any case, in such a way as not to protrude from the frame (2), so as not to interfere with the edges of the frame (T) and hinder a quick easy centering of the frame (2).

[0050] Once the frame (2) has been correctly positioned in the housing of the frame (T), the operator simply needs to grab the knobs (5) in order to impose a travel towards the mesh (10) and a rotation of approximately 180° on the bars (4) in order to overturn the position of said hooked end section (4a) until it protrudes from the frame (2).

[0051] Once such a maneuver has been completed, the user simply needs to release the knobs (5) to automatically secure the insect screen (1) to the frame (T) because of the fastening action exerted by said hooked end sections (4a) towards the external side of said frame (T), as shown in FIG. 4, which shows that said hooked end section (4a) is preferably covered by a sheath (8), made of a soft anti-scratch material, in order to avoid damaging the surface finish of the external side of the frame (T).

[0052] Lastly, it should be pointed out that the return action of the springs (7) guarantees a safe stable fixing of the insect screen (1) by means of said hooked end sections (4a) on one hand, and a perfect adherence, under pressure, of the frame (2) to the flat annular rim (T1) of the frame (T) that acts as a watertight stop surface of the hatch (P), in closing position.

[0053] It is easy to understand that the insect screen (1) can be removed from the frame by simply and rapidly carrying out the aforesaid maneuver in reverse order.