Abstract
The invention relates to a cover for temporarily shielding objects that may be converted from an open state exposing the object to a closed covering state covering the object and vice versa. The invention further relates to a container including such a cover and to an assembly method for such a cover. In order to provide a cover with better handling and reduced footprint, it is proposed that the cover comprises at least two modular interconnectable or interconnected curved screen segments that are at least pairwise movable about a common pivot axis relative to each other when interconnected, wherein the screen segments, in the open state of the cover, are covering each other and, in the covering state of the cover, overlap each other, abut against each other, or are spaced apart from each other such that they form an domed cover. The result is a cover that is adaptable to various purposes and requirements.
Claims
1. A cover for temporarily shielding objects that may be converted from an open state exposing the object to a closed covering state covering the object and vice versa, wherein the cover comprises at least two modularly interconnectable or interconnected curved screen segments that are at least pairwise movable about a common pivot axis relative to each other when interconnected, wherein the screen segments, in the open state of the cover, are covering one another and, in the covering state of the cover, overlap each other, abut against each other, or are spaced apart from each other side by side such that they form a domed cover.
2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the screen segments are configured as interchangeable components.
3. The cover according to claim 1, wherein two interconnected screen segments are rotatably connected, which allows a relative rotation of the screen segments with respect to each other.
4. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the screen segments have a driving contour that forms a driving connection between two adjoining screen segments and allows a transfer of at least one of compressive and tensile forces between the screen segments.
5. The cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the screen segments comprises at least one connection opening for receiving a connecting element that forms the pivot axis.
6. The cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the screen segments comprises at least one connection means, in particular a pivot axis.
7. The cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one screen segment comprises at least one of a slotted hole, a pivot opening, a pivot pin, and a drive/stop pin.
8. The cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the screen segments comprises a stop.
9. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a base to which at least one of the screen segments may be or is connected.
10. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover is configured as a foldable and unfoldable fanlike cover, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of screen segments that may be or are connected in modular fashion, of which each of two adjacent screen segments are connected or connectable via a rotary connection.
11. A container comprising a base plate and comprising a cover according to claim 1.
12. The container according to claim 11, wherein the base plate comprises an assembly base for attaching the cover to the base plate.
13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the assembly base comprises a guiding groove for guiding a guide pin connected to a screen segment.
14. The container according to claim 11, wherein the container comprises a handle mount for attaching a handle element to the container.
15. The container according to claim 11, wherein the base plate comprises a latch for fixing at least one screen segment.
16. A method for assembling a domed cover for temporarily shielding objects that may be converted from an open state exposing the object to a closed covering state covering the object and vice versa, of the method comprising: providing a total number of curved screen segments of the cover; selecting a number in accordance with specific requirements from the total number of screen segments; and modularly connecting the selected number of screen segments with each other such that these are at least pairwise movable about a common pivot axis and form a domed cover for shielding the object when in a side-by-side covering state.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the cover is releasably connected with a container comprising a base plate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of an exemplary embodiment together with the accompanying drawings. These show schematically:
[0057] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cover in a covering state;
[0058] FIG. 2 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the cover in an open state;
[0059] FIG. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a screen segment of the cover;
[0060] FIGS. 4A-C detailed perspective views of two screen segments to be interconnected with each other;
[0061] FIG. 5 a side view of two interconnected screen segments;
[0062] FIG. 6 a side view of six interconnected screen segments;
[0063] FIG. 7 a detailed perspective view of another embodiment of two screen segments to be interconnected with each other;
[0064] FIG. 8 a side view of a second embodiment of the cover in a covering state;
[0065] FIG. 9 a detailed side view of the second embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 10 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container comprising a base plate and a cover in an open state;
[0067] FIG. 11 a perspective view of the container of FIG. 10 comprising a base plate and a cover in a covering state;
[0068] FIG. 12 a perspective view of the base plate of the container of FIG. 10;
[0069] FIG. 13 a perspective view of a base plate of a container according to a second embodiment of the container;
[0070] FIG. 14 a perspective view of six interconnected screen segments of a container according to the second embodiment of the container;
[0071] FIG. 15 a perspective view of the container according to the second embodiment, comprising a base plate, screen segments, and a handle element that may optionally be connected to the container;
[0072] FIGS. 16-19 a perspective view of the container according to the second embodiment, comprising the base plate, screen segments, and the handle element in various transitional states of the cover from an open state (FIG. 16) to a covering state (FIG. 19).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0073] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of cover 1 in a covering state and an open state, respectively. The cover 1 comprises a plurality of interconnected curved screen segments 3, which are arranged side by side in the covering state of the cover 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and which cover each other in the open state of the cover 1 shown in FIG. 2. The screen segments 3 each span a screen surface S at their bottom and top sides, where the sum of the screen surfaces S forms a covering surface of the cover 1 for temporarily shielding an object 2 depicted in FIG. 10. The screen segments 3 are each connected with an adjacent or subsequent screen segment 3 at a connection portion 5, that is, successively coupled with each other. Shown are two connection portions 5 at a respective screen segment 3, where the connection portions 5 are facing the respective end regions of a screen segment 3 that has the arcuate shape of a type of circular lune. A rotary connection 7 and a driving connection 8 with a stop 9 are each provided in the connection portions 5, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 3, for example.
[0074] The screen segments 3 that are arranged side by side in the covering state form a type of dome that allows shielding an object 2 underneath the cover 1, for example, from ambient conditions. The modular connectivity of the cover 1 comprising a plurality of selectively interconnectable screen segments 3, which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as symmetric, interchangeable components, facilitates the assembly and handling of the cover 1, and the cover 1 may be adapted for individual current requirements for shielding the object 2. In addition, the cover 1 may remain at its point of use by partial or full conversion of the cover 1 from an open state to a covering state, without having to lift the cover completely off the object.
[0075] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary screen segment 3 that may be assembled in modular fashion with other screen segments 3 to form the cover 1. The screen segment 3 is designed symmetrically to facilitate handling, assembly, and exchange of the screen segments 3, whereby the axis of symmetry 4 intersects the screen segment 3 in the center of the screen segment 3. FIG. 3 shows, among other things, that the width of the screen segments 3 becomes narrower from the center of the screen segment 3 towards its end regions or connection portions 5, in order to maintain the maneuverability of several connected screen segments 3 with respect to each other. A pivot opening 10 for receiving a pivot pin 11 of an adjacent, in particular in an assembly sequence subsequent screen segment 3, a pivot pin 11 for engaging with a pivot opening 10 of an adjacent, in particular in an assembly sequence preceding screen segment 3, and an arcuate slotted hole 12 for receiving a drive/stop pin, which is not shown, are disposed in each connecting portion 5. Here, the pivot opening 10 and the slotted hole 12 may be considered a connection opening, and the pivot pin 11 as well as the drive/stop pin that is not shown may be considered connecting means.
[0076] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C each illustrate a first screen segment 3A and a second screen segment 3B that may be interconnected. The first screen segment 3A and the second screen segment 3B are embodied as interchangeable components and are interchangeable with respect to order, shape, and structure and have the same construction. The first screen segment 3A may comprise a slotted hole 12A, in which a drive/stop pin 13B of the second screen segment 3B is engaged in the connected state of the first screen segment 3A and the second screen segment 3B. The drive/stop pin 13B is displaceably disposed in the slotted hole 12A and limits a relative pivoting motion of the screen segments 3A, 3B with respect to each other. After reaching a limit stop in the sense of an end position within the slotted hole 12A, the drive/stop pin 13B functions as a driver and may transfer motion of the second screen segment 3B onto the first screen segment 3A. The first screen segment 3A also comprises a drive/stop pin 13A, which may engage with a slotted hole of another screen segment, not shown, when the first screen segment 3A is to be connected to another screen segment on the side facing away from the second screen segment 3B. The second screen segment 3B also comprises a slotted hole 12B, which a drive/stop pin of another screen segment, not shown, may engage with when the second screen segment 3B is to be connected to another screen segment on the side facing away from the first screen segment 3A.
[0077] The first screen segment 3A comprises a pivot opening 10A, in which a pivot pin 11B of the second screen segment 3B is engaged in the connected state of the first screen segment 3A and the second screen segment 3B. The pivot pin 11B functions as a swivel for the first screen segment 3A and allows a relative pivoting motion of the screen segments 3A, 3B with respect to each other. The first screen segment 3A also comprises a pivot pin 11A, which may engage with a slotted hole of another screen segment, not shown, when the first screen segment 3A is to be connected to another screen segment on the side facing away from the second screen segment 3B. The second screen segment 3B also comprises a pivot opening 10B, which a pivot pin of another screen segment may engage with, not shown, when the second screen segment 3B is to be connected to another screen segment on the side facing away from the first screen segment 3A.
[0078] FIG. 4A illustrates that the first screen segment 3A comprises an assembly opening 22A for installing the pivot pin 11A within the assembly opening 22A and that the second screen segment 3B comprises an assembly opening 22B for installing the pivot pin 11B within the assembly opening 22B. FIG. 4B shows the pivot pins 11A, 11B in an already installed state. FIG. 4C illustrates the pivot pins 11A, 11B disposed on the screen segments without an assembly opening 22A, 22B, for example, glued on or formed integrally with the segments.
[0079] FIG. 5 shows the two screen segments 3A, 3B in an interconnected state. The side view illustrates, how the drive/stop pin 13B of the second screen segment 3B engages with the slotted hole 12A of the first screen segment 3A, the pivot pin 11B of the second screen segment 3B engages with the pivot opening 10A of the first screen segment 3A, and the pivot pin 11A and the drive/stop pin 13A of the first screen segment 13A are available for connecting to another screen segment that is not shown.
[0080] FIG. 6 depicts a plurality of, here six, screen segments 3 interconnected according to the aforementioned principle.
[0081] FIG. 7 illustrates a variant, where the screen segments 3 do not comprise any connection openings or means, but may be connected by means of a fitting 14. The fitting 14 may, for example, be glueable to the screen segments 3 and allows a more individual specification, how the screen segments are to be interconnected, for example by means of a rotary or driving connection.
[0082] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the cover 1 in a covering state, where each screen segment 3 is displaced with respect to the adjoining screen segment 3, and thus the screen segments 3 are arranged side by side. The screen segments 3 each have a front edge 19 that is curved upwards and a rear edge 20 that is curved in the opposite direction, that is, downwards, as shown in detail in FIG. 9. A relative motion of the screen segments 3 is limited by an undercut of the front edge 19 with the rear edge 20, such that a stop 9 is realized. At the same time, the stop 9 forms a driving connection 8 between the screen segments 3, such that, after reaching stop 9, a tensile force acting onto a screen segment 3 is transferred onto the subsequent screen segment 3 via the driving connection 8, which in turn moves relative to its subsequent screen segment 3, until its stop 9 is reached, etc. This way, the covering state shown in FIG. 8 is achieved, with completely unfolded screen segments 3 that are arranged side by side, where one can see the fan-shaped hood-like arrangement of the screen segments 3.
[0083] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a first embodiment of a container 15 comprising a base plate 17 and a cover 1, in an open state (FIG. 10) and a covering state (FIG. 11) for temporarily shielding objects 2, respectively. The cover 1 comprises an assembly base embodied as a bottom base 16 disposed on a support surface of the base plate 17 comprising connection openings for establishing a connection to at least one of the screen segments 3, where the connection is fixed or allows relative motion.
[0084] The base plate 17 has an object support surface for supporting the objects 2 to be shielded as well as integrally formed baffles 21 for visual concealment and for protection of the connection portions 5 of the screen segments 3. At the same time, the baffles 21 may serve as handle portions or may comprise handle mounts for an optional additional handle element for transporting the container 15. The container 15 is a unit that is ready for use to temporarily shield the objects 2 without requiring an object support surface, for example, for storing or placing the objects 2. In addition, the objects 2 may be transported within the container 15.
[0085] FIG. 12 shows that the base plate 17 comprises a latch 18. The latch 18 allows to temporarily or permanently attach one, more or all of the screen segments 3 to the base plate 17, for example, in order to facilitate the conversion of the cover 1 from an open state into a covering state. For example, this allows displacing the screen segments 3 without having to pay attention to an exact metering of the tensile force when unfolding the cover 1, so as to not lift the last screen segment 3 from the base plate 17 and thereby generate an undesired gap between the cover 1 and the base plate 17. Optionally, an additional latch, not shown, may be provided opposite the latch 18 to allow fastening of at least an additional screen segment 3 in a covering state of the cover. By fastening the screen segments 3 by means of the latch 18, or where appropriate by means of the latch 18 and another latch, inadvertent or accidental conversion of the screen segments 3 to the open or the covering state, for example due to gravity when tilting the container, may be avoided.
[0086] FIG. 13 illustrates a base plate 17 of a container 15 according to a second embodiment of the container 15. In this embodiment, the base plate 17 comprises an assembly base that is formed as a lateral base 23 integrally with the base plate 17 and arranged at its edge. The lateral base 23 formed of two opposite lateral tongues of the base plate 17 comprises at least on one side an arcuate guiding groove 26 facing the interior of the container for receiving a guide pin 27 shown in FIG. 14 and connected to a screen segment 3. The lateral base 23 also comprises an external handle mount 25 on both sides facing away from the container interior, with which handle tabs 30 of a handle element 24 shown in FIG. 15 may engage to attach the handle element 24 to the base plate 17 and thus to the container 15. The base plate 17 shown in FIG. 13 comprises additionally a base segment receptacle 29 for attaching a screen segment 3 and for forming an axis of rotation for this screen segment 3. For this purpose, at least one screen segment 3 comprises a recess 28 shown in FIG. 14, such that the screen segment 3 may at least sectionally enclose the base segment receptacle 29.
[0087] FIG. 14 illustrates a cover 1 designed for assembly on the base plate 17 shown in FIG. 13. In this exemplary embodiment, the cover 1 is formed by six screen segments 3 that are pairwise interconnected in a connection portion 5 and is shown in an open state, where the screen segments 3 cover each other almost completely. At the outer screen segment 3, which encloses the other screen segments 3 to a large extent, a guide pin 27 is provided, for example inserted into an appropriate opening of the screen segment 3, for engaging with a guiding groove 26 shown in FIG. 13.
[0088] FIG. 15 illustrates the cover 1 shown in FIG. 14 in a state connected with the base plate 17 of FIG. 13. Furthermore, one can see that a handle element 24 is movable in the assembly direction M towards the base plate 17, in order to insert the handle tabs 30 of the handle element 24 into associated handle mounts 25 of the base plate 17 for attachment. The handle tabs 30 are temporarily hooked into the handle mounts 25 in a form-fitting manner, but may be released again by lowering and thus spreading of the handle element 24, such that a connection and release of the handle element 24 and the base plate 17 is possible without tools. The handle element 24 comprises a comfortable handle portion 31 which is configured as a bellows and may thus allow widening and dampening of the handle.
[0089] FIGS. 16 to 19 show a perspective view of the container 15 according to the second embodiment, comprising the base plate 17, the screen segments 3A to 3F, and the handle element 24 in various transitional states of the cover 1 from an open state (FIG. 16) to a covering state (FIG. 19). It becomes clear how a dome-shaped cover 1 for protecting objects 2 is provided by pivoting the interconnected screen segments 3A to 3F in series.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0090] 1 cover [0091] 2 object [0092] 3 screen segment [0093] 3A first screen segment [0094] 3B second screen segment [0095] 3C third screen segment [0096] 3D fourth screen segment [0097] 3E fifth screen segment [0098] 3F sixth screen segment [0099] 4 axis of symmetry [0100] 5 connection portion [0101] 6 driver portion [0102] 7 rotary connection [0103] 8 driving connection [0104] 9 stop [0105] 10 pivot opening [0106] 10A pivot opening of first screen segment [0107] 10B pivot opening of second screen segment [0108] 11 pivot pin [0109] 11A pivot pin of first screen segment [0110] 11B pivot pin of second screen segment [0111] 12 slotted hole [0112] 12A slotted hole of first screen segment [0113] 12B slotted hole of second screen segment [0114] 13 drive/stop pin [0115] 13A drive/stop pin of first screen segment [0116] 13B drive/stop pin of second screen segment [0117] 14 fitting [0118] 15 container [0119] 16 bottom base [0120] 17 base plate [0121] 18 latch [0122] 19 front edge [0123] 20 rear edge [0124] 21 baffle [0125] 22 assembly opening for pivot pin [0126] 22A assembly opening of first screen segment [0127] 22B assembly opening of second screen segment [0128] 23 lateral base [0129] 24 handle element [0130] 25 handle mount [0131] 26 guiding groove [0132] 27 guide pin [0133] 28 recess [0134] 29 base segment receptacle [0135] 30 handle tab [0136] 31 comfortable handle portion [0137] S screen surface [0138] M assembly direction
