Flexible reticular structure

Abstract

The flexible reticular structure comprises a movable surface (1) the movement of which is operated by operating means (2), said surface (1) being formed by a plurality of modules (3) linked to one another by means of attachment rods (5), each of said rods (5) being housed in holes (6) provided in at least two of said modules (3) wherein each module (3) comprises at least one wheel (4) assembled in at least one of said rods (5). It enables the flexible reticular structure to be able to be moved easily.

Claims

1. A flexible reticular structure, comprising a movable surface (1) the movement of which is operated by operating means (2), said surface (1) being formed by a plurality of modules (3) linked to one another by means of attachment rods (5), wherein each module (3) comprises tabs (7) wherein the holes (6) are placed, two adjacent tabs (7) defining a housing (8, 9) for placing a wheel (4), and each of said rods (5) being housed in holes (6) provided in at least two of said modules (3), and is characterised in that each module (3) comprises at least one wheel (4) assembled in at least one of said rods (5), and wherein said tabs (7) define first housings (8) and second housings (9), the length of the first housings (8) being greater than the length of the second housings (9).

2. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein said first housings (8) are located facing each other, and said second housings (9) are located facing each other.

3. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein said first housings (8) are located laterally to each other, and said second housings (9) are located laterally to each other.

4. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein the wheel (4) is a roller which substantially encompasses the entire length of the housing (8, 9).

5. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein the wheel (4) comprises a bearing therein.

6. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein each module (3) is made up of a plurality of transverse and longitudinal dividers which define rectangular, quadrangular and/or polygonal cells.

7. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein each module (3) comprises a recessed portion (12) in the middle part thereof and/or on the ends thereof for placing the operating means (2).

8. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein said modules (3) comprise holes (10) for the fastening of corresponding additional elements.

9. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 8, wherein said additional elements are brushes (11) provided with bristles.

10. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 1, wherein said operating means comprise at least one operating element (2) for moving said movable surface (1) in both directions.

11. The flexible reticular structure according to claim 2 wherein the wheel (4) comprises a bearing therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To better understand what has been set forth above, several drawings schematically depicting only by way of non-limiting example a practical embodiment are attached.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper part of a portion of a flexible reticular structure according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of a module of a flexible reticular structure according to the present invention, with the attachment rods and wheels thereof;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower part of a module of a flexible reticular structure according to the present invention, without attachment rods or wheels;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower part of an additional element which is fastened on a module, in this case, a brush;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper part of a portion of a flexible reticular structure according to the present invention, with a plurality of brushes assembled on the movable surface; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of modules of the flexible reticular structure according to the present invention assembled on an operating element.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) FIG. 1 shows the perspective view of a movable surface, generally indicated by the numerical reference 1, of a flexible reticular structure according to the present invention.

(9) Said movable surface 1 is preferably operated by means of an operating element 2, which can be seen in FIG. 6, in the two directions thereof.

(10) Furthermore, said surface 1 is modular, meaning, it is made up of a plurality of modules 3 linked to one another. The linking or coupling of said modules is carried out by means of longitudinal rods 5, which are introduced into holes 6 of said modules 3.

(11) As can be better observed in FIGS. 2 and 3, said holes 6 are arranged in tabs 7 of the modules 3, which project laterally from said modules 3.

(12) According to the present invention, each module 3 comprises at least one wheel 4, which is assembled in at least one of said longitudinal rods 5. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each module 3 comprises four wheels 4, two on each side of the module 3.

(13) In particular, each wheel 4 is placed in a first housing 8 or a second housing 9 defined between two adjacent tabs 7, as seen in FIG. 2.

(14) In order for two adjacent modules 3 to be able to be placed next to each other with the minimum separation between them, the length of the first housings 8 is greater than the length of the second housings 9. Furthermore, each wheel 4 substantially occupies the entire length of the respective housing 8, 9.

(15) In FIG. 2, it can be seen how said first housings 8 with a greater length are located facing each other, as well as said second housings 9 with a smaller length also being located facing each other, next to the first housings 8.

(16) According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each wheel 4 is a roller, which can include at least one bearing therein to decrease the friction between the wheel 4 and the rod 5.

(17) Advantageously, each module 3 is made up of a plurality of longitudinal and transverse dividers which define rectangular, quadrangular and/or polygonal cells, maximising the structural resistance thereof and reducing the weight of each module 3 as much as possible. Furthermore, this characteristic enables the circulation of fluid through said module.

(18) Additional elements can be placed on said movable surface 1. To do so, said modules 3 comprise fastening holes 10, although they could comprise any suitable fastening or coupling means (shown as square holes, these can be any anchoring method: round holes, square holes, clips, guides, screws, glue, etc.).

(19) In this representation, the brushes include clips 13 in the lower surface which fit into the fastening holes 10, as seen in FIG. 4.

(20) According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, said additional elements are brushes 11 provided with bristles which couple onto said modules 3. In this case, to enable the bristles of the brushes 11 to open when the lower surface thereof is pressed, each module 3 comprises protuberances 14, which in the assembly position will press on the lower surface of said brushes 11 so that the bristles open (desired effect in the applications for cutting laminar material).

(21) These brushes 11 are preferably used to act as a base for a laminar material, such as paper or fabric, which will be cut by means of a suitable cutting device. The bristles of said brushes 11 will act as a support for the laminar material, but the blade of the cutting device will be able to pass between them.

(22) FIG. 6 shows a plurality of modules 3 assembled on an operating element, which makes up part of the operating means 2, for operating the movement of the movable surface 1.

(23) For the assembly thereof, each module 3 comprises at least one recessed portion 12 in the middle part thereof and/or on the ends thereof to house the operating element. Said operating element has a polygonal shape, seen in a plan view, and comprises grooves 15 in the vertices thereof to house the rods 5. To do so, the wheels 4 of the modules 3 do not occupy the entire length thereof, rather they define a free separation between the housings 8, 9.

(24) Despite the fact that reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident for the person skilled in the art that numerous variations and changes may be made to the flexible reticular structure described, and that all the aforementioned details may be substituted by other technically equivalent ones, without detracting from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.