Grid flap

Abstract

The present application deals with a grid flap, comprising a multiplicity of vertical and horizontal grid struts, a frame which surrounds the grid struts, wherein a vertical and a horizontal grid strut respectively overlap in a crossing point, characterized in that the crossing points of the grid struts are made of one piece. As the grid is self-supporting because of its topology (made of one piece) and the overlapping of two grid struts can be avoided, double areas or cavities can be avoided, which contributes to a hygienic design of the grid flap.

Claims

1. A grid flap, comprising: a multiplicity of vertical and horizontal grid struts, a frame, which surrounds the grid struts, and at least one strengthening strut integrated in the frame by which forces applied to bearings, from which the grid flap can be supported, are transmitted to the grid flap, wherein the vertical and horizontal grid struts overlap in crossing points characterized in that the crossing points of the grid struts are made of one piece, and connection of the grid struts to the frame is formed in a flush manner, wherein the multiplicity of vertical and horizontal grid struts, the crossing points and the frame are made of one piece, the connection of the grid struts to the frame is formed as a steady transition and the grid flap has a radius of curvature such that the grid flap is non-planar.

2. A grid flap according to claim 1, wherein the vertical and horizontal grid struts at the crossing points are designed in a substantially perpendicular manner.

3. A grid flap according to claim 1, wherein the vertical and horizontal grid struts comprise a substantially mesh-like structure.

4. A grid flap according to claim 1, wherein the grid flap describes a substantially cylindrical area.

5. A grid flap according to claim 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the grid flap is variable over the length of the grid flap.

6. A grip flap according to claim 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the grid flap is variable in at least one direction.

7. A grip flap according to claim 6, wherein a radius of curvature of an upper part of the grid flap is variable to a radius of curvature of a lower part of the grid flap.

8. A grid flap according to claim 1, wherein the grid flap has an n-edged shape.

9. A grid flap according to claim 1, wherein the grid flap is composed of several segments.

10. A grid flap according to claim 1, wherein the grid struts form a grid structure that comprises a plurality of edges.

Description

(1) In the following, preferred embodiments are explained more in detail with reference to the enclosed figures.

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wire netting according to prior art.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a crossing point of a grid structure according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows the rear side of a grid structure which contains crossing points according to FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a horizontal or vertical grid structure, respectively.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a grid structure rotated by 45.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a grid flap according to the invention, wherein the grid structure is approximated to a cylindrical area.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a grid flap according to FIG. 6, however including a connection structure and bearings.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a grid flap according to the invention which is approximated to a flap area with edges.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a grid flap according to FIG. 8, however including a connection structure and bearings.

(11) In FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of a grid 1a of a grid flap according to prior art is illustrated. The grid 1a consists of wires 2h and 2v, which are interwoven which each other and hence cohere. At the crossing points 3 of the grid struts 2h and 2v, those grid struts 2h and 2v are not firmly connected with each other. The grid struts 2h and 2v are marginally movable with respect to each other, which leads to a restricted stiffness. Precisely for this reason, an supporting construction (not shown here) is necessary. At the crossing points 3, the grid struts 2h and 2v lie above each other, and precisely because of this lying on each other, a large amount of double areas is present.

(12) In the present example, the welding connection between the grid strut 2v and the frame 4 is provided as a welding seam 5. The welding seam 5 is provided here as inclined joint. If the grid flap or the grid 1a has a changing load because of a force F, there is a stress peak on the inner side of the inclined joint, i.e. of the welding seam 5. The notch effect on the inner side leads to stress peaks at this position.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the grid structure 1a according to the present invention. The upper side or the product-conducting side of the grid 1a is similar to the grid of FIG. 1. However, there is the difference compared to FIG. 1, that at the crossing points 3, the wire-like structures 2h and 2v are formed from one piece. Such a design leads to a higher stiffness compared to the usual wire nettings, as e.g. presented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, double areas can be avoided at the crossing points 3. Rather, the rear side of the grid structure 1a is a single area, and this cohering area can be easily cleaned mechanically. The connection of grid 1a and frame 4 is designed as continuous transition, the grid 1a and the frame are flush, similar to a butt joint.

(14) FIG. 3 shows the rear view of a grid flap with crossing points 3 according to FIG. 2. Herein, it becomes clear again that the entire grid structure 1a is formed of one piece. FIG. 4 shows a certain orientation of the grid structure 1a. In this case, the grid structure 1a resembles a wickerwork or fabric. The struts 2h and 2v are substantially aligned rectangular to each other.

(15) FIG. 5 shows another, also substantially perpendicular design of the struts 2h and 2v of the grid structure 1a. From this, it is also visible that the crossing points 3 are designed of one piece, and hence, no double areas are present in this case.

(16) FIG. 6 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of a grid flap 1, wherein the grid flap 1 is approximated to a cylindrical area. The curvature radius of the flap area of the upper part to the lower part is variable, but can also remain almost constant.

(17) Also from this, it becomes visible that the grid structure 1a makes a transition to the frame 4 in a seamless manner.

(18) FIG. 7 shows a light weight construction connecting structure of the grid flap 1 of FIG. 6, for which a transmission of forces to the bearings 5 occurs directly. Furthermore, it becomes visible that no supporting construction for the grid 1a becomes necessary, but only single strengthening struts 6, which, however, are also bendable in the cylindrical shape of the grid flap 1 without any problems.

(19) Also from this, it becomes visible that the grid structure 1a makes a transition to the frame 4 in a seamless manner.

(20) In FIG. 8 a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the grid flap 1 is presented, wherein here, the grid flap 1 is approximated to the shape of a metal flap with edges. The grid structure 1a comprises several edges 7, wherein grid 1a and frame 4 are still formed of one piece.

(21) The circumferential surface of the grid flap 1 herein describes the shape of a pyramid with an n-edge as base area.

(22) FIG. 9 shows the connecting structure of the grid flap from FIG. 8, with which a transmission of forces from the bearings 5 via strengthening struts 6 directly to the grid flap 1 is enabled. The transition from grid 1a to the connecting structure 6 is herein hygieni-cally designed and made of one piece, without cavities or double areas. Despite all is-sues, the grid is self-supporting and can distribute forces onto the flap without the risk of a deflection. The grid structure 1a comprises several edges 7 also in this case, wherein grid 1a and frame 4 are still made of one piece.

(23) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

(24) The orientation of the grid structure can vary depending on the product and can be provided in a different way in the scope of the present invention. Herein, in particular the individual cleanability, the size of the product, the product shape and the desired clearing characteristics play a role. The grid struts 2v and 2h do not have to be connected in a perpendicular manner at the crossing points; rather, a web-shape or a weave-shape can be present. Furthermore, a shape which is usual for knittings is possible. Furthermore, different structures, for example, meshes, which can be fabricated via knitting and crocheting, etc. are possible.

(25) Furthermore, the shape of the grid flap is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, cone shapes, spherical segment shapes, prism shapes and rectangular shapes are possible.