SCREEN DEVICE

Abstract

Screen device in which two beams (1, 2) in the mounted state of the screen device are mutually coupled with the aid of:a first coupling piece (3), comprising a first mounting cavity (4) for the fitting herein of a first part of the first beam (1); and a second mounting cavity (5) for the fitting herein of a first part of the second beam (2);and a second coupling piece (6), comprising a first mounting cavity (7) for the fitting herein of a second part of the first beam (1), extending opposite the first part; and a second mounting cavity (8) for the fitting herein of a second part of the second beam (2), extending opposite the first part.

Claims

1. Screen device comprising a plurality of beams, which in the mounted state of the screen device are mutually coupled with the aid of fasteners wherein these fasteners: comprise a first coupling piece, which i. comprises a first mounting cavity for the fitting herein of a first part of a first said beam; ii. and comprises a second mounting cavity for the fitting herein of a first part of a second said beam; and comprise a second coupling piece, which i. comprises a first mounting cavity for the fitting herein of a second part of the first beam, which extends opposite the said first part of the first beam; ii. and comprises a second mounting cavity for the fitting herein of a second part of the second beam, which extends opposite the said first part of the second beam.

2. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said first parts are bottommost parts of the respective beams, and in that the said second parts are topmost parts of the respective beams.

3. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said mounting cavities have a shape corresponding with the shape of the corresponding parts of the beams.

4. Screen device according to one claim 1, characterized in that the mounting cavities are provided for the positive-locking fitting herein of the corresponding parts of the beams.

5. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the corresponding beams are fitted in the corresponding cavities of the first coupling piece and in the corresponding cavities of the second coupling piece, the first coupling piece and the second coupling piece connect to each other.

6. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means comprise couplers for the mutual coupling of the first coupling piece and the second coupling piece.

7. Screen device according to claim 6, characterized in that each coupling piece comprises a partial screw channel, wherein these partial screw channels form part of the said couplers, and, when the corresponding beams are fitted in the corresponding cavities of the first coupling piece and in the corresponding cavities of the second coupling piece, form part of one and the same screw channel, and in that the couplers comprise a screw for screwing into this screw channel in order to mutually couple the coupling pieces.

8. Screen device according to claim 7, characterized in that each partial screw channel is arranged between the mounting cavities of the corresponding coupling piece.

9. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one mounting cavity is delimited at the bottom by a bottom of the corresponding coupling piece, wherein this bottom is provided with a recess and/or an elevation, and in that the corresponding part of the corresponding beam is provided with an elevation and/or recess corresponding with this recess and/or elevation.

10. Screen device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first coupling piece is provided with a threaded shaft as the said elevation, which extends with respect to the bottom of the first mounting cavity of the first coupling piece, and in that the first beam is provided with a corresponding opening as the said recess.

11. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen device comprises a column, which in the mounted state of the screen device is coupled to the beams, and in that the first coupling piece is provided at the bottom with one or more positioning elements, which are fittable in and/or around the column so as to position this coupling piece with respect to the column in order to couple the beams to the column.

12. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that each coupling piece comprises a first virtually U-shaped leg, which delimits the first mounting cavity, and comprises a second virtually U-shaped leg, which delimits the second mounting cavity.

13. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that each mounting cavity is designed such that it narrows towards a bottom, which delimits this mounting cavity at the bottom, and in that each beam is designed correspondingly curved.

14. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling pieces are designed as castings or mouldings.

15. Screen device according claim 1, characterized in that the first beam and the second beam are arranged in the screen device at an angle () with respect to each other, and in that the corresponding mounting cavities are arranged at this same angle () with respect to each other.

16. Screen device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first coupling piece comprises a third mounting cavity, for the fitting herein of a first part of a third said beam, and in that the second coupling piece comprises a third mounting cavity, for the fitting herein of a second part of the third beam, which extends opposite the said first part of the third beam.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] This invention is now explained in greater detail on the basis of the hereinafter following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of a screen device according to this invention. The aim of this description is solely to provide illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and particularities of this invention, and thus cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the field of application of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.

[0063] In this detailed description, reference is made by means of reference numerals to the accompanying drawings, wherein in

[0064] FIG. 1 a connection of two beams from a screen device according to this invention at an angle with respect to each other and on top of a column is represented in perspective;

[0065] FIG. 2 the connection from FIG. 1 is represented in exploded perspective;

[0066] FIG. 3 the first coupling piece from FIG. 1 is represented separately in perspective;

[0067] FIG. 4 the second coupling piece from FIG. 1 is represented separately in perspective, with a view of the second mounting cavity;

[0068] FIG. 5 the second coupling piece from FIG. 1 is represented separately in perspective, with a view of the first mounting cavity;

[0069] FIG. 6 the first beam from FIG. 1 is represented separately in perspective;

[0070] FIG. 7 the first beam from FIG. 1 is represented separately in cross section;

[0071] FIG. 8 the second beam from FIG. 1 is represented separately in perspective;

[0072] FIG. 9 the second beam from FIG. 1 is represented separately in cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] In the figures can be seen a connection of two beams (1, 2) from a screen device according to this invention on top of a column (20).

[0074] Such a screen device comprises a plurality of such beams (1, 2), which are put together to form a framework. This framework can be mounted on columns (20) or partially on, for example, a wall.

[0075] In such a screen device, the space in the framework is filled with filling elements, which may be arranged displaceably or not. Displaceable filling elements are typically slats, which can be rolled up and unrolled on a screen roller and/or are tiltable and/or movable, etc. The displaceable elements preferably form in closed position a watertight roof. By displacement and/or rotation of slats and/or by rolling-up of a screen, this roof can be at least partially opened and/or closed in order thus, according to choice, to let through, or, conversely, shield against, sun and/or wind.

[0076] In order to fasten the beams (1, 2) on top of the column (20), the screen device according to the invention comprises a first coupling piece (3) and a second coupling piece (6).

[0077] The depicted first coupling piece (3) is provided with a positioning element (19), which is fittable in the cavity (33) of the hollow designed column (20), as can be seen in FIG. 2. The positioning element (19) has a shape adapted to the shape of the cavity (33) of the column (20), so that it fits virtually in a positive-locking manner herein. In order to fix the coupling piece (3) with respect to the column (20) despite possible clearances as a result of tolerance differences, both this positioning element (19) and the column (20) are further provided with bores (21 and 22 respectively), through which screws are fittable for screwing of the column (20) to this positioning element (19). The bores (22) in the column (20) are provided on those sides of this column (20) which in the mounted state of the screen device are directed towards the inner side of the canopy, so that these are largely hidden from view.

[0078] The first coupling piece (3) further comprises a first U-shaped leg (23) and a second U-shaped leg (24), as can clearly be seen in FIG. 3. The first U-shaped leg (23) demarcates a first mounting cavity (4) for the fitting herein of the first beam (1), as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second U-shaped leg (24) analogously demarcates a second mounting cavity (5) for the fitting herein of the second beam (2). The U-shaped legs (23, 24) connect to each other at a virtual right angle (), such that the beams (1, 2), when they are fitted in the said mounting cavities (4, 5), extend at this same angle () with respect to each other.

[0079] The mounting cavities (4, 5) are designed such that they narrow towards the bottom (11) of the U-shaped legs (23, 24). The beams (1, 2) comprise corresponding curved side walls (32). These curved beams (1, 2) widen towards the middle of the beams (1, 2), as can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 6-9, so that the bottommost part of these beams (1, 2) can be fitted in a positive-locking manner into the narrowing mounting cavities (4, 5) of this first coupling piece (3).

[0080] By virtue of the taper and corresponding curvature (32), the beams (1, 2) can be fitted in a self-centring manner into these mounting cavities (4, 5).

[0081] Into the first leg (23) of the first coupling piece (3) are worked two threaded shafts (12), which extend upwards with respect to the bottom (11) of the leg (23). The first beam (1) is provided with two corresponding bores (15), through which these threaded shafts (12) are fittable. These threaded shafts (12) and corresponding bores (15) thus form positioning elements (12, 15), with which the first beam (1) can be correctly positioned with respect to the first coupling piece (3). The fact that the positioning elements (12) of the first leg (23) are designed as threaded shafts (12) means that nuts (18) can also be turned hereon in order thus to bolt the first beam (1) to the first coupling piece (3) with the aid of these threaded shafts (12) and nuts (18).

[0082] In the second leg (24) of the first coupling piece (3) are provided two projecting knobs (13), which extend upwards with respect to the bottom (11) of the leg (24). The second beam (2) is provided with two corresponding bores (16), through which these knobs (13) are fittable. The knobs (13) and bores (16) thus form positioning elements (13, 16), with which the second beam (2) can be correctly positioned with respect to the first coupling piece (3).

[0083] Following fitting of the beams (1, 2) in the first coupling piece (3), the second coupling piece (6) can be mounted. The second coupling piece (6) likewise comprises a first U-shaped leg (23) and a second U-shaped leg (24), as can clearly be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The first U-shaped leg (23) demarcates a first mounting cavity (7) for the fitting herein of the first beam (1), as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second U-shaped leg (24) demarcates a second mounting cavity (8) for the fitting herein of the second beam (2). Also these U-shaped legs (23, 24) connect to each other at the same virtual right angle () as the legs (23, 24) of the first coupling piece (3) and the beams (1, 2).

[0084] Also the mounting cavities (7, 8) of this second coupling piece (6) are designed such that they narrow towards the bottom (11) of the U-shaped legs (23, 24), so that now the topmost part of the curved beams (1, 2) can be fitted in a positive-locking manner into the narrowing mounting cavities (7, 8) of this second coupling piece (6).

[0085] In the first leg (23) of the second coupling piece (3) is provided a projection (14), which extends upwards with respect to the bottom (11) and a side wall of the leg (23). The first beam (1) is provided with a corresponding opening (17), through which this projection (14) is fittable. This projection (14) and this corresponding opening (17) thus form positioning elements (14, 17), with which the first beam (1) can be correctly positioned with respect to the second coupling piece (6).

[0086] In the second leg (24) of the second coupling piece (6) are once again provided two projecting knobs (13), which extend upwards with respect to the bottom (11) of the leg (24). The second beam (2) is provided with two corresponding bores (16), through which these knobs (13) are fittable. The knobs (13) and bores (16) thus form positioning elements (13, 16), with which the second beam (2) can be correctly positioned with respect to the second coupling piece (6).

[0087] In order to make the first coupling piece (3) and the second coupling piece (6) connect nicely to each other, those margins of the first coupling piece (3) which are directed towards the second coupling piece (6) are provided on their outer side provided with an indentation (25). Those margins of the second coupling piece (6) which are directed towards the first coupling piece (3) are provided on their inner side with a complementary indentation (26), such that, when the second coupling piece (6) is fitted on top of the first coupling piece (3), these margins partially overlap each other. For aesthetic reasons, these margins do not fully overlap each other, so that a slot (27) extends in the thus shaped wall, as can be seen in FIG. 1. As a result of tolerance differences, it would namely not be possible to make these margins connect perfectly to each other, which without such a slot (27) may be felt to be aesthetically disturbing.

[0088] The beams (1, 2) are provided with corresponding slots (28), which in the mounted state extend in the extension of the slots (27) formed with the coupling pieces (3, 4), in order thus to form an aesthetic whole.

[0089] The depicted connection further comprises coupling means (9, 10), with which the first coupling piece (3) and the second coupling piece (6) can be mutually coupled after the beams (1, 2) have been fitted in the first coupling piece (3) and the second coupling piece (6) has been fitted above the beams (1, 2). To this end, these coupling means (9, 10) comprise a screw channel (9), consisting of two partial screw channels (9) which each form part of one of the two coupling pieces (3, 6), as can be seen in FIGS. 3-5. When the coupling pieces (3, 6) are fitted one on top of the other, these partial screw channels (9) form one screw channel (9), into which a screw (10) of the coupling means (9, 10) can be screwed in order thus to connect the two coupling pieces (3, 6) one to the other.

[0090] The depicted first beam (1) is provided with a side gutter (31). A side gutter (31) is typically present in screen devices in which the canopy is provided with moving parts which temporarily close off or, conversely, open the canopy, such as a roll-up and unrollable screen, or rotatable and/or displaceable slats, etc. This side gutter (31) here needs to extend under the lateral ends of the moving parts in order that precipitation which falls onto these moving parts can be led away to this side gutter (31). The depicted first beam (1) is here provided with bores (29) for the fitting herein of shafts of rotatable slats acting as such moving parts, which shafts are rotatable with respect to this beam (1). In order to make the side gutter (31) connect in a watertight manner to the first coupling piece (3), a seal (30) is provided in the first mounting cavity (4) of this first coupling piece (3), as can be seen in FIGS. 1-3.

[0091] The depicted beams (1, 2) and the depicted column (20) are designed as extruded profiles. These can be produced, for example, from aluminium or plastic. It is also possible to produce beams (1, 2) and/or columns (20) of a screen device according to this invention in other ways. These can then, for example, also be produced from other materials, such as, for example, steel, stainless steel, or wood, etc.

[0092] The depicted coupling pieces (3, 6) are produced as plastic mouldings. The taper of the mounting cavities (4, 5, 7, 8) is in this case provided as the draft angle for the production of these coupling pieces (3, 6).

[0093] Of course, it is also conceivable to produce such coupling pieces (3, 6) in other ways and/or from other materials.