Abstract: A covering device such as a protective guard or screen, in particular for machine tools, has a link apron with a plurality of links connected to one another in an articulated manner and sliding elements arranged on the links at the end. The link apron is guided by means of the sliding elements on at least one guide element, the at least one guide element having at least one linear guide portion and at least one curved guide portion with a radius R of curvature. For lateral support of the link apron in the region of the at least one curved guide portion, at least one support unit is provided, which has a plurality of support rolls, which are rotatably mounted and rest against the link apron. The support rolls in each case have a roll radius r, which is smaller than the radius R of curvature. The robustness and the service life of the covering device is increased by the at least one support unit.

Abstract: A covering device such as a protective guard or screen, in particular for machine tools, has a link apron with a plurality of links connected to one another in an articulated manner and sliding elements arranged on the links at the end. The link apron is guided by means of the sliding elements on at least one guide element, the at least one guide element having at least one linear guide portion and at least one curved guide portion with a radius R of curvature. For lateral support of the link apron in the region of the at least one curved guide portion, at least one support unit is provided, which has a plurality of support rolls, which are rotatably mounted and rest against the link apron. The support rolls in each case have a roll radius r, which is smaller than the radius R of curvature. The robustness and the service life of the covering device is increased by the at least one support unit.