Arrangement for screening-off a space
The invention relates to an arrangement for screening-off a first space from a second space and for preventing liquid from splashing outside the first space, comprising a liquid-repellent element displaceable between a first position screening-off the first space and an open second position. The liquid-repellent element includes a plurality of elongate slats mutually interconnected by the intermediary of at least one ladder and with a first side, a second side, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, the slats being, by the intermediary of at least one operating element, displaceable in a vertical direction between the screening-off first position and the open second position. The first side of each respective slat is designed with at least one projecting portion, the projecting portion being designed for abutment against the second side of an adjacent slat in the open, second position while forming at least one air gap between adjacent slats.
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The present invention relates to an arrangement for screening-off a space. More specifically, the present invention relates to an arrangement for screening-off a first space from a second space and preventing liquid from splashing outside the first space. Arrangements of the type under consideration here occur in connection with the screening-off of a space in order to prevent liquid from splashing in environments where liquid splashes and the like take place. Arrangements of the type contemplated here often occur in connection with shower and bathing areas and the like. Normally, this type of arrangement occurs in a domestic environment for screening-off a shower area, such as a bathtub, shower cabinet or the like, in order to prevent water from splashing outside the shower area. This type of arrangement may also occur in connection with car wash installations, painting work, cutting processing and the like.
BACKGROUND ARTNumerous different types of apparatuses and arrangements for screening-off a space and preventing liquid or water from splashing outside a space are previously known in the art. One such type of arrangement comprises water-repellent curtains, such as shower curtains, in order to screen-off a space in an environment where liquid splashing takes place, such as a shower area, bathtub or the like. Normally occurring shower curtains are produced from a liquid-repellent material and are, in their upper end, moveably connected to a horizontal rod, in which event the shower curtain may be drawn along the rod. In order to screen off the shower area, the shower curtain is moved in front of an opening between the shower area and adjacent space and, when the shower curtain is not in use, it may be moved to the side while at the same time being folded.
One drawback in such prior art arrangements for preventing liquid from splashing outside the space is that they are bulky and take up considerable space when not in use. For example, a shower curtain or other types of water-repellent curtains which are moved to the side take up relatively large space in an area such as a bathroom, which also entails that the area in question is perceived as being smaller.
One problem inherent in such prior art arrangements is that they become damp after use and subsequently dry slowly. A water-repellent curtain becomes wet or attracts moisture when in use, whereafter it is often moved to the side after use, during simultaneous folding, with the result that it takes a considerable time for the curtain to dry.
A further problem inherent in such prior art arrangements is that there is a risk of mould damage or the like to such arrangements after a period of use.
Yet a further drawback inherent in such prior art arrangements is that, when in use, they are not stable as regards their position. For example, they may be drawn in towards the area where liquid splashing occurs, which may entail problems. When a shower is in use, for example shower curtains are drawn in towards the shower area and a user in the shower. This may reduce the screening function of the arrangement and entail discomfort for the user of the shower area.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE INVENTIONOne object of the present invention is to obviate the above-outlined drawbacks and problems inherent in prior art solutions. The arrangement according to the present invention entails that liquid splashing from an area such as a shower area or other environment where liquid splashing may occur can be avoided in a reliable and simple way without taking up unusually large space or without being in the way when not in use. Hence, the arrangement according to the present invention entails that a first space where liquid splashing occurs may be screened-off from a second space, the second space being protected against liquid splashing.
A further object of the present invention is to realise a more reliable arrangement for preventing liquid from splashing outside a space. One problem inherent in this type of prior art arrangement is that liquid, such as water or the like, may often leak out at the lower region of the arrangement as a result of defective sealing between the arrangement and a floor or the like.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise an arrangement of the type contemplated here which is simple to mount in position.
Still a further object of the present invention is to realise a liquid-repellent Venetian blind or louvre which may advantageously be employed for screening-off a space where liquid splashing occurs.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to realise an arrangement which remains in the desired position and, for example, is not sucked in towards a person in a shower area. This problem occurs in connection with prior art arrangements as a result of the fact that the water in the shower area heats up the air in the shower area, whereafter the air rises. Consequently, cold air outside the shower area is drawn in towards the shower area while entraining the arrangement towards the person in the shower area.
The present invention comprises an arrangement for screening-off a first space from a second space and for preventing liquid from splashing outside the first space, comprising an element which is displaceable between a first position screening-off the first space and an open second position and which is liquid-repellent, characterised in that the liquid-repellent element includes a plurality of elongate lamellae or slats which are mutually interconnected by the intermediary of at least one ladder and which display a first side, a second side, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, the slats being, by the intermediary of at least one operating element, displaceable in the vertical direction between the screening-off first position and the open second position, that the first side of each respective slat is designed with at least one projecting portion, the projecting portion being designed for abutment against the second side of an adjacent slat in the open second position under the formation of at least air gap between adjacent slats.
Thus, the arrangement according to the present invention may be designed as a liquid-repellent Venetian blind or a liquid-repellent louvre which may be employed in connection with screening-off a space such as a space where liquid splashing occurs. Examples of such spaces are bathing areas, shower areas, washing installations and areas where paintwork, cutting processing and similar operations occur. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement is thus designed as a shower Venetian blind or shower louvre.
The projecting portion may be realised in that a distance between the first side and the second side of each respective slat is greater than in an adjacent portion of the slat. Thus, the projecting portion may be a portion of each respective slat where a distance between the first side and the second side is greater than in other portions of the slat. Thus, the air gap is formed in order to make possible drying of the slats in that the design of the first side of the slats differs from the design of the second side of the slats. Alternatively, spaces may be disposed on the first side of the slats or the second side. For example, the first side in the open second position is an underside of the slat and the second side is an upper side of the slat, in which event the projecting portion may be disposed on the underside or upper side of the slat in the open second position.
The slats may be distributed along the ladder with mutual spacing which is less than a width of each respective slat so that the first longitudinal side of each respective slat projects over the second longitudinal side of an adjacent slat. By such means, an overlap may be created which makes for a more reliable barrier against splashing liquid. Further, the first longitudinal side of each respective slat may project over apertures and recesses for lifting cords and ladders, respectively, in the second longitudinal side of an adjacent slat, in which event the apertures and recesses as well as the lifting cords and ladders are covered by a superjacent and adjacent slat in a lowered and screening-off position. By such means, liquid is prevented from passing through the apertures and recesses. Further, lifting cords and ladders are protected from liquid splashing, a screening-off arrangement which effectively repels liquid splashing being realised.
The recesses and apertures may be disposed along the one longitudinal side of the slats, in which event the slats may be rotated about connection points between the slats and the ladders. In that the ladders are disposed at one longitudinal side, the slats will, in the screening-off position, automatically assume a lowered or substantially vertical position. When the slats are moved up and together to the open position, they are forced to rotate in a direction towards the horizontal position, or a position where the slats are disposed with a greater angle in towards the first space.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the slats may, in the screening-off position, be disposed with a gap between adjacent slats so that air may pass between the slats in the arrangement. By such means, the risk will be avoided, for example, that the arrangement is sucked in towards a shower area and a person located there. The gap may be disposed between the lower longitudinal side of an upper slat and one side of subjacent slats which is directed in towards the first space, the slats overlapping one another so that liquid which splashes substantially from above cannot pass through the gap.
The arrangement according to the present invention may also include a conventional top strip for mounting in a ceiling or the like. The arrangement may also include a sealing strip for sealing against a substrate such as a floor or a bathtub edge or the like.
The ladder may include a cord and a device projecting transversely in relation to the line such as balls or knots or the like for abutment against the first side, or the underside, of each respective slat. The ladder is connected to each respective slat through the recess, which may be designed so that the ladder may be passed into the recess from one longitudinal side of the slat on mounting, which results in a simpler and less time-consuming mounting operation. Operating elements, such as conventional lifting cords, may be provided in a conventional manner.
Further characterising features and advantages inherent in the present invention will be apparent from the description of embodiments given below, the accompanying Drawings and the dependent Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGSThe present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with the aid of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:
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The arrangement 10 includes a liquid-repellent element in the form of a plurality of mutually interconnected lamellae or slats 11 in order to prevent liquid from splashing out of the first space. The slats 11 are elongate and comprise a first side 12 and a second side 13. For example, the first side 12 is designed, in the screening-off first position, to be directed substantially towards the second space adjacent the first space, such as a space adjacent a shower area, and, in the open, second position, to be directed more downwards or obliquely downwards. Thus, the first side 12 of the slat 11 in the screening-off first position is disposed substantially vertical in a direction opposed to the first space, while an axis along the extent of the slat is horizontal. In the open, second position, the slat 11 is angled in towards the first space, the first side 12 having been turned in a direction towards horizontal position, while the axis along the extent of the slat is still horizontal. For example, the second side 13 may be designed in order, in the screening-off first position, to be directed substantially towards the first space and, in the open second position, to be directed more upwards or obliquely upwards so that the slat 11 inclines for example 45°. Thus, the second side 13 of the slat 11, in the screening-off first position, is disposed substantially vertically in a direction towards the first space, while an axis along the extent of the slat is horizontal. In the open, second position, the second side 13 of the slat 11 is disposed obliquely upwardly, while the axis along the extent of the slat is still horizontal. For example, the slats 11 are made of a liquid-repellent plastic material which is preferably resistant to chlorine, soap, acids, heat, impact and the like. For example, the slats 11 are produced from polycarbonate plastic, acrylic plastic, such as PMMA, thermoplastic such as PET/PETG, or PVC, aluminium or the like.
The slats 11 are mutually interconnected by the intermediary of one or more ladders 14 which are disposed in recesses in the slats 11, the recesses being described in greater detail below. The ladder 14 is disposed substantially vertically and transversely of the extent of the slats 11. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ladder 14 includes a cord provided with balls, knots or similar devices projecting transversely of the extent of the cord. The slats 11 rest on the balls which are distributed with suitable mutual spacing along the extent of the cord. Thus, the distance between the slats 11 in the screening-off first position is determined by the positions of the balls. Alternatively, the ladder 14 is designed in a conventional manner. For example, the arrangement 10 includes three ladders 14 which are distributed along one longitudinal side or edge of each respective slat 11. Alternatively, the arrangement 10 includes conventional ladders or ladder tapes which are conventionally distributed.
The slats 11 are, with the aid of an operating element, movable from the screening-off first position to the open second position. For example, the operating element consists of one or more lifting cords 15 which are disposed so that each respective slat 11 is displaceable between the screening-off first position and the open second position during simultaneous rotation about an axis running along the extent of the slat 11. The lifting cord 15 suitably runs through an aperture in each respective slat 11 and through a locking housing so that the arrangement 10 may be locked in position in the open second position. For example, the locking housing is a conventional ratchet or locking housing for Venetian blinds and will not be described in greater detail. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lifting cord 15 is designed in a conventional manner. For example, the arrangement 10 may include two lifting cords 15. Alternatively, lifting cords 15 are provided in a conventional manner.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement 10 includes a coving 16 which is connected to the slats 11 by the intermediary of the ladder 14. The coving 16 is designed to be fixed in a ceiling or the like for suspension of the arrangement 10. For example, the locking housing is disposed in the coving 16. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lifting cord runs through the coving. Further, for example the ladder 14 is connected to the coving 16. For example, the coving 16 is designed in a conventional manner.
The slats 11 are designed in such a manner that they can dry in the open second position, i.e. for example in the raised position, without fastening in adjacent slats or sticking together. The first side 12 or the second side 13 of each respective slat 11 includes or is provided with at least one projecting portion 17 for abutment against the second side 13 or the first side 12 of an adjacent slat 11 in the open second position while forming at least one air gap between adjacent slats 11. For example, the projecting portion 17 is realised in that a distance between the first side 12 and second side 13 of the slat 11 is greater than in an adjacent portion of the slat 11. Thus, one formation of the first side 12 of the slat 11 is different from the second side 13, a profile of the first side 12 differing from a profile of the second side 13, and the difference between one extent of the first side 12 and one extent of the second side 13 forming the air gap or a plurality of air gaps between adjacent slats 11. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, each respective slat 11 is formed with non-constant thickness, at least one portion of the slat 11 being designed with a thickness which is greater than a thickness of other portions. Alternatively, the slats 11 are provided with a spacer or the like in order to realise the air gap.
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In the lowered and screening-off first position, the slats 11 are disposed so that the first longitudinal side 18 of the slats 11 projects out over the second longitudinal side 19 of an immediately subjacent slat, an overlapping being realised. Thus, a first slat 11 partly covers a subjacent second slat 11 so that the recesses and apertures for ladders 14 and lifting cords 15 are covered so as to avoid liquid splashing through them. Further, the mutual overlapping of the slats 11 entails that ladders 14 and lifting cords 15 are covered and protected from liquid. This overlapping is realised by disposing the balls which are distributed along the ladders 14 and on which the slats 11 rest at a mutual spaced apart relationship which is less than the distance between the first longitudinal side 18 and second longitudinal side 19 of the slats 11.
The first longitudinal side of the slats 11 is, in the screening-off first position, free and disposed with a distance to the second side 13 of a subjacent slat while forming a gap 20. Thus, air may pass between the first space and the second space in order to prevent the arrangement 10 from being sucked into the shower area when showering or the like. For example, warm air in the first space may pass from the first space to the second space through the gaps 20 in an upper region of the arrangement 10, i.e. in a direction from the second side 13 of the slats 11 to the first side 12 of the slats 11, in which event cool air from the second space may pass from the second space to the first space through the gaps 20 in a lower region of the arrangement 10.
With the aid of the lifting cords 15, the slats 11 are displaced from the screening-off first position to the open second position, the slats 11 being moved upwards, brought together and turned to an angled or substantially horizontal position. Thus, the second side 13 of the slats 11 is turned upwards from a position where they form a liquid-repellent barrier against the first space. For example, the slats 11 incline around 45° in towards the first space in the open second position. Alternatively, the slats 11 are substantially horizontal so that the second side 13 is directed upwards in the open second position. In the raised open second position, the portions 17 projecting from the first side 12 of the slats 11 abut against the second side 13 of a subjacent slat 11 while forming at least one air gap 21 therebetween. Thus, the air gap 21 is formed by the projecting portion 17 or the design of the slats 11, in which event, in the raised and open, second position they may rapidly dry without sticking together. The projecting portion 17 or the projecting portions 17 thus project, in the raised open, second position, downwards and form abutment points against the upper side, or second side 13 of a subjacent slat 11. These abutment points constitute only a fraction of the surface of the slats 11, the air gap 21 being formed between the abutment points so that the air gap 21 extends along the greater part of the surface of the slats 11. For example, the air gap 21 extends substantially from the first longitudinal side 18 of the slats 11 to their second longitudinal side 19. Alternatively, the air gap 21 extends along the extent of the slats 11 with the exception of the abutment points of the projecting portions 17. For example, the arrangement 10 includes, in the open, second position, a plurality of air gaps 21 depending upon the number of projecting portions 17.
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Claims
1. An arrangement for screening-off a first space from a second space and for preventing liquid from splashing outside the first space, comprising a liquid-repellent element which is displaceable between a first position screening-off the first space and an open second position, comprised in
- that the liquid-repellent element comprises a plurality of elongate lamellae or slats mutually interconnected by the intermediary of at least one ladder and displaying a first side, a second side, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, said slats being, by the intermediary of at least one operating element, displaceable in a vertical direction between the screening-off first position and the open second position; and
- that the first side of each respective slat is designed with at least one projecting portion, said projecting portion being designed for abutment against the second side of an adjacent slat in the open second position while forming at least one air gap between adjacent slats.
2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is a portion of each respective slat where a distance between the first side and the second side is larger than in remaining portions of the slat.
3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slats are distributed along the ladder with a mutual spacing which is less than the width of each respective slat so that the first longitudinal side of each respective slat in the screening-off first position projects over the second longitudinal side of an adjacent slat.
4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladder runs through a recess in each respective slat, said re-cess being disposed at the second longitudinal side of the slats.
5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess projects into the slat and is designed as a recess in and transversely of the second longitudinal side of the slat so that the ladder may be moved into the recess from the second longitudinal side.
6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slats, in the screening-off first position, are disposed with a gap be-tween the first longitudinal side of a first slat and the second side of an adjacent second slat.
7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein ends of the slats are, in the screening-off first position, disposed substantially vertically.
8. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screening-off first position is a raised position and the open, second position is a lowered position.
9. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first space is a shower or bath area.
10. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises a liquid-repellent louvre or Venetian blind.
11. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladder includes a cord and a device projecting transversely of the extent of the cord for abutment against the first side of each respective slat.
12. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slats are pivotal about the ladder so that they may be pivoted about an axis which runs horizontally along the second longitudinal side of the slats.
13. The arrangement as claimed claim 1, wherein the arrangement includes a sealing strip connected to the slats for abutment against a substrate in the screening-off first position.
14. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement includes a coving connected to the slats, said coving including a locking housing for locking the slats in the open, second position.
15. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slats include a first projecting portion disposed at the first longitudinal side and a second projecting portion disposed at the second longitudinal side.
16. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is disposed at a central region of each respective slat.
17. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is disposed at the second longitudinal side of each respective slat.
18. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, the slats including a first projecting portion disposed at the first longitudinal side, a fourth projecting portion disposed at the second longitudinal side, a second projecting portion disposed there between, and a third projecting portion disposed between the second projecting portion and the fourth projecting portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 14, 2006
Applicant: Carlsrum Design AB (Lund)
Inventor: Carl Jonson (Lund)
Application Number: 10/567,500
International Classification: A47K 3/00 (20060101);