SOERENSEN, Steen (Lindebjergvej 1, Tommerup, DK-5690, DK)
| CLAIMS 1 . A double-wall curtain system for thermally compartmentalizing spaces in a building, said system comprising: • a double-wall curtain 1 based on two parallel curtains 1 a and 1 b fixed to a top framework 2 of the building along its top 4 sides and fastened to a transversely oriented bottom profile 5 along its bottom 3 sides, whereby an air filled space 10 is formed between the curtains providing thermal insulation; • spacers 6 for keeping the curtains apart; • one or more cables connected to the transversely oriented bottom profile 5 and to one or more winders attached to the top framework of the building so that the curtain can be suspended from the top framework to a floor of the building for separating a working area into at least two parts; • a stabilizing arm 7 for holding the system in upright position, said arm connected to the top framework 2 of the building and the bottom profile 5; wherein the spacers are formed by ladder strings 6a attached to the bottom profile 5 and the top framework 2. 2. A double-wall curtain system according to claim 1 , wherein additional transversely oriented profiles 5a, 5b, 5c divide the curtains into smaller areas. 3. A double-wall curtain system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the curtain is made from a transparent material. 4. A double-wall curtain system according to claim 3, wherein the curtain is made from PVC. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a suspended thermally insulating curtain based wall. In particular the present invention is directed to a curtain based wall for dividing a section of a building into thermally isolated subsections.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of heat insulating curtains inside buildings is mostly known from fire curtains. Although fire curtains are supposed to withhold smoke and fire in a given section of a building they also act as thermally insulating curtains.
US5809699 describes a fire curtain that has its top fixed to a top framework of a building, the framework including arrangements for spraying a fluid onto the curtain having two walls fastened together along its bottom and its vertical sides.
US20060150533A1 discloses a double-layer fireproof curtain apparatus that includes a storing mechanism including a frame and activating units installed on both sides of the frame; two fireproof curtains installed separately on the activating units, so that an air gap is formed when the two fireproof curtains are descended. With this structure, the air gap can be used to achieve the effect of insulating heat, blocking fire, and resisting smoke in a fire accident, and comply with the regulation of fire control equipments.
Fire curtains are used in buildings, and in particular in establishments receiving the public, to prevent fires propagating between different parts of the building. Fire curtains are used to compartmentalize large spaces and are generally made from a fabric limiting the propagation of flames and smoke during a fire.
These curtains are generally deployed only in the event of a fire, being folded up normally. NL 7803730 A discloses a double wall curtain system, comprising two parallel curtains fixed to a top head rail along the top sides, and fastened to a bottom profile along the bottom sides. The system comprises spacers connected between the curtains, and cables connected to the bottom profile and winders attached to the head rail. Meanwhile NL 7803730 A does not disclose or envisage that the spacers are formed by ladder strings attached to the bottom profile and the top framework.
It is an object of the present invention to compartmentalize spaces in an industrial facility so that working operations are made at a certain temperature may be performed on one side of the curtain , whereas other working operations may performed at another temperature on the other side of the curtain. This requires good isolation as well as a simple setup that enables quick and safe elevation of the curtain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a double-wall curtain, i.e. two parallel curtains spaced apart, having its top fixed to a top framework of a building.
Using this double-wall curtain an air filled space is formed between the curtains, which thereby provides for thermal insulation.
Specifically the present invention provides a double-wall curtain system for thermally compartmentalizing spaces in a building, said system comprising:
• a double-wall curtain based on two parallel curtains 1 fixed to a top framework 2 of the building along its top 4 sides and fastened to a transversely oriented bottom profile 5 along its bottom 3 sides, whereby an air filled space 10 is formed between the curtains providing thermal insulation;
• spacers 6 for keeping the curtains apart;
• one or more cables connected to the transversely oriented bottom profile 5 and to one or more winders attached to the top framework of the building so that the curtain can be suspended from the top framework to a floor of the building for separating a working area into at least two parts; • a stabilizing arm 7 for holding the system in upright position, said arm connected to the top framework 2 of the building and the bottom profile 5
wherein the spacers 6 are formed by ladder strings 6a attached to the bottom profile 5 and the top framework 2.
Importantly the bottom profiles may mate exactly with the floor so as to ensure a good thermal isolation. Also the sides of the system may mate with the walls of the building. The may be achieved through the use of flaps mounted on the walls, where these flaps touch the curtains along the sides of the curtains.
Also preferred is the use of additional transversely oriented profiles 5a, 5b, 5c to divide the curtains into smaller areas. In this way small pieces of curtain may be used. In this embodiment the curtain pieces may be connected to the profiles in small tracks.
In order to ensure communication between the workers on each side of the curtain is preferably made from a transparent material, such as PVC. Other materials are obviously also useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the curtain system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curtain from FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1 , a double-curtain wall 1 is fixed to a top framework 2 of a building, such as a large building for industrial use. The double-wall curtain is based on two parallel curtains 1 a and 1 b fixed to the top framework 2 along its top 4 sides and fastened to a transversely oriented bottom profile 5 along its bottom 3 sides. In this way an air filled space 10 is formed between the curtains. In order to keep the curtains apart spacers 6 are used, preferably ladder strings or similar thread arrangement (e.g. that known from Venetian blinds). Moreover, one or more cables 8 are connected to the transversely oriented bottom profile 5 and to one or more winders 9 attached to the top framework 2 of the building so that the curtain can be suspended from the top framework to a floor of the building for separating a working area into at least two parts. In order to make the system robust a stabilizing arm 7 for holding the system in upright position is normally used, said arm connected to the top framework 2 of the building and the bottom profile 5. As shown in the figure additional transversely oriented profiles 5a have been introduced into the system to divide the curtains into smaller areas. In this embodiment the curtain pieces are connected to the profiles in small tracks. The transversely oriented profiles are preferable alu-profiles.
Each curtain of the upper most set of double-curtains has its top end fixed to the top framework 2 across the whole width of the curtain.
The curtains are made from a material that ensures thermally insulation of the two parts of the building separated by the curtains. The curtains are constructed, for example, from a plastic polymer.
Referring to FIG. 2, the two curtains 1 are separated from each other through spacers 6 of equal length to hold the two curtains 1 a and 1 b parallel to each other. FIG. 2 also shows the stabilizing arm 7 for stabilising the system. The arm is connected to the top framework 2 of the building and the bottom profile 5.
When the cable is wound onto the winder 7, all of the spacers are folded against each other so that the two curtains are folded up near the top framework 2 of the building.
The double-wall curtain of the present invention thus compartmentalizes large buildings and therefore provides a very effective means of achieving a thermal isolation within a desired area of a building.