This invention relates to a screen device comprising two screen rollers, each rotatable about a respective screen roller axis, wherein the screen roller axes, in the mounted state of the screen device, are arranged at an angle to each other.

Increasingly often, glass sections which stand arranged at an angle to each other are constructed up to this angle in glass. In glass sections of this type, there is also a desire to provide screen devices having screens which can be rolled up and unrolled and with which the glass section can be shielded also up to this angle. This invention relates to screen devices of this type in which two screen rollers are arranged at an angle to each other.

In screen devices in which screen rollers are arranged in line, it is already known to drive these screen rollers simultaneously. This can be done for the sake of the desired view and/or, if the screen rollers are motor-driven, to economize on motors.

For the same reasons, there is an increasing demand to also be able to mutually couple screen rollers which are arranged at an angle to each other.

A whole host of couplings with which two in-line screen rollers of a screen device can be mutually coupled have been described. Examples thereof are described, for example, in WO 2005/040542 A2, DE 195 46 203 CI, DE 93 18 455 Ul, DE 35 00 661 C2, NL 2 001 963 C, WO 2006/102894, US 2012/0132376 Al, US 2014/0190642 Al, BE 1 018 689 A5, US 2008/0153606 Al , NL 8 701 776 A and US 2007/0253768 Al .

However, none of these systems is suitable for coupling screen rollers at a specific angle.

In screen devices in which screen rollers are intended to be connected at an angle to one another, a cardan transmission could be employed, but this guarantees a great deal of noise. With regard to sound, preference is then rather for a transmission using bevel gears, wherein a bevel gear is fastened to the corresponding ends of each screen roller and wherein these gears are intermeshed in order to mutually couple the screen rollers. In assembly situations in which a screen roller has to be positioned into a screen box from below because of boundary conditions, and wherein firstly one of the two screen rollers is fitted in the screen box, the gear of the second screen roller cannot then, however, be coupled with the gear of the already installed screen roller.

The object of this invention is to provide a solution for the mutual coupling of screen rollers arranged at an angle to one another, which solution can be used in respect of most boundary conditions.

This object of the invention is achieved by providing a screen device comprising two screen rollers, each rotatable about a respective screen roller axis, wherein the screen roller axes, in the mounted state of the screen device, are arranged at an angle to each other, wherein at that end of each of these screen roller axes which is arranged closest to this angle is mounted a bevel gear, wherein these bevel gears, in the mounted state of the screen device, intermesh, wherein the screen device comprises a fixed guide element, to which one said screen roller is rotatably fastenable, and wherein the corresponding screen roller axis is fittable between the last-named screen roller and the corresponding gear guidingly in the fixed guide element, at least partly upwards and subsequently at least partly sideways, viewed in a direction transversely to the screen roller axis, for the coupling of the bevel gears. At least partly upwards means that the end point of this movement is situated higher than the start point of this movement. At least partly sideways, viewed in a direction transversely to the screen roller axis, means that the end point of this movement, viewed in a direction transversely to the screen roller axis, is situated next to the start point of this movement.

With such a fastening of at least one screen roller axis in a fixed guide element, the gears, during the at least partial lateral movement, can nevertheless mutually couple when the screen roller axis is mounted from below. This manner of fastening can hence be applied in a whole host of boundary conditions, wherein the screen roller axes can nevertheless assuredly be mutually coupled.

In order to fit the last-named screen roller axis at least partly upwards in the fixed guide element, the fixed guide element is preferably provided with a guide slot, in which a corresponding displaceable guide element, through which the screen roller axis is fitted, is at least partly guidingly displaceable between a lowermost position, in order to fit the displaceable guide element in the fixed guide element or to extract it from the fixed guide element, and an uppermost position, in order to receive the displaceable guide element in the mounted state of the screen device.

In order to displace the last-named screen roller axis at least partly sideways, the displaceable guide element is then preferably provided with a guide slot, through which the screen roller axis is fitted between the screen roller and the gear and in which the screen roller axis is displaceable at least partly sideways, viewed in a direction transversely to the screen roller axis. Corresponding means that the displaceable guide element comprises dimensions consistent with the guide slot of the fixed guide element such that this displaceable guide element, during the displacement movement in the guide slot, is guided by this guide slot.

With the aid of a displaceable guide element of this type, the at least partly lateral movement can be realized in a particularly compact manner.

Alternatively, but less preferentially, this last-named screen roller axis could also itself be provided such that it is guidingly displaceable in a guide slot of the fixed guide element. In this case, however, the at least partly lateral movement cannot be executed as compactly.

In such an embodiment having a displaceable guide element, the fixed guide element preferably comprises, adjacent to its guide slot, at least one tongue or groove, and the displaceable guide element comprises at least one corresponding groove or tongue, wherein the tongue is fittable in the groove, for the guiding displacement of the displaceable guide element in the guide slot of the fixed guide element.

With a tongue and groove of this type, the displaceable guide element, during the guiding fitting thereof in the guide slot of the fixed guide element, is locked relative to the fixed guide element in a direction according to the longitudinal direction of the screen roller axis. This prevents the displaceable guide element, according to the longitudinal direction of the screen roller axis, from possibly detaching from the fixed guide element if the screen roller axis were to become skewed. In order to fit the last-named screen roller axis at least partly laterally displaceably in the guide slot of the fixed guide piece, this screen roller axis is further preferably rotatably clasped between the screen roller and the gear in a guide piece, corresponding with the guide slot of the displaceable guide element, which is fitted in a guidingly displaceable manner in this guide slot of the displaceable guide element, between a first position, in order to decouple the bevel gears, and a second position, in order to couple the bevel gears.

Corresponding means that the guide piece comprises dimensions consistent with the guide slot of the displaceable guide element such that this guide piece, during the displacement movement in the guide slot, is guided by this guide slot.

Alternatively, but less preferentially, the screen roller axis can also itself be provided such that it is guidingly displaceable in the guide slot of the displaceable guide element.

In such embodiments having a guide piece, the displaceable guide element preferably comprises, adjacent to its guide slot, at least one tongue or groove, and the guide piece comprises at least one corresponding groove or tongue, wherein the tongue is fittable in the groove, for the guiding displacement of the guide piece in the guide slot of the displaceable guide element.

With a tongue and groove of this type, the guide piece, during the guiding displacement thereof in the guide slot of the displaceable guide element, is locked relative to the displaceable guide element in a direction according to the longitudinal direction of the screen roller axis. This prevents the guide piece, according to the longitudinal direction of the screen roller axis, from possibly detaching from the displaceable guide element if the screen roller axis were to become skewed.

In a particularly preferential embodiment having a guide piece, this guide piece is provided with a hook element and the fixed guide element is provided with a locking element, wherein, when the displaceable guide element is in its uppermost position and the guide piece is in its second position, the hook element of the guide piece hooks behind the locking element of the fixed guide element such that the displaceable guide element is locked in its uppermost position. In this way, it can easily be ensured that, in the mounted state, the displaceable guide element cannot be pushed back downwards in the fixed guide element before the guide piece is returned into its first position. Thus, during fastening of the screen roller axis, this latter, after the displaceable guide element has been pushed upwards in the guide slot of the fixed guide element and after the guide piece has been pushed into its second position, can be temporarily released without risk of downward movement of the screen roller axis. Both hands are then left free to further fix the various elements. Preferably the screen device then comprises for this purpose a fixing element, for fixing the guide piece in its second position.

This fixing element can be, for example, a screw. In a specific embodiment, the fixing element is designed to fix the guide piece relative to the fixed guide element.

In a particular embodiment of a screen device according to this invention, having a displaceable guide element, the guide slot of the displaceable guide element is of curved design, and the guide piece forms part of a tilt element which is arranged tiltably relative to the displaceable guide element.

Preferably, this tilt element then comprises a handle in order with the aid of this handle, according to the lever principle, to displace the guide piece between its first position and its second position.

The tilt element is preferably provided tiltably about a tilt axis disposed below the last-named screen roller axis. A preferential screen device according to this invention comprises adjusting means, with which a said bevel gear is mounted in a continuously adjustable manner on the respective screen roller axis. It is thus possible, by adjusting this bevel gear with the aid of these adjusting means, to constantly ensure that the screens, which are designed to be rolled up and unrolled on the screen rollers, when driven synchronously, remain always at the same height. If the position of the screens were to begin to deviate after the passage of time, then this position can be reset with the aid of the adjusting means.

A screen device according to this invention comprises, extremely preferentially, a said fixed guide element for each screen roller. Each corresponding screen roller axis is then preferably fittable between the corresponding screen roller and the corresponding gear guidingly in the fixed guide element, at least partly upwards and subsequently at least partly sideways, viewed in a direction transversely to the screen roller axis.

In such an embodiment, the order of fastening of the screen rollers in the screen device is immaterial. According to choice, the first or the second screen roller can firstly be fastened and fixed, and the other of the two screen rollers mounted subsequently.

The fixed guide elements can in this case also form part of one and the same element.

This invention is now explained in greater detail on the basis of the hereinafter following detailed description of a preferential 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.

In this detailed description, reference is made by means of reference numerals to the hereto appended drawings, wherein in

Figure 1 a screen device according to this invention is represented in perspective;

- Figure 2 a part of a screen device according to this invention is represented in perspective, at the level of the connection of the two screen boxes, wherein the front profiles of the screen boxes are omitted;

Figure 3 an embodiment of a fixed guide element of a screen device according to this invention is represented separately in perspective; Figure 4 a first embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a tilt element of a screen device according to this invention is represented in elevation, with only the rearmost part of the displaceable guide element and with the guide piece in its first position;

- Figure 5 the embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a tilt element from Figure 4 is represented in elevation, with only the rearmost part of the displaceable guide element and with the guide piece in its second position; Figure 6 the embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a tilt element from Figure 4 is represented in elevation, with the guide piece in its second position;

Figure 7 the embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a tilt element from Figure 4 is represented in elevation, with only the rearmost part of the displaceable guide element and with the guide piece in its second position, wherein this displaceable guide element is mounted in the fixed guide element from Figure 3;

Figure 8 a second embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a guide piece of a screen device according to this invention is represented in perspective and in exploded state;

Figure 9 the embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a guide piece from Figure 8 is represented in elevation, with only the rearmost part of the displaceable guide element and with the guide piece in its first position;

Figure 10 the embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a guide piece from Figure 8 is represented in elevation, with the guide piece in its first position;

- Figure 1 1 the embodiment of a displaceable guide element and a guide piece from Figure 8 is represented in elevation, with the guide piece fixed in its second position.

The screen device (1) represented in Figures 1 and 2 comprises two screen rollers (2, 3), which are each accommodated in a respective screen box (27, 28).

The screen boxes (27, 28) are arranged at an angle (a) to each other.

The screen rollers (2, 3) are each rotatable about a respective screen roller axis (4, 5).

Given that these screen roller axes (4, 5) extend according to the longitudinal direction of the screen boxes (27, 28), these screen roller axes (4, 5) are hereby also arranged at the said angle (a) to each other.

To each of the screen rollers (2, 3), a screen (29) is fastened at one of its ends. Given that the screen rollers (2, 3) are arranged rotatably about their screen roller axis (4, 5), the hereto fastened screens (29) can be rolled up and unrolled on the respective screen roller (2, 3).

To that end of the screens (29) opposite to the end by which they are fastened to the respective screen roller (2, 3) is respectively fastened a bottom lath (30), so that the screens (29), under the weight of this bottom lath (30), can sag. In the angle (a), the bottom laths (30) are mutually connected.

On the lateral side of the screens (29), away from the angle (a), are arranged screen and lath guides (31), for guiding the corresponding lateral sides of the screens (29) and the hereto fastened bottom laths (30) during rolling up and unrolling of the screens (29).

The represented screen device (1) is further provided with drive means for the synchronous driving of both screen rollers (2, 3). With mutually connected bottom laths (30), the screens (29) should namely always be able to be rolled up and down the screen rollers (2, 3) simultaneously. Specifically, the drive means of the represented screen device (1) comprise a geared transmission (6, 7) having bevel gears (6, 7), for transmitting the drive of one of the two screen rollers (2, 3) in order to drive the other of the two screen rollers (3, 2). To that end of each of the screen roller axes (4, 5) which is arranged closest to the angle (a) is respectively fastened a said bevel gear (6, 7). In the mounted state of the screen device (1), these gears (6, 7) intermesh, as can be seen in Figure 2.

In order to be able to suspend the screens (29) precisely at a same height, the screen device (1) comprises adjusting means (26) for the continuous adjustment of a gear (7) relative to the corresponding screen roller axis (5).

In order to arrange the screen rollers (2, 3) rotatably in the screen boxes (27, 28), the screen rollers (2, 3), in the various represented embodiments, are rotatably suspended in a fixed guide element (8), each with the aid of a displaceable guide element (1 1, 12) which is vertically fittable in a guide slot (9) of the fixed guide element (8) and with the aid of a guide piece (17) which is laterally displaceable in a guide slot (13, 14) in the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12), viewed in a direction transversely to their screen roller axis (4, 5). To this end, the screen roller axis (4, 5) is respectively rotatably clasped between the screen roller (2, 3) and the corresponding gear (6, 7) in the guide piece (17).

The fixed guide element (8) represented in Figure 3 is suitable for the fitting of two displaceable guide elements (1 1) represented in Figures 4-7e, as can be seen in Figure 2. To this end, this fixed guide element (8) comprises two guide slots (9) for the fitting of the displaceable guide elements (1 1) of the two screen rollers (2, 3). In each guide slot (9), a displaceable guide element (1 1) of this type is fittable from below into the guide slot (9), between the tongues (15), and is displaceable upwards. In the reverse direction, the displaceable guide element (1 1) can be removed back out of the guide slot (9). The displaceable guide elements (1 1) comprise laterally corresponding grooves (16), in which the tongues (15) engage for the guidance of the displacement movement. These tongues (15) and grooves (16) also prevent detachment of the displaceable guide elements (1 1) in a direction according to the respective screen roller axis (2, 3).

The guide elements (12) represented in Figures 8-1 1 comprise no such grooves (16). The lateral margins hereof can, for example, analogously serve as tongues which can engage in grooves of a corresponding fixed guide element.

In the various represented embodiments, the guide piece (17) is respectively guidingly displaceable in a guide slot (13, 14) of the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12), this between a first position (Figures 4, 9 and 10) and a second position (Figures 5-7, 1 1). Provided in each case centrally on the guide piece (17) is a margin, which forms a tongue (21) which is respectively clasped between two plates (10, 36, 37) of the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12) in order to prevent the guide piece (17) from detaching from the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12). The space between the said plates (10, 36, 37) in this case forms a groove (22) in which the said tongue (21) engages. The plates (10, 36, 37) are respectively mutually connected, with the aid of screws (35), through bores (38). In a first embodiment, as represented in Figures 4-7, the guide piece (17) forms part of a tilt element (18) which is suspended tiltably about a tilt axis (20) relative to the displaceable guide element (1 1). This tilt axis (20) is disposed below the guide piece (17). On the other side of the tilt axis (20) from the side of the guide piece (17), the tilt element (18) comprises a handle (19). The guide slot (13) in the displaceable guide element (1 1) is of curved design. With the aid of the handle (19), the tilt element (18) can be tilted about the tilt axis (20), wherein the guide piece (17) shifts in the curved guide slot (13) between its first position (Figure 4) and its second position (Figures 5-7). By virtue of the lever action, it is easier, with the aid of the handle (19), to laterally displace a heavy screen roller axis (2, 3).

In the displaceable guide element (1 1) are accommodated a plurality of limiting elements (34), which jointly limit the tilting movement of the tilt element (18) relative to the displaceable guide element (1 1).

The tilt element (18) is further provided with two hook elements (23, 32). The fixed guide element (8) is provided with two corresponding locking elements (24, 33), so that, when the displaceable guide element (1 1) is in its uppermost position and the guide piece (17) is in its second position, these hook elements (23, 33) hook behind the corresponding locking elements (24, 33) such that the displaceable guide element (1 1) is locked in its uppermost position, as can be seen in figures 2 and 7.

Subsequently the displaceable guide element (1 1) can be fixed to the fixed guide element (8) with the aid of a screw (25), whereupon the guide piece (17) too is fixed in its second position.

In the second embodiment, as represented in Figures 8-1 1, the guide piece (17) is displaceable in a horizontal guide slot (14) between its first position (Figures 9-10) and its second position (Figure 1 1).

The guide piece (17) is provided with an engaging surface (40). The displaceable guide element (12) is provided with a bore (39) (see Figure 8), in which a fixing screw (25) can engage in order to fix the guide piece (17) in its second position (Figure 1 1). The fixing screw (25) then in this position engages behind the engaging surface (40) of the guide piece (17).

Just as in the represented first embodiment, the guide piece (17) according to the second embodiment could also further be provided with a hook element in order to lock the displaceable guide element (12) in its uppermost position relative to the fixed guide element.

In order to be able to mount the screen rollers (2, 3), firstly one of the two screen rollers (2) will be mounted by pushing of the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12) upwards in the guide slot (9) of the fixed guide element (8), subsequently by shifting of the guide piece (17) to its second position in the guide slot (13, 14) of the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12), and after this by fixing of the guide piece (17) in its second position with the aid of the screw (25). Subsequently the same actions will be performed with the second screen roller (3), wherein, during the displacement movement of the guide piece (17) in the guide slot (13, 14) of the displaceable guide element (1 1, 12), the gears (6, 7) are mutually coupled.