BACKGROUND ART Numerous 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 com- prises 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 pro- duced 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 cur- tain 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 wa- ter-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 be- come 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 INVENTION One 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 oc- cur 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 ar- rangement according to the present invention entails that a first space where liquid splashing occurs may be screened-off from a second space, the sec- ond space being protected against liquid splashing.

A further object of the present invention is to realise a more reliable ar- rangement 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 arrange- ment 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 arrange- ment 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. Conse- quently, 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 out- side 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 in- cludes a plurality of elongate lamellae or slats which are mutually intercon- nected 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, dis- placeable in the vertical direction between the screening-off first position and the open second position, that the first side of each respective slat is de- signed with at least one projecting portion, the projecting portion being de- signed 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 de- signed 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 pro- cessing 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 lift- ing cords and ladders, respectively, in the second longitudinal side of an ad- jacent 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 low- ered and screening-off position. By such means, liquid is prevented from passing through the apertures and recesses. Further, lifting cords and lad- ders 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 longitudi- nal side of the slats, in which event the slats may be rotated about connec- tion points between the slats and the ladders. In that the ladders are dis- posed 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 ro- tate 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 to- wards 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 subja- cent 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 flo- or 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 mount- ing 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 DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbe- low, with the aid of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention in the screening-off position seen from one side where liquid splashing occurs, or a second side of the ar- rangement; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention in the screening-off position seen from one side opposite to that of Fig. 1, or a first side of the arrangement; Fig. 3 is a schematic side elevation of one slat according to a first em- bodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevation of a slat according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic side elevation of a slat according to a third em- bodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic side elevation of a slat according to a fourth em- bodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic side elevation of a slat according to a fifth em- bodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic side elevation of a slat according to a sixth em- bodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic side elevation of the arrangement which shows a plurality of slats according to Fig. 3, some being in the open position and some in the screening-off position ; Fig. 10 is a schematic side elevation of the arrangement which shows a plurality of slats according to Fig. 4, some being in the open position and some in the screening-off position; Fig. 11 is a schematic side elevation of the arrangement showing a plurality of slats according to Fig. 5, some being in the open position and some in the screening-off position; Fig. 12 is a schematic side elevation of the arrangement showing a plurality of slats according to Fig. 6, some being in the open position and some in the screening-off position; Fig. 13 is a schematic view of an end portion of one slat according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the recess and aperture of the slat for ladder and lifting cord, respectively; Fig. 14 is a schematic view of an end portion of a slat according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the recess and ap- erture of the slat for the ladder and lifting cord, respectively ; and Fig. 15 is a schematic side elevation of a lower portion of the arrange- ment according to one embodiment of the present invention which shows a sealing strip connected to the slats.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVEN- TION With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, there is schematically illustrated an arrangement 10 for screening-off a first space from a second space and pre-

venting liquid from splashing outside the first space according to one em- bodiment of the present invention. For example, the arrangement 10 is de- signed for screening-off a space where liquid splashing occurs, such as dif- ferent types of washing installations, or spaces where various types of work involving liquids or the like occur. For example, the arrangement 10 is de- signed, in connection with showering, to prevent water from splashing out- side the shower area. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement 10 is thus designed to be mounted between a first space, such a shower area, bathtub or the like, and an adjacent, second space such as the rest of a bathroom or the like. Preferably, the arrangement 10 is de- signed to be mounted in an upper region of the first space so that the ar- rangement depends from a ceiling or the like, in which event the arrangement 10 may be moved between a lowered first position screening off the first space and a raised, open second position. For example, the arrangement 10 is designed to be mounted between a ceiling and a floor or an edge of a bathtub or the like. For example, the arrangement 10 is designed as a liquid- repellent Venetian blind or louvre or a shower Venetian blind or shower lou- vre.

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 to- wards 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 down- wards 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 op- posed to the first space, while an axis along the extent of the slat is horizon- tal. 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 ex- ample, 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 di- rection 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 substan- tially 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 exam- ple, 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 lock- ing 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 arrange- ment 10 includes a coving 16 which is connected to the slats 11 by the inter- mediary 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 exam- ple 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 fasten- ing 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 project- ing 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 real- ised 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 forma- tion 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 respec- tive 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.

With reference to Fig. 3, there is schematically shown a side elevation of one slat 11 a according to a first embodiment of the invention. The slat 11 a is designed with a curvature in one direction transversely of the extent of the slat 11 a so that the profile of the slat 11 a is somewhat curved. Alternatively, the slat 11a is planar. The slat 11 a includes a first projecting portion 17a and a second projecting portion 17b which extend along the extent of the slat 11a, i. e. from a first end of the slat 11 a to an opposing second end of the slat 11 a. Alternatively, the projecting portions 17a, 17b extend along a portion of the slat 11 a. The first projecting portion 17a is disposed along a first longitu- dinal side 18 of the slat 11 a and the second projecting portion 17b is dis- posed along an opposing second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11a. Accord- ing to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the first side 12 and second side 13 of the slat 11 a are bent and have an extent which corresponds to a part of a circumference of a circle, the radius of that circle which corresponds to the first side 12 being less than the radius of that circle which corresponds to the second side 13. The distance between the first side 12 and the second side 13 is greater along the longitudinal sides 18, 19 of the slat 11 a than in the centre, i. e. the thickness of the slat 11 a is greater along the longitudinal sides 18,19 than in a central region of the slat 11 a.

With reference to Fig. 4 there is schematically shown a side elevation of a slat 11b according to a second embodiment of the invention. The slat 11b is designed with a curvature in a direction transversely to the extent of the slat 11b so that the profile of the slat 11 b is slightly curved. The slat 11 b includes a projecting portion 17c which extends along the extent of the slat 11b, i. e. from a first end of the slat 11b to an opposing second end thereof.

Alternatively, the projecting portion 17c extends along one or more portions of the slat 11b. The projecting portion 17c is disposed along the central re- gion of the slat 11b, the distance between the first side 12 and the second side 13 being greater in a central region of the slat 11 b than in other regions.

With reference to Fig. 5, there is schematically shown a side elevation of a slat He according to a third embodiment of the invention. The slat He includes a first projecting portion 17d, a second projecting portion 17e, a third projecting portion 17f and a fourth projecting portion 17g which extend along

the extent of the slat 11 c, i. e. from a first end of the slat 11 c to an opposing, second end thereof. Alternatively, the projecting portions 17d-g extend along one or more portions of the slat 11c. The first projecting portion 17d is dis- posed along the first longitudinal side 18 of the slat 11c, the fourth projecting portion 17g is disposed along the second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11 c and the second and third projecting portions 17e, 17f are distributed there between, the distance between the first side 12 and the second side 13 of the slat being greater at the projecting portions 17d-g than in other portions.

With reference to Fig. 6, there is schematically shown a side elevation of a slat 11d according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The slat 11d is substantially planar or designed with a gentle curve, with a curvature at the one longitudinal side of the slat 11d. The slat 11 d includes a projecting por- tion 17h which extends along the same longitudinal side of the slat 11d as the curvature. The projecting portion 17h is thus disposed along the one lon- gitudinal side of the slat 11 d, i. e. the second longitudinal side 19, the distance between the first side 12 and the second side 13 being greater along the se- cond longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11d than in the rest of the slat 11 d.

With reference to Fig. 7, there is schematically shown a side elevation of a slat 11 e according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The slat 11e is provided with a projecting portion 17i, 17j in the form of spacers connected to the slat 11. For example, the projecting portions 17i, 17j consist of pins or the like projecting transversely of the extent of the slat 11e and being, for exam- ple, connected to the slat 11e in a conventional manner. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, the projecting portions 17i, 17j are disposed on the sec- ond side 13 of the slat in order, in the open second position, to abut against the first side 12 of an adjacent slat while forming an air gap there between.

Alternatively, the projecting portions 17i and 17j are in the form of spacer elements disposed on the first side 12 of the slat 11.

With reference to Fig. 8, there is schematically shown a side elevation of a slat 11f according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. In the em- bodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, the slat 11 is planar and provided with a pro- jecting portion 17k, 171 and 17m in the form of spacer elements connected to

the slat 11. The projecting portions 17k, 171 and 17m are, for example, dis- posed on the first side 12 or the second side 13 of the slat 11.

With reference to Figs. 9,10, 11 and 12, there is schematically illus- trated a side elevation of a portion of the arrangement 10 according to a first, second, third and fourth embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 9, the slats 11a are shown according to Fig. 3 in the open, second position and in the screening-off first position. In Fig. 10, the slats 11b are shown according to Fig. 4 in the open, second position and in the screening-off first position. In Fig. 11, the slats 11 c are shown according to Fig. 5 in the open, second posi- tion and in the screening-off first position. In Fig. 12, the slats 11d are shown according to Fig. 6 in the open, second position and in the screening-off first position.

In the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 9-12, the slats 11 are mutually in- terconnected and connected to the coving 16 by the intermediary of at least one and suitably two or more sets of ladders 14 and are displaceable by me- ans of the lifting cords 15. For example, the slats 11 are connected to the coving 16 by the intermediary of three sets of ladders 14 which are distrib- uted along the second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11. By such means, the slats 11 automatically assume a substantially vertical position when the ar- rangement 10 is lowered down to the screening-off first position. Thus, the slats are turned so that their ends are rotated from an angled or substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position when the arrangement 10 is brought to the screening-off first position. A substantially vertical posi- tion includes a gentle inclination of the slat 11 where the first longitudinal side 18 is somewhat offset towards the first space in relation to the second longi- tudinal side 19. Thus, the first longitudinal side 18 is disposed substantially beneath the second longitudinal side 19 in the screening-off first position. In the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 9-12, the slats 11 are rotated about the connection with the ladders 14 so that they are turned substantially about a horizontal axis which runs along the second longitudinal side 19 of the slats 11.

In the lowered and screening-off first position, the slats 11 are dis- posed 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 be- tween 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 po- sition, 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 up- wards 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 substan- tially horizontal so that the second side 13 is directed upwards in the open second position. In the raised open second position, the portions 17 project- ing 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 por- tions 17 thus project, in the raised open, second position, downwards and form abutment points against the upper side, or second side 13 of a subja- cent 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 longitudi- nal 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 arrange- ment 10 includes, in the open, second position, a plurality of air gaps 21 de- pending upon the number of projecting portions 17.

With reference to Fig. 13, there is shown an end region of one slat 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As was described in the foregoing, each respective slat 11 includes at least one recess 22 for the ladder 14 and at least one aperture 23 for the lifting cord 15. The slats 11 are mutually interconnected by the intermediary of the ladder 14 running through the recess 22 in each respective slat 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13, the recess 22 is disposed at the second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11. The recess 22 projects into the slat 11 as a recess in and transversely of the second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11 so that the ladder 14 may be passed into the recess 22 from the second longitudinal side 19. The recess 22 is designed with a circumference which is larger than the cord of the ladder 14 but smaller than the balls of the ladder 14 so that the ladder 14 may be passed into the recess 22 and the ball abut against the first side 12 of the slat 11. For example, the recess 22 is made with a width which is larger most proximal the longitudinal side 19 than further in, the insertion of the ladder 14 being facilitated. For example, the recess 22 is made in the form of a triangle which, in its apex, is terminated with an open area which is circular, rectangular, oval or the like, in which event the ladder 14 may be passed into the triangular area and further into the open region. For example, a plurality of recesses 22 is distributed along the second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11, as described above.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11, the aperture 23 for the lifting cord 15 is disposed inside the recess 22. For example, the aperture 23 is circular, rectangular, oval or the like and is designed so that the lifting cord may readily run therethrough. For example, a plurality of apertures 23 is dis- posed along the second longitudinal side 19 of the slat 11, as described above.

With reference also to Fig. 14, there is shown an end region of one slat 11 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14, the aperture 23 is disposed at the side of the recess 22 so that the lifting cord 15 is disposed at substantially the same distance from the second longitudinal side 19 as the ladder 14.

With reference to Fig. 15, there is schematically shown a side eleva- tion of a lower region of the arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, the ar- rangement 10 includes a sealing strip 24 connected to the slats 11. The seal- ing strip 24 is, for instance, connected to the slats 11 through the lifting cords 15. The sealing strip 24 constitutes a lower terminating portion of the ar- rangement 10. The sealing strip 24 is designed in order, in the lowered and screening-off first position of the arrangement, to constitute a seal against a substrate, such as a bathtub edge, a floor or the like, so that liquid is led down into the bathtub or to a floor drain on showering or the like. For exam- ple, the sealing strip 24 accompanies the slats 11 when the arrangement 10 is raised and lowered. Alternatively, the sealing strip 24 is connected to the ladders 14 and/or the lifting cords 15. According to yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the sealing strip 24 is connected to one slat 11 and suitably to a lower slat 11 in the arrangement 10. For example, the sealing strip 24 is connected to the lowermost slat 11 in a conventional manner, such as by means of connecting devices employing a snap-on function or the like, so that the sealing strip 24 may be pressed into position on the longitudinal side of the slat 11.