SEPARATION DEVICE FOR OUTDOOR OR INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

The present invention relates to the manufacturing sector, mainly intended for furnishing and relates to a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments which is particularly used for covering surfaces, for dividing environments and/or for shielding and filtering light.

In the furnishing sector, it is known to use artefacts which substantially comprise a canvas and/or an interweaving forming a metallic net, typically used as a separator of environments and/or arranged to cover surfaces.

Such nets consist of a plurality of thread-like elements interwoven with each other and have a wide variety of wefts which differ in shape and size. The use of the known devices has a number of advantages, such as mechanical strength, lightness and durability, but at the same time, they have a number of disadvantages which limit their use and versatility.

A first big limitation of such artefacts is the poor efficiency in shielding light and in concealing two adjacent environments divided by the artefact itself.

One strategy used, aimed at improving the efficiency of shielding and concealment, is to make the mesh denser and/or increase the thickness of the thread-like elements.

However, this results in a significant increase in the weight of the net which weighs on the anchoring points and may cause problems during the installation of the artefact itself.

A further strategy used, aimed at improving the efficiency of shielding and concealment, is to insert transverse elements, held in suspension by the net itself.

However, this solution also has disadvantages, especially in the construction steps of the artefact.

Indeed, in particular during the weaving of the metallic nets, the pressure exerted by the thread-like elements, which are in direct contact with the transverse elements, risks damaging such transverse elements, especially when the latter are made of easily crushable material such as glass. Furthermore, such elements, if made of material having a high specific weight, can greatly increase the weight of the artefact.

In the light of the above, the technical task of the present invention is to propose a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a separation device (which can also be called, in a terminologically equivalent manner, a "panel" or "artefact") for outdoor or indoor environments capable of being resistant and durable and which, at the same time, has a high shielding and concealment efficiency.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments capable of being resistant and lightweight, particularly with respect to a standard metallic canvas.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments capable of being extremely versatile.

The specified technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments comprising one or more of the technical features set out in the appended claims and in the disclosure.

In particular, the specified technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments comprising a load-bearing structure and a plurality of transverse elements.

The load-bearing structure comprises a plurality of thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements of metallic material extending along a first axis of extension of the device and defining a series of slots.

The transverse elements are kept suspended in the load-bearing structure and are operatively oriented along a second axis of extension of the device, transverse to the first axis of extension. Specifically, the transverse elements are through and retained in at least one of the slots. The device further comprises protection and retaining means configured to protect the transverse elements and to stably retain the transverse elements in the respective at least one slot. The protection and retaining means are fitted on the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements at least at a contact portion between the transverse elements and the load-bearing structure.

Further features of the invention will be set out hereinafter in the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limiting purpose, in which:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a separation device for outdoor and indoor environments in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a detail of the embodiment of the separation device of figure 1 .

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 1 globally indicates a separation device for outdoor or indoor environments in accordance with the present invention.

The device 1 is a semi-textile artefact comprising a load-bearing structure 2 and transverse elements 5, held in suspension in said load-bearing structure 2.

Such a device 1 may be used in particular for covering vertical or horizontal surfaces, for separating indoor or outdoor environments, and for shielding sunlight or artificial light.

Structurally, the load-bearing structure 2 comprises a plurality of threadlike and/or ribbon-like elements 3 extending along a first axis of extension “Y” of the device and defining a series of slots 4.

The thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 5, in use, are oriented substantially vertically, i.e., transversely to a horizontal reference plane.

According to a preferred use of the device 1 , the load-bearing structure 2 may be anchored to an upper portion of an indoor or outdoor environment, such as a ceiling, so as to be suspended. Furthermore, the load-bearing structure 2 may be anchored by means of portions thereof, such as a suitably shaped lower or lateral portion of the load-bearing structure 2, or by special coupling means (for example hooks).

The thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 are made of metallic material, preferably steel, even more preferably stainless steel or similar stainless metal alloys.

Advantageously, such a material allows a load-bearing structure 2 which is mechanically resistant and durable over time and also gives it a low weight.

The thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 may be obtained by means of strands and/or ropes.

The term "strand" is meant to refer to a thread-like or ribbon-like element consisting of a set of elementary threads twisted together.

Also, the term "rope" means a thread-like or ribbon-like element consisting of a number of steel wires normally wound in strands, in turn wound around a central core.

The strands and/or ropes may have a thickness (or a diameter, for example if they have a substantially circular section) between 0.25 mm and 6.00 mm, preferably between 1 .00 mm and 2.50 mm.

The strands and/or ropes comprise at least one steel wire having a thickness between 0.05 mm and 1.20 mm, preferably between 0.11 mm and 0.50 mm.

As can be seen from the accompanying drawings, which show for example a preferred embodiment of the device 1 , the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 may be grouped into bundles 8, each comprising a number of thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 between 2 and 24, preferably each comprising 4 thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3.

Preferably, moreover, the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 of each bundle 8 are operatively arranged so that two consecutive thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 may form a slot 4 for housing and retaining the transverse elements 5.

According to a further aspect, said bundles 8 of thread-like and/or ribbonlike elements 3 are spaced apart with a pitch between 30 mm and 500 mm, preferably 90 mm.

Advantageously, such a pitch allows to optimize the relationship between mechanical strength and lightness of the load-bearing structure 2, and consequently of the device 1 .

The transverse elements 5 are kept in suspension in the load-bearing structure 2, being through and retained in at least one of the slots 4 defined by the respective thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3.

The transverse elements 5 are operatively oriented along a second axis of extension "X" of the device 1 , transverse to the first axis of extension "Y".

In other words, the load-bearing structure 2 is made so that, in use, the slots 4 retaining the same transverse element 5 are operatively arranged at the same height so that the transverse element 5 is oriented with a respective longitudinal axis parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

According to a further aspect, the transverse elements 5 may extend over an entire width of the load-bearing structure 2 along the second axis of extension "X".

However, according to alternative embodiments, the device 1 may have at least one or more transverse elements 5 (for example, two transverse elements 5), arranged at the same height and each having a length less than the width of the load-bearing structure 2: in this case, in order to avoid the loss of the so-called "load-bearing efficiency" of the artefact (or, in other words, the ability to maintain an orderly and coherent shape and spatial arrangement of the various constituent elements thereof), suitable means may be provided for stabilizing the connections between the loadbearing structure 2 and the transverse elements 5 which avoid possible detachments from the interweaving (which in turn could cause unacceptable "dangling" and/or "lack of tension" in the artefact itself).

According to the various embodiments, the device 1 may therefore have two or more transverse elements 5 arranged at the same height whose overall length is equal to or less than or greater than the width of the loadbearing structure 2.

According to a further aspect, at least one transverse element 5 may be made of a crushable material.

In other words, at least one transverse element 5 may be made of a material whose normal response to sufficient stresses to cause the breakage thereof is that of abruptly breaking without deformations and/or yielding occurring previously.

In particular, the crushable material may comprise at least one of: sintered stone, composite glass and crystalline polymers.

For example, at least one transverse element 5 may be made of DEKTON® sintered marble.

According to a further example, at least one transverse element 5 may be made of VETRITE ® composite glass.

According to a further example, at least one transverse element 5 may be made of KAVALIER BOHEMIA® glass profiles.

Advantageously, such materials allow the device 1 to efficiently shield and conceal.

Furthermore, such materials, usually available in the form of slabs or strips, have a low weight which weighs relatively heavily on the loadbearing structure 2.

Moreover, by using such materials, the device 1 acquires considerable advantages from the aesthetic point of view.

According to a further aspect, at least one transverse element 5 may be made of a ductile material, preferably a metallic-type ductile material, such as steel.

The transverse elements may also comprise a combination of different materials belonging to the same type (ductile or crushable) or even to different types.

According to a further aspect, each transverse element 5 may have a full or hollow section of planar or tubular shape.

In particular, the transverse elements 5 with planar shape are arranged so that the respective planar portions are oriented substantially vertically.

Advantageously, this feature allows such transverse elements 5 to efficiently shield light or at least partially hide two adjacent environments separated by the device 1 .

Furthermore, advantageously, such an orientation allows said transverse elements 5 to adhere to a surface on which the device 1 is operatively arranged as a cover.

According to a further aspect, the section of the transverse elements 5 may be constant along the respective axis of extension or vary along the same.

For example, the transverse elements 5 may have a smaller section near a contact portion with the load-bearing structure 2, i.e., the contact portion between the transverse elements 5 and the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3.

In other words, the transverse elements 5, near the contact portion, may have valleys or depressions to accommodate the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3.

Advantageously, thereby, the stability of the transverse elements 5 with respect to the load-bearing structure 2 is improved, avoiding possible translations of the transverse elements 5 along the second axis of extension "X".

According to a further aspect, the transverse elements 5 are arranged according to a given sequence, preferably recurring, defined as a function of a material and/or a shape of the transverse elements 5.

By way of example, the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 shows transverse elements 5 with a planar shape alternated by two transverse elements 5 with a tubular shape.

In general, the transverse elements 5 may be arranged according to a predetermined order and mutual distance defined solely as a function of the shape or solely as a function of the material or as a function of both at the same time.

According to a main aspect of the present invention, the device 1 comprises protection and retaining means 6 configured to protect the transverse elements 5 and to permanently retain the transverse elements 5 in the respective at least one slot 4.

In particular, the protection and retaining means 6 are fitted on the threadlike and/or ribbon-like elements 3 at least at the contact portion between the transverse elements 5 and the load-bearing structure 2.

Advantageously, by means of such protection and retaining elements 6, the transverse elements 5, in particular the transverse elements 5 made of crushable material, are preserved from possible damage which would occur especially during the manufacture of the device 1 .

In fact, in this step, the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 generate considerable pressure on the transverse elements 5 which, without the protection of the protection and retaining means 6, could be damaged: this occurs in particular when the panel or artefact 1 is tensioned in the place of application, and even more particularly where or when it is placed in an outdoor environment where it is subjected to the action of the wind.

In other words, such protection and retaining means 6 define a protective cushion between the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 and the transverse elements 5.

Advantageously, furthermore, said protection and retaining means 6, having a high coefficient of friction, improve the stability of the transverse elements 5, preventing possible movements along the second axis of extension "X".

The protection and retaining elements 6 may comprise a plurality of sheaths 7 fitted on respective thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3.

Preferably, such sheaths 7 are fitted on the entire thread-like and/or ribbon-like element 3.

According to a further aspect of the invention, each sheath 7 may be made of natural and/or synthetic fibres (or even polymeric materials, such as high density polyester or polypropylene and anything else depending on the needs of the moment).

Preferably, in other words, such sheaths 7 are made by means of textile artefacts consisting of natural and/or synthetic fibres.

According to a preferred embodiment, each sheath 7 may comprise a braided liner obtained by means of a number of castings between 4 and 30, even more preferably obtained by means of a number of castings between 8 and 24 castings.

According to such an embodiment, each sheath 7 defines together with the respective thread-like and/or ribbon-like element 3 a double-braided rope, where the core of the double-braided rope is defined by the threadlike and/or ribbon-like element 3 which determines its mechanical features while the liner is defined by the respective protection and retaining means 6 which protect the thread-like and/or ribbon-like element from surface deterioration, due for example to atmospheric agents.

The double-braided rope may have a thickness or diameter between 0.80 mm and 9.0 mm, preferably the double-braided rope has a thickness of 3.00 mm.

According to alternative embodiments, the protection and retaining means 6 may comprise a non-textile sheath 7, made of, for example, polymeric material, and comprise one or more layers.

Advantageously, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the known art by ensuring a separation device 1 for outdoor and indoor environments capable of being structurally resistant and durable and which is, at the same time, capable of performing a shielding and concealing action.

Such a result is achieved by means of the load-bearing structure 2 of the device 1 which is light and mechanically resistant and by virtue of the transverse elements 5, especially of planar shape, which have a shape adapted to shield and conceal. A further object achieved by the present invention is to provide a separation device 1 for outdoor or indoor environments capable of being durable in time.

Such a result is achieved by means of the protection and retaining means 6 which prevent and severely limit the possible damage of the transverse elements 5, especially those made of crushable material, as well as preserve the thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements 3 from natural deterioration due to atmospheric agents.