Privacy screen or screening panel for rigid mesh fences and its fixing method

Abstract

A privacy screen or screening panel (1-1) for a rigid mesh fence, comprising a plate (10) having a front face and an opposite face called the rear face, and fastening and locking means (5) for locking the plate against the mesh in the mounted position of the panel, said fastening and locking means (5) comprising at least one attachment piece (50) capable of cooperating with at least one pair of a first bore (70) and a second bore formed in the thickness of the plate, characterized in that the attachment piece (50) is a rigid piece which comprises a first part (50A) positioned on the front face (16) of the plate in the position of use of the attachment piece on the plate, and a second part capable of passing through the first bore (70) to be arranged on the side of the rear face of the plate and opposite the second bore,and in that the fastening and locking means (5) further comprise at least one locking element (51) which is capable of cooperating with the second bore and the second part of the attachment piece (50). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 4,

Description

Title of the invention: Privacy screen or screening panel for rigid mesh fences and its fixing method

[0001] The invention relates to the field of devices for screening or concealing rigid mesh fences.

[0002] A rigid mesh fence comprises posts and rigid panels fixed between these posts, the panels being made up of an interweaving of vertical and horizontal rigid wires forming a rigid openwork mesh. In addition, the vertical wires have in a localized manner, generally at least in the upper part and in the lower part, a V-shaped relief from one of the panel faces (called the ribbed face in the remainder of the description) to reinforce the rigidity of said panel.

[0003] It is sometimes desired to dress such a fence to obscure the view or at least break the view.

[0004] In particular, individual blades are known which are slid vertically between the vertical wires of the trellis and thus close the space between two vertical wires. Various fixing systems exist for fixing the blades.

[0005] However, these blades, which are made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride (PVC), age with difficulty; they discolor over time and deteriorate. In addition, they have a privacy screen function, but in combination with the trellis, they are not in reality completely opaque.

[0006] Also known from patent application FR3032216 is a plate made of a foldable material which comprises, near one of its edges, a line of edge holes used for positioning the plate on the mesh, as well as, distributed in regularly spaced strips, a multiplicity of multi-function holes. The plate is first positioned on the mesh of the fence by passing the edge holes around the distal ends of the vertical wires, the plate is then folded perpendicularly to bring it against the ribbed face of the mesh panel, then folded to fit the V-shapes of the mesh, and finally fixed by collars or straps which are passed around the vertical or horizontal wires via the edge holes and through several of the holes distributed in the surface of the plate.In addition to the function of attaching the plate to the mesh, which the holes have, the latter are arranged in regularly spaced strips in order to draw fold lines and help to bend the plate. In addition, they allow air to pass through the plate to prevent it from deforming and even damaging it in the event of wind.

[0007] However, the aforementioned plate does not prove to be at all convenient and quick to implement; in fact, it is necessary to bend the plate in different places, on the one hand, to press it against the mesh, and on the other hand, so that it can perfectly fit the ribbed shapes of the mesh. In addition, it is advisable to fold the plate skillfully the first time, because otherwise, when trying to unfold and fold it correctly, it will retain deformation creases in certain places. Furthermore, the multiplicity of holes is unsightly. Finally, this plate, which is made of foldable material, may discourage the user from purchasing it, because it does not immediately give an appearance of solidity.

[0008] Furthermore, the fixing of the aforementioned plate is obtained by flexible collars to be passed through the multiplicity of holes in the plate, or by pinching the sheet of the plate at specific cutouts, which is not practical and quick and also requires that the panel be accessible to the operator from the front and rear faces. However, sometimes depending on the location of the fence, the operator cannot access the rear of the fence.

[0009] The invention therefore aims to propose a privacy screen device, or even a total privacy screen, which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular is simple and quick to implement and allows the device to be fixed in a locked manner from its front face (face from which the device is positioned against the fence). The device will also be solid and resistant over time, while being aesthetically pleasing.

[0010] Thus, the invention relates to a privacy screen or screening panel for a rigid mesh fence, comprising: - a plate (preferably rigid, i.e. it is not capable of being bent when installed on the fence) having a so-called front face and an opposite so-called rear face (the mesh being intended to be on the side of the rear face of the panel plate), - fixing and locking means for the panel (the fixing and locking means being intended to lock the fixing of the plate against the trellis in the mounted position of the panel), said fixing and locking means comprising at least one attachment part capable of cooperating with at least one pair of a first bore and a second bore, the bores being provided in the thickness of the plate (from the front face to the rear face), characterized in that the attachment part is a rigid part which comprises a first part positioned on the front face of the plate in the position of use of the attachment part on the plate, and a second part capable of passing through the first bore to be arranged on the side of the rear face of the plate and opposite the second bore, and in that the fixing and locking means further comprise at least one locking element (which is a part independent of the attachment part) which is capable of cooperating (from the front face of the plate) with the second bore and the second part of the attachment part (which is located on the rear face in the position of use of the attachment piece).

[0011] According to one characteristic, the first and second bores are spaced apart by an appropriate distance so as to be positioned, in the mounted position of a panel on a fence trellis, on either side of at least one vertical wire of the trellis.

[0012] In the remainder of the description, the term "height", the qualifiers "upper", "lower", "high" and "low" relative to the privacy screen or screening panel of the invention, called screening panel, are used in the context of a normal installation of said panel, that is to say relating to a vertical notion of its installation on a rigid fence trellis. "Length" is understood to mean, relative to a component of the screening device, the largest dimension in a horizontal plane.

[0013] Thus, the combination of the pair of appropriately spaced bores, and the fastener which is rigid and capable of being positioned for a portion at the rear of the panel plate while another portion remains on the front face of the plate, allows the fastener to be effortlessly fixed from a single face of the panel (here the front face) without the user having to pass behind the panel.More particularly, the first bore is used for the introduction of a part of the attachment piece (its second part) so that it passes to the rear of the plate and is positioned opposite the second bore (which is done without difficulty because the part is rigid), the attachment piece (its second part) having covered on the rear face side at least one vertical wire of the mesh in the installed position of the plate against the mesh; the second bore allows access from the front face to the second part of the attachment piece arranged however at the rear of the plate in order to be able to make the locking element cooperate there from the front face.The first part of the attachment piece remaining on the front face of the plate provides leverage so that the second part of the attachment piece cooperating with the locking element remains in a stable position at the rear of the plate while the user who inserts the locking element into said second part of the attachment piece nevertheless transmits thrust forces onto said second part in a direction opposite to the plate. Without the first part of the attachment piece bearing on the front face of the plate, the attachment piece would tend to move away from the plate when the user tried to fix the locking element.According to one feature, the first part of the attachment piece intended to bear against the front face of the plate has dimensions adapted to counterbalance the thrust forces intended to be applied against the second part of the attachment piece when fixing the locking element to said second part.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the second part cooperates with the second bore so that the second part remains arranged only on the side of the rear face of the plate (without crossing the plate again - which further simplifies the shape of the part). According to another characteristic, the second part comprises a fixing zone capable of be located opposite said second bore so that the locking element cooperates with the fixing zone to fix the attachment part (and consequently to lock the fixing of the plate and therefore of the panel against the trellis by having trapped at least one vertical wire of the trellis).

[0015] Preferably, the attachment piece is of elongated shape and comprises as first part and second part, respectively two spaced apart, parallel and oppositely extending arms, and being connected by a substantially perpendicular connecting part. In particular, the attachment piece is of elongated shape and is doubly bent to define the first and second parts which are both elongated and a substantially perpendicular connecting part and connecting the two parts, preferably the connecting part having a width which is just greater than the thickness of the plate and the thickness of a wire of the mesh for which the panel is intended. By "just", it is meant that the dimension is adjusted to have a minimal clearance between the piece and the wire of the mesh so as to allow a grip at the rear of the wire of the mesh and to wedge it.

[0016] According to a particular example, the locking element is removable, preferably the locking element is a screw while the second part of the attachment part comprises a fixing zone which consists of a threaded housing projecting towards the opposite side of the plate in the mounted position of the attachment part. Alternatively, the locking element is a rivet while the second part of the attachment part comprises a fixing zone which comprises a hole.

[0017] According to another characteristic, the first bore is of a section adapted to the passage of the second part of the attachment part and the connecting part. Preferably, the first bore is square or rectangular.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the second bore is oblong.

[0019] Advantageously, the attachment part is metallic, preferably galvanized.

[0020] According to yet another characteristic, the attachment part comprises a decorative element which is integral with the first part (so as to be visible on the front face of the plate). The decorative element makes it possible in particular to minimize the locking element from view and makes it possible to blend the attachment part into a decorative element of the plate.

[0021] Preferably, the screening panel comprises a so-called fixing wing which extends from or near the so-called upper edge of the plate, in particular perpendicular to the general plane of the plate, and which is provided with spaced holes. The spaced holes of the fixing wing constitute a means of direct installation of the panel by vertical attachment or suspension after the trellis of the fence. Once the screening panel is thus installed, the operator has his hands free to carry out the locking of the fixing of the panel by said at least one attachment piece associated with the locking element, and this while remaining on one side of the plate.

[0022] Therefore, the installation and locking of the panel are quick. The user lifts the panel slightly above the trellis and translates it from top to bottom to introduce the distal ends of the vertical wires through the holes until the wing abuts against generally the first inclined V-shaped portion of the raised shapes of the trellis, providing the hanging of the panel and its installation directly against the trellis. The panel has a weight such that it is able to be held hanging by gravity and pressed against the fence. The hanging of the panel is therefore very easy and quick. In addition, the screening panel of the invention, being rigid and non-foldable, therefore has a robust and durable appearance.Furthermore, a rigid fence has the ribbed face of the mesh generally on the outside; consequently, the screening panel of the invention, being installed on the face opposite the ribbed one, is on the side of the inner perimeter of the fence and not on the ribbed face outside the fence as in the prior art, which is much more convenient for the user to install the privacy screen or screening panel against the flat surface and inside the fenced perimeter. The privacy screen or screening panel may have a solid surface or not, painted and / or decorated. Finally, as mentioned above, locking the panel onto the mesh is easy and quick, the user remaining on one side of the panel only.By passing the attachment piece from the first bore to opposite the second bore (spaced the appropriate distance), the attachment piece passes behind at least one vertical wire of the mesh, and after fixing the locking element in the attachment piece, the mesh wire is trapped without the possibility of releasing the panel plate which is then locked in position. Since the fixing is done from the front face, a third party placed outside the fence (rear face side) will not be able to dismantle the panel.

[0023] Preferably, the holes in the fixing wing have an oblong shape (their length being parallel to the upper edge of the plate), in particular rather than circular. The oblong shape may have straight and / or curved segments. The oblong shape of the holes makes it easier for the user to install the panel by making them cooperate directly with the vertical wires of the trellis, without having to position themselves exactly in line with the vertical wires. In addition, the oblong shape makes it possible, with the same panel of the invention, to fit fence panels with different mesh widths (different center distances of the vertical wires). For example, the length of the holes is between 30 and 50 mm, and the spacing (full portion) between two adjacent holes is of the order of 10 mm.Preferably, the oblong holes are of different lengths, with an alternating first length and a second length, while being separated by solid areas to maintain rigidity in the panel. This configuration of different hole sizes makes it possible to cover all the . rigid mesh on the current market.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the fixing wing has an orthogonal return which is parallel to the general plane of the plate and is intended to come into abutment on the upper raised V-shape of the lattice. This return contributes to the rigidity of the panel (all the more so when there are a multiplicity of orifices of different lengths which follow one another), as well as to the wedging of the panel.

[0025] Current rigid fences differ primarily in the way in which the rigid mesh fence panels are arranged in the rebate of the fence posts. There are mainly two types of arrangement in the rebate of the posts.

[0026] The first type of fence corresponds to a first type of arrangement of a rigid mesh fence panel; this first type of arrangement is done inside the rebate of the post, which provides, on the side of the face opposite the ribbed face of the mesh, a free space between the mesh panel and the edge of the rebate. The free space allows the screening panel of the invention to be slid directly vertically into the rebate of the post between the rigid mesh and the edge of the rebate, locking it directly in position along a horizontal plane by its vertical edges. To this end, according to a characteristic of the invention, the screening panel has a length adapted so that at least one of its vertical edges cooperates in the installation position with the inside of the rebate of a post, the entire height of the vertical edge of the screening panel being intended to be trapped in the rebate.

[0027] A second type of fence which corresponds to a second type of arrangement of a rigid mesh fence panel, is designed so that the mesh panel is arranged against one edge of the post rebate, the ribbed face of the mesh panel developing towards the opposite edge of the rebate. In this configuration, the entire vertical edge of the screening panel of the invention cannot be inserted into the post rebate.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment (in particular for the second type of fence), the screening panel comprises on a vertical edge of the plate or on two opposite vertical edges of the plate, at least one tongue (or tab), preferably rigid, projecting from the vertical edge while being coplanar with the plate (making it possible to retain the plate in the rebate of a post of the fence), preferably at least two tongues from the same edge of the plate, one of which is arranged at the lower end of the plate. In this embodiment, the plate of the screening panel has a length from one vertical edge to the other (therefore without the tongues), such that this length corresponds, in the position of its installation on the fence, at most to the separation distance of the opening plane of the opposite rebates of two posts adjacent fences. The tabs are intended to fit into the rebates of the posts, in particular by translating the panel in a plane parallel to the trellis, which is made possible once the panel is installed via the fixing wing thanks to the holes in the fixing wing which are oblong in shape.

[0029] Advantageously, the plate comprises at least one decoration, in particular the decoration constituting cutouts in the thickness of the plate. Thus, the plate can be completely solid, as it can comprise decorations directly resulting from the cutting of the plate. The plate can be painted. The plate is for example metallic, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or is made of plastic or even composite material.

[0030] The invention also relates to a privacy screen or screening device for a rigid mesh fence comprising a plurality of aforementioned screening panels of the invention which are abutted vertically and intended to cover one or more mesh fence panels. Either the screening panel covers a single mesh panel, or several screening panels are abutted to each other to cover one or more mesh panels. The privacy screen or screening device with several abutted screening panels may have a decoration extending over all of the screening panels and each of the panels comprises a mark for abutting the panels in a sequential order in order to draw the decoration.

[0031] The invention relates to a rigid mesh fence comprising at least one rigid mesh panel consisting of an intersecting of vertical and horizontal wires (and generally of raised shapes such as V on one of the faces of the mesh panel while the other face of the mesh panel is flat), and at least one aforementioned privacy or screening panel or device of the invention, the plate of a panel being installed against the mesh panel (in particular against the flat face of the mesh panel opposite the face provided with the raised shapes) and being locked in position by at least one attachment piece passing behind at least one vertical wire of the mesh and by the locking element associated with the attachment piece, preferably the plate also being retained by at least one fixing wing provided with holes cooperating with the upper ends of the vertical wires.

[0032] Finally, the invention relates to a method for installing and fixing a aforementioned screening panel of the invention against a rigid mesh fence comprising spaced vertical wires, the method comprising the installation of the screening panel pressed against the rigid mesh (not necessarily by the fixing wing if the panel does not have one) and the locking of the fixing of said screening panel via the fixing and locking means, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - introduction from the front face of the plate, of the second part of the part attachment in the first bore of the plate until it comes opposite the second bore of the plate (on the rear face of the plate), said second part of the attachment piece passing behind at least one vertical wire of the rigid mesh; - holding (in particular by simple pressure from the operator's hand) the first part of the attachment piece against the front face of the plate while the locking element is brought to the front face of the plate opposite the second bore and is fixed (in particular by passing through said second bore) to the second part of the attachment piece, preferably the locking element being a screw screwed into a threaded fixing zone of the second part of the attachment piece.

[0033] The present invention is now described using examples which are solely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a perspective view from the front of a privacy or screening device fixed and locked according to the invention on a rigid mesh fence, the device here comprising several screening panels and according to an exemplary embodiment as to their cooperation with the posts of the fence. - [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of another example of a panel of concealing a privacy screen or concealing device according to the invention. - [Fig.3] is a perspective view showing the occultation panels end of the device of [Fig.l]. - [Fig.4] is an enlarged view of a screening panel of [Fig.l] or 2, in front face and showing the fixing and locking means once in place. - [Fig.5] corresponds to the rear of [Fig.4], rigid mesh side. - [Fig.6] corresponds to the view [Fig.4] before locking and at the start of the operation of installing the fixing and locking means. - [Fig.7] shows an enlarged view of the fixing and worm means rusting in a step following the step of [Fig.6], more particularly when introducing a part of the fastener into the first cooperating bore of the panel plate. - [Fig.8] illustrates a perspective view of the concealment panel by visualizing the rear of the panel by dotted lines, this figure corresponds to the step which follows the step of [Fig.7], one of the parts of the attachment piece being completely introduced into the first bore by being arranged at the rear of the panel and opposite the second cooperation bore. - [Fig.9] follows the step in [Fig.8] and corresponds to the last installation step means of fixing and locking, in particular when introducing the locking element into the attachment part. - [Fig.10] shows a front view of an example of a fastener according to the invention comprising a decorative element. - [Fig.l 1] illustrates a partial view of a concealment panel with machined (cut) decoration in the plate, the panel being mounted on a rigid lattice and being fixed and locked to it via attachment pieces of the type in [Fig. 10] with another decorative element.

[0034] The device of the invention, for screening or concealing a rigid mesh fence, hereinafter referred to as a concealing device and illustrated in [Fig. 1], is intended to be mounted on the rigid mesh 2 of a fence 3, preferably being retained by hooking at least at the level of the upper part of the mesh 2, being able to remain falling by gravity against the mesh 2. The fence 3 comprises posts 30 and 31 with a rebate 4, only two posts being shown here, and mesh panels, of which only one mesh panel 20 is visible here and is fixed between the two posts 30 and 31, being engaged laterally in the rebates 4 of the posts.

[0035] According to the invention, the screening device 1 is fixed in a locked manner thanks to the presence of fixing and locking means 5 which are described later. Thus, the screening device cannot be simply removed by simply unhooking the trellis. In addition, the fixing and locking means 5 allow implementation from only one side of the device, namely the front face where the operator is located when he has hung the screening panel(s), the operator does not need to access the outside or rear side of the fence at all.

[0036] With regard to [Fig. 5] showing the rear face of the device on the fence 3, the mesh panel 20 is made up of the rigid mesh 2 which comprises, in a known manner, an interweaving of vertical 21 and horizontal 22 rigid wires forming an openwork mesh, the vertical wires 22 having, from one of the faces of the mesh panel, raised shapes 23 in a V-shaped fold which are generally arranged in the upper part and, in the lower part and / or in the middle part, in order to contribute to the rigidity of the mesh panel. The face comprising the raised shapes 23 is called the ribbed face. This face is generally turned towards the outside of the fence (rear face of the fence).

[0037] The concealing device 1 is intended to be mounted to cover one of the faces of the mesh panel 20, the flat front face opposite the ribbed one. The concealing device 1 preferably covers the entire surface of the mesh panel 20 between the two posts 30 and 31, but could only partially cover the mesh panel 20 (by adapting its length and height).

[0038] The screening device 1 comprises at least one privacy screen or screening panel of the invention 1-1 ([Fig.l]) or 1' ([Fig.2]), hereinafter referred to as a screening panel to correspond to the length or part of the length of a mesh panel 20 of the fence. The screening device 1 may therefore comprise a single screening panel whose length corresponds to that of a mesh panel 20 or may comprise (as visible in [Fig.l]) several screening panels 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 and 1-5, depending on the length to be covered by a mesh panel and / or the length of the screening panel at the end of manufacture and / or the method of installing the screening device 1 depending on the type of fence.

[0039] The concealment device 1 has a weight allowing it to be held by simple gravity when it is attached to the upper part of the trellis via its fixing wing 11 provided with orifices 12 (as more visible in the example of [Fig.2]).

[0040] The plate 10 is rigid. It is for example metallic. The plate 10 is made of a material which is not bendable when it is installed on the fence. It has a thickness, for example of the order of 1.5 to 3 mm.

[0041] The fixing wing 11 is arranged in the upper part of the plate 10, preferably at the edge of the upper distal end of the plate 10. The fixing wing 11 projects from one of the faces of the plate, extending at least perpendicularly and along the entire length of the plate. Alternatively, the fixing wing 11 could not extend over the entire length and be discontinuous, but the rigidity of the concealing panel would be lost and the latter would be less aesthetic. Preferably, the fixing wing 11 comprises, at its longitudinal edge opposite the plate 10, a return 13 orthogonal, parallel and facing the plate 10. This return 13 contributes to the rigidity of the concealing panel.In addition, the return 13 can provide a wedging of the screening panel on the fence trellis 2, in particular by coming into abutment against the upper ribbed shape or line 23 which is, depending on the type of trellis, in the immediate vicinity of the upper end of the wire mesh panel 20. The fixing wing 11 and its return 13 are produced during the manufacture of the screening panel, by folding the plate 10 from a metal sheet, or by molding when the material of the screening panel is based on plastic.

[0042] The orifices 12 of the fixing wing are through orifices which are arranged in the horizontal surface of the wing, a surface which is perpendicular to the plate 10. Each of the orifices 12 has a section capable of receiving each of the vertical wires 21 of the mesh. The section of the orifices is also adapted to provide with the vertical wires 21 a minimal clearance in a direction perpendicular to the plate 10 (therefore to the general plane of the mesh panel) so that the concealing device 1 can remain pressed against the mesh panel. The orifices 12 constitute means for retaining the concealing device 1 in the installed position on the fence 3. The orifices 12 have a closed perimeter so that in combination with their arrangement in a plane orthogonal to the plate 10, they make it possible to retain the plate 10 in a falling position against the mesh panel 20.

[0043] Preferably, the orifices 12 are oblong in shape, their length being parallel to the length of the plate, which facilitates the positioning of the concealment panel around the vertical wires 21.

[0044] The holes 12 can have different lengths, which makes it possible to cover all current rigid mesh fences regardless of the pitch of the vertical wires 21.

[0045] The screening device 1 is designed so that in the installed position on the fence 3, in particular on the mesh panel 20, the whole (exemplary embodiment of the screening panel of [Fig.2]) or part of its vertical edges (example embodiment of the screening panel of [Fig.1]) is capable of being trapped in the rebate 4 of the two opposite fence posts 30 and 31.

[0046] [Fig. 2] illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a screening panel 1' whose plate 10 has a length adapted so that its two vertical edges 14 and 15 cooperate in the installation position of the screening panel with the inside of the rebate 4 of the two respective posts 30 and 31, the entire height of the vertical edges 14 and 15 of the screening panel being trapped in each rebate 4. The screening device 1 is thus retained in a complementary manner by the posts 30 and 31 of the fence 3.This type of screening panel is perfectly suited to fences (so-called first type) whose mesh panel 20 is fixed inside the rebate 4 of the posts, leaving a free space over the entire height of the posts, between the lateral edge of the rebate of the posts (plane perpendicular to the opening of the rebate) and the flat face of the mesh panel 20 (the one opposite the ribbed face), which allows the screening panel 1' to slide vertically into this free space in the rebate.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment of [Fig.2], the plate 10 is completely solid. It could include painted decorations or decorations D drawn by cutting the plate, as visible in the example of [Fig.l].

[0048] [Fig.l] shows an exemplary embodiment of a screening device 1 whose end screening panels 1-1 and 1-5 ([Fig.3]) have on their vertical edge intended to cooperate with the rebates 4 of the posts 30 and 31, preferably rigid tabs 6, here three spaced tabs on the two vertical edges 14' and 15' of the plate 10. The installation of the last screening panel 1-5 is done by positioning the orifices 12 of the fixing wing around the upper ends of the vertical wires 21 and by pressing the plate 10 against the trellises 2 while slightly translating the plate towards the opposite post to be able to insert the tabs 6 of the vertical edge 14' into the rebate 4 of the associated post. In this case, the orifices 12 are suitable for being sufficiently large in the direction parallel to the plate 10, and are preferably oblong, to allow this latitude of translation of the last plate 10. The 14” and 15” joining edges of the concealment panels with the other intermediate concealment panels are straight without tabs. Alternatively, forms of mutual cooperation could be envisaged on the 14” and 15” joining edges, but this would complicate the manufacture.

[0049] The privacy screen or screening device with several abutting screening panels ([Fig.l]) may have a decoration extending over all of the screening panels and each of the screening panels 1-1 to 1-5 has a mark 18 for abutting the panels in sequential order in order to create the decoration. By way of non-limiting example, the end of the first occultation panel 1-1 in the upper part has a mark in the form of a line 18A, the second occultation panel 1-2 has on the left side a line 18A and on the right side a mark in the form of a double line 18B, the third occultation panel 1-3 has on the side the double line 18A and on the right side a new mark 18C, and the fourth occultation panel 1-4 has on the left side the same mark 18C as the previous panel 1-3 and on the right side a new different mark 18D, and the last occultation panel 1-5 has on the left the mark 18D of the previous panel.

[0050] Whatever the construction of the vertical edges of the plate 10 of the screening panel(s), the screening device 1 in place on the trellis 2 is intended to be fixed and locked onto the trellis from a single face of the panel, the front face 16, while the trellis is nevertheless on the rear face 17. For this purpose, the screening device 1 comprises the fixing and locking means 5 which cooperate with the screening panels and the trellis 2. These fixing and locking means 5 which cooperate at the rear ([Fig.5]) with the trellis 2 are fixed from the front because it is not necessary to access the rear of the screening panel to fix said panel to the trellis.

[0051] The fixing and locking means 5 (better visible in Figures 4 to 10) comprise at least one attachment piece 50 and at least one associated locking element 51. For mounting the fixing and locking means 5 on the panel and around the trellis, the plate 10 of a screening panel comprises at least one pair of a first cooperating bore 70 and a second cooperating bore 71 which are spaced apart and with which the fixing and locking means 5 cooperate. The attachment piece 50 is fixed from the front and is nevertheless intended to cooperate with a vertical wire 21 of the trellis 2 located on the rear side of the panel ([Fig.5]). Each front-fixing attachment piece 50 is capable of trapping at least one vertical wire 21 at the rear of the plate. The attachment piece 50 is arranged in a localized manner on the surface of the plate 10 of the panel. The number of attachment pieces 50 is adapted to the panel dimensions. Each fastener 50 is designed to allow its cooperation and locking from the front face 16 of the panel without the user (the user himself or his arm) having to pass to the rear of the panel and therefore of the trellis.

[0052] As shown in [Fig.7], the attachment part 50 comprises a first part 50A and a second part 50B. The attachment part 50 is preferably metallic; its two parts are in particular the result of a folding of the part. The second part 50B is able to engage through the first cooperation bore 70 to pass to the rear of the concealing panel 1-1 and is intended to be positioned opposite the second cooperation orifice 71 to be fixed to the plate 10 by the locking element 51 intended to pass through said second cooperation orifice 7. The first part 50A is intended to be pressed against the front face 16 of the concealing panel 1 adjacent to the first cooperation orifice 70 and opposite the second bore 71.This first part 50A of the attachment part 50 is designed to leverage the attachment part 50 so that the second part 50B can be brought closer from the rear against the second engagement hole 71. By always keeping the first part 50A pressed against the plate 10 while the second part 50B is facing the second bore 71, it is possible to introduce the locking element 51 into said second part 50B. The first part 50A has a suitable surface so as to sufficiently bear against the front face 16 of the panel while the user, when introducing the locking element 51 into the second part 50B positioned at the rear of the concealment panel, exerts a pushing force against said second part 50A; in this way, said second part 50B remains in a stable position against the rear face when inserting the locking element 51.

[0053] More particularly, the two cooperating bores 70 and 71 are aligned horizontally and spaced apart by a distance which is such that in the mounted position of a screening panel, said two cooperating bores 70 and 71 are arranged on either side of at least one vertical wire 21 of the trellis 2. The first cooperating bore 70 has a section suitable for the passage of the attachment piece 50. For example, the first cooperating bore 70 has a square section and a section greater than the height of the attachment piece 50. The second cooperating bore 71 has a section suitable for the passage of the locking element 51. For example, the second cooperating bore 71 has a circular section for the passage of a screw.Preferably, the second cooperation bore 71 is of oval section (the major axis of the oval being horizontal) for the passage of a screw and to allow a clearance for placing the attachment part 50 opposite each other depending on the spacing of the vertical wires 21 of the trellis 2. This oval geometry facilitates systematic placing of the attachment part 50 (of the fixing zone). of the attachment part) opposite the second cooperation bore 71.

[0054] More particularly, the front-fixing attachment part 50 (still visible in detail in [Fig.7]) has a body which is elongated in shape and is doubly bent in its substantially central part. The attachment part 50 has a generally substantially S-shaped shape. The attachment part 50 comprises (as the respective first and second parts described above) a first arm 50A and a second arm 50B which are spaced apart and parallel to each other while extending in an opposite direction and being connected by a portion 52. The connecting portion 52 extends substantially perpendicular to the arms. The connecting portion 52 comprises a first bend 52A connecting the first arm 50A and a second bend 52B connecting the second arm 50B. At least the first arm 50A is flat. In the mounted position of the attachment part 50, the first arm 50A is intended to be pressed against the front face 16 of the plate 10.In the mounted position of the attachment part 50, the second arm 50B is intended to be arranged parallel to the rear face 17 of the plate 10 while being offset by a thickness corresponding to the width of the connecting portion 52 (the width being the dimension perpendicular to the length of the part). The connecting portion 52 has a width slightly greater than the thickness of the sheet metal of the plate 10 and the section of a vertical wire 21 of the trellis 2. Indeed, the connecting portion 52 has a dimension (width) which must allow the second arm 50B to be automatically positioned at the rear of at least one wire 21 of the trellis 2. The clearance between the second arm 50B and the wire 21 of the trellis is minimal so that the attachment part 50 traps the wire 21 as closely as possible.The second arm 50B comprises, opposite the connecting portion 52, preferably at its free end, a fixing zone 53 which is intended to accommodate the locking element 51 to block the attachment part 50 in position once in place.

[0055] The fixing zone 53 is in the example shown a threaded housing projecting (perpendicularly) to the second arm 50B in a direction opposite to the connecting portion 52. The threaded housing is for example an insert which is welded or crimped. The threaded housing is intended to receive a screw as a locking element 51. The screw 51 constitutes a removable locking element if the user wants to disassemble the panel. Alternatively, the fixing zone 53 could be a simple hole, while the locking element 51 would be a rivet.

[0056] The dimensions of the attachment part 50 are, for example (non-limiting), the following (to adapt to all types of rigid mesh currently on the market): the length of the attachment part 50 from one end to the other of the first part 50A to the second part 50B (40 mm) is 90 mm; the height of the first and second parts 50A and 50B is 15 mm; the width (dimension transverse to the length of the part) of the connecting part 52 is 10 mm.

[0057] The implementation of the fixing and locking means 5 from the front of a concealment panel is now described.

[0058] The mounting process is repeated for each privacy panel.

[0059] The occultation panel 1-1 is put in place by being pressed against the rigid mesh. Then the operator takes hold of a fastening part 50 and positions it in front of the first cooperation bore 70 from the front face 16 of the plate ([Fig.6]). He then introduces the fastening part 50 into the first cooperation bore 70 by passing the second part 50B therethrough ([Fig.7]). He continues the introduction by pivoting the fastening part using the double-angled connecting part 52 until said second part 50B, in particular the fixing zone 53, is opposite the second cooperation bore 71 of the plate ([Fig.8]); said second part 50B of the attachment piece automatically (necessarily) passes behind at least one vertical wire 21 of the rigid mesh 2. Then, the operator keeps the first part 50A of the attachment piece 50 pressed against the front face 16 of the plate with one hand, while with the other hand he brings the locking element (screw) 51 to the front face of the plate opposite the second cooperation bore 71 ([Fig.9]).He then introduces the screw 51 by passing through said second bore 71 in the second part 50B of the attachment piece. The operator can begin to screw the screw without difficulty into the fixing zone 53, here the threaded housing, although there is no support behind the fixing zone because the first part 50A, being sufficiently elongated and pressed against the plate 10, allows the forces to be taken up. Once the screw is engaged with the threaded housing 53, the operator can continue screwing with both hands without having to hold the attachment piece 50. After tightening, the panel is fixed and locked in place, the attachment piece trapping at least one vertical wire 21 of the mesh.

[0060] Finally, with regard to figures 10 and 11, the attachment part 50 may comprise, integrally with the first part 50A, a decorative element 54. The decorative element 54 may have any shape extending from the elongated base of the first part 50A.

Claims

Claims

1. A privacy or screening panel (1'; 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) for a rigid mesh fence, comprising: - a plate (10) having a so-called front face (16) and an opposite so-called rear face (17), - fixing and locking means (5) for the panel, said fixing and locking means (5) comprising at least one attachment part (50) capable of cooperating with at least one pair of a first bore (70) and a second bore (71), the bores being formed in the thickness of the plate, characterized in that the attachment part (50) is a rigid part which comprises a first part (50A) positioned on the front face (16) of the plate in the position of use of the attachment part on the plate, and a second part (50B) capable of passing through the first bore (70) to be arranged on the side of the rear face (17) of the plate and opposite the second bore (71),and in that the fixing and locking means (5) further comprise at least one locking element (51) which is capable of cooperating with the second bore (71) and the second part (50B) of the attachment part (50).,

2. Panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the second part (50B) comprises a fixing zone (53) capable of being located opposite said second bore (71) so that the locking element (51) cooperates with the fixing zone (53) to fix the attachment part.

3. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the attachment part (50) is of elongated shape and comprises as first part (50A) and second part (50B), respectively two spaced, parallel and oppositely extending arms, and being connected by a substantially perpendicular connecting part (52), preferably the connecting part (52) having a width which is greater than the thickness of the plate and the thickness of a wire of the mesh for which the panel is intended.

4. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (51) is removable, preferably the locking element (51) is a screw while the second part (50B) of the attachment part (50) comprises a fixing zone (53) which consists of a threaded housing projecting towards the opposite side of the plate in the mounted position of the attachment part (50).

5. Panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking element (51) is a rivet while the second part (50B) of the fastener (50) has a fixing area (53) which includes a hole.

6. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second bore (71) is oblong.

7. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment part (50) is metallic, preferably galvanized.

8. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment piece (50) comprises a decorative element (54) which is integral with the first part (50A).

9. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a so-called fixing wing (11) which extends from or near the so-called upper edge of the plate, in particular perpendicular to the general plane of the plate, and which is provided with spaced holes (12).

10. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises on a vertical edge (14') of the plate or on two opposite vertical edges (14', 15') of the plate, at least one tab (7), preferably rigid, projecting from the vertical edge while being coplanar with the plate.

11. A rigid mesh fence screening or screening device (1) comprising a plurality of screening panels (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) according to any one of the preceding claims which are joined vertically and intended to cover one or more mesh fence panels (20).

12. Privacy screen or screening device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has a decoration extending over all of the panels (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) and in that each of the screening panels has a mark (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D) for joining the panels in a sequential order in order to draw the decoration.

13. Rigid mesh fence comprising at least one mesh panel (20) made of rigid mesh (2) consisting of an interweaving of vertical (21) and horizontal (22) wires, and at least one panel (1'; 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) or a privacy or screening device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the plate (10) of a panel being installed against the mesh panel (20) and being locked in position by at least one attachment piece (50) passing behind at least one vertical wire (21) of the trellis and by the locking element (51) associated with the attachment piece, preferably the plate also being retained by at least one fixing wing (11) provided with orifices cooperating with the upper ends of the vertical wires (21).

14. Method of installing and fixing a screening panel (1'; 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 against a rigid mesh fence (2) comprising spaced vertical wires (21), the method comprising the installation of the screening panel (1'; 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) pressed against the rigid mesh (2) and the locking of the fixing of said screening panel via the fixing and locking means (5), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - introduction from the front face (16) of the plate, of the second part (50B) of the attachment piece (50) into the first bore (70) of the plate until it comes opposite the second bore (71) of the plate, said second part (50B) of the attachment piece passing behind at least one vertical wire (21) of the rigid mesh (2); - holding the first part (50A) of the attachment piece (50) against the front face (16) of the plate while the locking element (51) is brought to the front face of the plate opposite the second bore (71) and is fixed (in particular by passing through said second bore) to the second part (50B) of the attachment piece, preferably the locking element (51) being a screw screwed into a threaded fixing zone (53) of the second part (50B) of the attachment piece.

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