Shielding member supporting device

Abstract

Provided is a shielding member supporting device that comprises: a recess part (12) provided to a longitudinal base plate part (11); a hole (12b) which is for inserting a screw member and is provided in the bottom (12a) of the recess part (12); and a rail part (13) that slidably supports runners (R). The shielding member supporting device comprises a cap (14) that covers the recess part (12), and closing members (15) attached to longitudinal end sections of the base plate part (11). The closing members (15) are each provided with a locking part (19) for locking shielding members (S) connected to the runners (R), and the top surfaces (16a) of reinforcement rib parts (16) on both sides in the width direction of the recess part (12) and the top surface (14a) of the cap (14) are flat surfaces.

Description

Shielding member support device

[0001] The present invention relates to a shielding member support device that slidably supports a shielding member such as a screen (curtain).

[0002] Various types of shielding members are installed in windows, doorways, and the like, or in room dividers and other locations in buildings such as houses and warehouses. Shielding members are used to shield openings such as windows and doorways or to separate spaces, and are often sheet-, cloth-, or plate-like members such as screens (including curtains), blinds, and shielding plates. These members are hereinafter collectively referred to as shielding members. Shielding members are slidably supported on rails with grooves or ridges.

[0003] For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a guide rail (shielding member support device) that slidably supports a sheet-like screen. The shielding member support device is composed of a longitudinal member, has a rail portion composed of grooves and protrusions, and is equipped with a runner that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the rail portion. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a fastener element that fits into a groove is used as the runner, but there are various other types of runners, such as a slider with rollers that is used in general curtains.

[0004] Patent No. 6199268 Patent No. 6824536

[0005] The shielding member support devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a problem in that they have a large number of parts. Having a large number of parts leads to high costs, so there is room for improvement. Furthermore, these shielding member support devices include a longitudinal base plate that is fixed to a ceiling, beam, or the like, and the base plate has holes formed therein for screws, bolts, or other screw members for fixing the base plate to the ceiling or beam. The holes for the screw members are formed at the bottom of grooves, so that the screw members are visible from the outside when the base plate is fixed. Therefore, the rail portion formed by grooves or protrusions and the grooves with holes for the screw members formed therein are aligned, which creates a problem in that the external appearance is poor.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the number of parts of a shielding member support device and improve its aesthetic appearance.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a shielding member support device that includes a longitudinal base plate, a recess provided in the base plate, a hole provided in the bottom of the recess for inserting a screw member, and a rail portion formed along the longitudinal direction of the base plate to slidably support a runner, the shielding member support device also including a cap that covers the recess, and a closing member attached to the longitudinal end of the base plate, the recess and the rail portion facing the longitudinal end of the base plate, the longitudinal end of the recess and the longitudinal end of the rail portion being closed by the closing member, and the closing member having a locking portion for locking a shielding member that is to be connected to the runner (structure 1).

[0008] In an embodiment having the configuration 1, a configuration can be adopted in which reinforcing ribs are provided on both sides of the recess in the width direction, and the top surfaces of the reinforcing ribs and the top surface of the cap are flat (configuration 2).

[0009] In an aspect having configuration 2, a configuration can be adopted in which a recessed groove is formed along the longitudinal direction between the reinforcing rib portion and the rail portion, and the engaging portion faces the recessed groove (configuration 3).

[0010] Furthermore, in an embodiment having configuration 2 (including an embodiment having both configurations 2 and 3), a configuration can be adopted in which the top surface of the reinforcing rib portion is a flat surface, and the top surface of the reinforcing rib portion and the top surface of the blocking member are flush with each other (configuration 4).

[0011] Furthermore, in a configuration having configuration 2 (including a configuration having either or both of configurations 3 and 4 and configuration 2), a configuration can be adopted in which the reinforcing rib portion has a hollow portion formed along the longitudinal direction therein, and the screw that fixes the blocking member to the base portion is screwed into the longitudinal end of the hollow portion.

[0012] Using the shielding member support device of each of the above aspects, a shielding member installation structure can be adopted in which the shielding member is connected to the runner so as to be slidable on the rail portion, and the shielding member is locked to the locking portion.

[0013] This invention can reduce the number of parts of the shielding member support device and improve the aesthetic appearance.

[0014] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in use; 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment as seen from the bottom; 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment as seen from the top; 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment as seen from the bottom; 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment;

[0015] A shielding member support device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The shielding member support device 10 of this embodiment is a screen rail that slidably supports a shielding member S such as a screen, and also an installation structure for the shielding member S that uses the shielding member support device 10. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the shielding member support device 10 will be referred to as a screen rail 10 or simply as a rail 10.

[0016] 1 to 3, the rail material 10 is configured with a longitudinal base plate portion 11 that is rectangular in plan view, a similarly longitudinal cap 14, and blocking members 15 provided on both longitudinal ends of the base plate portion 11. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the base plate portion 11 will be simply referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction will be simply referred to as the width direction.

[0017] The base plate 11 has a recess 12 formed along its longitudinal direction. The recess 12 extends linearly over the entire longitudinal length of the base plate 11, with both longitudinal ends thereof facing the longitudinal ends of the base plate 11. Holes 12b for inserting screws are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction in the bottom 12a of the recess 12. Screw members (screws) 18 are inserted into the holes 12b and screwed into a base plate T such as a beam or ceiling, thereby fixing the base plate 11 to the base plate T. In the embodiment, the base plate 11 is fixed to a downward surface of the base plate T, but it is also conceivable to fix the base plate 11 to an upward surface of a floor or threshold, or to a horizontal surface of a pillar.

[0018] The base plate 11 is also provided with rails 13 that slidably support the runners R connected to the shielding member S. The rails 13 extend linearly over the entire longitudinal length of the base plate 11, with both longitudinal ends facing the longitudinal ends of the base plate 11. In this embodiment, the rails 13 are provided at both ends of the rails 13 in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction). As shown in FIG. 5, the rails 13 have a recess 13a formed between a pair of side walls 13b, 13b, and opposing protrusions 13d, 13d are provided at the tips of the pair of side walls 13b, 13b. The width of the recess 13a is narrowed by the protrusions 13d, 13d, so that the runners R do not fall off (see FIG. 1).

[0019] A shielding member S is connected to the runner R. As shown in Figures 1 and 6B, the runner R has a hole into which a U-shaped hook S' attached to the shielding member S engages. When the hook S' of the shielding member S engages with the hole in the runner R, the shielding member S slides laterally together with the runner R.

[0020] A cap 14 that covers the recess 12 is detachably attached to the base 11. As shown in FIG. 5 , the cap 14 is a longitudinal member with a concave cross section, including a flat base 14b of a predetermined width and side portions 14c rising upward from both widthwise ends of the base 14b. An engaging protrusion 14d that protrudes outward in the widthwise direction is provided at the upper end of each side portion 14c. An engaging recess 12d that is recessed outward in the widthwise direction is provided on both widthwise sides of the recess 12. Elastic deformation of the cap 14 causes the engaging protrusion 14d to fit into the engaging recess 12d, thereby securing the cap 14 to cover the recess 12. Alternatively, the engaging protrusion 14d and the engaging recess 12d may be reversed, with the engaging recess on the cap 14 side and the engaging protrusion on the recess 12 side. By attaching the cap 14 to the base 11, the screw member 18 is not visible from the outside, resulting in a neat appearance.

[0021] The base plate 11 also has reinforcing rib portions 16 on both widthwise sides of the recess 12. The top surface (lower surface) 16a of the reinforcing rib portion 16 is flat, and the top surface (lower surface) 14a of the cap 14 is also flat. This gives the rail 10 an even neater appearance. It is desirable from an appearance standpoint that the top surface (lower surface) 16a of the reinforcing rib portion 16 and the top surface (lower surface) 14a of the cap 14 be flush with each other or nearly flush with only a small step between them. The back side (upper surface) of the reinforcing rib portion 16 is a hollow portion (lightening portion) 16b.

[0022] Closing members 15 are attached to the longitudinal ends of the base plate 11. The closing members 15 are rectangular parallelepiped members that are the same width and thickness (height) as the base plate 11. The closing members 15 close the longitudinal ends 12c of the open recesses 12 and the longitudinal ends 13c of the open rail portions 13.

[0023] In this embodiment, the blocking member 15 has the same width and thickness (height) as the base plate portion 11. Therefore, the top surface (lower surface) 15a of the blocking member 15 is flush with the top surface 16a of the reinforcing rib portion 16. From the viewpoint of appearance, it is desirable that the top surface (lower surface) 15a of the blocking member 15 and the top surface 16a of the reinforcing rib portion 16 are flush with each other or nearly flush with only a slight difference in level between them. Furthermore, the top surface (lower surface) 15a of the blocking member 15 and the top surface (lower surface) 13e of the rail portion 13 are flush with each other. From the viewpoint of appearance, it is desirable that the top surface (lower surface) 15a of the blocking member 15 and the top surface (lower surface) 13e of the rail portion 13 are flush with each other or nearly flush with only a slight difference in level between them.

[0024] Additionally, grooves 21 are provided between the reinforcing rib portions 16 and the rail portions 13, each extending along the longitudinal direction. The grooves 21 extend linearly over the entire longitudinal length of the base portion 11, with both longitudinal ends facing the longitudinal ends of the base portion 11. The closing members 15 close the open longitudinal ends of the grooves 21. The concave and convex portions of the recesses 12, reinforcing rib portions 16, grooves 21, and rail portions 13 are arranged in parallel in this order, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the base portion 11 and suppressing an increase in weight.

[0025] The blocking member 15 is provided with a locking portion 19 for locking the shielding member S connected to the runner R. The locking portion 19 is composed of a hole 19a penetrating the blocking member 15 and one or more locking members (ring-shaped members) 19b that are locked into the hole 19a. A U-shaped hook S' attached to the end of the shielding member S engages with the locking member (ring-shaped member) 19b, thereby restricting movement of the end of the shielding member S. Note that the locking portion 19 faces the recessed groove 21 of the base plate portion 11, making it easy to attach the locking member (ring-shaped member) 19b. This is because if the hole 19a of the locking portion 19 does not face the recessed groove 21, the locking portion 19 is difficult to see and it is difficult to insert the locking member (ring-shaped member) 19b into the hole 19a (see FIG. 4).

[0026] 3 and 4, when the blocking member 15 is fixed to the base plate 11, a screw 18 is inserted into a hole 15b formed in the blocking member 15, and the screw 18 is screwed into a longitudinal end 16c of the hollow portion 16b. Utilizing the hollow portion 16b as a screw hole simplifies the processing step of the base plate 11. While a female thread may be formed in the hollow portion 16b in advance, the processing step of the member can be further simplified by employing a self-tapping method in which a female thread is formed in the hollow portion 16b by screwing in the screw 18.

[0027] In this embodiment, a highly flexible sheet-like (cloth-like) screen (including a curtain) is used as the shielding member S, but this is not limited to this embodiment, and the shielding member S may also be a less flexible (relatively hard) plate-like member such as a blind member or a shielding plate.

[0028] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Shielding member support device 11 Base plate portion 12 Recess 12a Bottom 12b Hole 12c Longitudinal end portion 13 Rail portion 13a Recess 13b Side wall 13c Longitudinal end portion 13d Projection portion 14 Cap 14a Top surface 15 Closing member 15a Top surface 16 Reinforcing rib portion 16a Top surface 16b Hollow portion 18 Screw 19 Locking portion 21 Groove R Runner S Shielding member T Fixed member

Claims

1. A shielding member support device comprising a longitudinal base plate portion (11), a recess (12) provided in the base plate portion (11), a hole (12b) for inserting a screw member provided in a bottom (12a) of the recess (12), and a rail portion (13) formed along the longitudinal direction of the base plate portion (11) to slidably support a runner, the device further comprising a cap (14) for covering the recess (12) and a blocking member (15) attached to an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the base plate portion (11), the recess (12) and the rail portion (13) face the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the base plate portion (11), the longitudinal end portion (12c) of the recess (12) and the longitudinal end portion (13c) of the rail portion (13) are closed by the blocking member (15), and the blocking member (15) is provided with a locking portion (19) for locking a shielding member connected to the runner, The shielding member support device is provided with reinforcing rib portions (16) on both sides in the width direction of the recess (12), and a top surface (16a) of the reinforcing rib portions (16) and a top surface (14a) of the cap (14) are flat surfaces.

2. A shielding member support device as described in claim 1, further comprising a groove (21) formed along the longitudinal direction between the reinforcing rib portion (16) and the rail portion (13), and the engaging portion (19) faces the groove (21).

3. A shielding member support device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the top surface (16a) of the reinforcing rib portion (16) is a flat surface, and the top surface (16a) of the reinforcing rib portion (16) and the top surface (15a) of the blocking member (15) are flush with each other.

4. A shielding member support device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing rib portion (16) has a hollow portion (16b) formed therein along the longitudinal direction, and a screw (18) for fixing the blocking member (15) to the base portion (11) is screwed into the longitudinal end of the hollow portion (16b).

5. A shielding member installation structure using a shielding member support device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which a shielding member (S) is connected to a runner (R) so as to be freely slidable on the rail portion (13), and the shielding member (S) is engaged with the engaging portion (19).

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