Coupling device for a sliding and folding screen

Abstract

A coupling device for a sliding and folding screen system, the coupling device comprising a guide device configured to be guided by a channel of an elongated slide rail during movement of the coupling device in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail, a connection element for connecting the coupling device to a first screen panel of the sliding and folding screen system, and an arm coupled to the guide device at a first end and pivotally coupled to the connection element at a second end.

Description

[0001] COUPLING DEVICE FOR A SLIDING AND FOLDING SCREEN

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to coupling devices, for example for use with sliding and folding screens. The disclosure also relates to sliding and folding screen systems comprising the coupling devices.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Furniture with folding screens, for example rolling and folding screens comprising two or more panels, are well known in the art. Folding screens are also known as bi-folding doors, and can be used for many different types of furniture such as cabinets or wardrobes. Advantages with such folding screens are that the screens do not take up much space when opened, are easy to manoeuvre, and maximise access to the interior of the furniture.

[0006] For example, a cabinet with a folding screen typically comprises a screen having a first screen panel and a second screen panel, wherein the first and second screen panels are hingedly connected to each other. The second screen panel is further hingedly connected to a side panel of the cabinet and the first screen panel is provided with coupling means for interaction with a corresponding rail, usually provided at a lower surface of the top of the cabinet or an upper surface of the base of the cabinet. Typically, the coupling means are provided as hinges with wheels for interaction with the rail.

[0007] An example is provided by JP6366442, describing furniture having a screen made of two screen panels hingedly connected to each other. This document describes coupling means movably provided on a guide rail of an upper panel of a cabinet. The coupling means comprises a main body with rollers configured to be sandwiched to the guide rail and a connecting portion that connects to a hanging hinge. The hanging hinge includes an arm to be connected to the connecting portion and an attachment portion to be attached to the screen. The arm and attachment portion are coupled by a rotatable link.

[0008] US 2016 / 0201368 Al discloses a displacement device that includes a guide carriage including a carriage body with a carriage head and a carriage foot. The carriage head holds at least one support wheel and at least two guide wheels such that the guide carriage rolls along a running rail.

[0009] Wheels rolling in a rail in this manner suffer from being sensitive to loaddistributions, since the screens are often suspended from the cabinet via the attachment between the wheels and the rail. The wheels also tend to become uneven over time, especially if load is applied unevenly to the wheels. Thus, the movement becomes unsmooth. Moreover, these types of arrangement tend to be dust sensitive and difficult to dismount and replace when broken, since they often comprise several interacting parts.

[0010] Furthermore, in newly installed arrangements, the start-stop resistance to rolling movement tends to be very low, meaning that, in some cases, the first panel of a rolling and folding screen can be moved from its resting position too easily and result in the connection between the first and second panels being damaged due to uneven motion of the screen.

[0011] It is therefore of interest to provide simple, inexpensive, wear-resistant and safe means for a folding arrangement. The means should preferably provide for an even motion of folding screens and be easy to mount and dismount. Such a folding arrangement may find use in folding screen systems, e.g. with wardrobes, cupboards, and the like with folding doors.

[0012] Summary

[0013] The present disclosure seeks to mitigate, alleviate, eliminate or circumvent one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the art singly or in any combination by providing a coupling device for a sliding and folding screen system.

[0014] Screen systems are not typically provided with rollers, but mounted standing in a sliding groove, i.e. a linear plain bearing. WO 2017 / 042201 discloses a sliding screen system for a sliding screen comprising a linear slide rail and at least one slide member. The linear slide rail is preferably a metal rail, such as an aluminium rail or a steel rail, and has a slide surface coated with a lacquer comprising a resin and a lipophilic composition coating.

[0015] The present disclosure provides a coupling device and a sliding and folding screen system that attempt to mitigate the issues discussed above. The coupling device comprises a guide device configured to be guided by the channel of a slide rail of the sliding and folding screen system. The coupling device also comprises a connection element for connecting the coupling device to a screen panel of the sliding and folding screen system. The coupling device comprises an arm coupled to the guide device at a first end and pivotally coupled to the connection element at a second end. In operation, movement of the guide device along the slide rail causes relative rotation between the arm and the connection element, and therefore also relative to the screen panel to which the connection element is attached. As such, the screen panel turns as it slides along the slide rail. Such an arrangement enables a sliding and folding screen to be implemented that has a smooth movement between open and closed position. This provides for an even sliding and turning motion of sliding and folding screens and is easy to mount and dismount.

[0016] According to an aspect, there is provided a coupling device for a sliding and folding screen system, the coupling device comprising a guide device configured to be guided by a channel of an elongated slide rail during movement of the coupling device in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail, a connection element for connecting the coupling device to a first screen panel of the sliding and folding screen system, and an arm coupled to the guide device at a first end and to the connection element at a second end, wherein the arm is coupled pivotally to at least one of the guide device and the connection element.

[0017] Optionally, the arm is pivotally coupled to the connection element.

[0018] Optionally, the connection element comprises a receiving section for receiving at least a portion of the arm of the coupling device when the first screen panel is arranged substantially parallel to the slide rail, preferably the receiving section comprising a recess arranged for receiving at least a portion of the arm.

[0019] Optionally, the connection element comprises a shaft extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guide device, wherein the arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft.

[0020] Optionally, the arm is fixedly attached to the guide device.

[0021] Optionally, the guide device comprises a guide component configured to be received in and guided by the channel of the elongated slide rail. Optionally, the guide component is provided as an elongated fin configured to provide stability and bi-directional guidance to the coupling device when received in and guided by the channel of the elongated slide rail.

[0022] Optionally, the guide component has a longitudinal extension which is longer than the smallest inner contact width of the channel, preferably at least 2 times longer than the smallest inner contact width of the channel, more preferably at least 3 times longer than the smallest inner contact width of the channel.

[0023] Optionally, the guide component has a lateral width in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction that is at least 50% of the width of the channel, preferably at least 75% of the width of the channel, more preferably at least 90% of the width of the channel.

[0024] Optionally, the coupling device further comprises an actuator configured to displace the guide component in an extension direction between a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the extension direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guide device.

[0025] Optionally, the guide device further comprises a guide housing, and wherein the guide component is configured to be received in the guide housing such that the guide component can be displaced in an extension direction in the guide housing between a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the extension direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guide device.

[0026] Optionally, the guide housing comprises locking means for releasably locking the guide component in the extended state relative to the guide housing.

[0027] Optionally, the coupling device further comprises at least one slide member configured to engage a slide surface of the slide rail and slide along the slide surface in the direction of movement of the guide device.

[0028] Optionally, the slide member is provided as a blade element, preferably wherein the blade element has an arcuate edge, preferably wherein the slide surface is shaped as a groove in which the slide member is configured to slide.

[0029] Optionally, the coupling device further comprises a spring element configured to urge the arm, and thereby the guide component, in a translation direction towards an extended state, wherein the translation direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guide device, preferably wherein the spring element is in a compressed state when the guide component is arranged in a retracted state.

[0030] According to an aspect, there is provided a sliding and folding screen system comprising a first screen panel and a second screen panel hingedly connected to each other, a frame comprising a lower panel, an upper panel, and at least one side panel extending between the lower panel and the upper panel, wherein the second screen panel is hingedly connected to the side panel of the frame, at least one elongated slide rail comprising an elongate bar body connected to the lower panel and / or upper panel and at least one channel, and at least one coupling device, wherein the connection element of the coupling device is attached to the first screen panel and the guide device of the coupling device is configured to be guided by the channel of the elongated slide rail.

[0031] Optionally, the first and second screen panels are configured to be able to be arranged in a closed position in which the first and second screen panels are arranged in a plane.

[0032] Optionally, the first and second screen panels are configured to be able to be arranged in an at least partially open position in which the first and second screen panels are folded relative to each other, preferably the first and second screen panels are configured to be able to be arranged in an open position in which the first and second screen panels are substantially parallel to each other.

[0033] Optionally, the first and second screen panels are configured to be moved between the closed and at least partially open positions by sliding the guide device along the slide rail such that the arm of the coupling device pivots relative to the first screen panel, and the first and second screen panels pivot about a hinge axis.

[0034] Optionally, the first screen panel comprises at least one recess extending from an edge of the first screen panel, wherein the recess is configured to receive the connection element.

[0035] Optionally, the elongated bar body of the elongated slide rail comprises a plurality of walls forming the at least one channel, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a first wall, a second wall arranged opposite to each other and a third wall arranged between and connected to the first and second walls, preferably wherein the slide rail further comprises at least one flange extending away from the channel from a side of the elongate bar body in a plane substantially parallel to the third wall and / or in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first and / or second wall.

[0036] Optionally, the elongated slide rail further comprises at least one slide surface extending on a surface of the flange, wherein the slide surface extends substantially parallel to the channel and is configured to receive a corresponding slide member.

[0037] Optionally, the slide surface is formed as a groove.

[0038] Optionally, the sliding and folding screen system is arranged outside of the upper and lower panels.

[0039] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure shall now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of a first sliding and folding screen system;

[0042] FIG. IB is a perspective view of a second sliding and folding screen system;

[0043] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a sliding and folding screen system in a closed position;

[0044] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a sliding and folding screen system in a partially open position;

[0045] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a sliding and folding screen system in an open position;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a slide rail;

[0047] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a first example coupling device;

[0048] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the first example coupling device at a reverse angle from FIG. 4A;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first example coupling device implemented in a sliding and folding screen system;

[0050] FIG. 6 a perspective view of a second example coupling device;

[0051] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second example coupling device implemented in a sliding and folding screen system; FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross sectional view of a sliding and folding screen system in a closed position;

[0052] FIG. 8B is an enlarged cross sectional view of a sliding and folding screen system in a partially open position;

[0053] FIG. 8C is an enlarged cross sectional view of a sliding and folding screen system in an open position;

[0054] FIG. 9A schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a main sliding arrangement;

[0055] FIG. 9B schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary sliding arrangement.

[0056] Throughout the description and the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

[0057] Detailed Description

[0058] The following disclosure relates to coupling devices for sliding and folding screen systems, and sliding and folding screen systems comprising the coupling devices. The coupling devices and sliding and folding screen systems disclosed herein provide simpler, safer, inexpensive, easy to manufacture, easy to assemble, and essentially maintenance-free means for a folding screen arrangement that provide for an even opening and closing motion of folding screens and are easy to mount and dismount.

[0059] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first folding screen system 100 for a sliding door, also known as a bi-folding door. The sliding and folding screen system 100 comprises a sliding and folding screen 102 comprising a first screen panel 104 and a second screen panel 106 hingedly connected to each other by one or more hinges 108 along a hinge axis H. A frame 110 comprises a lower panel 112, an upper panel 114, and at least one side panel 116 extending between the lower panel 112 and the upper panel 114. The frame 110 forms a part of a piece of furniture, for example a wardrobe, and defines an opening 118 for accessing the interior of the furniture. The sliding and folding screen system 100 may alternatively be arranged in a cabinet, cupboard, sideboard, chest of drawers, or for a sliding and folding door that is slidable in relation to a structure, such as a wall / floor / ceiling in a building. In some examples, the frame may comprise intermediate vertical panels (not shown) extending between the upper and lower panels and positioned at one or more intervals between the side panels in order to divide the space inside the furniture into compartments.

[0060] In FIG. 1 A, the sliding and folding screen 102, comprising the first screen panel 104 and the second screen panel 106, is shown in a partially open position (or indeed a partially closed position). When the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a partially or fully open position the opening 118 is accessible. To move the screen 102 between an open position and a closed position, where the screen panels 104, 106 are arranged in a plane such that the opening 118 is closed, one or more sliding arrangements are provided.

[0061] A first or main sliding arrangement 202 is arranged at a lower end of the sliding and folding screen system 100 and adapted to carry a portion of the weight of the sliding and folding screen 102. A second or auxiliary sliding arrangement 204 is arranged at an upper end of the sliding and folding screen system 100 and is adapted for steering the sliding and folding screen 102 during a sliding movement defined by the main sliding arrangement 202.

[0062] Each one of the main sliding arrangement 202 and the auxiliary sliding arrangement 204 comprises a slide rail 206. A first slide rail 206a of the main sliding arrangement 202 is adapted for being rigidly connected to the lower panel 112, so that the sliding and folding screen 102 may be moved relative to the lower panel 112. The first slide rail 206a may be adapted to carry a portion of the weight of the screen panels 104, 106. A second slide rail 206b (not shown) of the auxiliary sliding arrangement 204 is adapted for being rigidly connected to the upper panel 114. The first slide rail 206a and the second slide rail 206b may be connected to the lower panel 112 and the upper panel 114 respectively in a recessed configuration, or in any other suitable manner, for example being fixed to the surface of the respective panel. The slide rails 206 will be described in more detail in relation to FIG. 3.

[0063] The sliding and folding screen 102 is configured to slide along the slide rails 206 in a sliding direction A relative to the lower and upper panels 112, 114. The sliding direction A is a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rails 206. To enable this, at least one of the first and second screen panels 104, 106 is provided with a coupling device 300a, 300b (not shown in FIG. 1A) configured to interface with and slide along each slide rail. The coupling device 300a, 300b will be described in more detail in relation to FIGs. 4 to 8.

[0064] As discussed above, the screen panels 104, 106 are hingedly connected to each other, which enables a folding motion of the sliding and folding screen 102 as it moves along the slide rails 206. In particular, the screen panels 104, 106 are configured to turn relatively to each other. Any suitable hinge or pivot mechanism known in the art may be used to provide the hinged connection between the screen panels 104, 106.

[0065] To enable the sliding and folding motion, the coupling device 300a, 300b is provided on an edge of a screen panel 104, 106 opposite to the hinge axis H. These edges will be described herein as outer edges of the respective panels. In the example of FIG. 1 A, only the first screen panel 104 is provided with a coupling device 300a, 300b, whilst the second screen panel 106 is hingedly connected at its outer edge to its respective side panel 116. In this way, the outer edge of the first screen panel 104 can be moved along the slide rails 206 in the sliding direction A, while the outer edge of second screen panel 106 is relatively fixed. This enables the folding motion such that the opening 118 of the furniture can be opened and closed. It will be appreciated that the first screen panel 104 may alternatively be hingedly connected to its respective side panel 116 while the second screen panel 106 is slidable. It will also be appreciated that the first screen panel 104 and / or the second screen panel 106 may alternatively be hingedly connected to an intermediate vertical panel rather than a side panel 116.

[0066] FIG. IB is a perspective view of a second folding screen system 100 for a sliding door. The sliding and folding screen system 100 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 1A, except that that neither screen panel 104, 106 is connected to a side panel 116.

[0067] The panels 112, 114, 116 of the frame 110 may be made from many different materials, for example fibreboard, e.g. MDF or HDF, or particle board (also known as chipboard) or a solid wood material. In some embodiments, the lower panel 112 may be the floor or part of the floor of a room in which the folding screen system 100 is installed. Similarly, in some embodiments, the upper panel 114 may be the ceiling or part of the ceiling of a room in which the folding screen system 100 is installed. FIGs. 2A to 2C show different configurations of the sliding and folding screen system 100 from above and in cross-section. In particular, the positions of the screen panels 104, 106 as the sliding and folding screen 102 moved from a closed to an open position are illustrated.

[0068] In FIG. 2A, the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a closed position. In this configuration, the screen panels 104, 106 are arranged in a plane (e.g. adjacent to each other along the long inner side of each panel) such that the opening 118 of the furniture is closed. In one example, the screen panels 104, 106 are arranged in front of the main sliding arrangement 202 and the auxiliary sliding arrangement 204 (not shown in FIGs. 2A-2C). Put otherwise, the screen panels 104, 106 extend in a plane parallel to, but at a distance from, the plane of an open channel of the slide rails 206 of the sliding arrangements 202, 204 (discussed in relation to FIG. 3). This means that the screen panels 104, 106 are arranged outside (e.g. provided externally to or in front of) the lower and upper panels 112, 114. Put otherwise, the screen panels 104, 106 extend along a front edge of the lower and upper panels 112, 114. It will be appreciated, however, that the lower and upper panels 112, 114 could be constructed to overhang the screen panels 104, 106.

[0069] In FIG. 2B, the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a partially open (or, indeed, partially closed) position. This example corresponds substantially to that of FIG. 1 A, where the outer edge of the first screen panel 104 has been moved along the slide rails 206 in the sliding direction A from the closed position, whilst the outer edge of the second screen panel 106 remains hingedly connected to its respective side panel 116. Due to the hinged connections between the first and second screen panels 104, 106, and between the second screen panel 106 and the side panel 116, the sliding and folding screen 102 is partially folded such that the opening 118 of the furniture is partially open. The partially open position is a stable position, meaning that the sliding and folding screen 102 maintains its position when in the partially open position until a sliding force is applied, for example by a user.

[0070] In FIG. 2C, the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a fully open position. In this example, the outer edge of the first screen panel 104 has been moved along substantially the entire length of the slide rails 206 in the sliding direction A, such that the screen panels 104, 106 are in their fully open position. Due to the hinged connections between the first and second screen panels 104, 106, and between the second screen panel 106 and the side panel 116, the sliding and folding screen 102 is fully folded such that the opening 118 of the furniture is open to the greatest possible extent.

[0071] As illustrated in FIGs. 2B and 2C, the hinge axis H (shown in FIG 1A) of the one or more hinges 108 may be somewhat off-centre relative to the position of the screen panels 104, 106. This enables the screen panels 104, 106 to have the same width. Alternatively, the hinge axis H may be centred between the screen panels 104, 106 in order to reduce the gap between the screen panels 104, 106 in the open position.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a slide rail 206 for a sliding arrangement according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. The slide rail 206 may be the slide rail 206a or the slide rail 206b shown in FIGs. 1 A and IB. The slide rail 206 is described in more detail in PCT / EP2023 / 060932. The slide rail 206 may be substantially linear, to allow for linear movement of a slide member along the longitudinal axis of the slide rail. In other embodiments, the slide rail 206 may have a generally curved form along its longitudinal axis, in order to allow movement along a smooth curve.

[0073] The slide rail 206 comprises an elongate bar body 208 having a plurality of walls 210, 212, 214 forming an open channel 216 extending along a longitudinal axis of the slide rail 206. In FIG. 3, the elongate bar body 208 is shown having three walls forming a generally U-shaped body. Specifically, a first wall 210 is arranged opposite a second wall 212, these two walls forming the sides of the U-shape, and a third wall 214 is arranged between the first and second walls 210, 212, this third wall 214 forming the bottom of the U-shape. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first and second walls 210, 212 are arranged parallel to each other, and the third wall 214 is arranged perpendicular to the first and second walls 210, 212. However, it will be envisaged that the walls 210, 212, 214 could be formed with different relative angles that still form an open channel 216 in the elongate bar body 208. For example, the first and second walls 210, 212 could slope inwardly or outwardly from the third wall 214, either symmetrically or asymmetrically. In one example, the first and second walls 210, 212 may form a V-shape, with no third wall 214 present. In other example, more than three walls could be present. For example, intermediate walls could connect each of the first and second walls 210, 212 to the third wall 214. Different cross-sections of the slide rail 206 are therefore readily envisaged by the skilled person.

[0074] In operation, the channel 216 is configured to receive a guide device of a coupling device 300a, 300b that is coupled to a screen panel, such as the first screen panel 104. As such, the guide device serves to maintain the coupling device 300a, 300b in position as it moves, e.g. slides, along the length of the slide rail 206.

[0075] The slide rail 206 further comprises at least one flange 218a, 218b. In FIG. 3, two flanges 218a, 218b are shown connected to each of the first and second walls 210, 212. The flanges 218a, 218b extend substantially away from the open channel 216 from a side of the elongate bar body 208. That is to say, the flanges 218a, 218b extend outwardly from the elongate bar body 208. Specifically, the first flange 218a extends away from the open channel 216 from the first wall 210, and the second flange 218b extends away from the open channel 216 from the second wall 212 of the elongate bar body 208 in a direction opposite and parallel to the extension of the first flange 218a. The flanges 218a, 218b are configured to be arranged parallel to the surface of a panel to which the slide rail 206 is connected, such as the lower and upper panels 112, 114 shown in FIGs. 1A and IB. Whilst two flanges 218a, 218b are shown in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that only a single flange may be present, extending from either the first wall 210 or the second wall 212.

[0076] The flanges 218a, 218b may optionally comprise respective inner parts 220a, 220b that extend into the channel 216. The inner parts 220a, 220b may interact with a guide device of a coupling device 300a, 300b once the slide rail is installed, as will be described in relation to FIGs. 9A and 9B. This provides improved contact and reduced friction between the guide device and the slide rail 206 along the length of the slide rail 206. In some embodiments, the inner parts 220a, 220b of at least one flange 218a, 218b may be configured to engage a corresponding blade element of the guide device. In some embodiments, the in inner parts 220a, 220b may comprise a blade element configured to engage a corresponding surface of the guide device. If the inner parts 220a, 220b are absent, this functionality may be provided by the first and second walls 210, 212.

[0077] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, where the first, second and third walls 210, 212, 214 are arranged orthogonally (i.e. at right angles to each other), the extension of the flanges 218a, 218b is substantially in a plane perpendicular to the first and second walls 210, 212 and parallel to the third wall 214. In other embodiments, the first and second walls 210, 212 may not be perpendicular to the third wall 214. In these embodiments, the arrangement of the flanges 218a, 218b is dependent on the positioning of the slide rail 206 when it is connected to a panel. For example, if the third wall 214 is not arranged horizontally, the flanges 218a, 218b may extend substantially in a plane perpendicular to the first and second walls 210, 212, but not parallel to the third wall 214. Similarly, if the first and second walls 210, 212 are not arranged vertically, the flanges 218a, 218b may extend substantially in a plane parallel to the third wall 214, but not perpendicular to the first and second walls 210, 212.

[0078] The slide rail 206 further comprises at least one slide surface 222a-c extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail 206. The slide surfaces 222a-c are configured to receive a slide member of a coupling device 300a, 300b that is coupled to a screen panel, such as the first screen panel 104, as will be explained in relation to FIGs. 4 and 5. The slide surfaces 222a-c are formed as grooves or recesses in the slide rail 206, and extend along the length of the slide rail 206. Forming the slide surfaces 222a-c as grooves improves the control of the lateral position of the slide member in relation to the slide rail 206 when the slide member slides along the slide rail 206. In FIG. 3, three slide surfaces 222a-c are shown corresponding to each of the first and second flanges 218a, 218b and the third wall 214. However, it will be appreciated that, alternatively, only a single slide surface may be present on either the first flange 218a, the second flange 218b, or the third wall 214, or two slide surfaces may be provided on two of these elements.

[0079] When connected to the lower panel 112, the slide surfaces 222a-c are formed on upper surfaces of the first and second flanges 218a, 218b and the third wall 214. The upper surfaces of the first and second flanges 218a, 218b can be considered facing in a direction away from the third wall 214 of the elongate bar body 208. The upper surface of the third wall 214 can be considered as the surface of the third wall 214 that is adjacent to the channel 216. When connected to the lower panel 112, the flanges 218a, 218b may be configured to support a vertical load applied to the slide rail 206.

[0080] When connected to the upper panel 114, the slide surfaces 222a-c are formed on lower surfaces of the first and second flanges 218a, 218b and the third wall 214. The lower surfaces of the first and second flanges 218a, 218b can be considered facing in a direction away from the third wall 214 of the elongate bar body 208. The lower surface of the third wall 214 can be considered as the surface of the third wall 214 that is adjacent to the channel 216.

[0081] The slide surfaces 222a-c may be at least partly coated with a lipophilic composition coating to provide a slide layer with lowered friction. The lipophilic composition coating may comprise compounds comprising C6 to C40, such as C8 to C30, or even CIO to C24, non-aromatic hydrocarbyl groups, such as alkenyl groups and / or alkyl groups, e.g. alkyl groups. Further detail of suitable lipophilic compositions is disclosed in WO 2017 / 042201 and WO 2018 / 160127.

[0082] The first and second walls 210, 212 may each further comprise one or more ridges 224a, 224b disposed on the outer surface of the respective wall and extending along the length of the slide rail 206. The ridges 224a, 224b serve to increase friction between the slide rail 206 and a panel in which the slide rail 206 is installed. By providing a plurality of ridges 224a, 224b on each wall 210, 212, the friction between the slide rail 206a and the panel is further increased.

[0083] In some embodiments, the slide rail 206 is formed of plastic. By forming the slide rail 206 of plastic, rather than metal, the disadvantages associated with metal slide rails are mitigated. In particular, plastic slide rails are less heavy, less rigid, do not require surface treatment such as lacquer coating, and are less complex and expensive to manufacture. For example, in some embodiments, the slide rail 206 is formed by extrusion moulding. In some embodiments, the slide rail 206 may be formed by injection moulding. In other embodiments, the slide rail 206 may be formed of metal, such as aluminium or steel. In these embodiments, the at least one slide surface 222a-c may be coated with a lacquer comprising a resin, for example an acrylic resin, with a lipophilic composition, such as those discussed above.

[0084] To enable the sliding and folding action discussed in relation to FIGs. 2A to 2C, a coupling device 300a, 300b is provided to enable simultaneous sliding and turning of a screen panel 104, 106 relative to the slide bar 206. A perspective view of a first example coupling device 300a is shown in FIGs. 4 and 5. A perspective view of a second example coupling device 300b is shown in FIGs. 6 and 7 As shown in FIG. 4A, the first example coupling device 300a comprises a guide device 302, a connection element 304, and an arm 306. The connection element 304 is used to connect the coupling device 300a to a screen panel 104, 106 of the sliding and folding screen system 100. The arm 306 is coupled to the guide device 302 at a first end 306a and to the connection element 304 at a second end 306b. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the arm 306 is pivotally coupled the connection element 304 at the second end 306b, making it possible for the arm 306 to turn in relation to the connection element 304. In this embodiment, the pivot is provided by means of a shaft 308. The guide device 302 is configured to be guided by the channel 216 of the slide rail 206 during movement of the coupling device 300a in the sliding direction A. Through interaction with the channel 216, the guide device 302 provides stability and bi-directional guidance to the coupling device 300a as it is moved along the sliding direction A. In operation, folding movement of the screen panels 104, 106, as illustrated in Figs. 2A-2C, causes a movement of the guide device 302 along the sliding direction A. Such movement of the guide device 302 causes the arm 306 to turn relative to the connection element 304, and therefore also relative to the screen panel 104, 106 to which the connection element 304 is attached. As the arm 306 is coupled to the guide device 302 at the first end 306a, this is realised by a turning of the connection element 304 around the pivot axis, i.e. around the shaft 308 in this embodiment, of the arm 306, which enables the turning of the screen panel 104, 106. This will be explained in further detail in relation to FIGs. 8A-C.

[0085] In some embodiments, the arm 306 is pivotally coupled to the guide device 302 at the first end 306a instead of being pivotally coupled to the connection element 304 at the second end 306b. This enables the guide device 302 to turn relative to the screen panel 104, 106 to which the connection element 304 is attached. In some embodiments, the arm 306 may be pivotally coupled to both the guide device 302 and the connection element 304.

[0086] In some examples, the guide device 302 comprises a guide component 310 configured to be received in and guided by the channel 216 of the slide rail 206. The guide component 310 is provided as an elongated fin configured to provide stability and bidirectional guidance to the coupling device 300a when received in and guided by the channel 216 of the slide rail 206. In some examples, the guide component 310 has a longitudinal extension L, in a direction parallel to the sliding direction A, that is longer than the smallest inner contact width Wc (shown in FIG. 3) of the channel 216, preferably at least 2 times longer than the width Wc of the channel 216, more preferably at least 3 times longer than the width Wc of the channel 216. This helps to reduce the risk of the guide component 310 accidentally tending to self-lock inside the channel 216 during motion. In some examples, the guide component 310 has a lateral width W in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction that is at least 50% of the smallest inner contact width Wc of the channel 216, preferably at least 75% of the width Wc 216, more preferably at least 90% of the width Wc 216. This also reduces the risk of the guide component 310 tending to self-lock inside the channel 216 during motion. The width W of the guide component 310 should be at most equal to, or preferably at least slightly smaller than, the width Wc of the channel 216 to avoid the guide component 310 becoming jammed inside the channel 216.

[0087] Although the guide component 310 is shown as a solid rectangular block in FIG. 4A it will be appreciated that other designs are equally possible. In particular the central portion of the guide component 310 may be omitted and / or have an opening, as long as the length L and the width W are still suitable, as noted above.

[0088] The connection element 304 is used to connect the coupling device 300a to a screen panel 104, 106 of the sliding and folding screen system 100 in a fixed manner. In particular, the connection element 304 can be fixed to a screen panel 104, 106, for example in a recessed portion 120 of the screen panel 104, 106 (example of panel 104 shown in FIG. 5). The connection element 304 can be fixed to a screen panel 104, 106 in any suitable manner known in the art, for example using one or more fasteners or an adhesive. In some examples, the connection element 304 comprises a receiving section 312 for receiving at least a portion of the arm 306 of the coupling device 300a during sliding motion of the coupling device 300a. In particular, the receiving section 312 may receive the arm 306 when the screen panel 104, 106 is arranged in the closed position. Preferably, the receiving section 312 comprises a recess arranged for receiving at least a portion of the arm 306. This provides a more compact arrangement. This will be explained in further detail in relation to FIGs. 8A-C. In some examples, the connection element 304 comprises the shaft 308. The shaft 308 extends through the receiving section 312, or adjacent to the receiving section 312, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction A. The shaft 308 provides an axis about which the relative turning of the arm 306 and the connection element 304 may be realised.

[0089] As discussed above, the arm 306 is coupled to the guide device 302 at a first end 306a and pivotally coupled to the connection element 304 at a second end 306b. In some examples, the arm 306 is pivotally coupled to the shaft 308. In some examples, the arm 306 is fixedly attached to the guide device 302 at the first end 306a so that there is no relative movement between the arm 306 and the guide device 302.

[0090] In some examples, the coupling device 300a further comprises a guide actuator 314 configured to displace the guide component 310 in an extension direction B between a retracted state and an extended state. The extension direction B is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction A such that the guide component 310 can be displaced into or out of the channel 216. This enables the guide component 310 to be retracted in storage and / or in an assembly stage, making it easier to position the guide device 302 in relation to the channel 216, and then to be extended, into the channel 216, in an assembled state. This enables simpler mounting and dismounting of the sliding screen 102.

[0091] In some examples, the guide device 302 further comprises a guide housing 316 in which the guide component 310 may be received in the retracted state. In some examples, the guide housing 316 further comprises locking means 318 for releasably locking the guide component 310 in the extended state. Any suitable locking means 318 may be employed. In one example, the locking means 318 comprises a "snap-in" part 320 that is insertable into an opening 322 in the side of the guide housing 316 for locking the guide component 310 in the extended state, as shown in FIG. 4 A, and then the snap-in part 320 of the locking means 318 may be released from the opening 322 when the guide component 310 is to be retracted. A spring-loaded locking actuator 324 is connected to the snap-in part 320 above this opening. By pressing the locking actuator 324 inwardly with respect to the guide housing 316, the snap-in part 320 is released from the opening 322 and the locking is released. In some examples, a locking means 318 could be provided without or separately from the guide housing 316.

[0092] In some examples, the coupling device 300a further comprises at least one slide member 326 extending substantially parallel to the guide component 310 in the sliding direction, that is to say in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail 206a, e.g. the sliding direction A shown in FIGs. 1A and IB. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the first example coupling device at a reverse angle from that shown in FIG. 4A, where the slide member 326 can be seen more clearly. The slide member 326 is configured to engage a slide surface of the slide rail 206, as will be explained in relation to FIG. 5. The slide member 326 may be provided as a blade element, preferably having an arcuate edge. It has been found that decreasing the contact area at the interface between a slide rail 206 and a slide member 326, for example by configuring the part of the slide member 326 arranged in contact with the slide rail 206 as a blade element, reduces the friction. According to an embodiment, the contact area of each individual contact point is less than 3 mm2, such as less than 1.5 mm2, or less than 0.75 mm2. The slide member 326 may further be provided with more than one contact point, such as two, three or four contact points. If the slide member is configured as having one or more blade elements extending in the sliding direction A, then the edge of each blade represents an individual contact point. For some furniture applications, the slide member 326 may be omitted (e.g. because the sliding and folding screen 102 is not particularly heavy).

[0093] The slide member 326 may be formed of plastic. In one embodiment, the slide member 326 is formed of a polymer selected from the group of polymers consisting of polyoxymethylenes (POM), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polypropylene copolymers (PPCO), polyesters (e.g. thermoplastic polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polylactic acid (PLA), as well as bio-based thermoplastic polyesters, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyethylene furanoate (PEF)), polyamides (PA), such as polyamide 6 (PA6), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyaryletherketone (PAEK; e.g. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)), and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In some embodiments, the slide member 326 may be formed by injection molding. In some embodiments, the slide member 326 may be formed of a different plastic from the slide rail 206. That is to say, the slide rail 206 is formed of a first plastic and the slide member 326 is formed of a second plastic. In some embodiments, only the slide member 326 of the coupling device 300a is formed of the second plastic. In other embodiments, the entire coupling device 300a is formed of the second plastic.

[0094] The first and second plastics may be different grades of plastics (e.g. PET with different intrinsic viscosity), plastics of different sub-types of plastics (e.g. PA 6 and PA 66, or PET and PBT), or preferably different types of plastics (e.g. polyacetal and polyamide), i.e. plastics comprising different types of polymers. The first plastic may comprise a first type of polymer, e.g. a polyoxymethylene (POM), whereas the second plastic may comprise another type of polymer, e.g. a polyamide (PA), a polycarbonate (PC) or a polyester (PET). In different types of polymers, the linkage between the monomers typically differs (e.g. amide coupling and acetal coupling, respectively), and / or the functional groups attached to the polymer chain differ (e.g. amide group and methyl group, respectively). In one embodiment, the first plastic is PA, PC, PPCO, or PMMA and the second plastic is POM or PA. In another embodiment, the first plastic is POM or PA. In a preferred embodiment, one of the first and second plastics is POM and the other is PA, such as PA6, or PC. In a most preferred embodiment, the first plastic is PA, PC or PET and the second plastic is POM.

[0095] As discussed above, the coupling device 300a is configured to be attached to a screen panel 104, 106 of a sliding screen and is configured to interface with a slide rail 206 of a sliding arrangement 202, 204. In the example of FIG. 5, the coupling device 300a is shown as being attached to the first screen panel 104 of a sliding and folding screen 102 although, as discussed above, it will be envisaged that a coupling device 300a could additionally or alternatively be attached to the second screen panel 106. In this case, the coupling device 300a would have a mirrored configuration from that shown in FIG. 4 A, in order to enable turning in the opposite sense. Also in the example of FIG. 5, the first example coupling device 300a is shown at a lower end of the first screen panel 104 and configured to interface with the slide rail 206a of the main sliding arrangement 202. It will be envisaged that the coupling device 300a could equally be used at an upper end of the first screen panel 104 and be configured to interface with the slide rail 206b of the auxiliary sliding arrangement 204.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection element 304 of the coupling device 300a is connected to the first screen panel 104 of the sliding and folding screen system 100. The first screen panel 104 may comprise a recess 120 extending from an edge of the first screen panel 104 that is configured to receive the connection element 304 of the coupling device 300a. The guide device 302 is configured to be guided by the channel 216 of the slide rail 206a during movement of the coupling device 300a in the sliding direction A. In particular, the guide component 310 is in its extended state and has been displaced into the channel 216. Through interaction with the channel 216, the guide device 302 and the guide component 310 provide stability and bi-directional guidance to the coupling device 300a as it is moved along the sliding direction A. As also shown in FIG. 5, the slide member 326 is configured to engage a slide surface 222a of the slide rail 206a. The slide member 326 is configured slide along the slide surface 222a in the sliding direction A. As discussed above, the slide member 326 may be omitted in some examples (e.g. because the sliding and folding screen 102 is not particularly heavy).

[0097] A second example coupling device 300b is shown in FIGs. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the second example coupling device 300b also comprises a guide device 302, a connection element 304, and an arm 306. The connection element 304 and the arm 306 function in substantially the same way as in the first example coupling device 300a. The connection element 304 is used to connect the coupling device 300b to a screen panel 104, 106 of the sliding and folding screen system 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the arm 306 is pivotally coupled the connection element 304 at the second end 306b, meaning movement of the coupling device 300b in the sliding direction A causes the arm 306 to turn relative to the connection element 304, and therefore also relative to the screen panel 104, 106 to which the connection element 304 is attached. As the arm 306 is coupled to the guide device 302 at the first end 306a, this is realised by a turning of the connection element 304 around the pivot axis of the arm 306 (which is coupled to the connection element 304 at the second end 306b), in this embodiment by means of a shaft 308 making it possible for the arm 306 to turn in relation to the connection element 304, which causes turning of the screen panel 104, 106. As with the first example coupling device 300a, the arm 306 may be pivotally coupled to the guide device 302 instead of being pivotally coupled to the connection element 304, or may be pivotally coupled to both the guide device 302 and the connection element 304.

[0098] The guide device 302 is configured to be guided by the channel 216 of the slide rail 206 during movement of the coupling device 300b in the sliding direction A. Through interaction with the channel 216, the guide device 302 provides stability and bidirectional guidance to the coupling device 300b as it is moved along the sliding direction A. In this example, the guide device 302 and the guide component 310 are integrated. The guide component 310 may otherwise have similar properties to the guide component 310 of the first example coupling device 300a. In particular, the preferred relationship between the longitudinal extension L of the guide component 310 (in a direction parallel to the sliding direction A) and the smallest inner contact width Wc of the channel 216, and the preferred relationship between the lateral width W of the guide component 310 (in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction A) and the smallest inner contact width Wcof the channel 216, are the same as described with reference to FIG. 4 A.

[0099] In some examples, the coupling device 300b further comprises a spring element 328 configured to urge the arm 306, and thereby the guide device 302 and guide component 310, in a translation direction C from a retracted state to an extended state. The translation direction C is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction A such that the guide component 310 can be urged towards and into the channel 216. In some examples, the spring element 328 is in a compressed state when the guide component 310 is arranged in a retracted state. In some examples, the spring element 328 is integrated with the shaft 308, or at least shares a common axis with the shaft 308, as shown in FIG. 6. The guide component 310 may be provided, at the outer portion thereof, as a blade element, preferably having an arcuate edge.

[0100] As discussed above, the coupling device 300b is configured to be attached to a screen panel 104, 106 of a sliding screen and is configured to interface with a slide rail 206 of a sliding arrangement 202, 204. In the example of FIG. 7, the coupling device 300b is shown as being attached to the first screen panel 104 of a sliding and folding screen 102 although, as discussed above, it will be envisaged that a coupling device 300b could additionally or alternatively be attached to the second screen panel 106. In this case, the coupling device 300b would have a mirrored configuration from that shown in FIG. 6, in order to enable turning in the opposite sense. Also in the example of FIG. 7, the coupling device 300b is shown at an upper end of the first screen panel 104 and is therefore configured to interface with the slide rail 206b of the auxiliary sliding arrangement 204. It will be envisaged that the coupling device 300b could equally be used at a lower end of the first screen panel 104 and be configured to interface with the slide rail 206a of the main sliding arrangement 202, for example if the sliding and folding screen 102 is not particularly heavy.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 7, the connection element 304 of the coupling device is connected to the first screen panel 104 of the sliding and folding screen system 100. The first screen panel 104 may comprise a recess 120 extending from an edge of the first screen panel 104 that is configured to receive the connection element 304 of the coupling device 300b. The guide device 302 is configured to be guided by the channel 216 of the slide rail 206b during movement of the coupling device 300b in the sliding direction A. In this case, the guide component 310 is in an extended state and has been displaced into the channel 216 by virtue of the spring element 328. Through interaction with the channel 216, the guide device 302 and guide component 310 provide stability and bi-directional guidance to the coupling device 300b as it is moved along the sliding direction A.

[0102] FIGs. 8A-C are enlarged cross sectional views of the areas X-Z illustrated in FIGs. 2A-C. In particular, the relative positions of the first screen panel 104 and a coupling device 300a, 300b disposed at the lower end of the first screen panel 104 are shown. It will be appreciated that substantially the same functionality is present in a coupling device 300a, 300b disposed at the upper end of the first screen panel 104.

[0103] FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross sectional view of the area X illustrated in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A, the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a closed position. In this example, the arm 306 of the coupling device 300a, 300b is fixedly attached to the guide device 302 at the first end 306a and pivotally coupled to the connection element 304 at a second end 306b. Therefore, when the guide device 302 moves along the sliding direction A from an open or partially open position towards the closed position illustrated in FIG 8 A, the connection element 304, and therefore the first screen panel 104, is caused to turn relative to the arm 306 and the guide device 302 (in an anti-clockwise direction in the context of FIG 8A). As this occurs, the arm 306 is received in the receiving section 312 of the connection element 304. In this way, the first screen panel 104 can be turned such that it is arranged substantially parallel to the slide rail 206a in the closed position. As can be seen in FIG. 8 A, the first screen panel 104 is arranged outside (e.g. provided externally to or in front of) the lower panel 112.

[0104] FIG. 8B is an enlarged cross sectional view of the area Y illustrated in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a partially open (or, indeed, partially closed) position. In this example, the outer edge of the first screen panel 104, and therefore the guide device 302, has been moved along the slide rail 206a along the sliding direction A away from the closed position. As the guide device 302 moves away from the closed position of FIG. 8 A, the connection element 304, and therefore the first screen panel 104, is caused to turn relative to the arm 306 and the guide device 302 (in a clockwise direction in the context of FIG 8B). As this occurs, the arm 306 is moved out of the receiving section 312 of the connection element 304.

[0105] FIG. 8C is an enlarged cross sectional view of the area Z illustrated in FIG. 2C. As shown in FIG. 2C, the sliding and folding screen 102 is in a fully open position. The outer edge of the first screen panel 104, and therefore the guide device 302, has been moved along the slide rail 206a in the sliding direction A to the open position. As the guide device 302 moves towards the open position, the connection element 304, and therefore the first screen panel 104, is caused to turn further relative to the arm 306 and the guide device 302 (in a clockwise direction in the context of FIG 8C). As this occurs, the arm 306 is moved further out of the receiving section 312 of the connection element 304.

[0106] FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view of a main sliding arrangement 202. The main sliding arrangement 202 comprises a slide rail 206a. The main sliding arrangement 202 also comprises a sliding member 326 and a guide component 310 that are part of the coupling device 300a. The main sliding arrangement 202 of FIG. 9A is generally intended for use at a lower end of the sliding and folding screen system 100.

[0107] The slide member 326 is configured to contact the slide surface 222a disposed on the first flange 218a of the slide rail 206a. It will be appreciated that the slide member 326 may equally be configured to contact the slide surface 222b disposed on the second flange 218b of the slide rail 206a. Similarly, two slide members 326 may be implemented and configured to contact respective slide surfaces 222a, 222b of the first and second flanges 218a, 218b. In this embodiment, no slide surface is formed on the upper surface of the third wall 214 of the slide rail 206a, although it will be appreciated that such a slide surface and a corresponding slide member could be present.

[0108] The slide member 326 is configured to slide along the slide surface 222a in the sliding direction A shown for example in FIGs. 1A and IB, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 9A. As discussed above, the slide surface 222a may be arranged as a groove or recess in the first flange 218a and may extend along the slide rail 206a. The guide component 310 is arranged adjacent to and spaced from the slide member 326. The guide component 310 is arranged to be received in the open channel 216 of the slide rail 206a. The guide component 310 is configured to slide along the channel 216 in the sliding direction A. As discussed above, the guide component 310 serves to maintain the sliding screen in position as it moves along the length of the slide rail 206a, and ensure that a good contact is formed between the slide member 326 and the relevant sliding surface 222a. The sliding motion may be caused by actuation by a user of the main sliding arrangement 202 and / or the sliding and folding screen 102.

[0109] FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary sliding arrangement 204. The auxiliary sliding arrangement 204 comprises a slide rail 206b and a guide component 310 that is part of the coupling device 300b. The auxiliary sliding arrangement 204 of FIG. 9B is generally intended for use at an upper end of the sliding and folding screen system 100.

[0110] In FIG. 9B, the guide component 310 is configured to contact the slide surface 222c disposed on the third wall 214 of the slide rail 206b. The slide surface 222c is disposed on the lower surface of the third wall 214, and may be arranged as a groove or recess in the third wall 214 extending along the slide rail 206b. In this embodiment, no slide surfaces 222a, 222b are formed on the first and second flanges 218a, 218b, although it will be appreciated that such slide surfaces and corresponding slide members could be present.

[0111] The guide component 310 is arranged in the channel 216 of the slide rail 206b. The guide component 310 is configured to slide along the sliding direction A shown for example in FIGs. 1A and IB, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 9B. As such, the guide component 310 is configured to slide along the channel 216 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail 206b. As in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the guide component 310 may be provided, at the outer portion thereof, as a blade element, preferably having an arcuate edge, which may be configured to provide contact with the slide surface 222c.

[0112] It has been found that the friction becomes lower when the contact pressure between the slide rail 206b and a blade element of the guide component 310 is not too low. As such, the spring element 328 shown in FIGs. 6 and 7 also enables the guide component 310 to exert a spring force against a slide surface 222c of the slide rail 206b. The second coupling device 300b may be configured such that, when the guide component 310 is installed in the slide rail 206b, contact between the guide component 310 and the slide surface 222c may cause the spring element 328 to be compressed. This causes the spring element 328 to be loaded, and push the guide component 310 against the slide surface 222c, meaning there is always contact between the guide component 310 and the slide surface 222c. This acts to keep the guide component 310 in position and increases the contact pressure between the guide component 310 and the slide surface 222c, thus decreasing the friction and providing a low start resistance. This combination is hard to achieve with roll bearings and other bearings known in the art.

[0113] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A coupling device (300a, 300b) for a sliding and folding screen system (100), the coupling device (300) comprising: a guide device (302) configured to be guided by a channel (216) of an elongated slide rail (206) during movement of the coupling device (300a, 300b) in a direction, A, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail (206), the guide device (302) configured to slide along the slide rail (206) in the direction of movement, A, a connection element (304) for connecting the coupling device (300a, 300b) to a first screen panel (104, 106) of the sliding and folding screen system (100); and an arm (306) coupled to the guide device (302) at a first end (306a) and to the connection element (304) at a second end (306b), wherein the arm (306) is coupled pivotally to at least one of the guide device (302) and the connection element (304).

2. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to claim 1, wherein the arm (306) is pivotally coupled to the connection element (304).

3. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to claim 2, wherein the connection element (304) comprises a receiving section (312) for receiving at least a portion of the arm (306) of the coupling device (300a, 300b) when the first screen panel (104, 106) is arranged substantially parallel to the slide rail (206), preferably the receiving section (312) comprising a recess arranged for receiving at least a portion of the arm (306).

4. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connection element (304) comprises a shaft (308) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement, A, of the guide device (302), wherein the arm (306) is pivotally coupled to the shaft (308).

5. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to any preceding claim, wherein the arm (306) is fixedly attached to the guide device (302).

6. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide device (302) comprises a guide component (310) configured to be received in and guided by the channel (216) of the elongated slide rail (206).

7. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to claim 6, wherein the guide component (310) is provided as an elongated fin configured to provide stability and bidirectional guidance to the coupling device (300a, 300b) when received in and guided by the channel (216) of the elongated slide rail (206).

8. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the guide component (310) has a longitudinal extension, L, which is longer than the smallest inner contact width, Wc, of the channel (216), preferably at least 2 times longer than the smallest inner contact width, Wc, of the channel (216), more preferably at least 3 times longer than the smallest inner contact width, Wc, of the channel (216).

9. The coupling device (300a, 300b) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the guide component (310) has a lateral width, W, in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, A, that is at least 50% of the width of the channel (216), preferably at least 75% of the width of the channel (216), more preferably at least 90% of the width of the channel (216).

10. The coupling device (300a) according to any of claims 6 to 9, further comprising an actuator (314) configured to displace the guide component (310) in an extension direction, B, between a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the extension direction, B, is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement, A, of the guide device (302).

11. The coupling device (300a) according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the guide device (302) further comprises a guide housing (316), and wherein the guide component (310) is configured to be received in the guide housing (316) such that theguide component (310) can be displaced in an extension direction, B, in the guide housing (316) between a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the extension direction, B, is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement, A, of the guide device (302).

12. The coupling device (300a) according to claim 11, wherein the guide housing (316) comprises locking means (318) for releasably locking the guide component (310) in the extended state relative to the guide housing (316).

13. The coupling device (300a) according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one slide member (326) configured to engage a slide surface (222) of the slide rail (206) and slide along the slide surface (222) in the direction of movement, A, of the guide device (302).

14. The coupling device (300a) according to claim 13, wherein the slide member (326) is provided as a blade element, preferably wherein the blade element has an arcuate edge, preferably wherein the slide surface (222) is shaped as a groove in which the slide member (326) is configured to slide.

15. The coupling device (300b) according to any of claims 6 to 10, further comprising a spring element (328) configured to urge the arm (306), and thereby the guide component (310), in a translation direction, C, towards an extended state, wherein the translation direction, C, is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement, A, of the guide device (302), preferably wherein the spring element (328) is in a compressed state when the guide component (310) is arranged in a retracted state.

16. A sliding and folding screen system (100) comprising:- a first screen panel (104) and a second screen panel (106) hingedly connected to each other,- a frame (110) comprising a lower panel (112), an upper panel (114), and at least one side panel (116) extending between the lower panel (112) and the upper panel(114), wherein the second screen panel (106) is hingedly connected to the side panel (116) of the frame (110),- at least one elongated slide rail (206) comprising an elongate bar body (208) connected to the lower panel (112) and / or upper panel (114) and at least one channel (216); and- at least one coupling device (300a, 300b) as defined in claims 1-15, wherein the connection element (304) of the coupling device (300a, 300b) is attached to the first screen panel (104) and the guide device (302) of the coupling device (300a, 300b) is configured to be guided by the channel (216) of the elongated slide rail (206).

17. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to claim 16, wherein the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are configured to be able to be arranged in a closed position in which the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are arranged in a plane.

18. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are configured to be able to be arranged in an at least partially open position in which the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are folded relative to each other, preferably the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are configured to be able to be arranged in an open position in which the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are substantially parallel to each other.

19. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to claim 18, wherein the first and second screen panels (104, 106) are configured to be moved between the closed and at least partially open positions by sliding the guide device (302) along the slide rail (206) such that the arm (306) of the coupling device (300a, 300b) pivots relative to the first screen panel (104), and the first and second screen panels (104, 106) pivot about a hinge axis, H.

20. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the first screen panel (104) comprises at least one recess (120) extendingfrom an edge of the first screen panel (104), wherein the recess (120) is configured to receive the connection element (304).

21. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the elongated bar body (208) of the elongated slide rail (206) comprises a plurality of walls (210, 212, 214) forming the at least one channel (216), wherein the plurality of walls (210, 212, 214) comprises a first wall (210), a second wall (212) arranged opposite to each other and a third wall (214) arranged between and connected to the first and second walls (210, 212), preferably wherein the slide rail (206) further comprises at least one flange (218) extending away from the channel (216) from a side of the elongate bar body (208) in a plane substantially parallel to the third wall (214) and / or in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first and / or second wall (210, 212).

22. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to claim 21, wherein the elongated slide rail (206) further comprises at least one slide surface (222) extending on a surface of the flange (218), wherein the slide surface (222) extends substantially parallel to the channel (216) and is configured to receive a corresponding slide member (326) according to claim 13 or 14.

23. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to claim 22, wherein the slide surface (222) is formed as a groove.

24. The sliding and folding screen system (100) according to any of claims 16 to 23, wherein the sliding and folding screen system (100) is arranged outside of the upper and lower panels (112, 114).

Images