Slide guide unit, slide guide, and screen device

Abstract

In a bridge part 51c of a slide guide unit 51, at least one projection piece 515 having elasticity, bendable in a z-axis direction, and projecting to one side in the x-axis direction is provided in parallel to respective first half parts 51d, 51f of a first side wall part 51a and a second side wall part 51b. A pocket part 516 having a hollow part 516a opening toward the other side in the x-axis direction, extending to one side in the x-axis direction, and disposed colinearly with the projection piece is provided at a portion on the other side in the x-axis direction. The slide guide is configured such that, when at least one slide guide unit pivots, the slide guide bends in the z-axis direction, and the projection piece of the slide guide unit positioned adjacent to the pivoting slide guide unit on the other side in the x-axis direction bends in the z-axis direction, elastic force is generated in the bent projection piece, and the elastic force acts on the pivoting slide guide unit as a reaction force for damping the pivoting.

Description

Slide guide unit, slide guide, and screen device

[0001] The present invention relates to a screen device applicable to light-blocking and light-controlling means such as curtains and blinds, as well as to screen doors, partitions, etc., a slide guide provided in the screen device, and a slide guide unit that forms the slide guide.

[0002] Conventionally, this type of screen device generally has three mutually orthogonal axes, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and consists of a hollow first frame and a second frame arranged opposite to each other in the x-axis direction and extending linearly in the z-axis direction, and a hollow slide bar arranged in the same x-z plane as the first frame and the second frame, extending linearly in the z-axis direction and configured to slide between the first frame and the second frame in the x-axis direction, and having one end and the other end arranged opposite to each other, one end fixed to the slide bar and the other end fixed to either the first frame or the second frame. The device comprises a screen configured to unfold in the same x-z plane as the first and second frames as the slide bar slides toward the first or second frame, and to shrink as the slide bar slides toward the second or first frame, and slide guides provided between each end of the slide bar in the z-axis direction and each end of either the first or second frame in the z-axis direction that is opposite to each end of the slide bar in the z-axis direction, and configured to extend linearly in the x-axis direction when the screen is unfolded to guide the slide of the slide bar.

[0003] In a screen device, the slide guide has a free end at least at one end. When the screen is deployed, the slide guide is pulled out from inside the slide bar in the x-axis direction, maintaining linearity in the x-axis direction. When the screen is retracted, the slide guide is retracted inside the slide bar, and a portion of it is bent in the z-axis direction. Such a slide guide is formed by connecting multiple slide guide units in the x-axis direction.

[0004] The slide guide unit comprises a first side wall portion located on one side in the y-axis direction and a second side wall portion located on the other side in the y-axis direction and facing the first side wall portion, a bridging portion connecting the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion in the y-axis direction, and a pivot limit portion configured to define a first limit, which is the pivot limit in one direction in the z-axis direction, and a second limit, which is the pivot limit in the other direction in the z-axis direction. In the slide guide unit, the first side wall portion is divided into a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and provided with a pin protruding in one direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half portion located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction. The second side wall portion is divided into a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and provided with a pin protruding in the other direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half portion located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction. Furthermore, in the slide guide unit, the pivot limit portion has a first portion provided on at least the first half of both the first and second side walls, and a second portion provided on the second half of both the first and second side walls, with which the first portion abuts at both the first and second limits. In addition, in the slide guide unit, the y-axis length between the first half of both the first and second side walls is set to be shorter than the y-axis length between the second half of both the first and second side walls.

[0005] In the case of two adjacent slide guide units, the first half of the first side wall and the first half of the second side wall of one slide guide unit are inserted between the second half of the first side wall and the second side wall of one slide guide unit, and each pin is loosely fitted into the corresponding opening, so that both slide guide units pivot in the z-axis direction within the range from the second limit to the first limit as defined by the pivot limit section.

[0006] Regarding such screen devices, the generation of noise during screen deployment and retraction, i.e., when the screen device is opened and closed, has been identified as a problem. The noise is thought to be caused by vibrations generated when the slide guide unit pivots in the z-axis direction. Specifically, in screen devices, guide members are sometimes provided to ensure smooth bending of the slide guide through contact with the slide guide unit. Since these guide members are made of a material with a certain degree of rigidity, similar to the slide guide unit, it is thought that noise is generated by vibrations that occur when the slide guide unit contacts and rubs against the guide member. From this perspective, it has been proposed that a flexible cover member be provided on the slide guide so as to cover at least a portion of the surface on one or the other side in the z-axis direction of the bridging portion of a plurality of slide guide units, thereby suppressing contact between the slide guide unit and the guide member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0007] When a screen device is installed, for example, in a quiet environment, the sound it generates can become an unpleasant noise. Therefore, the applicant diligently investigated the sound generated when the screen device is opened and closed, and found that the sound generation is largely due to factors other than contact and friction between the bridging portion of the slide guide unit and the guide member. Specifically, the applicant discovered that when the first portion of the pivot limit of a pivoting slide guide unit comes into contact with the second portion of the pivot limit of a slide guide unit located adjacent to the other side in the x-axis direction of the pivoting slide guide unit, an unpleasant collision sound is generated.

[0008] International Publication No. 2024 / 058667

[0009] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a slide guide, a slide guide unit forming this slide guide, and a screen device equipped with a slide guide, which can suppress the generation of collision noise even when a first portion of the pivot limit of a pivoting slide guide unit comes into contact with a second portion of the pivot limit of a slide guide unit located adjacent to the pivoting slide guide unit in the other x-axis direction, in a part of the slide guide that is bent in the z-axis direction and housed inside the slide bar and is pulled out from the slide bar.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the slide guide unit of the present invention comprises three mutually orthogonal axes, each being the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, a first side wall portion located on one side in the y-axis direction, a second side wall portion located on the other side in the y-axis direction and facing the first side wall portion, a bridging portion connecting the first and second side wall portions in the y-axis direction, and a pivot limit portion configured to define a first limit which is the pivot limit in one direction in the z-axis direction and a second limit which is the pivot limit in the other direction in the z-axis direction, wherein the first side wall portion is divided into a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and provided with a pin protruding in one direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half portion located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction, and the second side wall portion is divided into a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and provided with a pin protruding in the other direction in the y-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction A bridging portion is formed and divided into a second half located on the other side in the x-axis direction, and the pivot limit portion has a first portion provided in at least both first halves of the first and second side walls, and a second portion provided in both second halves of the first and second side walls, with the first portion in contact with it at both the first and second limits, and the length in the y-axis direction between both first halves of the first and second side walls is set to be shorter than the length in the y-axis direction between both second halves of the first and second side walls, wherein the bridging portion is provided in the other side in the x-axis direction with at least one projection that is elastic, bendable in the z-axis direction and protrudes in one direction in the x-axis direction, parallel to both first halves of the first and second side walls, and a pocket portion having a hollow portion that opens in the other direction in the x-axis direction, extends in the one direction in the x-axis direction and is arranged in the same line as the projection.

[0011] The slide guide of the present invention has three mutually orthogonal axes, which are the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, respectively, and comprises a first side wall portion located on one side in the y-axis direction and a second side wall portion located on the other side in the y-axis direction and facing the first side wall portion, a bridging portion connecting the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion in the y-axis direction, and a pivot limit portion configured to define a first limit which is the pivot limit in one direction in the z-axis direction and a second limit which is the pivot limit in the other direction in the z-axis direction, wherein the first side wall portion is provided with a pin protruding in one direction in the y-axis direction and has a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and an opening formed that penetrates in the y-axis direction, and in the x-axis direction The first half is divided into a first half located on the other side and a second half located on the other side in the x-axis direction, and the second half is divided into a first half located on the other side in the x-axis direction and a pin protruding in the other direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half located on the other side in the x-axis direction and an opening formed through in the y-axis direction, and the pivot limit has a first portion provided in at least both first halves of the first and second side walls, and a second portion provided in both second halves of the first and second side walls, with the first portion in contact with the first portion at both the first and second limits, and the length in the y-axis direction between both first halves of the first and second side walls is In a slide guide formed by connecting multiple slide guide units in the x-axis direction, each set to be shorter than the y-axis length between two halves, the slide guide is flexible in the z-axis direction and maintains linearity in the x-axis direction, the bridging portion of the slide guide unit has at least one projection that is elastic, flexible in the z-axis direction, and protrudes in one direction in the x-axis direction, provided parallel to both the first halves of the first and second side walls, and a pocket portion having a hollow portion that opens in the other direction in the x-axis direction, extends in one direction in the x-axis direction, and is arranged in the same straight line as the projection, in the other direction in the x-axis direction In a slide guide, two adjacent slide guide units are provided, with the first half of the first and second side walls of one slide guide unit inserted between the second half of the first and second side walls of one slide guide unit, and each pin loosely fitted into the corresponding opening, so that both slide guide units pivot in the z-axis direction within the range from the second limit to the first limit defined by the pivot limit section, and the projection of the other slide guide unit is inserted through an opening into the hollow pocket section of the first slide guide unit, and the slide guide is,The slide guide unit is configured such that, when at least one slide guide unit pivots, it bends in the z-axis direction, and a projection of a slide guide unit located adjacent to the pivoting slide guide unit in the other x-axis direction also bends in the z-axis direction, generating an elastic force in the bending projection. This elastic force acts as a reaction force on the pivoting slide guide unit to mitigate the pivoting motion.

[0012] The screen device of the present invention is a screen device equipped with the above-described slide guide, comprising: a hollow first frame and a second frame arranged opposite to each other in the x-axis direction and extending linearly in the z-axis direction; a hollow slide bar arranged in the same x-z plane as the first frame and the second frame, extending linearly in the z-axis direction and configured to slide in the x-axis direction between the first frame and the second frame; and having one end and the other end arranged opposite to each other, one end fixed to the slide bar and the other end fixed to either the first frame or the second frame, and as the slide bar slides toward the first frame side or the second frame side, it unfolds in the same x-z plane as the first frame and the second frame, and as the slide bar slides toward the second frame side or the first frame side, The device comprises a screen configured to shrink, and a slide guide provided between each end of the slide bar in the z-axis direction and each end of either a first frame or a second frame in the z-axis direction that is opposite to each end of the slide bar in the z-axis direction, and configured to extend linearly in the x-axis direction when the screen is unfolded to guide the sliding of the slide bar, wherein the slide guide has a free end at least at one end, and when the screen is unfolded, it is pulled out from inside the slide bar in the x-axis direction, with the pulled-out portion maintaining linearity in the x-axis direction, and when the screen shrinks, it is stored inside the slide bar, with a portion of it bending in the z-axis direction.

[0013] According to the slide guide unit, slide guide, and screen device of the present invention, even when a first portion of the pivot limit of a pivoting slide guide unit comes into contact with a second portion of the pivot limit of a slide guide unit located adjacent to the other x-axis direction of the pivoting slide guide unit in a part of the slide guide that is bent in the z-axis direction and housed inside the slide bar, and is pulled out from inside the slide guide, the generation of collision noise can be suppressed.

[0014] A partially cutaway front view showing one embodiment of the screen device of the present invention. (a) is an enlarged perspective view of the slide guide shown in Figure 1. (b) is a plan view of the slide guide shown in (a). (a), (b), (c), and (d) are perspective views from different angles showing the slide guide unit that forms the slide guide shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), respectively. (e) is a plan view of the slide guide unit. (f) is a cross-sectional view of (e) along A-A. A main cross-sectional view mainly showing a bent portion of the slide guide shown in Figures 2(a) and (b). (a) is an enlarged perspective view of another form of the slide guide. (b) is a plan view of the slide guide shown in (a). (a), (b), (c), and (d) are perspective views from different angles showing the slide guide unit that forms the slide guide shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), respectively. (e) is a plan view of the slide guide unit. (f) is a cross-sectional view of (e) along the line A-A. This is a cross-sectional view of the main part, mainly showing the bent portion of the slide guide shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b).

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, the screen device SA of this embodiment will be described. Assuming that the three mutually orthogonal axes are the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, respectively, in the screen device SA, the x-axis direction corresponds to the horizontal direction, and the z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction.

[0016] The screen device SA comprises a hollow first frame 1 and a second frame 2, which are arranged facing each other in the x-axis direction (i.e., horizontal direction) and extend linearly in the z-axis direction (i.e., vertical direction), and a hollow slide bar 3, which is arranged in the same x-z plane as the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, extends linearly in the z-axis direction, and is configured to slide in the x-axis direction between the first frame 1 and the second frame 2. The screen device SA also comprises a screen 4, which has one end and the other end, which are arranged facing each other, with one end (i.e., the left end) fixed to the slide bar 3 and the other end (i.e., the right end) fixed to the second frame 2. The screen 4 is configured to unfold in the same x-z plane as the slide bar 3 slides toward the second frame 2, and to shrink as the slide bar 3 slides toward the second frame 2. Such a screen 4 may be made of a cloth or net made of woven resin fibers. Furthermore, the screen device SA is provided between the z-axis ends of the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, and includes a slide guide 5 configured to extend linearly in the x-axis direction when the screen 4 is deployed, and to guide the sliding of the slide bar 3.

[0017] The slide guide 5 is provided between each end of the slide bar 3 in the z-axis direction (i.e., the upper end and the lower end) and each end of the second frame 2 in the z-axis direction (i.e., the upper end and the lower end). More specifically, one slide guide 5 is provided on each of the upper and lower sides of the screen device SA. One is an upper slide guide provided between the upper end of the slide bar 3 and the upper end of the second frame 2 which is positioned opposite to the upper end of the slide bar 3, and the other is a lower slide guide provided between the lower end of the slide bar 3 and the lower end of the second frame 2 which is positioned opposite to the lower end of the slide bar 3. Furthermore, the slide guide 5 has a free end 5a at least at one end, and when the screen 4 is deployed, it is pulled out from inside the slide bar 3 in the x-axis direction, and the pulled-out portion 5b maintains linearity in the x-axis direction, and when the screen 4 is retracted, it is stored inside the slide bar 3, and a portion 5c is configured to bend in the z-axis direction. The free ends 5a of the upper slide guide and the lower slide guide face each other inside the slide bar 3 and are connected by a tension member T, such as a wire or string, which is housed inside the slide bar 3. The tension member T applies a predetermined tension to the upper slide guide and the lower slide guide. The tension applied by the tension member T is to make the length of the upper slide guide and the lower slide guide that are pulled out from inside the slide bar 3 the same as the length that are stored inside the slide bar 3. As a result, the slide bar 3 slides parallel to the first frame 1 and the second frame 2 at all times, and the slide of the slide bar 3 becomes stable. In addition, the upper slide guide covers the upper end of the screen 4 from both the front and back sides in the y-axis direction, and the lower slide guide covers the lower end of the screen 4 from both the front and back sides in the y-axis direction, so that even if the deployed screen 4 is subjected to an external force in the y-axis direction, such as wind pressure, some or all of the upper and lower ends of the screen 4 are not exposed.

[0018] In the screen device SA, a first rail R1 having a U-shaped cross-section in the x-axis direction can be provided in the x-axis direction at one end (upper end) in the z-axis direction. An upper slide guide can be inserted into the first rail R1 together with the z-axis end of the slide bar 3. In this case, the sliding of the slide bar 3 in the x-axis direction is guided by the first rail R1, and the exposure of the upper slide guide is suppressed, improving the appearance of the screen device SA. In addition, in the screen device SA, a second rail R2 can be provided in the x-axis direction at the other end in the z-axis direction opposite to the first rail R1. In this case, a wheel W can be pivotally supported at the z-axis lower end of the slide bar 3 and positioned on the second rail R2. The wheel W rotates on the second rail R2 as the slide bar 3 slides in the x-axis direction. The first rail R1 and the second rail R2 make the sliding of the slide bar 3 in the x-axis direction smoother.

[0019] Referring to Figures 2(a) and 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), and 3(f), the slide guide 5 is formed by connecting a plurality of slide guide units 51 in the x-axis direction. Each slide guide unit 51 includes a first side wall portion 51a located on one side in the y-axis direction, a second side wall portion 51b located on the other side in the y-axis direction and facing the first side wall portion 51a, and a bridging portion 51c that connects the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b in the y-axis direction. The shapes of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b are identical, their contours resemble those of an athletics track, and their x-axis length is longer than their z-axis length. The first side wall portion 51a is provided with a pin 511 protruding in one direction in the y-axis direction and is divided into a first half portion 51d located on one side in the x-axis direction and a second half portion 51e located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening 512 that penetrates in the y-axis direction. The second side wall portion 51b is provided with a pin 511 that protrudes in the other direction in the y-axis direction and is divided into a first half portion 51f located on one side in the x-axis direction and a second half portion 51g located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening 512 that penetrates in the y-axis direction.

[0020] The contour of the portion of the first half 51d on one side in the y-axis direction, located at the boundary with the second half 51e, and the contour of the portion of the first half 51f on the other side in the y-axis direction, located at the boundary with the second half 51g, are both curved toward the other side in the x-axis direction, corresponding to the arc-shaped contour of the other end of the second half 51e and 51g in the x-axis direction. On the other hand, the contour of the portion of the first half 51d on the other side in the y-axis direction, located at the boundary with the second half 51e, and the contour of the portion of the first half 51f on one side in the y-axis direction, located at the boundary with the second half 51g, are both curved toward the one side in the x-axis direction, corresponding to the arc-shaped contour of the other end of the second half 51e and 51g in the x-axis direction. Each pin 511 has a cylindrical shape with a short length in the y-axis direction. Each opening 512 has a circular contour, and its inner diameter is set to a size that allows each pin 511 to be loosely fitted into each opening 512. Furthermore, the y-axis length of each pin 511 is set to be the same as the y-axis length of each opening 512.

[0021] One end of the bridging section 51c in the x-axis direction is located at one end of the first halves 51d and 51f in the x-axis direction. The other end of the bridging section 51c in the x-axis direction is located at the other end of the first halves 51d and 51f in the x-axis direction, where they are most curved toward one side in the x-axis direction, between the portion of the first halves 51d located on the other side in the y-axis direction and the portion of the first halves 51f located on one side in the y-axis direction. The bridging section 51c is located in the center of the first halves 51d and 51f in the z-axis direction.

[0022] Furthermore, the slide guide unit 51 includes a pivot limit section 51h configured to define a first limit, which is a pivot limit in one direction in the z-axis direction, and a second limit, which is a pivot limit in the other direction in the z-axis direction. The pivot limit section 51h is provided in the first portion 51h of both the first halves 51d and 51f of the first side wall section 51a and the second side wall section 51b. １ And, provided on both second halves 51e and 51g of the second side wall portion 51b, the first portion 51h is provided at both the first limit and the second limit. １ The second part 51h that comes into contact with it ２ It has the following, in detail, Part 1 51h １, in the first half 51d, is located at a portion adjacent to the pin 511 on one side in the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction, and is formed of a curved small projection 513 protruding toward one side in the y-axis direction. Also, the first portion 51h １ , in the first half 51f, is located at a portion adjacent to the pin 511 on one side in the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction, and is formed of a small projection 513 protruding toward the other side in the y-axis direction. The second portion 51h ２ is adjacent to one side of the opening 512 in the x-axis direction, extends along the opening 512, and is formed of an elongated arc-shaped long hole 514 in the z-axis direction. The long hole 514 penetrates both the second halves 51e and 51g in the y-axis direction. Note that the shape of the small projections 513, 513 matches the partial shape of the long holes 514, 514, and the protrusion amount of the small projections 513, 513 is set to be the same as the length of the long holes 514, 514 in the y-axis direction.

[0023] Furthermore, in the slide guide unit 51, the length d in the y-axis direction between both first halves 51d and 51f of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b １ , which is the length d in the y-axis direction between both second halves 51e and 51g of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b ２ is set shorter than (see FIG. 3(e)). A plurality of such slide guide units 51 are connected in the x-axis direction to form the slide guide 5. Specifically, in two adjacent slide guide units 51, 51 of the slide guide 5, between both second halves 51e, 51g of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b of one slide guide unit 51, both first halves 51d, 51f of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b of the other slide guide unit 51 are inserted, and each pin 511 is loosely fitted into the corresponding opening 512. Also, the first portion 51h of the pivot limit portion 51h provided in one slide guide unit 51 １ , which are the respective small projections 513, 513, correspond to the second portion 51h of the pivot limit portion 51h provided in the other slide guide unit 51 ２The slide guide units 51, 51 loosely fit into the corresponding elongated holes 514, 514. As a result, both slide guide units 51, 51 pivot in the z-axis direction within a range from a second limit where one end of the small projection 513, 513 in the z-axis direction abuts against one end of the elongated holes 514, 514 in the z-axis direction, to a first limit where the other end of the small projection 513, 513 in the z-axis direction abuts against the other end of the elongated holes 514, 514 in the z-axis direction. Therefore, at the second limit, both slide guide units 51, 51 maintain linearity in the x-axis direction and pivot in the z-axis direction up to the first limit. As a result, the slide guide 5 is flexible in the z-axis direction and maintains linearity in the x-axis direction.

[0024] As described above, the y-axis length of each pin 511 is set to be the same as the y-axis length of each opening 512, and the projection allowance of each small protrusion 513 is set to be the same as the y-axis length of each elongated hole 514. Therefore, in the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b, each pin 511 does not protrude in the y-axis direction beyond the corresponding opening 512, and each small protrusion 513 does not protrude in the y-axis direction beyond the corresponding elongated hole 514.

[0025] Further, at the center portion in the y-axis direction of the bridging portion 51c of the slide guide unit 51, one protruding piece 515 that has elasticity, is bendable in the z-axis direction, and protrudes toward one side in the x-axis direction is provided parallel to both first half portions 51d and 51f of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b. Further, a pocket portion 516 that is open at the other side in the x-axis direction, extends toward one side in the x-axis direction, and has a hollow portion 516a arranged on the same straight line as the protruding piece 515 is provided at a portion on the other side in the x-axis direction. Specifically, the center portion in the y-axis direction of the bridging portion 51c is notched so as to be one step lower toward the other side in the z-axis direction, and both sides of this notch in the y-axis direction are cut toward one side in the x-axis direction, thereby forming the protruding piece 515. That is, the length of the protruding piece 515 in the z-axis direction is the shortest among the bridging portion 51c. The slide guide unit 51 is generally molded as an integrated product of a rigid material such as hard plastic. Therefore, the protruding piece 515, which has the shortest length in the z-axis direction in the bridging portion 51c, has elasticity and can be bent in the z-axis direction even when the slide guide unit 51 is an integrally molded product of a rigid material. It should be noted that the protruding piece 515 does not necessarily need to be molded integrally with other portions of the slide guide unit 51, and can be formed as a separate body from other portions and retrofitted. In the case of retrofitting, a soft plastic, a metal material with relatively high elasticity, or the like can be used as the material for forming the protruding piece 515. Further, the protruding piece 515 does not necessarily need to be formed by notching a part of the bridging portion 51c in the z-axis direction and making cuts, and can be simply formed so as to protrude from one end of the bridging portion 51c in the x-axis direction toward one side in the x-axis direction.

[0026] The pocket portion 516 bulges toward one side in the z-axis direction such that the hollow portion 516a is arranged in the same x-y plane as the protruding piece 515. However, such bulging of the pocket portion 516 is not essential, and can be appropriately changed according to the formation of the protruding piece 515 and the like. The length l of the hollow portion 516a of the pocket portion 516 in the x-axis direction １ is equal to or longer than the length l of the portion where the protruding piece 515 protrudes from one end of the bridging portion 51c in the x-axis direction ２ (see FIG. 3(f)).

[0027] Therefore, when multiple slide guide units 51 are connected to form a slide guide 5, in two adjacent slide guide units 51, 51 in the slide guide 5, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 4, the projection 515 of one slide guide unit 51 is inserted through an opening into the hollow portion 516a of the pocket portion 516 of the other slide guide unit 51. As a result, the projection 515 of the slide guide unit 51 located adjacent to the pivoting slide guide unit 51 in the other x-axis direction moves in the other x-axis direction within the hollow portion 516a of the pocket portion 516a while bending in the z-axis direction. An elastic force is generated in the bent projection 515, and this elastic force acts as a reaction force on the pivoting slide guide unit 51 that mitigates the pivoting.

[0028] As a result, the first portion 51h of the pivot limit portion 51h of the pivoting slide guide unit 51 bends in the z-axis direction and is housed inside the slide bar 3, and is also pulled out from inside the slide bar 3. １ The other end of each small projection 513 in the z-axis direction is located adjacent to the other side of the pivoting slide guide unit 51 in the x-axis direction, on the second portion 51h of the pivot limit portion 51h of the slide guide unit 51. ２ This makes it less likely for the other end of each elongated hole 514 to come into contact with the other end in the z-axis direction. Alternatively, even if the other end of each small projection 513 in the x-axis direction comes into contact with the other end of each elongated hole 514 in the z-axis direction, the impact at the time of contact is mitigated. Therefore, in the bending portion 5 of the slide guide 5, the first portion 51h of the pivot limit portion 51h １ and Part 2, 51h ２ This suppresses the generation of collision noise caused by contact with other objects. Therefore, even when the screen device SA is installed in a quiet environment, the problem of unpleasant noise is almost completely eliminated.

[0029] It should be noted that the number of protruding pieces 515 is not limited to one, and may be at least one. That is, in the case of a plurality of protruding pieces, each protruding piece 515 can be provided on one side in the x-axis direction of the bridging portion 51c at a predetermined interval in the y-axis direction. In addition, the pocket portion 516 corresponds to each protruding piece 515, and can be provided on the other portion in the x-axis direction of the bridging portion 51c located on the same straight line as each protruding piece 515.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5(a) and (b) and FIGS. 6(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), another embodiment of a slide guide that can be employed in the screen device SA will be described.

[0031] A slide guide unit 61 forming the slide guide 6 is different from the slide guide unit 51 shown in FIGS. 3(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the arrangement position and structure of the bridging portion and the configuration of the pivoting limit portion. Therefore, in FIGS. 3(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), the same reference numerals as those assigned to the slide guide unit 51 are assigned to respective parts except for the bridging portion and the pivoting limit portion of the slide guide unit 61, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0032] The bridging portion 61a has one end in the x-axis direction arranged at a position corresponding to one end in the x-axis direction of each pin 511 provided on the first half portions 51d and 51f of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b, and the other end in the x-axis direction protrudes toward the second half portions 51e and 51g of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b. In addition, among the portions of the bridging portion 61a that protrude toward the second half portions 51e and 51g of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b, the length d in the y-axis direction of a portion located away from the boundary between both the first half portions 51d and 51f and both the second half portions 51e and 51g to the other side in the x-axis direction ３ is set to be shorter than the length d in the y-axis direction between both the first half portions 51d and 51f of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b １ (see FIG. 6(e)). In this way, the length d in the y-axis direction of the bridging portion 61a ３ By setting the above, when forming the slide guide 6, both the first half portions 51d and 51f can be reliably inserted between both the second half portions 51e and 51g of two adjacent slide guide units 61 and 61.

[0033] The pivot limit portion 61b, similar to the slide guide unit 51, is provided in the first portion 61b of both the first half portions 51d and 51f of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b. １ And, provided on both second halves 51e and 51g of the second side wall portion 51b, and at both the first limit and the second limit, the first portion 61b １ The second part 61b that comes into contact with it ２ It has the following. On the other hand, the first part 61b １ The first portion 61b is formed from a first notch 611, in which one end of each first half 51d and 51f in the x-axis direction is cut out in an arc shape in the z-axis direction, and from the portion of the bridging portion 61a that protrudes toward the second half 51e and 51g sides of the first side wall portion 51a and the second side wall portion 51b, it is formed from a portion 612 located on the boundary side between the first half 51d and the second half 51e and a portion 612 located on the boundary side between the first half 51f and the second half 51g. ２ These are provided on both the y-axis side of the second half 51e and the y-axis side of the second half 51g, and are located on the z-axis side of the bridging portion 61a portion 612, and are formed from a second notch 613 that is cut out in a V-shape in the x-axis direction.

[0034] In this pivot limit section 61b, the second limit corresponds to the point when the other end of the second notch 613 of one slide guide unit 61 in the z-axis direction abuts against one end of the first notch 611 formed on the other slide guide unit 61 in the z-axis direction. The first limit corresponds to the point when the portion 612 of the bridging portion 61a of one slide guide unit 61 abuts against one end of the first notch 611 formed on the other slide guide unit 61 in the z-axis direction. Therefore, two slide guide units 61, 61 adjacent to each other in the x-axis direction both pivot in the z-axis direction within the range from the second limit to the first limit. At the second limit, both slide guide units 61, 61 maintain linearity in the x-axis direction and pivot in the z-axis direction up to the first limit. As a result, the slide guide 6, like the slide guide 5, is flexible in the z-axis direction and maintains linearity in the x-axis direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the slide guide unit 61 is also provided with a pocket portion 516 having a projection 515 and a hollow portion 516a, similar to the slide guide unit 51. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the projection 515 of the slide guide unit 61 located adjacent to the other x-axis direction of the pivoting slide guide unit 61 moves in the other x-axis direction within the hollow portion 516a of the pocket portion 516, while bending in the z-axis direction. An elastic force is generated in the bent projection 515, and this elastic force acts as a reaction force on the pivoting slide guide unit 51 to mitigate its pivoting.

[0036] As a result, the first portion 61b of the pivot limit portion 61b of the pivoting slide guide unit 61 is bent in the z-axis direction and housed inside the slide bar 3 shown in Figure 1, and a portion of the slide guide 6 (corresponding to a portion 5c of the slide guide 5) that is pulled out from inside the slide bar 3 is also bent. １ The portion 612 of the bridging portion 61a of the slide guide unit 61 is adjacent to the second portion 61b of the pivot limit portion 61b of the slide guide unit 61, which is located in the other x-axis direction of the pivoting slide guide unit 61. ２ This makes it less likely for the first notch 611 to come into contact with one end in the z-axis direction. Alternatively, even if the portion 612 of the bridging portion 61a comes into contact with the other end in the z-axis direction of the first notch 611, the impact at the time of contact is mitigated. Therefore, in the bending portion, the slide guide 6 is less likely to come into contact with the first portion 61b of the pivot limit portion 61b. １ and Part 2 61b ２ This suppresses the generation of collision noise caused by contact with other objects. Therefore, even when the screen device SA is installed in a quiet environment, the problem of unpleasant noise is almost completely eliminated.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, in the screen device SA, guide blocks 3a are generally provided at one end and the other end of the slide bar 3 in the z-axis direction, respectively, to guide the slide guides 5, 5 (6, 6) to bend in the z-axis direction. The guide block 3a has a curved surface portion 3a that contacts the slide guide units 51, 61 and allows them to pivot smoothly in one or the other direction in the z-axis direction. １ ,3a １It has. In the screen device described in Patent Document 1, the slide guide units 51 and 61 have a curved surface portion 3a １ ,3a １ It is believed that the sound is generated due to vibrations etc. that occur when it comes into contact with and rubs against the slide guide units 51 and 61, and the curved surface portion 3a. １ ,3a １ By appropriately selecting the molding material and surface smoothness, the generation of sound can be sufficiently suppressed. Therefore, the screen device SA employs a conventional guide block 3a.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described above in relation to the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the pivot limit portion of the slide guide unit forming the slide guide can be configured in a way that defines a first limit and a second limit, as long as other configurations are available. In addition, the two slide guides of the screen device can be configured in a way that is not identical, for example, one can be the slide guide 5 shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), and the other can be the slide guide 6 shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b). Of course, as long as it is a slide guide of the present invention, there are no other limitations. Furthermore, in the screen device, the x-axis direction is not limited to the horizontal direction, nor is the z-axis direction limited to the vertical direction. For example, the screen device can be installed in an opening that is inclined with respect to a vertical plane. Furthermore, the x-axis direction can be set to the vertical direction and the z-axis direction to the horizontal direction. In this case, the screen device opens and closes in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the other end of the screen can be fixed to the first frame. In this case, the opening and closing direction of the screen device is reversed compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the first frame and the second frame can be made slidable in the x-axis direction, similar to the slide bar. In this case, the screen device will be a double-opening type that opens and closes in both directions along the x-axis.

[0039] The screen can have a bellows-like shape with multiple pleats, or a flat shape. In the case of a flat screen, the screen can be stored in a retractable manner. For example, a non-sliding fixed frame can be provided, and a roller pipe with a built-in coil spring can be installed inside this fixed frame. The screen can then be automatically retracted by releasing the elastic force of the coil spring that is generated and accumulated during its deployment.

[0040] SA...Screen device, 1...First frame, 2...Second frame, 3...Slide bar, 4...Screen, 5, 6...Slide guide, 5a...Free end, 5b...Extended portion, 5c...Part, 51, 61...Slide guide unit, 51a...First side wall portion, 51b...Second side wall portion, 51c, 61a...Bridge portion, 51h, 61b...Pivot limit portion, 51d, 51f...First half portion, 51e, 51g...Second half portion, 51h １ ,61b １ ...First part, 51h ２ ,61b ２ ...Second part, 511...pin, 512...opening, 515...projection, 516a...hollow part, 516...pocket part.

Claims

1. A slide guide unit comprising three mutually orthogonal axes, each being the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, a first side wall portion located on one side in the y-axis direction, a second side wall portion located on the other side in the y-axis direction and facing the first side wall portion, a bridging portion connecting the first and second side wall portions in the y-axis direction, and pivot limit portions configured to define a first limit which is the pivot limit in one direction in the z-axis direction and a second limit which is the pivot limit in the other direction in the z-axis direction, The first side wall portion is divided into a first half located on one side in the x-axis direction and provided with a pin protruding in one direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction; the second side wall portion is divided into a first half located on one side in the x-axis direction and provided with a pin protruding in the other direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction; the pivot limit portion has a first portion provided in at least both first halves of the first and second side wall portions, and a second portion provided in both second halves of the first and second side wall portions, with the first portion in contact with the first portion at both the first and second limits; the y-axis length between both first halves of the first and second side wall portions is set to be shorter than the y-axis length between both second halves of the first and second side wall portions. A slide guide unit characterized in that the bridging portion has at least one projection that is elastic, bendable in the z-axis direction, and protrudes in one direction in the x-axis direction, provided parallel to both the first halves of the first and second side walls, and a pocket portion having a hollow section that opens in the other direction in the x-axis direction, extends in one direction in the x-axis direction, and is arranged in the same straight line as the projection, provided in the other direction in the x-axis direction.

2. The three mutually orthogonal axes are defined as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, respectively. The structure comprises a first side wall portion located on one side in the y-axis direction and a second side wall portion located on the other side in the y-axis direction and opposite to the first side wall portion, a bridging portion connecting the first and second side wall portions in the y-axis direction, and pivot limit portions configured to define a first limit, which is the pivot limit in one direction in the z-axis direction, and a second limit, which is the pivot limit in the other direction in the z-axis direction. The first side wall portion is divided into a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and having a pin protruding in one direction in the y-axis direction, and a second half portion located on the other side in the x-axis direction and having an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction. The second side wall portion is divided into a first half portion located on one side in the x-axis direction and having a pin protruding in the other direction in the y-axis direction. A slide guide is formed by connecting a plurality of slide guide units in the x-axis direction, which are flexible in the z-axis direction and maintain linearity in the x-axis direction. The slide guide is divided into a first half that is positioned and a second half that has an opening that penetrates in the y-axis direction and is located on the other side in the x-axis direction. The pivot limit portion has a first portion provided in at least both the first halves of the first and second side walls, and a second portion provided in both the second halves of the first and second side walls, to which the first portion abuts at both the first and second limits. The y-axis length between the first halves of the first and second side walls is set to be shorter than the y-axis length between the second halves of the first and second side walls. The bridging portion of the slide guide unit has at least one projection that is elastic, bendable in the z-axis direction, and protrudes in one direction in the x-axis direction, parallel to both first halves of the first and second side walls, and a pocket portion having a hollow section that opens in the other direction in the x-axis direction, extends in the same straight line as the projection, and is provided in the other direction in the x-axis direction. In two adjacent slide guide units in a slide guide, the first halves of the first and second side walls of the other slide guide unit are inserted between the second halves of the first and second side walls of the first slide guide unit, and each pin is loosely fitted into the corresponding opening, so that both slide guide units pivot in the z-axis direction within the range from the second limit to the first limit defined by the pivot limit section, and the projection of the other slide guide unit is inserted through the opening into the hollow section of the pocket portion of the first slide guide unit.The slide guide is characterized in that, when at least one slide guide unit pivots, it bends in the z-axis direction, and a projection of a slide guide unit located adjacent to the pivoting slide guide unit in the other x-axis direction also bends in the z-axis direction, generating an elastic force in the bent projection, and this elastic force acts as a reaction force on the pivoting slide guide unit to mitigate the pivoting.

3. A screen device equipped with a slide guide as described in claim 2, comprising: a hollow first frame and a second frame arranged opposite to each other in the x-axis direction and extending linearly in the z-axis direction; a hollow slide bar arranged in the same x-z plane as the first frame and the second frame, extending linearly in the z-axis direction and configured to slide between the first frame and the second frame in the x-axis direction; a screen having one end and the other end arranged opposite to each other, one end fixed to the slide bar and the other end fixed to either the first frame or the second frame, configured to unfold in the same x-z plane as the slide bar slides toward the first frame side or the second frame side, and to shrink as the slide bar slides toward the second frame side or the first frame side; and the slide guide provided between each end of the slide bar in the z-axis direction and each end of either the first frame or the second frame in the z-axis direction opposite to each end of the slide bar in the z-axis direction, and configured to extend linearly in the x-axis direction and guide the sliding of the slide bar when the screen is unfolded, A screen device characterized in that the slide guide has a free end at at least one end, and when the screen is deployed, it is pulled out from inside the slide bar in the x-axis direction, with the pulled-out portion maintaining linearity in the x-axis direction, and when the screen is retracted, it is stored inside the slide bar, with a portion of it bending in the z-axis direction.

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