Screen system

Abstract

A screen structure comprises at least one support element comprising a bistable extendable member; a panel element attached to the at least one support element, wherein the at least one support element and the panel element are configured to be rollable about a first longitudinal axis, to provide for extension and retraction thereof along a direction generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis; a handle element for extending and retracting the at least one support element and the panel element upon application of a force to the handle element, wherein when the at least one support element and the panel element are substantially fully retracted, the handle element is arrangeable in one or more first positions and in a parked position; and at least one guide element comprising a curved or angled portion which the handle element is configured to bear against and move relative to, to guide the handle element from the one or more first positions to the parked position.

1 . A screen structure, comprising:
 at least one support element comprising a bistable extendable member;   a panel element attached to the at least one support element, wherein the at least one support element and the panel element are configured to be rollable about a first longitudinal axis, to provide for extension and retraction thereof along a direction generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis;   a handle element for extending and retracting the at least one support element and the panel element upon application of a force to the handle element, wherein when the at least one support element and the panel element are substantially fully retracted, the handle element is arrangeable in one or more first positions and in a parked position; and   at least one guide element comprising a curved or angled portion which the handle element is configured to bear against and move relative to, to guide the handle element from the one or more first positions to the parked position.   
     
     
         2 . A screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when the at least one support element and the panel element are substantially fully retracted, the at least one support element comprises a coiled portion and an extended leading end portion; wherein when the handle element is in the parked position, the extended leading end portion is longer than when the handle element is in the one or more first positions. 
     
     
         3 . A screen structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the curved or angled portion of the at least one guide element is arranged to be generally parallel to and/or concentric with an external surface of the coiled portion of the at least one support element. 
     
     
         4 . A screen structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein when the handle element is arranged in the parked position, the handle element is configured to bear against a second portion of the at least one guide element. 
     
     
         5 . A screen structure as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the second portion of the guide element comprises a generally straight edge or face arranged at an angle to the curved or angled portion of the guide element. 
     
     
         6 . A screen structure as claimed in  claim 4  or  claim 5 , wherein the second portion of the guide element comprises a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of the handle element. 
     
     
         7 . A screen structure as claimed in any of  claims 4  to  6 , when dependent on  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the guide element is arranged to be spaced apart from the first longitudinal axis in a plane normal to the first longitudinal axis by a distance which is greater than a radius of the coiled portion of the at least one support element in said plane when the at least one support element is substantially fully retracted. 
     
     
         8 . A screen structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the screen structure comprises two of said at least one guide elements, arranged to be spaced apart from one another along the first longitudinal axis, and preferably wherein each of the guide elements is arranged to at least partially cover an upper or lower portion of the at least one support element. 
     
     
         9 . A screen structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guide element comprises a plate which is generally flat in a plane normal to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . A screen structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guide element comprises a bumper element configured to engage at least a portion of the at least one support element and/or at least a portion of the handle element during retraction of the at least one support element and the panel element. 
     
     
         11 . A screen structure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the screen structure further comprises at least one housing element configured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one support element and/or at least a portion of the panel element. 
     
     
         12 . A screen structure as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one housing element comprises a bumper element configured to engage at least a portion of the at least one support element and/or at least a portion of the handle element during retraction of the at least one support element and the panel element. 
     
     
         13 . A screen system for attachment to a surface, the screen system comprising:
 a screen structure comprising:
 at least one housing element; 
 at least one support element; and 
 a panel element attached to the at least one support element and configured to be rollable about a first longitudinal axis, to provide for extension and retraction of the at least one support element and the panel element along a direction generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis; and
 at least one hinge arrangement coupled to the at least one housing element and configured to provide for the screen structure to pivot about a second longitudinal axis arranged generally parallel to the first longitudinal axis. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . A screen system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one support element comprises at least one bistable extendable member, such as a bistable composite split tube extendable member, each having a longitudinal edge arranged generally perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and to which the panel element is attached, each of the at least one bistable extendable members being configurable in a first state in which it is at least partially rolled up about the first longitudinal axis, and a second state in which it is at least partially longitudinally extended along one of said one or more planes. 
     
     
         15 . A screen system as claimed in  claim 13  or  claim 14 , wherein the screen structure further comprises a handle element attached to the at least one support element and/or to the panel element, and for extending and retracting the at least one support element and the panel element upon application of a force to the handle element. 
     
     
         16 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  15 , wherein the at least one hinge arrangement is configured to be coupled to a surface, such as a generally vertical wall, to attach the screen system to said surface, and to provide for the screen structure to pivot relative to said surface. 
     
     
         17 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  18 , wherein the at least one hinge arrangement comprises:
 a pivot means arranged on the second longitudinal axis; and 
 a fixing means and/or an adjustment means, wherein the fixing means is configured to rotationally fix the pivot means about the second longitudinal axis, and wherein the adjustment means is configured to provide for the pivot means to be rotated about the second longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
         18 . A screen system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one hinge arrangement comprises one or more friction means arranged to exert a frictional force on the pivot means, for example one or more washers and/or spacing elements. 
     
     
         19 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  18 , wherein the at least one hinge arrangement comprises a first bracket element coupled to the at least one housing element, and a second bracket element configured to be coupled to a surface such as a generally vertical wall, the first bracket element being configured to pivot about the second longitudinal axis relative to the second bracket element. 
     
     
         20 . A screen system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the at least one hinge arrangement further comprises a third bracket element configured to be attached to a surface such as a generally vertical wall, the third bracket element being configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the second bracket element. 
     
     
         21 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  20 , wherein the at least one housing element and/or the at least one hinge arrangement comprises a bumper element configured to engage at least a portion of the at least one support element during retraction of the at least one support element and the panel element. 
     
     
         22 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  21 , wherein the screen system comprises two or more of said at least one hinge arrangements, arranged to be spaced apart from one another along the first longitudinal axis and to be parallel to one another. 
     
     
         23 . A screen system as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein each of the hinge arrangements is arranged to be spaced apart from each of the other hinge arrangements along the first longitudinal axis by a distance of at least half a height of the screen structure. 
     
     
         24 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  23 , wherein the at least one housing element comprises a generally elongate casing element configured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one support element and/or at least a portion of the panel element, the casing element being arranged parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and comprising a channel configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one hinge arrangement. 
     
     
         25 . A screen system as claimed in any of  claims 13  to  24 , wherein the screen structure is according to  claim 11  or  claim 12 .