Screen structure

Abstract

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 and comprising a leading edge, 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 between a first fully extended position and a second position where the at least one support element and the panel element are at least partially retracted; a handle element for extending and retracting the support element and the panel element upon application of a force to the handle element; and characterised by: at least one spacer element configured so that when the at least one support element and the panel element are in the second position, the leading edge of the panel element is substantially parallel with the first longitudinal axis.

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 and comprising a leading edge,   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 between a first fully extended position and a second position where the at least one support element and the panel element are at least partially retracted;   a handle element for extending and retracting the support element and the panel element upon application of a force to the handle element; and   at least one spacer element configured so that when the at least one support element and the panel element are in the second position, the leading edge of the panel element is substantially parallel with the first longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer element is sized so that the outer diameter of said at least one spacer element is greater than an inner diameter of the support element in a second position thereby enabling the leading edge of the panel element to be substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal axis is defined by a rotor element and the at least one support element and panel element are attached to said rotor element. 
     
     
         4 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one spacer element comprises an inner surface configured to be positioned around said rotor element, said at least one spacer element further comprising a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface, both connecting surfaces defining a passageway connecting said inner surface of said spacer element to an outer surface of said spacer element. 
     
     
         5 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said panel element is attached to said rotor element by means of least one fold in the panel element along an axis parallel to said first longitudinal axis which creates at least two sections of said panel element, wherein a part of at least one of said at least two sections of said panel element is attached to a part of said second section of said panel element, after said panel element has rolled around said rotor element. 
     
     
         6 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the spacer element is positioned over the panel element attached to the rotor element such that a portion of the panel element passes through the passageway of the spacer element. 
     
     
         7 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support element and panel element define a cylindrical roll when substantially fully retracted about said first longitudinal axis and wherein a side profile of said cylindrical roll has 2 edges which are substantially parallel with each other and said first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said panel element comprises a flexible polymer film material. 
     
     
         9 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support element is configured to define an upper edge of said panel element, and wherein said at least one spacer element is positioned so as to engage a bottom edge of said panel element. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said outer surface of said at least one spacer element is curved about the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising two or more spacer elements positioned along the length of the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the screen structure comprises a reinforcing layer along a bottom edge of the panel element or is reinforced by a fold perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said reinforcing layer is opaque. 
     
     
         15 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said panel element is directly attached to said handle element. 
     
     
         16 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the handle element is attached to the leading edge of the panel element. 
     
     
         17 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support element is attached to the panel element by means of a supporting layer. 
     
     
         18 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the supporting layer comprises Polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         19 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel element comprises struts generally parallel to said first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . The screen structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel element comprises folds generally parallel to said first longitudinal axis.