Improvements in Screens.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Mar., 1895-Accepted, 27th Apr., 1895
Improvements in Screens.
I EDWIN FLETCHER of 59 Key Hill Birmingham in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention has for its object improvements in screens and refers more
particularly to draught screens such as used for domestic and other such purposes
and which at the same time may be applied to many other kinds of screens. By
my said improvements such screens are made particularly portable and capable of
being quickly and easily closed into a very small compass & in such a manner that
when not in use the curtain is raised off the ground while the whole screen whether
open or closed is self supporting under any conditions and occupies but very little
space when not in use. In cases where required they may be adjusted to screen
from two directions at right-angles and at the same time they freely accomodate
themselves to any person when brushing past or knocking against them & this
without any tendency to upset which is common to most forms of screens now
in use.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood & more easily carried into
practise I have appended here-unto two sheets of drawing upon which I have fully
illustrated the nature of my said improvement together with the mode of and means
for carrying the same into effect.
Figure 1 is a view from the back of my screen when open.
Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 but shewing the screen when closed.
Figure 3 is a diagram plan shewing the capable movement of the sides or wings
of the screen.
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 1 but showing a modification
Figure 5 is a view of the screen shewn by Figure 4 but when in a closed
condition.
In carrying my invention into effect I mount one or two wings A A' upon the
central pole or standard B the wings consisting of a series of ribs d¹ which may be
arranged on one or both sides of the standard or support B. These ribs are
pivotted at their lower ends to the junction plate E which in turn is pivoted so as
to revolve in the metal socket or support F which is attached to the standard or
upright B. The top ends d² of the ribs are secured to the material H with which
the screen is formed & the material H is secured to the standard B at b² thus
limiting the opening capacity of the ribs to the required extent as shewn by
Figure 1. The cord K is attached to the lower ribs d' at or near the end d² and
passes through the remaining ribs and over the pulley b which is provided on each
It will be
side of the standard B the remaining cord hanging down as shewn.
readily seen that by drawing down this cord K the ribs are drawn together & up
to the standard as shewn by Figure 2 in which position they are retained by means
such as the attachment of the end of the cord to any suitable fastening formed upon
the standard B. and the curtain H is thereby lifted clear of the ground. The
junction plates E which are pivoted to revolve in the support or bracket F renders
it possible to turn either wing A or A¹ upon its hinge into any of the positions
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. In place of having three ribs I may have
more or less than that number & I may vary the mode of raising the same without
departing from the nature of my said invention.

page_text: In the case of the modification shewn by Figures 4 & 5 the single arm or rib M
is hinged at m' to each side of the support B and upon these arms the curtain or
material H is hung by means of curtain rings the arms or ribs M being curved into
the form shewn so that the rings will slide down & thus cause the curtain to be
normally spread out to its full width.
To close or fold up the screen it is only necessary to raise the arms or ribs M
into the position shewn by any suitable spring catch arrangement or by being
turned back over the top, the rings in such case dropping to the bottom of the armi
as shewn. The small brackets N are provided for supporting the arms M in the
required position when down & an additional joint may be formed in the arms to
allow of them swinging horizontaly the brackets N being then mounting on a
revolving collar. I may form the screen frame in wrought, iron, brass, bamboo
with metal joints or other suitable material and the curtain screen or cover may be
varied in colour, ornamentation or class of material to any extent and in case it
may be preferred to see the cover hang down in folds the said cover may be first
securely pleated before being attached to the frame.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st. A screen substantially as & for the purpose herein set forth & shewn by
Figures 1, 2 & 3.
2nd. In a screen one, two or more ribs d' mounted and operated to act substantially
as herein set forth and shewn.
3rd. In a screen the hinged arm or arms M bearing a curtain & being mounted
upon the support B substantially such as & for the purpose herein set forth & shewn
by Figures 4 & 5.
Dated this 21st day of March 1895.
EDWIN FLETCHER.