STORAGE DEVICE

The invention relates to a storage device for storing and facilitating the selective deployment and stowage of, particularly but not exclusively, a curtain or the like, for use particularly but not exclusively, to stow a curtain or the like in the instance of said curtain not being used /drawn and to deploy or facilitate the drawing of the same for use.

It is known from the prior art to provide permanent fixed curtain track(s) or pole(s) around selected environments such as a hospital bed or changing area or sleeping compartment or a selected area in a caravan or boat or a cubicle or the like so as to provide a defined path along which a curtain may be drawn.

Thus in a drawn position the curtain provides relative seclusion to an individual within said environment. The curtain, when drawn provides a barrier to vision and/or a physical barrier to a specific environment or environmental factors. In use, the curtains may be manually or automatically pulled around said selected environment along permanently fixed track(s) so as to provide privacy or prevent water splashes in the instance of the curtain being a shower curtain. When not in use the curtains are pulled to one side/end of the track and simply stay hanging in view until they are required again.

Effectively the curtain(s) become part of the scenery.

Preventing water splashes to carpets/floors from an issuing shower head, said shower head being provided integral or attached to a bathroom wall is typically achieved by provision of hanging shower curtain which curtain moves along a fixed predetermined path and hangs around or over a bath edge. Alternatively fixed glass or perspex or plastics portions can be attached to the wall and/or bath so as to contain splashes to the inside.

However, all of these splash prevention measures are plainly visible even when a shower is not in use. Furthermore, a person bathing may find it neither convenient nor comfortable to be hampered with a screen or curtain, and may inadvertently damage/tear/knock/break said splash prevention devices.

Furthermore, it is known to use partition boards or screens to provide separation between environments. Screens/partitions may be fixed or moveable or may, if flexible, be concertinaed so that in an extended position they form an elongate surface which provides separation. However, when not in use such separating devices are difficult to dismantle and store and typically remain in situ and in view.

A more primitive form of providing a secluded environment is to use a simple hook or the like and to affix said hook in a solid surface to which hook, one end of a curtain may be attached and provision of a second hook in an opposite solid surface, permits another end of a curtain to be attached thereto, thus providing a partition. However, the curtain when unhooked still remains in view, may crease and collect dust/dirt.

A problem associated with this general prior art arises in that when the curtain is not in use the curtain is simply pushed to one side/end of a track or pole or hung at one end where it remains until it is required for use. This means that the curtain remains hanging and permanently in view and can be considered to be unattractive and/or untidy. Furthermore the presence of the curtain itself may interfere with surrounding activities, for example during medical emergencies/ward rounds doctors and/or nurses can be caught up in a hospital bed curtain and the curtain can be caught upon passing objects hence, there is a tendency to damage and/or tear the curtain. A hanging curtain can be

considered a fire risk in the confined space of a boat or caravan or campervan or the like. Additionally, a permanent track fixture attracts dust and is difficult to clean by virtue of its height and thus can be considered unhygienic, especially in a hospital environment.

Additionally screens and/or partition boards are bulky and cumbersome and may not easily be stored or readily concealed.

GB 2330301 describes a storage device for storing from view when not in use a screen element such as a shower curtain, a hospital bed screen or a blind. This device mitigates some of the above problems, and in particular provides a space in which an unused curtain or the like can be stowed.

However, the device described therein has some limitations. In particular the separate deployment of the collapsible support and the collapsible curtain or screen member can be clumsy, and the deployment of the screen member from its casing once the collapsible support is deployed and the casing is opened is not a trivial operation.

It is inherently necessary that the screen element stows snugly and flush within the casing when undeployed, since in practice this should take up a very limited depth if the convenience and aesthetics of effective stowage are to be achieved. Getting hold of an end of the screen element in order to draw it out of such a small and compact enclosure is not always straightforward, and nor is the reverse operation to re-stow.

It is an object of the invention to mitigate some or all of these disadvantages.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a hygienic, convenient, safe and tidy storage device for a curtain of like screen that facilitates simultaneous or closely successive deployment of the screen support and the screen element and/or that facilitates the deployment or re-stowage of the screen element within its housing.

In its first aspect, the invention provides a storage device for storing a screen element such as a curtain or the like when not in use, said storage device comprising: a housing, that defines a storage space; a collapsible movable support for supporting a screen element, said support being movable between a storage position whereat it is concealed in the housing and a deployed position whereat it is disposed outside the housing so that a screen element may depend therefrom; and a collapsible screen element having a first fixed edge mounted within the housing and a second deployment edge laterally spaced from the housing whereby the screen element is movable between a stowed position where it is concealed within the housing and an in use position where it is deployed outside the housing in such a manner as to depend from the support; wherein the deployment edge of the screen element comprises a substantially rigid end element extending along at least a part and especially a major part of the length thereof so as to sit flush within the storage space in use, which end element comprises a handle portion providing a member projecting from the end element able to be gripped by the user to draw the deployment edge out of the housing and a push portion to be pushed by a user to restow the deployment edge into the housing in use.

The handle portion includes a handle member that projects out from the end element portion, at least during deployment. It may operate in conjunction with a recess in the end element, the handle member being deployable from the said recess to facilitate deployment of the screen member in use, but

storable within the recess, preferably flush with the surface of the end element to facilitate stowage, or may fixedly extend outward of the end element. In either case the whole assembly should stow flush in the housing when out of use.

The push portion comprises at least a part of, and preferably an identified portion of, the rigid end element remote from the handle and preferably spaced therefrom towards the support. It may be a specifically adapted push plate or like feature on or associated with or forming a part of the end element, for example identified as such by suitable words and/or symbols, or may otherwise be identified, for example in accompanying use instructions.

The rigid end element serves a number of purposes.

First, its rigidity adds weight and stability to the screen element when it is fully deployed. Second, if facilitates re-stowage of the screen element, which can be re-stowed simply by being collapsed by pushing the rigid end element back into the storage space.

Such advantages run counter to the requirement in the prior art that a free edge of the screen element is available to be drawn upon when the screen element is stowed to facilitate deployment. A rigid and generally planar termination to the free edge of the screen element, lying generally flush with, and in particular generally co-extensive with, the closure of the storage space would be contrary to such a requirement. However, the provision of an additional gripping handle portion either projecting from the end element or provided via a recess within the end element in which to accommodate a handle portion which stores in a flush manner when the screen element is stowed but can be deployed out of the recess, thus provide as gripping means to pull the screen

element out and across for deployment, overcomes this fundamental difficulty in providing such a rigid termination. The provision of a push portion similarly facilitates restorage.

The combination of rigid termination with optionally recessed handle and push portion thus facilitates deployment and re-stowage of the screen element by a user while enhancing stability of the screen element when deployed in an admirably simple manner, overcoming many of the disadvantages of the prior art devices.

The handle portion is provided in association with, and for example attached to and projecting from or recessed into, the rigid end element to allow the leading edge of the screen element to be drawn on deployment. The rigid end element preferably extends at least upwardly from the vicinity of the handle in the direction of, and more preferably extends at least entirely up to, the support from which the screen element depends in use. A push portion, for example in the form of a specifically identified or attached push plate, is provided on or constituted by the rigid end element. This is preferably located between the handle portion and the attachment of the screen element to the support on such an upward projection of the rigid end element.

Thus, referenced by position in use, a handle portion is provided on the rigid end element at a point below its point of attachment with the support from which the screen element depends, and a push area is provided therebetween. Preferably, a handle portion is provided towards a middle portion of the length of the screen element (that is, the vertical length in use), for example being located in a section defined as the middle third of the total vertical length, and for example substantially at a midpoint thereof. The push portion is located

above the handle portion in use for example being in an upper third of the length as so defined.

This arrangement is found to be particularly effective in enabling the screen element to be drawn smoothly from the housing for deployment, and pushed back smoothly into a folded structure within the housing for stowage.

The housing comprises an elongate partial or complete enclosure suitable for mounting upon or within a wall or like structure from which the screen element is to be deployed. The enclosure includes an openable closure panel or door, extending along a substantial part of the longitudinal extent of the enclosure, and in particular for substantially the entire length thereof, out of which the collapsible support and screen element may be deployed with the closure panel in an open position.

Conveniently the housing comprises a plurality of panels. Preferably the panels are substantially flat and elongate and are suitably connected together, for example at right angles, so that in the instance of providing two elongate panels the housing is substantially "L" shape in cross-section or is provided as two separate panels suitable positioned to define opposite sides of an enclosure and in the instance of providing three elongate panels the housing is substantially "U" shape in cross-section and in the instance of providing a four elongate panels the housing is substantially square or oblong in cross-section.

It will however be appreciated that the shape and configuration of said housing means can be circular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or the like in cross- section, the exact configuration of which is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Preferably the housing comprises at least one additional surface, suitably positioned at an uppermost terminal or a lowermost terminal portion of the housing, and ideally the housing is provided with two additional surfaces, one at an uppermost and the other at a lowermost terminal position of the housing to complete closure thereof.

It will be appreciated that a single elongate panel may provide concealment, but that it may be preferable to provide two or three or four panels so as to provide a box-like structure with optional upper and lower terminal surfaces in order to more fully conceal and completely/sealingly house a screen element therein. The number of elongate panels and additional terminal surfaces of said housing is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least one panel of the housing is provided with at least one hinge to constitute a closure panel or door as above described. Preferably said hinge(s) is/are suitably positioned with respect to an uppeπnost part of the housing and for example terminal surface to facilitate its opening. For example the hinged closure panel lies in a plane parallel to the surface to which the housing is attached when in a collapsed position and, in contrast, when erected the hinged close panel lies in a plane perpendicular to said surface, thus swinging between these two positions which represent respectively a closed and a fully open position. Ideally, at least one stop member, typically lockable, is provided, so as to determine the degree of movement or swing and thus the orientation of said panel or said support when closed or fully open.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the closure panel and collapsible support are co-operably mounted by suitable mechanical linkage,

and for example fixed together or integrally formed, so as to be co-deployable in use. That is to say, they are co-operably mounted such that the action of the deploying the closure panel to an open position corresponds to the action of deploying the collapsible support to a deployed position, and the action of putting the closure panel in a closed position corresponds to the action of putting the collapsible support into a storage position.

Conveniently, this is achieved in that the housing is provided with an elongate closure panel having a hinged edge and for example upper edge mounting in the manner above described and incorporating in fixed relation for example mounted on an inner surface thereof the collapsible support. In this manner, with the closure panel in a closed configuration a flat outward surface is presented with the support collapsed and stored within the enclosure on an inner surface of the closure panel, but deployment of the closure panel from a closed position, in which it is typically in a plane parallel to the surface to which the housing is attached and for example vertical, to a fully open position, typically where the hinged closure panel lies in a plane perpendicular to such surface and is for example horizontal, the collapsible support is thereby brought to its deployed position so that a screen element may depend therefrom.

Preferably, the device includes a deployment apparatus to facilitate deployment of the collapsible support and /or collapsible support and closure panel combination from its stored to its deployed configuration. For example, the closure panel is hinged in the manner above described and further preferably provided in combination with the collapsible support, and a deployment mechanism acts to facilitate movement of the closure panel or combination from its preferably generally vertical closed configuration to its preferably generally horizontal open configuration. The deployment

mechanism in particular tends to act, for example in conjunction with the hinge, to urge the collapsible support or collapsible support/closure panel combination into a deployed and open configuration, for example perpendicular to the surface against which the device is attached, and for example generally horizontal, so that the screen member can be deployed to depend therefrom.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the deployment mechanism comprises a gas strut mechanism acting on the closure panel and tending to urge it to an open and deployed configuration.

Conveniently the closure panel is provided with a releasable locking mechanism to hold it closed in the closed configuration, for example against the action of any urging force attributable to the gas strut or other deployment mechanism. Means are provide to release this lock. For example, in one embodiment, the lock is a press open/press shut mechanism, operated in conjunction with a further push plate on an outer surface of the closure panel.

The deployment mechanism for the closure panel, and in particular for the fixed combination of closure panel and collapsible support in the preferred embodiment, facilitates ready deployment of the collapsible support to a position where it is suitably positioned to support a screen element depending from it. The end element and recessed handle provided in association with the screen element then facilitate rapid and stable deployment of the screen element its self on the deployed collapsible support. In both respects, operation of the deployment system is more convenient and effective than that described in the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the housing is suitably covered with an appropriate material, being for example a decorative material such as tiles or paint or wallpaper or the like, so as to be commensurate with the aesthetic appearance of the surface to which said housing means is attached to, or associated with, or integral with, or recessed into.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention the housing and/or collapsible support are constructed of suitable material so as to be robust, rustproof and durable. For example the housing and/or collapsible support is/are constructed of plastics material or the like and conveniently the plastics material is pre- formed or extruded or moulded.

In one possible preferred embodiment the housing height generally corresponds to and governs the length of a single fixed length collapsible support stowed therein when the housing is closed, and deployed therefrom to its fixed length when the housing is open. However, in a preferred embodiment, the collapsible support is further of extendible length beyond the extent of the length of the closure when it is in its deployed configuration. Thus, a deployed length of screen element exceeding that of the length of the closure can be accommodated. For example the collapsible support is articulated, being provided with at least one pivot means and/or hinge means and/or joint along its length to facilitate its deployment to a greater extent. Additionally or alternatively, the collapsible support is telescopically extendable.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention the collapsible support comprises at least one hollow receiving means and at least one supporting member wherein the receiving means is suitably sized and shaped so as to receive the supporting member when inserted therein, ideally said receiving

means is marginally greater in cross-sectional diameter than the cross- sectional diameter of the supporting member so as to facilitate insertion.

Preferably the receiving means is adapted so as to releasably engage the supporting member or vice versa. Preferably further associated with the receiving means and/or supporting member is a controllable engaging means wherein, upon insertion of the supporting member into the receiving means, the engaging means is activated in one direction so as to permit insertion therein whilst not permitting retraction thereof without release of the engaging means. It will be appreciated that the engaging means may be any type of one way press lock means that is known in the art and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention the collapsible support is attached to, or associated with, or integral with an upper portion of the housing, preferably a rear panel thereof, and even more preferably an uppermost terminal surface thereof. It may alternatively be directly attached to a wall or like surface. The position and nature of the attachment of the collapsible support means is variable and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the collapsible support or supporting member thereof comprises a rod or pole or the like. Conveniently the rod or pole is lightweight and hollow and constructed of a suitable robust, rustproof, durable material. In once alternative the rod or pole is of a predetermined selected length said length being marginally shorter than that of an elongate panel of a housing so that the rod or pole may be concealed or housed within the housing means when in a collapsed and stored position. Alternatively it is jointed or telescopic as above described to be deployable to greater length.

Preferably the collapsible support is attached to, or associated with, or integral with an underside of a hinged closure panel of the housing. Ideally the closure panel lies in a plane parallel to the surface to which the housing is attached when in a collapsed position and, in contrast when erected the closure panel lies in a plane perpendicular to the surface thus swinging the collapsible support between these two positions.

Alternatively the collapsible support is hinged between two opposing panels of the housing suitably positioned to define an enclosure therebetween. In this particular embodiment of the invention it will be appreciated that the support pivots about one of its ends. It will also be appreciated that the exact nature of the hinging mechanism is not intended to limit the scope of the invention and may be a flush or butt or pivoted hinge or any other type of hinge which is known to use so as to provide pivotal movement about a selected point.

Preferably the screen element comprises a flexible material, for example adapted so as to hang from the collapsible support when deployed. Conveniently, the screen element is provided with a plurality of attachment means adapted so as to permit attachment of the screen element to the collapsible support, so that in the instance of the screen element being provided in a stored position the screen element is gathered to one side and housed within the housing means and, in use, where the collapsible support is provided in an extended position the collapsible support permits movement therealong of the screen element, ideally the screen element is slidably moved therealong so as to provide a barrier to vision and/or splashes or the like when in a drawn position.

It will be appreciated that the screen element may be adapted to provide a

channel through which a supporting member is threaded or alternatively the screen element can be clipped to said supporting member or alternatively said supporting member is suitably adapted so as to provide a track or the like. The exact configuration of the screen element and/or the supporting member is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment the screen element comprises a roller blind or the like whereby said roller blind, in use, is pulled down to a selected position, and released when not in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention a storage device as hereinbefore described is used for preventing splashes from a shower unit to a selected environment.

Preferably the screen element is a curtain and is water-proof and/or splash proof and/or impervious to water.

Preferably the storage device of the invention is provided attached to, or associated with, or integral with a bath or the like.

Preferably the lowermost extent of the housing and for example terminal surface and/or panels of the housing are of commensurate depth dimensions to that of a bath edge/rim.

According to a third said aspect of the invention, a storage device as hereinbefore described is provided as a kit of components parts.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figure 1 represents a front perspective view of a bath and integral shower unit in the instance of a curtain being stored in a storage device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 represents a front perspective view of a bath and shower unit in the instance of a support means being attached to an underside of a panel, shown in an extended position; with figure 2a illustrating the enclosure with a screen element not present, figure 2b illustrating the enclosure with a screen element present but un-deployed, and figure 2c illustrating a screen element deployed;

Figure 3 represents a front perspective view of a bath and shower unit in the instance of a support means being independent of a panel shown in an extended position;

Figure 4 represents a front cross-sectional perspective view of the support means;

Figure 5a represents a plan cross-sectional view of a storage device;

Figure 5b represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a storage device;

Figure 5c represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a storage device.

Figure 5d represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the storage device;

Figure 5e represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative of a storage device;

Figure 5f represents a plan cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a storage device;

With reference first to Figure 1 there is shown a bath (1) and attached at one end there is shown a shower unit (2). It will be appreciated that shower unit (2) in this particular embodiment of the invention is shown attached to a rim (9) of bath (1). However shower unit (2) maybe directly attached to wall (3). In either instance of shower unit positioning there is provided a storage device (A) for containing a shower curtain therein.

Storage device (A) comprises a housing (4). The housing is provided with substantially flat elongate panels (7 and 8). Panel (8) is a side panel, the distance which it projects from the wall is commensurate with the distance of bath rim (9). Panel (7) is provided with a hinge (6) so as to connect panel (7) with an uppermost terminal surface (7A) so as to serve as an openable closure panel. Furthermore, panel (7) is provided with a push plate (5) to assist in opening/closing the panel by means of a press locking mechanism (not shown) of a two-way push-open push-locked type. In this particular representation of the invention a shower curtain is housed within the storage means (4) and thus in this particular instance the curtain is in a stored position and concealed from view.

In use, (with reference to Figure 2) panel (7) is opened by applying sufficient pressure to the push plate (5) so as to operate the lock and release the panel. The panel swings in an upward direction so as to expose the collapsible

support the rail (6), attached therebeneath. Deployment is facilitated by the deploying mechanism which takes the form of gas struts (not shown) acting to tend to urge the closure assembly of panel (7) and support (6) into its deployed configuration.

Interior space (11) of storage device (4) is suitably sized and shaped so as to accommodate a curtain which hangs downwardly when deployed (see figure 2C) from receiving means (12). In the instance of supporting member (10) being engaged in receiving means (12) a track is formed which permits the screen element to slide along supporting member (10) to a terminal end (10A).

Terminal end (10A) is of a greater cross-sectional diameter than supporting member (10) so as to prevent a curtain from sliding all the way off when drawn out. It is apparent from this particular embodiment of the invention that the storage device enclosure (4) comprises essentially an elongate box defined by panels (7, 8, 13 and 14) with terminal uppermost surface (7A) and terminal lowermost surface (7B). It will be appreciated that in the instance of a curtain means comprising a roller blind such roller blind would be attached to or associated with a supporting member (10) and in use would be pulled downwards so as to provide a screen from splashes.

Typically, at least one stop member (not shown) is provided so as to determine the position of the extended supporting member (10) and most ideally locking means are associated therewith so that supporting member 10 can be securely, but reversibly, held in an extended deployed position when in use.

Figure 2B is intended to illustrate the same housing as figure 2A, but with an undeployed curtain present. The curtain is undeployed, and in consequence the main component visible is a rigid end plate (28). As is the case in this

embodiment, the end plate, may extend all or substantially all the length of the curtain, but a partial end plate extending along a part of the length, would still confer the many of the advantages of the invention.

The end plate (28) facilitates stowage in particular in that the end plate constitutes or includes a suitable push portion for a user to effect redeployment, for example as in the embodiment in the form of an identified push plate (35). When stowed the end plate generally flush within the elongate enclosure box defined by the panels (7, 8 13 and 14). The end plate also includes a gripping handle. In the embodiment, this is recessed. Within the end plate is a recess (29) accommodating a handle (30). The handle is deployable from a position where it sits entirely within the recess so as to be no further out than flush with the surface of the end plate (28), and at a position where it extends therefrom to provide a grab handle to draw the curtain outward. In an alternative embodiment, rather than being recessed, the handle is simply fixed to and provides a grabbing portion projecting beyond the end plate. This alternative is shown by handle (30a) in the inset to figure 2B. In either instance, the curtain is deployed from the housing by pulling upon the handle to draw the curtain along the supporting member as described below.

This is illustrated in figure 2C. As deployed, the end plate (28) serves to give additional rigidity over that which would be conferred by a loose edge, and also constitutes a convenient surface to press the curtain (32) back into the housing after use. The curtain (32) is deployed along the supporting member (10) by means of the supporting loops (33), with a trailing edge (31) retained in position within the housing, and a leading edge drawn outward via its connection to the end plate (28). In this manner, the curtain is both admirably deployed and re-stowed with much greater convenience and simplicity than

the prior art, and also exhibits greater rigidity when in use thanks to the rigidity and weight of the end plate.

To stow, the process is reversed, with the end plate (28) being used as a push surface. It will be apparent that it is sufficient that the rigid end plate itself inherently functions as a push surface. However, in an preferred embodiment of the invention, the end plate, or in particular a suitable portion thereof, is specifically identified for use as a push plate, for example being provided with a suitable marking such as suitable words or symbols associated with an area identification. In a most preferred alternative, as illustrated in the specific embodiment, a second rigid plate (35) serves as a specific push plate. In the illustrated embodiment, in practice, the free end of the curtain (32) may thus extend around a rigid end plate (28) with an attached handle, (30, 30a) and push plate (35) both being attached on the other side in a sandwiched manner. Such an arrangement is perfectly consistent with the concept of the invention, that the end of the curtain or like screen element is provided with a rigid termination.

Once the curtain is stowed in the enclosure the panel (7) and support (6) combination is released and swing back to the vertical. Pressure on the push plate (5) operates the lock to retain the panel (7) in its closed position with the curtain stowed for re-use.

The handle (30, 30a) is positioned at or slightly above a midpoint of the vertical height of the end plate (28) which in the embodiment extends the full length of the curtain. This is considered to the optimum position for drawing the curtain from the housing along the support member. The push plate (33) is positioned some distance above this, nearer to the top of the end plate (28),

which is the optimum position for allowing the curtain to be pushed back along the support to be restowed.

In a further embodiment of the invention (depicted in Figure 3) the storage device (4) comprises an enclosure made up of an elongate box of panels (7, 8,

13 and 14). In this instance panel (7) is hinged along its length and is provided with hinges (6 A and 6B). In this embodiment of the invention panel

(7) is opened and closed in a door like fashion and collapsible supporting member (10) is provided independent of attachment to a panel and in a collapsed position is pivoted so as to be housed within storage device (4). No curtain is shown, but one can be envisaged by analogy with Figures 2B ₅ 2C.

Thus in Figures 1, 2 and 3 it is apparent that the storage device essentially comprises an elongate box enclosure in which a curtain or roller blind or any other screen element, designed in the example to prevent splashes in a bathroom, may be housed. The screen element when not in use is folded, for example in concertina manner, so as to be accommodated within the box and supporting member (10) is disengaged from receiving means (12) and pivoted or removed so as to collapse and be housed within the box. The handle similarly sits snugly therein, either by having sufficiently low profile or by fitting into a recess. In use supporting member (10) is engaged in receiving means (12) so as to provide a path the length of supporting member (10) from which the screen element can depend.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an exploded view of one embodiment of the invention in which an articulated version of the collapsible support is shown. It will, however, be appreciated that this is only one embodiment of the invention and that a number of other methods of hinging or jointing or pivoting maybe appropriate. In this particular embodiment of the

invention, storage device (4) comprises elongate panels (13, 14, 17 and 18) and an uppermost terminal surface (7A) to which surface is attached by attachment means (16) receiving means (12). Furthermore, supporting means (12) is adapted so as to provide an engaging means (15). Engaging means (15) is resiliently biased and employs a one way push lock mechanism, so that insertion of supporting member (10) into receiving means (12) depresses engaging means (15) in one way direction only so that said supporting member may not be retracted without manual depression of said engaging means.

In this particular embodiment of the invention supporting member (10) is provided within a frame with side supports (20A and 20B). Side supports (2OA and 20B) are adapted so as to provides recess (18) suitably sized and shaped so as to accommodate a motion limiting cross-support (17) therethrough, whereby insertion of supporting member (10) into receiving means (12) permits limited movement of cross-support (17) in a defined recess (18, 19) in a slidable motion until said cross support (17) is located in recess portion (19) cross-support (17) is then engaged.

Curtain means (not shown) whilst not in use is stored along region (X) of receiving means (12) and upon completion of the insertion procedure, the screen element is transferred onto supporting member (10) and support means (C) provides a support for said curtains means to be drawn along to a terminal end (10A) thus providing an effective barrier to splashes.

It will be appreciated that the number of panels and position of panels of housing means (4) is not intended to limit the scope of the application, and with reference to Figure 5 A there is shown a single panel (13) attached to wall (22) from which projects receiving means (12) of a support means.

Referring to Figure 5B there is shown a single panel (8) which protrudes a selected distance so that line (Y) is marginally greater than the protrusion of receiving means (12).

Referring to Figure 5C there is shown three panels (8, 13 and 14) which comprise housing means (4) for housing receiving means (12). Protrusion of panels (14 and 18) are greater than that of the protrusion distance of receiving means (12). It will be appreciated that although not depicted in the Figures, an alternative embodiment of the invention is to provide three panels (14, 8 and 7) so as to house receiving means (12).

Referring now to Figure 5D there is shown a pair of panels (13 and 18) partially concealing receiving means (12).

Referring now to Figures 5E and 5F there is shown the preferred embodiments of the invention wherein said storage device comprises four panels substantially box-like in structure, and in the instance of Figure 5E panel (7) is pivoted by hinges (6) so as to move upwardly in direction (Z); in the instance of Figure 5F panel (7) is provided with hinge (6) so as to open in a door like fashion.

The invention as hereinbefore described has inventively and elegantly overcome the problems associated with the prior art and has provided a novel storage device for housing a curtain when not in use, so as to improve safety and aesthetic appeal to any environment in which said storage device is installed.