Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A SCREEN ASSEMBLY
This invention relates to a screen assembly.
This invention has particular but not exclusive
application to a security screen assembly for doors and
windows of buildings including domestic residences and such
like, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to
such application. However, it is to be understood that this
invention could be used in other applications, such as
security screens for motor vehicles including those used by
police to detain persons. The invention may also be used in
the construction of insect screens for doors and windows as
well as screens for covering openings in drains, air
conditioning vents and such like, or as a wall or petition
for structures such as bus shelters and telephone boxes. The
screen assembly may also be used in the construction of cages
and such like which may be used to detain animals or
prisoners.
Typically security screens include a frame, consisting
of a plurality of frame members, and a sheet of stainless
steel mesh secured to adjacent frame members by clamping
members. The clamping members are usually fastened to the
frame members using a plurality of threaded fasteners or
rivets spaced along the length of the frame members. The
fasteners are typically hidden from view by a cover strip
made from a plastics material which is not very aesthetic,
the cover strip being mounted on the internal face of the
frame member.
SUHSTITUZ'E SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU)
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2
Unfortunately security screens of the type described
above are not always effective in preventing intruders
passing through a window or door fitted with same. For
example thieves who may have gained entry into the house may
use a cold chisel to sever the heads of rivets used to fasten
clamping members to the frame members thereby enabling
thieves to dislodge the stainless steel mesh. Similarly, a
screw driver may be used to unscrew the threaded fasteners
used to secure the mesh to the screen.
Furthermore, the pressure applied by the fasteners to
the mesh is not evenly distributed along the length of the
mesh and wherein as a consequence the screens include weak
spots located between adjacent fasteners.
Other screens may include gaps between the clamping
members and the mesh and/or the frame member which are wide
enough to allow persons to insert a screw driver or such like
therebetween so as to prise the mesh apart or dislodge the
clamping members.
It is also noted that the clamping members and the frame
members are usually manufactured from aluminium and wherein
the fasteners axe manufactured from a variety of metals
including steel and brass. Contact between dissimilar
metals, such as between the clamping members and the
stainless steel mesh, or the brass screws and the clamping
members, often leads to galvanic corrosion of at least one of
the elements of the screens referred to above which in turn
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has a detrimental effect on the efficiency and aesthetics of
same. For example, due to the corrosive effects of sea air,
the fasteners often become brittle and whereby their ability
to withstand blows to the stainless steel mesh is severely
inhibited.
It is also noted that security screens of the type
described above are time consuming to manufacture.
The present invention aims to alleviate at least one of
the above disadvantages and to provide a screen assembly
which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects
and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become
apparent.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, this
invention in one aspect resides broadly in a security screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material having an edge portion;
a frame assembly including a plurality of elongate frame
members which are assembled in such a manner that they define
an opening which is at least partially closed by said sheet
of a mesh like material and wherein at least one of said
frame members includes an elongate slot;
an elongate fastener closely received in said elongate
slot, said elongate fastener having an elongate opening which
closely receives said edge portion of said mesh like
material.
Preferably the edge portion extends along the entire
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length or the width of the sheet of mesh like material and
wherein the entire edge portion is retained by the elongate
fastener.
Preferably, the elongate fastener is fractionally
retained within the slot and wherein the fastener may be
constructed from a deformable material.
In one embodiment, the fastener may be constructed from
two materials. For example, the material which bears against
the mesh like material may be easily deformed and may readily
conform to the shape of the mesh like material. Furthermore,
some of the material that bears against the mesh like
material may be so deformable that it may in fact penetrate
the gaps between adjacent wefts or adjacent warps.
The material that bears against the frame member however
may be harder than the material that bears against the mesh
like material. For example, the fastener may include a
hardened skin which may also be useful in guarding against
penetration of a object, such as a screw driver, between the
frame member and the mesh like material
Preferably, the attachment means consists of gripping
means adapted to grip opposing sides of an edge portion of
the sheet of mesh like material and a recess associated with
one of the frame members which is adapted to retain the
gripping means. For example, in one embodiment the gripping
means may be jammed into the slot which may be a recess.
However, in other embodiments the gripping means may be
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retained within the recess by the use of a suitable adhesive
applied preferably to the entire length of the gripping
means.
In another aspect this invention relates to a screen
5 assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
gripping means adapted to grip opposing sides of an edge
portion of said sheet of mesh like material;
a frame assembly including a plurality of frame members
which are assembled in such a manner that they define an
opening which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a
mesh like material and wherein at least one of said frame
members includes retaining means having an opening which is
adapted to receive said gripping means.
Preferably the retaining means is a recess and the
gripping means is jammed into the recess. However it will be
appreciated that in other embodiments,,the gripping means may
be retained within the recess by the use of a suitable
adhesive or a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as
screws or rivets.
In another aspect this invention relates to a screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
gripping means adapted to hold an edge portion of said
sheet of a mesh like material;
a frame assembly including a plurality of frame members
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which are assembled in such a manner that they define an
opening which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a
mesh like material and wherein there is provided a recess
associated with at least one of said frame members, said
recess being adapted to receive said gripping means and
wherein said gripping means is retained within said recess by
a suitable adhesive.
In another aspect this invention relates to a screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
gripping means adapted to grip an edge portion of said
sheet of mesh like material;
a frame including a plurality of frame elements which
are arranged in a manner such that they define an opening
which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a mesh
like material, and
mounting means associated with one of said frame
elements for mounting said gripping means to said frame
element.
In a preferred embodiment the gripping means acts like a
plug and said mounting means includes a recess which is
adapted to receive said plug. Preferably the gripping means
is dammed in to~the recess and is retained therein.
In yet another aspect this invention relates to a screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
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a plug like means associated with an edge portion of
said sheet of mesh like material;
a frame including a plurality of frame elements which
are arranged in a manner such that they define an opening
which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a mesh
like material, and
receiving means associated with one of said frame
elements which is adapted to receive and retain said plug
like means.
In one embodiment the plug like means may include an
edge portion of the mesh like material which has been
deformed in some way so as to render it thicker than the
central portion of the mesh like material. For example the
mesh like material may include folded or enlarged edge
portions which may be used as a plug.
In an alternative embodiment the plug like means may
consist of selected edge portions of the mesh like material
which are coated with an additional layer or numerous layers
of a metal or a plastics material so as to create an enlarged
edge portion which may be used as a plug.
In yet another embodiment the plug like means may
consist of an additional member, such as a strip of wood,
metal or plastics material which is fastened to the edge
portion of the mesh like material using one or more fasteners
or a suitable adhesive and wherein use the additional member
may be dammed into the receiving means. In some embodiments
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the additional member may be shaped like a wedge and may
include one or more tapered side walls.
In yet another aspect this invention relates to a screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
a frame including a plurality of frame elements which
are arranged in a manner such that they define an opening
which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a mesh
like material;
attachment means for attaching said sheet of a mesh like
material to at least one of said frame elements, the pressure
applied by said attachment means to said sheet of a mesh like
material being substantially even along the length of said
sheet of a mesh like material.
Preferably the attachment means includes gripping means
adapted to grip opposing sides of an edge portion of the
sheet of mesh like material and a recess associated with one
of the frame members which is adapted to retain the gripping
means. For example, in one embodiment the gripping means may
be dammed into the recess. However, in other embodiments the
gripping means may be retained within the recess by the use
of a suitable adhesive applied preferably to the entire
length of the gripping means.
In yet another aspect this invention relates to a screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
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a frame including a plurality of frame elements which
are arranged in a manner such that they define an opening
which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a mesh
like material;
attachment means for attaching said sheet of a mesh like
material to at least one of said frame elements, and
insulation means separating said sheet of a mesh like
material from said frame elements.
In a preferred embodiment the attachment means includes
gripping means adapted to grip an edge portion of the mesh
like material and wherein at least those portions of said
gripping means which are in contact with either the mesh or
the frame elements are manufactured from an insulating
material such as a plastics material or a rubber material.
However it will be appreciated that in other embodiments
the attachment means may consist of plug like means made from
an insulating material. For example, as stated previously,
selected edge portions of the mesh like material may be
coated with one or more layers of a plastics material so as
to create an enlarged edge portion which may be dammed in a
receiving means of a frame element. Alternatively an
additional member manufactured from an insulated material may
be secured to opposing sides of an edge portion of the mesh
like material that is retained within a receiving means of a
frame member.
In still yet another aspect this invention relates to a
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screen assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
a frame including a plurality of frame elements which
are arranged in a manner such that they define an opening
5 which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a mesh
like material;
attachment means for attaching said sheet of a mesh like
material to at least one of said frame elements, and
filling means locatable intermediate said sheet of a
10 mesh like material and adjacent edge portions of said frame
element to which said mesh like material is attached whereby
said filling means inhibits the insertion of a foreign object
between said edge portions and said sheet of a mesh like
material.
In a preferred embodiment the attachment means includes
gripping means adapted to grip an edge portion of the mesh
like material, said gripping means having a gripping portion
which is locatable intermediate the mesh like material and
the adjacent edge of the frame element which acts also as a
filling means.
Alternatively the filling means may include a mouldable
material which may be inserted in a recess formed in the
frame element and wherein an edge portion of the mesh like
material may be immersed in the mouldable material before it
has had time to set.
In yet another embodiment, the filling means may include
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pads/portions of a deformable material positioned
intermediate the mesh and the frame elements during the
assembly process.
In yet another aspect this invention relates to a screen
assembly including:
a sheet of a mesh like material;
a frame including a plurality of frame elements which
are arranged in a manner such that they define an opening
which is at least partially closed by said sheet of a mesh
like material, and
attachment means for attaching said sheet of a mesh like
material to at least one of said frame elements,
characterised in that said attachment means does not include
fasteners which extend at least part way through said frame
and said sheet of a mesh like material is not mounted on the
exterior of the frame.
In a preferred embodiment the attachment means includes
gripping means adapted to grip an edge portion of the mesh
like material and is sandwiched between opposing portions of
the frame such as a recess formed therein.
With regard to each of the various aspects of the
invention referred to above, the mesh like material may be of
woven or non-woven construction and manufactured from a
variety of metal and/or plastics materials. Depending upon
the intended purpose of the screen, the mesh may be a rigid,
semi-rigid or a flexible mesh. For example, insect screen
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assemblies may include a flexible mesh manufactured from a
plastics material.
Security screens, drains and screens mounted over
openings in vents and such like typically include a rigid
mesh. Accordingly, in some applications the mesh like
material may be manufactured from extruded fibres composed of
synthetic long chain polyamides which are very strong and are
often referred to by the trade name "kevlar". Alternatively,
the mesh like material may be manufactured from aluminium,
brass, steel, stainless steel or numerous other metal alloys.
The mesh like material may be of a woven or non-woven
construction and in the case of security screens, while
primarily intended to resist attack by would be intruders,
the mesh like material may also be adapted to inhibit the
passage therethrough of selected insects and/or other pests
such as mice and snakes. For example, the mesh like material
may include a plurality of wires woven together in a manner
whereby the spacing between adjacent wefts is no greater than
2.2mm and the spacing between adjacent warps is no greater
than 2.2mm. Alternatively the mesh like material may be an
expanded mesh.
The gripping means referred to above may consist of two
opposing gripping members linked by connecting means.
The connecting means may consist of an intermediate web
portion linking the two gripping members. Alternatively, the
connecting means may include a fastener, such as rivet or a
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13
screw, used to secure one gripping member to the other.
The gripping members may be adapted to cover or envelop
an edge portion of the mesh like material, the gripping means
being manufactured from a plastics material such as nylon or
PVC. The external walls of the gripping means may be adapted
to engage abutting portions of the retaining means. For
example the external walls may be tapered and/or may include
ribs, barbs or other surface irregularities.
The gripping members may be constructed from a variety
of materials including various metals and plastics materials.
The construction of the gripping members may be substantially
homogeneous.
Alternatively, the gripping means may be constructed
from two or more different materials.
For example, the gripping members may have a laminar
construction and wherein the portion of each gripping member
that bears against the mesh like material may be more easily
deformed and hence more inclined to conform to the shape of
the mesh like material than the portion of the gripping
member that bears against the surfaces of the retaining
means.
The retaining means may include a channel shaped recess
extending at least part way along the length of the frame
element or frame member. For example, the frame member may
be constructed from an extruded section and wherein the
extrusion may include a recess formed therein which is
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adapted to receive an edge portion of the mesh like material
and any gripping means that may be attached thereto.
Alternatively a separate member having a recess formed
therein which is adapted to receive an edge portion of the
mesh like material and any gripping means attached thereto
may be secured to the frame element or frame member.
In order that this invention may be more easily
understood and put into practical effect, reference will now
be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a
preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional end view of a security
screen assembly constructed in accordance with the
present invention, said assembly being shown in a
partially disassembled state;
FIGS. 2 & 3 both include cross-sectional end views of
the security screen assembly illustrated in figure l;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of another security
screen assembly constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a corner section of the
security screen assembly illustrated in figure 4;
FIG. 6 is an end view of a window frame member used in
the construction of the security screen assembly
illustrated in figure 4;
FIG. 7 is an end view of an insert used in the
construction of the security screen assembly illustrated
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in figure 4;
FIG. 8 is an end view of a stepped window frame member
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an end view of a mid rail frame member
5 constructed in accordance with the present invention,
and
FIG. 10 is an end view of a door frame member
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a security screen assembly 10
10 which includes a rectangular frame constructed from a
plurality of frame members 12 which define an opening which
is closed by a sheet of a mesh like material 14.
The mesh like material includes a woven grid of
stainless steel wire which has dimensions selected from the
15 table below.
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No. of Mesh Wire Mesh open weft/warp
Wires per Diameter area spacings
25mm in mm in mm
14 x 14 0,8 29.8% O.lmm
14 x 14 0.7 36.2% l.lmm
14 x 14 0.5 31.0% l.3mm
12 x 12 1.0 25.4% l.Omm
12 x 12 0.9 33.2$ l.2mm
12 x 12 0.7 43.6% l.4mm
12 x 12 0.6 51.8% l.5mm
11 x 11 1.0 25.4% l.Omm
11 x 11 0.9 33.2$ l.2mm
11 x 11 0.8 43.6% l.4mm
11 x 11 0.7 51.8% l.5mm
10 x 10 1.2 28.1% l.3mm
10 x 10 1.0 34.8$ l.Omm
10 x 10 0.9 42.3% l.6mm
10 x 10 0.8 46.2% l.7mm
10 x 10 0.7 51.8% l.8mm
8 x 8 1.2 38.9% 2.Omm
8 x 8 1.0 45.2% 2.lmm
8 x 8 0.9 51.8% 2.2mm
The frame members 12 are each cut from an extruded
length of stainless steel or aluminium and wherein angled
stakes, not shown, are used to connect the mitred ends of
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adjacent frame members together.
The frame members 12 each include two parallel opposing
external side walls 18 which are maintained in a spaced
relationship be an intermediate external web like member 19.
Each frame member 12 also includes an internal channel shaped
recess 20 which is open to the exterior of the extrusion.
The internal recess 20 includes two opposing side walls 21
which are connected to the side walls 18 by respective
flanges 22. The side walls 21 are interconnected by an
internal web like member 23 and converge toward an opening 24
defined by the edges of said flanges 22.
The internal recess 20 is adapted to receive a
complementary shaped insert or cover strip 25 which is
manufactured from a nylon material. The insert 25 includes
two opposing side walls 26 having ramped external surfaces 27
and parallel internal surfaces 28. The side walls 26 are
interconnected by an intermediate web like member 29.
The internal surfaces 28 preferably include a matrix of
lateral and longitudinal ribs 29 which are locatable on
either side of the wefts and warps of the mesh like material
when the edge portions of said mesh like material are each
located within a respective insert 25.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second screen assembly 30
of similar construction to the screen assembly 10. The
screen assembly 30 includes a rectangular frame comprising a
plurality of frame members 32 which define an opening which
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1$
is closed by a sheet of a mesh like material 14.
The frame members 32 are each cut from an extruded
length of stainless steel or aluminium and wherein angled
stakes, the ends of which are located in respective tubular
portions 33, are used to connect the mitred ends 37 of
adjacent frame members together.
The frame members 32 each include two parallel opposing
external side walls 38 which are maintained in a spaced
relationship be an intermediate external web like member 39.
Each frame member 12 also includes an internal channel shaped
recess 40 which is open to the exterior of the extrusion.
The internal recess 40 includes two opposing side walls 41.
The side walls 41 are interconnected by an internal web like
member 43. The upper portions 42 of the side walls 41 each
include a plurality of barb like ribs 42a which extend
longitudinally along the length of the frame member.
The internal recess 40 is adapted to receive a
complementary shaped insert or cover strip 45 which is
manufactured from a nylon material. The insert 45 includes
two opposing side walls 46 having external surfaces 47 and
internal surfaces 48. The side walls 46 are interconnected
by an intermediate web like member 49.
The internal surfaces 48 preferably include a plurality
of recesses or grooves 49a which extend longitudinally along
the length thereof in which selected portions of the mesh 14
may nest as illustrated in the figures.
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The upper portions 47a of the external side walls 47
diverge away from one another in the general direction of the
opening 44. The upper portions 47a of the side walls 47 each
include a plurality of barb like ribs 47b which extend
longitudinally along the length of the insert.
In use, the frame members 12 are cut into suitable
lengths and wherein an insert 25 is slid into the internal
recess such that it extends substantially along the length
thereof.
Before connecting the individual frame members 12
together, the end portions of the mesh like material are each
inserted between the opposing walls 26 of the insert, the
distance separating said walls 26 being slightly less than
the width of the mesh.
The frame members 12 are interconnected by a plurality
of angled stake members whereby each arm member of the stake
member is located in a respective cavity 60.
If a pulling force is applied to the mesh, it tends to
pull the insert out of the frame. However due to the reverse
tapper of the insert, the insert tends to tighten about the
mesh as illustrated in figure 3.
The second security screen assembly 30 is assembled in a
similar fashion but wherein the inserts 45 are fitted to the
edge portions of the mesh prior to the insertion of the
inserts 45 into respective internal recesses 40, the width of
the inserts being slightly larger than the width of the
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recesses 40. The barbs 47b engage complementary barbs 42a as
illustrated in figures 4 and 5. The engagement of the
respective barbs resists the removal of the mesh from the
frame member.
5 The frame members 32 in turn are interconnected by a
plurality of angled stake members, the ends of which are
located in respective tubular portions 33, as previously
described.
It will be appreciated that in use the inserts grip the
10 mesh located therebetween and apply an even pressure to the
mesh along the length of the frame members. The inserts
also insulate the mesh from the frame members and fill any
gaps between the mesh and the frame members.
Figure 8 illustrates a stepped window frame member 132
15 which is very similar to the frame member 32. The frame
member 132 may be cut from an extruded length of stainless
steel or aluminium and wherein angled stakes, the ends of
which are located in respective tubular portions 133, may be
used to connect the mitred ends of adjacent frame members 132
20 together.
The frame member 132 includes two parallel opposing
external side walls 138 and 138a which are maintained in a
spaced relationship be an intermediate external web like
member 139. Each frame member 132 also includes a channel
shaped recess 140 which is open to the exterior of the
extrusion. The recess 140 includes two opposing internal
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side walls 141. The side walls 141 are interconnected by an
internal web like member 143. The upper portions 142 of the
side walls 141 each include a plurality of barb like ribs
142a which extend longitudinally along the length of the
frame member. The recess 140 is adapted to receive a
complementary shaped insert or cover strip 45.
The tubular portion 146 of the frame member 132 may be
located within a channel shaped portion of an adjacent window
frame member and wherein in order to accommodate the
narrowness of some channel portions, the side wall 138a
includes a stepped portion 138b.
Figure 9 illustrates a mid rail frame member 232 which
is very similar to the frame member 32. The frame member
232 may be cut from an extruded length of stainless steel or
aluminium and includes two parallel opposing external side
walls 238 which are maintained in a spaced relationship by an
intermediate web like member 239. The walls 238 and web 239
define two opposing channel shaped recesses 240 which are
each open to the exterior of the extrusion and are adapted to
receive a complementary shaped insert or plug 45.
Each recess 240 includes two opposing internal side
walls 241 and wherein the upper portions 242 of the side
walls 241 each include a plurality of barb like ribs 242a
which extend longitudinally along the length of the frame
member.
Figure 10 illustrates a door frame member 332 which is
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very similar to the frame member 32. The door frame member
332 may be cut from an extruded length of stainless steel or
aluminium and wherein angled stakes, the ends of which are
located in respective tubular portions 333, may be used to
connect the mitred ends of adjacent frame members 332
together.
The door frame member 332 includes an open channel
shaped recess 340 mounted on the tubular portion 333, the
recess 340 being defined by two opposing side walls 338 and
an intermediate web like member 339. The recess 340 includes
two opposing internal side walls 341 and wherein the upper
portions 342 of the side walls 341 each include a plurality
of barb like ribs 342a which extend longitudinally along the
length of the frame member. The recess 340 is adapted to
receive a complementary shaped insert or cover strip 45.
The door frame member 332 also includes a shallow open
channel shaped recess 350 and wherein use rollers or hinges
may be located within said recess.
It will of course be realised that the above has been
given only by way of illustrative example of the present
invention and that all such modifications and variations
thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art
are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this
invention as is herein defined in the appended claims.
