AU2008249233A1

AU2008249233A1 - Screen Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2008249233A1
Application number: AU2008249233A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Antony Wynne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-27
Filing date: 2008-11-27
Publication date: 2010-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-27
Also published as: AU2008249233B2

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "SCREEN ASSEMBLY" Applicant: MARK ANTONY WYNNE Associated provisional applications: The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "SCREEN ASSEMBLY" 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to screen assembly for fixing a solid mesh screen across an opening, such as a door or window. Background to the Invention 10 Screen assemblies typically comprise a sheet of mesh, such as a solid steel mesh, held between a plurality of members constructed into a frame. The frame most commonly comprises four frame members constructed into a rectangular shape, each having a slot into which an edge of the mesh is received. 15 Such screens can be used in a range of applications. In certain applications, the mesh is expected to be able to withstand a significant impact. One such application is the use on buildings to provide protection against impacts which may be caused during a severe storm or cyclone. Australian standards set out 20 the impact resistance necessary to meet the standard required for use in cyclone prone areas. The tests include the ability of the mesh to remain engaged with the side frame members when subject to a specified force. One method of constructing screen assemblies in order to ensure such 25 standards are met includes permanent fixings, such as screws, securing through the mesh and frame. As the mesh is commonly steel and the frames generally aluminium, such as arrangement can result in corrosion due to the contact between different metals. 30 The present invention relates to a screen assembly aimed at overcoming, at least in part, the abovementioned problems.

3 Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a screen assembly comprising: 5 a sheet of mesh material having a portion adjacent the edge thereof folded back such that the edge portion is generally parallel to the main body of the sheet; a frame assembly comprising one or more frame members, each frame member having a slot for receiving the edge of the mesh material; 10 a protrusion extending inwardly from a first side of the slot; and a wedge member to be received between the mesh material and a second side of the slot such that the mesh material is engaged by the wedge member to retain the mesh; wherein when sufficient force is applied to the mesh material to cause 15 movement of the mesh outwardly of the slot, the folded edge portion engages with the protrusion on the first side of the slot. Preferably, a lug is provided extending transversely to the innermost side wall of the protrusion, the lug extending towards the inner surface of the slot such 20 that when the mesh moves outwardly of the slot, the folded edge portion engages with the protrusion between the lug and the first side of the slot. Preferably an insulator member is provided between the mesh material and the first side of the slot such that the insulator member prevents the mesh 25 from coming into contact with the first side of the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the insulator member includes a first portion shaped complementary to the first side of the slot and a second inner portion extending transversely of the first portion such that the second inner portion is located in use against an inner wall of the slot to prevent the mesh coming 30 into contact with the inner wall. Preferably, the second inner portion extends along the full length of the inner wall.

4 The protrusion preferably comprises a pair of side walls extending transversely of the first side of the slot, the side walls defining a groove to receive a ridge provided on the insulator member. The groove may include a 5 narrowed outer end with the ridge being T-shaped in cross section such that the ridge is received in the groove by sliding. The wedge member may include a tapered end portion received between the mesh and the second side wall. Preferably, the wedge member includes 10 serrations on a first surface thereof, the serrations engaging with corresponding serrations on the second side of the slot. Further, the wedge member also preferably includes ribs on a second opposite surface, the ribs engaging in use with the mesh. 15 Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view of a screen assembly in accordance 20 with the present invention; and Figure 2 is an exploded side cross sectional view of the screen assembly of Figure 1. 25 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures, there is shown a screen assembly 10 comprising a sheet of mesh material 12, edges of which are received in slots 14 provided in one or more frame members 16. 30 In the embodiment shown, the frame member 16 illustrated is of a type that may be used on an application such as a screen door. The frame member 16 includes an outer body portion 18 and an inner portion 20 in which is provided the slot 14.

5 The slot 14 comprises generally parallel first and second sides 22 and 24 and an inner wall 26. Outermost portions of the first and second sides 22 and 24 define an opening 30 into which is received the mesh 12. The first side 22 of 5 the slot 14 includes a protrusion 28 adjacent the opening 30. The protrusion 28 comprises a pair of side walls 32 extending transversely of the first side 22 of the slot 14. Between the side walls 32 is a provided a groove 34. The innermost of the side walls 32 includes a lug 36 adjacent a distal end thereof. The lug 36 extends transversely of the side wall 32 towards the inner wall 26 10 of the slot 14. The screen assembly 10 is provided with an insulator member 38 and a wedge member 40. The insulator member 38 is to be placed between the mesh 12 and the first side 22 of the slot 14. The insulator member 38 is 15 expected to be constructed of a plastic material such that the mesh 12 does not come into contact with the first side 22 of the slot 14. The insulator member 38 includes a first portion 42 constructed of a corresponding shape to the first side 22 of the slot 14, including the protrusion 28. The insulator member 38 also includes a second inner portion 44 which extends 20 transversely of the first portion 42 and is located in use against the inner wall 26 of the slot 14 to prevent the mesh 14 coming into contact with the inner wall 26. The second inner portion 44 preferably extends generally along the full length of the inner wall 26. 25 The first portion 42 of the insulator member 38 is provided with a ridge 48. The ridge 48 is located such that it can be received in the groove 34 between the side walls 32 of the protrusion 28. The ridge 48 is T-shaped in cross section such that the ridge 48 is received in the groove 34 by sliding, thereby retaining the insulator 38 relative to the first side 22 of the slot 14. 30 The wedge member 40 is dimensioned to be forced in use between the mesh 12 and the second side 24 of the slot 14. The wedge 40 is expected to be constructed of a plastic material and includes a tapered end 50 such that the tapered end 50 can be inserted into the slot 14 between the second side 24 6 and the mesh 12 and then hammered into place. When in position, the wedge member 40 engages the mesh 12, which is wedged between the wedge member 40 and the insulator member 38 which is pressed against the first side 22 of the slot 14. 5 The wedge member 40 may include serrations 52 on a first surface thereof to engage with serrations 54 on the second wall 24 to restrict movement of the wedge member 40 out of the slot 14. The wedge member 40 may also include ribs 56 on a second opposite surface thereof to engage with the mesh 12. The 10 wedge member 40 is also provided with a lip 57 adjacent the outermost end. The lip engages with the frame member 16 adjacent the edge of the opening 30. The mesh 12 is provided with a folded edge portion 58. The folded edge 15 portion 58 is folded back such that the edge portion 58 is generally parallel to the body of the mesh 12 (as can be seen in Figure 1). The screen assembly 10 is provided with a spacer strip 60 which is placed between the folded edge portion 58 and the body of the mesh 12. The folded edge portion 58 can be pressed against the spacer strip 60 such that edge portion 58 is parallel to 20 and spaced apart from the body of the mesh 12. In normal use conditions, the mesh 12 is held in place between the insulator member 38 and the wedge member 40. As the body of the mesh 12 is held closely against the protrusion 28, the folded edge portion 58 is located below 25 the protrusion 28. Therefore, if sufficient force were applied to overcome that provided by the wedge member 40 causing the mesh 12 to be pulled outwardly of the slot 14, the folded edge portion 58 would come into contact with the protrusion 28. The engagement between the protrusion 28 and the folded edge portion 58 would provide further resistance to the mesh 12 30 moving out of the slot 14. As the edge portion 58 engages between the lug 36 and the first side 22 of the slot 14, the lug 36 also prevents the edge portion 58 from disengaging with the protrusion 28. It is expected that under such significant forces, the edge portion 58 of the mesh 12 may punch through the insulator member 38 and engage directly with the protrusion 28.

7 Therefore, under normal conditions, the mesh 12 does come into contact with the inner surfaces of the frame member 16. However, in the event that the mesh 12 is struck with sufficient force to overcome that provided by the wedge 5 member 40, the protrusion 28 and lug 36 will provide further force to prevent the mesh 12 from fully disengaging with the slot 14. 10 It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

1. A screen assembly comprising: a sheet of mesh material having a portion adjacent the edge thereof folded back such that the edge portion is generally parallel to the main body of the sheet; 10 a frame assembly comprising one or more frame members, each frame member having a slot for receiving the edge of the mesh material; a protrusion extending inwardly from a first side of the slot; and a wedge member to be received between the mesh material and a second side of the slot such that the mesh material is engaged by the wedge member 15 to retain the mesh; wherein when sufficient force is applied to the mesh material to cause movement of the mesh outwardly of the slot, the folded edge portion engages with the protrusion on the first side of the slot. 20

2. A screen assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein a lug is provided extending transversely to the innermost side wall of the protrusion, the lug extending towards the inner surface of the slot such that when the mesh moves outwardly of the slot, the folded edge portion engages with the protrusion between the lug and the first side of the slot. 25

3. A screen assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein an insulator member is provided between the mesh material and the first side of the slot such that the insulator member prevents the mesh from coming into contact with the first side of the slot. 30

4. A screen assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein the insulator member includes a first portion shaped complementary to the first side of the slot and a second inner portion extending transversely of the first portion such that the second inner portion is located in use against an inner wall of the slot 35 to prevent the mesh coming into contact with the inner wall. 9

5. A screen assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein the second inner portion extends generally along the full length of the inner wall. 5

6. A screen assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion comprises a pair of side walls extending transversely of the first side of the slot, the side walls defining a groove to receive a ridge provided on the insulator member. 10

7. A screen assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the groove includes a narrowed outer end and the ridge is T-shaped in cross section such that the ridge is received in the groove by sliding. 15

8. A screen assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wedge member includes a tapered end portion received between the mesh and the second side wall.

9. A screen assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding 20 claims, wherein the wedge member includes serrations on a first surface thereof, the serrations engaging with corresponding serrations on the second side of the slot.

10. A screen assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the wedge 25 member includes ribs on a second opposite surface, the ribs engaging in use with the mesh.

11. A screen assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wedge member is provided with a lip adjacent the 30 outermost end thereof to engage with the frame member adjacent an edge of the slot. 10

12. A screen assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5 Mark Antony Wynne by his Patent Attorneys Armour IP