AU2015202227B2

AU2015202227B2 - Security Door or Window Screen

Info

Publication number: AU2015202227B2
Application number: AU2015202227A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jim Reid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-30
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2019-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-29
Also published as: AU2015202227A1

Abstract

A security door or window comprising a panel of plastic material for closing a door or window opening in a 5 building, wherein the panel comprises one of acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting. 64354891 (GHMatters) P97002.AU.1 NICOLAL 29/04/15 LO) LC)O LC)O LC)O

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to security doors and windows .

BACKGROUND

Security screens are used to prevent intruders from accessing buildings. For many decades, these screens have been fabricated using metals due to the strength requirements of the screens. The metal is provided in a variety of forms including woven mesh, perforated sheet, expanded sheet, bars and grilles.

The cost of metal screens is quite high and all such screens require a surface coating to prevent corrosion or for enhanced appearance. Moreover, steel screens can be quite heavy.

More recently, shop roller-doors and commercial street frontages have been protected using arrays of interconnected metal frames that hold small, translucent panels. However, these frame and panel arrangements cannot be used as security screens. The small panels are formed from sheets of plastic that are relatively thin so as to contain costs. Being thin, the small panels are also flexible. It is for this reason that the small panels are used as a glass replacement in situations where it is desirable for panels to be capable of absorbing impact.

The small translucent panels are formed from materials that are flexible, when compared with metals and, in use, sit in openings in metal frames. Since the small translucent panels are flexible, relative to metals and glass, the openings in the frames must be small. This is so that an intruder cannot fit through the opening if a panel is flexed and removed. Moreover, so that the translucent panels are not continually removed or stolen, the openings in the frames must be sufficiently small, to

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 make it difficult to force the panels out of the frames. Since the frames necessarily only retain small panels, the metal frames and translucent panels of the prior art are inappropriate for use as domestic security screens.

In addition, domestic security screens must be able to permit airflow to ventilate the interior of a building, yet be insect-rated - in other words, block the passage of insects. The frames of shop roller-doors and commercial street frontages provide large gaps that permit passage of insects and are not ventilated.

It would be desirable to provide a reduced cost domestic security screen that ventilates the interior space of a 15 building while being insect-rated. It would also be desirable to provide a reduced-cost alternative to existing domestic security screens.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a security door or window comprising:

a panel formed form a sheet of plastic material for closing a door or window opening in a building;

a movement mechanism at a side of the panel, for pivotally connecting the panel to the building; and a latch mechanism at a side of the panel, for latching the panel to the door or window opening, wherein the panel includes a plurality of apertures to permit passage of air through the panel, and wherein:

the security door or window further comprises a mesh screen overlaying the one or more apertures that are not insect-rated, wherein the mesh screen and panel together render the security door or window insect-rated and wherein the panel comprises one of acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting.

In an embodiment, the panel is of sufficient thickness that the security door or window will remain latched to the opening, when in use, during performance testing.

The performance testing may be conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039. For example, testing may be performed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039.2008. The performance testing may involve one or more of a dynamic impact test, jemmy test, impact test or slash test.

The security door or window may further comprise a peripheral frame movably connectable by the movement mechanism to the building, the panel being installed in the frame.

Also described is an assembly for closing an opening of a building, comprising:

a peripheral retaining member;

a sheeting member including a panel of plastic material, the panel being retained in the retaining member to close the opening of the building, wherein the panel includes a plurality of apertures to permit passage of air through the panel, and wherein the sheeting member is insect-rated.

The panel may be of sufficient thickness that the sheeting member will remain retained in the retaining member during performance testing in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039.

The terms 'insect-rated' and 'insect-grade' are interchangeable and describe an article including apertures or perforations that are not large enough to permit the passage of insects therethrough. Where the sheeting member comprises two components, such as a panel and a screen, neither the panel nor screen need be insect4

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 rated in its own right in order for the combination of the panel and screen to be insect-rated. For example, where the screen is a mesh screen, the fibres of the mesh screen may partially obscure the apertures in the panel, rather than bounding those apertures, and thereby reduce the area through which an insect must pass in order to gain access to a building through the article (e.g. a security door).

In order to provide the sheeting member, the mesh screen 10 may be bonded to the panel. The bonding of the panel and mesh screed can be by an adhesive, ultra sonic welding, and/or any other appropriate bonding process.

Alternatively, the mesh screen may be attached to the panel, or otherwise held against the panel or a short 15 distance from the panel, by any appropriate means as would be apparent to the skilled person.

The retaining member may comprise a peripheral frame connectable to the building, the panel being retained in 20 the frame. The retaining member may be positionable in a fixed position at the opening of the building. The retaining member may be moveably connectable to the building. The retaining member may be connected to a movement mechanism thereby to be moveably connectable to 25 the building. The assembly may comprise a security screen for a door or a window.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a security screen assembly comprising:

a frame, wherein the frame includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion defining a recess;

a panel formed from a sheet of plastic material; wherein the peripheral edges of the panel are securely retained within the recess;

wherein the panel includes a plurality of apertures to permit passage of air through the panel, and wherein:

Any description herein is equally applicable to the first, second or third aspects, unless the context makes clear otherwise .

By securely retained, it is meant that the panel, in use, is attached to the frame and will remain within the frame during performance testing in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039. The frame can have a latch mechanism at a side, for latching it to a door or window opening. The panel can be of sufficient thickness that the security door or window will remain latched to the opening, when in use, during performance testing. For example, testing may be performed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039.2008. The performance testing may involve one or more of a dynamic impact test, jemmy test, impact test or slash test.

The panel can be retained by any combination of wedge, fastener or adhesive. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a wedge to sandwich the panel in the recess between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. In another embodiment, the panel is securely retained within the recess of the frame only with adhesive such as a glue. In another embodiment, the panel is retained in the frame by fasteners which pass through the frame and the panel to attach them to one another.

2015202227 26 Aug 2019

The panel is fabricated from, one of acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting. The panel may specifically comprise polycarbonate sheeting. The peripheral edges of the panel are received within the recess .

The panel can include a plurality of apertures to permit passage of air through the panel. The panel is used together with a screen. The screen can be a mesh screen. The panel and the screen can be referred to as a sheeting member. The fibres of the mesh screen may partially obscure the apertures in the panel, rather than bounding those apertures, and thereby reduce the area through which an insect must pass in order to gain access to a building. The panel and sheeting member can together form a sheeting member that is insect-rated.

In one embodiment, the panel and screen are each sandwiched in the recess by the wedge. In one embodiment, the panel is retained in the recess and the screen is external of the recess.

The peripheral frame assembly of the security screen assembly can include a number of components which serve to retain the panel (and optionally the screen) in the recess. Other components can add structural integrity or longevity to the arrangement or add other advantages. The assembly can include a retainer. A retainer can be positioned between the second wall and the panel to thereby provide for additional retention. The retainer can be made from a lightweight and strong material. The lightweight and strong material can be a plastic. In one embodiment, the retainer is made from ridged PVC. In some embodiments, the retainer can have a softer deformable surface which provides additional frictional engagement

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 against any other component which it abuts. In some embodiments, the retainer can be outside the frame in order to act as an additional wall for sandwiching the panel between it and a first wall portion of the frame.

Furthermore, the frame assembly can include an insulator which spaces the panel from the second wall. The insulator can be shaped to follow the curve of the recess including the second wall and the bottom of the recess. The insulator can be L-shaped. The insulator can also be made from a plastic material. The insulator can be secured to the frame by having a foot which slides into a complementary groove provided in the second wall.

There can be layer(s) of adhesives between any of the components in the frame assembly. The components include retainer, insulator, wedge, panel, screen, the first wall of the frame and second wall of the frame. There can be an adhesive positioned between the second or first wall and the panel. An adhesive may be positioned on the retainer and/or insulator. An adhesive may be positioned on the panel and or the mesh screen which will then contact any adjacent component (including a wall). The adhesive may improve frictional engagement between the components. In another embodiment, the panel is sandwiched between the first and second walls of the frame only by adhesive. The adhesive can be a double sided tape. The adhesive can be liquid glue which can be applied into the recess prior to insertion of the peripheral edges of the panel. The adhesive can be a resiliently deformable material. The resiliently deformable material can be, for example, a rubber and/or silicone. The adhesive can form a permanent bond to the component to which it is attached. The adhesive can form a reversible bond to the component to which it is attached. A reversible bond may aid in uninstalling the assembly and/or maintenance, for example when replacing the screen. In an embodiment, the adhesive is double sided tape.

2015202227 26 Aug 2019

The peripheral frame may be formed from extruded metal.

The metal may be aluminium. The peripheral frame may be a peripheral frame as shown or described in one or both of

AU2013902558 and AU2014900974, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The frame can comprise a rectangular tubular portion having extending from it two substantially parallel side 10 walls (the first and second walls). There may be a space between the tubular section and the first and second walls of the frame. A spline can be present in the space. The spline may be used to retain the screen (preferably a mesh screen) to the assembly. In order to retain the screen, 15 the mesh can be trapped by the spline and forced into the space under pressure so as to provide a tight drum-like fitting of the screen over the security screen assembly.

The walls of the space can comprise teeth to optimally retain the spline. A cover can be provided over the spline 20 to shield to from view and increase the aesthetic appeal of the assembly. The cover can be a PVC plug.

The wedge can be I-shaped in cross-section, extending in a single longitudinal plane. The wedge can have a head part 2 5 and an elongate body in cross-section. In one embodiment, the wedge can be U-shaped (or C-shaped) in cross-section so as to define a channel between two wedge portions into which the panel (and optionally the mesh screen) can be squeezed. The wall(s) of the frame adjacent the wedge (if 30 present) may have a toothed portion that engages and interlocks with a complementary toothed portion provided on the wedge. The toothed portions on the wall(s) of the frame and on the wedge allow the two to interlock in order to secure the assembly together. The engagement between 35 the complementary toothed portions can ensure that the panel is difficult to remove from the frame because it is held tightly. This is advantageous in a security screen

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 assembly since the assembly should restrict access and be difficult to disassemble. The arrangement of the present invention in some embodiments can therefore provide for a strong and secure screen assembly. The toothed portion of 5 the first wall can be along at least a part of the wall or along the entire length of the inside wall of the recess wall. The toothed portion on the wedge can be along at least a part of the wedge body or along the entire length of the wedge body. Provided there is some interlocking 10 between teeth, the toothed portions have fulfilled their intended function which is to secure the two components together.

The panel can be retained in the recess by fasteners. The 15 fastener can be a small screw or a bolt with a threaded body that can engage with the frame assembly components. The fastener can be a rivet. Other fasteners known to be equivalents to screws can be used.

The fasteners can dig into the materials of the assembly and can be held in place by frictional forces. The frame assembly can include at least one fastener engaging layer. The fastener engaging layer acts to assist in holding the fasteners in place one inserted. The fastener engaging layer can be a wall of the frame or a support provided in the recess. The support can be made from PVC. The support can include a metal strip. The support can be shaped to accommodate the metal strip by sliding it into one end of a longitudinal hole formed therein. The metal strip can add strength to the outside surface of the support.

There will be a plurality of fasteners along the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly. In an embodiment, in any one cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal 35 axis of the frame, there is one fastener. In an embodiment, in any one cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, there are two fasteners

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 located side by side. In an embodiments, in any one crosssection slightly offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame (by 5, 10, 15, 20 degrees), there are two fasteners.

The peripheral frame may be attached to a movement mechanism for moveably connecting the assembly to the building. The movement mechanism may comprise a hinge arrangement. The hinge arrangement may comprise one or 10 more hinges. The movement mechanism may comprise two hinges, spaced along one side of the panel or frame. The movement mechanism may comprise a slide member. The slide member may comprise one of a slide and track, the slide or track being for cooperation with the other of a slide and 15 track fixed to the building at the opening. The slide member may comprise a slide that cooperates, in use, with a track provided along one or more sides of the opening.

The movement mechanism may attach the panel to an adjacent panel (e.g. for bi-fold doors) that is attachable to the 20 building, and thereby attach the panel to the building.

The movement mechanism and latch mechanism may be positioned at opposite sides of the panel. Where the panel is for a security door, and the movement mechanism comprises a hinge, the movement mechanism and latch mechanism may be at opposite vertical sides of the panel. Where the panel is for a security door, and the movement mechanism comprises a slide, the movement mechanism may be at a horizontal side of the panel and the latch mechanism 30 may be at a vertical side of the panel. Where the panel is for a window, and the movement mechanism comprises a hinge, the movement mechanism and latch mechanism may be at opposite horizontal sides of the panel. Where the panel is for a window, and the movement mechanism comprises a slide, the movement mechanism may be at a horizontal side of the panel and the latch mechanism may be at a vertical side of the panel.

2015202227 26 Aug 2019

The movement mechanism and latch mechanism may be attached to the frame, and thereby be attached at respective sides of the panel. The movement mechanism and latch mechanism may be, at least partially, integral with the frame.

The panel may be light permeable. The panel may be transparent. The panel may be translucent. The panel may be tinted. The panel may include a coating that permits clearer visibility through the panel from inside the building when compared with visibility through the panel from outside the building. Visibility through the panel may depend on the amount of light outside the building when compared with the amount of light inside the building.

The panel includes a plurality of apertures or perforations to permit passage of air through the panel. The apertures or perforations may be of a size to render the panel insect-rated (i.e. sufficiently small to substantially prevent the passage of insects through the panel). The apertures or perforations may include one or more apertures or perforations that are not insect-rated. The security door or window further comprises a screen overlaying the one or more apertures that are not insectrated. The screen may overlay an entire surface of the panel. The screen and panel may together render the security door or window insect-rated.

The screen may be a vented screen. The screen may be a mesh screen. The screen may be insect-rated. The screen may be a non-metal. The screen may be fiberglass. The screen may be formed from metal. Where the screen is formed from, or includes, metal and the security door includes a metal frame, the metal of the screen and the metal of the frame may be electrolytically similar metals. The screen may be positioned on an inside surface (i.e.

inwardly of the building in the opening of which the security door or window is positioned) of the panel. The screen may alternatively or in addition be positioned on the outside of the panel.

The security door or window may constitute a cyclone debris screen. A security door or window constituting a cyclone debris screen may or may not include a mesh screen.

The panel may be self-supporting. In the present context, the term self-supporting is intended to include within its scope a panel that is capable of maintaining its shape when standing upright, without the assistance of a frame or other support. In other words, a self-supporting panel will maintain its shape when freestanding.

Since the panel is formed from a plastic material, if the panel is in a frame there will be no, or low, electrolysis issues due to the lack of conductance in the frame.

Some embodiments of the present security door or window may be invisible to the naked eye.

Some embodiments of the present security door or window may be lighter in weight than conventional security doors or windows .

Some embodiments of the present security door or window may be cheaper than conventional security doors or windows .

Some embodiments of the present security door or window may require no surface coating to prevent oxidation from exposure to atmosphere.

Some embodiments of the present security door or window may not cause electrolysis between the panel and frame, or between the panel and hinge mechanism and/or latch mechanism where the hinge mechanism and/or latch mechanism are attached directly to the panel.

In order to install or manufacture the security screen assembly, a method can be employed which includes the steps of arranging the frame members so as to loosely hold the peripheral edges of the panel within the recess formed between first and second walls of each frame member. The frame portions may each have within the recess an insulator already mounted adjacent to one of the first or second walls. A retainer can be placed adjacent to the screen. The retainer may have an adhesive on one surface. As the screen and frames are brought into assembly the retainer can be pushed into the recess along with the screen and the adhesive will serve to keep the components relative to one another. A wedge can then be pushed into each recess to wedge the components together. The wedge can be manually (optionally using a tool) pushed into the recesses. The wedge can be pushed into the recess so that toothed portions on the first wall and wedge shank slide over one another in the inserting direction. However, any movement to withdraw the wedge is difficult because the teeth engage with one another and disallow it. The wedge can have a head with a lip which provides a stop at the upper peripheral edge of the wall of the frame. Once the wedge is in position, the components are sandwiched and in some cases adhered to one another. The components are held in frictional engagement. The frame members can then be secured at the corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present security door or window will now be described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the

Figures are not to scale.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a security door in accordance with the present disclosure, closing an opening in a door frame of a building;

Figure 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a security door in accordance 10 with the present disclosure, comprising a panel and a mesh screen;

Figure 3 shows a further alternative embodiment of a security door in accordance with the present disclosure, 15 comprising a frame, for closing an opening in a door frame of a building;

Figure 4 shows an assembly for closing an opening of a building, the assembly being in fixed position in the opening in the building; and

Figures 5 to 14 are side cross-sectional views of a frame retaining a polycarbonate panel and associated with a mesh screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A security door 10, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a panel 12 of light permeable plastics material. The panel closes a door opening 14 in a building 16. The security 30 door 10 further includes a movement mechanism, in the form of a pair of hinges 18, at a side of the panel 12. The hinges 18 pivotally connect the panel 12 to the building 16.

The security door 10 further comprises a latch mechanism at a side of the panel 12, for latching the panel 12 to the door opening 14. The hinges 18 and latch mechanism 20

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 may be standard components, and attached to the panel in a known manner, as will be understood by the skilled person.

The panel 12 is of sufficient thickness that the security door 10 will remain latched to the opening 14, during performance testing. In general the performance testing will be conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 539.

The panel 12 comprises a substantially rectangular sheet of plastics material. In using a panel 12 formed from plastics material, the security door 10 is substantially lighter than a comparable metal mesh screen security door. This makes the panel 12 easier for a person to open when the latch mechanism 20 is unlocked. This is particularly useful where the security door 10 is to be operated by, for example, an elderly person. In addition, due to the comparative light weight of the panel 12 when compared with metal mesh security screens, the security screen door

10 is easier to lift into position and install than traditional metal security screens.

While the panel 12 may be formed or fabricated from any one of a number of plastic materials, particularly suitable plastics include acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting. The panel 12 shown in Figure 1 is a polycarbonate panel.

The panel 12 includes a plurality of apertures 22. The apertures 22 ensure that the security door 10 permits adequate ventilation from the space the security screen door 10 is intending to secure, through the panel 12. In other words, the apertures 22 permit the passage of air through the panel 12, thereby providing ventilation for the building.

2015202227 26 Aug 2019

While ventilation is useful, ventilation points can often also provide a point of ingress for pests. To that end, the apertures 22 are of a size small enough to render the panel 12 insect-rated. By way of contrast, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the panel 24 comprises a plurality of apertures 26 that are not insect-rated. To ensure that the security door 28 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is insect-rated, the security door 28 further includes a mesh screen 30. If the panel 24 includes some 10 apertures that are insect-rated and other apertures, such as apertures 26, that are not insect-rated, then the mesh screen 30 need only cover the apertures 26 that are not insect-rated. In the present embodiment, however, the screen 30 overlays the entire panel 24. The mesh screen 15 30 and panel 24 together render the security door 28 insect-rated.

The mesh screen 30 may be formed from any appropriate material, including a fine, or very fine, metal mesh. In 20 the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the mesh screen 30 is formed from a non-metal material such as fiberglass.

The mesh screen 30 may be bonded to the panel 24 by an adhesive, ultra-sonic welding, or any other appropriate 25 bonding process. Alternatively, the mesh screen 30 may be attached to the panel 24, or otherwise held against the panel 24, by any appropriate means as would be apparent to the skilled person. For example, where the screen 34 is received in a peripheral frame 40 - see the embodiment 30 shown in Figure 3 - the mesh screen 30 may be similarly received in the frame 40 and thereby be held against the panel 34 by compression or frictional force applied by the frame.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the security door 32 comprises a panel 34, hinges 36 and latch mechanism 38. The security door 32 further comprises a

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 peripheral frame 40 that is moveably connected by the hinges 36 to the building 16. The panel 34 is installed in the frame 40 by any known installation means such as, is described in Australian patent application numbers

AU 2013902558 and AU 2014900974, the entirety of the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The frame may be formed from any appropriate material such as extruded aluminum. Since the panel 34 includes apertures (not shown) it may similarly include a mesh screen such as mesh screen 30 as described above. In that event, the mesh screen 30 and panel 34 may be received in a channel of the frame 40 and be fixed therein by any fixing method known to the skilled person such as the fixing methods described in AU2013902558 and AU 2014900974. Also, the mesh screen 30 may be attached to the panel 34 by an adhesive strip or any other attachment mechanism.

With reference to Figure 4, an assembly 42 is shown. The assembly 42 closes an opening 14 of a building 16. In this sense, the assembly 42 constitutes a window. The assembly 42 comprises a peripheral retaining member, in the form of a frame 44, and a sheeting member 46 that includes a panel

48 of plastics material. The panel 48 is retained in the frame 44 to close the opening 14 of the building 16.

The frame 44 is connected to the building 16 by any appropriate attachment method (e.g. screw fastened). While some frames, such as those shown in Figures 1 and 3, can be moveably connected to the building 16, frame 44 is fixed in position at the opening 14 in the building 16. The panel 48 may be received in an inwardly opening channel of the frame 44, such as that shown in Figure 5 or as otherwise described in Australian patent application numbers AU 2013902558 and AU 2014900974. To prevent the panel 48 from being removed from the frame 44, the panel is of sufficient thickness that it will not bend or buckle, and consequently dislodge from the frame 44, during performance testing.

It will be appreciated that other forms of frame 44 may be used. For example, the opening 14 may be bounded by a recess (not shown) constituting part of the building 16. The panel 48 may thus be installed into the recess and thereby be held in position in the opening.

The panel 48 comprises a substantially rectangular sheet of plastics material. The same benefits as discussed above in relation to panel 12, such as the light weight construction of the panel 12 resulting in ease of use and installation, are similarly applicable to panel 48.

While the panel 48 may be formed or fabricated from any one of a number of plastic materials, particularly suitable plastics include acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting. The panel 48 shown in Figure 4 is a polycarbonate panel.

The panel 48 includes a plurality of apertures 50. The apertures 50 ensure that the assembly 42 permits adequate ventilation from the space the assembly 42 is intending to secure, through the opening 14. In other words, the apertures 50 permit the passage of air through the panel 48, thereby providing ventilation for the building 16.

As discussed above in relation to panels 12 and 24, ventilation points can often also provide a point of ingress for pests. To that end the apertures 50 may be insect-rated, or the panel 48 may be used in conjunction with a screen, such as a mesh screen, where the panel 48 and screen together render the assembly 42 insect-rated in the same manner as discussed above in relation to the

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 combination of panel 24 and screen 30. The screen may be held against the panel 48, or in the frame 44, by any appropriate means .

With reference to Figure 5, an assembly 51 is provided. The assembly 51 comprises a panel 52 that closes an opening of a building. The panel 52 is received in a frame 54. The frame 14 includes an inwardly opening channel or recess 56, the channel or recess 56 opening inwardly (i.e.

towards the centre of the opening) to receive the panel

52. The frame has a rectangular tubular section 55. Extending from the tubular section 55 is a frame 14. The frame 14 has two opposed walls 58 (first wall), 60 (second wall) each having an internal side 58', 60' respectively.

The panel 52 is received in a recess between the two walls 58', 60' as shown. The recess is filled with a liquid adhesive 57. Once hardened the liquid adhesive 57 solidifies and securely retains the panel 52 in the recess 56 of the frame 14.

The panel 52 is used together with a mesh screen 64. The panel 52 and mesh screen 64 together form a sheeting member. The mesh screen is retained by spline 65 which is frictionally retained into space 67. The spline 65 is sized so as to be forcable into the space together with the screen 64. Optionally, the spline 65 has a number of longitudinal ridges (not shown) to increase its snug fit into space 67. Walls of space 67 can comprise teeth which serve to further engage the spline snugly within the channel. There can be a cover 69 over the spline 65 as shown for example in Figures 6 and 13. The cover can be a PVC plug.

Figure 6 shows an assembly 51 in which the panel 52 is retained within the recess 56 by a fastener 53. The fastener can be a screw or a bolt. The fastener can have a head 72 and a body 74. The body 74 can pass through a hole

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 in wall 58; the hole can be smaller than head 72 so as to disallow passage of whole fastener 53 through it. In this embodiment, wall 60 is shaped so as to receive the end part or foot of body 72 of the fastener. The fastener 53 is retained to the frame 14 by its engagement with wall

60. During assembly the fastener 53 can be driven though the hole in first wall 58, through panel 52 and through wall 60. Mesh screen 64 can be on top of the fastener as shown. Alternatively, mesh screen 64 can be underneath head 72 of fastener 53 (not shown). Where the mesh screen is underneath the head of the fastener 53, during assembly the fastener 53 can be driven though the mesh screen 64, through the hole in first wall 58, through panel 52, and through wall 60. If wall 60 is not shaped to cooperate with fastener 53, instead a channel support 76 can be provided as shown in Figure 7. The support 76 provides a substrate into which body 74 of fastener 53 can engage. The support 76 is shown as having a substantially U-shaped (or C-shaped) cross-section, but it could be a solid block. The solid block could be received into the recess between walls 58 and 60 and the body 74 of fastener could be drive into it. The support 76 can be shaped so as to be retained within the recess by a turret 78 provided during manufacture of the frame 14. In some embodiments, there is no turret 78 as shown and instead support 76 is held in the recess only by fastener 53. As shown in Figure 7A, in some embodiments, the same arrangement can be provided as described in this paragraph, but mesh screen 64 can also be sandwiched in the recess 56 together with panel 52.

Above it is mentioned that the support 76 could be a solid block and this is described more fully here. In Figure 14 a solid block 76 is shown which fills recess 56. In this embodiment, the panel 52 is external of the recess 56. The panel 52 is sandwiched between a first wall 58 provided by a frame and a second wall provided by a retainer 80. Screw

2015202227 26 Aug 2019 fastener 53 passes through the retainer 80, the panel 52 and the first wall 58 and into support 76. The retainer 80 can be L-shaped and curved around the end part of the panel 52 and can depend into space 67. The retainer 80 can be held securely by the fastener 53. Optionally, the retainer 80 can have teeth which mate with teeth on the wall defining space 60 (not shown).

It should be understood that a layer of adhesive 57 in the 10 form of a glue or deformable compound or a double sided tape can be provided between panel 52 and first wall 58. A layer of adhesive 62 can be provided between panel 52 and support 76.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the panel 52 is sandwiched into the recess 56 by wedge 66. The wedge 66 can be C-shaped (or U-shaped) as shown in Figure 8. The wedge element 66 and the internal side 58' of wall 58 of the recess 56 can include engagement means in the form of teeth that engage to inhibit withdrawal of the wedge element 66 from the recess 56. This type of connection system will be understood from the disclosure of Australian patent application No. AU 2012900974, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is not contradictory to the present disclosure.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the assembly further includes an attachment member in the form of an adhesive element 62 for attaching the panel 52 to the wedge 66. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the frame 14 has been provided for illustration purposes only, and that many other frame configurations and fastening systems may be used in conjunction with the present disclosure. For example, the frame of Figure 7 could be that of e.g. Figures 5 to 7 in which there is a spline 65 for holding screen 64.

2015202227 26 Aug 2019

In Figure 9, there is shown an insert in the form of a wedge element 66 driven between the screen 64 and internal side 58' of wall 58 of the recess 56, generally in the direction of arrow X. The wedge element 66 thereby sandwiches the screen 64 and panel 52 between the internal sides 58', 60'. The wedge 66 is a substantially I-shaped cross-section with engaging means 70 in the form of teeth 70 which bite onto complementary engagement means 68 on the inside surface 58' of wall 58. Mesh screen 64 is also retained in the recess by the wedge. An adhesive 62 is provided between the mesh screen 64 and the panel 52. Another embodiment is shown in Figure 10, in which screen 64 is again held by spline 65. There is now shown in

Figure 10 an arrangement in which adhesive 62 in the form of double sided tape is between panel 52 and wall 60.

Optionally, additionally, there can be an insulator 78 arranged between the panel and wall 60 as shown in Figure

11. The insulator 78 can have a foot 79 captured into a narrow channel in wall 60.

As shown in Figure 12, there can also be a retainer 80 disposed in the recess along side the other components.

The retainer 80 is typically an elongate piece of plastic which sits in the frame sandwiched between the other components. The retainer can be as described in Australian patent application numbers AU 2015200989. In some embodiments the retainer can comprise a plurality of deformable gripping teeth which when pushed up against panel 52 serves to provide a greater sandwiching effect. This is shown in Figure 13 in which panel 52 and retainer 80 are shown in the recess, and wedge 66 is about to be inserted. The wedge 66 will push the components towards one another so that all are frictionally engaged and securely retained into the recess.

2015202227 26 Aug 2019

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country

Claims

1. A security door or window comprising:

a panel formed from a sheet of plastic material for closing a door or window opening in a building;

a movement mechanism at a side of the panel, for pivotally connecting the panel to the building; and a latch mechanism at a side of the panel, for latching the panel to the door or window opening, wherein the panel of sheet plastic material includes a plurality of apertures to permit passage of air through the panel, and wherein:

the security door or window further comprises a mesh screen overlaying the one or more apertures wherein the mesh screen and panel together render the security door or window insect-rated; and wherein the panel comprises one of acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting.

2. A security door or window according to claim 1, wherein the panel is of sufficient thickness that the security door or window will remain latched to the opening, when in use, during performance testing in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039.

3. A security door or window according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a peripheral frame movably connectable by the movement mechanism to the building, the peripheral edges of the panel being installed in the frame.

4. A security door or window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises polycarbonate sheeting.

5. A security screen assembly comprising:

a panel formed from a sheet of plastic material;

wherein the peripheral edges of the panel are securely retained within the recess;

wherein the panel of sheet plastic material includes a plurality of apertures to permit passage of air through the panel, and wherein:

the security door or window further comprises a mesh screen overlaying the one or more apertures that are not insect-rated, wherein the mesh screen and panel together render the security door or window insect-rated wherein the panel comprises one of acrylic sheeting, polycarbonate sheeting, polypropylene sheeting or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheeting.

6. A security screen assembly according to claim 5, wherein the panel is of sufficient thickness that the sheeting member will remain retained in the frame during performance testing in accordance with Australian Standard AS 5039.

7. A security screen assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the frame is moveably connectable to a building by a movement mechanism.

8. A security screen assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the panel comprises polycarbonate sheeting.

9. A security screen assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the panel is retained in the recess by a wedge, wherein the wedge sandwiches the panel between the first and second walls.

2015202227 12 Sep 2019

10. A security screen assembly according to claim 9, wherein the wedge engages with the inside of the first wall of the frame by a series of complementary teeth provided on the wedge and on the first wall respectively.

11. A security screen assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the mesh screen is also retained in the recess by the wedge.

10 12. A security screen assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the panel is retained in the recess by fasteners, wherein at least some of the fasteners pass through the panel and at least one of the first and second walls of the frame.