AU2016201223B2

AU2016201223B2 - Security Screen

Info

Publication number: AU2016201223B2
Application number: AU2016201223A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Reid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-26
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-26
Also published as: AU2016201223A1

Abstract

A frame assembly is provided for securing a mesh security screen to a frame, the frame assembly comprising a frame comprising a first wall and a second 5 wall, wherein the first wall and second wall define a recess having an upper peripheral edge and a bottom, wherein the recess is for receiving a periphery of the wire mesh security screen. The assembly including a wedge adapted to be driven between the first wall and second wall to sandwich the screen in the recess. The first wall having a toothed portion that engages and interlocks with io a complementary toothed portion provided on the wedge; and the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the upper peripheral edge of the first wall are larger in size relative to the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the bottom of the recess. This can allow for easier removal of the wedge. The assembly can also comprise a retainer, wherein the wedge is is adapted to be driven between the retainer and the first wall portion foot-first into the recess so that the wedge body sandwiches the retainer and the screen between the first wall and the second wall. The foot of the wedge can be engaged with the retainer. 20 7449666_1 (GHMatters) P99684.AU.2 DENISET .1% At + C .9 .9- 0 N

Description

.1% At

+ C

.9

.9- 0 N

Security screen

Technical field The present invention relates to a frame assembly for a security screen.

Background A security screen assembly typically prevents unauthorised access to buildings through windows ordoors. The screens used in each assembly are typically made from a material that allows e.g. light and wind to pass through, whilst being strong enough to prevent unauthorised access.

The security screen can be held in place in a frame which can be hinged to the door or windowjamb. The screen is usually relatively easy to install into the frame, but can be difficuItto remove once installed. The difficulty in removing the screen adds to the security of the assembly when in use, but represents an inconvenience if/when the assembly needs to be dismantled for some authorised reason.

A security screen assembly may require dismantling afterbeing hitby an object which affects e.g. the structural integrity of the security screen mesh. The screen mesh may be compromised or damaged beyond repair. A screen installed into a security screen assembly may also need replacing, for example, when it has weathered so it has lost strength or is no longer aesthetically pleasing. Damage to the assembly is not limited to forced impacts or prevailing conditions, the damage may occurduring assemblywhere one or more of the components may be incorrectly applied. If the assembly is difficultor impossible to disassemble, there can be large costs associated with repair and replacement.

The present invention seeks to at least ameliorate the problems in the prior art.

Summary of invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a frame assembly for securing a mesh security screen to a frame, the frame assembly comprising: a frame comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall and second wall define a recess having an upperperipheral edge and a bottom, wherein the recess is for receiving a periphery of the mesh security screen; and a wedge adapted to be driven between the first wall and second wall to sandwich the screen in the recess, wherein the first wall has a toothed portion that engages and interlocks with a complementary toothed portion provided on the wedge; and wherein the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the upper peripheral edge of the first wall are larger in size relative to the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the bottom of the recess.

The toothed portions on the first wall and on the wedge allow the two to interlock in order to secure the assembly together. The engagement between the complementary toothed portions can ensure that the mesh screen (which can be wire) is difficult to remove from the frame because it is held tightly. This is advantageous in a security screen assembly since the assembly should is restrict access an d be difficult to disassemble. The arrangement of the present invention can provide for a strong and secure screen assembly, but may allow for the easier removal of the wedge if it is required by the owner or man ufacturer. The wedge an d first wall h ave teeth. The teeth on the toothed portion of the wedge are larger in size towards the upper peripheral edge of the recess relative to the teeth towards the bottom of the recess. This mean s that when pressure is applied to the wedge in an attempt to remove it, the forcing of it away from the first wall causes disen gagemen t of the uppermost teeth. As the uppermost teeth disen gage, the wedge can be worked upwards an d out of th e recess. The smaller teeth on the wedge towards the bottom of the recess are relatively easier to disengage from one an other, so the wedge can be more easily removed.

Th e tooth ed portion of th e first wallcan be alon g at least a part of the wall or alon g the en tire len gth of the in side wall of th e recess wall. Th e tooth ed 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 between teeth, the toothed portions have fulfilled theirintended function which is to secure the two components together.

The teeth on the wedge when in place in the recess of the frame are larger towards the upperperipheral edge of the recess relative to the teeth towards the bottom of the recess. By "larger" it is meant that in cross-section, the dimensions of a given tooth are greater in height and/orlength and/orwidth including the walls forming the tooth and any upper edges of the tooth. In one embodiment, each tooth has two faces including a sliding face and an engaging face. The sliding face of each tooth is the face over which the teeth slide when the components are brought into place in the recess. The engaging face of each tooth is the face which engages with and interlocks with the tooth of the other component.

The preferred sizing of the teeth in the series can be pre-determined and the first wall and wedge can be manufactured according to the predetermined dimensions. In one embodiment only the wedge has the different sized teeth as described. In another embodiment, the wedge and the first wall have the different sized teeth. In this embodiment, the toothed portions on the first wall and on the wedge can be substantially complementary in profile; however, slight differences in dimensions between each set can be tolerated.

There can be any numberof teeth in each toothed portion although there are typically between 8 and 20. The n umberof teeth will depend upon the size of the teeth and the sizes (lengths) of the first wall and the size (length) of the wedge. There will be fewer teeth if there are flat teeth -free portions between some of the teeth. In one embodiment, the teeth of the toothed portion on the wedge gradually decreases in size along the toothed portion. The teeth can gradually decrease in size by causing the engaging faces of the teeth to get gradually smaller. The teeth of each toothed portion can be said to taper in size towards the bottom of the recess. The gradual decrease is size of the teeth means that they get gradually smaller towards the bottom of the recess. In an embodiment, the uppermost tooth protrudes at least 2 mm from the wedge. In an embodiment, the lowermost tooth protrudes at most 0.5 mm from thewedge. The engaging face of the uppermost tooth could extend about 1.5 mm from the wedge and the engaging face of the lowermost tooth could extend about0.8 mm from thewedge. In one embodiment, the uppermost tooth protrudes at least 2, 3 or 4 times furtherfrom the wedge than the lowermost tooth. In an embodiment, the ratio in size between the uppermost and the lowermost tooth is 1:2, 3, or 4. In one embodiment, the teeth of the firstwall do not change in size at all and onlythe teeth of thewedge change in size.

The wedge is referred to as such because it effectively wedges the security screen in to the frame. The wedge can have any sh ape in cluding elon gate of con stan t diameter or tradition ally wedge-sh aped. Th e wedge can be made from an y suitable material. Th e wedge can be made from lightweight an d strong materials. Lightweight and strong materials can include plastics. Plastic based materials can minimise, for example, electrolysis and/or corrosion. In on e embodiment, the wedge is made from ridged PVC. The wedge can have a body or a shank on which is disposed the toothed portion. The wedge can have a head at the upperend of the shank. The head can have a lip. The lip on the head of the wedge can assist in positioning thewedge in the recess by providing a stop. The lip may be adapted to engage with tools used to position the wedge in the recess. The lip may be configured to be easily positioned in the recesses manually. The lip can extend over the upperperiphery of the is frame wall. The lip can extend by at least about 1, 2, 3 or 4 mm over the upper periphery of the first wall of theframe. The lip may aid in removal of the wedge from the recess. Tools used to position the wedge in the recess may be used to engagewith the lip to remove thewedge from the recess. The lip can be used to force the wedge out of the recess.

The frame can be made from a material that provides structural strength and preferably without bein g overly heavy. To prevent degradation from the elements, such as through processes such as corrosion, the frame can be formed from inert materials or substantially environmentally inert materials. The frame can be made from metal. The metal can be aluminium. The frame can be made of plastic. The frame can be made from more than one material. The frame assembly can be configured to withstand impacts typically required for security screens. The frame assembly may exceed the standards required for security screen s. In one embodiment, the frame assembly is rated to the appropriate Australian (or other) Standards.

The security screen may also allow movement of air whilst minimising ingress of unwanted pests, such as insects. Movement of air may be provided by apertures in the screen such as in a mesh. The mesh may be sized such that the holestherein minimise ingress of unwanted pests. The presence of apertures means the screen may be partiallyor substantially transparent. The mesh screen can be made from metal.

The frame assembly can in cludeothercomponentswhich serve to retain the screen in the recess. Other components can add structural integrity or longevity to the arrangement or add other advantages. The frame assembly can include a retainer. A retainer can be positioned between the second wall an d the screen to thereby provide for additional retention. A retainer can be positioned between the wedge and the screen to thereby provide for additional retention. The retainer can be made from alightweight and strong material. The lightweight and strong material can be a plastic. Plastic materials can minimise, for example, electrolysis and/or corrosion. In one embodiment, the retainer is made from ridged PVC. The retainercan have a surface provided with a soft pliable compound. The retainer can be co-extruded to be partially rigid and partially soft and pliable. The soft pliable compound assists in providing frictional forces to the components in the frame assembly.

Furthermore, the frame assembly can include an insulatorwhich spaces the security screen from the second wall. The insulatorcan prevent reaction between the screen and the second wall. The insulatorcan be shaped to follow the curve of the recess including the second wall and the bottom of the recess. The insulatorcan by L-shaped. The insulatorcan also be made from a plastic material to minimise, for example, electrolysis and/or corrosion between the screen and the second wall. The insulatorcan be secured to the frame by having a foot which slides into a complementary groove provided in the second wall.

There can be layers of adhesives between any of the components in the frame assembly as would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. An adhesive may be positioned on the retainer and/or insulator. The adhesive may improve frictional engagement between the components. The adhesives on the retainer and insulatormay be the same. The adhesive on the retainer and insulator may be different. The adhesive can be a resiliently deformable material. The resiliently deformable material can be, for example, a rubber and/or silicone. The adhesive can be an adhesive used to bond security screens to screen assemblies. The adhesive can form a permanent bond to the retainer and/or insulator. The adhesive can form a reversible bond to the retainer and/or insulator. 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.

According to a second aspect there is provided a frame assembly for securing a mesh security screen to a frame, the frame assembly comprising: a frame comprising a first wall and a second wall defining a recess for receiving a periphery of the mesh security screen; and a retainer for retainin gthesecurity screen in the recess; a wedge having ash an kterminating at afoot, wherein the wedge is adapted to be driven between the retainer and the first wall portion foot-first into the recess so that the sh an ksandwichestheretainer and the screen between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the foot of the wedge engages with the retainer.

During assembly of the security screen, the components are wedged between the first wall and the second wall. It is advantageous if the components are able to interact with one another during assembly because this forces them is all into align men t with one another and holds then in place during use. The foot of the wedge interlocks with the retainer. This means that as the wedge is forced into the recess (foot-first) it pushes the retainer down with it, thereby assisting in the proper position in g and wedging of all the components including the retainer. The retainer can have a surface facing the mesh that is provided with a soft compoun d to assist in en gagin g the mesh an d draggin g it downwards in to th e recess durin g assembly.

The description in relation to the first aspect also applies to the secon d aspect, unless the con text makes clear oth erwise. For example, the wedge can engagewith thefirst wall of theframe through a series of complementary teeth provided on the shankof thewedge and firstwall surfaces respectively.

The foot of the wedge can be the terminal end of the wedge. The foot can be rounded orotherwise shaped as desired. The shankof the wedge can be tapered so as to be thicker towards a head at the top and thinner towards the foot.

The retainer in terlocks with the foot of the wedge by havin g at least one part that is in the path of the wedge as it is inserted into the recess foot-first. The retain er is typically an elon gate piece of plastic which sits in the frame sandwich ed between the other components; however, in th is invention, the elongate retainer has a lip at the peripheral end thereof or at some other location along its body. The lip can be a bend in the body of the retainer. The lip can be a shoulder. The shape of the bend or lip or shoulder can correspond to the shape of the foot of the wedge. For example where the wedge has a squared-end profile, the complementary shape of the retainer can be squared. For example where the wedge has a pointed-end profile, the complementary shape of the retainer can be apart triangle. However, the shapes matter considerably less that the ability of the two components to engage with one another.

Since the foot of the wedge will drive the retainer into the recess with it, io the part of the wedge that interlocks with the retainer is preferably at the bottom or peripheral end of the retainer, but it could be located part way up. Where it is located part way along the retainer body the same effectof driving the retainer into the recess will be achieved.

The means for engaging the wedge can be disposed along at least at least a part of the elongate retainer, but not at every location along the retainer body. This means that in some cross-sections, the engaging part of the retainer may appear absent.

According to anotheraspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a mesh security screen in a frame, comprising the steps of: providing frame members each comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein the firstwall and second walls each define a recess having an upper peripheral edge and a bottom; inserting the peripheral edges of the mesh security screen into the recesses of the frame members; and driving a wedge into each recess to sandwich the screen in the recess, wherein the firstwall has a toothed portion that engages and interlocks with a toothed portion provided on the wedge; and wherein the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the upperperipheral edge of the first wall are larger in size relative to the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the bottom of the recess; and securing the frame members at each corner.

In order to install or man ufacturethe security screen assembly, the method can in cludethe steps of arranging the frame members so as to loosely hold the mesh security screen within the recess formed between first an d secon d walls of each frame member. The frame(s) may have within the recess an in sulator already moun ted adjacen t to on e of th e first or secon d walls. A retainer can be placed adjacen t to the screen. As the screen an d frames are brought in to assembly th e retain er can be pushed in to the recess alon g 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. As the wedge is manually (optionally using a tool) pushed into the recesses a foot part of the wedge can engage or interlock with a lip on at least a part of the retainer which helps to push the retainer into position in the recess. A soft-friction face of the retainer can assist in pulling the mesh screen into the recess as the wedge is inserted. The wedge can be is pushed into the recess so that toothed portions on thefirst wall and wedge shank slide over one anotherin 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 upperperipheral 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. Theframe members can then be secured at the corners.

In order to remove the wedge the lip can be forced away from the upper peripheral first wall to disengage the interlocked teeth. The wedge can then be worked out of its housing in the recess. Once the wedge is removed, the other components are released from engagementwith one anotherand can be removed from the frame.

Brief Description of the Figures Embodimentswill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are notdrawn to scale and which are exemplary only and in which: Figure 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the security screen assembly before the components have been assembled. Figure 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the security screen assembly of Figure 1 on ce the compon en ts h ave been assembled.

Figure3 is a close up cross-sectionalview of a wedge and a retainer. Figure 4A is a close up cross-sectional view of a wedge and a first wall interlocked. Figure 4B is a close up cross-sectional view of a wedge being prised away from a first wall.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 is an exploded viewof the componentof one embodiment of the screen assembly 10. The assembly 10 comprises a frame 12 having a firstwall io 14 and a second wall 16 defining a recess 15. The first wall has a toothed portion comprising a plurality of teeth 18. Onlya part of the firstwall comprises teeth. This part is intended for engagement with complementary teeth on wedge 20.

The assembly 10 further comprises an insulator24. The insulator24 abuts the second wall 16 and insulates itfrom contact with other potentially corrosive metals. The insulator has a protrusion or a foot 38 adapted to be received into a channel 36 in the second wall 16. The insertion of foot 38 into chan nel 36 secures the insulator in place during assembly and when the frame is in use. The insulator24 curves around the recess 15 so as to cover a bottom portion thereof in addition to insulating the second wall 16.

The assembly 10 also comprises a retainer 22. The retainer 22 can be adapted to engagewith wedge 20. In the embodimentshown the retainer22 has a lip 29 at its base. Lip 29 is shaped correspondingly to the foot 21 of the wedge 20. It should be understood thatas wedge 20 is forced into recess 15 the foot of 31 of thewedge 20 will force retainer 22 into position. This is shown in assembly Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, a friction surface 31 is provided between the security screen 26 and the insulator24. Optionallya first adhesive can be applied to the surface 31 (not shown). Thefirst adhesive can be double sided tape applied to the surface of the insulator.A second adhesive 37 is positioned between the retainer22 and the screen 26. The second adhesive can be double sided tape applied to the surface of retainer 22.

Wedge 20 has toothed portion 30 comprising teeth. The teeth 18 on first side wall 12 and the teeth 30 on the wedge 20 are for interlocking. Wedge 20 has head 32. The head prevents the wedgefrom being forced too far into the recess 15. Head 32 may allow a quick and easy visual indicatorthat the wedge 20 is correctly installed. Sin ce head 32 extends out past the second sidewall 14, the head may allow for removal of the wedge with fin gers or a tool. For example, applyin g an upward pressure on surface 33 un der th e head may allow deflection of the upper segment of the wedge.

1o In Figure 3, the uppermost tooth 40 and lowermost tooth 42 of wedge 20 can be seen in cross section. The uppermost tooth 40 extends a distan ce H2 from the wedge 20. The lowermost tooth extends a distan ce H1 from the wedge 20. The difference between H1 and H2 is distance d. Distance H2 > H1.

The teeth in the toothed portion 30 of wedge 20 gradually decrease in the distance that they extend from thewedge. Having a gradual decrease in tooth height may make it easier to remove the wedge 20 from the recess 15. Figure 4A shows a wedge 20 engaged with first wall 12. The embodiment shown in Figure 4A is similar to that shown, forexample, in Figure 2, but the majority of the components, such as the screen, have been omitted for clarity. When an upward pressure is applied to the head 32 of wedge 20 thewedge moves in direction awayfrom a plane of the sidewall 12. The bottom region of the wedge 20 is relatively immobile in a direction away from a plane of the first wall 12, the wedge 20 bends to form a curve once the pressure is applied. Because the teeth of the wedge and first wall have a gradient height, when the wedge 20 is bent, the tips of the teeth towards the upper periphery of the wall are moved further away from on e another than the teeth towards the bottom of the recess. As the wedge ben ds all the teeth of the wedge 20 are moved away from the first wall. Therefore the wedge can be removed from the recess. If the teeth were of a similar height alon g the sh an k of wedge 20, it would be more difficult (if n ot impossible) to disen gage all of th e teeth from th e first wall 12.

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.

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

Any promises made in the present description should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to be promises made about the invention as a whole. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodimen ts of the invention,theapplican t/paten tee reserves the rightto later delete them from the description and does not rely on these promises forthe acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any coun try.

Claims

Claims 1. A frame assembly for securing a mesh security screen to a frame, the frame assembly comprising: a frame comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall and second wall define a recess having an upper peripheral edge and a bottom, wherein the recess is for receiving a periphery of the mesh security screen; and a wedge adapted to be driven between the first wall andsecond wall to sandwich the mesh security screen in the recess, wherein the first wall has a toothed portion that engages and interlocks io with a complementary toothed portion provided on the wedge; and wherein the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the upper peripheral edge of the first wall are larger in size relative to the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the bottom of the recess.
2. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the teeth of the toothed portion of the first wall towards the upper peripheral edge of the first wall are larger in size relative to th e teeth of th e tooth ed portion of th e first wall towards th e bottom of the recess.
3. The frame assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the teeth of the toothed portion on the wedge or the first wall gradually decrease in size along th e toothed portion in a direction awayfrom the upper peripheral edge of the first wall.
4. The frame assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the uppermost tooth protrudes at least 4 times furtherfrom the wedge than the lowermost tooth.
5. The frame assembly of claim 4, wherein the uppermost tooth protrudes at least 2 mm from the wedge body; an d the lowermost tooth protrudes at most 0.5 mm from the wedge body.
6. The frame assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wedge has a head at the upperend of a shank; the head of thewedge has a lip; and wherein the lip extends over the upperperiphery of the frame wall.
7. The frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the lip extends by at least about

4 mm over the upper periph ery of the first wall of the frame.
8. The frame assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further comprises a retainerfor retaining the mesh security screen in the recess; wherein thewedge has a body terminating at a foot, and wherein the wedge is adapted to be driven between the retainer and the first wall portion foot-first into the recess so that the wedge body sandwiches the retainerand the screen between the first wall and the second wall; and wherein thefootof the wedge engages with the retainer.
9. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insulatorwhich spaces the mesh security screen from the second wall.
is 10. A security screen assembly comprising the frame assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. A method of assembling a mesh security screen in a frame, comprising the steps of: providing frame members each comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein the firstwall and second walls each define a recess having an u pper peripheral edge and a bottom; inserting the peripheral edges of the mesh security screen into the recess of the frame members; and driving a wedge into each recess to sandwich each mesh security screen in the recess, wherein thefirstwall has a toothed portion that engages and interlocks with a toothed portion provided on the wedge; and wherein theteeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the upper peripheral edge of the firstwall are larger in size relative to the teeth of the toothed portion of the wedge towards the bottom of the recess; and securing theframe members at each corner.
12. A method of assemblin g a mesh security screen in a frame according to claim 11, wh erein the wedge h as a head at the upper en d of a sh an k; the head of the wedge h as a lip; an d wherein the lip exten ds over th e upper periphery of the frame wall.
13. A method of disassembling the arrangemen t formed by the method of claim 11 or 12, comprising removing the wedge by forcing the lip of the wedge away from the upper peripheral first wall to disengage the interlocked teeth; working the wedge out of its housing in the recess; and once the wedge is removed, releasing the other componentsfrom engagementwith one another; and removing or allowing the removal of the componentsfrom the frame.