AU2017101773A4 - A screen assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A screen assembly having a first bracket attachable to a balustrade, a second bracket attachable to the balustrade, a screen housing attachable to the first bracket, 5 and a flexible screen movable between a retracted position where the screen is substantially located within the screen housing, and an extended position where the screen at least partially extends from the screen housing and is operatively attachable to the second bracket. Figure 1

Description

A SCREEN ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a screen assembly. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to balconies or verandas. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Screens are used on balconies and verandas to provide protection from the elements and/or privacy. The screens are installed between side walls and/or posts. A problem with these type of screens is that they require a side wall or post at each end to support the screen. These type of screens cannot be installed in locations such as a corner balcony where there is no support in the corner.

The prior art has addressed this by installing one or more posts to provide support to the ends of the screen.

Another problem with current screens is that different sizes are required to allow for different lengths between side walls and/or posts, and to allow for different heights between a balustrade of the balcony or veranda and a ceiling.

The prior art has addressed this problem by providing different sized screens or by cutting larger screens to fit the required space. A further problem is that the screens need to be attached to the side walls and/or posts, typically requiring fasteners such as bolts which damage the side walls and/or posts.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with screens and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a screen assembly having a first bracket attachable to a balustrade; a second bracket attachable to the balustrade; a screen housing attachable to the first bracket; and a flexible screen movable between a retracted position where the screen is substantially located within the screen housing, and an extended position where the screen at least partially extends from the screen housing and is operatively attachable to the second bracket.

The first bracket is preferably releasably attachable to the balustrade. The first bracket is preferably adjustable to accommodate balustrades of different dimensions. The first bracket is preferably adjustable to accommodate balustrades having a thickness in the range of 5mm to 220mm. More preferably the first bracket is adjustable to accommodate balustrades having a thickness in the range of 10mm to 160mm. The first bracket preferably has a clamp arrangement to clamp onto the balustrade. In one embodiment, the first bracket has an ‘F’ clamp arrangement to clamp onto the balustrade. More preferably, the first bracket includes two clamps parallel to each other. The two clamps are preferably ‘F’ clamps. The clamps preferably have one or more bar members along which one or more jaws can be moved to position the one or more jaws to accommodate the thickness of the balustrade. Each bar member preferably has indentations to inhibit the one or more jaws from slipping when the first bracket is attached to the balustrade. The clamps preferably further include screws to tighten the one or more jaws after the first bracket has been positioned over the balustrade. The first bracket is preferably attachable to the screen housing. The first bracket preferably has a profile portion to slidingly accept the screen housing. The first bracket preferably includes one or more fasteners to secure the screen housing partially within the profile portion. Preferably, when not secured by the one or more fasteners, the screen housing is movable within the profile portion to adjust the height of the screen housing relative to the height of the first bracket when attached to the balustrade.

In one embodiment, the first bracket preferably includes one or more covers to cover exposed ends of the one or more bar members. The one or more covers are preferably one or more silicone covers.

The second bracket is preferably releasably attachable to the balustrade. The second bracket is preferably adjustable to accommodate balustrades of different dimensions. The second bracket is preferably adjustable to accommodate balustrades having a thickness in the range of 5mm to 220mm. More preferably the second bracket is adjustable to accommodate balustrades having a thickness in the range of 5mm to 140mm. The second bracket preferably has a clamp arrangement to clamp onto the balustrade. In one embodiment, the second bracket has an ‘F’ clamp arrangement to clamp onto the balustrade. More preferably, the second bracket includes two clamps parallel to each other. The two clamps are preferably ‘F’ type clamps. The clamps preferably have one or more bar members along which one or more jaws can be moved to position the one or more jaws to accommodate the thickness of the balustrade. Each bar member preferably has indentations to inhibit the one or more jaws from slipping when the second bracket is attached to the balustrade. The clamps preferably further include screws to tighten the one or more jaws after the second bracket has been positioned over the balustrade. In use, the second bracket is preferably spaced from the first bracket. The spacing between the first bracket and the second bracket preferably substantially defines the length of the screen in the extended position.

In one embodiment, the second bracket preferably includes one or more covers to cover exposed ends of the one or more bar members. The one or more covers are preferably one or more silicone covers.

The screen housing preferably houses the majority of the screen when the screen is in the retracted position. The screen housing is preferably an elongate enclosure. The screen housing preferably has an elongate opening to allow the screen to extend from and retract into the screen housing. The screen housing preferably has a substantially rectangular cross section. The length of the screen housing is preferably longer than the height of the screen. The screen housing preferably includes a rotational member rotatably mounted within the screen housing. The screen is preferably attached to the rotational member. The screen is preferably adapted to wind onto the rotational member to the retracted position and unwind to the extended position. The rotational member is preferably biased to rotate in a first direction. Preferably when rotated in the first direction, the rotational member winds the screen onto itself. The rotational member is preferably biased in a first direction by a spring. The screen housing preferably provides structural stability to the screen when the screen is in the extended position by providing support along the height of the screen along one side of the screen.

The screen is preferably adapted to roll up within the screen housing. The screen is preferably substantially rectangular in shape. The screen preferably has a first end located within the screen housing. The screen preferably has a second end opposite the first end. The second end is preferably attachable to the second bracket. The second end preferably includes an elongate end member. The elongate end member preferably extends along the second end of the screen. The elongate end member preferably provides structural stability to the screen when the screen is in the extended position.

The screen preferably has an attachment member operatively attached to the second end. The attachment member is preferably attachable to the second bracket. More preferably, the attachment member is releasably attachable to the second bracket. The attachment member preferably includes a handle to manually move the screen between the retracted position and the extended position. The attachment member is preferably locatable along the second end of the screen. More preferably, the attachment member is slidable along and securable to the elongate end member. In one embodiment, the attachment member is positioned on the elongate end member to substantially align with the second bracket when the screen is in the extended position. The elongate end member preferably covers the elongate opening of the screen housing when the screen is in the retracted position.

The screen is preferably made from a flexible fabric. In one embodiment, the screen is made from a flexible film. The screen is preferably perforated. Preferably the screen is a ‘one way’ screen (which is easy to see through in one direction and harder to see through in the opposite direction).

The screen preferably has a length between 1m and 5m. More preferably, the screen has a length between 1.5m and 3.5m. In a preferred embodiment, the screen has a length of substantially 3m. The screen preferably has a height between 1m and 3m. More preferably the screen has a height between 1m and 2m. In a preferred embodiment, the screen has a height of substantially 1.8m.

The screen is preferably biased towards the retracted position. The screen housing preferably includes a spring to bias the screen towards the retracted position. The screen is preferably biased to at least partially roll up within the screen housing in the retracted position.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of fitting a screen as described in the specification to a balustrade, including the steps of attaching the first bracket to the balustrade; attaching the screen housing to the first bracket; and attaching the second bracket to the balustrade.

Preferably the method further includes the step of extending the flexible screen from the screen housing and attaching the flexible screen to the second bracket.

Preferably the method further includes the step of adjusting the first bracket to fit the thickness of the balustrade.

Preferably the method further includes the step of adjusting the second bracket to fit the thickness of the balustrade.

Preferably the step of attaching the first bracket to the balustrade includes clamping the first bracket onto the balustrade.

Preferably the step of attaching the second bracket to the balustrade includes clamping the second bracket onto the balustrade.

Preferably the method further includes the step of biasing the screen to a retracted position within the screen housing.

Preferably the step of attaching the screen housing to the first bracket includes clamping the first bracket to the screen housing at a predetermined location along the length of the screen housing. The predetermined position is preferably determined by the desired height of the screen relative to the height of the balustrade.

In one embodiment, the balustrade is a handrail. In another embodiment, the balustrade is a top portion of a barrier. In a further embodiment, the balustrade is a top cap.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a screen assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the screen assembly of Figure 1 with the screen in a retracted position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the screen assembly of Figure 1 with the screen in a partially extended position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first bracket of the screen assembly of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second bracket of the screen assembly of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1 to 3, there is shown a screen assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The screen assembly 10 includes a first bracket 12 which is attached to a balustrade in the form of a handrail 14. The screen assembly 10 further includes a second bracket 16 which is also attached to the handrail 14.

The screen assembly 10 has a screen housing 18 which is releasably attached to the first bracket 12. The screen housing 18 can slide relative to the first bracket 12 when not attached to the bracket, such that the height of the screen housing 18 can be adjusted relative to the height of the handrail 14. A flexible screen 20 is attached to the screen housing 18 at a first end (not shown) of the screen 20. The screen 20 is movable between an extended position (as seen in Figure 1) and a retracted position (as seen in Figure 2). The screen 20 has an elongate member 22 on a second end of the screen 20. The elongate member 22 provides structural support to the flexible screen 20. An attachment member 24 is releasably attached to the elongate member 22. The attachment member 24 can slide along the elongate member 22 when not attached to the elongate member 22, such that the position of the attachment member 24 on the elongate member 22 can be adjusted to correspond to the height of the second bracket 16. The attachment member 24 includes a handle 24a and a connection portion 24b

The screen 20 is perforated so that it forms a ‘one way’ screen which can be seen through easily from one side compared to an opposite side. This makes it easy to look out from a balcony or veranda (not shown) and harder to look into the balcony or veranda from the outside through the screen 20.

The screen housing 18 has an opening 26 into which the screen 20 can retract and into which the elongate member 22 can partially fit when the screen 20 is in the retracted position.

The screen housing 18 includes a rotational member (not shown onto which the flexible screen 20 is wound. The rotational member is biased in a first direction by a spring (not shown) to bias the flexible screen 20 towards the retracted position.

With reference to Figure 3, the screen assembly 10 is shown with the screen 20 in a partially extended position. The first bracket 12 has covers 28 which fit over end portions of the first bracket 12. The covers 28 are made from silicone and protect people from coming into contact with the hard parts of the first bracket 12. The second bracket 16 has covers 30 which fit over end portions of the second bracket 16. The covers 30 are made from silicone and protect people from coming into contact with the hard parts of the second bracket 14.

With reference to Figure 4, there is shown the first bracket 12 in more detail. The first bracket 12 has bar members 32,34, along which horizontal members 38,40 can slide. The bar members have indentations 36 to inhibit the horizontal members 38.40 from slipping when the first bracket 12 is attached to a balustrade (not shown). The first bracket 12 has jaws 42,44 which can clamp onto a balustrade. When the first bracket 12 is in position relative to a balustrade and the horizontal members 38.40 have been positioned along the bar members 32,34, jaw 44 can be further positioned by turning screws 46,48. The first bracket 12 further includes a profile portion 50 along which the screen housing (18, best seen in figures 1-3) can slide. After the screen housing has been positioned in the desired position relative to the profile portion 50, the profile portion is attached to the screen housing by fasteners in the form of screws (not shown).

With reference to Figure 5, there is shown the second bracket 16 in more detail. The second bracket 16 has bar members 52,34, along which horizontal members 58,60 can slide. The bar members have indentations 56 to inhibit the horizontal members 58,60 from slipping when the second bracket 16 is attached to a balustrade (not shown). The second bracket 16 has jaws 62,64 which can clamp onto a balustrade. When the second bracket 16 is in position relative to a balustrade and the horizontal members 58,60 have been positioned along the bar members 52,54, jaw 64 can be further positioned by turning screws 66,68. The second bracket 16 further includes a retaining member 70, which retains the connection portion (24b best seen in Figure 3) of the attachment member (24, as seen in figures 1-3).

Having the screen housing 18 slidable along the first bracket 12 prior to being attached to the first bracket 12, having the attachment member 24 slideable along the elongate member 22 prior to being attached to the elongate member 22, and having the flexible screen biased towards the retracted position enables the screen assembly 10 to be installed to cover different sized openings.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the screen assembly includes the ability to install the screen assembly to cover different spaced openings. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the screen assembly includes the ability to install the assembly without the use of bolts or other fasteners which can damage side walls or posts. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the screen assembly includes the ability to adjust the height and length of the screen in the extended position.

VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other 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 set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. A screen assembly having a first bracket attachable to a balustrade; a second bracket attachable to the balustrade; a screen housing attachable to the first bracket; and a flexible screen movable between a retracted position where the screen is substantially located within the screen housing, and an extended position where the screen at least partially extends from the screen housing and is operatively attachable to the second bracket.

2. A screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are adjustable to accommodate balustrades of different thicknesses.

3. A screen assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flexible screen is biased towards the retracted position.

4. A screen assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen housing is slidable relative to the first bracket prior to being attached to the first bracket such that the height of the screen housing can be adjusted relative to the balustrade.

5. A method of fitting a screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 to a balustrade, including the steps of attaching the first bracket to the balustrade; attaching the screen housing to the first bracket; attaching the second bracket to the balustrade; and. extending the flexible screen from the screen housing and attaching the flexible screen to the second bracket.