AU2019204114A1

AU2019204114A1 - Folded screen assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2019204114A1
Application number: AU2019204114A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Charles Underwood
Original assignee: Underwood Cos Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Underwood Cos Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-13
Filing date: 2019-06-12
Publication date: 2020-01-16

Abstract

(Figure 1) A screen assembly 10 mounted on spaced posts 11 and 12 and comprising a screen of welded together wires 13 having a top flange 14 and an outward bottom flange 15 so that the flanges 14 and 15 are directed in opposite directions. The flange 14 has cut out sections at 16 and 17 to accommodate feed through of the marginal end sections of the posts 11 and 12 respectively. The posts include respective projecting sections 18 which enables the posts to be secured to a floor or the like. A strengthening bar 19 is medially placed being 1mm thick folded angle welded to the inside of the flange. The top flange 14 functions as a handrail. - 00 . . . =. . =.n. . . . =M .M .• -- . I I I Imf I I I m I I f i t 1 1 1 1 1 1m11 1 1m m m L.aummmif itmmmfimmm[lilt, 1 M MM M1M MM MM MM MM l i l / f i l l M ~ m m m M M f Im I I I f I f I Im MmmffMMMMM Mimmmmimm f o i f i l l i f f i l l ,m m M M m m I I I I I 1 I I I I I i VA- i i i im m m ana am n

Description

Folded Screen Assembly

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to a screen and in particular but not limited to a screen supported by spaced posts at opposite ends of the screen.

BACKGROUND [0002] Screens are known particularly those that have incorporated into the screen spaced posts and rails that support the screen. Others concern some form of fitting so that the screen may fit to a rail as in for example spaced hooks. Non exhaustive examples of screen used in scaffolding are in patent specifications AU2012212389; GB2379241; EP1256666; EP1072736; AU 2009202700; FR2665473; GB2533033; and WO 2018033747. There are many more and then there is the whole field of screening in general. The art of screens can therefore be considered a “crowded art” as that term is known in the patent law.

[0003] The present invention has as an object to reduce the need for rails between the posts.

DEFINITION [0004] The expression “rail-less” as used herein means a screen that is absent a separate top rail as in a separate bar or tube which the screen fits over or is secured to, in the sense of a rail that extends substantially the full length of the screen. “Rail simulation” as used herein is where the screen is formed into what might be functionally considered as a rail.

OUTLINE [0005] In one aspect there is provided a rail simulation in a screen, the rail simulation comprising an upper marginal edge of the screen displaced out of the plane of the screen and at least one screen support, the upper edge having opposite ends and the at least one screen support being welded to the screen along a portion of the marginal upper edge and the screen

2019204114 12 Jun 2019 support having opposite ends spaced from the opposite ends of the upper marginal edge of the screen.

[0006] In another aspect therefore there is provided a welded mesh screen having a front, an upper marginal edge comprising a top flange and a lower marginal edge comprising a bottom flange and the at least one screen support being adjacent the top flange and comprising a medially positioned strengthening bar extending outwardly along the top flange from a mid point along the screen but not as far as the respective ends of the screen.

[0007] In a still further aspect there is provided a rail-less screen having a grid of wires and a folded top section forming a relatively long upper edge of the screen with a relatively short strengthening support secured to the screen and supporting the upper edge against bending. The relatively short strengthening support is preferably a medially located elongate metal insert welded to the screen and extending along the folded top section. The metal insert is preferably an elongate tapered angle section. The taper is preferably on an upper surface. The section preferably has opposite ends and the taper may be on both ends and on the upper surface. The upper surface is preferably generally D-shaped.

[0008] Typically, the screen has holes in the top flange adapted to receive respective posts so that the posts locate within the upper and lower marginal edges of the screen. The top flange may be at 90 degrees. The flanges preferably extend in opposite directions. When the screen is fitted to the posts the top flange preferably is an inward projecting flange and the bottom flange is an outwardly projecting flange so that the screen has marginal vertical edge sections that overlay each post in contact with the post over the length of the marginal vertical edge sections of the screen. The top edge and/or bottom edge may include a return flange or other folded forms. In one preferred form the screen is a wire screen having vertical and horizontal wires and the top flange is folded adjacent and substantially parallel to a horizontal wire. The fold is typically just above a horizontal wire. Where the support is an angle section having a back-bone comprising a corner or fold, the horizontal wire adjacent the fold in the screen is located just below the backbone of the support.

[0009] The mesh screen is typically made from a welded together grid of wires, the wires may

2019204114 12 Jun 2019 be of the same diameter or different diameters. Preferably, the grid involves a predetermined distribution of wires of different diameter. In one preferred embodiment the screen is a 25mm x 50mm grid having a predominance of vertical wires of small dimension with intervening wires of marginally greater diameter and likewise in the vertical direction vertically spaced horizontal wires of a first relatively small dimension with spaced intervals of those wires and with intervening wires of slightly greater dimension and then wires a lower frequency of a still slightly greater dimension. Typically, the horizontally spaced wires involve small wires of about 3mm diameter and slightly larger wires of about 4mm diameter while the vertically spaced horizontal wires employ 3mm, 4mm and 5mm diameter wires. The wires can be arranged in a uniform or pattern or be irregular it being appreciated that the objective of the different diameters is to minimise the amount of metal in the screen while optimising strength in a rail-less assembly.

[0010] Typically, there is an even distribution of the respective wires both horizontally and vertically, horizontal wires over a vertical distance of 1,100mm and there is an even distribution of vertically extending wires over a horizontal range of 2,200mm. The distance between post centres passing through the screen is typically 2,100mm. The length of the support is typically 600mm in the case of a 2,200mm wide screen.

[0011] The support is preferably a strengthening bar typically comprising an angled section which is welded to the screen in the middle of the screen and underneath the top flange extending on to the front of the screen. In one embodiment, the support has an upper horizontal generally D-shaped flange, in plan view, and a vertical flange, each flange being spot welded to wires across the screen where the support overlaps those wires. Where there is a longer screen, spaced supports may be employed, for example it would be the case that in a longer screen there may be a central support defining spaces on either side of it and supports spaced centrally on either side of the central support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and be put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings and wherein:4

2019204114 12 Jun 2019

Figure 1 is a perspective drawing illustrating a typical screen assembly;

Figure 2 is a drawing showing a typical wire distribution across the welded screen;

Figures 3 to 5 are drawings illustrating the simulated rail showing the upper support as welded to the screen.

METHOD OF PERFORMANCE [0013] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a screen assembly mounted on spaced posts 11 and 12 and comprising a screen of welded together wires 13 having a top flange 14 and an outward bottom flange 15 so that the flanges 14 and 15 are directed in opposite directions. The flange 14 has cut out sections at 16 and 17 to accommodate feed through of the marginal end sections of the posts 11 and 12 respectively. The posts include respective projecting sections 18 which enables the posts to be secured to a floor or the like.

[0014] The screen assembly is effectively rail-less with the combination of the different wire diameters and the support functioning as in integrated rail without the need for a full length bar or tube.

[0015] A screen as illustrated in this case is 2,200mm long, the strengthening bar 19 is medially placed being in this case a length of angle about 25mm by 25mm, 600mm long made from 1 mm thick folded angle welded to the inside of the flange. The top flange 14 functions as a handrail located 1,100mm from the ground.

[0016] Referring to Figure 2 there are alternating sets of wires comprising 4mm wire 20 at each end followed by three 3mm wires 21,22 and 23 and then another 4mm wire 20 and this pattern is repeated across the assembly of vertical wires in a horizontal direction. In the vertical direction there are alternating 4mm and 3mm diameter wires and then with a 5mm wire 24 so that there are four 5mm wires in the assembly as depicted in Figure 2.

[0017] Referring to Figures 3 to 5 there is illustrated a section 25 of a simulated rail comprising

2019204114 12 Jun 2019 a section of screen 26 folded over to form a flange thereof at 27 and welded in place is a section of angled support 28 which has a generally D-shaped upper section in the form of a flange 29 and a rectangular vertical section in the form of a flange 30. This is welded at spaced intervals to respective wires noting that there is a bend at 31 just above a horizontal wire 32 which serves to run along the back of the plate angle just below the back bone 33.

[0018] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set out in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A rail simulation in a screen, the rail simulation comprising an upper marginal edge of the screen displaced out of the plane of the screen and at least one screen support, the upper edge having opposite ends and the at least one screen support being welded to the screen along a portion of the marginal upper edge and the screen support having opposite ends spaced from the opposite ends of the upper marginal edge of the screen.
2. A welded mesh screen having a front, an upper marginal edge comprising a top flange and a lower marginal edge comprising a bottom flange and the at least one screen support being adjacent the top flange and comprising a medially positioned strengthening bar extending outwardly along the top flange from a mid point along the screen but not as far as the respective ends of the screen.
3. A rail-less screen having a grid of wires and a folded top section forming a relatively long upper edge of the screen with a relatively short strengthening support secured to the screen and supporting the upper edge against bending.
4. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the strengthening support is a medially located elongate metal insert welded to the screen and extending along the folded top section.
5. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support is a metal insert comprising an elongate tapered angle section.
6. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support is a metal insert comprising an elongate tapered angle section, the taper being on an upper surface of the insert.
7. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the strengthening support has opposite ends that taper.

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8. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the strengthening support has an upper surface that is generally D-shaped.
9. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen has holes in the top flange adapted to receive respective posts so that the posts locate within upper and lower marginal edges of the screen.
10. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flanges extend in opposite directions.
11. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top flange is an inward projecting flange and the bottom flange is an outwardly projecting flange so that the screen has marginal vertical edge sections that are adapted to overlay a post in contact with the post over the length of the marginal vertical edge sections of the screen.
12. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top edge and/or bottom edge include a return flange or other folded forms.
13. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen is a wire screen having vertical and horizontal wires and the top flange is folded adjacent and substantially parallel to a horizontal wire, the fold being just above a horizontal wire.
14. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen is a wire screen having vertical and horizontal wires and the top flange is folded adjacent and substantially parallel to a horizontal wire, the fold being just above a horizontal wire and further wherein the support is an angle section having a back-bone comprising a corner or fold of the section, the said horizontal wire adjacent the fold in the screen is located just below the backbone of the support.
15. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen is made from a welded together grid of wires, the wires comprising sets of wires of different diameters.

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16 .A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen is made from a welded together grid of wires, the wires comprising sets of wires of different diameters, having a predominance of vertical wires of small dimension with intervening wires of marginally greater diameter and likewise in the vertical direction vertically spaced horizontal wires of a first relatively small dimension with spaced intervals of those wires and with intervening wires of slightly greater dimension and then wires a lower frequency of a still slightly greater dimension.
17. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein horizontally spaced vertical wires involve small wires of about 3mm diameter and slightly larger wires of about 4mm diameter while the vertically spaced horizontal wires employ 3mm, 4mm and 5mm diameter wires.
18. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein wires of different diameter are arranged in a uniform regular pattern.
19. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein wires of different diameter are arranged in a uniform regular pattern there being an even distribution of respective wires both horizontally and vertically, horizontal wires over a vertical distance of about 1,100mm and there is an even distribution of vertically extending wires over a horizontal range of 2,200mm.
20. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims adapted to hold posts at each end by posts passing through openings in the screen wherein the distance between post centres passing through the screen is about 2,100mm.
21. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the length of the support is in proportion to the screen width such that it is about 600mm in the case of a 2,200mm wide screen.
22. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support is a strengthening bar comprising an angled section which is welded to the screen in the middle of the screen and underneath the top flange and extending on to the front of the screen.

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23. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support has an upper horizontal generally D-shaped flange, in plan view, and a vertical flange, each flange being spot welded to selected wires across the screen where the support overlaps those wires.
24. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen is a relatively short screen with a single support or a relatively long screen with spaced said supports.
25. A screen according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the screen is a relatively long screen with spaced said supports comprising a central support defining spaces on either side of it and supports spaced centrally on either side of the central support.
26. A screen assembly employing a screen according to any one of the preceding claims and spaced posts, the screen being mounted on the spaced posts, the posts including respective bottom projecting sections which enables the posts to be secured to a floor or the like.