AU784775B2 - Sliding screen closure assembly - Google Patents

Description

.1U- P/00/0o11 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA"

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIEFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention title: Applicant: Sliding Screen Closure Assembly Capral Aluminium Limited The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 0 .0 chbm MO 11 10 9 1522v 1204973 584 SLIDING SCREEN CLOSURE ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to sliding screens, such as those incorporating security mesh. In particular the present invention relates to a sliding screen closure assembly incorporating a releasable lock that provides improved resistance to intruders.

BACKGROUND ART Sliding security screen assemblies generally incorporate a pair of screens each in the form of a sash having a sheet of security mesh held therein. The sashes generally are slidably retained within separate channels allowing each to slide past the other. Whilst the use of simple latches for locking one screen to the other is convenient for the operator, simple latches such as those hingedly connected to the inner sash often compromise the security of the sliding security screens. Locking mechanisms which penetrate both the inner sash and the outer sash have been used to provide a more secure locking mechanism, but such mechanisms are less convenient for the operator.

In this specification, where background art is discussed, such is provided solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the S. field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this application.

•SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a sliding security screen assembly including a frame having an inner channel and an outer channel for slidably retaining an inner sash and an outer sash respectively, each of said inner sash and said outer sash framing a security mesh or screen, wherein said inner sash includes a latch section substantially perpendicular to the inner channel and a latch hingedly connected to the latch section, and wherein said outer sash includes a lock section substantially perpendicular to the outer channel having a detent against which the latch engages in a closed condition, the latch section and the lock section having respectively opposed 30 projections, said opposed projections intersecting in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of at least one of the sashes.

The present invention permits the use of a convenient latch mechanism hingedly attached to the inner screen, without the disadvantages that are generally inherent in such systems.

chbm MO 111091522vl 204973584 The frame of the sliding security screen assembly has an inner channel and an outer channel for slidably retaining an inner sash and an outer sash respectively. The frame may conveniently be constructed from extruded sections that may be connected by Lshaped brackets. Such extruded sections may preferably be produced from aluminium.

For ease of manufacture and in order to maintain a minimum stock it is preferred that the cross section of such an extrusion be symmetrical about a plane between the inner channel and the outer channel.

Alternatively, the frame may be produced by any convenient means as may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The frame may include attachments for securing the frame to the wall or other construction having an aperture with which the security screen is intended to be secured.

Conveniently, the frame may be secured to a wall or the like by screws that extend through bores in the base of one or more of the channels. Other,means of securing the frame to a wall or the like may also be used in the present invention.

The inner channel and the outer channel on the base of the frame may be provided with rollers such as balls on which the respective sashes may slide. The use of rollers may allow for more easy movement of the respective sashes. In constructions where rollers are employed, it is preferred that any securing mechanism which is located within the S. channel incorporates a finish that is flush with the base of the channel.

The inner sash and the outer sash both frame a security mesh or screen. Preferably the inner sash and the outer sash are constructed from sections that are connected by L- .eoo.i shaped brackets. Each of the inner sash and the outer sash include an upper and a lower section that configured to be slidably located in the respective channels of the frame and may also include a section that is received in a vertical channel on the frame. These three sections may conveniently be produced from a single extrusion and thus have the same cross section. These sections may be produced from any suitable materials and it is preferred that they are produced from extruded aluminium.

The security mesh for use in the present invention may be any convenient security mesh although it is preferred that a woven stainless steel security mesh is used. It is particularly preferred that a woven 316 stainless steel is used in the present invention.

The inner sash include the latch section and the outer sash include the lock section. The latch and lock sections are substantially perpendicular to the respective channels of the sashes. The latch section includes a latch hingedly connected thereto. It is preferred that the latch includes a bead that may snap fit with a corresponding groove-form socket on chbm MO 111091522v1 204973584 the latch section. The latch may preferably be biased towards a dosed condition such as by a spring which acts on a lever arm of the latch. In such a configuration the latch may be moved to an open condition by urging the lever against the bias of the spring. Other latching mechanisms may be apparent to the skilled addressee without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The lock section includes a detent against which the latch engages in the dosed condition. The detent may be in the form of a depression in the lock section or alternatively as a raised projection in the lock section. The form of the detent is not narrowly critical and a person skilled in the art will be able to comprehend other forms of detent suitable for retaining the latch in the dosed condition.

The latch section and the lock section of the inner sash and outer sash respectively have opposed projections that intercept in a plane parallel to the plane of either of the sashes.

Preferably the opposed projections are substantially L-shaped and interlock such that the opposed projections intercept in the plane parallel to either one of the sashes and also intercept in a plane normal to that of either one of the sashes. Preferably, the spacing between the projections is such that a potential intruder cannot access the latch without causing substantial damage to the screen. In the preferred configuration, where L-shaped projections are employed, the inner and the outer sash cannot be prized apart so as to allow access to the latch, due to an interlocking engagement between the respective L- 20 shaped projections.

The projections may be integrally formed with the lock and latch sections respectively. In a preferred embodiment the projections may be extruded with the lock and latch sections.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the sliding security screen provides further improved resistance to intruders. According to this embodiment, the outer sash includes an outward projection in the form of an overhanging lip and the outer channel indudes an outer wall terminating in a flange, said flange being slidably retained between the outer sash and the overhanging lip, and said overhanging lip including a section adjacent to and substantially coplanar with the outer wall of the outer channel.

30 The outer sash therefore includes an outward projection in the form of an overhanging lip, whilst the outer channel includes an outer wall terminating in a flange, the flange being slidably retained between the outer sash and the overhanging lip. The overhanging lip includes a section that is adjacent to and substantially co-planer with the outer wall of the channel. In a preferred configuration, the overhanging lip may be in the form of an Lchbm MO 11 1091522vl 204973584 4 shaped projection and the flange may be in the form of an opposed L-shaped extension of the outer wall. The L-shaped extension of the outer wall extends inwards towards the channel and includes a return that extends into the U-shaped recess formed by the Lshaped projection that forms the overhanging lip and the basic section of the sash. The outer sash moves slidably along the channel and the overhanging lip and the flange slidably engage each other. Preferably the overhanging lip and the flange are formed such that the gap therebetween is minimised, particularly such that the tolerances preclude easy penetration of the gap with a jemmy or other prizing means that an intruder may employ to breach the security screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment as illustrated in the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the sliding screen assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross section of the guide rails used to form the frame of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the guide rail shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross section of a frame used to form the sashes to be retained within the frame of the assembly of Figure 1; 20 Figure 5 is a perspective representation of the section shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross section of a sash latch section of an inner sash of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a perspective representation of the section shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 depicts from various angles a latch spring of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 9 depicts a latch of the sliding screen assembly of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a cross section of a sash lock section for the outer sash of the assembly of Figure 1; .i Figure 11 is a perspective representation of the section shown in Figure Figure 12 is a cross section of the sash latch section, sash lock section, latch and latch spring of the assembly, shown in a dosed position; chbm M01l1091522vl 204973584 Figure 13 is a cross section of the sash lock section, latch, latch spring and sash latch section of the assembly, shown in an open position; and Figure 14 is a cross section of the frame of the assembly of Figure 1 having an outer sash with an overhanging lip substantially co-planar with the outer wall of the outer channel of the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an exploded view depicting the components of a sliding security screen assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The sliding security screen assembly 1 is made up of a frame constructed from long double guide rails 2a and 2b attached to two short double guide rails 3a and 3b by double corer stakes 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. An inner sash is made up from three basic sash sections 5a, 5b and 5c and a sash latch section 6. These section 5a, 5b, 5c and 6 are connected by L-form corer stakes 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d. A security mesh (not shown) is retained within the inner sash.

An outer sash is formed from three basic sash sections 5d, 5e and 5f and a sash lock section 7. The sections 5d, 5f and 7 are connected by L-form corner stakes 8e, 8f and 8g and 8h. The outer sash also retains a security mesh (not shown).

A latch 9 is hingedly attached to the sash latch section 6 and a latch spring 10 biases the latch to engage with a detent in the sash lock section 7 in the closed condition, as explained in detail below.

20 Figure 2 is a cross section of the double guide rail used to form the long double guide *rails and the short double guide rails 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b in Figure 1. The double guide rail 2 includes channels lla and lib. At the base of each of the channels lla and 11b are two rails 12a;12b and 12c;12d respectively. Seen in section, the channels lla and lib have a common medial wall 13 that terminates in medial wall flanges 14a and 14b projecting perpendicularly from medial wall 13. The channels lla and 11b include lateral walls 16a and 16b. The lateral walls 16a and 16b terminate in lateral wall flanges 15a and respectively, which lie parallel to the lateral walls and are offset inwardly therefrom (ie towards medial wall 13) as shown. Advantageously, the use of rails 12a, 12b and 12c and 12d along with the medial wall flanges 14a and 14b and the lateral wall flanges 15a and 30 15b serve to minimise the frictional resistance to the sliding of sashes within channiels lla and 1lb.

The double guide rail 2 also includes a base box section 33 for receiving double L-form comer stakes 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, in order to provide robust interconnections between the respective guide rail sections. Figure 3 shows a section of the guide rail in perspective.

chbm MO111091522vl 204973584 The frame of the assembly is fixable over the window or door aperture of the construction for which is it intended by any appropriate means. For example, the frame may be manufactured with bores transversing the base box sections 33 of one or more of the guide rails 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b making up the frame, and screws passed through these bores are then used to secure the assembly in place.

It is to be noted that the term 'inner' and 'outer' used in the context of the inner/outer sash and inner/outer channel, etc, refer to the intended orientation of these components when in use, with reference to the internal and external sides of the closure on the opening over which it is affixed.

Figure 4 shows a basic sash section 5 having a serrated channel 17 for receiving a correspondingly shaped plug and retaining a security mesh. One suitable form of security mesh and means for its retention are described in International Patent Application No.

PCT/AU99/00097.

The basic sash section includes a lip 18 projecting perpendicularly from the surface of a lateral wall of section 5, and terminating in a flange 19 which depends perpendicularly from lip 18, flange 19 being directed in an opposite direction to the distal ends of the walls making up channel 17 as shown in Figure 4. Lip 18 and flange 19 therefore form an L-shaped profile projecting laterally from the basic sash profile Figure 5 shows the basic sash section profile in perspective.

Figure 6 shows a sash latch section 6 having a serrated channel 20 for receiving a plug retaining a security mesh, eg of the type described in International Patent Application No.

PCT/AU99/00097. The sash latch section 6 includes an L-shaped lip profile 21 projecting laterally from an outer wall of the sash latch section 6 as shown, and further includes a rounded groove-form socket 22 for receiving the integral bead of a latch (not shown see 25 below). The sash latch section 6 also includes a second groove-form housing 23 for retaining a latch spring (not shown below). Basic sash section 5 and sash latch section 6 both include a base box section 34;34' of similar internal form for receiving L-form corner stakes 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g or 8h, in order to provide robust interconnections between the respective sash sections. Groove-form socket 22 is formed in the same .o 0 30 lateral wall of base box section 34' from which L-shaped lip profile 21 projects, at the base of the base box section 34' as shown. The second groove-form housing 23 is also formed in the base of the base box section 34' adjacent groove-form socket 22, and has a shallow lipped form as shown in order to retain the latch spring. The distal end of L-shaped lip chbm M01110 9 1522vl 204973584 profile 21 is directed in the direction of the distal ends of the walls making up channel ie towards the mesh screen of the sash, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows the sash latch section profile in perspective.

Figure 8 shows a latch spring 10 having a U-shaped seat portion 24 and a projecting arm 25 with a bent distal end, arm 25 projecting at an angle out of the plane of the U-shaped seat portion. The U-shaped seat portion 24 is adapted to be received in an interference fit within the shallow groove-form housing 23 shown in Figure 6, such that arm 25 projects out of the housing 23. Figure 8 also includes both elevations and a plan view of latch spring Figure 9 shows a latch 9 of a general channel form as shown, and formed from a further extruded profile section. As the sectional view shows, latch 9 has at one end thereof an integral bead 26 adapted to be received in the groove-form socket 22 shown in Figure 6.

At the other end of its profile, the latch 9 has a lever portion 27 to enable operation of the latch from a closed condition to an open condition, by pivoting around the hinge formed by integral bead 26. As shown, two shaped flanges arranged between integral bead 26 and lever portion 27 define a shallow groove-form housing 28 for receiving the projecting arm 25 of the latch spring 10. In an alternative configuration, the housing 28 may receive the U-shaped seat 24 of the latched spring 10 and the projecting arm 25 of the latch spring 10 may be received in the housing 23 on the sash latch section 6.

20 The latch 9 includes a locking member 29 projecting as shown adjacent to integral bead 26 and shaped to engage with a corresponding detent on the sash lock section, as explained in further detail below. Figure 9 also shows a front elevation of latch 9, which in this example is 100 mm in length.

Figure 10 shows the sash lock section 7, including a serrated channel 30 for receiving a plug for retaining a security mesh, eg of the type described in International Patent Application No. PCT/AU99/00097. The sash lock section 7 includes a projecting detent 31 *o in a lateral wall portion for engaging with the complementary locking member 29 of the latch 9 shown in Figure 9. Projecting from the same lateral wall, at the base of the profile, the lock section 7 ;also includes an L-shaped lip projection 32, the distal lip of the 30 projection 32 directed in the direction of the distal ends of the walls making up channel ie towards the mesh screen, as shown in Figure 10. Lock section 7 is also provided with a base box section 35, of the same internal form as base box sections 34 and 34', for receiving an L-form comer stake 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g or 8h, in order to provide robust interconnections between the respective sash sections.

chbm MOI 1091522vl 204973584 Figure 11 shows the sash lock section profile in perspective.

The operation of the various components when assembled and in place will. now be explained. Figure 12 shows the latch 9 in the locking position, the shaped locking member 29 of latch 9 engaging with the projecting detent 31 of sash lock section 7. Arm 25 of latch spring 10 can be seen to be urging the latch into the engaged and dosed position. The latch handle 27 may be operated manually to compress spring 10 and move the latch into the unengaged open position relative to sash lock section 7, as shown in Figure 13. In the open position, the shaped locking member 29 disengages from the detent 31 and the respective inner and outer sashes may be slid in the direction of the arrows shown. The respective L-shaped projections 32 and 21 (which are integral parts of extruded profiles 7 and 6 respectively, and therefore continue for the entire vertical length of the sashes) are positioned so that, when the sashes are dosed, they interengage as shown. This interengagement results in a labyrinthine gap between them, so preventing access to the locking member 29 from between the respective sashes.

Figure 14 shows a cross section of the double rail guide 2 slidably retaining a basic sash section 5, eg a sash section from the outer sash (sections 5d or 5e in Figure The basic sash section 5 slidably engages the pair of rails 12a;12b and the projecting medial wall flange 14a. Lateral wall flange 15a is positioned to be slidably retained within the overhanging lip 19 the L-shaped profile projecting outwardly from the sash profile 5. The 20 dimensions of the respective profiles are selected so that lateral wall 16a is substantially coplanar with overhanging lip 18, as Figure 14 illustrates. The outer sash therefore moves slidably along the channel and the overhanging lip and the flange slidably engage each other, the gap therebetween being minimised to preclude easy penetration with a jemmy or other prizing means an intruder may employ to breach the security screen.

25 It will of course be realised that the above detailed description has been given by way of illustration only and that all such modifications 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.

oo *-o chbm MO111091522v1 204973584

Claims (18)

1. A sliding security screen assembly including a frame having an inner channel and an outer channel for slidably retaining an inner sash and an outer sash respectively, each of said inner sash and said outer sash framing a security mesh or screen, wherein said inner sash includes a latch section substantially perpendicular to the inner channel and a latch hingedly connected to the latch section, and wherein said outer sash includes a lock section substantially perpendicular to the outer channel having a detent against which the latch engages in a closed condition, the latch section and the lock section having Srespectively opposed projections, said opposed projections intersecting in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of at least one of the sashes.

2. The assembly of claim i, wherein the frame is constructed from extruded sections, preferably of aluminium, connectable by L-shaped brackets.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cross section of said frame extrusion is symmetrical about a plane between said inner channel and said outer channel.

4. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said frame includes attachments for securing the frame to a wall or other structure having an aperture with which the security screen is intended to be secured. see* i5. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the inner channel and the outer channel on the base of the frame are provided with rollers on which the respective sashes 0 020 may slide. The use of rollers may allow for easier movement of the respective sashes. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said inner sash and said outer sash both frame a security mesh or screen and are constructed from extruded sections, preferably of aluminium, connectable by L-shaped brackets.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the inner sash and the outer sash include an upper and a lower section configured to be slidably located in the respective channels of the frame.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the inner sash and the outer sash includes a section receivable in a vertical channel of said frame, each said upper and lower section and said section receivable in a vertical channel of said frame being produced from a single extrusion.

9. The assembly of any preceding claim, including a woven security, mesh retained within at least one of said inner sash and said outer sash. The assembly of claim 9, the mesh being a woven 316 stainless steel. chbmMO 0lllO91522vl 204973 5 84

11. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said latch is configured to affix the sashes relative to each other. .12. The assembly of any one of claim 1 to 10, wherein said latch is configured to affix the sashes to the frame.

13. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein laid latch section includes a groove and the latch includes a complementary bead, respectively sized to allow said bead to snap fit with said groove of the latch section.

14. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the latch is biased towards a closed condition by a spring acting. on a lever arm of the latch.

15. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the detent is in the form of a depression or a raised projection in said lock section of the outer sash.

16. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the opposed projections from the latch section and the lock section are substantially L-shaped and interlock such that the opposed projections intercept in the plane parallel to one or both of the sashes and also intercept in a plane normal to that of either one of the sashes.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said projections are dimensioned to minimise the spacing therebetween, such that a potential intruder cannot access the latch without *causing substantial damage to the screen.

18.. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said opposed projections are 20 integrally formed with the lock and latch sections respectively.

19. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said outer sash includes an outward projection in the form of an overhanging lip and said outer channel includes an outer :wall terminating in a flange wherein, when assembled, said flange is slidably retained between the outer sash and the overhanging lip and wherein said overhanging lip includes a section adjacent to and substantially coplanar with the outer wall of the outer channel. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said overhanging lip is in the form of an L-shaped o. *projection and the flange of said outer channel is in the form of an opposed L-shaped 0 extension of the outer wall.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said L-shaped extension of the outer wall is offset inwardly from said outer wall and extends into a U-shaped recess on the outer sash, formed by the L-shaped projection that forms the overhanging lip and the surface of the outer sash. chbm MO 111091522vl 204973584 11

22. The assembly of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said overhanging lip and said flange are dimensioned to minimise the gap therebetween, in order to preclude ready unwanted penetration of the gap.

23. The assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Capral Aluminium Limited *e *e chbmMO111091522v1 204973584