GB2196677A

GB2196677A - Insect screens

Info

Publication number: GB2196677A
Application number: GB08722399A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Markham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-10-09
Filing date: 1987-09-23
Publication date: 1988-05-05
Also published as: GB8722399D0

Abstract

A concertina-folding framed insect screen is attachable to a window frame. As shown spring- loaded pins 17 engage blind bores 10 at the corners of the frame. The pin may be lever operated (Fig. 5, not shown). Alternatively bosses (217) on the frame engage apertures on clips (Figs. 6,7, not shown); at pegs (317) fit holes in the corners of the screen. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Frames eg for insect screens The present invention relates to a folding frame, eg for an insect screen suitable for attachment to a door or window frame and to frames in combination with a set of mounting members for attaching the frame to a surface, eg to a door or window frame.

It is known to provide insect screens to cover open windows or doorways to allow the circulation of air whilst preventing the entry of insects. Such insect screens may take the form of concertina-like blinds to be drawn down over the frame of the window or doorway when required. Screens of this kind are liable not to lie flat against the frame so that the entry of insects is not wholely excluded, especially during windy weather when the screens may be deflected by the wind. Furthermore, during windy weather there may be unpleasant rattling noises produced by the blowing of the screens by the wind.

It is also known to provide insect screens comprising a rigid frame to be attached over an existing window opening. Such screens are bulky to store when not in use.

The present invention provides a folding frame, which may for instance contain insect screen material comprising a frame surrounding an aperture, which frame comprises a plurality of interconnected frame elements and is foldable on two opposed sides.

Preferably, the frame is foldable at two or more points along each of said two opposed sides.

Preferably the frame is foldable concertina fashion along two opposed sides.

Preferably, the frame is generally rectangular and the two sides adjacent the said foldable sides are not foldable and are each provided by a single frame element.

Such non-foldable frame elements may be formed with a slight bowing toward the window frame which must be overcome by flattening the frame elements against the window frame in installation. This helps to hold the frame elements tight against the window frame.

Preferably, the frame comprises a slot or rebate running around and facing into said aperture for receiving or containing material occupying said aperture. The frame may surround and hold an air permeable insect screen material.

The opposed sides of the frame along which the frame is foldable may each comprise several separate frame elements connected by portions of said screen material acting as hinges for the folding with respect to one another of the frame elements. Using the screen material to constitute the hinges in this manner is preferable on the grounds of simplicity, easy adaptability to different window sizes and low cost. However, as an alternative, the frame elements may be joined by hinges of other kinds.

Each frame element preferably comprises first and second mating portions and the screen material, when present, is trapped between said portions.

Suitably, the said first and second portions of each frame element are interconnected by a rib on one said portion fitting into a corresponding groove in the other said portion. The edge region of the insect screen material or other material to be held in the frame may pass between the two said portions of the frame element so that the material passes over the rib and is carried thereby into the groove. The rib and groove may form a snap fitting. Other forms of connection between the two portions of each frame element may however be employed.

The invention further provides a frame as described above in combination with a plurality of mounting members for mounting the frame to a surface, eg. an insect screen assembly for fitting to a door or window frame and comprising a folding insect screen as described above in combination with a set of mounting members for attaching the screen to a door or window frame.

The set of mounting members may comprise a plurality of main brackets each for fixing to a door or window frame to define a slot facing across the door or window frame into which a respective portion of the frame may be entered whilst the frame is in a partially folded condition and in which said portion of the frame may be slid in a direction parallel to the plane of the door or window frame to unfold the frame fully.

Each main bracket may comprise a spring action retaining means adapted releasably to lock the respective portion of the frame in position in the bracket when the frame is installed fully unfolded in said brackets.

The spring action retaining means may suitably comprise a pin or socket adapted to mate with a socket or pin respectively provided on the respective frame portion, the pin or socket of the bracket being biassed towards an engagement position in which it may mate with said socket or pin of the respective frame portion.

The bracket may for instance be provided with a spring loaded pin. Suitably, the pin will be provided with manually operable means for withdrawing the pin to release the respective portion of the frame from the bracket. Such manually operable releasing means may include a cam-action release lever for withdrawing the pin from the socket of the respective frame portion.

More preferably however, each main bracket is generally U-shaped, the legs of the U being deflectable apart against resilience to receive or release the respective frame portion and one of said legs bears said pin or said socket.

In addition to the main brackets described above, the set of mounting members may include auxiliary brackets each also being for fixing to the door or window frame to define a slot facing across the door or window frame into which a respective portion of the frame may be entered. Said auxiliary brackets may differ from the main brackets by lacking a spring action retaining means for locking the auxiliary bracket to the respective frame portion.

Auxiliary brackets of this type may not be wanted when the non-foldable frame elements are bowed in shape as described above.

Alternatively, mounting members may be fixed to the door or window frame or other mounting location over which members holes provided in a frame according to the invention are a press fit.

The mounting members may be of resilient material or partially split to provide resilience to ease their passage through the frame holes.

The invention further provides an insect screen installation on a door or window frame comprising a set of mounting members and a folding insect screen as defined above, the mounting members being located at positions spaced around the periphery of the insect screen frame and being attached to the door or window frame. Preferably, the set of mounting members includes main mounting members as described above. Preferably, these are located at corners of the insect screen frame.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of an insect screen according to the invention fitted to a window frame; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the insect screen of Figure 1 shown in a partially folded condition; Figure 3 is an exploded end view of one frame element of the insect screen of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3a is a side elevation of the insect screen of Figure 1 about to be fitted to a window frame.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a main mounting bracket cooperating with one corner of the insect screen of Figure 1 and mounted to a window frame; Figures 5a to 5d illustrate an alternative form of main mounting bracket as follows:Figure 5a is a perspective view of the mounting bracket with an operating handle thereof in a first position, Figure 5b is a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 5a with the operating handle in a storage position, Figure 5c is a cut away end view of the bracket of Figure 5a showing a locking pin thereof in its operative position, and Figure 5d is a view similar to Figure 5c showing the locking pin in a retracted position;; Figure 6a is a plan view of a further main bracket for use in the invention; Figure 6b is an edge view of the bracket of Figure 6a; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of insect screen according to the invention cooperating with the main mounting bracket of Figures 6a and 6b; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a corner region of a further embodiment according to the invention, illustrating particularly a mounting member for attaching the insect screen over an aperture.

As shown in Figure 1, an insect screen according to the invention comprises a frame 1 surrounding and holding insect screen material 2 such as plastics or fabric net. The frame comprises two long frame elements 3 each of which forms one long side of the frame and includes extensions 4 extending at right angles therefrom to commence the other two sides of the rectangular frame. The frame elements 3 are joined by four shorter frame elements 5 which are hinged to the extensions 4 of the frame elements 3. As seen in Figure 3, each frame element comprises a main body which is of flat strip material having running along one major face thereof a groove 6. A cover strip 7 making up the other part of the frame element is provided having a rib 8 which is a snap fit into groove 6. The screen material 2 is caught between the frame element main body and the cover strip 7.

As seen in Figure 2, the frame elements 5 are separate from one another and from the extensions 4 and the screen material 2 forms hinges between the frame elements 5 and between respective frame elements 5 and extensions 4 of the frame elements 3.

As seen in Figure 3a, the frame elements 3 are bowed to be convex toward the window frame and may be straightened by pushing them against the window frame. The resulting torsion holds the centre of the frame element against the window frame.

At each corner, the frame elements 3 have a raised square boss 9 containing a blind bore 10 on the exterior side of the frame of the insect screen.

For mounting the insect screen just described to a window frame 11, a set of mounting members is provided. This set of mounting members comprises four main mounting brackets 12 positioned one at each corner of the insect screen frame and two auxiliary mounting brackets 13 provided in the centre of each of the longer frame elements 3. The main mounting brackets 12 are best seen in Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 4, a main mounting bracket 12 has a main body portion 13 of generally parallelipedal shape bearing a projecting mounting plate 14 containing a pair of slots through which the mounting plate may be screwed to a window frame in such a manner as to allow some lateral adjustment of the position of the bracket 12. The body portion 13 has a mounting foot 15 from which projects the mounting plate 14, which foot serves to raise the inner end of the main body portion 13 from the plane of the front of the window frame to provide a slot 16 between the bracket and the window frame into which the corner of the insect screen frame may be passed. A locking pin 17 passes from front to back through the mounting bracket 12 and is spring loaded inwardly by a spring 18 against the resilience of which the pin may be retracted by pulling a knob 19 provided on its external end.

The locking pin 17 is biassed by spring 18 to protrude into the slot 16 to cooperate with the bore 10 in the boss 9 of the insect screen frame.

Optional auxiliary brackets 13 consists simply of a mounting plate for screwing to the window frame bearing a tongue 20 protruding inwardly of the window frame raised sufficiently therefrom to provide a slot to accommodate the insect screen frame element 3. The slot is defined between the underside of the auxiliary mounting bracket 20 and the underlying window frame 11.

The insect screen may be supplied folded concertinawise as indicated by Figure 2, suitably in a storage bag. Once the set of mounting members consisting of the main and auxiliary brackets 12 and 13 has been installed on a window frame, the insect screen may be rapidly fitted by first pushing one of the frame elements 3 under the overhanging mounting brackets 12 and 20 on one wide of the window whilst pulling back the operating knobs 19 to retract the locking pins 17 which are then released to lock the frame element 3 in the main mounting brackets 12. With the screen in partially folded condition, the other frame element 3 may be slid under the mounting brackets on the other side of the window frame until the frame elements 5 are fully unfolded and the screen material is tensioned and may then be locked in position by the respective locking pins 17.

The insect screen may be partially removed to allow access to the catch of the window by retracting the locking pins 17 on the top and bottom main mounting brackets on one side of the window. The insect screen may be removed entirely by retracting the locking pins in the main mounting brackets of both sides.

The insect screen may therefore be removed rapidly for storage when not required for use or to obtain full access to the window frame for cleaning or painting.

If desired, a draught excluder strip may be provided on the inner side of the frame of the insect screen to provide better sealing of the screen frame to the frame of the window.

This might for instance be a strip of hollow, soft, natural or synthetic rubber or a pile material.

The mounting brackets may be secured by screws as illustrated or may alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner such as by adhesive. They may even be made integral with the window frame.

A further benefit of the use of a frame surrounding the insect screen material is that in use the screen material may be under tension so that it is held completely flat and is visibly unobstrusive.

The mounting brackets for the insect screen may take various forms. Alternative forms of bracket are illustrated in Figures 5 to 7. Figures 5a to 5b show a first alternative main mounting bracket. Like that shown in Figure 4, the bracket comprises a main body portion 13 having a foot 15 causing the bracket to define with a window frame a slot 16 for receiving the insect screen frame. A locking pin 17 is provided passing through the main body portion into the slot 16 which is once again spring loaded to a locking position by a coil spring 18.

The main differences are as follows. The screws mounting the bracket to the window frame pass through elongate slots 114 in the main body portion 13. A cam action lever 119 is provided for retracting the locking pin 17. The lever is rotatable through 3600 in a plane parallel to the plane of -the window frame and may be rotated through 90 out of that plane to withdraw the locking pin 17 against the compressive force of the spring 18.

A simplified and preferred form of main mounting bracket is illustrated in Figures 6 to 7. The bracket shown in Figure 6a and Figure 6b is a clip of generally U-shape and is of springy material such as PVC or other plastics material capable of retaining permanent spring.

The spring may be of a combination of plastics and spring metal, e.g. plastics coated spring steel. The free end 219 of one arm of the "U" is angled outwards to form a ramp by means of which the arm may be outwardly deflected upon introducing the corner of the insect screen frame and to provide a manually engageable tab for opening the ''U'' for releasing the insect screen frame. That arm of the "U" is provided with a square hole 210 adjacent a circular screw access hole 211.

The other arm of the U is provided with a screw receiving slot 214 for receiving fixing screws so as to allow for lateral adjustment of the position of the mounting bracket.

To cooperate with such a mounting bracket, the corner of the insect screen frame is provided with a square protruding pin 217 instead of bore 10. The corner of the insect screen frame may simply be pushed into the clip constituted by the mounting bracket shown in Figures 6a and 6b so that the pin 217 rides under the ramp constituted by the tab 219 to open the clip and eventually comes to lie under the aperture 210 into which it locks. The insect screen frame may be released rapidly from such a clip simply by pulling back the tab 219 and sliding the insect screen frame out.

In an embodiment shown in Figure 8, the screen has at each corner a through mounting hole 310 and mounting pegs 317 are screwed into the window or door frame 11. Each peg 317 has a cylindrical base region of a diameter which is a clearance fit in any hole 310 and an upper portion which is split by a slot 320 and which is generally frusto conical tapering away from the base but having a radially protruting lip 321. A shoulder 322 is formed between the base of the peg and the upper portion thereof. An axial bore is provided in the base region of the peg for receiving a fixing screw.

The corners containing the mounting holes can be pressed over their respective pegs, the slots 320 allowing compression of the pegs to allow the holes to pass, the corners eventually being received surrounding the bases of the pegs, restrained by the shoulders 322.

The upper portion of each peg extending beyond the frame may be pinched together to enable removal of the frame when desired.

Many modifications and variations of the invention described may be made within the scope of the invention. In particular, the screen may be dimensioned to fit a door frame rather than a window frame and more or fewer mounting brackets may be provided according to the size of the frame. The frame elements may be permanently hinged one to another rather than interconnected merely by the screen material. Separate kits of mounting members may be added to enable several window frames to be equipped to receive a single insect screen which is transferrable between them.

Claims

1. A folding frame, comprising a frame surrounding an aperture, which frame comprises a plurality of interconnected frame elements and is foldable on two opposed sides.

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, which is foldable at two or more points along each of said two or more sides.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 2, which is foldable concertina fashion along said two opposed sides.

4. A folding insect screen comprising a frame surrounding and holding an air permeable insect screen material, which frame comprises a plurality of interconnected frame elements and is foldable on two opposed sides.

5. An insect screen as claimed in claim 4, wherein the opposed sides of the frame along which the frame is foldable each comprise a plurality of frame elements connected by portions of said screen material acting as hinges for the folding with respect to one another of the frame elements.

6. An insect screen as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein each frame element comprises first and second mating portions and the screen material is trapped between said portions.

7. An insect screen as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said first and second portions of each frame element are interconnected by a rib on one said portion fitting into a corresponding groove in the other said portion, the edge region of the insect screen material passing between the two said portions of the frame element so that the material passes over the rib and is carried thereby into the groove.

8. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 or an insect screen as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, in combination with a plurality of mounting members for mounting the frame or the frame of the insect screen.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of mounting members comprises brackets each for fixing to a mounting surface to define a slot facing across the surface into which a respective portion of the frame may be entered whilst the frame is in a partially folded condition and in which said portion of the frame may be slid in a direction parallel to the surface to unfold the frame fully.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein each said bracket comprises a spring action retaining means adapted releasably to lock the respective portion of the frame in position in the bracket when the frame is installed fully unfolded in said brackets.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 10, wherein each said bracket is generally Ushaped, the legs of the U being deflectable apart against resilience to receive or release the respective frame portion and one of said legs bears said pin or said socket.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein each mounting member is adapted to be a press fit into a corresponding hole provided in the frame.

13. An insect screen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of Figures 1 to 4, 5a to Sd, 6a to 7, or Figure 8.