GB2276651A - Security screens - Google Patents

Abstract

A security screen (10) for use in securing an external window (12) of an unoccupied dwelling unit comprises a screen member (20) and a peripheral frame (22) surrounding the screen member (20). The frame 22 extends beyond the edge of a window recess (14) and has a lip (28) for extending into the recess (14). Brackets (30) are provided on the frame lip (28) for mounting the frame (22) to the building structure defining the window recess (16, 18) externally of the existing window (12). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SECURITY SCREENS This invention relates to improvements in or relating to security screens, and in particular to security screens for securing a window of an unoccupied building.

In many areas it is necessary to secure unoccupied building units against unauthorised entry by fitting security screens over external windows. Such security screens typically comprise a sheet of reinforced plastic fitted over or inside the window recess. Rods extend from the sheet through the window and are secured to bars which extend across the inside of the window opening. Fitting of such screens thus requires the rods to pass through the window opening. In certain window types, such as sash windows, the window may be opened to permit the rods to pass between the sashes and the peripheral window frame.

However, once the screen has been fitted, the window cannot be fully closed and sealed. In other window types it is necessary to break the window glass or remove parts of the window to allow location of the rods.

Clearly, the presence of open or broken windows will tend to accelerate deterioration of an unoccupied unit, and this feature is particularly undesirable in, for example, an unoccupied unit in a block of flats. Also, when the building is reoccupied the replacement and repair of broken windows involves considerable expense. Further, the internal appearance of a unit provided with such conventional security screens is very poor, increasing the difficulty in selling or re-letting the unit.

Conventional screens typically comprise substantially opaque sheets of sheet steel or reinforced plastic. Thus the interior of a unit fitted with such screens does not receive any natural light, further affecting the internal appearance of the unit and also necessitating the provision of artificial lighting for any work to be carried out within the unit while the screens are in place.

It is among the objects of the various aspects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a security screen for use in securing a window of a building, the screen comprising a screen member, a peripheral frame surrounding the screen member and for extending beyond the edge pf a window recess and having a lip for extending into the recess, and means on the frame lip for mounting the frame to the building structure defining the window recess externally of the existing window.

The screen may thus be fixed in a window recess without damaging the existing window. Also, on the majority of window types, the screen may be fitted without requiring removal of the window, and once fitted with the screen the operation of the window is unimpaired.

Preferably, the screen member is a sheet of lighttransmitting material such as toughened glass or reinforced plastic. This allows natural light to pass through the screen into the building.

Preferably also, the mounting means is in the form of brackets which may be fixed to the wall of the window recess using suitably anchored bolts or screws. Most preferably, the brackets include a fixing portion for abutting the wall, the fixing portion being laterally moveable relative to the frame while remaining substantially parallel to the wall. This feature permits screens of similar dimensions to be mounted in window recesses of slightly different dimensions without requiring modification. Such a bracket may comprise a fixing portion pivotally connected to an extension portion which is in turn pivotally connected to a portion mounted to the frame. Conveniently, such a bracket may be formed of two hinges fixed together.

The brackets may be fixed to the frame or may be moveable on the frame. The latter arrangement is useful where a window is to be refitted with a screen which is perhaps of slightly different dimensions than the original screen; the brackets may be moved to allow fixing of the bracket to the wall using the original anchoring bolt or screw holes.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting bracket comprising two fixing portions for location in parallel planes and for abutting respective mounting surfaces, and a connecting portion to which each of the fixing portions is pivotally connected about respective mutually parallel axes.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a security screen in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown prior to fitting over a window; and Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1, shown enlarged, and also illustrating a feature of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates a security screen 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for use in securing an external window 12 of an unoccupied dwelling unit. The window 12 is located within a recess 14 defined by vertical walls 16 and horizontal lintels 18.

The screen comprises a translucent screen member 20 located within a peripheral frame 22. In this example, the frame 22 is formed of rolled steel sheet and has an outer flange portion 24 which defines a channel 26 (Figure 2) which receives a respective edge of the screen member 20, and a lip portion 28 extending perpendicularly from the flange portion 24. The frame 22 is sized such that the lip portion 28 will fit within the window recess 14, while the flange portion 24 will extend beyond the recess 14. Conveniently, the frame 22 is formed of four parts 22a-d which are welded together to define the rectangular frame.

Fixed to each vertical lip portion 28 is a bracket 30 for use in securing the screen 10 in the window recess 14. Each bracket comprises three parts, a fixing portion 32 pivotally connected to an extension portion 34, which is in turn pivotally connected to a portion 36 fixed to the frame 22. The pivot axes of the connections between the portions 32, 34, 36 are substantially parallel to permit the fixing portion 32 to be moved laterally relative to the frame 22 while remaining substantially parallel to the frame. This feature allows the fixing portion 32 to be moved to accommodate variations in the width of recesses. The fixing portion 32 of each bracket is secured to the wall 16 of the recess by means of suitably anchored screws or bolts 40 held in bores 42 drilled into the walls 16.

The brackets 30 shown in Figure 1 are fixed to the frame 22, however Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates an alternative form of bracket 44 which is movably mounted on the frame 22. Similar to the bracket 30 described above, the bracket 44 includes a fixing portion 46, an extension portion 48 and a portion 50 mounting on the frame 22.

However, it will be noted that the portion 50 defines a channel 52 co-operating with a channel piece 54 fixed to the lip portion 28. This means of mounting the bracket 44 allows for some degree of movement of the bracket 44 relative to the frame 22, which is useful when a screen is to be refitted to a window which was previously secured with a different screen; normal manufacturing tolerances will be such that the location of the bores 42 drilled to coincide with the brackets of the previous screen would be unlikely to be exactly the same as the bores required for a different screen, and thus providing a movable bracket 44 overcomes this difficulty as the bracket 44 may be moved to the appropriate location, obviating the need to drill further bores.

In order to fit the screen 10 in a window recess 14, the screen is simply placed in the recess and the fixing portions 32 of the brackets 30 placed in abutment with the walls 16. The locations of the bores for the bolts are then marked on the wall and the screen removed to allow drilling of the bores. Once the bores have been drilled the screen is placed in the recess and the bolts 40 secured. Figure 1 illustrates a sash window which permits the bores 42 to be drilled and bolts 40 secured in place from the interior of the unit, simply by opening the windows. Once the screen 10 has been secured in place the window may be closed and sealed. Thus, it may be seen that the screen 10 may be readily fitted without removal or damage to the existing window 12 and without interfering with the normal operation of the window.

Also, due to the configuration of the frame, with the flange portion 24 extending beyond the edge of the recess, and the lip portion 28 extending into the recess, it is difficult for those wishing to gain unauthorised entry to the unit to achieve any purchase on the frame 22 using, for example, a crowbar in an effort to remove the screen 10.

The provision of a translucent screen member 20 within the frame 22 also improves the external appearance of the building and allows natural light into the interior of the unit.

It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above described embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention and that various improvements and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A security screen for use in securing a window of a building, the screen comprising a screen member, a peripheral frame surrounding the screen member and for extending beyond the edge of a window recess and having a lip for extending into the recess, and means on the frame lip for mounting the frame to the building structure defining the window recess externally of the existing window.

2. The security screen of claim 1 wherein the screen member is a sheet of light transmitting material.

3. The security screen of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mounting means is in the form of brackets for fixing to the wall of the window recess using suitably anchored bolts or screws.

4. The security screen of claim 3 wherein each bracket includes a fixing portion for abutting the wall, the fixing portion being laterally movable relative to the frame while remaining substantially parallel to the wall.

5. The security screen of claim 4 wherein each bracket comprises a fixing portion pivotally connected to an extension portion which is in turn pivotally connected to a portion mounted to the frame.

6. The security screen of claim 5 wherein each bracket is formed of two hinges fixed together.

7. The security screen of claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the brackets are fixed to the frame.

8. The security screen of claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the brackets are movably mounted on the frame.

9. A mounting bracket comprising two fixing portions for location in parallel planes and for abutting respective mounting surfaces, and a connection portion to which each of the fixing portions is pivotally connected about a respective mutually parallel axis.

10. The screen member substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. The mounting bracket substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompany drawings.