GB2286217A

GB2286217A - Security screen

Info

Publication number: GB2286217A
Application number: GB9502042A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Augustine Beare
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-02-02
Filing date: 1995-02-02
Publication date: 1995-08-09
Also published as: GB9502042D0; GB9402007D0

Abstract

A screen for an opening (11) comprises a plurality of elongate elements (12a - 12q) at least some of which are pivotally inter-connected (13) together to provide a generally rectangular assembly which is foldable and unfoldable between an extended condition when the screen closes the opening, and a folded condition in which access may be gained through the opening, the assembly further comprising along each of two opposite sides, a side element (15a, 15b), wherein both of the side elements (15a, 15b) are slidable across the opening effect folding and unfolding of the assembly. Locking means can be provided at both ends of the screen. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Screen Description of Invention This invention relates to a screen for an opening and more particularly but not exclusively to a security screen for an opening.

In British Patent No. 2161197 there is described a security screen which comprises a plurality of elongate elements pivotally connected in a criss cross pattern to provide a generally rectangular assembly which is foldable and unfoldable between an extended condition in which the screen closes an opening and a folded condition in which access may be gained through the opening.

However, screens of this kind are fixed at one side of the opening which is unsuitable for some window opening arrangements.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a screen for an opening comprising a plurality of elongate elements at least some of which are pivotally inter-connected together to provide a generally rectangular assembly which is foldable and unfoldable between an extended condition when the screen closes the opening, and a folded condition in which access may be gained through the opening, the assembly further comprising along each of two opposite sides, a side element, wherein both of the side elements are slidable across the opening to effect folding and unfolding of the assembly.

Thus the assembly may be folded towards either side of the opening as described. Preferably the other of the side elements is fixed relative to the opening, by means of a locking arrangement.

For example, the screen may comprise a side frame element at each side of the opening and each side element of the assembly and each appropriate side element of the frame may carry interengageable components of a respective locking mechanism.

Thus the side element of the screen which is moved to fold and unfold the assembly may be selected simply by locking the other side element relative to its respective side frame element.

The elongate elements may be arranged in a criss-cross pattern as described in our co-pending UK patent application No. 9224811.1 published under No. 2272931.

Alternatively the elongate elements may be arranged in other configurations such as at least some of the elongate screen elements being generally vertical and others of the elements interconnecting the verticals and being arranged transversely thereto.

In each case, at least some of the elongate elements may be retained at one end thereof relative to a respective side element and being movable axially of the respective side element during folding and unfolding.

Further, as described in our co-pending UK patent application 9224811.1 each side element may be at least in the regions where the one ends of the elongate elements are retained thereby, of re-entrant channel configuration and the retained ends of the respective elongate elements may each carry a guide means which is entrapped in the re-entrant channel along the entire extent of axial movement of the one end of the respective elongate element.

The side elements are preferably made by rolling whereby the side elements can be made having a complex re-entrant configuration. In a preferred arrangement, each side element comprises a base having a pair of limbs extending therefrom, the free ends of the limbs being in-turned to provide front wall parts, the front wall parts themselves each being in-turned to provide lips which extend inwardly of the channel.

The limbs, front wall parts and lips may each provide a track for the guide means whereby the guide means can be moved along the channel and be retained by the channel.

Preferably the guide means each comprises a roller mechanism including at least one roller and an axle which passes through an opening in an end of a respective elongate element thereby to retain the end of the elongate element in the channel. The guide means preferably comprises a pair of rollers carried on the axle, each of the rollers being rotatable relative to the axle, or fixed relative to the axle as desired. In each case, the end of the elongate element is pivotable relative to the axle.

Alternatively, the guide means may comprise a slider pivotally secured to the end of a respective elongate element, such as a slider made of a suitably strong plastics material such as nylon.

The frame of the screen may further comprise top and bottom frame members which at least receive and conceal the ends of at least some of the elongate elements at the respective top and bottom of the generally rectangular assembly of elongate elements and side elements. Preferably, the top and/or bottom frame member comprises a re-entrant channel configuration, with the ends of at least some of the elongate elements being received in the re-entrant channel. Each of the slidable side elements of the screen may carry a guide means at at least one end thereof which moves along the channel of the respective top or bottom frame member and is entrapped in the channel, thereby to facilitate sliding of the side element, and to retain the side element relative to the top and/or bottom member.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustrative view of a screen assembly in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in figure 1, a security screen 10 which comprises a plurality of elongate elements 12a to 12q pivotally connected together as shown for example at 13 in a criss cross pattern and to a pair of side elements 15a, 15h to provide a generally rectangular assembly 12 which is foldable and unfoldable between an extended condition in which the assembly 12 closes an opening 11 in which the screen 10 is mounted, and a folded condition in which access can be gained through the opening 11. In the example shown, the opening 11 is arranged to be completely closed by the screen 10 when the assembly 12 is in its extended, unfolded condition, the opening 11 being of generally corresponding rectangular shape. In another arrangement, the opening 11 may not be completely closed by the security screen 10, e.g. the screen 10 may not extend for the full height of the opening 11.

The security screen 10 is shown in figure 1 in a partially extended condition.

Both of the side elements 15a 15b are slidable across the opening 11 to effect folding and unfolding of the screen 10 between its extended and folded conditions although more usually, one or other of the side elements 15g, 15b would be fixed relative to the opening whilst the other is slid.

The security screen 10 further comprises top and bottom frame members 17,18, respectively, which bound the top and bottom of the opening 11, and a pair of side frame elements 19a, 19b each of which is secured to an opposite side of the opening 11.

The one ends of a pair 12a and 12h of elongate elements are connected together and fixed relative to side element 15b as indicated at 20 whilst the one ends of a further pair 12=12d of elongate elements are connected together and to side element 15a, as indicated at 21, the connections 20 and 21 permitting pivoting of the respective elongate elements, relative to each other and relative to the respective side elements 15a 15b.

The one ends of another pair 12g,12f of elongate elements are retained by side element 15h, but are free to move axially of side element 15b as hereinafter explained.

The one ends of yet another pair 12 12h of elongate elements are retained by side element 15a but again are free to move axially of side element 15 as hereinafter explained.

It will be appreciated that as either of the side elements 15a, 15b is slid across the opening 11, the elongate elements of the assembly 12 will relatively pivot and the overall height of the generally rectangular assembly 12 of elongate elements will vary. Thus the top and bottom frame members 17,18, are sufficiently deep to receive and conceal the ends of the elongate elements at the top and bottom of the screen 10, during the entire range of movement of the assembly 12.

Further, as the assembly 12 is folded and unfolded, the axial positions of the ends of elongate elements 12A,12f and 12g,12h, relative to their respective side elements 15a, 15b will vary.

Referring now to figure 2, there is shown a cross section through side element 15b along the line 2-2 of figure 1. The cross section of side element 15a is identical.

Side element 15a comprises a re-entrant channel configuration provided in this example by a base 24, a pair of generally parallel limbs 25,26, the free ends of the limbs 25,26, being in-turned to provide front wall parts 27,28, which are themselves in-turned to provide lips 29,30, which extend inwardly of the channel. An end 31 of elongate element 12e is shown received in the channel between the lips 29,30, the end 31 carrying a guide means 32 which in this example comprises a roller mechanism to facilitate movement of the end 31 of the elongate element 12e along the side element 14 during folding or unfolding the screen 10.

The roller mechanism comprises an axle 35 which has an integral head 36 at one end and carries a pair of rollers 37,38, which roll along the side element 15d, in respective tracks 39,40 provided by the limbs 25,26, front wall parts 27,28, and lips 29,30, respectively. The axle 35 further carries a spacer 42 and passes through an opening provided in the end 31 of the elongate element 12e.In another example, where the height of the screen 10 is greater, the ends of a pair of elongate elements may be pivotally interconnected in the re-entrant channel side element 15b by the axle 35 of a guide means, in which case the space shown occupied by spacer 42 would be occupied by the end of the other of the pair of elongate elements. Thus the end 31 of the elongate element 12 or the connected ends of the pair of elongate elements is or are captively retained by the re-entrant channel configuration of the side element 15h whilst being free axially to move relative to the side element 15b as the assembly 12 is moved between its folded and unfolded conditions.

In this example, the end of the axle 35 remote from head 36 is splayed outwardly as indicated at 43, the head 36 and splayed end 43 being received in respective recesses 44,45, provided in the respective rollers 37,38. Thus the entire guide means 32 provides an assembly in which the axle 35 is not free to move along its own axis.

The ends of each of the elongate elements 12t, 12e and 12k are each retained captively by their respective side elements 15b, 15a in the same manner that end 31 of elongate element 12e is retained by side element 15b.

The fixings 20,21, can be achieved for example by a bolt or other fastener simply passing through the channels 14,15, from one side to the other.

Preferably though, the fixings 20,21, are such that there is no access to the fixings from one side (e.g. outside) of the screen 10, for added security. In one example, there may be provided inside the channels 14, 15, a pair of rectangular plates which correspond in cross sectional configuration to the rollers 37,38, but at least one of the plates being fixed by rivets for example, or other fastenings to one wall 25 or 26 of the channel. The ends of the respective elongate elements 12gL12h, or 12g,12g1, being received between the plates and connected thereto by an axle like axle 35 for example.

The guide means 32 may be received by their respective side elements 15h, 15a by sliding in from one end during assembly of the security screen 10, i.e.

prior to the ends of the side elements 15h, 15a becoming unaccessible.

Alternatively if desired, at least the guide means 32 slidable in side element 15b can be assembled on site, for example, after the side element 15b has been secured relative to the opening 11 and after top and/or bottom frame members 17,18, and side frame members have been secured relative to the opening 11.

Arrangements which permit assembly of a guide means from one side only of the side element 15k are possible, in the event that access cannot be gained to both sides of the side element 15b.

If desired, the guide means for side element 15a may be arranged to be assembled on site, similarly to the guide means 32 described.

In another embodiment, the guide means, instead of comprising roller arrangements, may comprise sliders arranged to slide in their respective re-entrant channel configuration side elements 15k, 15a the sliders being pivotally secured to the ends of their respective elongate elements 12a-12e.

In a preferred embodiment, the top and bottom frame members 17,18, each also comprise a re-entrant channel configuration which may be of a similar cross sectional configuration to the side element 15b shown in figure 2, or of an alternative re-entrant channel configuration. Preferably though the channels of the top and bottom frame members 17,18, are deeper than the channels of side elements 15 15a as shown in figure 4, to permit up and down movement of the ends of the respective elongate elements 12A, 12k as the security screen 10 is folded and unfolded.

The configurations of the side elements 15x, 15b are identical but oppositely handed. Each carry at its lower ends an insert 55 which has a part 56 which projects upwardly into the respective element 15 , 15b and a part 57 which projects downwardly into the channel of the bottom member 18. The downwardly projecting part 57 has a width W substantially the same as the thickness of a pair of elongate elements 12a-12k and thus substantially fills the space between a pair of inwardly extending lips 29k,30k of the channel element 18.

The upwardly extending part 56 is preferably of channel shape such that the channel openings P of the side elements 15L, 15b are not obstructed throughout the full length of the respective element 15a, 15b.

At the lower end of the downwardly extending part 57 there is an opening 58 through which passes an axle 59 for a pair of rollers 60.

Thus the side elements 15E, 1511 are guided during sliding movement, in the channel bottom frame member 18 by the rollers 60 and is retained relative to bottom member 18.

At their upper ends, the side elements 15a 15b each carry another insert 61 which has a part 62 which projects downwardly into the elements 15a, 15b and a part 63 which projects upwardly into the channel of the top element 17 and substantially fills the space between a pair of inwardly extending lugs 2930a.

Again the downwardly extending part 62 is generally channel shaped such that channel opening P is not obstructed, and upwardly extending part has a slot 65 which receives an axle 66 which carries a pair of rollers 67. Thus the side elements 15a, 15b are both guided in the top frame member 17 during sliding, by rollers 67 and are retained relative to the top element 17. The slot 65 is provided so that in the event that the elements 15e, l5h when moved across the opening 11, is not kept vertical, there is no risk of the rollers 67 jamming in the member 17.

The rollers 60,67 (and elongate elements 12a-12O are preferably slid into their respective bottom and top members 18,17 from one end, e.g. prior to securing the members 18,17 to fixed side members 19a 19b.

Each of the side elements 15E, 15b carries one part of a lock L1, L2 which interengages with a keeper secured relative to side member 19a, 19b such that the assembly 12 can be locked at both sides in its extended condition and opened from either or both sides as desired.

It will be appreciated that the security screen 10 described provides a significant deterrent and real degree of security against forced entry through the opening 11, where the opening 11 comprises a door or window for example.

However, when the security screen is folded open to either side of opening 11, the screen does not provide any significant obstacle to access through the opening 11.

In another arrangement, the invention need not be applied to screens having an assembly comprising criss-cross elements, but may be applied to a screen having elongate elements arranged in another configuration.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A screen for an opening comprising a plurality of elongate elements at least some of which are pivotally inter-connected together to provide a generally rectangular assembly which is foldable and unfoldable between an extended condition when the screen closes the opening, and a folded condition in which access may be gained through the opening, the assembly further comprising along each of two opposite sides, a side element, wherein both of the side elements are slidable across the opening to effect folding and unfolding of the assembly.

2. A screen according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is foldable towards either side of the opening, one of the side elements being slid across the opening to effect folding.

3. A screen according to claim 2 wherein the other of the side elements is fixed relative to the opening, by means of a locking arrangement.

4. A screen according to claim 3 wherein the screen comprises a side frame element at each side of the opening and each side element of the assembly and each appropriate side element of the frame carry interengageable components of a respective locking mechanism.

5. A screen according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate elements are arranged in a criss cross pattern.

6. A screen according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least some of the elongate screen elements are generally vertical and others of the elements interconnect the verticals and are arranged transversely thererto.

7. A screen according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the elongate elements are retained at one end thereof relative to a respective side element and are movable axially of the respective side elements during folding and unfolding.

8. A screen according to any preceding claim wherein each side element is at least in the regions where the one ends of the elongate elements are retained thereby of re-entrant channel configuration and the retained ends of the respective elongate elements each carry a guide means which is entrapped in the re-entrant channel along the entire extent of axial movement of the one end of the respective elongate element.

9. A screen according to any preceding claim wherein the side elements are made by rolling whereby the side elements are made having a complex reentrant configuration.

10. A screen according to one of claims 8 or 9 wherein each side element comprises a base having a pair of limbs extending therefrom, the free ends of the limbs being inturned to provide front wall parts, the front wall parts themselves each being inturned to provide lips which extend inwardly of the channel.

11. A screen according to claim 10 wherein the limbs, front wall parts and lips of the side elements each provide a track for a guide means whereby the guide means are movable along the channel and are retained by the channel.

12. A screen according to claim 11 wherein the guide means each comprises a roller mechanism including at least one roller and axle which passes through an opening in an end of a respective elongate element thereby to retain the end of the elongate element in the channel.

13. A screen according to claim 12 wherein the guide means comprises a pair of rollers carried on the axle, each of the rollers being either rotatable relative to the axle, or fixed relative to the axle.

14. A screen according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the end of the elongate element is pivotable relative to the axle.

15. A screen according to claim 11 wherein the guide means comprises a slider pivotally secured to the end of a respective elongate element.

16. A screen according to claim 15 wherein the slider is made of a strong plastics material.

17. A screen according to any preceding claim wherein the frame of the screen further comprises top and bottom frame members which at least receive and conceal the ends of at least some of the elongate elements at the respective top and bottom of the generally rectangular assembly of elongate elements and side elements.

18. A screen according to claim 17 wherein the top and/or bottom frame member comprises a re-entrant channel configuration, with the ends of at least some of the elongate elements being received in the re-entrant channel.

19. A screen according to claim 18 wherein each of the slidable side elements of the screen carries a guide means at at least one end thereof, which moves along the channel of the respective top or bottom frame member and is entrapped in the channel, thereby to facilitate sliding of the side elements, and to retain the side elements relative to the top and/or bottom member.

20. A screen constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 3.

21. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.