GB2403253A

GB2403253A - Protective screen for doors or windows

Info

Publication number: GB2403253A
Application number: GB0314799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Neil Armstrong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Also published as: GB0314799D0

Abstract

A protective screen or grill 1 for a window 7 or door comprises first and second fixing means, the first fixing means being a rigid or flexible strip 2 attached to the vertical edges of the screen and the periphery of the window or door, and the second fixing means being strapping 5 running from the screen to the inside of the building and which is the tensioned, possibly by a buckle or cable tie 6. The strapping may be fed around a bracing bar bridging the internal side of the cavity. The screen may be manufactured from plastic, steel or a composite material.

Description

Protection screen fixing system for windows & doors for use in the

Construction Industry.

The invention relates to a method of fixing temporary window and door protection screens to domestic and commercial premises undergoing construction / refurbishment or properties which are void.

Construction sites and void properties suffer from expensive and inconvenient damages to windows and doors through accidents and wanton vandalism.

Effective screening products are not available since suitable fixing methods, which do not interfere with normal construction practices or result in modifications to windows / doors are unavailable.

The present invention seeks to provide fixing methods to provide a primary and secondary fixing method which will anchor protective screens over a window / door aperture from the time of installation of said products until construction / refurbishment is completed or a property is inhabited. These fixing methods can be used either independently or in conjunction with one another. These fixing methods will also allow traditional construction methods to be employed with no need to modify any existing materials or building practices, nor be constrained by the aforementioned building practices. The invention also makes for easy removal of screens and for the final finishing and appearance of the window / door to remain as is current building practice.

The invention uses a slim-line flexible or ridged material to allow a primary fixing to both vertical edges of the protective screen and fixing points either to the periphery of the frame of a window / door or to the property structure immediately surrounding the window / door frame. The secondary fixing is via strapping attached to the protective screen at a plurality of anchor points where the strapping can then be tensioned or which then leads through or around the window to be tensioned and secured within the building, by means of a buckle, cable tie or similar performing product. This can also incorporate a bracing bar applied across the internal aperture of the building which will take more strain should a person or persons attempt to remove the protective screen by force.

The invention allows screens to be temporary, re-useable and easily removed.

The screen fixing methods are suitable for all window / door styles and types constructed from timber, aluminium, steel, PVCu, GRP or composite materials. Use in both residential and commercial premises constructed using Traditional Build and Timber Kit building methods. The protective screen fixing methods can be used whether the window / door is being fitted in check behind the external facade or between an existing window / door aperture.

The fixing methods can also be employed at any time whether during the initial installation of the window / door as a preventative measure or at a later phase of the construction / refurbishment as a remedial action.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig 1 shows fixing for Traditional Build or Refurbished installation in check with the window / door frame rebated in check behind the external facade of a property.

Fig 2 shows fixing for Traditional Build or Refurbishment installation in aperture with the window / door frame fitted within the external facade aperture of a property.

Fig 3 shows fixing for Timber Kit construction with the window / door fitted within the aperture of the timber kit but rebated behind the external facade of the property.

Fig 4a Shows strapping routed through the window /door mounted horizontally, without the optional bracing bar.

Fig 4b Shows strapping routed around the window / door mounted horizontally and tensioned around a bracing bar which bridges the aperture internally.

Fig 4c Shows strapping routed through the window / door mounted horizontally and tensioned around a bracing bar which bridges the aperture internally.

Fig 4d Shows strapping routed around the window / door mounted horizontally, without the optional bracing bar.

Fig 5 shows front elevation, side elevation and plan view example shown as Timber Kit installation, with secondary fixing strap mounted vertically.

Fig 6 Enlarged View of Timber Kit installation with secondary fixing strap mounted horizontally through the window / door.

Fig 7 Enlarged View of Traditional Build installation with secondary fixing strap mounted horizontally through the window / door.

Referring to he drawings Fig 1,2,3,5,6,& 7. The protective screen can be constructed from any suitable shock absorbent sheet material and can be of any relevant shape or size (1) This is attached to a slim-line, flexible / rigid material (2) via a plurality of studs, rivets or similar fixing methods down both vertical edges of the screen (3). The flexible / ridged material (2) is then attached to either the periphery of the window / door (7) or to the material immediately surrounding it (8) using a plurality of suitable anchor types (4) which are relevant to the construction method and material of the windows / doors or surround being used.

Referring to Fig 4a,b,c &d the screen can then be although not necessarily, secondary fixed and tensioned via suitable strapping material (5) secured to the screen at a plurality of anchor points (9), which can be integral to the screen or a separate attachment. The straps run within the cage, horizontally, vertically, diagonally or a combination of all three aforementioned herein and are either, lead through or around the window (7) to the inside of the building or run between the anchors on the screen within the void formed by the screen and the outer face of the window / door. The strap is then tensioned with a suitable device such as a cable tie, buckle or similar performing product (6).

For additional strength and as an option the straps could be lead around a bracing bar (11) which could be mounted vertically or horizontally across the internal window / door aperture, before the straps are tensioned.

Removal of the screen is achieved by cutting the tensioning device (6) or strap (5) and cutting the flexible / rigid material (2) at a point between the screen (1) and the block-work / external facade (10). The screen is then lifted away and the window / door is sealed in the traditional fashion. s

Reuse of the screen is by removal of the plurality of studs, rivets or similar fixings at (3) detaching the excess flexible / rigid material (2) and replacing with a new piece on both the vertical sides of the screen.

Claims

1. A fixing method comprising a primary and secondary fixing method which can be used independently or in conjunction, to attach protective screens over windows and doors in a building under construction or during refurbishment or when void. A fixing method utilising a slim-line ridged / flexible material, attached to the vertical edges of the protective screen and the periphery of the window / door or its surround by a plurality of anchor points. The secondary fixing method using strapping material, running within the protective screen, secured at a plurality of anchor points on the screen, and then run within the void formed by the protective screen and the outer face of the window / door OR around the window / door OR through the window / door to the inside of the building and which is then tensioned.

2. A primary fixing method as in claim I which uses anchors consisting of rivets, studs, 2 part snap fittings, nails, pins, screws or similar performing products manufactured from plastic, steel, ceramics or composite materials.

3. A secondary fixing method as in claim I which uses a plularity of integral anchors or separate rings, hoops, hooks or similar performing products manufactured from plastic, steel, ceramics or composite material attached to the protective screen and which utilises straps either elastic or ridged made from steel, polyester, polypropylene or similar performing material to link said aforementioned anchors and which uses a tensioning device such as a buckle, cable tie or similar performing product to tension the aforementioned straps.

4. A fixing method as in claim 3 which could use an optional bracing bar which bridges the internal window / door aperture either horizontally or vertically and which the straps are lead around prior to being tensioned

5. A fixing method as claimed in all previous claims which anchors any suitable impact resistant screening material to a window / door frame or holds it within a window / door aperture, whether the screen is composed of plastic, steel, composite material or a similar performing material.

6. A fixing method as in all previous claims, which leaves a gap between the screen and the external facade of the building on the external face of the window / door frame and adjacent to the window / door facade boundary to enable removal of the protective screen.

7. A fixing method as in all preceding claims, which will allow fixing and removal at any point during the construction, refurbishment or void time period of the building.

8. A fixing method as in all preceding claims, which will not impede standard building practices or require modification to other building materials being utilised in the construction process.

9. A fixing method as in all preceding claims, which once removed will leave no trace and will allow the frames and external / internal facade to be sealed and finished in accordance with traditional building practices.

lO.A fixing method as in all preceding claims, which will allow removal of the screen.

11.A fixing method as in all preceding claims, which will allow the screen to be reused.

12.A fixing method according to any one ofthe preceding claims substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

13.A fixing method according to any one ofthe preceding claims substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 4a and 4b of the accompanying drawings.

14.A fixing method according to any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings

1 5.A fixing method according to any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6 & 7 of the accompanying drawings.