US20140027074A1

US20140027074A1 - Safety screen frame

Info

Publication number: US20140027074A1
Application number: US13/933,853
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian Houlihan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-30
Filing date: 2013-07-02
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Also published as: EP2879754A4; JP2015533520A; US9863186B2; WO2014022072A1; CN104507530A; EP2879754A1; MX2015000102A; US20140027327A1; TW201408345A

Abstract

A safety screen frame has four frames joined together to form a fall resistant window screen to prevent accidental falling. Each frame has an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion integrally formed out of aluminum. A hinge channel runs longitudinally along a top portion of the upper frame portion and allows the upper frame portion to rotate around an integrally formed pivot slot that is longitudinally disposed at the vertex between the upper and lower frame portions. A spline track holds weather strip materials and spring detents. A plurality of compression ridges are disposed along the inside facing surfaces of the upper and lower frame portions that hold a screen when the upper frame is rotated and compressed against the lower frame. The screen is made of a high strength material such as stainless steel. Each frame is mitered and welded together to form a window screen.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/667,099, filed Jul. 2, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are approximately five thousand reported cases of children falling out of a window every year in the United States alone. That amounts to about 14 children every day. The highest injury rate is among two year olds. While many windows are equipped with window screens, these are generally not strong enough to prevent falls.
Additionally, screen windows and doors can be expensive to replace when they break or the screen fails. Often the entire frame may have to be replaced or even the window or door if it is a custom size.
There is a need for a safety device that can prevent accidental falls from windows that is easy to use and economically feasible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A safety screen frame has four frames joined together to form a fall resistant window screen to prevent accidental falling. Each frame has an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion integrally formed out of aluminum. A hinge channel runs longitudinally along a top portion of the upper frame portion and allows the upper frame portion to rotate around an integrally formed pivot slot that is longitudinally disposed at the vertex between the upper and lower frame portions. A spline track holds weather strip materials and spring detents. A plurality of compression ridges are disposed along the inside facing surfaces of the upper and lower frame portions that hold a screen when the upper frame is rotated and compressed against the lower frame. The screen is made of a high strength material such as stainless steel. Each frame is mitered and welded together to form a window screen.
Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a safety screen frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the safety screen frame shown in FIG. 1 before compression.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the safety screen frame shown in FIG. 1 before compression.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the safety screen frame shown in FIG. 1 after compression.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a selected corner portion before assembly using a corner key.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a selected corner portion before assembly without using a corner key.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the selected corner portion after assembly.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a window with the safety screen installed.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a screen door with the safety screen installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a safety screen frame 100 is shown having an upper frame portion 110 attached to a hinge channel 125. A spline track 120 is integrally formed with safety screen frame 100. A plurality of compression ridges 130 are integrally formed on an inner surface of upper frame portion 110 and a lower frame portion 115. Compression ridges 130 are angled towards the outside of safety screen 100 to provide extra gripping strength. A pivot slot 135 is provided along the entire length of safety frame 100. Lower frame portion 115 has a spacing ridge 140 on the inward facing side to help position upper frame portion 110 when compressed.
Hinge channel 125 is integrally formed along the entire length of safety screen frame 100 and allows upper frame portion 110 to rotate in a compressed position. Spline track 120 is provided to allow the use of weather strip or other sealing materials. Additionally, spring clips (not shown) may be installed to hold screens snugly in place as is known in the art.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, safety screen frame 100 is shown in an open position while inserting a screen 150 between upper screen frame portion 110 and lower screen frame portion 115. Upper screen frame portion 110 is compressed against lower screen frame portion 115 securely holding screen 150 within. Compression ridges 130 frictionally hold screen 150 as they are forced together and spacing ridge 140 prevents over compression of safety screen frame 100.
Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a selected view of two safety frame portions 110 are shown creating 90 degree mitered corners fitting together using a corner key 145 that fits within pivot slot 135 by being cut at 45 degrees as is known in the art. After joining the mitered corners, screen 150 is inserted and then upper frame 110 is compressed to secure screen 150 within. The process is repeated on all four corners to create a complete window screen. The mitered joints may be welded together on the bottom side, top side or both to strengthen and secure the frame 100.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a selected view of two safety frame portions 110 are shown with 90 degree mitered corners that fit together and then are welded together. After joining the mitered corners, screen 150 is inserted and then upper frame 110 is compressed to secure screen 150 within. The process is repeated on all four corners to create a complete window screen.
Now referring to FIG. 8, a window frame 160 is shown with safety screen frame 100 mounted within. Safety screen 100 fits within a track portion (not shown) of window 160. Screen 150 protects children, pets or even adults from falling through the window.
FIG. 9 shows a screen door 165 with safety screen frame 100 installed therein. In this embodiment, screen 150 covers the screen portion of door 165 so that breaking through door 165 is prevented as discussed above. Safety screen frame 100 is screwed in using retainer screws or it may be held in placed using securing brackets as is known in the art.
Screen 150 should be made of a high strength material such as stainless steel or synthetic material such as KEVLAR or other composite material having a high tensile strength to prevent a person from falling through. The instant invention does not require the screen to be welded in or the use of other mechanical fasteners to prevent the screen from failing if pushed on. Safety screen frame 100 is made of extruded aluminum, however other materials may be used such as stainless steel, iron, etc. as long as hinge channel 125 can be integrally formed within while allowing the upper frame to permanently move in a compressed position. The frame may be painted or coated with plastic, vinyl or other surface enhancing material as is known in the art.
In addition to prevention of falling through the window, the instant invention is much more durable than traditional screens. This reduces maintenance costs for both windows and screen doors and reduces the overall cost of using the safety screen frames over the lifetime of the window or door while providing peace of mind by protecting against accidental falls.
Safety screen frame 100 fits within the frame portion of many commercially available windows and may be retro-fitted in those windows having an appropriate frame portion. Additionally, safety screen frame 100 may be manufactured and sold with a matching window to provide for new installations having the safety functionality built in.
Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress comprising:

four safety frame sections, each section comprising;

an upper frame portion;

a lower frame portion;

a hinge channel integrally formed along a longitudinally disposed portion on said upper frame portion;

at least one compression ridge disposed on a lower surface of said lower frame portion;

at least one compression ridge disposed on an upper surface of said lower frame portion;

a screen disposed between said upper and lower frame portions;

a pivot slot longitudinally and integrally formed along a vertex end of said upper frame portion and said lower frame portion adapted to rotate towards said lower frame portion; wherein said screen is compressionally held therein; and

a securing means for joining said four safety frame sections into one safety screen frame.

2. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 wherein said screen is made of stainless steel.

3. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 further comprising a spline track disposed along an upper surface of said upper frame portion and towards said vertex end of said safety frame section adapted to secure weather stripping material.

4. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 further comprising a spacing ridge disposed on an outer edge of said lower frame portion.

5. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 further comprising a spacing ridge disposed on an outer edge of said upper frame portion.

6. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is a weld.

7. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 wherein each end of said safety frame sections are cut at a 45 degree angle adapted to form a 90 degree angle when joined together.

8. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 further comprising a corner key adapted to fit within said pivot slot of two adjoining safety frame sections whereby a joint between said two adjoining safety frame sections is reinforced.

9. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 whereby said safety screen frame is adapted to fit within a window frame.

10. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 9 wherein said safety screen frame is secured in said window frame with securing brackets.

11. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 9 wherein said safety screen frame is secured in said window frame with screws.

12. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 wherein said safety screen frame is made of extruded aluminum.

13. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 1 wherein said safety screen frame is coated with a protective coating.

14. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 13 wherein said protective covering is plastic.

15. The safety screen frame for prevention of accidental egress according to claim 13 wherein said protective covering is paint.