AU2003203518B2

AU2003203518B2 - Improvements to insect screens

Info

Publication number: AU2003203518B2
Application number: AU2003203518A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Conrad Peter Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-30
Filing date: 2003-04-08
Publication date: 2003-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-02
Also published as: AU2003203518B8

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Applicant(s): CONRAD PETER MARTIN Actual Inventor(s): CONRAD PETER MARTIN Address for Service: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 26 Ellingworth Parade Box Hill Victoria 3128 Australia Title: IMPROVEMENTS TO INSECT SCREEN Associated Provisional Applications: No(s).: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- Improvements to Insect Screens This application is a divisional of application No. 758499, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to insect /fly screens for mounting over door and window openings.

Background to the Invention Whereas there are currently commercially available a number of different designs of insect/fly screens that are adapted to mount over door and window openings, many of these are hinged to the surround of the opening and are not optimally convenient in use.

More sophisticated fly screen systems have become available in recent years and which are designed to slide on tracks across a door or window opening. As a generality, however, these are formed with a bulky, rigid frame defining the tracks as well as a comparatively bulky and rigid frame of the flyscreen itself.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a comparatively slim, compact and economical flyscreen installation and which is reliably effective and may be adapted to suit a number of different types of door and window configuration.

The above description of the prior art is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, an indication of the common general knowledge pertaining to the invention, but rather to assist 2 0 the person skilled in the art in understanding the developmental process which lead to the invention.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved flyscreen to be slidingly deployed across the opening of a window or door and being of 2 5 horizontal roller screen type having a mesh flyscreen on a roller that is mounted, in use, to a top, bottom or side of a door or window opening to be drawn across the opening, the flyscreen assembly further comprising a pair of guide rails extending in use opposite to each other to guide the opposing side edges of the screen as it is extended, wherein at least one and suitably both of the guide rails has a brush extending therealong substantially the length thereof and is/are further provided with an adjustable stabiliser/gripping bar extending therealong substantially the length thereof to grip and stabilise the screen against the brush(es) to counter sag and/or disturbance by the wind or other disruptive forces, the stabliser/gripping bar lying over the front face of the mesh flyscreen and which may be pulled outwardly away from the flyscreen to allow the screen to be deployed and then pushed back against the flyscreen and brush to grip the flyscreen against the brushes once the screen has been deployed.

Preferably the stabilising/gripping bars are adjustably mounted via hinges to the respective guiderails.

Suitably the stabilising/gripping bars are mounted in place by hinges and preferably the hinges comprise slots so that the stabiliser/gripping bars may be pulled laterally and pivoted outwardly.

Preferably the stabilising/gripping bars are provided with Velcro TM or other fastening means to fasten to the brush and mesh screen, gripping the screen in place and preferably the roller blind is arranged to extend in a substantially vertical direction and the screen is extended or retracted by a drawstring.

Suitably the screen is arranged vertically and the leading edge of the screen has a bar extending thereacross which is weighted to facilitate stable deployment of the screen.

Preferably the roll of the roller screen is held in a roller cassette and wherein the cassette is provided with two rows of brush means, one inward of the other relative to the opening of the roller cassette from which the screen is drawn, whereby the second row of brush means acts as a secondary barrier against ingress of flies.

Suitably the second row of brush means is pivotally mounted to the cassette to hang into 2 5 continuous contact with the roll as the screen is extended or retracted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved flyscreen substantially as hereinafter described with reference to Figures10 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to Figures 10 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.

The flyscreens of Figures 1 to 9 are covered in the corresponding parent patent application.

Figures la and lb are, respectively, front and rear elevation views of a first flyscreen, to be mounted on tracks to slide across a door opening in a set of French windows; Figure 2 is a plan view of the flyscreen of the first flyscreen from above; Figure 3 is an end elevation view of the leading end of the flyscreen; and Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the same; Figures 5 and 6 are, respectively, an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the screen as seen in Figure 2, and a horizontal sectional view of the same; Figures 7a and 7b are, respectively, front and rear elevation views of a second flyscreen, suitable for use with sliding windows; Figure 8 is an end elevation view of the second fly screen; Figure 9 is a plan view of the second flysceen from above; Figure 9a is a fragmentary view of the dovetail mounting of the projecting limb to the fly screen frame of the Figure 9 flysceen; Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a flyscreen of roller screen type; Figure 11 is an end elevation view of the Figure 10 embodiment; Figure 12 is a fragmentary view of a track and stabilising/gripping bar as viewed from the left hand side at detail A in Figure Figures 13A and 13B are, respectively, fragmentary plan views from above of the details shown in Figure 12 and showing the stabilising/gripping bar partially released and in locking engaged state, respectively; and Figures 14A and 14B are, respectively, a transverse sectional view through the roller screen top casing/roller cassette and a frontal view of the secondary brush component thereof.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the first fly screen is suitable for use with French windows (glazed sliding doors) and may also be used as a sun screen. It comprises a mesh sheet 1 held substantially taut within a rectangular frame 2a d. This is of a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the French windows or other sliding door installation against which it is adapted to sit. The frame 2a-d mounts within an additional channel retro-fitted to or integral with the track of the sliding French window in order to be able to slide across the door opening when the French window/door is slid back to its opened state.

The mesh of the mesh sheet 1 is suitably sufficiently fine to exclude the smallest of flying insects such as midges, gnats and mosquitoes. It is suitably of a plastics polymer such as nylon in which case horizontal strengthening bars 3 are suitably provided at intervals which are suitably equal intervals, of the height of the screen extending across the width of the screen. However, where the mesh is formed of a substantially rigid material such as aluminium or other metal or metal alloy, such additional strengthening is generally unnecessary other than, if desired, to act as a clear visual warning that the screen is drawn across the door opening to prevent individuals from failing to notice the fine unobtrusive screen and walking into it.

As can be seen from the side elevation, the insect screen has an extremely slim profile which in practice suitably of the order of 20mm or less and generally of the order of The rectangular frame 2a d is suitably formed of a pair of uprights/stiles 2a, 2b and top and bottom opposing cross-bars 2c, 2d all of aluminium, hard, hardened or strengthened plastics, wood or other suitable material that is lightweight but reasonably rigid.

The trailing edge stile 2a of the frame has a vertically extending brush 4 (preferably bristle brush) which is adapted to ride smoothly over the surface of the underlying static glazing pane of the French windows without damage to the glass if the screen should be pressed against the glass. It co-operatively engages with a corresponding vertically extending brush 5 that is mounted on the static stile 6 of the Frenchwindows that borders the door opening opposite the jamb 6. Abutment of the vertical brush 4 on the trailing edge stile 2a of the screen frame against the vertical brush on the static stile 6 gives a firm and insect tight closure of the door opening when the screen is drawn across the opening.

The leading edge of the leading stile 2b of the screen has a lip 7 which sits closely against the rail 8b on the door jamb to close that other side of the door opening. There is generally no need for a further brush or other sealing element at that end.

Each of the top and bottom cross-bars 2c, 2d has their own respective brush 9,10 extending horizontally the length thereof to seal the screen respectively from top and bottom.

The illustrated configuration of fly screen has a pair of small handle knobs 10 provided on one of the transverse strengthening bars 3, one knob 10 at each end. A small handle (not shown) is suitably provided on the alternate face of the screen for handling the screen from the outside. This is suitably provided on the transverse bar 3 or on the leading edge stile 2b that is particularly suitably pivotable to collapse substantially flat against the screen so that when the screen is fully retracted back against the static pane of the French windows the screen lies very closely against the static pane of the French windows.

By way of further detail apparent in the figures, the screen is provided with triangular corner pieces at each corner of the frame to better hold the mesh of the screen in place within the frame.

A fly screen for sliding windows, is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 and has a rigid rectangular frame construction in common with the first aspect The materials and construction are suitably generally the same. However, the trailing edge stile 2a' of the fly screen frame 2a'-2d' is provided with an extension profile 20 that carries the brush 4' of the trailing end of the frame and which is dimensioned to enable the brush 4' to maintain continuous contact with the underlying window while giving the fly screen clearance of the window handle. The depth of the extension 20 is adapted to suit the required clearance.

The extension profile 20 is demountable from the fly screen trailing edge stile 2a' to enable selection of the appropriate depth of extension 20 from amongst alternatives. The extension profile suitably keys to the frame by a sliding dovetail arrangement 21 or other keying arrangement.

Brushes are suitably provided not only along the top and bottom bars and the profile extension of the trailing edge but optionally also at the leading edge. Where a brush is provided down the leading edge 2b' this is suitably a felt brush rather than a bristle brush in contrast to the others.

As in figures 1 to 6, the brush 4' will abut/engage with a corresponding brush 6' on an upright of the sliding window when the screen 1' is fully extended across the window opening.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Turning now to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figures to 14, these illustrate the roller blind-like insect screen which has a mesh sheet 1" on a roll that may be pulled downwardly with its opposing lateral edges running in a pair of upright U-shaped channel tracks It may optionally also have a corresponding bottom track (not shown). It is preferably cord adjustable for deployment, since a spring-loaded gravity drop mechanism is unreliable.

The bottom bar 31 of the screen is suitably weighted with lead weights or the like to give stability and provide balance from front to back of the bar 31. A handle knob 46 is provided mid-way along the bar 31 to facilitate manual manipulation into place.

The strength of the screen 1 and support for the weighted bottom bar 31 is enhanced through provision of thickened solid 1cm edging to the screen 1.

The top casing/roller cassette 40 has a removable front cover 43 and, along the back thereof, a brush 44 extending the length thereof to exclude flies.

A removable secondary fly trap is suitably positioned in the top casing/roller cassette of the roller comprising.a plastic moulding 41 that hangs from the roof of the cassette and extends the length of the roller the moulding 41 having a brush 42 running along its length that rests on the screen roll 1" and accordingly remains continuously in contact with the screen roll 1" as the screen is extended or retracted and as the roll 1" correspondingly decreases or increases in diameter.

The upright tracks 30 on either side of the roller screen 1" each have a bristle brush 32 along one longitudinal edge and a stabiliser panel/ wing 33 along the opposing longitudinal edge. Each of the wings 33 is adjustably mounted to its track 30 on hinges 34. The hinges 34 take the form of bent pins being elongate and mounting in slots 35 in the wings 33 so that the wings 33 may be deployed by pulling laterally across and pivoting outwardly to release the edges of the roller blind screen 1" to allow it to be pulled down.

The wings 33 are then pivoted back and pushed back into the tracks 30 so that their curved rear faces push into and thereby to grip the fly screen against the brushes 32 in the tracks 30 once the screen is fully drawn down and deployed.

A strip of VelcroTM or similar is suitably provided on the rear face of each wing 33 preferably extending substantially along its length to enhance its grip. This gripping of the fly screen once the screen is deployed holds it firmly in place against any gusts of wind.

In the absence of a bottom track or not, the bottom edge/leading edge of the screen is suitably provided with a short felt brush 45 therealong and which effectively seals against the windowsill.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

Claims

1. An improved flyscreen to be slidingly deployed across the opening of a window or door and being of horizontal roller screen type having a mesh flyscreen on a roller that is mounted, in use, to a top, bottom or side of a door or window opening to be drawn across the opening, the flyscreen assembly further comprising a pair of guide rails extending in use opposite to each other to guide the opposing side edges of the screen as it is extended, wherein at least one and suitably both of the guide rails has a brush extending therealong substantially the length thereof and is/are further provided with an adjustable stabiliser/gripping bar extending therealong substantially the length thereof to grip and stabilise the screen against the brush(es) to counter sag and/or disturbance by the wind or other disruptive forces, the stabliser/gripping bar lying over the front face of the mesh flyscreen and which may be pulled outwardly away from the flyscreen to allow the screen to be deployed and then pushed back against the flyscreen and brush to grip the flyscreen against the brushes once the screen has been deployed.

2. An improved flyscreen as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the stabilising/gripping bars are adjustably mounted via hinges to the respective guiderails.

3. An improved flyscreen as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the stabilising/gripping bars are mounted in place by hinges.

4. An improved flyscreen as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the hinges comprise slots so that the stabiliser/gripping bars may be pulled laterally and pivoted outwardly.

An improved flyscreen as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stabilising/gripping bars are provided with Velcro TM or other fastening means to fasten to the brush and mesh screen, gripping the screen in place.

6. An improved flyscreen as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the roller blind is arranged to extend in a substantially vertical direction and the screen is extended or retracted by a drawstring.

7. An improved flyscreen as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the screen is arranged vertically and the leading edge of the screen has a bar extending thereacross which is weighted to facilitate stable deployment of the screen.

8. An improved flyscreen as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the roll of the roller screen is held in a roller cassette and wherein the cassette is provided with two rows of brush means, one inward of the other relative to the opening of the roller cassette from which the screen is drawn, whereby the second row of brush means acts as a secondary barrier against ingress of flies.

9. An improved flyscreen as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second row of brush means is pivotally mounted to the cassette to hang into continuous contact with the roll as the screen is extended or retracted. An improved flyscreen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 10 to 14 of the accompanying drawings. Datgd-'this 4th day of April 2003 PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for CONRAD PETER MARTIN