AU2008203791B2

AU2008203791B2 - Security system

Info

Publication number: AU2008203791B2
Application number: AU2008203791A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Brinley; James Howe
Original assignee: DYNAMIC CLOSURES AUST Pty Ltd
Current assignee: DYNAMIC CLOSURES (AUST) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-08-10
Filing date: 2008-08-08
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-08
Also published as: AU2008203791A1

Abstract

- 35 A barrier in the form of a security screen having a multitude of security panels alternately arranged with a 5 multitude of hinge arrangements comprising at least two hinge members located on either side of the panel. The hinge arrangement has two hinge members, an inner hinge member and an outer hinge member in which the inner hinge member is received within the outer hinge member to allow 10 relative movement wherein one hinge member is connected to one panel and the other hinge member is connected to an adjacent panel. one or more connection elements in the form of joiners are provided at either end of the hinge arrangement to interconnect the individual hinged members 15 to one another so as to increase the security of the barrier formed by the panels by reducing the chance that the hinged members can be forced apart under impact or the like such as by striking the hinge arrangement with a hammer or similar implement. N:AMelboume\Cases\Patent\72000-72999\P72310.AU.1\Specis\P72310.AU.1 Specification 2008-8-4.doc 8/08/08

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Dynamic Closures (Aust) Pty Ltd Invention Title: SECURITY SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P72310.AU.1 Pat Set_Fling Appcation 2008-8-8.doc (M) - 1 SECURE CONNECTION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to security barriers of the type preventing unauthorised access through or past the barriers into a restricted or prohibited area. In one form, the present invention relates to movable 10 security barriers having increased strength. In one form the present invention relates to a releasably securable barrier movable between a closed position preventing unauthorised access to a restricted area and an 15 open position allowing access through or past the barrier. In one form the present invention relates to a security screen having a multitude of sections which are interconnected together by a hinge arrangement allowing 20 the sections to pivot with respect to each other about the hinge arrangement between a closed position and an open position in which the hinge is strengthened to resist separation of the panels from each other by the application of force or leverage to the panels. 25 In one form the present invention relates to a connection system having increased strength and security for securely connecting foldable or pivotal panels to one another to form a security screen and/or to connect the individual 30 hinge members of a pair of hinge members forming the hinge or hinge arrangement for the panels in which the hinge arrangement and/or panels are more resistant to damage so as to provide greater resistance to and/or prevent 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 2 unauthorised access through the security screen thereby providing increased protection against unauthorised access to a restricted or prohibited area. 5 The present invention finds particular application in security screens for retail establishments, banks, beverage dispensing areas, storage areas or the like, such as for example as part of or all of the complete frontage of a tenancy in a shopping complex, shopping mall, 10 shopping precinct or the like, or as security screens for protecting bank tellers in banks against robbery by preventing unauthorised access over the serving counter of a bank in which the security screens are more resistant to damage by being more strongly joined together so that 15 greater force is required to separate the sections or panels forming the screen from one another when force is being used. Although the present invention will be described with 20 particular reference to one form of a security screen and components of and fittings for a security screen, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiment but rather the scope of the present invention is more extensive so as to 25 include other forms and arrangements of the security screen and its components and fittings, including the hinge members, the connector elements and the fasteners as well as including applications other than as security screens for protecting access to or through the entrance 30 to banks or similar. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Security is required in many varied and diverse situations. The need for improved security is increasing 5 all the time. Some examples of where security is required includes the use of security screens, security barriers, security panels, grilles, or the like. Typical situations which involve the use of security screens or similar are shopping centres for closing the entrance to a shop, bank 10 or similar; as a partition to divide a secure area from non-secure area, such as in a store room, shop, factory or other establishments providing goods; in restaurants, hotels or bars to separate the liquor serving area from the food serving area such as to quarantine the liquor 15 sales area after hours or the like; in banks providing security for tellers and other employees against robbery, such as by having emergency security screens that are instantaneously releasable in times of emergencies to protect the personnel and contents of the bank; or to have 20 screens which can be opened to allow access across the counter and closed when access is to be denied. In many instances the security screens are made from a multitude of interconnected panels which can move relative 25 to one another such as for example by being pivotally interconnected together or hingedly connected to one another along adjacent abutting edges or similar to form a security screen or assembly. One form of the security screen is the type that can be concertinaed to one side by 30 the panels of the screen being folded back upon one another to form an array of panels so as to open the screen when the area is required for use. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 4 One of the shortcomings of hingedly connecting foldable or pivotal panels together to form a screen is that the hinge connecting two adjacent panels is an area of weakness that exposes the security of the screen to being breeched. In 5 many cases the application of excessive force to the security screen, such as for example by using a sledge hammer or similar, to the hinge, hinge components or in the region of the hinge often overcomes the intrinsic strength of the hinge to allow the panels to deform and/or 10 to separate from each other or at least to be deformed or damaged to the extent that the panels no longer fit together securely to provide a useful protective barrier so that a lever in the form of a pinch bar or jemmy can be inserted to lever the panels apart or a hammer used to 15 force the panels further apart or similar. Thus, there is a need to provide a more secure security screen having an improved hinge arrangement which is capable of resisting damage from the force of impact or leverage so that the security screen remains intact thereby ensuring the 20 integrity of the screen to provide greater protection. Accordingly, it is one aim of the present invention to provide a security screen that is more able to resist damage and/or breakage. 25 It is another aim of the present invention to provide a hinge arrangement for hingedly connecting foldable or pivotal panels of a security screen or similar barrier to one another which hinge arrangement resists separation of 30 the panels to a greater extent when subjected to a separating force, particularly an impulse force or an impact force. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 5 It is another aim of the present invention to provide a connection system allowing individual components of a security screen, particularly the hinge members or hinges of the security screen to be connected to one another in a 5 manner which allows the screen to remain intact when subjected to a damaging force thereby preventing separation of components of the screen to provide increased protection. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a connector system for a hinge assembly having a first and a second end, 15 the hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member having a first connection portion and a first pivot portion, and a second hinge member having a second connection portion and a second pivot portion, the first and second pivot 20 portions for providing pivoting movement of the hinge assembly, the connector system comprising a first connector element having a first end and a second end, and a second 25 connector element having a first end and a second end, the first and second connector elements located at the first end of the hinge assembly to strengthen the hinge assembly, 30 the first end of the first connector element connected to the first connection portion of the first hinge member and the second end of the first connector element connected to the first pivot portion of the first hinge member, 35 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 6 the first end of the second connector element connected to the second connection portion of the second hinge member and the second end of the second connector element connected to the first pivot portion of the first hinge 5 member, the first and second connector elements providing resistance to separation of the first hinge member and the second hinge member from each other while permitting 10 pivoting movement of the first and second hinge members. According to one form there is provided a method of increasing the strength of a security screen having at least two panels foldable or pivotal with respect to each 15 other about a hinge having a pair of hinge members comprising the steps of connecting one end of a first connector element to a first hinge member, connecting the end of a second connector element to a second hinge element, aligning the second end of the first connector 20 with the second end of a second connector and connecting the aligned second ends of the first and second connectors with the second end of the first hinge member so as to securely retain the pair of hinge members in contact with each other so that the hinge members resist separation 25 from each other when subject to a separating force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Typically the barrier is a security barrier, typically in 30 the form of a security screen, security grille, security partition or the like. More typically, the security screen of the present invention is a security screen assembly including a number of different components arranged with respect to each other to form a multitude of 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 assemblies arranged in a side by side repeating sequence and connected to each other in side by side relationship. In one form the security screen includes a multitude of similar panels interconnected together. More typically, 5 the panels are hingedly connected to one another so as to allow the security screen to move between a secured, or expanded configuration in which the individual panels span the space being protected and an open or contracted configuration in which the panels are folded back upon 10 themselves or to be concertinaed to one side of the screen or to pivot with respect to each other. In one form the panel is a solid panel. In another form the panel is a partially open panel or of an essentially 15 open appearance or having a multitude of openings or perforations which are strong enough to resist damage. In another form, the screen is a framework screen having a multitude of interconnected framework members, elements or the like. 20 Preferably, the solid panel is provided with one or more planar sections, preferably rectangular planar sections. More preferably, the planar sections are alternately arranged with substantially tubular sections, preferably 25 substantially circular tubular sections and more preferably hollow tubular sections, typically in the form of strengthening ribs, ridges, braces, struts or the like. In one form the panel is provided with a side section. 30 Typically there are two side sections of each panel, one on either side of the panel. In one form the side sections are in the form of a projection, protrusion, or similar. Typically the side section is connected to the 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 8 hinge, preferably the side section is received within one part of the hinge members. Typically, the side section is an extrusion comprising a combination of flanges and recesses. Typically the side sections of the panel are 5 received in the first parts of the respective hinge members located along either side of the panel. In one form the panel is formed as an extrusion, preferably an aluminium extrusion so that the panel has a 10 substantially constant cross-section along its length. More typically, the panel is one of a multiplicity of similar or identical repeating panels interconnected together by the hinges. More typically, each repeating 15 section includes a panel and a pair of hinge members located at or along the side edges connected to the projections. Typically the hinge assembly comprises a pair of hinge 20 members. More typically, the hinge members cooperatively engage with one another, preferably, pivotally engage with each other, to allow the panels to fold with respect to each other. Most preferably, the two hinge members making the pair of hinge members are complementary to one another 25 in shape and form. Most preferably, each hinge comprises a first hinge member and a second hinge member or an essentially inner hinge member and an essentially outer hinge member. 30 Typically the first hinge member is connected to one side of the panel whereas the second hinge member is connected to one side of an adjacent panel or to the other side of the first panel. Typically, the first and second hinge 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 9 members are complementary to each other such that a part of the first hinge member is received within a part of the second hinge member to allow the two hinge members to pivotally move with respect to one another to allow the 5 security screen to fold or to concertina towards one end of the screen. Typically the first hinge member has a bead comprising two curved walls, preferably connected to each other by a web. 10 The two curved walls are a first inner curved wall and a second inner curved wall. More typically the first inner curved wall is located partially around to the outside of the second inner curved wall by the second inner curved wall being of a smaller diameter than the first inner 15 curved wall. Typically, the second inner curved wall forms a channel, preferably an open sided channel having a lengthwise extending slot. Most preferably, a securing fastener is received within 20 the bead, preferably within the channel formed from the inner curved wall. More typically, the inner curved wall forms the wall of the channel extending lengthwise along the length of the panel. 25 Typically, the second hinge member is provided with a socket. Preferably, the socket comprises two curved walls. Preferably, the two curved walls are a first outer curved wall and a second outer curved wall. The first outer curved wall is of a smaller diameter than the second 30 outer curved wall. More preferably, the first outer curved wall and the second outer curved wall are arranged generally opposite each other to form the socket. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 10 More typically, the bead comprising the two inner curved walls of the first hinge member, are received within the socket comprising the two outer curved walls of the second hinge member. Typically, the smaller diameter inner 5 curved wall pivotally engages with the smaller diameter outer curved wall and the larger diameter inner curved wall engages the larger diameter outer curved wall to form the hinge. 10 Typically, the first and second hinge members are provided with a recess, cavity, bore, or similar for cooperatively engaging with a panel, preferably by receiving therein a projection, profile, protrusion or similar extending outwardly from the panel being received within the recess. 15 More typically, the recess has an at least one partially curved wall for receiving therein a suitable fastener, preferably in combination with the projection. Even more typically, the recess is located at the first end or part of the hinge member. Preferably, the bead and socket of 20 the respective inner and outer hinge members are located at the respective second parts of the hinge members. Typically the connector element is a joiner, plate, or the like. More typically the joiner has two ends. A ring or 25 aperture or similar is formed at either end. More typically the aperture at one end is of a smaller diameter or size than the aperture at the other end. Typically the larger of the two apertures is the inboard 30 aperture when the joiner is in situ connecting the two hinge members together. Typically there is a spacer associated with one of the 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 11 joiners. More typically, the spacer is a washer, preferably a packing washer, more preferably, a packing washer of the same thickness as the joiner. Most preferably, one joiner overlies a second joiner and washer 5 in use. Typically, there is a connection system at both ends of the panels, such as for example, one set of connection elements located at the upper ends of the panels and another set of connection elements located along the lower end or edge in use. 10 Typically one fastener connects one end of one joiner to the panel whereas another fastener connects one end of the other joiner to an adjacent panel. 15 Typically the larger aperture of the two joiners are coaxially aligned with each other to receive therethrough a single fastener for joining the two joiners to the hinge about the one axis. Typically the joiners rotate about the common axis to allow the two adjacent panels to rotate 20 or pivot with respect to one another. Typically, the single fastener is provided with a bearing collar. More typically, the bearing collar is located next to the head of the fastener. 25 Typically the common axis is aligned within the inner curved part of the first hinge member, i.e. the channel or bore formed internally within the bead of the first hinge member. 30 Typically the two joiners are fastened to each other about the one fastener so as to be interconnected together to resist a separating force attempting to separate the two panels from each other. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 12 Typically, the end, preferably, the distal end of one or more curved walls is provided with a flattened portion. Preferably, the distal end of the outer wall of the socket 5 is provided with a flattened end, portion, section or the like. Typically, one or more web portions joining the inner and outer walls is provided with a groove or similar. 10 Preferably, the web between the inner and outer curved walls of the socket is provided with a V-shaped or V profile groove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one form of part of a security screen comprising panels having a hinge located at either side from which the connecting elements have been omitted for clarity. 25 Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the hinge members of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded top perspective view of the connection elements separated from the hinge in accordance 30 with the present invention. Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the connection system of the present invention with two adjacent panels 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 13 in an expanded condition, corresponding to the screen being in a closed position. Figure 5 is a top plan view of part of the security screen 5 of Figure 4 also in a closed position. Figure 6 is a top plan view of part of the security screen in a partially folded condition. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One form of the present invention will now be described in detail. 15 In Figure 1 there is shown one form of part of the security screen to which the present invention is applicable, generally denoted as 2. It is to be noted that the connection elements have been omitted from Figures 1 and 2 for the sake of clarity and ease of 20 understanding to reveal the detail of the cross-section of the hinge. In one embodiment the security screen 2 is in the form of a multitude of solid panels 10 arranged in generally side by side interconnected relationship to one another. Part of the screen is shown in Figure 1 having 25 three adjacent panels 10. The screen can be made with any number of panels. Each panel has four alternately arranged generally rectangular flat sections 12 and three hollow cylindrical tubes in the form of ribs 14 extending from one end such as the upper end in use to the other end 30 which is the lower end in use. Panel 10 can be of any suitable width and length and have any number of flat sections 12 and ribs 14. The panel 10 is typically made as an aluminium extrusion and has a generally constant 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 14 cross-section throughout its length. The length of the panel corresponds to the height of the area being protected. 5 The three cylindrical hollow tubes 14 form reinforcing ribs to assist the structural integrity of the panel and to provide increased resistance to the panel being distorted or buckled when subject to impact such as from being hit with a heavy object, i.e. a hammer or similar, 10 or when being forced by a lever applied to the lower end in use, such as a wrecking bar, pinch bar, jemmy or the like. As panels 10 are substantially identical, only one panel 15 10 will be described in detail except where it is necessary to refer to adjacent panels to fully describe the invention. Panel 10 is provided with two substantially identical side extrusion sections in the form of projections 16a, 16b arranged as back to back 20 mirror images of one another extending outwardly on either side of panel 10. In one form side projection 16a, 16b has a distally located semi-circular or part-circular concave profile having an outer curved concave surface 18a, 18b and two substantially parallel spaced apart side 25 surfaces 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b extending in a direction parallel to the front and rear faces of the solid rectangular flat sections 12, from the ends of the curved surfaces of the concave section 18. A shoulder 24 is located at either side of projection 16a, 16b at the 30 inboard ends of parallel sides 20, 22. The projections 16 are arranged to be received within complementary shaped recesses 34, 54 provided on the side of each hinge member 30, 50 to connect the sides of the panel 10 to respective 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 15 hinge members 30, 50. Thus, projection 16 comprises concave curved surface 18, parallel side walls 20, 22 and shoulders 24. 5 It is to be noted that the two hinge members 30, 50 located at either side edge of each panel 10 are different but complementary to each other since one hinge member 30 has a bead 48 that is partially received in the other hinge member 70 having a socket 60, 66 to allow pivoting 10 movement of two adjacent panels 10 with respect to each other. Accordingly there are two forms of the hinge members. The two forms of the hinge members are illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. 15 The two different forms of the hinge members will now be described. The first form 30 of the hinge member can be regarded as an inner hinge member as the generally curved part 46, 48 20 of the hinge member 30, i.e. the inner curved part, is received within the curved part 62, 66 of the second form of the hinge member 50, i.e. the outer curved part which hinge member is referred to as the outer hinge member. 25 Inner or first hinge member 30 is in the form of a linear aluminium extrusion having a complex cross-section comprising a connection portion, generally referred to as 31, having a complex wall shape including a pair of return walls 32a, 32b provided with respective flanges 33 in 30 opposed facing relationship to each other defining a channel 34 having a slot between the ends of flanges 33 for receiving therein projection 16 of panel 10 such that side walls 20, 22 engage with the inner walls of return 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 16 walls 32 and shoulders 24 engage with flanges 33 to retain projection 16 within channel 34 and thus allow one end of panel 10 to be connected to the inner hinge member 30. Channel 34 of inner hinge member 30 is provided with a 5 concave wall surface 36 located on the opposite side to the slot of the open side of channel 34. The position and radius of concave wall surface 36 corresponds to the position and radius of concaved curved wall 18 of projection 16 so that when projection 16 is received in 10 channel 34 curved wall 18 aligns with curved wall 36 to form a generally cylindrical bore for receiving a suitable fastener such as a screw threaded fastener, therein to retain panel 10 within inner hinge member 30. 15 Inner hinge member 30 also has a pivot portion, generally denoted as 40, in the form of a bead 42 connected to connection portion 31 by web 44 located between the two portions. Bead 42 includes a first inner semi-circular cross-section wall 46 extending from web 44. A second 20 curved wall 48 having a generally circular cross-section extends from the inner surface of the first curved wall by a generally radially extending web 47. The radius of first inner wall 46 is greater than the radius of second inner wall 48. The inner surface of the second curved 25 wall 48 is part circular and forms a central channel 49 for receiving a fastener therein in use, such as a screw threaded fastener, to allow a suitable connection element to inter connect the connection portion of the inner hinge member to the pivot portion of the inner hinge member to 30 reinforce the inner hinge member to resist it distorting and/or separating when subjected to a force such as an impulse force or impact force caused by a hammer blow or similar from a sledge hammer or similar hitting implement. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 17 The second form of the hinge member being the outer hinge member or socket will now be described. 5 Outer hinge member 50 is provided with a connection portion, generally referred to as 52, which is similar to connection portion 31 of inner hinge member 30 and thus has an open sided channel 54 provided with a slot defined between flanges on one side located opposite concave wall 10 56 on the other side to form channel 54 for receiving projection 16 of the adjacent panel 10 therein to connect panel 10 to hinge member 50. Again, the radius and position of concave wall 56 corresponds to the size of the radius and position of concave wall 18 so that when 15 projection 16 is received within recess 54, a generally cylindrical bore is formed from the respective concave surfaces 18a and 56 for receiving a screw threaded fastener therein to securely fasten panel 10 to outer hinge member 50. 20 Outer hinge member 50 also has a pivot portion 60 having a smaller diameter first outer curved wall 62 connected to web 64 diametrically opposed to a larger diameter second outer curved wall 66 forming a socket 68 for receiving 25 bead 42 therein to allow the inner hinge member 30 and other hinge member 50 to pivot with respect to one another so as to allow two adjacent panels 10 to fold one upon the other. Thus, the two panels 10 are interconnected to each other by a hinge comprising inner hinge member 30 and 30 outer hinge member 50 which allows the panels to hingedly or foldable move with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 18 The connector system of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to Figure 3 to 6. In one form the connector system includes two substantially identical connector elements in the form of joiners, 5 generally denoted as 70, 80 arranged in generally opposite facing orientation with respect to each other at either end of the hinge arrangements. One joiner 70 which is the first end of the connector element, is provided at or towards one end with a relatively smaller sized aperture 10 72 for receiving therethrough a suitable fastener such as a threaded screw 74 or similar for fastening the one end of joiner 70 to the bore formed between the concave wall 18 of projection 16 at one side edge of panel 10 and concave profile or flute 56 provided along the inboard 15 side of recess 54 provided in the connection portion 52 of outer hinge member 50. The other end of joiner 70, the second end of the connector element, is provided with a relatively larger size aperture 76 for receiving therethrough a suitable fastener, such as for example, a 20 screw or other threaded fastener 78 having a smooth collar 79 acting as a bearing surface for connecting the second end of joiner 70 to the central channel 49 formed within the second inner curved wall of the inner hinge member 30, i.e. the inner channel 49 of bead 42. Thus, joiner 70 25 interconnects the connection portion of outer hinge member 50 and central channel 49 of inner hinge member 30 to strengthen the hinge by interconnecting the two hinge members 30, 50 allowing the hinge to resist deformation and/or separation of the hinge or component parts to a 30 greater extent, such as for example when subjected to a damaging force from a hammer blow or similar striking implement. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 19 Other joiner 80 is also provided at the first connection end with a relatively smaller aperture 82 for receiving therethrough screw fastener 84 and a relatively larger aperture 86 located in board of aperture 82 at the second 5 connection end for receiving therethrough screw fastener 78 in use. Thus, joiner 70 is connected to joiner 80 by screw 78 being received through aligned apertures 76, 86. In use joiner 80 is located over joiner 70 so that the two larger apertures 76, 86 are aligned with each other to 10 receive the same fastener 78 therethrough to connect the respective second ends of the two joiners 70, 80 together and to connect both joiners to central channel 49 of the bead 42 of the inner hinge member 30. A spacer in the form of a disc 90, having an aperture 92 is located 15 adjacent joiner 70 and is the same thickness as joiner 70 so as to provide packing under joiner 80 to allow joiner 80 to lie flat and level over joiner 70 to form the connection system in accordance with the present invention for interconnecting the two parts of the hinge 30, 50 to 20 one another. The two joiners 70, 80 are used to securely connect both hinge members 30, 50 to each other whilst allowing the two hinge members 30, 50 to pivot about bearing collar 79 of 25 fastener 78. In use of the security screen 2 of the present invention the screen is assembled by connecting both inner 30 and outer 50 hinge members to each other to form the hinge. 30 The inner hinge member 30 is first connected to one side of panel 10 by projection 16 being received in recess 36. The outer hinge member 50 is connected to the other side of panel 10 by projection 16 being received in channel 34. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 20 A second panel 10 is connected to one of the pair of hinge members. One joiner 70 is located in place between the bore formed between projection 16 and recess 54 at one end and central channel 49 at the other end. A second joiner 5 80 and washer 90 are located on the other side of the hinge and interconnect the bore between projection 16b and recess 36 at one end and central channel 49 at the other end. A second connection system, also comprising two joiners 70, 80 and disc 90 is located along the other end 10 of panel 10 in use to connect the panel and hinge arrangement at the other side of panel 10 to assist in strengthening the screen. One end of the security screen assembly is fixedly 15 connected to a suitable support or substrate located at or towards one side of the entrance or opening to the bank, or to one side of the bank counter to securely anchor the security screen in place. The other side of the security screen is releasably secured to a suitable support or 20 substrate located at or towards the other side of the counter top. When it is desired to open the entrance to the bank or to open the bank counter, the security screen can be folded up on itself or concertinaed to the fixed side of the screen by each of the panels pivoting with 25 respect to both adjacent panels by the respective hinge members forming one pair pivoting with respect to each other. When the security screen is in the closed position as 30 shown more particularly in Figures 4 and 5 providing a barrier to unauthorised entry the security screen can resist attempts to break through the barrier by the two joiners being fixedly connected to the two hinge members 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 21 forming a pair thereby preventing the two hinge members from separating from each other by the socket comprising the outer curved wall being pulled apart from the bead comprising the inner curved walls by the force of impact 5 from a hammer blow or the levering force applied by a pinch bar, jemmy or similar. Since the two joiners securely retain the hinge members intact because both joiner 70 and joiner 80 are interconnected to each other, along both the upper edge and lower edge of the screen, 10 the connection system prevents the two hinge members from separating, being forced apart or the like. A set of joiners 70 and 80 are located at both upper and lower ends of the hinges to provide increased security by 15 securely retaining the panels along both the upper end in use and the lower end in use. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 20 The use of the improved connection system of the present invention provides a security screen and/or components of a security screen with increased security by resisting deformation and/or separation of the hinge members from each other and/or panels from each other. 25 The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein 30 disclosed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 22 and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope. 5 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 10 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14

Claims

1. A connector system for a hinge assembly having a first and a second end, 5 the hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member having a first connection portion and a first pivot portion, and a second hinge member having a second connection portion and a second pivot portion, the 10 first and second pivot portions for providing pivoting movement of the hinge assembly, the connector system comprising a first connector element having a first end and a second end, and a 15 second connector element having a first end and a second end, the first and second connector elements located at the first end of the hinge assembly to strengthen the 20 hinge assembly, the first end of the first connector element connected to the first connection portion of the first hinge member and the second end of the first 25 connector element connected to the first pivot portion of the first hinge member, the first end of the second connector element connected to the second connection portion of the 30 second hinge member and the second end of the second connector element connected to the first pivot portion of the first hinge member, the first and second connector elements providing 35 resistance to separation of the first hinge member and the second hinge member from each other while permitting pivoting movement of the first and second 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 24 hinge members.

2. A connector system according to claim 1 in which the first connector element has first aperture at the 5 first end and a second aperture at the second end, the second aperture being larger than the first aperture, and the second connector element has a first aperture at 10 the first end and a second aperture at the second end, the second aperture being larger than the first aperture, wherein the second apertures of the two hinge members are aligned with each other. 15

3. A connector system according to claim 1 or 2 in which the first pivot portion of the first hinge member is a bead and the second pivot portion of the second hinge member is a socket in which the bead is received within the socket such that the bead and 20 socket pivot relative to each other.

4. A connector system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the first connection portion of the first hinge member is connected to a first panel in 25 which a first recess is defined intermediate the first connection portion and the first panel in which the first aperture of the first connector element is aligned with the first recess for receiving a first fastener therethrough to connect the first end of the 30 first connector element to the first hinge member.

5. A connector system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which second connection portion of the second hinge member is connected to a second panel in which 35 a second recess is defined intermediate the second connection portion and the second panel in which the first aperture of the second connector element is 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 25 aligned with the second recess for receiving a second fastener therethrough to connect the first end of the second connector element to the second hinge member. 5

6. A connector system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 in which the bead of the first pivot portion of the first hinge member is provided with a third recess wherein the second aperture of the first connector element is aligned with the third recess 10 and the second aperture of the second connector element is aligned with the third recess for receiving a third fastener therethrough to connect the first connector element and the second connector element to the first hinge member. 15

7. A connector system according to claim 6 in which the third recess is a cavity, bore, slot, channel, elongate opening, or an open sided channel. 20

8. A connector system according to claim 6 or 7 in which the third fastener received in the third recess of the first hinge member connects the second end of the first connector element and the second end of the second connector element to the pivot portion of the 25 second hinge member to strengthen the hinge assembly.

9. A connector system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the first connector element and the second connector element are a joiner or a plate. 30

10. A connector system according to any one of claims 6 to 9 in which one of the first connector element or the second connector element overlies the other of the first connector element or the second connector 35 element with the second apertures of the first and second connector elements in alignment with the third recess so that both the first connector element and 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 26 second connector element overlap one another in one on top of the other abutting relationship when connected together by the third fastener. 5

11. A connector system according to claim 10 further including a spacer wherein the spacer has an aperture so that the aperture of the spacer is aligned with the first aperture at the first end of the first connector element for receiving the first fastener 10 therethrough or the aperture of the spacer is aligned with the first aperture at the first end of the second connector element for receiving the second fastener therethrough wherein the spacer has a thickness in accordance with the thickness of the 15 first or second connector element to maintain the overlapping relationship of the first and second connector elements.

12. A connector system according to claim 11 in which the 20 spacer is a disc, washer or packing washer.

13. A connector system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 including a first connector system and a second connector system in which the first connector system 25 is connected to the first end of the hinge assembly and the second connector system is connected to the second end of the hinge assembly in which the first end is the upper end in use and the second end is the lower end in use of the hinge assembly to strengthen 30 the hinge assembly at both ends.

14. A connector system according to any one of claims 6 to 13 in which the larger apertures of the first and second connector elements are coaxially aligned with 35 each other to receive therethrough the third fastener to join the first and second connector elements to the first and second hinge members. 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 27

15. A connector system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 in which the first and second connector elements rotate with respect to each other in 5 accordance with pivoting of the first and second hinge members with respect to each other.

16. A connector system according to any one of claims 1 to 15 in which the first and second connector 10 elements are arranged to extend in oppositely facing directions in the direction from the respective second ends in a direction to the respective first ends in which the respective second ends are aligned concentrically. 15

17. A connector system according to any one of claims 3 to 16 in which the bead includes a first inner curved wall and a second inner curved wall in which the first inner curved wall is located partially around 20 the outside of the second inner curved wall by the second inner curved wall being of a smaller diameter than the first inner curved wall, wherein the third fastener is received within the second inner curved wall to connect the respective second ends of the 25 first and second connector elements to the first hinge member.

18. A connector system according to any one of claims 11 to 17 in which one of the first or second connector 30 element and the spacer are located in side-by-side relationship in abutting relationship with the first and second hinge members and the other of the first and second connector elements overlies part of the one connector element and the spacer in which the 35 aperture of the spacer is in alignment with the aperture of the first end of the other connector element and the respective apertures of the second 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14 - 28 ends of the first and second connector elements are in alignment with each other.

19. A connector system according to any one of claims 6 5 to 8 in which the respective larger apertures of the first and second connector elements are coaxially aligned with each other to receive the third fastener therethrough to connect the first and second connector elements to the hinge assembly. 10

20. A connector system for a hinge substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15 5734269_1 (GHMatters) P72310.AU.1 WENDYS 3/09/14