AU2015201480B2 - Security Screen - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame assembly for a security screen, consisting essentially of a security screen 5 sandwiched into a frame between an insert which can be in the form of a wedge, and an attachment member which can be in the form of double sided tape. 6323641_1 (GHMatters) P93894.AU.3 DENISET 20/03/15 K> * /

Description

A FRAME ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a frame assembly 5 for a security screen.

BACKGROUND ART

Security screens typically prevent unauthorised access to buildings through windows or doors. Security screens are often formed from ductile materials that are inter-woven to form a mesh that allows air-flow while also providing visibility across the mesh and acting as a barrier for preventing access into buildings.

Securing a security screen to a door or a window frame often requires rivets, screws or other types of fasteners. The use of fasteners such as rivets or screws requires a variety of fastening equipment and also increases time required for securing the security screen to the door frame or window frame.

Insulators are also often used to insulate the frame from the security screen. However, using an insulator for frame assemblies increases the costs and complexity of the assembly.

The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the apparatus and method as disclosed herein.

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SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Described herein is a frame assembly for a security screen, consisting essentially of:

a peripheral frame including a channel opening 5 inwardly of the assembly to receive a security screen, the channel having two opposed walls each having an internal side;

an adhesive element for attaching the screen directly to the internal side of one wall of the channel;

io and an solid incompressible insert adapted to be driven between the screen and the internal side of the other wall of the channel to sandwich the screen between the internal sides, wherein the insert and the internal side of the other wall of the channel include engagement means that engage to inhibit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

The term sandwich is intended to include within its scope wedge, squeeze, retain by compression and other similar terms.

The term inwardly means towards the centre of the security screen when, for example, it is bounded by the frame.

The insert may interlock with the internal side of 25 the other wall to inhibit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

The insert and the internal side of the other wall may include complementary teeth that mesh together to inhibit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

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It will be appreciated that in some systems in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings, no engagement means will be required. Instead, the screen may be held firmly in position in the channel by being sandwiched between the insert and the internal side. Thus the screen would be firmly sandwiched between the internal sides. Moreover, the insert may be formed from a material having a high-coefficient of friction (i.e. a 'sticky' surface). Alternatively, the insert may be formed with a coating of high-friction material on the side of the insert that faces the other wall, or the screen, or both.

The peripheral frame may be rectangular. The peripheral frame may form a rectangular boundary around the screen.

Also described herein is a method of securing a security screen to a peripheral frame to provide the frame assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising:

positioning a planar security screen in an inwardly opening channel of the peripheral frame;

attaching the security screen to a first internal side of the channel;

driving an insert between the security screen and a 25 second internal side of the channel, thereby to sandwich the screen between the first internal side and second internal side, wherein the second internal side faces the first internal side across the channel.

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The method may include engaging the insert with the first internal side of the channel thereby securing the security screen to the frame.

The driving and engaging steps may occur 5 concurrently.

Also described herein is a method of securing a security screen to a frame to provide the frame assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising:

attaching the security screen within a channel of the frame ;

causing the attached security screen to become sandwiched within the channel.

The peripheral frame may be constructed from an 15 extruded material. The peripheral frame is preferably constructed from extruded Aluminium.

The security screen may be constructed from a material having substantially similar electrode potential to that of the material of the peripheral frame. The security screen is preferably constructed from Aluminium. The security screen may comprise one of: a perforated aluminium sheet; a perforated stainless steel sheet; an expanded metal sheet; a sheet of woven metal wire; or a sheet of welded metal wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the above SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE, specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

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Figure 1 is a sectional view of a frame assembly in which the insert has not yet been inserted to sandwich the security screen in the channel of the frame; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the frame assembly of 5 Figure 1 after insertion of the insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

A frame assembly is shown in Figure 1. The frame assembly takes the form of a security door 10 or window. The security door 10 comprises a peripheral frame 12 including a channel, the channel being in the form of a peripheral recess 14 opening inwardly of the security door 10 to receive a security screen 16 - the security screen 16 is shown in Figure 1 in an unsecured condition. The recess 14 has two opposed walls 18, 20 each having an internal side 18', 20' respectively. The screen 16 is received between the two walls 18, 20 as shown. The security door 10 further includes an attachment member in the form of an adhesive element 22 for attaching the screen 16 to internal side 18' of wall 18 of the recess

14, and an insert in the form of a wedge element 24 adapted to be driven between the screen 16 and internal side 20' of wall 20 of the recess 14, generally in the direction of arrow X. The wedge element 24 thereby sandwiches the screen 16 between the internal sides 18',

20'. The wedge element 24 and the internal side 20' of wall 20 of the recess 14 include engagement means 26, 28 that engage to inhibit withdrawal of the wedge element 24 from the recess 14.

The internal sides 18', 20' face each other across the recess 14. In other words, the internal sides 18',

20' are opposite each other across the recess 14. The

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2015201480 06 Jun2019 internal sides 18', 20' are parallel and provide surfaces between which the screen 16 can be sandwiched as discussed below.

By sandwiching the screen 16 in position between the 5 internal sides 18', 20' of the recess 14 it is very difficult to remove the screen 16 from the recess 14. Moreover, by engagement of the engagement means 26, 28, the wedge element 24 is very difficult to withdraw from the recess 14. In the present embodiment, withdrawal of the wedge element 24 would result in destruction of the wedge element 24. Thus disassembly of the screen 16 from the frame 12 is very difficult to achieve.

The channel may alternatively take the form of a longitudinal or elongate depression or indentation in the peripheral frame 12.

The peripheral frame 12 includes both the channel 14, and a tubular outer section 30. The tubular outer section 32 has a square or rectangular cross-section. The tubular outer section 30 strengthens the frame 12.

Extending between the internal sides 18, 20 of the channel 14 is a laterally extending wall 32. The channel 14 shares the laterally extending wall 32 with the tubular outer section 30. The laterally extending wall 32 includes one or more rigidifying members 38 that improve the strength and rigidity of the peripheral frame 12. Presently there are two rigidifying members 38. Each rigidifying member 38 constitutes a rib. The ribs run in a direction parallel to the peripheral frame 12.

The walls 18, 20 of the channel 14 are continuous with walls 34, 36 of the tubular outer section 30. The walls 18, 20 of the channel 14 and the walls 34, 36 of the

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2015201480 06 Jun 2019 tubular outer section 30 extend in opposite directions away from, and perpendicular to, the shared laterally extending wall 32.

The tubular outer section 30 forms an outer periphery 5 of the assembled security screen and frame. The channel 14 extends inwardly of the tubular outer section 30. As shown in Figure 2, when the screen 16 is assembled into the security door 10, the edge of the security screen 16 sits within the channel 14 and thus within the boundary formed by the tubular outer section 30.

The peripheral frame 12 is constructed from extruded Aluminium. The peripheral frame 12 forms a rectangular border around the security screen 16.

The security screen 16 is planar and rectangular.

While the security screen 16 may be any appropriate material and construction, the present security screen 16 is a perforated Aluminium sheet. Fabricating the security screen 16 from a material with substantially similar electrode potential as the peripheral frame 12, inhibits corrosion.

The adhesive element 22 comprises an adhesive strip. The adhesive strip includes adhesive on both sides thereby to adhere to both the screen 16 and the internal side 18' of the wall 18 of the channel 14. The adhesive element 22 can serve as an insulator. This is particularly the case where electrode potential of the screen 16 differs from the electrode potential of the frame 12. In this circumstance, the adhesive element 22 can serve to attach the screen 16 to the frame 12, but also act as an intermediary, by reducing or preventing actual contact between the frame 12 and screen 16. In so doing, corrosion

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2015201480 06 Jun 2019 due to differential electrode potentials between the screen 16 and frame 12 is reduced or prevented.

The adhesive element 22 extends in a direction parallel to the peripheral frame 12. The adhesive element

22 is compressible thereby to compress upon insertion of the wedge element 24 into the channel 16 as shown in Figure 2. Compression of the adhesive element 22 results in a firmer hold of the screen 16. The adhesive element is 0.8mm to 1.0mm thick.

The attachment member may alternatively comprise a two-part adhesive as discussed below in relation to the engagement means 26, 28, a compressible element, an element with high surface friction to frictionally engage one or both of the internal wall 18' of the channel 14 and the screen 16, a deformable element that deforms to occupy a space between the screen 16 and internal wall 18', a surface coating (e.g. an adhesive coating or a coating that creates a high degree of friction between a first surface on which the coating is applied and a second surface that contacts the first surface) on at least part of the screen 16 that would otherwise contact the internal wall 18' of the channel 14, or any other appropriate adhesive or means for engaging the screen 16 with the frame 12 .

The adhesive element 22 may alternatively comprise a double-sided tape. Advantageously, where the adhesive element 22 comprises a double-sided tape it can span the entire length of the edge of the screen 16. Consequently, the attachment between the screen 16 and frame 12 is continuous.

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Fasteners have previously been employed to secure a screen to a frame. However, when an intruder attempts to break through the screen, all of the force of the attempt is concentrated on those portions of the screen through which the fasteners extend. In contrast, a tape or similar elongate attachment member, as taught herein, spans substantially the entire peripheral edge of the screen 16. Thus when an intruder attempts to break through the screen 16 the force of the attempt is distributed along substantially the entire peripheral edge of the screen 16.

The wedge element 24 forms a wedge between the internal side 20' and security screen 16. The wedge element 24 is insertable into the channel 14 by force, for example by hammering. A plurality of wedge elements 24 may be provided, such as one wedge element 24 for each edge of the security screen 16 bounded by the peripheral frame 12. The wedge element 24 includes a head 46 and tip 44, the tip 44 being adapted to be driven into the channel 14 by force applied to the head 46. The head 46 and tip 44 are separated by a shank 48 that occupies the space between the security screen 16 and internal side 20' when in a secured or assembled condition as shown in Figure 2. Insertion of the shank 48 results in compression of the shank 48 and adhesive element 22 thereby to fix the security screen 16 in the channel 14.

Figure 2 shows the security screen 16 in a secured condition in the channel 14 of the peripheral frame 12. To secure the security screen 16 to the peripheral frame 12, the security screen 16 is positioned in the inwardly opening channel 14 of the peripheral frame 12. The security screen 16 is attached to internal side 18' of the channel 14 - an adhesive strip may be used for this purpose as discussed above. An wedge element 24 is then

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2015201480 06 Jun2019 driven between the security screen and the other internal side 20' of the channel 14, thereby to sandwich the screen between the internal sides 18', 20'. There can be no other elements in the frame assembly other than the wedge and the attachment member with the screen sandwiched between the two.

To ensure the wedge element 24 is not readily removed from the channel 14, the wedge element 24 is also engaged with the internal side 20' of the channel 14 thereby securing the security screen 16 to the frame 12. The step of engaging the wedge element 24 with the internal side 20' will typically occur concurrently with driving the wedge element 24 between the security screen 16 and opposite internal side 18'. However, in some circumstances the engaging step may not occur concurrently with the driving step. For example, in place of the teeth 26, 28 described below, the engagement means 26, 28 may comprise a two-part adhesive. The wedge element 24 may have the first part of the two-part adhesive on a surface that will be adjacent the internal side 20' of the channel 14 when the security screen 16 is secured in the channel

14. The internal side 20' may have the second part of the two-part adhesive such that when the wedge element 24 is in position against the internal side 20' the first and second parts of the two-part adhesive mix and harden over time to fix the wedge element 24 to the channel 14. A similar two-part adhesive may be used as the attachment member, between the screen 16 and internal side 18'.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the engagement means on the internal side 20' and wedge element 24 come into engagement concurrently with the driving step, to inhibit withdrawal of the wedge element

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2015201480 06 Jun 2019 from the channel 14. The engagement means 26, 28 comprise teeth 40, 42. The teeth 40, 42 of engagement means 26, 28 mesh together to inhibit withdrawal of the wedge element 24 from the channel 14. As the wedge element 24 is driven into the channel 14 between the internal side 20' and security screen 16, more of the teeth 40, 42 progressively mesh together. This progressive meshing of teeth 40, 42 continues until all of the teeth 40, 42 are meshed as shown in Figure 2.

Consequently, the number of teeth 40 is equal to the number of recesses in the row of teeth 42.

The teeth 40, 42 extend in a direction parallel to the peripheral frame 16. The teeth 40 of the wedge element 24 have some elasticity so as to allow the shank

48 to push into the channel 14. To this end, the wedge element 24 is formed from extruded plastic. The wedge element 24 is inert and thus does not make the mesh 16 or the frame 11 susceptible to corrosion as a result of a differential electrode potential between the frame 12 and screen 16. In other alternative embodiments the wedge element 24 could be constructed from extruded Aluminium.

The wedge element 24 is elongate and extends substantially the length of one side of the peripheral frame 12: a separate wedge element may therefore be provided for each of the other edges of the peripheral frame 12. A single wedge element 23 may alternatively be provided to extend around substantially the entire peripheral frame 12, between the screen 16 and internal wall 20'. The wedge element 24 may alternatively be relatively short, with a series of wedge elements 24 being required to secure the screen 16 in the frame 12 along an edge of the frame 12. The insert may alternatively

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2015201480 06 Jun 2019 comprise an incompressible element that may, for example, require compression of the attachment member in order to be received in the peripheral frame. The insert may comprise a high friction material for frictional engagement of one or both of the internal wall of the channel and screen.

The apparatus and method as described herein provide a very simple and effective way of installing a security screen to a frame, particularly when the frame and security screen are made of similar metals. Providing a frame assembly, such as a security door or window, that does not require an insulator advantageously simplifies assembly of such screen assemblies and also reduces the number of components required. By fixing both the screen and insert to the channel it becomes very difficult to disassemble the screen from the channel.

Whilst a number of specific apparatus and method embodiments have been described, it should be appreciated that the apparatus and method may be embodied in many other forms.

In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise and variations such as comprises or comprising are 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 apparatus and method as disclosed herein.

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Claims (6)

1. A frame assembly for a security screen, consisting 5 essentially of:

a peripheral frame including a channel opening inwardly of the assembly to receive a security screen, the channel having two opposed walls each having an internal side;

10 an adhesive element for attaching the screen directly to the internal side of one wall of the channel; and a solid incompressible insert adapted to be driven between the screen and the internal side of the other wall of the channel to sandwich the screen between the internal 15 sides, wherein the insert and the internal side of the other wall of the channel include engagement means that engage to inhibit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

2. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the insert is a solid incompressible elongate wedge element adapted to be driven between the screen and the internal side of the other wall, wherein the wedge element and the

25 internal side of the other wall interlock via complementary engagement means that engage with one another to inhibit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

3. A frame assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert and the internal side of the other wall include

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2015201480 06 Jun2019 complementary teeth that mesh together to inhibit withdrawal of the insert from the channel.

5 4. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to

3, wherein the adhesive element is double sided tape.

5. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 10 wherein the security screen is a perforated aluminium sheet.

6. A method of securing a security screen to a

15 peripheral frame to provide the frame assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprising:

positioning a planar security screen in the inwardly opening channel of the peripheral frame;

attaching the security screen to a first internal 20 side of the channel with an attachment member;

driving an insert between the security screen and a second internal side of the channel, thereby to engage the insert with the first internal side of the channel and to sandwich the screen between the first internal side and 25 second internal side, wherein the second internal side faces the first internal side across the channel.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the driving 30 and engaging steps occur concurrently.

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