AU2016203238B2

AU2016203238B2 - A frame assembly including screws

Info

Publication number: AU2016203238B2
Application number: AU2016203238A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jim Reid
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-03
Filing date: 2016-05-18
Publication date: 2021-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-03
Also published as: AU2021101119A6; AU2021101119A4; AU2016203238A1

Abstract

A frame assembly is for a securing a security screen is disclosed. The frame assembly comprises a security screen sandwiched between an insulating block 5 and an insulating clamp. The frame has a retaining wall defining a channel, wherein the retaining wall attaches the insulating block to the frame by housing it in the channel. The insulating clamp has a foot which engages with the frame to substantially prevent movement of the insulating clamp in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame. The frame assembly is held 10 together by fasteners, which can be screws having bodies which pass through the insulating clamp, the security screen and the insulating block. 7760225_1 (GHMatters) P99415.AU.2 0N rn-I -- -- -- 00 *rw r½. N N

Description

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N N A FRAME ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SCREWS

Technical field The present invention relates to a frame assembly for a security screen.

Background A security screen can be installed in a window, a door way and in other openings of buildings. Typically, security screens are made of wire mesh material which can resist vandalism or attempted unauthorised entry to buildings. The wire screen is usually held securely in place by a frame assembly. The wire screen should allow for acceptable vision to the exterior of the building by the persons within the building.

Electrolysis resulting in corrosion or rusting is a common problem in metal frame assemblies securing wire screens. The corrosion or rusting of the frame and/or wire screen can mean that the whole security screen assembly requires updating or replacing. Accordingly, there exists a need for improvements in the frame assembly which can help to at least ameliorate this issue.

Summary of invention In a first aspect the invention provides a frame assembly for securing a security screen, the frame assembly comprising: a security screen sandwiched between an insulating block and an insulating clamp; a frame having a retaining wall defining a channel, wherein the retaining wall attaches the insulating block to the frame by housing it in the channel; wherein the insulating clamp has a foot which engages with the frame to substantially prevent movement of the insulating clamp in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame; and wherein the insulating block has a foot outside of the channel, which foot engages with the frame or with the insulating clamp, to substantially further prevent movement of the insulating block in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame; wherein the frame assembly is held together by fasteners having bodies which pass through the insulating clamp, the security screen and the insulating block.

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The security screen can be a wire screen in the frame assembly which in use is sandwiched between the insulating block and the insulating clamp. By "insulating" it is meant electrically insulating. The faces of the block and clamp in contact with the screen can be electrically insulating. The security screen is therefore electrically isolated from the metal part of the frame. When the security screen is a wire mesh security screen this can be useful because otherwise corrosion or rusting occurs electrolytically over time. Corrosion and rust is not aesthetically pleasing, and more importantly it imparts weakness into io the frame assembly.

The insulating block is attached to the frame by being housed in a channel formed in the frame wall. The channel can be defined by a pair of arm portions extending from the wall and curving at their terminal ends. The channel can be integral with the frame wall (i.e. the frame was manufactured that way). The channel can be added to the frame after manufacture; however, this is not preferred simply because there is less structural integrity in the components. The part of the frame defining the channel can be referred to as a retaining wall because it acts to retain the insulating block. The insulating block can be an extruded material that can be slid into the channel from one open end. Once in the channel the insulating block is attached to the frame to the extent that it cannot be easily removed except by retracing the path it took to enter the channel. In use, removal of the block would be impossible, since the frame parts of the security screen assembly are secured at the corners.

The insulating block is preferably one unitary piece. The insulating block could comprise multiple parts, which once inserted in the channel could form a whole multicomponent piece. In order to shield the security screen from contact with the metal parts of the retaining wall of the frame, the insulating block can be shaped around the extending parts of the retaining wall so as to provide a large flat surface area to the wire screen. The insulating block can be solid about its surface or it can define voids internally and/or around its exterior surface. Any void spacing might be provided to reduce the amount of raw material used to create the insulating block. In some embodiments, the entire periphery of the inside surface of the channel is covered directly or indirectly by the material of the insulating block. This insulates all the surfaces of channel. In other embodiments, some of the inside surfaces of the channel are not

7760225_1 (GHMatter) P99415.AU.2 insulated by the block. In one embodiment, the insulating block is hollow and open along one wall. In some embodiments, there are grooves or void spaces in the outside surface of the insulating block on the face that contacts the security screen. In one embodiment, the face of the insulating block that contacts the security screen comprises a soft compound to assist in engagement with the screen. Optionally, the insulating block is co-extruded to include the soft compound on the surface presented to the security screen. In one embodiment there is an adhesive on the side of the insulating block presented to the security screen. The adhesive can be a double sided tape.

The frame assembly can include stop which acts to control the amount of security screen that can be received into the arrangement. In one embodiment, the insulating block can be shaped so as to provide the stop. The stop can be a foot towards one end of the block which acts to provide a base surface which the security screen cannot move past. The stop can be a protrusion from the insulating block. The protrusion can be received into a complementary recess in the insulating clamp so that the pair can interlock.

The insulating clamp is on the opposing side of the wire security screen to the insulating block. The insulating clamp acts to clamp the frame assembly together with the frame under force of the fasteners described below. The insulating clamp is preferably one unitary piece. The insulating clamp can comprise multiple parts which once in place in the frame assembly could form a whole multicomponent piece. The insulating clamp can be shaped to provide a large flat surface area to the security screen. The insulating clamp can be solid over its surface or it can define voids internally and/or around its exterior surface. Any void spacing might be provided to reduce the amount of raw material used to create the insulating clamp. In some embodiments, there are grooves or void spaces in the outside surface of the insulating clamp on the face that contacts the security screen. In one embodiment, the face of the insulating clamp that contacts the security screen comprises a soft compound to assist in engagement with the screen. Optionally the insulating clamp is co extruded to include the soft compound on the surface presented to the security screen. In one embodiment there is an adhesive on the side of the insulating clamp presented to the security screen. The adhesive can be a double sided tape.

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The interlocking of the block and clamp defines between them a screen receiving gap which is insulated on all sides. The interlocking of the block and clamps can prevent (or substantially reduce) possible movement of the insulating clamp in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame. In one embodiment the clamp and block not only interlock in complementary shape, but also comprise engaging surfaces which act to strongly secure the two components to one another. The engaging surfaces on the block and clamp can comprise one or more adhesive surfaces. In one embodiment, the engaging surfaces are ratcheting teeth which allow the sliding io of the clamp over and into position relative to the block, but which prevent easy disengagement of the clamp once thus applied.

The insulating clamp can be shaped so as to interlock with the retaining wall of the frame. The frame can define a recess for receiving a part of the clamp. The insulating clamp can have a foot which extends towards the insulating block. The insulating clamp can have a foot which extends away from the insulating block. The foot can engage with the frame to substantially prevent movement of the insulating clamp in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame. The longitudinal axis of the frame is the elongate direction of the frame member. By substantially prevent it means that the clamp once secured is held firmly by the frame, although there may be some incidental flexing. The engagement of the clamp foot with the frame means that the assembly is better able to absorb impacts transferred to it from the security screen. This is described in further detail below.

The foot of the clamp can engage with the frame directly or indirectly. When the engagement is indirect, the foot of the clamp may be trapped by another piece in the frame, such as the block, which is itself engaged with the frame. When the engagement is indirect, there can be additional adhesion between the clamp and the frame. In an embodiment the clamp and frame not only interlock in complementary shape, but also comprise engaging surfaces which act to strongly secure the two components to one another. The engaging surfaces on the clamp frame can comprise one or more adhesive surfaces that will contact one another once assembled. In one embodiment, the engaging surfaces are ratcheting teeth which allow the sliding of the clamp over and into position relative to the frame, but which prevents easy disengagement of the clamp once thus applied.

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The insulating block or the insulating clamp can be formed from a plastic material. In one embodiment, the block and clamp are formed from PVC plastic.

In order to assemble the frame assembly, the insulating clamp forces the security screen mesh against the insulating block and fasteners are then inserted from the clamp side. Each fastener passes through the insulating clamp, the security screen and into the insulating block. There will be a plurality of fasteners along the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly. In an embodiment, in any one cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, there is one fastener. In an embodiment, in any one cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, there are two fasteners located side by side. In an embodiments, in any one cross-section slightly offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame (by 5, 10, 15, 20 degrees), there are two fasteners.

The insulating clamp can have recesses into the surface on the side not facing the security screen. The recesses can be for receiving the heads of fasteners. Each recess can be for receiving one fastener head. Each recess can be for receiving two fastener heads. The recesses can be formed during extrusion of the insulating clamp. In an embodiment, the heads of the fasteners can be covered by a cover. The cover and clamp can be complementary in shape so that one can fit flush with the other. The cover can be attached to the frame assembly. The attachment can be about a pivot point such as a hinge. The cover can have a protrusion with a flange that interlocks with a protrusion with a complementary flange on the insulating clamp. Once the fasteners have been inserted, the cover can be snapped into a closed positon. Alternatively, the cover can be separately applied and held in place by an adhesive. The adhesive can be a double sided tape.

The fastener can be a small screw or a bolt with a threaded body that can engage with the frame assembly components. The fastener can be a rivet. Other fasteners known to be equivalents to screws can be used.

The fasteners dig into the materials of the clamp and block and can be held in place by frictional forces. The frame assembly can include at least one fastener engaging layer. The fastener engaging layer acts to assist in holding

7760225_1 (GHMatter) P99415.AU.2 the fasteners in place one inserted. The fastener engaging layer can be a metal strip provided on the side of the insulating clamp away from the screen. Preferably, the security screen does not contact the metal strip. When the security screen is a wire mesh security screen this can be useful because otherwise corrosion or rusting occurs electrolytically over time. Corrosion and rust is not aesthetically pleasing, and more importantly it imparts weakness into the frame assembly. The insulating clamp can be shaped to accommodate the metal strip by sliding it into one end of a longitudinal hole formed therein. The metal strip can add io strength to the outside surface of the clamp. The metal strip can also provide a fire attenuation function if this is desired or required.

Alternatively, or in addition, the fastener engaging layer is disposed in the insulating block. The fastener engaging layer can be in the body of the insulating block and does not contact the security screen. There can be more than one fastener engaging later in the insulating block. Preferably, the security screen does not contact the metal strip. When the security screen is a wire mesh security screen this can be useful because otherwise corrosion or rusting occurs electrolytically over time. Corrosion and rust is not aesthetically pleasing, and more importantly it imparts weakness into the frame assembly. In one embodiment, the fastener engaging layer is a metal strip which slides into a hole in the insulating block. The ends of the fastener bodies must pass through the fastener engaging layer and as they do they have increased frictional forces with the stronger material.

Some of the metal components of the frame assembly are all made from the same metal. This can reduce any incidence of electrolysis resulting in degradation of one or more of the components once in use in the frame assembly. The metal components that should be made from the same material include the metal strip, the fasteners and the wire screen. The metal can be stainless steel, brass, copper. The metal can be stainless steel. The stainless steel can be stainless steel 316.

Once the security screen is assembled the components cooperate to provide improved structural integrity, especially under circumstances when the wire security screen is impacted. The impact may be by a person's body, or a foreign object such as a ball. When the impact is directly applied to the security

7760225_1 (GHMatter) P99415.AU.2 screen, some of the force is absorbed by the fasteners which pass through the security screen. The fasteners can absorb the impact in the direction in which the force was applied. The arrangement of the insulating clamp engaging with the frame means that the fasteners which pass through the clamp are also held and secured in a direction sideways to the applied impact. An impact will cause a stress that attempts to force the screen out of the sandwich in the assembly. The fasteners are also able to absorb these lateral forces by being attached to the insulating clamp which has a foot which engages with the frame to substantially prevent movement of the clamp in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame. By this arrangement forces in the direction of the applied impact and lateral forces can be absorbed by the fasteners making a much stronger assembly than those known in the art.

In order to manufacture the security screen assembly, the frame portions are first provided and the insulating blocks are inserted into the respective channels. Next the frames are arranged so that the peripheral edges of the security screen lays on top of them in the orientation in which it will be secured. The insulating clamps are pressed into position to sandwich the peripheral edges of the security screen into the arrangement. At this stage, given the complementary shapes of the block and clamp, the components will be drawn to one another ready for securing by fasteners. Optionally, the edges (corners) of the frames are secured before the fasteners are inserted. Each fastener can be inserted using the recesses in the insulating clamp as a guide for the positions. A force can be applied manually or electrically to drive the fasteners into the frame assembly. Once the fasteners are in place, the covers can be applied over the fastener heads. The security screen assembly is then ready for use.

The invention also includes within its scope a security screen assembly as described and an assembly when prepared by a method disclosed herein.

Brief Description of the Figures Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are not drawn to scale and which are exemplary only and in which: Figures 1 to 8 are cross-sectional views frame assemblies according to various embodiments of the invention.

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Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention The frame assembly 10 of an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The frame as shown is a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of elongation, so some elements such as the frame 12, 14, should be understood to be elongate in the z-axis although this isn't shown. The z-axis is the axis of elongation of the frame. The axis 11 is a longitudinal axis of the frame. The frame has a large rectangular tubular outer section 14 from which extends a retaining wall 12. In this embodiment, the retaining wall defines a channel in io which is housed insulating block 16. The retaining wall has two arm portions 12' and 12" extending upwardly and which are curved or bent at their ends to define the channel. In order to insert the insulating block 16, it can be slid under the arms and it is shaped to receive them into its body. Once in place, insulating block 16 cannot be removed from the frame unless it retraces the pathway it took into the channel. The insulating block 16 is thus housed in and attached to the frame retaining wall 12.

The insulating block can be a single unitary piece as show in, for example, Figurel. In other embodiments, the insulating block can be formed of more than one piece, for example, two pieces 16, 16'as shown for example in Figure 6.

The frame assembly further includes an insulating clamp 18 and a security screen 20 sandwiched between the insulating clamp 18 and the insulating block 16. The face of the insulating block 16 that contacts the security screen can include an adhesive 26 such as double sided tape and as shown in Figure 2. The clamp 18 has a protrusion or foot 22 that extends towards the retaining wall 12 and is received in a recess formed between tubular outer section 14 and arm portion 12". This complementary interlocking between the clamp and frame means that the insulating clamp 18 is securely integrated into the frame assembly and its movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of elongation (as shown by arrow 15) of the frame is significantly reduced.

Insulating block 16 has a stop 24 which projects from the face in contact with the screen, and which prevents screen 20 from moving too far into the frame assembly arrangement 10. Together the insulating block 16 and insulating clamp 18 define a gap into which the screen 20 is sandwiched. Stop

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24 can be received into a complementary shaped recess in clamp 18. The complementary shapes can interlock by further providing ratcheting teeth 28 on at least some of the contacting surfaces of the block and clamp. This is shown in the embodiment of Figure 2. A first set of teeth is provided on the block 16 and a second set is provided on the clamp 18. As the clamp 18 is pressed into position, the teeth readily slide over one another, but removal of the clamp 18 is slightly more difficult as the teeth bite together. The block 16 can cover all of the walls of the channel as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3. In this embodiment, the substantially hollow block insulates the walls of the channel io from any possible contact with screw 30. In Figure 5, an alternative embodiment is shown where the block does not insulate one wall of the channel. This arrangement is still functional and simply represents less material required in retainer formation.

The components are held together by fasteners 30 which in this embodiment are screws or rivets passing through insulating clamp 18, screen 20 and insulating block 16. In Figure 1 there are shown two screws, but there can be any number located along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The screws as pairs can be located next to one another as shown, or offset. In Figure 3, the cross-section shows one screw 30. Each screw has a threaded body 32 and a head 34. The aperture in the insulating clamp 18 is smaller than the head 34, so the head cannot pass through it. Instead, clamp 18 has a recess for receiving the head 34 so that once the screws are in place there is a flush surface across the upper surface of the clamp 18. A small plastic cover 36 can be placed over the screw heads to shield them from view. This is aesthetically pleasing and prevents the ingress of dirt and/or moisture which can gather around and possibly corrode the screws 30. The plastic cover 36 can fit flush to the clamp 18 and can have a lip which extends around the outside surface and abuts the security screen 20. The cover 36 can be secured to the body of the clamp by adhesive 38. The adhesive can be a double sided tape. The embodiment in Figure 5 shows the cover 36 as a snap fit arrangement which is free from adhesive and instead has a lip which interlocks with a flange.

The screws can be retained in the plastic of the insulating clamp and insulating block bodies. To assist in the retention of the screw a fastener engaging layer can be provided in the form of a metal strip 40. As shown in Figure 3, the metal strip can be disposed in the insulating block 16 in the

7760225_1 (GHMatter) P99415.AU.2 pathway of the screws. In order to install the metal strip it can be slid into the receiving channel defined by the space in the extruded block 16.In some embodiments, the metal strip 40 can be sandwiched between two parts of the block 16 and 16'. This is shown in Figure 6. During manufacture of the frame assembly, as the screw is inserted it will bite into the metal strip and penetrate it. The metal strip should assist in holding the screw into position in the frame assembly. Optionally, alternatively, or in addition a metal strip 40' can be provided with the insulating clamp 18 and this is shown in Figure 4. When the metal strip is provide in the clamp, there may be small guide holes provided in io the strip to assist in inserting the screw bodies. A metal strip in the clamp can increase the structural integrity of the clamp. Advantageously, the metal of the screws and strip are the same so as to avoid or reduce corrosion between the two. In the embodiment shown, the metal is stainless steel 316.

In Figure 5, there is an arrow showing the direction of a possible impact to the security screen 20. The impact is likely to be much further along the screen (towards a centre) than as shown illustratively. The impact is likely to be from the outside surface of the security screen i.e. the surface that is presented to the outside of a building once the screen assembly is installed. The impact causes the security screen 20 to move in the direction of the impact A and also it pulls the security screen 20 in the direction B. The screws 30 are able to absorb the forces in the impact direction by being tightly held into position in the clamp 18 and retainer 16. As the screen is pulled in direction B a lateral or shear force is applied to the screw bodies 30'. This force is mitigated by foot 22 of clamp 18 which engages with frame 12 and prevents movement of the clamp under applied pressure. The frame assembly is able to absorb high impacts by the arrangement shown.

In Figure 6, the foot 22 of the insulating clamp 18 engages with the frame in a slightly different way to that shown in Figures 1 to 5. In this embodiment, the foot extends away from the insulating block 16. The foot 22 engages into a recess provided on the inside-side of the frame on the side opposite to the recess housing the block 16. The recess that the foot 22 of clamp 18 engages with is defined by arm 46. The inside-side of the frame assembly is the side that would be inside of a dwelling when the security screen assembly is installed. The foot 22 is shown as slightly rounded which can allow for easier assembly by allowing it to pivot into position over the end part of the insulating block 16.

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In Figure 6, a cover 36 covers the exterior surface of the clamp 18. In this embodiment, there are complementary projections 42 located at one end of the cover 36. The cover 36 is also secured to the clamp 18 by complementary teeth 44.

In Figure 7, the foot 22 of the insulating clamp 18 engages with the frame in a slightly different way to that shown in Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the foot 22 extends away from the insulating block 16. The foot 22 engages io with the frame on the side opposite to the recess housing the block 16. The foot is attached to the frame by screw 23 which passes though the clamp 18 and the frame.

The engagement of the clamp 18 and the frame is indirect in Figure 8, since the clamp is in immovable engagement with an extrusion on the block 16 which is shaped so as to provide a recess for its foot 22.

Figure 8 is an example embodiment of indirect engagement of the clamp 18 with the frame. In this embodiment, the block 16 provides a recess into which foot 22 is engaged. The clamp is engaged with the frame to substantially prevent movement of the insulating clamp in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 11 of the frame (as shown by arrow 15 in Figure 1).

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

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 "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.

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Claims

1. A frame assembly for securing a security screen, the frame assembly comprising: a security screen sandwiched between an insulating block and an insulating clamp; a frame having a retaining wall defining a channel, wherein the retaining wall attaches the insulating block to the frame by housing it in the channel; wherein the insulating clamp has a foot which engages with the frame to io substantially prevent movement of the insulating clamp in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame; and wherein the insulating block has a foot outside of the channel, which foot engages with the frame or with the insulating clamp, to substantially further prevent movement of the insulating block in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame; wherein the frame assembly is held together by fasteners having bodies which pass through the insulating clamp, the security screen and the insulating block.

2. The frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the foot of the clamp extends in a direction towards the insulating block.

3. The frame assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame assembly includes at least one a fastener engaging layer.

4. The frame assembly according to 3, wherein the insulating block includes the least one a fastener engaging layer disposed therein.

5. The frame assembly according to 3 or 4, wherein the insulating clamp includes the least one a fastener engaging layer disposed therein.

6. The frame assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one fastener engaging layer is a metal strip through which the fastener body passes in addition to the insulating clamp, the screen and the insulating block.

7. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

7760225_1 (GHMatter) P99415.AU.2 the fasteners are screws.

8. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating clamp and the insulating block have complementary shapes that interlock with one another.

9. The frame assembly according claim 8, wherein the interlocking prevents movement of the insulating clamp in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

10. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating clamp and the frame have complementary shapes in the form of at least one ratcheting tooth that interlock with one another.

11 The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in any one cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, there is one fastener.

12. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating clamp defines recesses for receiving the heads of each fastener

13. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame assembly further comprises a cover for covering the heads of the fasteners.

14. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is fixed to the frame assembly by snap fit between the cover and the insulating clamp.

15. The frame assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the cover and clamp are complementary in shape so that one can fit flush with the other.

16. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a layer of adhesive on the face of the insulating clamp and/or the face of the insulating block in contact with the security screen.

17. The frame assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

7760225_1 (GHMatter) P99415.AU.2 the foot of the insulating clamp is in substantially direct contact with the frame.

18. The frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the foot of the insulating clamp is in indirect engagement with the frame.

19. The frame assembly according to claim 18, wherein the indirect engagement is via the insulating block which defines a recess capturing the foot of the clamp.

20. A security screen comprising the frame assembly according to anyone of the preceding claims.

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