Folding mechanism
The folding mechanism for security screens addresses the weakness in existing mesh retention systems by securely folding and retaining the screen edge within the frame, significantly improving resistance to impacts and jemmy attacks.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/AU2024/050903
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-16
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing security screen door and window designs have weak points in their mesh retention mechanisms, particularly under large impacts or jemmy attacks, where serrated teeth and locking pins fail to securely hold the mesh.
A folding mechanism that includes an elongate frame member with a screen engagement surface, a recess, and a pivot structure, along with a pivot member that engages the frame member to fold and securely retain the screen edge within the frame.
The folding mechanism effectively enhances the security and resilience of the screen by ensuring the screen edge is securely folded and retained within the frame, resisting impacts and jemmy attacks more effectively than previous designs.
Smart Images

Figure AU2024050903_22052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
FOLDING MECHANISMFIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a folding mechanism. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a screen folding mechanism that folds and securely retains a screen edge in a frame preferably, but not necessarily, for security screen doors and windows.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.
[0003] Screen doors and windows have long been an integral part of buildings, providing a means to enjoy natural ventilation while keeping insects and pests at bay. Security screen doors and windows, in particular, are also designed to offer a layer of protection against unauthorised entry. A variety of different approaches have been adopted to increase security, and resilience in the event of an attack, whilst also allowing suitable airflow in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
[0004] One approach is to secure a rigid mesh within an extruded frame as described in PCT application publication no. WO 2020 / 172716 A1 and Australian patent application nos. 2014202453 B2 and 2023204390 B2. Whilst a well constructed rigid mesh can be strong and difficult to compromise, its securement to the frame is often considered a weak point.
[0005] In AU 2014202453 B2, for example, the mesh is held by a frame member having serrated teeth oriented to facilitate insertion and impede removal of the mesh and / or a rubber retainer. In some embodiments locking pins, typically joined to form a ‘comb’, are inserted into the mesh. Whilst such a mesh retentional mechanism is capable of withstanding small impacts, it is not capable of withstanding large impacts. The serrated teeth are simply not strong enough to hold the mesh in the event of a large impart and / or prying. Thelocking pins must be necessarily small to fit through the mesh, limiting their strength and effectiveness. Furthermore, they are inserted into the last aperture of the mesh providing little in the way of additional strength as the edge of the mesh is prone to separation.
[0006] In WO 2020 / 172716 A1 and AU 2023204390 B2 the mesh is additionally screwed into the frame. Whilst this provides additional securement and strength in the mesh retention mechanism, the ability for the screws to retain the mesh when under impact is again limited by the edge of the mesh which is prone to separation.
[0007] Such designs include a screen clamp mechanism intended to assist securement of the mesh, but in all of these designs the clamp mechanism is retained to the frame by a small lug which, during impact and jemmy attacks, can allow the clamp to pop out and release from the frame. In some cases the clamp retention mechanism is small enough that it can break under load, rendering the clamp ineffective.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an aim of this invention to provide a folding mechanism, preferably for folding a security screen into a frame such as a window or door frame, which overcomes alleviates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative and / or commercial choice.
[0009] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a folding mechanism for an intruder resistant screen, the folding mechanism comprising:an elongate frame member having a screen engagement surface, a recess, and a frame member pivot structure; a pivot member having a screen engaging portion, a protrusion, and a pivot member pivot structure that corresponds to the frame member pivot structure to allow hinged engagement thereto; wherein when the pivot member is pivoted about the frame member pivot structure the protrusion is configured to enter into the recess of the frame member to thereby fold a free end of a screen, located between the screen engagement surface of the elongate frame member and the screen engaging portion of the pivot member, into the recess.
[0011] The recess may be adjacent an end of the screen engagement surface of the frame member. The frame member may comprise a base portion. The base portion of the frame member may be hollow. The base portion of the frame member may in the form of a rectangular hollow section (RHS). The frame member may comprise a screen engaging portion extending from the base section. The screen engaging portion of the frame member may comprise a flange. The screen engaging portion may extend from a wall of the base section. The screen engagement surface may be located on the screen engaging portion of the frame member. The screen engagement surface may comprise gripping formations. The gripping formations may comprise serrations.
[0012] The recess may be on the screen engaging portion of the frame member. The recess may be formed between the screen engagement surface and the pivot structure. The recess may be transverse to the screen engagement surface of the frame member. The recess may comprise a channel. The recess may comprise a shoulder adjacent the screen engagement surface of the frame member. The shoulder may comprise a rounded edge. The shoulder may be configured to facilitate folding of the screen with the protrusion of the pivot member. The recess may extend the length of the elongate frame member.
[0013] The frame member pivot structure may be located on the screen engaging portion of the frame member. The pivot structure may comprise a hook. The frame member pivot structure may be complementary to the pivot member pivot structure. The pivot member pivot structure may comprise a groove configured to receive the pivot structure of the frame member. It should be appreciated that the pivot structures could be reversed such that the frame member comprises a groove configured to receive the pivot structure of the pivot member. The pivot structures may be configured to allow hinged rotational movement of the pivot member relative to the frame member. The pivot member may be a lever. The pivot structure of the pivot member may provide a fulcrum.
[0014] The screen engaging portion of the pivot member may comprise gripping formations. The gripping formations may comprise serrations. The protrusion of the pivot member may extend transversely to a plane defined by the screen engagement portion. The protrusion may be rounded. The protrusion may have an inclined side between its apex and the screen engaging portion of the pivot member. The pivot member may have holes to receive fasteners. The fasteners may comprise screws, rivets, or any other suitable type of mechanical or chemical fasteners. The holes may be located on the pivot member such that the fasteners can be used to drive the pivot member and thereby fold the free end of a screen into the recess of the frame member.
[0015] The folding mechanism may further comprise a cover. The cover may comprise cover lugs. The cover lugs may be configured to operatively engage with pivot member lugs to allow the cover to be mounted thereto. When mounted, the cover may conceal one or more of the pivot member, a retained edge of the screen, and the fasteners. The folding mechanism may further comprise an insulator between the screen and one or more of the screen engagement surface of the elongate frame member and the screen engaging portion of the pivot member.
[0016] In another form, there is provided a screen door or screen window comprising the folding mechanism as hereinbefore described and an intruderresistant screen. The screen door or screen window may comprise a plurality of frame members and pivot members arranged around the perimeter of the screen. The perimeter of the intruder resistant screen may be folded into, and held in place within, the recess of the frame member by the pivot member. The perimeter of the intruder resistant screen may be folded into, and held in place within, the recess of the frame member by the protrusion of the pivot member. The intruder resistant screen may comprise one or more free ends pre-bent at an angle to a plane of the screen. The one or more free ends of the intruder resistant screen may be pre-bent up to 90°. The one or more free ends of the intruder resistance screen may be pre-bent between an angle of approximately 20° and approximately 90°. The intruder resistant screen may comprise a wire mesh screen. The screen may be a stainless steel wire mesh screen having a wire diameter of between 0.5mm and 2.0mm with a wire spacing of 0.5mm to 3mm. Alternatively, the wire mesh may comprise aluminium or carbon steel. Alternatively, the screen may comprise a perforated panel.
[0017] The screen door or screen window may comprise a reinforcement assembly. The reinforcement assembly may comprise a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member may be symmetrical. The reinforcement member may be in the form of a double sided frame member. The reinforcement assembly may comprise a plurality of pivot members. The plurality of pivot members may pivotally attach to opposite sides of the reinforcement member. The reinforcement assembly may comprise a reinforcement cover. The reinforcement cover may be mounted to one or more pivot members. When mounted, the reinforcement cover may conceal one or more of the pivot members, retained edges of screens, and the fasteners.
[0018] In another form, there is provided a method of folding and retaining a screen into a frame, the method comprising: locating a screen on a screen engagement surface of an elongate frame member such that a free end of the screen is located above a recess; hingedly attaching a pivot member to a pivot structure of the frame member;pivoting the pivot member relative to the frame member such that a protrusion of the pivot member folds and retains the free end of the screen into the recess of the frame member.
[0019] The method may further comprise the step of driving fasteners into the pivot member and frame member. The step of driving fasteners into the pivot member and frame member may comprise pulling the pivot member, with the fasteners during their driving, such that the pivot member clamps the screen together with the frame member. The step of driving fasteners into the pivot member and frame member may provide the force required forthe protrusion of the pivot member to fold the free end of the screen into the recess.
[0020] In another form, there is provided an intruder resistant screen configured for use with the hereinbefore described folding mechanism to preferably create a screen door or screen window as hereinbefore described. The intruder resistant screen may comprise a wire mesh screen having its free ends pre-bent at an angle of up to 90°.
[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a screen door;
[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a closeup perspective view showing a crosssection of a frame of the screen door of figure 1 ;
[0025] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded side elevation cross-sectional view of the frame of figure 2;
[0026] Figures 4A to 4F illustrate cross-sectional views of the frame during various stages of assembly;
[0027] Figures 5A and 5B illustrates cross-sectional views of a frame having a different type of cover during various stages of assembly;
[0028] Figures 6A and 6B illustrates cross-sectional views of a screen with an edge that is pre-bent at different angles;
[0029] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a corner portion of the frame of the screen door of figure 1 ;
[0030] Figure 8 illustrates a side elevation cross-sectional view of a reinforcing member of the door of figure 1 ; and
[0031] Figure 9 illustrates a side elevation cross-sectional view of a coverless frame.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a screen door 10 having a frame 100, an intruder resistant screen 200, and a reinforcement assembly 300. The frame 100 is typically formed from a plurality of elongate frame members preferably made of an extruded metal such as aluminium. It is envisaged that it may also be made from carbon fibre or plastic unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (IIPVC) of sufficient strength. The screen 200 is preferably a rigid intruder resistant mesh comprising woven wire but it is envisaged that other types of screen, such as a unitary screen made with a plurality of apertures (e.g. perforated aluminium or stainless steel), could be utilised instead. The screen 200 may be any suitable screening material and construction of sufficient strength to prevent intruders from being able to easily break or cut through.
[0033] A woven stainless steel mesh has been found to be a suitable screen material in terms of strength, cutting resistance, corrosion resistance, and appearance. Such a mesh may be as described in described in Australian Patent Number 694515, which is incorporated herein by reference. Suitable wire dimensions have been found to be anywhere between about 0.5mm and2.0mm. The wire spacing (in weft or warp) is suitably anywhere from about 0.5mm to 3mm.
[0034] It should be appreciated that the frame 100 and screen 200 can be configured as a screen of other dimensions such as, for example, covering a window. The reinforcement assembly 300 is optional but considered beneficial for additional strength and intruder resistance. For smaller screen types, such as for a window, a reinforcement assembly 300 is less likely to be wanted.
[0035] Figure 2 illustrates a closeup perspective view showing a crosssection of a frame 100 of the screen door 10. Figure 3 illustrates the frame 100 and screen 200 in an exploded manner such that the individual components are more readily understood. The illustrated frame 100 comprises a frame member 120, a pivot member 150, a cover 160, seals 170a, 170b, and fasteners in the form of screws 180, and an insulator 190. Each of these components will now be described in further detail.
[0036] The frame member 120, in the illustrated form, is an elongate extrusion comprising a base portion 122 and a screen engaging portion 126. The base portion 122 is preferably hollow, having a cavity. In the illustrated form the base portion 122 is effectively a rectangular hollow section (RHS) having a wall 124 from which the screen engaging portion 126 extends. The screen engaging portion 126 comprises a flange 128 having a pivot structure 130, a recess 132, a screen engagement surface 134 with gripping formations in the form of serrations, and a frame member seal channel 136.
[0037] The pivot member 150, in the illustrated form, is an elongate extrusion comprising a complimentary pivot structure 152, that corresponds to the pivot structure 130 of the frame member 120 to allow hinged engagement thereto, a screen engagement portion 154 with gripping formations in the form of serrations, and engagement members in the form of pivot member lugs 156a, 156b. The pivot member 150 also has a protrusion 158 that extends transversely to a plane defined by the screen engagement portion 154 and serrations thereon. In the illustrated form the protrusion 158 is rounded with an inclined side between its apex and the screen engagement portion 154. Theprotrusion 158 is sized and shaped to at least partially insert into the recess 132 of the frame member 120 in use (e.g. as illustrated in figure 4E) for reasons that will become apparent. The recess 132 has a rounded shoulder 133 adjacent the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120. The shoulder 133 is configured to provide an edge about which a portion of the screen 200 can be folded.
[0038] The pivot structure 130 of the frame member 120 and the pivot structure 152 of the pivot member 150 are shaped such that one can pivot about the other. In the illustrated example, the pivot structure 130 of the frame member 120 comprises a hook and the pivot structure 152 of the pivot member 150 comprises a corresponding groove which can receive the hook of the pivot structure 130 of the frame member 120 and allow relative rotation therebetween as the end of the hook traverses the depth of the groove.
[0039] The cover 160, in the illustrated form, is an elongate extrusion comprising a fascia 162, a cover seal channel 164, and engagement members in the form of cover lugs 166a, 166b. The cover lugs 166a, 166b are configured to operatively engage with pivot member lugs 156a, 156b to allow releasable mounting of the cover 160 to the pivot member 150. Although two covers lugs 166a, 166b that correspond to two pivot member lugs 156a, 156b are shown, it should be appreciated that a single engagement member could be implemented provided that it can securely hold the cover 160 to the pivot member 150. It should also be appreciated that the cover 160 may instead, or in addition, be mounted to the frame member 120. Once mounted, the cover 160 is configured to provide both protection to inner components of the frame 100 and a clean aesthetic appearance of the frame 100 from the exterior (e.g. as illustrated in figures 1 and 2). It should be appreciated that the cover 160 may take other forms, such as cover 160’ illustrated in figures 5A and 5B. The cover 160 may also be optional and a coverless frame 100 is illustrated in figure 9.
[0040] In preferred forms, the engagement members comprise pivot member lugs 156a, 156b and cover lugs 166a, 166b shaped and arranged to allow respective pairs of lugs (i.e. 156a with 166a and 156b with 166b) to cliptogether through resilient deformation of one or more of the lugs 156a, 156b, 166a, 166b. It should be appreciated that other forms of mounting could be utilised including, for example, an interference fit, adhesion, bonding, welding, fastening, or the like. As the cover 160 of the frame 100 is preferably mounted in a removable manner to allow access to the inner workings of the frame 100, it is typically mounted to an inside side of the screen door 10, with the nonremovable wall 124 of the frame member 120 being on an outside side of the screen door 10.
[0041] Seals 170a, 170b are preferably made of a flexible and compressible material, such as rubber, as is known in the industry. The seals 170a, 170b have anchoring portions which may be inserted into the seal channels 136, 164 to provide a sealing effect between the screen 200 and either side of the frame that 100 receives the screen 200. The seals 170a, 170b provide sealing effect between the frame 100 and screen 200 to reduce ingress of moisture and fines into the frame 100. Fasteners in the form of screws 180 can be used to drive the pivot member home and clamp the screen 200 between the respective screen engaging surfaces 134, 154 of the frame 100 in use (e.g. as illustrated in figure 4E). It should be appreciated that the fasteners may comprise rivets or any other suitable mechanical or chemical fastener.
[0042] Where the frame 100 and screen 200 are made of different materials (e.g. an aluminium frame 100 and a stainless steel screen 200 as is often employed) the seals 170a, 170b provide additional protection to minimise galvanic corrosion therebetween those materials. In this regard, the seals 170a, 170b may provide an interface between upper portions of the frame member 120 and cover 160. An insulator 190 may optionally be provided as an interface between the screen 200 and the screen engagement portion 154 of the pivot member 150. The insulator 190 may comprise rubber or foam (e.g. a double sided closed cell foam tape), or other suitable material, that insulates the screen 200 from the pivot member 150 to provide further protection from galvanic corrosion. Although not illustrated, an insulator 190 may also be provided between the screen 200 and the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120 for the same purpose.
[0043] A sequence of assembly of a frame 100 is illustrated in figures 4A to 4F. Figure 4A illustrates the seal 170b being inserted into the seal channel 136 of the frame member 120. Figure 4B illustrates the screen 200 being placed against the seal 170b and the screen receiving portion 134 of the frame member 120. Notably, the free end 202 of the screen 200 is located over the recess 132 of the frame member 120. Figure 4C illustrates the pivot member 150 being connected to the frame member 120. Notably, hook of the pivot structure 130 of the frame member 120 is inserted into the complementary groove of the pivot structure 152 of the pivot member 150 such that they are pivotally connected with each other. The insulator 190 may also be applied to the screen engagement portion 154 of the pivot member 150 if desired.
[0044] Figure 4D illustrates the pivot member 150 at various angles with respect to the frame member 120. Once in place, the pivot member 150 starts at approximately 90° to the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120. It is then pivoted down towards the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120. As the pivot member 150 pivots towards the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120, the protrusion 158 engages with the free end 202 of the screen 200. As the pivot member 150 is clamped down, which may be assisted by driving the screws 180 home with a tool, the protrusion 158 folds the free end 202 of the screen 200 into the recess 132. In this way, the pivot member 150 effectively acts as a lever having a load in the form of the protrusion 158 applying force to fold the free end 202 of the screen 200 about a fulcrum in the form of the pivot structure 152.
[0045] Figure 4E illustrates the pivot member 150 in a fully clamped position whereby its screen engagement portion 154 is substantially parallel to the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120 with the screen 200 located there between. The free end 202 of the screen 200 is folded and held in the recess 132 of the frame member 120 by the protrusion 152 of the pivot member 150. The pivot member is held in this position by fasteners 180 which also pass through the screen 200 to increase securement of the screen 200 to the frame member 120. Once the pivot member 150 is in this position, the cover 160, with its seal 170a, can be attached. The cover 160 snaps into placeby cover lugs 166a, 166b engaging the pivot member lugs 156a, 156b as shown in figure 4F.
[0046] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the frame 100 having a cover 160’ that has a catch 166c configured to operatively engage with a rib 138 on the base portion 122 of the frame member 120. Figure 5A generally corresponds with figure 4E and figure 5b generally corresponds with figure 4F. The cover 160’ of figures 5A and 5B can provide additional strength and removal resistance as the catch 166c operatively grasps the rib 138 of the frame member 120 to keep it retained thereto. In this form, the cover 160’ is preferably installed at an angle and then closed, as shown by the open position 160” in dashed lines and the closed position 160’ in solid lines in figure 5B.
[0047] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a screen 200 which has its free end 202 pre-bent. Pre-bending of the free ends 202 of a screen 200 is considered optional but may facilitate quicker and easier installation as the free ends 202 may be more easily inserted into the recess 132 and / or the amount of force and bending required by the pivot member 150 may be reduced. The angle of bending 9 is preferably between 20° and 90° but it should be appreciated that the angle could more or less depending upon requirements and commercial objectives. In figure 6A the free end 202 of the screen 200 is pre-bent by approximately 40° such that the free end 202 extends at an angle of approximately 140° to the screen 200. In figure 6B the free end 202 of the screen 200 is pre-bent by approximately 90° such that the free end 202 extends at a right angle to the screen 200.
[0048] Figure 7 illustrates a corner of the screen door 10 with the frame 100 exploded. As can be seen, the vertical and horizontal elongate framecomponents can be joined at a corner by a mitre cut (typically 45°). A corner bracket 400 is inserted into the frame 100 in order to align, hold, and reinforce the corner of the frame 100. The corner bracket 400 may be made of any suitably strong material including, for example, aluminium, plastic, carbon fibre, or fibreglass.
[0049] Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the of the optional reinforcement assembly 300. The reinforcement assembly 300 can be implemented to increase rigidity by rigidly joining smaller pieces of the screen 200 inside the frame 100. For example, as illustrated in figure 1 the reinforcement member effectively breaks what could be a large single screen 200 into two smaller pieces joined by the reinforcement assembly 300. The additional rigidity provided by the reinforcement assembly 300 may improve the impact strength and jemmy resistance of the screen door 100.
[0050] The reinforcement assembly 300 comprises a reinforcement member 320, two pivot members 150, a reinforcement cover 360, and screws 180. The reinforcement member 320 is similar to the frame member 120 but is double sided around axis of symmetry ‘A’. The same applies for the reinforcement cover 360, which is similar to the frame cover 160 but is double sided around axis of symmetry ‘A’. Given the similarities, the assembly and function of the reinforcement assembly 300 is effectively the same as frame 100 but rather than receiving, folding, and retaining a single end of a screen 200 it receives, folds, and retains two separate screens therein as illustrated in figure 8.
[0051] Figure 9 illustrates an alternative form in which there is no cover 160. As it is coverless the pivot member 150 does not have lugs and only one seal 170 is provided. The principals of operation are fundamentally the same as earlier forms and like numbering has therefore been used where appropriate.
[0052] Advantageously, the invention provides an improved intruder resistant screen assembly for doors, windows, and the like. The screen 200 is not only clamped and screwed into the frame 100 but is folded at its periphery 202, by the pivot member 150, into the frame. The folded edge 202 of the screen 200 not only increases the strength of the screen, particularly in relationto preventing buckling or bending, but it also provides stronger securement and retention in the frame 100 as the fold of the edge 202 of the screen 200 can not easily pull through the frame 100 and / or fasteners 180. The screen 200 is effectively double clamped to the frame, first between the screen engagement surface 134 of the frame member 120 and the screen engagement portion 154 of the pivot member 150 and secondly at the fold between the protrusion 158 of the pivot member 150 and the shoulder 133 of the recess 132.
[0053] Folding the edge 202 of an intruder resistant screen 200 can require significant force. The pivot member 150 advantageously acts as a lever, with a fulcrum about its pivot structure 152, to apply sufficient force to be able to fold the edge 202 of the screen 200 into the recess 132 of the frame member 120 of the frame 100. Should additional force be necessary or desirable to do this, the screws 180 can be driven home, typically with a power tool, to force the pivot member 150 into position whereby its protrusion 158 forces the edge 202 of the screen 200 into the recess 132 of the frame member 120.
[0054] The corresponding pivot structures of the pivot member 150 and frame member 120 provide a strong and secure connection that is not easily pried or popped off further increasing security and resistance to jemmy attacks or the like.
[0055] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.
[0056] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art ofthe above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.
[0057] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
[0058] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
Claims
CLAIMS:
1. A folding mechanism for an intruder resistant screen, the folding mechanism comprising: an elongate frame member having a screen engagement surface, a recess, and a frame member pivot structure; a pivot member having a screen engaging portion, a protrusion, and a pivot member pivot structure that corresponds to the frame member pivot structure to allow hinged engagement thereto; wherein when the pivot member is pivoted about the frame member pivot structure the protrusion is configured to enter into the recess of the frame member to thereby fold and retain a free end of a screen, located between the screen engagement surface of the elongate frame member and the screen engaging portion of the pivot member, in the recess.
2. The folding mechanism of claim 1 wherein the recess is adjacent an end of the screen engagement surface of the frame member.
3. The folding mechanism of claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame member comprises a screen engaging portion extending from a base section, the screen engaging portion comprising a screen engagement surface.
4. The folding mechanism of claim 3, wherein the screen engaging surface comprises gripping formations.
5. The folding mechanism of claim 3 or 4, wherein the recess is formed between the screen engagement surface and the pivot structure.
6. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the recess is transverse to the screen engagement surface.
7. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the frame member pivot structure is located on the screen engaging portion of the frame member.
8. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recess comprises a channel.
9. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recess comprises a shoulder located adjacent the screen engagement surface of the frame member configured to facilitate folding and retention of the screen with the protrusion of the pivot member.
10. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frame member pivot structure is complementary to the pivot member pivot structure and configured to allow hinged rotational movement of the pivot member relative to the frame member.11 . The folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pivot member pivot structure comprises a groove configured to receive the pivot structure of the frame member.
12. The folding mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the pivot structure of the frame member comprises a hook.
13. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pivot member is a lever with the pivot structure providing a fulcrum.
14. The folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a cover comprising lugs configured to operatively engage with pivot member lugs to allow the cover to be mounted to the pivot member.
15. A screen door or screen window comprising the folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 15 and an intruder resistant screen, wherein the perimeter of the intruder resistant screen is folded into, and held in place within, the recess of the frame member by the pivot member.
16. The screen door or screen window of claim 15, wherein the screen has at least one free end that is pre-bent at an angle of between 20° and 90°.
17. The screen door or screen window of claim 15 or 16, comprising a plurality of frame members and pivot members arranged around the perimeter of the intruder resistant screen.
18. The screen door or screen window of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the intruder resistant screen comprises a stainless steel wire mesh screen having a wire diameter of between 0.5mm and 2.0mm with a wire spacing of 0.5mm to 3mm.
19. screen door or screen window of any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a reinforcement assembly comprising a plurality of pivot members pivotally attached to opposite sides of the reinforcement member.
20. A method of folding and retaining a screen into a frame, the method comprising: locating a screen on a screen engagement surface of an elongate frame member such that a free end of the screen is located above a recess; hingedly attaching a pivot member to a pivot structure of the frame member; pivoting the pivot member relative to the frame member such that a protrusion of the pivot member folds and retains the free end of the screen in the recess of the frame member.21 . The method of claim 20, further comprising driving fasteners into the pivot member and frame member thereby pulling the pivot member, with the fasteners during their driving, such that the pivot member clamps the screen together with the frame member.
22. An intruder resistant screen configured for use with the folding mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 14, the intruder resistant screen comprising a wire mesh screen having its free ends pre-bent at an angle of up to 90°.
Citation Information
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