System and Method for Transport and Installation of a Screen Assembly

Abstract

A screen assembly including a flexible screen having a first edge and a second edge, a substantially vertical supporting member about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first edge of the screen is mounted, a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting member, at least one line member that can be wound onto and off the drum, and a first removable clip. The first removable clip including: a body portion defining an opening for receiving a portion of a supporting member and drum assembly, and an upwardly extending portion, wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface of the drum during transportation of the screen assembly or prior to operation of the screen assembly.

Claims

1. A screen assembly including: a flexible screen having a first edge and a second edge, a substantially vertical supporting member about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first edge of the screen is mounted, a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting member, at least one line member that can be wound onto and off the drum, and a first removable clip including: a body portion defining an opening for receiving a portion of a supporting member and drum assembly, and an upwardly extending portion, wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface of the drum during transportation of the screen assembly or prior to operation of the screen assembly.

2. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion includes an inner surface for abutting an outer surface of a mounting assembly.

3. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting assembly includes the supporting member.

4. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shape of the inner surface of the body portion corresponds to a portion of a mounting assembly.

5. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion is annular.

6. The screen assembly as claimed in claim, 1 wherein the body portion includes a pair of shaped arms defining an opening for allowing the supporting member to enter the channel defined by the body portion.

7. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pair of arms are at least partially resilient to allow temporary outwardly deflection during mounting to the supporting member and during removal from the supporting member, and which when attached at least relative to the supporting member, exerts a clamping force to resist accidental but not determined removal.

8. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion further includes an upper surface for abutting an outer surface of the drum.

9. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the drum is a bottom surface.

10. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body portion further includes one or more recesses that extend from an inner surface of the resilient body portion and extend outwardly.

11. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending portion extends from the body portion.

12. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending portion extends towards an upper surface of the drum.

13. The screen assembly as claimed claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending portion extends on an angle.

14. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly extending portion further includes an overhang portion.

15. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the overhang portion extends inwardly toward a central axis defined by the body portion above the opening in the body portion.

16. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the overhang portion is configured to secure the upwardly extending portion relative to the drum in order to prevent the at least one line member from falling from the drum or becoming loose.

17. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first removeable clip further includes a second body portion for aiding in the mounting, removal or both the mounting and the removal of the body portion to or from the supporting member.

18. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including a drawbar to which the second edge of the screen is mounted, and a second removable clip including: a first body portion defining a first opening for receiving at least a portion of the supporting member, and a second body portion defining a second opening for receiving at least a portion of the drawbar, wherein the first body portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of the supporting member and the second body portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of the drawbar such that the supporting member and the drawbar are held in a fixed relationship relative to one another.

19. The screen assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second removable clip further includes one or more a structural support walls configured to prevent relative movement between the first body portion and the second body portion of the second removable clip.

20. A method of installing a screen assembly, the method including: a. positioning a screen assembly relative to a window or door frame defining an opening, the screen assembly including: i. a flexible screen having a first edge and a second edge, ii. a substantially vertical supporting member about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first edge of the screen is mounted, iii. a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting member, iv. at least one line member that can be wound onto and off the drum, v. a drawbar to which the second edge of the screen is mounted, vi. a first removable clip including: A. a body portion defining a opening for receiving a portion of a supporting member and drum assembly, and B. an upwardly extending portion, wherein the upwardly extending portion is configured to hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface of the drum during transportation of the screen assembly or prior to operation of the screen assembly; and, vii. a second removable clip including: C. a first body portion defining a first opening for receiving at least a portion of the supporting member, and D. a second body portion defining a second opening for receiving at least a portion of the drawbar, wherein the first body portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of the supporting member and the second body portion is mountable relative to at least a portion of the drawbar such that the supporting member and the drawbar are held in a fixed relationship relative to one another; b. removing the first removable clip from engagement with the supporting member; and c. removing the second removable clip from relative engagement with the supporting member.

21. A removable clip for a screen assembly including: a flexible screen, a substantially vertical supporting member about which the screen can be wound/unwound, a drum associated with at least one end of the supporting member, and at least one line member that can be wound onto and off the drum, the clip including: a body portion defining an opening for receiving a portion of a supporting member and drum assembly, and an upwardly extending portion configured to hold the at least one line member relative to an external surface of the drum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0085] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the p01Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0086] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a door or window frame and screen assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the screen assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0088] FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of a screen mounting tube, drum and retainer clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a top view of the screen assembly without the line member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows the method of mounting a retainer clip relative to a screen mounting tube and drum.

[0091] FIGS. 6A-6C show various views of the screen installation clip shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0092] FIGS. 7A-7F show various views of the retainer clip shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0093] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a single screen assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a double screen assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0095] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a screen assembly 10 and particularly a screen mounting assembly are provided.

[0096] The screen assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment (best illustrated in general in FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a flexible screen 11 having a first edge and a second edge, a substantially vertical supporting member 12 about which the screen can be wound/unwound and to which the first edge of the screen 11 is mounted, a drum 13 associated with at least one end of the supporting member 12, at least one line member 14 that can be wound onto and off the drum 13, and a first removable clip 15 including a resilient body portion 16 defining an opening 17 for receiving a portion of the supporting member 12, and an upwardly extending portion 18, wherein the upwardly extending portion 18 is configured to hold the at least one line member 14 relative to an external surface of the drum 13 during transportation or prior to instalment of the screen assembly.

[0097] The present invention is particularly directed to a screen assembly 10 as described above where the first removable clip 15 prevents the at least one line member 14 from unwinding from the drum 13 during transportation and/or prior to installation of the screen assembly 10 within an opening 19 defined by a window or door frame 20.

[0098] As mentioned above, first removable clip 15 includes resilient body portion 16. As best shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, resilient body portion 16 includes an inner surface 21 for abutting a portion of the supporting member 12 and an upper surface 22 for abutting a portion of a bottom surface of the drum 13. The shape of the inner surface 21 of the resilient body portion 16 substantially corresponds to a portion of an outer surface 23 of the supporting member 12. Furthermore, the shape of the upper surface 22 of the resilient body portion 12 substantially corresponds to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the drum 13.

[0099] As can be seen best in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the resilient body portion 16 is annular in shape.

[0100] The resilient body portion 16 defines an opening for allowing the supporting member 12 to enter opening 17 defined by the resilient body portion 16.

[0101] Resilient body portion 16 includes a pair of recesses 24.

[0102] As best shown in FIG. 7A, upwardly extending portion 18 extends from the resilient body portion 16. When mounted to the substantially vertical supporting member 12, upwardly extending portion 18 extends away from supporting member 12 (as shown best in FIG. 3). The height of the upwardly extending portion 18 corresponds substantially to the height of drum 13.

[0103] As best shown in FIGS. 7D and 7F, upwardly extending portion extends on an angle. The angle substantially corresponding to the side surface of the drum 13.

[0104] Turning back to FIGS. 7A, 7D and 7F, upwardly extending portion 18 includes overhang portion 25. Overhang portion 25 extends inwardly toward a central axis defined by resilient body portion 16. In the embodiment shown, the overhand portion 25 extends from a free edge of the upwardly extending portion 18. A skilled person, however, would understand that in some embodiments, overhang portion 25 may extend from an inner surface of the upwardly extending portion 18.

[0105] Together the resilient body portion 16 and the upwardly extending portion 18 mount the first removable clip 15 relative to the supporting member 12 and drum 13.

[0106] The first removable clip 15 further includes a second body portion 26 for aiding in the removal of the resilient body portion 16 from the supporting member 12. A person skilled in the art would understand that the second body portion 12 may be in any particular form, for example, a hook or other means suitable for gripping or insertion of a tool to aid removal of the first removable clip from engagement with the supporting member and drum. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, the second body portion 26 is in the form of a tab. The tab includes an aperture 27.

[0107] As is shown in the Figures, the first removable clip 15 is substantially unitary and although any material may be used, a plastic or similar material is particularly preferred.

[0108] The screen 11 may comprise a mesh screen, a reflective material, and insulating material, a see-through material, a dark material, combinations and the like. The screen may be made of any suitable material including woven or nonwoven fabrics, plastics, flexible metals (for instance aluminium foil), laminated materials, bonded materials, reinforced materials, and the like. The screen may be made of a single material, a combination of materials, may be made of a single sheets, or a plurality of sheets that are attached together, and it is not considered that any particular limitation should be placed on the invention by the selection of the screen type. There may be circumstances where the screen comprises a plurality of elongate members which may be somewhat rigid and which are foldably or hingedly attached to each other such that the screen can still be rolled.

[0109] The screen 11 will typically extend across a window or door opening and will therefore have dimensions to suit. It is also envisaged that the screen 11 may be used in any area which would benefit from such an assembly and not necessarily limited to a window or door opening. The screen 11 will typically have a height of between 1-3 m, and may have a length of between 1-10 m and preferably between 1-5 m.

[0110] The screen assembly 10 can function as an insect screen, a blind, an awning and the like.

[0111] The length of the supporting member 12 will typically be dependent on the height of the cavity or opening, in which the assembly 10 will be fitted and is expected that a suitable length will be between 1-3 m. The supporting member 12 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, wood, metal, composite materials and the like. The diameter of the supporting member can vary but it is expected that the diameter will be between 1-20 cm.

[0112] Although it is envisaged that the supporting member 12 will be generally cylindrical, under some circumstances (as shown in the present drawings), the supporting member may have a polygonal cross-section such as rectangular, octagonal etc in other embodiment. It is envisaged that the supporting member will be made of a single length of material, although, if considered expedient, the supporting member may be made of a plurality of lengths which are connected together.

[0113] The supporting member 12 will preferably have a periphery which may include a spline mounting channel 28. The spline mounting channel 28 is an opening formed into one circumferential portion of the supporting member 12 with a smaller entry opening in the external circumference of the supporting member 12 and a larger spline mounting portion such that once the spline is mounted within the spline mounting portion, the spline cannot be removed through the entry opening and is inserted and withdrawn longitudinally. In use, the screen will normally have a loop or similar formed at one end to receive an elongate spline. The loop will normally be located within the spline mounting channel and the spline then passed into the loop in order to attach or mount the screen relative to the supporting member 12.

[0114] As mentioned above, screen assembly 10 includes a drum 13 associated with at least one end of the supporting member 12. The drum 13 has a simple frustoconical profile with one end of the drum being smaller in dimension than the opposite end of the drum, and a frustoconical external wall portion extending between the smaller end and the larger end, about which the at least one line member is wound.

[0115] Drum 13 is attached to, or relative to an upper end of the supporting member 12. Drum 13 tapers outwardly from a narrower diameter furthest from the supporting member 12, to a larger diameter adjacent to the supporting member 12. In alternative embodiments (not shown), this can be reversed if desired.

[0116] Drum 13 may be mounted relative to the supporting member by any suitable means known in the art.

[0117] Drum 13 of the illustrated embodiment is substantially unitary and although any material may be used, a plastic or similar material is particularly preferred.

[0118] The line member 14 may comprise any suitable material such as steel, plastic, composite materials and the like. It is envisaged that the line member 14 will be substantially circular in cross-section although it is envisaged that the line member may also be substantially flat (e.g. a strip or strap), oval in cross-section and the like. The line member may comprise a wire, a rope, a laminate of material, a chain, a cable and the like. One end of the line member may be fixed to the drum. The line member may also comprise a ball chain which is a cord with balls attached at spaced apart intervals.

[0119] The screen assembly may further include a drawbar 29 to which the second edge of the screen 11 is mounted. The drawbar 29 may be any particular size or shape. As best shown in FIG. 2, the drawbar 29 extends along the second edge.

[0120] The screen assembly 10 may further include a second removable clip 30. The second removable clip 30 may be any removable screen clip known in the art suitable for fixing a drawbar relative to a screen wound about a supporting member.

[0121] In the illustrated embodiment, the second removable clip 30 includes a resilient first body portion 32 defining a first opening 33 for receiving at least a portion of the supporting member 12, and a resilient second body portion 34 defining a second opening 35 for receiving at least a portion of the drawbar 29, wherein the first body portion 32 is mountable relative to at least a portion of the supporting member 12 and the second body portion 34 is mountable relative to at least a portion of the drawbar 29 such that the supporting member 12 and the drawbar 29 are held in a fixed relationship relative to one another.

[0122] The first body portion 32 is substantially similar in shape to at least a portion of an outer surface of the screen when wound about the substantially vertical supporting member. The first body portion is substantially annular.

[0123] The first body portion may define an opening 31 for a portion of the substantially vertical supporting member 12 and screen 11 to enter the opening 33.

[0124] The second body portion 34 may extend from a portion of the first body portion 32. The second body portion 34 may be substantially similar in shape to at least a portion of an outer surface of the draw bar 29.

[0125] Second removable clip 30 further includes one or more a structural support walls 36 for preventing movement of the first body portion 32 towards the second body portion 34.

[0126] It is preferred that the second removable clip 30 of the present invention is substantially unitary and although any material may be used, a plastic or similar material is particularly preferred.

[0127] The screen assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment (best illustrated in general in FIGS. 8 and 9) includes a flexible screen 11, a substantially vertical supporting member 12 about which the screen 11 can be wound/unwound and has an upper end and a lower end, at least one biasing spring 50 to create a tension in the screen 11, a drum 13 associated with at least one end of the supporting member 12, at least one line member 14 that can be wound onto and off the drum 13, the line member 14 being operatively associated with the screen 11 such that as the screen 11 is extended, the line member 14 is wound onto the drum 13, and as the screen 11 is retracted, the line member 14 is wound off the drum 13, the screen 11, when wound about the supporting member 12 having a diameter which increases as the screen 11 is wound about supporting member 12, and which decreases as the screen 11 is unwound from the supporting member 12.

[0128] The present invention is particularly directed to a screen assembly as described above where the flexible sheet-like screen 11 is wound about a supporting member 12 or tube (for example), and where the supporting member 12 is positioned substantially vertically such that the screen 11 extends and retracts in a horizontal direction as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in particular.

[0129] A feature of the screen assembly is to tune the drum diameter to be about the same as the diameter of the screen about the supporting member. Thus, as the screen is unwound, and the diameter decreases, the diameter of the drum, where the line member is wound onto the drum also decreases, to be about the same diameter. Conversely, as the screen is wound back onto the supporting member, and the diameter increases, the diameter of the drum where the line member is unwound from the drum also increases.

[0130] This particular feature enables the screen to be balanced at almost every point of extension and retraction which means that a person feels no resistance from the mesh tension at any position during operation of the unit. It also enables the screen material to have considerable tension to minimise sagging.

[0131] By tuning the diameter of the drum line to the diameter of the screen/supporting member, the forces seem to be quite balanced which means that it is relatively easy to pull the screen across the cavity without feeling an increased pullback force from the spring, and if the screen is let go, it will stay in position or possibly move only quite slowly.

[0132] One way by which the tuning can be achieved is to have a drum which has a conical shape, or where part of the drum has a conical shape, such that as the line member is wound onto, or off the drum, the diameter at the position where the line member contacts to drum will vary, and by designing a conical shape with regard to the diameter of the retracted screen, it is possible to have the two diameters to be approximately the same at all times.

[0133] The main purpose of the first removable clip 15 is to hold the line member 14 in the correct place on the drum 13 until the line member 14 is threaded through the pulleys 51 and tensioned by the springs 50. Once the line member 14 is tensioned, it resists falling off the drum 13 and the first removable clip 15 can be removed. If the first removable clip 15 is not present the line member 14 can still be tensioned but has a very high chance of being in the wrong position on the drum 13 which will result in unbalance mechanism that will prevent the screen stile or drawbar 29 from staying where it is placed.

[0134] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0135] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0136] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.