RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a conversion of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/565,302, filed April 26, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to screens and frames for architectural applications, including window and door screens and, more particularly, to very high strength architectural screens and frames able to withstand very high wind loads, pressure and other forces and loads such as screens for building applications in hurricane environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION High strength screens have been developed for security and improved resistance to high loading environments such as hurricanes with very high wind speeds, positive and negative air pressures, and resistance to projectiles. Such screens, typically made of heavier gauge wire and stainless steel wire, are mounted in substantial frames and fastened directly to building openings such as the exterior perimeter of window and door jambs. When so installed, such screens prevent any regular or emergency access or egress through the window or door. This creates a fire and safety hazard which greatly reduces the overall safety of the building. Screens have been made removable from the exterior only but only by laborious removal of fasteners or pins, and hinge-mounted along one edge of the frame. When mounted on hinges, screen frames must be secured in a closed position by some type of latch or clasp accessible from the interior. This is a solution for sliding or double hung type windows, but does not work with windows or doors which are also hinge mounted and which open to the exterior, because typically there is not sufficient clearance between the window frame and the corresponding screen frame to manually access a release mechanism to release and open the screen. This is an important safety issue which is not addressed by any existing hinged screen frame closure solutions. Thus there is a need for a heavy duty high strength screen system which can be easily or even automatically opened from the inside for emergency egress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an ultra high strength screen system which can withstand hurricane force winds and which can be configured with a latching system which enables release of the screen frame from the inside, and opening of the screen frame from the surrounding frame by contact with an accompanying window or door. Li accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an egress latch system for use with a high strength screen system, and for use with other types of screens, which enables easy opening of the screen and frame for egress without sacrificing any of the structural strength of the screen system. In one embodiment, the latch system includes at least one latch mechanism which is mounted to an interior face of a frame member, for engagement with a striker on a corresponding jamb liner. In a preferred embodiment, the latch has a rotating or linear motion pawl, also referred to as a rotary or slam latch, which can be actuated by linear or rotary operation of a pawl release such as in the form or an arm or lever. The latch can be manually operated, or automatically operated by contact with the frame or other component of a corresponding window or door. For larger screen frames, two or more latches of this type can be linked in series or in parallel for simultaneous operation manually or by contact with the corresponding window or door by the systems as described. These and other aspects of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying Figures which illustrate exemplary forms in which the principles of the invention may be executed but which are not otherwise limiting to the breadth and scope of the invention..

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial view of a latch system in combination with a high strength screen system of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view of a serially linked latch system in combination with a high strength screen system of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a partial view of an alternate embodiment of a serially linked latch system in combination with a high strength screen system of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a high strength screen and frame with egress latch system of the invention in combination with a side hinge type window; FIG. 5 is a perspective partial view of a high strength screen and frame with the linked egress latch system of the invention shown in combination with a window frame; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sash style window equipped with a high strength screen frame and screen and serially linked latches of an egress latch system of the invention, and FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a high strength screen frame equipped with at least three latches which are linked together for simultaneous operation in accordance with the egress latch system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the Figures, a high strength screen system of the invention (also referred to herein as a "high strength screen system") includes a screen frame 10 having four or more frame members 101 which may be steel or alloy or aluminum, such as an aluminum extrusion, mitered and/or squared ends and joined to form a stiff structure within which a heavy gauge screen 40 is mounted. The screen frame 10 is dimensioned to fit within a jamb J which extends or fits into the building opening O, as shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 6, or which can be flushed mounted to the building exterior about an opening. The screen 40 is preferably secured to an interior of the frame 10 or to any inside corner of a cross-section of the frame 10. In a building installation, the interior of the screen frame 10 is the side of the screen frame 10 which faces the building opening or a corresponding window or door. The interior side of the screen frame 10 is the side which is depicted by the Figures. Although referred to herein as "high strength" screen frames and screens, the egress latch system of the invention includes and is applicable to screen frames and screens of all types. The term "screens" is used in the very broadest sense and includes any type of structure or cover which is mountable within a frame which is mounted on hinges or pivotable. FIG. 1 illustrates an egress latch system 100 which can be used with screen frames and particularly with high strength screen frames to enable easy opening of a screen frame installed on a hinge H or pivot to cover an opening in a building. A striker base 110 is mounted to the interior of the jamb structure opposite a hinge to which the screen frame is mounted. A rotary or linear release type latch 120 is mounted to the interior of a frame member 101, or to any other adjoining or intersecting frame member 101. Any form of attachment of the latch 20 to one or more frame members 10 which is structurally sound is suitable, including fasteners such as screws or rivets, welding or high strength adhesive. Similarly, the striker base 110 can be fastened to the surrounding jamb J by fasteners, welding or adhesive. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the latches 120 and striker bases 110 can be mounted in a lower region of the screen frame 10, particularly in installations where the screen frame 10 is mounted upon hinges H at a top of the screen frame 10. As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the latches 120 and striker bases 110 or strikers 115 can alternatively be mounted in a side region of the screen frame 10 generally opposite a side where the screen frame 10 is mounted upon hinges H. The latch 120 includes a pawl 125 which engages a striker 115 of the striker base 110. The striker 115 is also referred to herein as a latch striker. Operation of latch 120, by a release arm 122, causes the pawl 125 to disengage from the striker 115 to allow the screen frame 10 swing open about a hinge H, as shown in FIG. 2. Displacement of the release arm 122, as caused by contact with a hinge mounted window or door which is moved into a partially opened position, disengages the latch 120 from the striker 115. As also shown in FIG. 2, two or more latch systems 100 can be mounted in a serially connected arrangement with the same screen system, by use of release bar 130 which extends from one release arm 122 to another. When installed over a window which opens outward into contact with either one or both of release arms 122, or into contact with the release bar 130, the screen frame 10 is released from engagement with the latch systems 100 for opening about hinge or hinges H. Although the striker 115 is shown mounted in the striker base 110, other forms and methods of mounting the striker 115, and other similar structures which may serve as a striker which the latch pawl 125 can engage are within the scope of the invention, such as for example any linear or cylindrical structure which is proximate to the latch 120 with the screen frame 10 in the closed position, as shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 6. Also, the length and shape of the release arms 122 of the latches 120 can be varied to change the position of the release bar 130 connected thereto, and/or to provide greater actuation leverage to operate and release the latch 120. Alternatively, one or more strikers 115 can be mounted to the jamb J in alignment with latches 120 without a striker base 110, as shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 6. Although shown as simple posts, strikers 115 can be in any form which provides a structure which the latch pawl 125 of latch 120 can engage. The latch system 100 of the invention is adaptable in size and length for use with screen frames of all sizes. As shown in FIGS. 2-7, the release bar 130 can be extended in length for serial connection with multiple latches 120 and associated strikers 115 and striker bases 110. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, one or more of the striker bases 110 and associated latches 120 can be oriented to a lower profile, as shown at the right of FIG. 3, and a vertical arm 132 extending from the latch 120 for contact with the release bar 130 to operate and release latch 120. This avoids any failure of any of the latches 120 to release due to flexing of the release bar 130, whether operated manually or by contact with an outward opening window frame. FIGS. 3-7 also illustrate an alternate configuration of the egress latch system of the invention, wherein a single release bar 131 is attached to one of the array of latches 120 and extends into contact with window frame 20 when the window is opened. The single release bar 131 overlaps or otherwise intersects release bar 130 which extends between and is attached to two or more latches 120. When single release bar 131 is first contacted and moved by the window frame 20 it releases the associated latch 120 and is also moved into contact with release bar 130 which in turn releases its associated latches 120. The use and arrangement of a single release bar allows installation of an associated latch 120 which is not aligned with other latches 120 on a frame 20, as shown in FIGS. 4-7. This is particular advantageous for installations wherein latches 120 are mounted different intersecting members of a frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 4-7, or in any installation where alignment of two or more latches is not practical or possible. The use of a single release bar 131 also works irrespective of the orientation of the associated latch 120, so that the latch bodies can be either aligned, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or not aligned, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As illustrated, the single release bar 131 can be positioned closest to the corresponding window or door frame (closer than release bar 130) so that it is contacted first when the window or door is opened, and thereafter contacts the release bar 130 to release the latches connected thereto. However, the opposite arrangement is also contemplated, wherein the single release bar 131 is located inboard of the release bar 130, that is closer to the frame 10 and screen 40 than release bar 130, so that the release bar 130 is first contacted by the corresponding window or door frame WF/DF and by its movement thereafter contacts the single release bar 131 to release the latch 120 connected thereto. Furthermore, the single release bar 131 can be positioned at the same distance from the screen frame 10 as release bar 130, without intersecting release bar 130, so long as it is in a position to be contacted by the window or door frame when opened. The invention thus provides simple and highly functional latch systems for high strength screens which are easily opened for egress, for routine or emergency exit such as in the event of a fire or other need for rapid evacuation, while otherwise maintaining the screens in a tightly secured position about a window or door. The latch systems do not compromise the structural integrity or security of the screen frames and screens, and particularly high strength screens of the hurricane resistant type, because there are no components external to the frame, and the entire system fits within the space between the screen frame, screen and corresponding window or door. Further, because the corresponding window or door frame is used to initiate actuation of the latch system, no other mechanisms or parts than those described are required to accomplish opening of the screen frames. Although described in connection with high strength screen assemblies, the egress latch system of the invention is applicable to any type of framed closure or cover which is hinge mounted, including without limitation light-weight screens and frames, windows, doors, hatches, etc. and in installations other than architectural structures such as vehicles and industrial applications.