A Guide Assembly for Screening

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a guide assembly for screening. It also relates to a screening assembly.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known that in order for a screening assembly such as a retractable screening assembly to work optimally tracks for guiding screening members of the screening assembly need to be properly oriented. That orientation is not necessarily perfectly vertical or horizontal but rather aligned with a desired direction of movement, depending on the type of screening assembly. In many cases, for example, edges of a structural aperture that require screening are not perfectly vertical or horizontal. This can be a resut of poor building practice or even shifting of structural components, such as foundation members.

As a result, it has become necessary for installers to ensure that tracks for screening assemblies are adjusted relative to a vertical, horizontal or other desired direction of movement to ensure that screening members operate optimally. In the event that the tracks not properly oriented, the movement of the screening members can become rough and unpleasant for a user. Even worse, the screening members can wear prematurely and have a shortened lifespan. Also, disorientation of tracks can occur over time and it can be problematical if it is not possible to adjust the tracks after installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a guide assembly for screening, the guide assembly comprising

a guide member for mounting in a structural opening, the guide member defining a proximally opening channel with a distal wall and a pair of opposed sidewalts extending proximally from the distal wall;

a carrier extending proximally from the distal wall between the sidewalls,

a track mounted on each carrier and configured to receive a corresponding edge of a screening member to guide the screening member while the screening member is opened or closed; and

an adjustment mechanism engaged with the track and the carrier to permit an orientation of the tracks relative to the carriers to be adjusted.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a means whereby an orientation of a track can be adjusted during installation or after installation of the screen assembly to ensure proper alignment and thus operation of the screen assembly. Furthermore, since the engagement mechanism is engaged with the track, it is possible to re-adjust the track after some use of the screening to ensure optimal performance, even after an amount of time has passed. It will be appreciated that a one-time adjustment can only accommodate the screening at the time of installation. It follows that if the screening subsequently changes in some way, such as becoming stretched or distorted; a one-time adjustment is of limited use.

The guide member may define a substantially rectangular channel with the sidewalls being substantially at right angles to the distal wall.

The carrier may include a pair of spaced carrier walls extending parallel to each other and substantially at right angles with respect to the distal wall

The track may include a pair of spaced substantially parallel track walls also extending substantially at right angles with respect to the distal wall. An intermediate wall may extend transversely between the track walls and intermediate proximal and distal edges of the track walls. A pair of end walls may extend towards each other from proximal edges of respective track walls to define a partially enclosed guide space in which a bead, runner, zipping device, strip or the like of a screening member can be received. The bead or like, as described, can form part of any number of types of screen, such as Winds, Insect screens, sunshades and weather shielding devices.

The end walls may be spaced from each other to define an opening through which a screening member can be received. The bead may be of a transverse dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening so that the bead is retained within the guide space.

The track walls may be spaced so that the carrier wails can be received between the track walls when the track is mounted on the carrier. Thus, the track may be capable of displacement with respect to the carrier In a telescoping manner towards and away from the distal wall.

The adjustment mechanism may include a plurality of threaded drive members that extend between the track and the carrier. The drive members may be secured, but rotataWe, relative to the intermediate wall and may engage the carrier in a threaded manner. In particular, each drive member may be in the form of a bolt that extends through the intermediate wall and a nut secured between the carrier walls, the bolt being threaded into the nut so that rotation of the bolt results in displacement of the track either towards or away from the carrier depending on the direction of rotation of the bolt.

It will be appreciated that relative adjustment of the bolts can result in an adjustment of an angular orientation of the track relative to the carrier. As a result, fine adjustment of the track can be achieved for optimal operation of the screening.

The guide assembly can form part of a frame assembly mounted in a structural aperture. The frame assembly can be of the type that supports a sliding closure that moves in a vertical direction, such as a vertically displaceable screen. In that case, the guide assembly would be oriented substantially vertically, in use.

Alternatively, the frame assembly can be of the type that supports a sliding closure that moves in a horizontal direction, such as a horizontally displaceable screen. In that case, the guide assembly would be oriented substantially horizontally, in use.

It is to be appreciated that the guide, assembly can be oriented in a wide variety of different ways, depending on the application. For example, many screens are operated in a plane that is angled between 0° and 90° to the horizontal, such as blinds or sunshades. In most cases, there would usually be provided a pair of opposed guide assemblies, with opposed edges of a screen being engaged with respective guide members, in use.

The invention extends to a frame assembly for mounting in a structural aperture, the frame assembly comprising a pair of opposed guide assemblies as described in the first aspect above.

The invention also extends to a screening assembly that comprises

a frame assembly described above; and

a screen, the screen being extendable and retractable into and out of an operative position, the screen including a pair of opposed edges engaged with respective tracks of the guide assemblies to be restrained to movement with respect to the tracks in a direction of movement of the scree n.

The screen may include beads defining respective opposed edges, each bead engaging a track of a respective guide assembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a locking rail assembly for mounting on a free edge of the screen member.

The locking rail assembly may Include a housing with operatively front, fear, top, bottom and side walls.

The top wall may define a recess in which the end of the screen member can be retained.

Internal end portions of a pair of elongate locking members may be received through respective opposed openings defined in the sidewalls of the housing. A retaining formation may extend internally from the front wall to limit the locking members to sliding movement transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the screening member.

The front wall of the housing may define a pair of slots, oriented transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the screening member. A handle may extend through each slot and may be fastened to a respective locking member. Thus, a user can grasp both handles and manipulate the locking members towards and away from respective guide members so as to lock the screening member in a desired position.

Instead of handles that may protrude, recessed finger-operated members can be connected to the locking members to provide the same functionality as the handles, without possibly obstructing an overlying component such as a further screening member.

Each guide member may define a suitable stop formation so that external end portions of the locking members can engage the guide members when the handles are driven away from each other Thus, a user can secure the screen member in any number of positions.

It will be appreciated that it is often desirable for different screen members to be used for different conditions. For example, on warm days, it may be necessary to use an insect screen which still allows the flow of cool air or a screen which acts as an ultraviolet shield. On cold days, it may be necessary to use a screen such as a clear screen of plastics material in order to block cold air.

Thus, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a screening assembly that comprises

at least two roller assemblies carrying screening members for different applications, the screen members being capable of being rolled on to and off respective rollers of the roller assemblies in a conventional manner; and two oppositely aligned guide assemblies for each screening member, each guide assembly incorporating a track in which respective vertical edges of the screening members can be displaced to guide the screening members into and out of their operative conditions so that the screening members can independently cover or close a structural aperture or can together cover or close the structural aperture.

Each guide assembly may be a guide assem bfy of the first aspect of the invention .

The screen assembly may include a housing for mounting above or on a side of a structural aperture, the roller assemblies being mounted in the housing in an operative manner. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the housing will depend on the manner of operation of the screening members.

The locking rail assembly as described above may be mounted, on a free edge of each screening member. In this embodiment, the locking rail assembly may include the recessed finger- operated members described above to avoid interference between screening members.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to narrow the scope of the preceding paragraphs or the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a part of one embodiment of a guide assembly, in accordance with the invention, for a screening member, drawn to show internal detail.

Figure 2 shows a sectioned plan view of the guide assembly in a retracted condition.

Figure 3 shows a sectioned plan view of the guide assembly in an extended condition.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of one embodiment of a rail locking assembly, in accordance with the invention, for a screen assembly.

Figure 5 shows a front view of the rail locking assembly.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the rail locking assembly.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the rail locking assembly.

Figure 8 shows a side view of one embodiment of a screening assembly, in accordance with the invention.

Figure 9 shows a top sectioned view of the screening assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In Figures 1 to 3, reference numeral 10 generally indicates one embodiment of a guide assembly, in accordance with the invention. The guide assembly 10 is shown in Figure 1 as a section of an elongate assembly for illustrative purposes.

The guide assembly 10 includes a proximally opening channel member or channel 14 with a distal wall 16 and a pair of opposed sidewals 18. A carrier 20 extends in a proximal direction from the floor 1Θ. A track 22 is mounted on the carrier 20 and is configured to receive a corresponding edge of a screening member or screen to guide the screen during normal operation. The channel 14, the carrier 20 and the track 22 are of sufficient length to accommodate a length of an edge of the screen.

The channel 14 is a substantially rectangular channel 24 with the sitJewalls 18 oriented substantially at right angles to the floor 16. The carrier 20 includes a pair of spaced carrier walls 26 extending parallel to each other and substantially at right angles with respect to the distal wall 16.

The track 22 includes a pair of spaced substantially paraDel track walls 28 also extending substantially at right angles with respect to the floor 16. An intermediate wall 30 extends transversely between the track walls 28. End walls 36 extend towards each other from respective proximal edges 32 of respective track walls 28 to define a partially enclosed guide space 38 in which a bead, runner or the like of a screening member can be received to be guided during operation.

The parallel track walls 28 are spaced so that the carrier walls 26 can be received between the track walls 28. Thus, movement of the track 22 towards and away from the distal wall 16 is accommodated.

An adjustment mechanism is engaged with each track 22 and carrier 20 to permit adjustment of an orientation of the track 22 to the carrier 20. Each adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of threaded drive members or bolts 40 that extend between the track 22 and the carrier 20. One of these is shown in the drawings for ease of illustration. Any number of bolts 40 can be provided, depending on the length of the screen.

The bolts 40 are secured, but rotatabte, relative to the intermediate wall 30 and engage the carrier 20 in a threaded manner. In particular, the intermediate waH 30 has a number of openings corresponding to respective bolts. Thus, the bolts extend through the intermediate wall 30 at predetermined locations and the carrier 20 includes nuts 42 to engage the bolts 40 in a threaded manner. The nuts 42 are secured against rotation so that rotation of the bolts 40 results in displacement of the track 22 relative to the carrier 20, with the displacement being dependent on a direction of rotation of the bolts 40. In particular, a spacing of the carrier walls 26 and a size of the nuts 42 are selected so that flats of the nuts 42 can abut respective earner walls 26, so inhibiting the nuts 42 from rotating and allowing rotation of the bolts 40 to displace the track 22 relative to the carrier 20. For example, a bolt 40 can be rotated to retract the track 22 as shown In Figure 2 and to extend the track 22 as shown in Figure 3.

Two oppositely aligned distal projections 49 and two oppositely aligned proximal projections 50 extend towards each other from respective carrier walls 26. The nuts 42 are located between the distal and proximal projections 49, 50.

Each bolt 40 extends through an opening 56 in the intermediate wall 30. A proximal face of the intermediate waO 30 is counter-sunk to accommodate a head 58 of the bolt 40. The head is shaped to receive a conventional tool such as a screwdriver. The end walls 36 define access openings 60 so that the tool can be received through the guide space to engage the head 58.

A lock nut 54 is arranged on each bolt between the intermediate wall 30 and the proximal projections 50. In use, the lock nut 54 is positioned on the bolt 40 so that about a half turn of the lock nut 54 brings the lock nut 54 up to bear against the intermediate wall 30. Thus, the bolt 40 is held securely but is still able to rotate for adjustment

In use, therefore, the channel 14 is secured in a structural aperture. The nuts 42 are positioned along the carrier 20 to correspond with the predetermined locations of the bolts 40. The nuts 42 and the spacing of the carrier walls 26 are such that the nuts 42 are retained in position. Thus, when the track 22 is positioned on the carrier 20, it is a relatively simple matter for the factory or on-site installer to align the bolts 40 with the nuts 42.

In particular, the nuts 42 can first be positioned between the carrier walls 26 by simply sliding them into a required position. Then, the bolts 40, received through the track 22, can be used to fasten the track 22 to the carrier 20, and, subsequently, to adjust an angular orientation of the track 22 relative to the carrier 20.

A stop formation or other functional equivalent can be mounted on the carrier 20, at one end of the carrier 20, to prevent the nuts 42 from dropping out of the carrier 22 and possibly damaging flooring or being misplaced.

Instead, the nuts 42 can be factory-installed in the predetermined locations in the channel 14. The track 22 is fastened to the channel 14 also at the factory. Thus, the guide assembly 10 is ready to be installed with the track 22 in position when the guide assembly 10 is brought on site. As a result, the installer does not need to be concerned with assembly on site and can concentrate on achieving the desired orientation of the track 22 by manipulating the bolts 40.

It will readily be appreciated that the nuts 42 can be replaced with other threaded mem bars arranged on the carrier 20 to achieve the same functionality. Also, the carrier 20 can define threaded formations for engagement with bolts 40.

It will be appreciated that it is possible to adjust the angular orientation of the track 22 relative to the carrier 20 depending on which of the bolts 40 are adjusted. Furthermore, the angular orientation is effectively infinitely adjustable within reasonable operational parameters. As a result, movement of the screening member relative to the track 22 can be made optimal and can even be adjusted subsequent to installation. Thus, after some use, the screening member can be removed from the tracks 22 and necessary adjustments made to the orientation of the tracks 22 to optimise movement of the screening member relative to the tracks 22. This can serve to enhance a life of a screening member, facilitate movement of the screening member and improve an appearance of a screening member even after significant use.

Usually a guide assembly 10 is mounted on each side of a structural aperture for guiding a screening member. The guide assemblies 10 can be oriented vertically for vertically displaceable screen members or horizontally for horizontally displaceable screening members.

In Figures 4 to 7, reference numeral 70 generally indicates a locking rail assembly suitable for use with a pair of the guide assemblies 10. With reference to Figures 1 to 3, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified.

The locking rail assembly 70 includes a housing 72 with a front wall 74, a rear wall 76, a top wall 78, a bottom wall 80 and sidewalls 82. The top wall 78 defines a recess 84 for accommodating and retaining a free end of a screening member.

Internal end portions 86 of a pair of elongate locking members 88 are received through respective opposed openings 90 defined in the sidewalls 82. A retaining formation 92 extends internally from the front wall 74 to limit the locking members 88 to sliding movement transversely with respect to operative movement of the screening member.

The front wall 74 of the housing 72 defines a pair of slots 96, oriented transversely with respect to movement of the screening member. A handle 94 extends through each slot 96 and is fastened to a respective locking member 88. Thus, a user can grasp both handles and manipulate the locking members towards and away from respective guide assemblies 10.

Each guide assembly 10 can define a suitable stop formation so that external end portions of the locking members 88 can engage the guide assemblies 10 when the handles 94 are driven away from each other. Thus, a user can secure and release the screening member into and out of an operative condition without having to stretch out to each side of the screening member.

The handles 94 are each engaged with the respective locking members 88 via a spring mounting mechanism that allows the handles 94 to be drawn away from the tacking members 88. Each mounting mechanism includes a shank 95 that extends from each respective handle to engage a locking member 88. The slots 96 each have a narrowed portion intermediate ends of the slot 96. The narrowed portions can accommodate the shank 95 but not the handle 94. Thus, the handle 94 is drawn towards the user to permit the shank 95 to pass from one side of the slot 96 to the other. It follows that the handle 94 and thus the locking members 88 can be retained in either a secured or a released condition when the handles 94 are displaced back into the slots 96. A length of the locking members 88 and dimensions of the slots 96 are selected so that in the secured position the locking members 88 bear against the guide assemblies 10 to secure the screening member against movement In particular, the locking members 88 can bear against the distal wall 16.

It will be appreciated that the spring mounting mechanism can be replaced with any number of other suitable arrangements with similar functionality. For example, the handles 94 could be threaded with respect to the locking members 88 so that rotation of the handles 94 could result in the required displacement into and out of the slots 96.

It will be appreciated that it is often desirable for different screening members to be used for different conditions. For example, in summer, it may be necessary to use an insect screen which still allows the fbw of cool air or a screening member which acts as an ultraviolet shield. In winter, it may be necessary to use a screen ing member such as a clear screen of plastics material in order to bfock cold air.

In Figures 8 and 9, reference numeral 100 generally indicates one embodiment of a screening assembly, in accordance with the invention. With reference to Figures 1 to 8, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified.

The screening assembly 100 includes two roller assemblies 102. In this embodiment however, it will be appreciated that mora roller assemblies 102 can be provided depending on the number of screening members required for a particular location or application. The roller assemblies 102 are mounted in a housing 104. In use, the housing 104 is oriented with respect to a structural aperture depending on the type of screening arrangement required. For example, the housing 104 can be mounted vertically so that screening members 106 can be withdrawn from or retracted into the housing 104 in a sideways manner. Instead, the housing 104 can be mounted horizontally so that the screening members 106 can be withdrawn from or retracted into the housing 104 in a vertical manner. In another example, the housing 104 can be mounted so that the screening members 106 can be withdrawn from or retracted into the housing 104 abng an axis that is angled with respect to a horizontal plane.

In this embodiment, the screening assembly 100 has two of the guide assemblies 10 on each side of the structural aperture. Thus, two opposed, aligned guide assemblies 10 can accommodate a respective screening member 106.

In particular, each screening member 106 has an edge 108 that defines a bead 1 10. The bead 110 is received in the guide space 38 of the respective track 22. The bead 110 has a transverse dimension that is larger than a space between the end walls 36. The remainder of the screening member 106 has a width that corresponds with, or is less than the space between the end walls 36. The bead 110 can thus be slid into the guide space 38 from one end of the track 22. It follows that adjustment of the track 22, in the manner described above, can be used to adjust a transverse tension in the screening member 106 at various positions along the screening member 106 to optimise relative displacement of the screening member 106 and track 22 during extension and retraction of the screening member 106. More accurately, the track 22 can be tilted with respect to the carrier 20 to optimise the path along which the bead 110 can slide.

It will readily be appreciated that the carrier 20 and the track 22 need not necessarily be continuous, unitary structures. Instead, a plurality of carriers and associated tracks can be positioned along the distal wall 16 of the channel 14.

Furthermore, the two guide assemblies 10 on each side of the structural aperture are oriented - so that the screening members 106 can each independently cover the structural aperture or can be used together to cover the structural aperture.

Definilons

In this specification, the following words and phrases are to be understood to have the meanings ascribed to them below.

"Screen" or variants thereof is a sheet of material that is configured to provide some form of barrier, such as a visual barrier, sunshade or rain shelter, but not limited thereto, and can be meshlike, closed, transparent, opaque, flexible or rigid.

"Proximal" or variants thereof refer to a side closest to a point of reference located within an aperture to be at least partially closed by a screen or screening member.

"Distal" or variants thereof refer to a side furthest from a point of reference located within an aperture to be at least partially closed by a screen or screening member.

"Comprise" or variants thereof such as "comprising" or "comprises" are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers. "Bead" or variants thereof when used in connection with a screen is any form of enlarged formation on an edge of the screen and that engages a guide member to be displaced relative to the guide member when the screen is extended or retracted. It can include any number of structures, such as that formed by a zipping mechanism, a runner or strip of guide material.

Interpretation

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventor for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor expects stalled artisans to employ such variations ^' as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law. the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g.. title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:

there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements;

no characteristic, function, activity, or element is 'essential";

any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated;

any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

Any use of words indicating orientation with respect to a substrate, such as "vertical", "horizontal", are intended to describe orientation in use or in operation. Such words are not intended particularly to describe orientation of components or assemblies in an inoperative condition, such as when stored, transported or displayed for sale.

The use of the terms "a", ^* an", 'said-, "the", and/Or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the folbwing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and.the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. No claim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase "means for Is followed by a gerund.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent