AU2009101373A4 - An insect screen - Google Patents

Abstract

An insect screen 10 for mounting on a fixed frame 52 around the perimeter of an architectural opening is disclosed. The insect screen 10 includes a perimeter 5 frame 12 defining a first pair of opposed sides 14, and a second pair of sides 20 that are opposed to each other extending perpendicular to said first pair 14. One side 16 of said first pair 14 has an attachment arrangement in the form of a double sided adhesive tape 44 for its non-releasable attachment to the adjacent surface of the fixed frame 52. The other side 18 of said first pair 14 has a magnetic 10 element 30 thereon for its releasable attachment to a magnetic element on the fixed frame 52. The perimeter frame 12 is made out of a resilient flexible material whereby to enable the second pair of sides 20 to flex resiliently to permit the side 18 in use to be lifted away from a resting position against the fixed frame 52 while the side 16 remains non-releasably attached and fixed to the fixed frame 52. The 15 resilient flexibility of the second pair of sides 20 permits the side 18 to return to its resting position against the fixed frame 52 when the lifting force is removed. FIG 1 FOR PUBLICATION

Description

AN INSECT SCREEN FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to an insect screen. This invention relates particularly but not exclusively to an insect screen for mounting over an architectural opening that is a window. It will therefore be 10 convenient to hereinafter describe it with reference to this example application. However it needs to be understood that it is capable of broader application. For example the invention could equally be applied to insect screens that are mounted over other types of architectural openings including doors and skylights. 15 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A window is a transparent opening in a wall that allows the passage of light there through. The window comprises a surrounding window frame and a window member received within the frame that is glazed to make it transparent. One side 20 of a window may conveniently be referred to as the outside of a window by virtue of its facing outwardly to the outside environment. The other side of the window may conveniently be referred to as the inside of a window. The inside of the window faces in towards the inside of the structure of which the window forms a part, whether it be a house or a building. 25 Some windows have a fixed window member and cannot be opened. These are conveniently known as fixed pane windows. Other windows have a window member that is capable of being moved between a closed position and an open position in which the window member is displaced away from the frame. This 30 opens up the window to the passage of air there through. As a result air from outside the window can pass through the window and thereby assist in ventilating the room into which the window opens. A window that is capable of being opened may comprise a fixed window frame and one or more sashes that are pivotally mounted to the frame along one edge and that can be pivoted between closed and open positions. Often a window will have a window lock that can be used to lock the movable 5 window sash to a surrounding fixed window frame. The window lock might comprise one locking formation on the window sash releasably engaging another locking formation on the window frame. To unlock the window lock a user needs to manually unlock the locking formation on the sash from the locking formation on the fixed window frame. To perform this task a user needs to be able to get 10 access for their hands to the lock formations. In some climatic environments flying insects are very common and when a window is opened, flying insects will tend to fly into the room through the open window. To counter this situation an insect screen can be mounted over the window. An insect 15 screen comprises a sheet of mesh material that is stretched across that part of the window that can be opened. The sheet of mesh material has openings there through that are small enough to stop flying insects from passing there through but still permit air from outside the window to flow through the window and into the room. 20 In some situations an insect screen is mounted onto a fixed window frame on the inside of a window in which case it can block off access by a user to the window lock. In this situation a user needs to lift at least part of the screen up so that they can get their hand past the insect screen to get access to the window lock. 25 It would be useful if an insect screen could be devised that could be mounted in an installation position on the window frame but that could also permit a user to access a window lock that was positioned on a window member that is behind the insect screen. 30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an insect screen for mounting on a fixed frame around the perimeter of an architectural opening, to 5 which a closure member is mounted that is movable between an open position in which at least part of the architectural opening is opened up, and a closed position in which the architectural opening is closed off, the insect screen including: a perimeter frame defining a first pair of sides that are opposed to each other, and 10 a second pair of sides that are opposed to each other and extend generally transverse to said first pair of sides, wherein one side of said first pair has an attachment arrangement for its non-releasable attachment to the adjacent surface of the fixed frame, and the other side of said first pair has a magnetic element thereon for enabling the other side to be releasably attached to another magnetic 15 element on the fixed frame by magnetic attraction, and wherein the perimeter frame includes a yielding arrangement that permits the other side of the first pair in use to be lifted away from a resting position against the fixed frame while said one side remains non-releasably attached to the frame, and wherein the yielding arrangement returns the other side of the first pair to its resting position against 20 the fixed frame when the lifting force is removed. The frame yielding arrangement may comprise forming the perimeter frame so that it can yield resiliently in response to the other side of the first pair being lifted away from a resting position against the fixed frame in use. 25 The frame yielding arrangement may include forming the further pair of sides of a resiliently flexible material whereby to enable the other side of said first pair to be lifted away from the fixed frame. 30 In particular the further pair of sides may be formed of a resiliently flexible material that has a memory whereby to cause the frame to return to its original resting position when the lifting force is removed. The first pair of sides of the perimeter frame may also be formed from said resiliently flexible material from which the second pair of sides is formed. Thus all four sides of the perimeter frame may be formed from the same resiliently flexible material. The perimeter frame may be made out of four linear frame sections that are 5 arranged in the form of a rectangle. The four linear frame sections may be made of a synthetic polymeric material such as plastics material. The linear frame sections may have a rectangular cross sectional profile and the linear sections may have two major surfaces that are closely spaced from each other. 10 The magnetic element on said other side of the first pair may be a magnetic strip and the magnetic strip may be mounted to the linear frame section of said other side of the perimeter frame in a superimposed relationship. The linear frame sections of the further pair of sides may each have a magnetic 15 strip mounted thereto in a superimposed relationship. The magnetic strips are for releasable attachment to other magnetic elements in corresponding positions on the fixed frame by magnetic attraction. This enables the further pair of sides to be releasably attached to the fixed frame in the same way as said other side of the first pair. The magnetic strips may be attached to the first pair of sides of the 20 perimeter frame by adhesive. Each magnetic strip may be made of a permanent magnet and the magnetic strip may extend substantially the full length of the side of the perimeter frame on which the strip is mounted. 25 The linear frame section of said one side of the first pair of sides may also have another element mounted thereto, in a superimposed relationship. The linear frame section and the other element combine to give said one side of the perimeter frame a thickness that is the same as the thickness of as the other side 30 of the first pair and the two sides of the other pair of sides. The other sides have magnetic strips mounted thereto in a superimposed relationship with the associated linear frame section.

The other element that is mounted to the one side of the first pair may also be a magnetic strip, as is the case with the other sides, even though this magnetic strip is not required to perform any magnetic attaching function. Applicant has found that it is advantageous to have a frame of constant thickness along all four sides. 5 Applicant has also found it convenient when manufacturing the perimeter frame to use the same structure for all the sides of the frame. Thus the perimeter frame may have a composite structure with the frame sides comprising linear frame sections of polymeric material and magnetic strips 10 adhered to the linear frame sections in a superimposed relationship. The attachment arrangement that attaches said one side of the first pair non releasably to the associated fixed frame member may include an adhesive for adhering said one side to the associated fixed frame member. 15 The attachment arrangement may include a U shaped channel that is mounted over said one side of the first pair of the frame. The U shaped channel may be made of a material that is more rigid than said one side of the first pair of the frame. The one side of the first pair of sides may be formed of a composite 20 structure of a linear frame section of polymeric material and a magnetic strip and the U shaped channel may be more rigid than this composite structure. This confers a greater level of rigidity on the said one side of the first pair that the other sides of the perimeter frame. 25 The U shaped channel may include a base and legs on either side of the base extending perpendicularly away therefrom. The base and legs of the U shaped channel may be sized to receive the linear section of the frame snugly therein. Conveniently the U shaped channel may be formed by an extrusion of a synthetic 30 polymeric material having a constant cross section along its length. The U shaped channel may extend more than half of the length of said one side of the first pair of sides. For example the U shaped channel may extend substantially the full length of said one side.

The U shaped channel may have one said leg for mounting non-releasably against the surface of an associated fixed frame on which it is mounted, and the other leg of the U shaped channel may face outwardly away from the associated 5 fixed frame and the window generally. The attachment arrangement may include an adhesive on the one leg of the U shaped channel for adhering the U shaped channel to the associated fixed window frame on which the insect screen is to be mounted. The attachment 10 arrangement may include a double sided adhesive tape that is mounted on the U shaped channel, wherein one face of the double sided adhesive tape, is adhered to said one leg of the U shaped channel, and the other face of the double sided adhesive tape has a release liner thereon that covers the adhesive. 15 The four linear frame sections may be connected at their ends by frame corner connectors. Each frame corner connector may include two recesses, and each recess may receive a said end region of the adjacent linear frame section therein. The perimeter frame may further include at least one handle for assisting a user to 20 lift said other side of the frame away from the surface of the fixed frame. The handle/s may be located on said other side of said first pair of sides. In one example form the handle/s may be integrally formed with the frame corner connectors. 25 The perimeter frame may include a screen infill extending tautly across an internal surface area defined by the perimeter frame. The screen infill may include a sheet mesh having mesh apertures that are sized to resist the passage of flying insects there through. 30 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a window assembly extending across a window opening, including: a fixed window frame extending around a window opening; a movable window member extending across the window opening and movable between an open position in which it opens up at least part of the window opening, and a closed position in which the window member closes the window opening; and 5 an insect screen as defined in the broad statement of invention in the preceding aspect of the invention mounted on the fixed window frame and extending across at least part of the window opening. 10 The insect screen may have any one or more of the other features, including optional features of the insect screen, defined in the preceding aspect of the invention. The movable window member may be a window sash that is pivotally mounted to 15 one side of the fixed window frame. The movable window member may be hingedly mounted to an upper side of the window frame by means of a hinge and the window sash may be pivoted outwardly away from the fixed window frame into the open position. 20 The window may have an inside facing inwardly and an outside facing outwardly away from the window. The window may include a manually operated window lock, and the window lock may include one lock formation on the fixed window frame and another lock 25 formation on the window member. The insect screen may be mounted on the inside of the fixed window frame. In particular the insect screen may be mounted on an inner surface of the fixed window frame. 30 The insect screen may be positioned intermediate a user on the inside of the window and the window lock. Therefore a user positioned on the inside of the window may need to lift at least part of the insect screen to get access to the window lock, e.g. to unlock the window and displace it to an open position, and also to move it back into a closed position. For an insect screen including a perimeter frame defining a first pair of sides that 5 are opposed to each other, and a second pair of sides that are opposed to each other and extend generally transverse to said first pair of sides, wherein one side of said first pair has an attachment arrangement for its non-releasable attachment to an associated window frame, and the other side of said first pair has a magnetic element thereon for enabling the other side to be releasably attached to another 10 magnetic element on the fixed frame by magnetic attraction, there is provided a method of operating a window frame having an insect screen mounted thereto, the method including: lifting the other side of said first pair of sides of the perimeter frame away 15 from the fixed frame to enable a user to access a window lock positioned behind the insect screen. The perimeter frame may include a yielding arrangement that permits the other side of the first pair in use to be lifted away from a resting position against the 20 fixed frame by a lifting force while said one side remains non-releasably attached to the frame, and yielding of the perimeter frame may comprise resiliently flexing said other sides of the perimeter frame whereby to enable said one side of the first pair to be pulled away from the fixed frame. 25 The method may include releasing the other side of said first pair of sides of the frame and the yielding arrangement may return the other side of the first pair to its resting position against the fixed frame when the lifting force is removed The one side of said first pair of sides may form the upper side of the frame and 30 lifting may comprise lifting the lower side of the frame away from the fixed frame. The insect screen may have any one or more of the other features, including optional features, defined in the preceding aspect of the invention.

For an insect screen having a perimeter frame and sheet mesh extending across the perimeter frame on a window assembly, the perimeter frame including four frame sections and magnetic strips mounted on at last some of the frame sections, there is provided a method of installing the insect screen on a window 5 having a fixed frame, the method including: providing magnetic strips for mounting on the fixed frame, releasably mounting the magnetic strips that are for mounting on the fixed 10 frame, on the corresponding sides of the perimeter frame where they releasably stick to the magnet strips formed as part of the perimeter frame of the insect screen by magnetic attraction; providing exposed adhesive on said outwardly facing surfaces of said 15 releasably placed magnetic strips; bringing the perimeter frame into contact with the fixed frame in its installation position so that the releasably placed magnetic strips with exposed adhesive come into contact with the fixed frame in their mounting positions; 20 applying pressure to the perimeter frame to adhere the releasably placed magnetic strips to the fixed frame in their mounting positions; and then lifting the sides of the perimeter frame away from the fixed frame to 25 leave the magnetic strips mounted in their mounting positions on the fixed frame. Bringing the perimeter screen into contact with the fixed frame in its installation position may include mounting one side of the perimeter frame non-releasably to the fixed frame. Said one side of the perimeter frame that is non-releasably 30 mounted to the fixed frame may be the upper side of the perimeter frame. The magnetic strips that are intended to be mounted on the fixed frame may be releasably placed on the left and right sides and the lower side of the perimeter frame.

The providing of exposed adhesive surfaces on said outwardly facing surfaces of said releasably placed magnetic strips may include pulling a release liner off the magnetic strips exposing an adhesive layer beneath the release liner. 5 The method may include carefully marking the installation position of the insect screen on the fixed frame. Bringing the perimeter screen into contact with the fixed frame in its installation 10 position may comprise bringing the upper side that is non-releasably mounted to the fixed frame into non-releasable attachment with the fixed frame in its precise installation position. Thus the method utilises the screen frame to correctly place and position the 15 magnet strips in the correct position on the fixed frame during the installation process. The method may include providing an insect screen may have any one or more of the other features, including optional features, defined in the preceding aspect of 20 the invention. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a screen frame for an insect screen that is intended for mounting to a fixed window frame, the screen frame including: 25 at least two adjacent frame sides each comprising a linear section of polymeric material and a linear strip of magnetic material mounted on said section of polymeric material in a superimposed relationship. 30 The linear sections of polymeric material of the two adjacent frame sides may intersect along one line. Similarly the linear strips of magnetic material of the two adjacent frame sides may also intersect along a further line. The one and further lines may be offset from each other. In particular the one and further lines may 11 extend substantially orthogonally to each other and define a square shaped area between them in the corner of the frame. This arrangement helps to strengthen the perimeter frame while permitting it to 5 flex. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An insect screen and a window assembly in accordance with the invention may 10 manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe in detail one preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. However it is to be clearly understood that 15 the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the accompanying diagrammatic drawings: Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of an insect screen in accordance with this invention mounted to a window assembly; 20 Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the insect screen and window assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic three dimensional view of an upper corner region of the 25 insect screen in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the upper corner region of the screen shown in Figure 3; 30 Figure 5 is a schematic rear view of the upper corner region of the screen shown in Figure 3; and 12 Figures 6 to 8 are schematic sectional side views of the insect screen of Figure 1 showing how the magnetic strips are mounted on the surface of the fixed frame during an installation of the screen. 5 In Figures 1 and 2 a reference numeral 10 refers generally to an insect screen in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The insect screen 10 comprises broadly a perimeter screen frame 12 (screen frame) defining a first pair of sides 14 that are opposed to each other. The first 10 pair of sides 14 comprises one side 16 that is an operatively upper side, and another side 18 that is an operatively lower side. The perimeter screen frame 12 also includes a second pair of sides 20 that extend generally orthogonally to the first pair of sides 14. The second pair of sides 20 15 includes a left side 22 that is located at a left end of the first pair of sides 14, and a right side 24 that is located at a right end of the first pair of sides 14. The side 16 on the first pair 14 has a magnetic element mounted thereon in the form of a magnetic strip 30 for enabling it to be releasably attached to another 20 magnetic strip on an adjacent fixed frame by magnetic attraction. The left and right frame sides 22 and 24 also have magnetic strips 30 mounted thereon for enabling them to be releasably attached to other magnets on the adjacent fixed frame in a similar fashion. 25 The upper side 16 of the frame 12 has an attachment arrangement for its non releasable attachment to the adjacent member of the fixed frame that is indicated generally by the reference numeral 34. Thus the upper side 16 of the frame 12 remains fixed to and attached to the fixed frame at all times during the operation of the screen 10 and the associated window. 30 The frame 12 also includes a yielding arrangement for permitting the lower side 16 of the first pair 14 and the left and right sides 22 and 24 to be lifted away from the upper side 16. Conveniently the yielding arrangement includes having the left and right frame sides 22 and 24 formed of a resiliently flexible material. This enables the left and right frame sides 22 and 24 to flex or bend out of their original positions in a direction away from the upper side 16 when the lower side 18 is lifted off the fixed frame. Further the resilience of the material from which the left and right frame sides are formed causes them to return to their original position 5 when the external lifting force is removed. The screen 12 also includes a screen infill 38 that extends tautly across an internal surface area defined by the perimeter frame 12. The screen infill 38 is formed of a flexible sheet mesh material having apertures that are sized to receive 10 the passage of flying insects there through, e.g. having apertures of about 1.8 mm. The screen infill 38 is mounted to the perimeter frame 12 using a spline that is pressed into a spline groove that is formed in the frame 12. During manufacture of the screen 10 an edge region of the sheet mesh 38 is pressed into the spline groove and the spline is then pressed into the groove with the sheet 15 mesh sandwiched between the groove and the spline. This fixes the edge region of the mesh 38 to the frame 12. As this technique is known in the art of insect screens and does not form part of this invention it will not be described in greater detail in this specification. 20 Each of the components of the screen 10 will now be described in more detail. The perimeter screen frame 12 comprises four linear frame sections of resilient flexible material each of which forms one side of the frame 12. The linear frame sections can conveniently be formed of an extruded plastics material that can flex 25 resiliently and has a good memory so that it returns to its original position once the flexing force is removed. Each section of resilient material is linear and has a flattened shape with two major surfaces and a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The lower side 18 and the left and right sides 22 and 24 each have a magnetic 30 strip mounted thereto in a superimposed relationship with the linear frame section made of plastics material. Each magnetic strip 30 extends substantially the full length of the associated frame side 18, 20, and 22 to which it is mounted and has a similar width to the frame section to which it is mounted. Each magnetic strip 30 is adhered to its associated linear frame section by adhesive whereby to form a double layer arrangement. The magnetic strips are positioned beneath the frame sections so that they form an inner surface on the inside of the frame 12. This way the magnetic strips 30 can come into direct contact with their associated complementary magnets on the fixed frame for efficacious magnetic attachment 5 thereto. Each magnetic strip is formed from a permanent magnet that can releasably stick to a separate complementary magnet mounted on the fixed window frame. The arrangement of these other complementary magnets on the fixed frame will be 10 described in more detail below when the fixed frame is described in more detail. A further element can also be mounted to the linear frame section forming the upper side 16 of the frame 12. Conveniently the further element can also be in the form of a magnetic strip that is similar to the attached to the sides 18, 20 and 22. 15 This way all the sides of the frame 12 are conveniently formed in the same way, and of the same material, and having the same thickness. The linear sections are joined at their corners by frame corner connectors 40. Each frame corner connector 40 includes two orthogonally extending connector 20 portions 42 and 43. Each connector portion 42 and 43 define a recess for receiving an end region of the adjacent linear section of the frame 12 as shown in the drawings. The attachment arrangement 34 that non-releasably fixes the upper side 16 to the 25 associated fixed frame member includes an attachment element that is a U shaped channel 44. The channel 44 is mounted over the composite linear frame section and underlying magnetic strip making up the upper side 16 of the perimeter frame 12 and extends along substantially the full length of the upper side 16. 30 The U shaped channel 44 is considerably more rigid than the upper and lower sides 16 and 18 and left and right sides 22 and 24. The rigidity of the channel 44 confers a greater level of rigidity on the side 16 than the other sides 22 and 24 of the perimeter frame 12. Conveniently the U shaped channel 44 is formed by an 1 1J extrusion of a synthetic polymeric material having a constant cross section along its length. The U shaped channel 44 includes a base and inner and outer legs, one on either 5 side of the base, that are sized to receive the upper side 16 of the frame snugly therein. The inner leg is non-releasably mountable against the surface of the associated fixed window frame on which the insect screen is mounted. The outer leg faces outwardly away from the associated fixed frame and the window generally. 10 The attachment arrangement 34 also includes a section of double sided adhesive tape 45 mounted on the inner leg of the U shaped channel 44. One adhesive face of the double sided adhesive tape 45 is adhered to the inner leg, and the other adhesive face has a release liner extending over the adhesive material. In use the 15 release liner can be removed to expose the adhesive beneath the liner whereby to enable the underlying adhesive to be adhered to the associated window frame. This mounts the attachment arrangement 34 non-releasably to the fixed frame. By the term non-releasable is meant that the U shaped channel 44 and the 20 adhesive tape 45 cannot be simply lifted off the fixed frame to which it is adhered and then be reattached thereto, in the same way that the magnet can be lifted off and then reattached to the fixed frame. Rather the adhesive holds it mounted on the fixed frame in a fixed and attached position permanently during the entire period of use of the insect screen. While it may be technically possible to pull the 25 double sided tape off the fixed frame and then stick it back onto the frame again, with the same double sided tape, in the context in which this term is used in this specification, the double sided tape is non-releasably mounted to the fixed frame. The crucial point is that the adhesive tape is not intended to be released in use or during use and therefore is non-releasable unlike the magnet which is intended to 30 be released during the normal cycle of operation of the insect screen. The frame 12 further includes two handles on the lower side 16 thereof for enabling a user to lift the lower side 16 away from the surface of the fixed frame on which it is mounted. Each handle includes a cup shaped formation that is 10 formed integrally with the two corner connectors 40 located in the lower corners of the frame 12. Each handle is sized to receive a few fingers of a user's hand thereon to enable them to grip the handle. 5 Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the construction of the perimeter frame. Each side 16, 18, 22 and 24 of the frame 12 comprises a linear section or strip of polymeric material overlying a corresponding strip of another material and adhered thereto. 10 The strip of the other material on the lower side 18 and the left and right sides 22 and 24 is a strip of magnetic material 30. The choice of the other material for the upper side 16 need not be a magnetic material although no magnetic functionality is required along this side 18. However in the illustrated example the other 15 material that is adhered to the linear frame section is also a strip of magnetic material. The Applicant has found that it is convenient to make all sides of the frame of the same materials and in the same way. The corresponding strips of magnetic material are substantially coterminous with the linear frame sections to which they are laminated. 20 The adjacent sides of the frames, and specifically the polymeric frame sections and the strips of magnetic material are joined to each other in the manner shown in the different views shown in Figures 3 to 5. The linear frame sections of the two adjacent frame sides 16, 22 intersect along one line that is indicated by numeral 25 80. Similarly the linear sections or strips of magnetic material of the same two adjacent frame sides 16, 22 also intersect along a further line 82. The one and further lines 80, 82 are offset from each other as shown in the drawings and in fact the lines 80, 82 extend substantially orthogonally to each other. The two lines 80 and 82 define a square shape in the corner of the frame corresponding to the 30 notional overlap of the upper side 16 and the left side 22. In particular the linear section of polymeric material on the side 22 extends past the adjacent side 16 to the top of the frame 12. The linear section of polymeric material for the top side 16 terminates short of the side edge of the side 22. This arrangement is shown clearly in Figures 3 and 4 which show the front of the frame 12 with the section of polymeric material on top of the strips of other material. By contrast the underlying strips of magnetic material 30 are arranged differently. 5 The magnetic strip 30 on the upper side 16 extends the full way through to the side edge of the frame 12. By contrast the magnetic strip 30 on the left side 22 of the frame terminates short of the side edge of the magnetic strip on the upper side 16. This arrangement is shown clearly in Fig 5 which shows a rear view of the frame 12. 10 The other corners while not specifically illustrated follow a similar pattern to this corner. Applicant has found that this arrangement permits the frame to flex in the manner that is required for operation of the insect screen. Applicant has found that it also confers increased strength on the frame of the insect screen and that 15 the sections of the magnetic strip are less susceptible to breaking with this arrangement. Figures 1 and 2 also illustrate an architectural opening that is a window assembly shown generally by reference numeral 50 to which the insect screen 10 is 20 mounted. The window assembly 50 comprises broadly a perimeter frame 52 comprising two spaced window posts 54, 56 and an upper fixed window frame member or lintel 58 and a lower fixed window frame member or sill 60 extending between the spaced 25 window posts 54, 56. The window assembly 50 further includes a window member that is a wing in the form of a window sash 62 that is pivotally mounted to the upper window frame member 58 and is movable between an open and a closed position. The sash 62 30 is hingedly mounted to the upper window frame member 58 and can pivot between a vertically extending closed position and an outwardly pivoted open position. The sash 62 pivots away from the frame 12 at about an angle of 15 to 30 degrees in the open position. The sash 62 can be manually pivoted to the IU open position by a user applying manual pressure to a lower region of the sash 62. The window assembly 50 also includes a window lock 70 for locking the sash 62 5 to the window frame 52 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment the window lock 70 comprises an active locking member 72 on the sash 62 that can be releasably engaged with a complementary passive locking formation 74 on the window frame 52 and specifically the lower window frame member 60. The window lock 70 may be biased towards a locked position and the lock 70 can be 10 unlocked by a user utilising manual pressure to overcome that bias and move the active locking member 72 to an open position. Once the lock 70 is unlocked the sash 62 can be pushed out to the open position. The fixed window frame 52 has a magnetic strip 75 that is adhered to the lower 15 window frame member 60 thereof that is positioned to bear against the magnetic strip 30 on the lower side 18 of the screen frame 12 when it lies up against the fixed frame 52. Similarly the left and right window posts of the fixed frame 54, 56 also have similar magnetic strips 77, 79 adhered thereto that are arranged to bear up against the magnetic strips 30 on the left and right sides 22 and 24 of the 20 screen frame 12 in use. In one example embodiment of the invention the window has a length of 20 to 60 cm and a width of 20 to 40 cm. 25 In a constructed dwelling a window assembly 50 has a fixed window frame 52 having an inner surface facing towards the inside of the window, and an outer surface facing towards the outside of the window. An insect screen can be installed on a window assembly 50 in the manner described below with reference to Figures 6 to 8. 30 A magnetic strip 75 for the fixed frame is temporarily mounted on the magnetic strip 30 on the lower side 18 of the screen frame 12 (where it is held by magnetic attraction) as shown in Figure 6 for the purposes of installation. The magnetic strip 75 is thus temporarily stuck onto the magnetic strip 30 of the screen frame 12. The magnetic strip 75 has a release liner thereon covering the surface of the magnetic strip 75 that is then pulled off to expose the underlying adhesive. Further magnetic strips 77, 79 are temporarily mounted in similar fashion on the 5 left and right sides 22 and 24 of the perimeter frame 12 where they stick to the corresponding magnetic strips 30 as shown in Figure 6, again purely for the purposes of installation. These magnetic strips 30 similarly have release liners on the surfaces thereof that can then be removed to expose the underlying adhesive on the magnet strips 77 and 79. The exposed adhesive is used to adhere the 10 magnetic strips 75, 77, 79 to the surface of the fixed frame 52 when the strips are pressed against the fixed frame. The insect screen 10 with the three temporarily added magnetic 75, 77, and 79 are attached to the screen magnetic strips 30 along the left and right sides and the 15 lower side of the screen frame 12. The attaching arrangement 34 of the perimeter frame 12 is then mounted on the upper window frame section 58 of the fixed window frame 52 in its fixed and non removable position. as shown in Figure 6. This is done by pulling away a backing 20 sheet or release liner on the double sided adhesive tape 45 and adhering the element tape 45 to the upper fixed window frame section 58. Thereafter the entire screen frame 12 is pressed up against the fixed frame 52 on which it is mounted, in the manner shown in Figure 7. This causes the exposed 25 adhesive on the three magnet strips 75, 77, 79 along the upper side 18 and left and right sides 22 and 24 of the perimeter frame 12 to adhere to the corresponding sides of the fixed window frame 52. Thereafter the screen frame 12, and specifically the upper side 18 and the lower 30 sides 22 and 24 thereof, are pulled away from the fixed frame 52 as shown in Figure 7. When this occurs, the magnetic strips 75, 77, 79 remain behind stuck to the fixed frame 52 in their mounting positions and are separated from the magnetic strips 30 on the screen frame 12 which move away from the fixed frame. Put another way this action causes the magnet strips on the screen frame 12 to separate from the three magnetic strips 75, 77, 79, which were only temporarily magnetically attached thereto, and which have now become adhered to the fixed frame 52 by the exposed adhesive on the magnet strips. The three magnet strips 75, 77, 79 form fixed frame magnets extending along the sides of the fixed frame 5 52 for magnetically sticking to the corresponding magnetic strips 30 of the perimeter frame 12 of the screen 10. The insect screen 10 is now installed on the window assembly 50 and is ready for use. In use the resting or typical position has the perimeter frame 12 resting up against 10 the corresponding sides of the fixed frame 52 with the lower side 18 and the left and right sides 22 and 24 lying up against the upright side posts 54, 56 and the lower fixed window frame member 60 respectively. The fixed frame magnets 75, 77, 79 on the frame parts 54, 56 and the lower window frame member 60 are magnetically attracted to the magnet strips 30 on the sides 18, 22 and 24 of the 15 frame 12 to hold the screen frame 12 to the fixed frame around the perimeter. When a user desires to open the window sash 62 to permit air to pass therethrough and ventilate the associated room they can lift the lower side 18 of the frame 12 away from the fixed frame 52. This can be done with a small amount 20 of manual effort by a user who pulls the magnetic strips 30 on the lower side 18 and also the adjacent sides 22, 24 away from their magnetic pull to the corresponding magnet strips 75, 77, and 79 on the fixed frame 52. The sides 22 and 24 yield or bend to accomplish this bending movement while the upper side 16 of the frame 12 remains flat against the frame 52 and fixed thereto. 25 Thereafter a user can pass a hand beneath the lower side 18 of the frame 12 and access the window lock 70 in the manner shown in Fig 1. This enables the user to release the window lock 70 and push the window sash 62 outwardly to open the window. Once the user has completed this action and withdrawn their hand from 30 the position shown in Fig 1 the screen 10 can be released. The resilience and memory of the left and right frame sides 22 and 24, causes the sides 18, 22 and 24 to return to their original positions. The lower side 18, and the left and right sides 22 and 24, come to lie up against the fixed frame 52 where they stick to the corresponding magnetic strips 75, 77 and 79 on the fixed frame 52.

An advantage of the insect screen described above with reference to the drawings is that it remains basically in its installed position on an inner surface of a fixed window frame notwithstanding that it is lifted up from time to time to permit a user 5 to open and close the window on which it is mounted. It therefore does not need to be carefully rearranged on the wall each time it is lifted to open or close a window. As a result it will have a neat and precise aesthetic appearance. Another advantage of the insect screen described above with reference to the 10 drawings is that the frame can be made out of a resiliently flexible material and this material may confer sufficient resilience to permit the left and right sides of the screen frame to yield and bend to accommodate lifting of the lower side away from the fixed frame while the upper side remains fixedly mounted on the surface of the fixed frame. This ability to bend is useful for the functioning of the insect 15 screen because the lower side of the frame can be lifted while the upper side remains fixed without having a separate hinge arrangement. Yet another advantage of the insect screen described above with reference to the drawings is that it can be used on single pane sash windows which are very 20 popular. A single pane sash window has a sash that is hinged to the upper side of the window frame and pivots outwardly from its pivotal mounting to the top of the frame. The sash is manually moved between its open and closed positions and thus it needs to be accessed by a user positioned inside the window. The insect screen described above can easily be lifted up without being taken off the fixed 25 window frame to provide a user with access to the window behind the screen to open and close the window. Another advantage of the insect screen described above is that it can be installed accurately so that it presents a professional and desirable aesthetic appearance. 30 The upper side of the screen frame can be carefully mounted on the fixed window frame in a horizontally extending orientation in which it is neatly aligned with the upper edge of the window and which it is arranged symmetrically with the two sides of the window.

Further once the upper side of the screen frame has been positioned on the fixed window frame, the rest of the installation can be completed with minimal skill and effort. The magnetic strips to be stuck on the fixed frame are releasably attached to the magnets on the screen frame. The screen frame is then pivoted into 5 engagement with the fixed frame causing the magnetic strips to stick to the fixed frame. This process of applying the magnetic strips to the fixed frame by means of an initial step of sticking them onto the corresponding magnets on the fixed screen automatically aligns the magnets on the fixed frame in the correct position. This achieves an aesthetically pleasing attachment of the magnetic strips to the fixed 10 frame and also correctly positions the magnetic strips without requiring any special skill by the installer to align them with each other. Another advantage of the insect screen described above with reference to the drawings is that it can be mounted on a window frame using a double sided 15 adhesive tape. As such it does not need fastening elements that are passed through the fixed frame and that leave mounting holes in the fixed frame when the screen is removed. As a result a user can simply ease or work the adhesive tape off the fixed frame if the screen needs maintenance or repair. The surface of the fixed window frame will not be damaged or tarnished in any way and in particular it 20 will not have unsightly mounting holes drilled into it. It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall 25 within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims (22)

1. An insect screen, for mounting on a fixed frame around the perimeter of an architectural opening, to which a closure member is mounted that is movable 5 between an open position in which at least part of the architectural opening is opened, and a closed position in which the architectural opening is closed off, the insect screen including: a perimeter frame defining a first pair of sides that are opposed to each other, and a second pair of sides that are opposed to each other and 10 extend generally transverse to said first pair of sides, wherein one side of said first pair has an attachment arrangement for its non-releasable attachment to the adjacent surface of the fixed frame, and the other side of said first pair has a magnetic element thereon for enabling the other side to be releasably attached to a magnetic element on an adjacent surface on 15 the fixed frame by magnetic attraction, and wherein the perimeter frame includes a yielding arrangement that permits the other side of the first pair in use to be lifted away from a resting position against the fixed frame by a lifting force while said one side remains non-releasably attached to the frame, and wherein the yielding arrangement returns the other side of the 20 first pair to its resting position against the fixed frame when the lifting force is removed.

2. An insect screen according to claim 1, wherein the frame yielding arrangement comprises having a frame that yields resiliently in response to the 25 other side of the first pair in use being lifted away from a resting position against the fixed frame.

3. An insect screen according to claim 2, wherein the frame yielding arrangement includes forming the further pair of sides of a resiliently flexible 30 material that enables the other side of said first pair to be lifted away from the fixed frame.

4. An insect screen according to claim 3, wherein the further pair of sides are formed of a resiliently flexible material that has a memory that causes the frame to return to its original resting condition when the lifting force is removed.

5 5. An insect screen according to claim 4, wherein the first pair of sides of the perimeter frame is also formed from said resiliently flexible material from which the second pair of sides is formed.

6. An insect screen according to claim 5, wherein the perimeter frame is made 10 out of four linear sections of a resilient flexible material that is a synthetic polymeric material formed that is a plastics material, that are arranged in the form of a rectangle.

7. An insect screen according to claim 6, wherein the four linear sections are 15 connected at their ends by frame corner connectors, and wherein each corner connector includes two recesses within each of which an end region of the adjacent linear frame section is received.

8. An insect screen according to any one of claims to 7, wherein the 20 magnetic element on said other side of the first pair is a magnetic strip and the magnetic strip is adhered to said other side of the perimeter frame with adhesive.

9. An insect screen according to claim 8, wherein each of the further pair of sides has a magnetic strip mounted thereon for enabling the further pair of sides 25 to be releasably attached to magnetic elements in corresponding positions on the fixed frame by magnetic attraction.

10. An insect screen according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each magnetic strip is made of a permanent magnet and the strip extends substantially 30 the full length of the side of the perimeter frame on which it is mounted.

11. An insect screen according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the attachment arrangement that attaches said one side to the associated fixed frame member includes an adhesive for adhering said one side to the associated fixed frame member.

12. An insect screen according to claim 11, wherein the attachment 5 arrangement includes a double sided adhesive tape, with one side of the adhesive tape being adhered to said one side of the perimeter frame and the other side being adhered to the adjacent surface of the fixed frame member.

13. An insect screen according to claim 7, wherein the perimeter frame further 10 includes at least one handle for assisting a user to lift said other side of the frame away from the surface of the fixed frame.

14. An insect screen according to claim 13, wherein the handle is formed by a said frame corner connector. 15

15. An insect screen according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the perimeter frame includes a screen infill extending tautly across an internal surface area defined by the perimeter frame, the screen infill including a sheet mesh having mesh apertures that are sized to resist the passage of flying insects there 20 through.

16. A window assembly extending across a window opening, including: a fixed window frame extending around window opening; a window member extending across the window opening and movable 25 between an open position in which it opens up at least part of the window opening; and an insect screen as claimed in claim 1 mounted on the fixed window frame and extending across the window opening. 30

17. A window assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the insect screen is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A window assembly as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the window member is a window sash that is pivotally mounted to an operatively upper side of the fixed window frame, and wherein the window member is hingedly mounted to an upper side of the window frame by means of a hinge.

19. A window assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the window has an 5 operatively inner end facing into the inside of a dwelling and an operatively outer end facing towards the outside of a dwelling, and the insect screen is mounted on the inside of the window assembly, and wherein the window sash is pivoted outwardly away from the fixed window frame into the open position. 10

20. A window assembly as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the window includes a manually operated window lock on the inside of the window member, and the window lock includes one lock formation on the fixed window frame and another lock formation on the window member. 15

21. An insect screen, for mounting on a fixed frame around the perimeter of an architectural opening substantially as herein described in the detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings.

22. A window assembly extending across a window opening having an insect 20 screen mounted thereto substantially as herein described in the detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings.