GB2211878A - Insect screen - Google Patents

Abstract

An insect screen is attached to a roller mounted in a housing adjacent to a door or window of a building, and its edges can be sealed by touch and close fastenings or channels adjacent the opening.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING INSECTS FROM ENTERING A ZONE This invention relates to apparatus for preventing insects from entering a zone. It is often desirable, on warm evenings or in unpleasant atmospheres, e.g. a smokey room, to open a window or door in order to allow some fresh air to circulate. However, if the lights are on in the room and it is dark outside, the lights will immediately attract insects, such as moths and mosquitoes, into the room. At best such insects are irritating, and at worst, in certain tropical climates, they can be a dangerous health hazard. Similarly, in environments where food is being sold or prepared, it is desirable to maintain hygiene by preventing insects such as flies and wasps from entering whilst still being able to open a window.Screens are known which can be fitted over a window or doorway, but such screens are usually bulky, and are often irremovably attached to the frame of the window or doorway; at best removal is somewhat awkward and time consuming.

Conventional roller blinds are unsuitable for the task because they do not form an impervious barrier to insects, they do not allow the free circulation of air into the room, and they block out light.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a screen intended to prevent insects from entering a zone, and being capable of being rolled into a storage position and of being un-rolled into a working position in which it defines a part of the zone, the screen being perforate to allow passage of air through the screen.

The apparatus may be provided with a mounting means for mounting the screen in relation to a door or window frame in such a way that, when the screen is in the working position, it covers the aperture defined by the door or window frame. It can also be provided with a housing for accommodating the screen when it is in the storage position, in which case the housing may comprise first and second parts which are hinged with respect to each other such that the housing may be opened in order to allow access to the inside of the housing. The housing can also be provided with a first sealing means such that, when the screen is in the working position, a region of the screen is held between the first sealing means and the door or window frame in such a way as to prevent insects from passing between said region of the screen and the frame.

Preferably the first sealing means is a freely rotatable cylinder which extends across the said region of the screen.

Usually the mounting means comprises a roller to which a first end region of the screen is attached, the roller being mounted on brackets which are fixedly attached to the window or door frame or to the housing.

When the screen is in the storage position the majority of the screen is normally rolled around the roller.

Preferably the apparatus is provided with second sealing means for sealing the edge regions of the screen, other than said first end region, to the window or door frame. More preferably, the screen has, in addition to the first end region, a second end region and opposed first and second edges. The second sealing means may comprise strips of hook and loop material attached to the window or door frame which are capable of co-operatively engaging further strips of hook and loop material, which are attached to the first and second edge regions and the second end region of the screen, in such a way that a seal is formed which is impervious to insects.

Alternatively, the second sealing means may comprise first and second channels, provided in the regions of the window frame adjacent the first and second edges of the screen respectively, in which the first and second edge regions of the screen can be slidingly located in order to form a seal which is impervious to insects.

Another possible alternative is one wherein the second sealing means comprises two strips attached to the regions of the window or door frame adjacent the first and second edge regions of the screen, the strips having an arcuate longitudinal cross-section taken perpendicularly to the general plane of the screen, the arrangement being such that, when the screen is in the working position and the second end of the screen is secured relative to the window or door frame, the screen is in a state of tension, which tends to cause it to abut the two strips firmly, thereby forming a seal between the strips and the first and second edge regions of the screen which is impervious to insects.

Conveniently, the screen is removable from the apparatus.

Preferably the screen is a mesh which may be made from a plastics material, preferably nylon, and which may also be coloured and/or be provided with a pattern.

Often the zone is the inside of a building or vessel, or a part thereof.

In order to facilitate easy use of the apparatus, a bar may be attached to the second end region of the screen, which bar extends across the second end region, and which may extend over the first and second edge regions of the window or door frame, in which case the window or door frame is provided with stop means near the housing which prevents the screen from being rolled completely into the housing by engaging the bar and preventing excess movement of the screen in the direction of the housing.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will be now made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, which is shown in the working position attached to a window frame; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in which part of the opposite side of the screen is shown, as the screen has been partly peeled away from the frame; Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken perpendicularly to the general plane of the screen, through the housing of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is horizontal sectional view, taken perpendicularly to the general plane of the screen, through the housing of the embodiment of Figure 1;; Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the window frame of the embodiment of Figure 1 having a modified second sealing means; Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the window frame of the embodiment of Figure 1 having another modified second sealing means.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a window frame 1 defining a window 2 which is provided with a shutter 3. A housing 4 is mounted on the window frame 1 above the window 2, and a screen 5 is shown in its working position extending downwardly from the housing 4 to cover the window 2. The screen 5 is provided with first and second edge regions 6, 6A, and, at a lower end region of the screen, there is provided a bar 7 which extends across the lower end region of the screen. Attached to the bar 7 is a string pull 8 which can be used to roll out the screen from its storage position (not shown).

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in which the screen 5 has been peeled away from the window frame to reveal the opposite side of a part of the screen.

It can be seen that on the opposite side of the first and second edge regions 6, 6A there are strips of hook and loop material 9, 9A which are capable of cooperatively engaging further strips of hook and loop material 9B, 9C which are provided along corresponding first and second edge regions of the window frame.

Strips of hook and loop material are also provided on the opposite side of the bar 7, which are capable of co-operatively engaging corresponding strips of hook and loop material provided on the window frame 1 in order to form a seal between the bar and the window frame which is impervious to insects.

Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a vertical sectional view, taken perpendicularly to the general plane of the screen, through the housing of the embodiment of Figure 1, in which the contents of the housing 4 are clearly shown, and Figure 4 is a similar horizontal sectional view of the same embodiment. A mounting bracket 15 is fixedly attached to the window frame 1, although it can be appreciated that it could equally well be attached to the inside of the housing 4. The mounting bracket extends perpendicularly from the window frame 1, and is formed, at its one end region 16 furthest from the window frame 1, so as to be capable of locating mounting pins 17 which are provided as a part of the operating mechanism 18 at both ends of a roller 19 around which the screen 5 is capable of being rolled.When the screen is un-rolled, as shown, it extends from the roller 19 between the window frame 1 and a freely rotatable cylinder 20 which extends across the screen 5 and is located at its ends by axles 21 which locate in bearings 22, 22a provided in the side walls 23, 23A of the housing 4.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the window frame of the embodiment of Figure 1 having a modified second sealing means, in which the second sealing means 25 is attached to the window frame 1 and is formed so as to define two sides of a three-sided channel, with the edge region of the window frame 1 forming the third side. The channel is shaped so as to slidingly accommodate the edge region 6 of the screen 5 in order to form a seal which is impervious to insects.

A similar arrangement would be provided for the other edge region 6A of the screen 5.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, in which a second sealing means 31 comprises two strips attached to the regions of the window frame adjacent the first and second edge regions 6, 6A of the screen 5, the strips having an arcuate longitudinal cross-section, taken perpendicularly to the general plane of the screen, and the arrangement being such that, when the screen is in the working position and the lower end region, in this embodiment the bar 7, of the screen is secured relative to the window or door frame, the screen is in a state of tension which tends to cause it to abut firmly the two strips, thereby forming a seal between the strips and the first and second edge regions of the screen 5 which is impervious to insects.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the window frame of an embodiment of Figure 1 having another modified second sealing means, in which an axle 36 extends from the bar 7 and a wheel 37 is provided on the end of the axle. A channel member 35 is attached to the window frame 1 and it is shaped so as to be able to accommodate the wheel 37. In this embodiment the bar 7 is also provided with a flange 38 which extends over the channel member 35 in order to cover any gap which there might be between the channel member 35 and the bar 7. The edge regions of the screen (not shown) are also accommodated within the channel member 35 so as to form a seal which is impervious to insects.

The apparatus of the present invention may be packaged and sold as a kit of parts suitable for assembly at home, the apparatus usually then being intended for use with an existing window or door frame.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be sold ready assembled as an integral part of a window or door frame.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus comprising a screen intended to prevent insects from entering a zone, and being capable of being rolled into a storage position and of being un-rolled into a working position in which it defines a part of the zone, the screen being perforate to allow the passge of air through the screen.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, which is provided with mounting means for mounting the screen in relation to a door or window frame in such a way that, when the screen is in the working position, it covers the aperture defined by the door or window frame.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, which is provided with a housing for accommodating the screen when it is in the storage position.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the housing comprises first and second parts which are hinged with respect to each other such that the housing may be opened in order to allow access to the inside of the housing.

5. An apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the housing is provided with a first sealing means such that, when the screen is in the working position, a region of the screen is held between the first sealing means and the door or window frame in such a way as to prevent insects from passing between said region of the screen and the frame.

6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the first sealing means is a freely rotatable cylinder which extends across said region of the screen.

7. An apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the mounting means comprises a roller to which a first end region of the screen is attached, the roller being mounted on brackets which are fixedly attached to the window or door frame or to the housing.

8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the majority of the screen is rolled around the roller when the screen is in the storage position.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8, being provided with second sealing means for sealing the edge regions of the screen, other than said first end region, to the window or door frame.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the screen has, in addition to the first end region, a second end region and opposed first and second edges.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the second sealing means comprises strips of hook and loop material attached to the window or door frame which are capable of co-operatively engaging further strips of hook and loop material, which are attached to the first and second edge regions and the second end region of the screen, in such a way that a seal is formed which is impervious to insects.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the second sealing means comprises first and second channels, provided in the regions of the window frame adjacent the first and second edges of the screen respectively, in which the first and second edge regions of the screen can be slidingly located in order to form a seal which is impervious to insects.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the second sealing means comprises two strips attached to the regions of the window or door frame adjacent the first and second edge regions of the screen, the strips having an arcuate longitudinal cross-section taken perpendicularly to the general plane of the screen, the arrangement being such that, when the screen is in the working position and the second end of the screen is secured relative to the window or door frame, the screen is in a state of tension, which tends to clamp it to the two strips, thereby forming a seal between the strips and the first and second edge regions of the screen which is impervious to insects.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is removable from the apparatus.

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is a mesh.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is made from a plastics material, preferably nylon.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is coloured and/or provided with a pattern.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the zone is the inside of a building or vessel, or a part thereof.

19. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, or to any one of claims 14 to 18 when appendant to any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein a bar is attached to the second end region of the screen, which bar extends across the second end region.

20. An apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein the bar extends over the first and second edge regions of the window or door frame, and wherein the window or door frame is provided with stop means near the housing which prevents the screen from being rolled completely into the housing by engaging the bar and preventing excess movement of the screen in the direction of the housing.

21. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

22. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 4 as modified as shown in any one of Figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

23. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, packaged as a kit of parts and suitable for home assembly.