US-12618287-B2 - Security screen mounting system and method therefor

US12618287B2US 12618287 B2US12618287 B2US 12618287B2US-12618287-B2

Abstract

A mounting system and method for security screens for use with windows having an exterior-facing accessory groove at the outer perimeter of the window frame is disclosed. The mounting system and method according to the present invention reduces materials cost for manufacture of security screens while improving aesthetics of the installation and permitting installation of security screens either at the construction site or during window manufacture, while preserving the window manufacturer's warranty. Exemplary embodiments both with and without a subframe are described.

Inventors

Don Roberts
James Wilford Roberts

Assignees

Don Roberts
James Wilford Roberts

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230915

Claims (15)

1 . A method for mounting a security screen to a window frame, wherein said window frame has frame members consisting of a header, a left jamb, a right jamb, and a sill, and an outer perimeter comprising an exterior-facing accessory groove; the method comprising: (a) measuring the length of said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (b) sizing each of a plurality of rigid mounting rails to fit the measured length of said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of the window frame, each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails having an exterior-facing surface and a longitudinal flange perpendicular thereto, said longitudinal flange comprising two substantially parallel sides and configured to fit within and be inserted into said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (c) inserting said longitudinal flange of each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails into the corresponding exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (d) fixedly mounting a security screen to said exterior-facing surface of at least one of said plurality of mounting rails using an attachment means wherein said attachment means comprises screws or bolts.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said two substantially parallel sides of said longitudinal flange configured to fit within and be inserted into said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of the window frame further comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying of a bead of construction adhesive to said longitudinal flange prior to inserting said longitudinal flange of each of said plurality of mounting rails into the corresponding exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein said security screen comprises a subframe, and a main frame pivotably attached to said subframe.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein said subframe further comprises a mounting flange at its outer perimeter, and said attachment means comprises screws attaching said subframe to said exterior-facing surface of said at least one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails through said mounting flange.
6 . The method of claim 4 wherein said exterior-facing surface of at least one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails further comprises at least one threaded hole, said subframe further comprises a mounting flange at its outer perimeter, said mounting flange comprises at least one mounting hole aligned with said at least one threaded hole in said exterior-facing surface of at least one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails, and said attachment means comprises at least one bolt attaching said subframe to said exterior-facing surface of said at least one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails through said mounting flange.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said security screen comprises at least two screen panels, a first screen panel of which is fixedly attached to said exterior-facing surface of at least two of said plurality of rigid mounting rails, and a second screen panel of which is attached to said first screen panel by a pivotable mounting means.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said security screen is attached to one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails by a pivotable mounting means.
9 . A method for mounting a security screen to a window frame, wherein said window frame has frame members consisting of a header, a left jamb, a right jamb, and a sill, and an outer perimeter comprising an exterior-facing accessory groove; the method comprising: (a) measuring the length of said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (b) sizing each of a plurality of rigid mounting rails to fit the measured length of said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of the window frame, each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails having an exterior-facing surface and a longitudinal flange perpendicular thereto, said longitudinal flange comprising two substantially parallel sides, and configured to fit within and be inserted into said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (c) inserting said longitudinal flange of each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails into the corresponding exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (d) fixedly mounting a security screen to said exterior-facing surface of at least one of said plurality of mounting rails using an attachment means, wherein said security screen comprises a subframe, and a main frame pivotably attached to said subframe, said subframe comprising a mounting flange at its outer perimeter, and said attachment means fixedly mounting said subframe to said exterior-facing surface of said at least one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails through said mounting flange.
10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of applying of a bead of construction adhesive to said longitudinal flange prior to inserting said longitudinal flange of each of said plurality of mounting rails into the corresponding exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame.
11 . The method of claim 9 wherein at least one of said two substantially parallel sides of said longitudinal flange further comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said security screen comprises at least two screen panels, a first screen panel of which is fixedly attached to said exterior-facing surface of at least two of said plurality of rigid mounting rails, and a second screen panel of which is attached to said first screen panel by a pivotable mounting means.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said security screen is fixedly attached to one of said plurality of rigid mounting rails by a pivotable mounting means.
14 . A method for mounting a security screen to a window frame, wherein said window frame has frame members consisting of a header, a left jamb, a right jamb, and a sill, and an outer perimeter comprising an exterior-facing accessory groove; the method comprising: (a) measuring the length of said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (b) sizing each of a plurality of rigid mounting rails to fit the measured length of said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of the window frame, each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails having an exterior-facing surface and a longitudinal flange perpendicular thereto, said longitudinal flange comprising two substantially parallel sides, and configured to fit within and be inserted into said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (c) applying of a bead of construction adhesive to said longitudinal flange of each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails; (d) inserting said longitudinal flange of each of said plurality of rigid mounting rails into the corresponding exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of said window frame; (e) fixedly mounting a security screen to said exterior-facing surface of at least one of said plurality of mounting rails using an attachment means.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein at least one of said two substantially parallel sides of said longitudinal flange configured to fit within and be inserted into said exterior-facing accessory groove of the header, left jamb, right jamb, and sill of the window frame further comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Security screens are a popular option to protect windows of businesses and homes from unauthorized intrusion such as burglars breaking the window to gain access, hail or other weather conditions, and other types of damage. Many commonly installed windows are made from materials such as “vinyl” (poly vinyl chloride, or PVC) or fiberglass that due to their relative strength in comparison to materials such as aluminum or wood, are not suitable for using mechanical fasteners such as screws to attach the security screen directly to the window. Also, direct attachment to the window itself, regardless of the material the window is made from, would cause damage such as punctures that could produce leaks and could void the window manufacturer's warranty. Consequently, existing systems and methods for installing security screens often attach the screens to the exterior wall surrounding the window opening, either directly, or using spacers to build out around the window to provide clearance for the installation of the screen in circumstances where the window has not been installed recessed or flush relative to the wall surface. Security screens attached to the wall surrounding the window opening must often be larger than the window they are to protect, which is both aesthetically undesirable and increases manufacturing cost for the screens due to increasing the amount of materials required for their construction. A need therefore exists for a security screen mounting system and method which will not cause damage to the window that could void the window manufacturer's warranty, reduces manufacturing cost for the security screen, and improves the aesthetics of the installed screens by not hiding the window behind an oversized security screen. REFERENCE NUMBERS 100 Window frame110 Header112 Left jamb114 Right jamb116 Sill120 Accessory groove200 Security screen220 Screen subframe222 Subframe mounting flange230 Subframe flange cover240 Screen main frame242 Screen244 Screen retaining strip246 Weatherstripping248 Screen retaining screws260 Hinge280 Latch300 Security screen (center hinged)320 Screen panels322 Fixed screen panel324 Working screen panel340 Connecting hinge400 Security screen (top hinged)500 Mounting rail510 Mounting rail flange512 Longitudinal ridges520 Fasteners530 Hole covers BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in closed position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an assembled oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in closed position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3a is an assembled cross-sectional plan view of the hinged security screen of FIG. 2 sectioned along line i-i and illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3b is a partial detail view of FIG. 3a illustrating a mounting rail, mounting rail flange, screen subframe, subframe mounting flange, and subframe flange cover according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is an assembled oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in open position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in closed position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is an assembled oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in closed position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7a is an assembled cross-sectional plan view of the hinged security screen of FIG. 6 sectioned along line ii-ii and illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7b is a partial detail view of FIG. 7a illustrating a mounting rail, mounting rail flange, security screen, and hole cover according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is an assembled oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in open position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in closed position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is an assembled oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in closed position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 is an assembled cross-sectional elevation view of the hinged security screen of FIG. 9 sectioned along line iii-iii and illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 is an assembled oblique front elevation view of a hinged security screen in open position illustrating a mounting method according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded oblique front ele