Tensioned printing screen frame, assembly and method

1 . A method of constructing a printing screen assembly, the method comprising:

providing a frame having an elongate first frame member and an elongate second frame member parallel to the first frame member and in fixed relation thereto; and a corresponding cantilevered first and second tensioning arrangement extending from each frame member along a length thereof;

applying a pre-tensioning force to resiliently deflect the first tensioning arrangement towards the second frame member and into contact with a first abutment arrangement of the first frame member;

securing a printing screen to an attachment portion of the first tensioning arrangement, while the first tensioning arrangement is in contact with the first abutment arrangement;

securing the printing screen to an attachment portion of the second tensioning arrangement; and

releasing the pre-tensioning force from the first tensioning arrangement so as to apply tension to the printing screen.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the printing screen to the attachment portion of the second tensioning arrangement comprises resiliently deflecting the second tensioning arrangement towards the first frame member and into contact with a second abutment arrangement of the second frame member;

securing the printing screen to an attachment portion of the second tensioning arrangement while the second tensioning arrangement is in contact with the second abutment arrangement; and

releasing the pre-tensioning force from the second tensioning arrangement.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the frame comprises an elongate third frame member and an elongate fourth frame member parallel to the third frame member; and a corresponding cantilevered third and fourth tensioning arrangement extending from each of the third and fourth frame members along a length thereof; wherein the third and fourth frame members extend generally between and orthogonal to the first and second frame members;

wherein the method further comprises:

applying a pre-tensioning force to resiliently deflect the third tensioning arrangement towards the fourth frame member and into contact with a third abutment arrangement of the third frame member; and

applying a pre-tensioning force to resiliently deflect the fourth tensioning arrangement towards the third frame member and into contact with a fourth abutment arrangement of the fourth frame member;

securing a printing screen to an attachment portion of the third and the fourth tensioning arrangement, while the pre-tensioning force is applied thereto; and

releasing the pre-tensioning force from the third tensioning arrangement so as to apply tension to the printing screen.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-tensioning force is applied to the first tensioning arrangement by use of a corresponding-deflecting element, the method comprising moving each deflecting element from a side of the respective frame member outside of the frame towards the said frame member.

5 . The method of claim 1 , comprising preselecting the tension applied by at least one of said first and second tensioning arrangements, wherein each tensioning arrangement comprises, or is formed from, a resilient sheet material and the tension applied by each tensioning arrangement is preselected by one or more of:

removing material from the resilient sheet material;

machining and/or etching the resilient sheet material so as to selectively reduce its thickness in one or more regions thereof; or

selecting a distance between the tensioning arrangement in an at rest position and a corresponding abutment arrangement.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein one or more slots, cut-outs or apertures are cut into or from the sheet material, to thereby control bending characteristics of the or each tensioning arrangement.

7 . The method of claim 5 , comprising laser machining or etching of the resilient sheet material.

8 . The method of claim 5 , comprising varying the tension applied by at least one tensioning arrangement, along said length of the respective frame member.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second tensioning arrangements are manufactured by bending a resilient sheet material, so as to form an attachment portion or portions, and/or an interlocking formation or formations.

10 . The method of claim 1 , comprising attaching each tensioning arrangement by inserting a part of the tensioning arrangement into a slot or channel defined by each frame member.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each tensioning arrangement comprises a tensioning element interlocking formation and each frame member comprises a corresponding frame member interlocking formation, and wherein each tensioning arrangement is attached via an interlocking arrangement comprising said tensioning element interlocking formation and frame member interlocking formation.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the printing screen comprises a hook extending along a length of the printing screen corresponding substantially to the length along which each tensioning arrangement extends, wherein the method comprises hooking each hook to the respective attachment portion of each tensioning arrangement.

13 . The method of claim 12 , comprising coupling each hook to the printing screen.