Patent Application
20190024451
Most screens presently include a replaceable screen fabric. In the event the fabric is torn, stretched, or otherwise damaged, the fabric can be removed and replaced with another such fabric. A window screen installation system which permits the replacement of the screen is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,267 to Bass, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
As can be readily seen in
One embodiment of the present application includes a hidden fastener window screen installation system. Other embodiments include unique hidden fastener window screen installation apparatuses, systems, and methods. Further embodiments, inventions, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application are otherwise set forth or become apparent from the description and drawings included herein.
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
As will be discussed at depth hereinafter, the screen frame 212 is mounted near an opening of a structure via a plurality of mechanical fasteners. These mechanical fasteners extend through a mounting surface of the screen frame 212 and into a building structure providing a resilient attachment of the screen frame 212 to the structure. Although it is contemplated that the screen frames 212 can be mounted to various locations on the structure, some exemplary mounting locations include screen porch panels (as may be utilized to construct a screened in porch), window frames, door frames, or the like.
The trim mold 214 is configured such that it will cover, and thereby hide, the heads of any fasteners when the trim mold 214 is secured to the screen frame 212. Therefore, after installation of the trim mold 214 on the screen frame, the mechanical fasteners are no longer exposed. This results in an easy to install and remove, yet sturdy design, which is aesthetically pleasing.
A screen 16 may be installed for use in such applications as a storm door or a window screen, or for larger applications such as screened-in porches. However, in colder seasons, it may be preferable to replace the screen 16 with a transparent sheet material 16′ such as vinyl. Accordingly, the present invention is designed to allow for the replacement of the screen 16 with the sheet material 16′, and vice versa. For ease of description, use of the term “screen 16” is intended to include a conventional screen 16, a conventional transparent sheet material 16′, or any other pliable sheet that may be used as a membrane in the screen frame 212 of the present invention.
As is illustrated in
The mounting surface 318 is attached to the building structure 312 near an opening of the structure (not shown) such that the screen 16 can be suspended across the opening in the structure. The mounting surface 318 is configured to receive a plurality of fasteners 310. Fasteners 310 extend through the mounting surface 318 and into the structure 312 thereby retaining the screen frame 212 to the structure 312 in a sturdy, semi-permanent manner. The mounting surface 318 can include a plurality of apertures 316 which are designed to receive the plurality of fasteners 310. Each aperture 316 can include a taper configured to receive a head 314 of a fastener 310, such that the head of the fastener 310 is substantially flush with the outer side 326 of the mounting surface 318. Although the fastener 310 is depicted as a screw, it is contemplated that a variety of mechanical fasteners including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, or nails can be utilized to attach the mounting surface 318 to the structure 312 in a semi-permanent manner. The mounting rib bead 322 and the fasteners 310 do not penetrate the screen 16, thereby permitting the screen or fabric 16 to be removed and reused as desired.
The trim mold 214 is configured to closely receive the mounting rib 320 of the screen frame extrusion 212. To this extent, the trim mold 214 defines a channel 330 opening on a surface thereof and the channel 330 extends into the trim mold 214 a depth substantially equal to the height of the mounting rib 320. A plurality of retention barbs 332 disposed at an upward angle with respect to the mounting rib 320 are formed in the channel 330 to engage the mounting rib bead 322 in order to prevent inadvertent removal of the trim mold 214 from the mounting rib 320. In a preferred form, the height of the mounting rib 320 and bead 322 and the depth of the channel 330 are substantially equal.
The trim mold 214 includes a portion 334 which is designed to extend over and hide the fastener 310. In this manner, the fasteners 310 are not visible when the trim mold 214 is installed on the screen frame 212. This permits a “clean” installation free from visible mechanical fasteners, yet provides the structural integrity provided by the mechanical fastening of the screen frame 212 to the structure 312. In one form, the trim mold 214 includes a width substantially equal to a width of the mounting surface 318. In this form, when the trim mold 214 is installed over the mounting surface 318, the mounting surface 318 is substantially hidden by the trim mold 214.
As was aforementioned, the screen frame 212 and the trim mold 214 are extruded and have a uniform cross-sectional profile. The screen frame 212 and the trim mold 214 can be extruded from various materials including, but not limited to, metals, polymers, or the like. In one specific form, the screen frame 212 is formed of extruded aluminum and the trim mold 214 is formed of an extruded polymer 214.
The installation process for the hidden window screen installation system 210 is described as follows. A plurality of screen frame extrusions 212 are cut and arranged to define the opening 240 across which a screen 16 or fabric is to be placed. A plurality of fasteners 310 are driven through a mounting surface 318 of the screen frame extrusions 212 and into the structure 312, thereby retaining the screen frame extrusions 212 to the structure 312.
The screen 16 is placed over the screen frame extrusion 212 at approximately the point to be attached. The trim mold 214 is then oriented upon the screen frame extrusion 212 such that the trim mold 214 will cover the fasteners 310 of the respective screen frame extrusion 212. Upon alignment of the trim mold 214 and the mounting rib 320 of the screen frame extrusion 212, the trim mold 214 is pressed toward the screen frame extrusion 212 such that the screen 16 is deformed over the mounting rib 320 and the mounting rib 320 and screen 16 are both received within the trim mold channel 330. The screen 16 is thus tightly received between the mounting rib 320 and the channel 330, with the retention barbs 332 assisting in the retention thereof. The fasteners 310 are now hidden from view by the trim mold 214.
To remove slack within the screen 16, it is preferably to attach trim molds 214 to opposing sides in an alternating fashion (e.g. attaching the top trim mold 214 over the top screen frame extrusion 212 and retaining the screen 16 therebetween, pulling the screen 16 tight over the bottom screen frame extrusion 212 and attaching the bottom trim mold 214 to retain the screen therebetween, then proceeding to the left and right sides). The amount of slack removed from each side of the screen 16 is substantially equal to a height of the mounting rib 320. Any excess screen 16 can be trimmed from an exterior perimeter of the trim mold 214. Although the screen frame extrusions 212 have been depicted as defining a substantially rectangular opening 240, it is contemplated that the screen frame extrusions 212 can be constructed to define a variety of opening 240 shapes and sizes including, but not limited to, octagons, squares, and archways.
In order to remove the screen 16, the trim mold 214 is simply pried away from the screen frame extrusion 212 with, for example, a flat head screwdriver. Thus, mounting and removal of the screen 16 typically do not damage the screen 16 as a result of not requiring the use of conventional fasteners such as screws.
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a hidden fastener window screen installation system offering advantages over the prior art has been provided. Specifically, the hidden fastener window screen installation system is designed for releasably mounting a screen or other pliable sheet material in such a manner as to self-tighten the fabric or material during installation. Although mechanical fasteners are used to mount the screen frame to the structure in a semi-permanent manner, the trim molds are configured to cover and effectively hide the fasteners from view. Tightening of the screen or fabric is accomplished without the use of any tools. Moreover, the screen frame is designed to allow for the mounting of the fabric or material without damaging the same such that it may be removed and reused as required.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
