Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – Framed type – With corner structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-10
2001-01-09
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
Framed type
With corner structure
C160S375000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170555
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a nodal assembly, particularly a corner assembly, for a peripheral frame which can be removably mounted on an architectural opening. This invention quite particularly relates to a corner assembly for the frame of an insect screen for a window opening.
Corner assemblies of frames that can be used to removably mount framed insect screens and other sheet-line panels on windows and doors are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,211 and UK patent application GB 2,236,134A. U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,211, in particular, describes an insect screen that has a frame with a corner assembly having a retaining protrusion which is: i) slidably held within the corner assembly and ii) can be slid outwardly of a longitudinal side of the corner assembly and into a suitable recess provided in the window frame to hold the screen on the window. However, the windows and doors, to which such a corner assembly has been attached, have had to be specially provided with suitable recesses which could accept and hold the retaining protrusion of the corner assembly.
In accordance with this invention, a nodal assembly, particularly a corner assembly, is provided for connecting at least two adjacent frame members of a perimeter frame, the nodal element comprising:
a central portion having parallel first and second sides and an opening in the second side;
a first leg extending from the central portion in a first direction parallel to the first side and having a cavity within it in communication with the opening;
a second leg extending from the central portion in a second direction different from the first direction but also parallel to the first side; and
a retainer slidably received in the cavity and movable between a retracted position substantially within the central portion and the first leg and an extended position in which the retainer extends substantially outwardly of the opening in the second side of the central portion and away from the second side.
In accordance with one aspect of the nodal assembly of the invention: the first and second sides of the central portion are laterally opposite sides, preferably front and rear sides; the cavity in the first leg is substantially parallel to the first leg; one end of the cavity is in communication with one end of a channel in the central portion; and the other end of the channel is in communication with the opening in the central portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the nodal assembly of the invention: the retainer comprises:
an elongated part at one end, preferably a front end part, which is slidably received in the cavity in the first leg and in the channel, if present, and which can be moved outwardly, preferably rearwardly, of the second side of the central portion through the opening in the second side; and
a hook-shaped part at its other end, preferably a rear end part, which is located outwardly, preferably rearwardly, of the second side of the central portion; the retainer, in its retracted position, having a central part substantially within the cavity in the first leg and in its extended position, having its central part extending outwardly of the cavity through the opening in the central portion and away from, preferably rearwardly of, the second side of the central portion.
Also in accordance with this invention, a perimeter frame is provided comprising:
a plurality of elongate frame members;
a plurality of the nodal assemblies described above, each nodal assembly having first and second legs engaging the ends of two adjacent frame members to form the perimeter frame and a retainer; and optionally
a sheet-like panel attached to the perimeter frame to cover an area defined by the perimeter frame; each of the retainers being adapted to engage a window opening having a contour corresponding to the perimeter frame so that the sheet-like panel, if present, covers the window opening.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1765388 (1930-06-01), Watson
patent: 2772451 (1956-12-01), Luke
patent: 3137901 (1964-06-01), Malachowski et al.
patent: 3709533 (1973-01-01), Walters
patent: 4006513 (1977-02-01), Offterdinger
patent: 4502260 (1985-03-01), Machler
patent: 4574506 (1986-03-01), Morgan
patent: 5119872 (1992-06-01), Engebretson
patent: 5297891 (1994-03-01), Rosa
patent: 5431211 (1995-07-01), Guillemet
patent: 0628694 (1994-12-01), None
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Redman Jerry
Thompson Hugh B.
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