Multi-positional rolling window screen

Details Multi-positional rolling window screen Multi-positional rolling window screen

1999-03-26

2001-02-13

Purol, David M. (Department: 3634)

Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel

Roll type

With fabric leading edge fastening means

C160S265000, C160S100000, C160S028000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186215

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of window coverings, and more specifically, to a multi-positional rolling window screen apparatus for selectively covering an open window.
It is well known that many windows may be opened in order to allow air to pass the outside environment into a dwelling. However, an open window also enables small animals and insects to enter a dwelling. Consequently, in order to allow the passage of air without allowing the passage of animals and insects, building owners commonly cover some or all of a window with a window screen.
A common window screen assembly utilizes mesh contained within an aluminum housing sized to fit a window. This screen assembly is affixed to the outside of a window within the window frame and generally stays in place covering the entire window until removed for storage. Installation must be done either through the use of a ladder or by maneuvering each screen through the interior of the building and through the open window. The difficulties involved in the process usually dictate that the screens are installed and removed seasonally at most, or, alternatively, left in place permanently. These screens are bulky and cumbersome and require careful storage preventing the mesh from being damaged.
Additionally, these screen assemblies, when deployed in a window frame, commonly collect dirt or insect matter or deteriorate in harsh weather conditions. The aesthetic appearance of the screens is thus diminished over time. Once installed, framed screens remain deployed at all times whether or not the window is open.
Furthermore, some attempts have been made which employ rolled up screens which are unrolled to cover a window opening. While such screens are useful for their intended purpose, limitations exist which prevent the screens from being used in a more advantageous manner. For instance, some screens are intended to only partially cover a window area or are designed to fully cover the entire window area. However, a need arises to provide a user with the option of positioning the window screens in a manner determined at the time of operation versus the limitations of the screen itself in determining the positioning of the screen.
There is a need, therefore, in the industry for a window screen apparatus for selectively covering an open window for these and other related, and unrelated, purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention, includes a preferred rolling window screen apparatus for selectively covering a window. The rolling window screen may be deployed in two extended states preventing animals and insects from entering the building through the window when the window sash is open. Since windows generally consist of a top window sash and a bottom window sash, the rolling window screen is designed to cover the area left open by either the top or bottom sash. When the top sash is lowered opening the upper portion of the window, the rolling window screen may be partially deployed in a first extended state covering the upper window portion. When the lower sash is lifted opening the lower portion of the window, the rolling window screen may be fully deployed covering the lower window portion. Alternatively, the rolling window screen may be left in a third, retracted undeployed state. In this state, no obstruction exists for blocking light from entering the building or obstruct the view through the window. Additionally, when in the retracted, undeployed state, the rolling window screen improves the aesthetic appearance of the window in which it is installed by not being seen when not needed.
In one preferred embodiment, the rolling window screen apparatus comprises a take-up roller rotatably attachable between sides of a window frame and adjacent the outer sides of an upper window sash slideably mounted between the sides of the window frame. A flexible screen wraps and unwraps, as required, around the take-up roller during the deployment and retraction of the screen. Preferably, the flexible screen is manufactured from plastic-coated fiberglass filaments woven together to form a mesh. The rolling window screen apparatus also includes a resilient pull-down bar which receives and securely grips a lower edge of the flexible screen. Opposing ends of the pull-down bar ride within vertical slots defined by side channels, which are affixed to opposing sides of the window frame and extend for substantially the height of the window frame. The side channels guide the pull-down bar and the flexible screen during deployment and retraction, thereby limiting movement of the flexible screen to a substantially vertical direction and promoting smooth operation.
The rolling window screen apparatus also comprises a pull-cord apparatus for effecting movement of the flexible screen. The pull-cord apparatus includes the pull-down bar and a pair of cords. A first, non-elastic pull-cord depends from a location on the pull-down bar which is centrally-located between the ends of the pull-down bar. A second, elastic take-up cord has a first end secured to one end of the pull-down bar. The remainder of the elastic take-up cord is guided from the first end of the pull-down bar to the second, opposite end of the pull-down bar. An interface interfaces the non-elastic pull-cord with the elastic take-up cord. The elastic property of the elastic take-up cord causes the second end of the elastic take-up cord to be normally pulled toward the second end of the pull-down bar, and, hence, guides the pull-cord in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the take-up roller and allows the pull-cord cord to depend, in an aesthetically-pleasing manner, adjacent a side of the window frame. When a user exerts a generally downward force on the pull-cord for the purpose of manually deploying the flexible screen, the elastic property of the elastic take-up cord allows the pull-cord to become repositioned centrally beneath the pull-down bar, thereby enabling the downward force of the user to be applied centrally beneath the ends of the pull-down bar. Upon the removal of the downward force, the interface, positioned adjacent the second end of the pull-down bar, allows the pull-cord to depend adjacent a side of the window frame.
The rolling window apparatus further comprises a first automatic deployment interface which is suitable for engaging a retention deployment interface mountable on the uppermost segment of the upper window sash. When engaged, should a user slide down the upper sash of the window, the retention deployment interface engages the first automatic deployment interface and exerts a generally downward force on the pull-down bar, thereby causing the flexible screen to automatically deploy from the take-up roller as the upper sash is slideably moved downward by the user and retains the flexible screen in a deployed position covering the window area left open by the lowering of the upper sash.
The rolling window apparatus further comprises a pair of retention members which are mountable to the lowermost segment of the window frame. The retention members engage the first automatic deployment interface retaining the flexible screen in a fully deployed position covering the entire window.
In operation, the flexible screen may be deployed in at least three deployment states. The three deployment states include the following: (i) a first engagement state wherein the flexible screen is releasably engaged to the window frame to enable the flexible screen to be deployed statically to cover at least a portion of the opening; (ii) a second engagement state wherein the flexible screen is releasably engaged to the sash to enable the flexible screen to be deployed dynamically according to the position of the sash; and (iii) a third engagement state wherein the flexible screen is disengaged from the window assembly to enable the retraction of the flexible screen onto the roller to expose substantially all of the opening.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a retractable window scre

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