Flexible or portable closure – partition – or panel – With fabric having diverse areas
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-25
2001-04-03
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
With fabric having diverse areas
C160S243000, C160S368100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209614
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an accessory for a motor home, recreational vehicle, truck, sport utility trailer, or the like, and is particularly concerned with a screen assembly for covering a door opening of such a vehicle when the door is open.
Sport utility trailers are often towed behind motor homes, trucks, cars, or other motor vehicles, and provide a cargo area for transporting motorcycles, bicycles, dune buggies, and the like. Such trailers have a rear door or cargo door which folds down to provide a ramp for moving the stored vehicle or vehicles out of the trailer. Sport utility trailers also often have fold away beds or the like to provide additional sleeping space when camping. Additionally, some motor homes have a built in cargo bay for carrying motorcycles, dune buggies or the like, and this will also be provided with a rear cargo door which folds down to provide a ramp.
One problem with such cargo areas is that they are exposed to the elements, insects, and the like while the cargo door is open. It is inconvenient to have to close the cargo door immediately after wheeling out the vehicles for use, and then re-open it when the vehicles are returned. Thus, people normally leave the ramp down while the stored vehicles are out. This results in the cargo bay or area being completely open at one end.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved screen assembly for covering the door opening of a cargo bay area of a sport utility trailer, motor home, or the like, while the cargo door is open.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a screen assembly for a door opening to a cargo bay area is provided, which comprises a rigid frame for attaching around the top and opposite sides of the door opening, the frame having a track which extends along at least part of each side and top of the door opening, and a screen panel of pliable material having a shape and dimensions substantially matching those of the door opening, the panel having an upper edge, opposite side edges, and a lower edge, and a bead extending along at least part of each of the opposite side edges and upper edge for engagement in the track, the panel having at least one mesh window.
Preferably, the screen panel includes a central portion having opposite sides releasably secured to the side edges, so that the central portion can be rolled up out of the way for entry and exit purposes. In one preferred embodiment, the central portion is in two halves forming separate side panels which have inner side edges which are also releasably secured together, so one side panel of the central portion only may be rolled up out of the way. Each side panel preferably has a mesh window, and a releasable cover flap for covering the window when desired. The screen panel may be made of any suitable material such as vinyl fabric or the like.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a screen assembly for a door opening to a cargo bay area is provided, which comprises a mounting device for securing around at least part of the sides and top of a door opening, and a panel for securing across the door opening, the panel having an upper edge and opposite side edges secured to the mounting device, and including at least a central panel portion having opposite sides and a releasable securing device between each side of the central panel portion and the respective panel side edge, so that the central panel portion can be released from the side edges and rolled up to the top of the door opening in a stored condition, and a securing device at the top of the panel for releasably securing the rolled up central panel portion in the stored condition.
The screen assembly of the present invention can be readily mounted inside the opening of a cargo bay door to provide a sealed wall while the cargo door is open, allowing the cargo space to be used as a room and shielding it from the elements as well as insects. The central portion of the panel can be readily rolled up out of the way when not in use or when access to the cargo bay is desired.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2755484 (1956-07-01), Hotz
patent: 3592256 (1971-07-01), Knight
patent: 4100957 (1978-07-01), Shelton
patent: 4221256 (1980-09-01), Karaki
patent: 4312396 (1982-01-01), McKinnon et al.
patent: 5323835 (1994-06-01), Bachmeier
patent: 5427169 (1995-06-01), Saulters
patent: 5788317 (1998-08-01), Nation
patent: 5988256 (1999-11-01), Winters
Expand Your Living Space. 8 page color brochure of Shademaster Products, Division of Best RV, Inc., 9335 Stevens Road, Santee, California, published Oct. 1998.
Expand Your Living Space and . . . , 4 page color brochure of Shademaster Products, 1104 North Marshall, EL Cajon, California; published Mar. 1988.
Best R.V., Inc.
Brown Martin Haller & McClain LLP
Redman Jerry
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