Screen frame with integral roll screen compartment

Details Screen frame with integral roll screen compartment Screen frame with integral roll screen compartment

2002-04-04

2004-03-09

Purol, David (Department: 3634)

Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel

With hood, canopy, shield storage chamber, or outrigged...

For roll type

C160S029000, C160S120000, C160S239000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06701994

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to screens for closure assemblies and in a preferred embodiment for patio doors, and windows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art there exists numerous devices which provide screening to prevent insects from entering open windows and patio doors. These screening devices may be placed in position within a channel provided with the frame sections of typical window or door assemblies with the screen frame of a predetermined thickness so as to easily fit within the channel. Patio door screens may be slideable in a channel on a track assisted by rollers and moveable to and from the position wherein the screen blocks the opening when the door is in the open position and prevents insects from entering the dwelling, to a position away from the opening wherein the screen does not block the opening
More recently, roll out screen assemblies have been provided which include after-market products which are permanently fixed in position on or near an exterior frame section adjacent to the door opening. At this position when desired the screen may be rolled out from its housing at a fixed position and extend across the door opening when the door is in an open position. The screen of course may be accumulated on a roller in the housing and thereby provide the occupant with a clear unobstructed view of their yard. But such a construction has difficulty in providing an adequate barrier to insects. They are unsightly and are also costly and may be beyond the level of skill for a homeowner installation.
Other efforts therefore have been made to make roll screen constructions more invisible and yet functional. Such constructions may be found in Applicant's prior granted patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,168 which teaches the use of a roll screen cassette contained within a framing section of a closure assembly which provides guides in the header and sill frames for the leading edge of the roll screen. This construction improves the barrier against insects but raises other issues. Applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,936 that addresses a similar concept. However, such hidden constructions do require that the window frames be manufactured to required specifications to include a void wherein the roll screen may be inserted. Conceptually these patents provide a valuable approach but in one respect from an economic standpoint they require that existing window constructions be re-tooled for the required framing sections with the void for the hidden screen. Most manufacturers do not want to do this because of the cost of moulds and dies. There is therefore, still an unmet need yet unsatisfied which provides a screen construction which does not require an extensive amount of re-tooling.
Attempts have been made to provide roll screen constructions within its own frame for fastening to an existing window or door frame; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,979; U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,432; and finally U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,642. Particularly referring to U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,642 as by way of example, there is taught a roll screen assembly which has a support frame which is fixed into position with the upper member (
30
), as best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, including a compartment wherein the roll screen accumulates and pays out. The entire frame section therefore is fixed into position upon a typical frame for a door or a window which is adapted to the existing framing structure proximate the inner peripheral of the window or door frame. The roll screen frame is permanently fixed in position therefore and does not utilize any existing mounting portions available with the homeowner's windows or doors. Further in the case of a patio door the roll screen frame does provide an obstacle at the threshold which will be discussed hereinafter.
Another example is found in such a fixed structure in relation to U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,432 wherein the roll screen frame, as best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, is fixed in position and the roll screen is also fixed in position within the chamber compartment (
40
) on the brackets (
41
and
46
) wherein the screen pays out and accumulates. The handle portion or as it is referred to in the patent, the pulling posts (
25
) extends across the frame portions (
28
and
28
b
) which are positioned in fixed relationship to span the door. Nothing within the reference teaches that the frame section supporting the roll screen may also move in relation to the door in a sliding motion as is with a typical planar screen door for a patio door (which typical screen does not include a roll screen component).
Some of the problems experienced with these prior art constructions include, with respect to the roll out doors, that a framing section is provided at the threshold of the assembly. This is true, for example, for screen doors manufactured by the Phantom Manufacturing Limited under the trademark “PHANTOM”™ and by Monroe Tool and Die, and/or KSG Products for “MIRAGE”™ door screens. Typically, these products resemble U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,432 and require supplementary frame sections that extend around the door assembly which provide the obstacle adjacent to the threshold of the assembly. When the roll out screen is accumulated into the roll tube housing, the threshold remains as an obstacle to block the egress of an individual and particularly for those using wheel chairs, walkers and the like. People without particular challenges may simply step on the threshold obstacle and disform it to prevent the screen from rolling out and requiring an expensive repair. Further, such installations require expensive labour for installation and may be quite expensive in comparison to a typical sliding screen door which is not fixed in position.
Applicant is also aware of a product SCREEN AWAY™ for retractable roll screen assemblies manufactured by Superior Building Products which provides such a device which includes approximately 18 to 24 parts and 22 steps involved in assembling the kit of components provided. Although the product may be esthetically pleasing once assembled, the threshold obstacle is evident which must be present to provide support for the leading edge of the roll screen as it moves across the opening.
However, a typical known sliding screen frame, for installation adjacent a patio door, when positioned across the patio door opening blocks the occupants view of the yard and may be esthetically displeasing. If the screen door is slid to the opposite position away from the opening then the opposite glass pane is obstructed as well.
None of the prior art constructions identified above known to Applicants addresses the issue which Applicants' current invention focuses in upon. That is with all of the knowledge of those designing roll out screen assemblies which are bolted in place whether or not in a frame, none of the inventors including Applicant's prior construction take advantage of the existing channels and tracks within windows and patio doors to allow for simplicity of installation to easily fit within known constructions for windows and patio doors.
Applicant therefore is providing a roll screen frame construction, which is standardized at its perimeter to mate and interfit with well known channels, tracks and hardware. In doing so the present roll screen design makes replacement and installation much simpler. In spite of the numerous efforts made to provide an acceptable roll screen for windows and doors there still remains a long felt need left unaddressed in the art for a roll screen assembly which may be simply and easily installed by the homeowner. Nowhere within the prior art is such a roll screen frame provided which may be merchandized as an OEM as well as an after-market product and which will fit the same constraints provided with windows and doors such as for example the well known planar screen frame which slides in a track in a frame adjacent to a patio door. These particular known frames are inexpensive.
It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a roll screen frame construction, which is standardiz

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