Spineless screen frame assembly and screen frame member therefor

• US 5,904,200 A
• Filed: 04/13/1998
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Edward Agen
• Original Assignee: James Edward Agen
• Inventors: Agen, James Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US09/059,021
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 160/371, 160/391, 160/327, 160/383, 160/395, 52/63, 52/222, 38/102.1, 38/102.91, 38/102.2
• US Class Current: 160/391
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/52 Devices affording protection against insects, e.g. fly screens; Mesh windows for other purposes screens A47G5/00

Abstract

An elongated frame member and a rectangular screen frame assembly including the frame member having a unique cross sectional shape of the frame member for the reception and retention of flexible fiberglass or other types of screening material without requiring a separate spline or locking strip component. The uniform frame member cross section includes a substantially box or rectangular shaped main portion and substantially U-shaped portion positioned adjacent said main portion, said U-shaped portion including spaced apart first and second side walls and a bottom wall therebetween. Each first side wall is preferably substantially common with or defined by one surface of said main portion. A first plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extend laterally in cantilevered fashion from the first side wall toward, but not to, the second side wall, while a second plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extend laterally in cantilevered fashion from the second side wall toward, but not to, the first side wall. The first and second plurality of barbs overlap each other in staggered fashion whereby a distal edge of each of the first and second plurality of barbs collectively define a serpentine or zigzag shaped screen retaining passage therebetween. These barbs are sufficiently resilient to be forcefully deflected to enlarge the width of, and somewhat straighten, the passage while the edge portion of the screen panel is inserted therein. The barbs resiliently return to a substantially at-rest position when released to lockingly engage and retain the screen edge portion in said passage while also tensioning the screen panel by drawing more of the margin into said passage.

Claims

1. A frame member for a rectangular screen frame assembly comprising:

a substantially straight single elongated unit having a substantially uniform cross section over an entire length thereof, said cross section including a substantially rectangular box shaped main portion and substantially U-shaped portion positioned adjacent said main portion, said U-shaped portion including spaced apart first and second side walls and a bottom wall therebetween;

said first side wall being substantially defined by one surface of said main portion;

a first plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extending laterally in cantilevered fashion from said first side wall toward, but not to, said second side wall;

a second plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extending laterally in cantilevered fashion from said second side wall toward, but not to, said first side wall;

said first and second plurality of barbs overlapping each other in staggered fashion, a distal edge of each of said first and second plurality of barbs collectively defining a serpentine or zigzag shaped screen retaining passage therebetween, said first and second plurality of barbs being sufficiently resilient to be forcefully deflected to enlarge a width of, and somewhat straighten, said passage while an edge portion of a screen panel of said screen frame assembly is inserted therein, said barbs resiliently returning to a substantially at-rest position, when released, to lockingly engage and retain the screen edge portion in said passage.

2. A rectangular screen frame assembly comprising:

a plurality of frame members connected together orthogonally at corresponding ends thereof to define an open central area covered by a panel of flexible screen;

each frame member of said plurality of frame members formed as a substantially straight single elongated unit having a substantially uniform cross section over an entire length of said frame member, said cross section including a substantially rectangular box shaped main portion and a substantially U-shaped portion defining a screen receiving channel positioned adjacent said main portion, said U-shaped portion including spaced apart first and second side walls and a bottom wall therebetween;

said first side wall of each said frame member being substantially defined by one surface of said main portion;

each said frame member including a first plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extending laterally in cantilevered fashion from said first side wall toward, but not to, said second side wall;

each said frame member also including a second plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extending laterally in cantilevered fashion from said second side wall toward, but not to, said first side wall;

said first and second plurality of barbs overlapping each other in staggered fashion, a distal edge of each of said first and second plurality of barbs collectively defining a serpentine or zigzag shaped screen retaining passage therebetween, said first and second plurality of barbs being sufficiently resilient to be forcefully deflected to enlarge a width of, and somewhat straighten, said passage while one edge portion of said screen panel is inserted therein, said barbs resiliently returning to a substantially at-rest position, when released, to lockingly engage and retain said screen edge portion in said passage while also further tensioning the screen panel by drawing more of said edge portion into said passage.

3. A frame member for a rectangular screen frame assembly comprising:

a substantially straight single elongated unit having a substantially uniform cross section over an entire length thereof, said cross section including a main portion and substantially U-shaped portion positioned adjacent said main portion, said U-shaped portion including spaced apart first and second side walls and a bottom wall therebetween;

said first side wall being substantially defined by one surface of said main portion;

a first plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extending laterally in cantilevered fashion from said first side wall toward, but not to, said second side wall;

a second plurality of spaced apart resilient barbs each extending laterally in cantilevered fashion from said second side wall toward, but not to, said first side wall;

said first and second plurality of barbs overlapping each other in staggered fashion, a distal edge of each of said first and second plurality of barbs collectively defining a serpentine or zigzag shaped screen retaining passage therebetween, said first and second plurality of barbs being sufficiently resilient to be forcefully deflected to enlarge a width of, and somewhat straighten, said passage while an edge portion of a screen panel of said screen frame assembly is inserted therein, said barbs resiliently returning to a substantially at-rest position, when released, to lockingly engage and provide an only means for retaining the screen edge portion in said passage.