Automatic screen structure

• US 5,964,271 A
• Filed: 05/01/1998
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Serge Lapointe
• Original Assignee: Serge Lapointe
• Inventors: Lapointe, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US09/071,767
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 160/264, 160/273.1, 160/271, 160/272, 160/237
• US Class Current: 160/273.1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/54 Roller fly screens operating, guiding or securing devices therefor E06B9/56
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/581 Means to prevent or induce disengagement of shutter from side rails

Abstract

A storable screen assembly wherein a first and second vertical post have a screen extending therebetween, each of the posts having a vertically extending channel therein and a slot in facing side walls to receive the screen, the flexible screen having a guiding element secured to each of the side marginal edges which fit through the slots and remain within the vertically extending channels, the guiding element having a C-shaped portion which remains within the channel, the guide element being of a flexible resilient material.

Claims

1. A storable screen structure consisting essentially of first and second vertical posts, each of said vertical members having a vertically extending channel therein, each of said vertical members having respective facing side walls, a slot formed in each of said facing side walls and communicating with a respective one of said channels, a housing, a roller mounted in said h a flcable screen entrained about said roller, said screen having side marginal edges, a guiding element being secured to each of said side marginal edges, said guiding elements each having a first portion secured to said marginal edge of said screen and a C-shaped portion extending outwardly therefrom, said C-shaped portion being designed to fit within a respective one of said channels in said vertical posts, each C-shaped portom defining a curve having a depth, said depth being greater than the width of the slot and said C-shaped portion, each C-shaped portion defining a curve having a depth, said depth being greater than the width of the slot having a thickness less than the width of said slot, said guide element being of a flexible resilient material each of said channels being sized substantially larger than said C-shaped portion to permit free movement of said C-shaped portion within said respective one of said channels, the arrangement being such that said C-shaped portion is retained in said channel during normal upward and downward movement of said screen, said slot permitting withdrawal of said screen when a sufficient force is applied to said screen and also permitting reinsertion of said C-shaped portion through said slot.

2. The screen structure of claim 1 wherein said guide element is formed of a flexible rubber material.

3. The screen structure of claim 1 further including means for winding and unwinding said screen on said roller, said means comprising an electric motor.

4. In a patio structure having a roof covering at least a portion of a patio and at least first and second vertical posts supporting said roof, the improvement wherein each of said vertical members has a vertically extending channel formed therein, each of said vertical members having respective facing side walls, a slot being formed in each of said facing side walls and communicating with a respective one of said channels, a housing extending between said vertically extending channels proximate said roof, a roller mounted in said housing, a flexible screen entrained about said roller, said screen having side marginal edges, a guiding element being secured to each of said side marginal edges, said guiding elements each having a first portion secured to said marginal edge of said screen and a C-shaped portion extending outwardly therefrom, said C-shaped portion being designed to fit within a respective one of said channels in said vertical posts, each C-shaped portion defining a curve having a depth, said depth being greater than the width of the slot, each C-shaped portion having a thickness less than the width of said slot, each of said guide elements being of a flexible resilient material, the arrangement being such that said C-shaped portion is retained in said channel during normal upward and downward movement of said screen, said slot permitting withdrawal of said screen when a force is applied thereto and also permitting reinsertion of said C-shaped portion through said slot.