Window screen installation system

• US 6,378,267 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Home Improvement Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Home Improvement Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Bass, W. Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Varner, Steve M
• Application Number:
  US09/635,089
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 160/382, 160/395, 160/403, 160/380, 526/567, 522/22, 52/63
• US Class Current: 52/656.7
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/52 Devices affording protection against insects, e.g. fly screens; Mesh windows for other purposes screens A47G5/00

Abstract

A window screen installation system for releasably mounting a screen fabric or other pliable sheet material in such a manner as to self-tighten the fabric or material during installation. Moreover, the screen frame and trim mold are designed to allow for the mounting of the fabric or material without damaging the same such that it may be removed and reused as required. A screen is disposed and held securely in place between a screen frame extrusion member and a trim mold. The screen frame extrusion defines a mounting surface disposed below and parallel to an exterior face. A mounting rib extends along the mounting surface and terminates below the exterior face in the preferred embodiment. A bead is defined at the terminal edge of the mounting rib to serve as a locking mechanism. The trim mold defines a channel opening on the bottom surface thereof to closely receive the mounting rib of the screen frame extrusion. A plurality of retention barbs are formed in the channel to engage the mounting rib bead in order to prevent inadvertent removal of the trim mold from the mounting rib. The screen is laid over the screen frame extrusion at approximately the point to be attached. A first trim mold is then placed over the mounting rib and pressed toward the screen frame extrusion such that the screen is deformed over the mounting rib and the mounting rib and screen are both received within the trim mold channel. After the first trim mold is snapped into place, the opposing trim mold is snapped into place. A similar procedure is then performed on the trim mold on either side of the frame.

Claims

1. A window screen installation system comprising:

a screen frame constructed from at least one screen frame extrusion, each said screen frame extrusion cooperating to form an opening across which is positioned a screen, each said screen frame extrusion defining at least one mounting surface and at least one mounting rib extending upwardly from said mounting surface and parallel to an interior edge of said screen frame extrusion, said mounting rib defining a bead along a terminal edge of said mounting rib, said screen frame extrusion further defining an exterior face above and parallel to said mounting surface, and a vertical surface extending between and perpendicular to said exterior face and said mounting surface, whereby said mounting rib is disposed substantially parallel to said vertical surface, and whereby said mounting rib terminates below said exterior face; and

a trim mold configured to closely receive said mounting rib of said screen frame extrusion said screen, said trim mold defining a bottom surface and a channel opening thereon and extending into said trim mold a depth substantially equal to a height of said mounting rib, said channel defining a plurality of retention barbs for engaging said mounting rib bead, whereby said trim mold is prevented from inadvertent removal when said screen frame extrusion mounting rib is received within said trim mold channel and said screen is retained from movement therein, and further whereby said screen is self-tightened as said trim mold is engaged with said screen frame extrusion.

2. The window screen installation system of claim 1 wherein said trim mold further defines an exterior face disposed substantially co-planar with said screen frame extrusion exterior face when said screen frame extrusion mounting rib is received within said trim mold channel.

3. The window screen installation system of claim 1 wherein said screen frame extrusion defines a symmetrical configuration having a first said mounting rib for mounting a first said screen and a second said mounting rib for mounting a second said screen.

4. The window screen installation system of claim 1 wherein said screen is fabricated from a mesh-type screen selected to allow air flow therethrough.

5. The window screen installation system of claim 1 wherein said screen is fabricated from a sheet material selected to prevent airflow therethrough.

6. The window screen installation system of claim 1 wherein said screen is interchangeable and is fabricated from either of a mesh-type screen selected to allow air flow therethrough and a sheet material selected to prevent airflow therethrough.

7. A method for installing a screen on a screen frame assembly, said screen frame assembly including a screen frame and at least one trim mold, said screen frame constructed from at least one screen frame extrusion, each said screen frame extrusion cooperating to form an opening across which is positioned said screen, each said screen frame extrusion defining at least one mounting surface and at least one mounting rib extending upwardly from said mounting surface and parallel to an interior edge of said screen frame extrusion, said mounting rib defining a bead along a terminal edge of said mounting rib, said screen frame extrusion further defining an exterior face above and parallel to said mounting surface, and a vertical surface extending between and perpendicular to said exterior face and said mounting surface, whereby said mounting rib is disposed substantially parallel to said vertical surface, and whereby said mounting rib terminates below said exterior face, said trim mold being configured to closely receive said mounting rib of said screen frame extrusion said screen, said trim mold defining a bottom surface and a channel opening thereon and extending into said trim mold a depth substantially equal to a height of said mounting rib, said channel defining a plurality of retention barbs for engaging said mounting rib bead, said method comprises the steps of:

a) positioning said screen over said opening defined by said screen frame;

b) placing a one of said at least one trim mold over said mounting rib of a cooperating one of said at least one screen frame extrusion to position said channel over said mounting rib;

c) pressing said of mold to engage said mounting rib in said channel with said screen positioned between;

d) pulling said screen to gently tighten said screen over said screen frame opening;

e) placing a further of said at least one trim mold over said mounting rib of a cooperating one of said at least one screen frame extrusion to position said channel over said mounting rib;

f) pressing said further trim mold to engage said mounting rib in said channel with said screen positioned between;

g) repeating steps d) through f) until each of said at least one trim mold has been pressed into engagement with a cooperating one of each of said at least one screen frame extrusion mounting rib, whereby as said further of said at least one trim mold and each subsequent said at least one trim mold is engaged, said screen is self-tightened.

8. The method of claim 7, after said step of repeating steps d) through f), further comprising the step of:

h) trimming excess of said screen from around an exterior perimeter defined by each of said at least one trim mold.