Patent ID: 6629555
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: E06B,Y10S

Abstract:
A retractable rolling screen comprising:a flexible screen attached to a vertically mounted take-up shaft along one edge capable of being wound around said take-up shaft, said take-up shaft being rotatable; a handle vertically mounted on the free end of the screen for advancing the screen having a bottom end cap and a top end cap; a spring assembly including a coil spring and spring subassembly attached to one end of said take-up shaft; a gear assembly attached to the end of the spring subassembly opposite the take-up shaft; a vertically mounted pillar housing enclosing the take-up shaft having a slot for extension of the screen across an opening and through which the handle protrudes; a vertically mounted solid pillar; a horizontally mounted lower rail contacting both the solid pillar and the pillar housing, having a slot through which the screen is guided during extension, the width of said slot being less than the width of said bottom end cap; an upper rail located horizontally between the solid pillar and pillar housing so as to contact both members, having a guide ledge and a slot through which the screen is guided during extension, the width of said slot being less than the width of said top end cap; a number of ribs rising from the guide ledge running the length of the upper rail from the pillar housing to the solid pillar and a number of ribs rising from the bottom of the lower rail running the length of the lower rail from the pillar housing to the solid pillar, the ribs in the upper rail ending prior to the end of the upper rail closest to the solid pillar providing enough room for the top end cap to slip off the ribs and rest on the guide ledge, and the ribs in the lower rail ending prior to the end of the lower rail closest to the solid pillar providing enough room for the bottom end cap to slip off the ribs and rest in the lower rail.