Screen repair

A patching system and method for repairing a screen having a defect in it employs two patches interconnectable through the screen in overlying relationship with the defect.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to the field of screen repair, and more specifically 
to a patching system and method for repairing a screen having a defect in 
it. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
It is not uncommon for screens employed in doors and windows to become 
torn, cut, or otherwise damaged. When this occurs insects can pass through 
the screen; creating very undesirable living conditions. 
For decades the most common technique for repairing screens has been to 
secure a single patch, itself formed of a screen material, to the screen 
in overlying relationship with the defect. This type of patch generally is 
cumbersome to work with, is extremely unsightly, and sometimes includes 
wire-like fasteners that can cut or otherwise injure a person attempting 
to repair the screen. Moreover, these fasteners sometimes project 
outwardly from the screen, and can catch onto articles of clothing and rip 
them when individuals accidently brush against the screen. In any event 
the prior art wire mesh patches can hardly be said to be "decorative" by 
any reasonable definition of that term. 
The following patents, which were considered in the preparation of this 
application, disclose various different types of wire mesh patches for use 
in repairing damaged screens: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,324,845 (Osgood); No. 
1,792,594 (Litwin); No. 2,272,196 (Gittens); No. 2,283,803 (Gittens); No. 
2,487,830 (Robbins II) No. 1,927,826 (Friday); No. 2,241,257 (Gronberg); 
No. 1,749,755 (Downer) and No. 1,998,033 (Tucker). 
U.S. Pat. No. 276,100, issued to Vedder, discloses the use of single 
decorative blocks, such as those indicated at B in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-9, to 
close openings in a lattice structure. Vedder is in no way concerned with 
the problems associated with repairing defects in torn or damaged screens, 
and does not remotely suggest a unique patching system and method of the 
type forming the subject matter of the present invention. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
A patching system for repairing a screen having a defect in it includes two 
separate patches adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of the screen, 
each patch including a cover section adapted to overlie the defect and 
mechanical fastening means adapted to face inwardly toward the screen, the 
mechanical fastening means of one patch being mechanical connectable to 
the fastening means of the other patch through the screen and with the 
cover sections overlying the defect. Most preferably the cover sections 
are formed into decorative shapes, such as flowers, animals and the like, 
and thereby provide a decorative appearance when connected to the screen. 
Moreover, since the mechanical fastening means are positioned between the 
cover sections they cannot be seen easily, and therefore do not detract 
from the decorative appearance of the patching system. In fact, in the 
preferred embodiment of this invention the decorative cover sections are 
mirror images of each other when they are connected through the screen so 
that the inwardly projecting fastening means are not viewable through the 
screen. 
It is within the broad scope of this invention to form the cover section 
and mechanical fastening means of each patch as a single, unitary member. 
However, most preferably the cover section of each patch is separately 
formed from the mechanical fastening means and the mechanical fastening 
means is secured to less than fifty percent of the area of the inwardly 
facing surface of the cover section. This is primarily for the purpose of 
reducing the cost of the patching system. In addition, it is preferred to 
maintain the mechanical fastening means of each patch generally in the 
medial region of the decorative cover section so that it will not be 
exposed to view in the event that the two patches are slightly misaligned 
when connected together through the screen. 
In accordance with the method of this invention it is most desirable to 
position the two patches on opposite sides of the screen with their 
mechanical fastening means aligned with both undamaged and damaged screen 
areas. The mechanical fastening means aligned with the undamaged screen 
areas will be forced through the interstices thereof to aid in preventing 
the two patches from sliding relative to each other. The mechanical 
fastening means passing through the defect, especially if the defect is a 
fairly large opening, will tend to provide strong mechanical 
interengagement because the wires forming the screen are not present in 
this area, and therefore do not interfere with the ability of the 
mechanical fasteners to become interconnected. 
It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and reliable patching 
system for repairing defects in screens. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a decorative patching 
system for repairing defects in screens. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a decorative patching 
system in which mechanical fastening means thereof are covered when the 
system is in place to thereby prevent their exposure to view or contact. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple and reliable 
method for repairing defects in screens. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of repairing 
screens in a decorative fashion. 
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent by 
referring to the description of the best mode for carrying out this 
invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, a screen 10 is shown with a defect 12 in the form of 
an opening surrounded by undamaged screen areas 14. In accordance with 
this invention a patching system includes two patches 16 and 18 adapted to 
be secured over the defect 12 adjacent opposite sides of the screen 10. 
As can be seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the patch 16 preferably includes a 
substantially flat, decorative cover section 20. This cover section can be 
formed from any desired material, and most preferably is formed from a 
lightweight plastic. As can be seen best in FIG. 1 the cover section 20 is 
formed in the shape of a flower; however, it is understood that other 
decorative shapes and configuration can be employed in accordance with 
this invention. 
The patch 16 further includes a fastener 22 having a woven backing 24 from 
which project mechanical fastening means in the form of raised pile 
hooking elements 26. As can be seen best in FIG. 2, the hooking elements 
26 are in the form of closed loops extending generally perpendicular to 
the backing. The mechanical fastener 22 is connected through its backing 
24 to the inner surface 20a of the cover section 20 through any suitable 
adhesive or bonding system. Within the broadest aspects of this invention 
the backing 24 can itself be the cover section of the patch 16. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the patch 18 is substantially identical to the 
patch 16. Specifically the patch 18 includes a substantially flat 
decorative section 30, preferably of lightweight plastic, with an inner 
surface 30a to which a fastener 32 is adhesively attached. As can be seen 
best in FIG. 2 the fastener 32 has a backing 34 with mechanical fastening 
means in the form of raised pile hooking elements 36 extending generally 
perpendicular therefrom. However, the hooking elements 36, unlike the 
elements 26, are opened hooks adapted to interconnect with the closed loop 
hooking elements 26. As in the case of the patch 16, the backing 34 can be 
employed as the cover section of the patch 18 within the broadest aspects 
of this invention. 
Mechanical fasteners of the type described herein are commercially 
available; one such fastener being sold under the trademark Velcro. 
However, other types of fasteners having mechanical fastening means 
capable of passing through the interstices of the screen 10 also can be 
employed in this invention. Representative mechanical fasteners that can 
be employed in the patches 16 and 18 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
2,717,437 and 3,009,235, both issued to De Mestral, and U.S. Pat. No. 
3,138,841, issued to Naimer. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the decorative cover sections 20 and 30 
preferably are mirror images of each other when positioned with their 
respective inner surfaces 20a and 30a facing each other. This is the 
relationship that is established to interconnect the two patches together 
through the screen 10 (FIGS. 2 and 3). When the cover sections 20 and 30 
are properly aligned with each other in overlying relationship with the 
defect 12, only the outer surface of one patch is viewable from each side 
of the screen. In other words, due to the fact that the cover sections are 
mirror images of each other, the inwardly facing surfaces 20a and 30a, and 
the mechanical fasteners attached thereto, will not be viewable when the 
patching system is assembled properly to repair the screen 10 (FIG. 3). 
Since the Velcro-type mechanical fasteners are expensive, the most 
economically feasible patching system is formed by attaching each fastener 
22 and 32 to its respective cover section 20 and 30 over less than fifty 
percent of the surface area of the flat surfaces 20a and 30a. Most 
preferably the mechanical fasteners are attached over less than 
twenty-five percent of the surface area. 
In accordance with the method of this invention it is most desirable to 
position the two patches 16 and 18 so that their respective mechanical 
fasteners 22 and 32 overlie both an undamaged screen area (e.g. 14) and a 
damaged, or defective screen area (e.g. opening 12). This arrangement is 
clearly shown in FIG. 2. When the patches 16 and 18 are connected together 
through the screen 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the hooking elements passing 
through the interstices in the undamaged screen areas 14 will aid in 
preventing the patches from sliding relative to the screen when subjected 
to lateral pressures or forces. However, the mechanical interconnection 
between the hooking elements is undamaged screen areas can be interfered 
with by the wires forming the screen and defining the interstices. 
Specifically, these wires can intercept and bend at least some of the 
hooking elements 26 and 36 to prevent their interconnection to each other 
through the screen. 
The hooking elements 26 and 36 aligned with the defect 12, especially if 
the defect is large, will not experience interference from the wires 
forming the screen. Therefore, the ability of the mechanical fasteners to 
interconnect in the region of the defect will not be impaired by the wires 
forming the screen. Establishing a strong mechanical interconnection 
through the defect 12 aides in preventing separation between the patches 
16 and 18. 
Most preferably the mechanical fasteners 22 and 32 are adhesively attached 
in a medial region of their respective patches 16 and 18 to provide the 
most desired interaction between the hooking elements and the damaged and 
undamaged areas of the screen. Moreover, by positioning the mechanical 
fasteners in this medial region they will not be viewable, even if the 
patches 16 and 18 are slightly misaligned with respect to each other when 
connected to the screen in overlying relationship with the defect 12 (FIG. 
3). 
Although we have described the present invention with reference to the 
particular embodiments herein set forth, it is understood that the present 
disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes 
in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention 
should not be limited by the foregoing specification, but rather, only by 
the scope of the claims appended hereto.