Patent Publication Number: US-6708751-B1

Title: Flexible screen partitions

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to an improved screen assembly, specifically for windows and vents. A window screen consists of mesh, or screening; supported by a lightweight rectangular frame. The frame includes four essentially straight segments which are connected at their ends to form the corners of the frame. Screen frames ordinarily slide vertically or horizontally along tracks on the outer edges of window jambs. 
     Frames must be lightweight and low cost to be competitively marketed. Assembly processes can be labor intensive adding to the cost of the frames. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention relates to a flexible screen partition. The flexible screen partition is snapped into window frames or adhered over household vents. The partition has a plastic frame which has top, bottom, left, and right sides surrounding an open interior space. The plastic frame is preferably rectangular and flexible. A wire mesh segment fills the entire open interior space of the plastic frame. The wire mesh segment has top, bottom, left, and right edges that are fused with the respective sides of the plastic frame. The plastic frame has at least one receiving aperture on both its left and right sides. 
     The plastic frame can be coupled to extension pieces. The extension pieces have at least one insertable projection on one of its sides. The projections are insertable into the receiving apertures on the plastic frame coupling the two elements. The extension piece is attached to the right or left side of the plastic frame when the plastic frame is not wide enough to cover the area of its intended use. 
     The plastic frame, and the extension piece if needed, are placed in a window or over a vent. The flexible screen partition permits air to flow through the interior space of the frame but hampers the passing of larger objects. 
     The flexible screen partition is formed in an injection molding process. A wire mesh segment is cut to a size slightly larger than the intended area of the open interior of the frame. The wire mesh segment is then placed in an injection molding machine where the plastic frame is molded at its perimeter. Because the wire mesh segment is larger than the area of the open interior of the screen, the four edges of the wire mesh segment are within the injection molding and are fused with the newly formed plastic frame, permanently coupling the wire mesh and plastic frame. The extension pieces are formed in a similar injection molding process. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flexible screen partition for a window; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flexible screen partition for a window with extension pieces; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the flexible screen partition for a window with a dovetail connector; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the flexible screen partition for a vent; 
     FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the flexible screen partition for a vent; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the flexible screen partition and the extension piece for a vent; and 
     FIG. 7 shows the flexible screen partition and the extension piece for a vent in the coupled position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a flexible screen partition  1  for a window. Flexible screen partition  1  has a plastic frame  10  that has four sides and is substantially rectangular. Plastic frame  10  is also flexible. Flex segments  5  are built into the plastic frame so that it may be slightly compressed to fit into a window frame. They assist in exerting an outward force on the window frame, keeping flexible screen partition  1  in place. A wire mesh segment  12  fills the open interior space of plastic frame  10 . Wire mesh segment  12  has four edges that extend into plastic frame  10  and are permanently fused with plastic frame  10 . Plastic frame  10  has at least one receiving aperture  14  on its right and left sides. Inside of receiving apertures  14  are internal mechanisms  18 , also formed in the injection molding process. 
     FIG. 2 shows flexible screen partition  1  with extension pieces  20  on either side of plastic frame  10 . Extension pieces  20  have insertable projections  22 . Insertable projections  22  are inserted into receiving apertures  14  and held in place by internal mechanisms  18 . Internal mechanisms  18  hold insertable projections  22  in a snap-in lock fashion, much like that of a car seat. Extension pieces  20  are coupled to plastic frame  10  when the width of flexible screen partition  1  must be increased. Extension pieces  20  also have indentations  26  providing an area to grip when extension pieces  20  are connected or disconnected from plastic frame  10 . 
     FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of flexible screen partition  1  where insertable projections  22  and receiving apertures  14  are shaped for a dove-tail connection. 
     In use, flexible screen partition  1  is snapped into an open window frame when the window is open. The flexibility of plastic frame  10  allows flexible screen partition  1  to snap into the window frame. Flexible screen partition  1  is held in place by the friction between plastic frame  10  and the window frame and the window that is closed upon it. 
     FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention where flexible screen partition  1  is meant to cover a ventilation outlet or other household hole. Plastic frame  10  surrounds wire mesh segment  12 . Wire mesh segment  12  is permanently fused to plastic frame  10 . Receiving apertures  14  are shown on the sides of plastic frame  10 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a back view of flexible screen partition  1  for a ventilation outlet. An adhesive  30  is added to the back of plastic frame  10 . Adhesive  30  holds plastic frame  10  to most dry surfaces, permitting flexible screen partition  1  to quickly cover holes. 
     FIG. 6 shows a partial exploded view of flexible screen partition  1  with extension piece  20 . Extension piece  20  has insertable projections  22  that can be received by receiving apertures  14 . FIG. 7 shows plastic frame  10  and connection segment  20  in a coupled position. Extension piece  20  may be comprised of a plastic frame and an interior wire mesh segment. 
     Flexible screen partition  1  is formed in an injection molding process. Wire mesh segment  12  is cut to a size slightly larger than the intended area of the open interior of plastic frame  10 . Wire mesh segment  12  is then placed in an injection molding machine where plastic frame  10  is molded along the perimeter of wire mesh segment  12 . Since wire mesh segment  12  is larger than the open interior space of plastic frame  10 , the four edges of wire mesh segment  12  are within the injection molding and fused with plastic frame  10 , permanently coupling wire mesh segment  12  to plastic frame  10 . Extension pieces  20  are formed in a similar injection molding process. 
     Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.