Patent Publication Number: US-2012031001-A1

Title: Membranes and Membrane Systems

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This present disclosure relates to combined barriers and guide means for doorways and fenestrations to prevent unauthorized passage of persons, animals, objects, or light into or out of a room, building, vehicle or the like through an opening and to aid in guiding the same. 
     More specifically, according to an implementation, a membrane system, such as a doorway and fenestration safety system, is disclosed which may interact with the sash of a door or window such that the membrane engages across the opening to operably prevent a small child, mentally impaired adult, intruder, pet, varmint, light, sound or odor or the like from entering or exiting through the opening 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Securing doorways and fenestrations dates back over 4,000 years to the ancient Egyptian tombs where the first doors and door locks are found. Glass windows for dwellings came into vogue shortly after the birth of Christ in ancient Rome and finally in modern America 1861 the insect screen was developed. 
     Doors and windows in modern homes allow residents of homes to enjoy the convenient flexibility of controlling the passage of air, light, odors and/or sound. As ambient temperatures rise in the summer, residents have few options in regards to a comfortable night&#39;s rest. 
     One popular option is closing the doors and windows and running the air conditioner at night. However, people that live in moderate climates or those that are more environmentally, economically, or health conscious choose to turn off the A/C and leave a door or window open. This creates a common concern for residents: the ease of intrusion when the door or window is open. All of the many attempts brought forth to date by many well meaning inventors to solve this problem have one common element; the aesthetic appearance resembles prison bars. 
     It is within human nature to resist imprisonment regardless of perceived or real benefits, as Patrick Henry famously said: “Give me liberty or give me death”. Most people are intuitively aware of the risks associated with an open door or window and, when the only option is making their home a prison, choose to take those risks placing themselves and their loved ones in jeopardy. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are systems to provide an attractive and easy to use solution for preventing passage of objects, animals, persons, odors, and/or light through doorways and fenestrations in vehicles, residential or commercial buildings, or other passageways. 
     According to an implementation, the engaged and expanded system provides a level of security equal to the level expected when the door or window is closed and locked while allowing for free passage of air, sounds and/or aromas. When latched and expanded, the system provides an extra security level for fixed pane openings and/or a security level equal to the level expected when an active panel of the door or window is closed and locked. According to various implementations, the system may be implemented as a barrier to keep young children from getting access to swimming pools, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water or dangers; installed on an upper floor window of a building to prevent people, pets, and objects falling, climbing out, or being thrown out of the window or door; installed in a wilderness cabin to keep varmints out and children in; installed in care facilities/homes for the elderly and nursing homes to prevent clients/patients/residents from going to an unauthorized area, such as outside of the building or between rooms; installed in a bunk bed configuration to prevent falling out; installed in water-related or extraterrestrial structures or vehicles; installed in buildings located in or near tornado or hurricane prone areas to keep larger debris from coming though an opening; installed on or in recreational vehicles windows and/or doors; installed on buses, trains, planes, or other mass transportation vehicles; installed in barns or other outdoor structures to restrict access and allow ventilation; installed in automobiles to provide one or more dividers between compartments or usable spaces or to keep cargo, pets, and/or people from shifting, roaming, or otherwise moving about the interior of the vehicle; and/or installed on exterior doors of delivery and other vehicles to keep ventilation and remain safe from intruders. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of an implementation of a membrane system having at least one membrane. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the membrane system of  FIG. 1 , in which an engagement mechanism is engaged with an active panel of a door or window to close and lock the active panel. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the membrane system of  FIG. 1 , in which an engagement mechanism is engaged with an active panel of a door or window to allow the membrane to move with the active panel. 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of the membrane system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of the membrane system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view along line C-C of the membrane system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified schematic of a coupler for use in retaining the membrane when not in use and for maintaining the position of the active device when the active device is in a closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified schematic showing an example of a latch for use in attaching an active panel to a second engagement mechanism associated with a membrane. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a surface mounted membrane system. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a surface mounted membrane system in which two membranes are included in the system. 
         FIG. 9  shows a cutaway view of an exemplary spacer system for placement between a window or door frame and an active panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A window, doorway, or other passageway membrane system is comprised of a membrane, a first engagement mechanism for securing one end of the membrane to a wall or other anchor point, a second engagement mechanism for releasably securing the membrane to an active panel of a door or window, where the active panel may be defined as the movable panel or component that allows passage through the door or window. The system may further include one or more tracks for assisting in the travel of the membrane, or a portion of the membrane, as the active panel is opened or closed. The one or more tracks may be positioned parallel with the direction of travel of the active panel. The membrane utilizes one or more sections of material which fill (or occupy) the opening formed as the door or window is opened or closed by moving the active panel. The one or more sections of material are secured to one or more guide elements which travel within or upon the track or tracks and which may enhance and security aspects of the membrane. The second engagement mechanism may be releasably engaged with the active panel of the window or door such that as the door or window moves to an open or closed position, the second engagement mechanism travels with the active panel and, thus, the material of the membrane is expanded or contracted as the active panel is opened or closed, respectively. The material of the membrane may thereby be utilized to prevent passage of people, animals, insects, dust, light, or other objects through the opening The second engagement mechanism may also be releasably engaged with the first engagement mechanism, the window or door frame, a coupler, or other static or dynamic structural/anchor element and may be disengaged with the active panel of the door or window such that the active panel may be moved independently of the membrane. This allows the active panel to be opened, when desired, such that that objects, animals and/or persons may pass through the opening formed thereby. The system may additionally include a third engagement mechanism fixedly attached to the active panel and operable to interface with the second engagement mechanism. 
     According to an implementation, the combination of the second and third engagement mechanisms may increase the stability of the system in preventing unwanted entry when the active panel is moved to a position such that the window or door is at least partially open or ajar. 
     The panel system may further include a second membrane, which may include a first engagement mechanism for securing one end of the second membrane to a wall or other anchor point, a second engagement mechanism for releasably securing the membrane to the active panel of the door or window or to the first membrane, and one or more tracks for assisting in the travel of the membrane portion, or a portion of the membrane portion, as the active panel is opened or closed. Thus, the two membranes may couple together or to the active panel to provide a membrane system that spans across the window or door. 
       FIGS. 1-9  show example implementations of membrane systems for use in a doorway, window, or other environmental divider environment. These examples are intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention as set forth in the claims. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an elevational view of one example implementation of a membrane system  100  having at least one membrane  102  for releasably attaching to an active panel  104  of a sliding door or window  106 . The active panel  104  may be manipulated back and forth, or side-to-side, in order to allow passage or prevent passage depending on its position in normal operation, i.e. without engagement with the membrane  102 . The sliding door or window  106  may be composed of a variety materials including one or more of the following: metal, wood, glass, plastic, or other suitable material. The sliding door or window  106  may have a frame  110  which encloses the active panel  104  and at least one second panel  112 , which may be active or inactive. The active panel  104  may have a panel frame  114  and pane  116 ; the at least one second panel  112  frame may have a panel frame  118  and pane  120 . Of course, the active panel  104  and at least one second panel  112  may each be constructed of a single or multiple materials and may be a single piece (or integrated) construction or may be constructed of multiple pieces, as is well-understood in the art. For the purpose of simplicity of disclosure, the system will be described with reference to a building door and the active panel  104  will be described as in an open position when an opening is created between the frame  110  and the active panel  104 , thus allowing objects to pass through the opening during normal operation. 
     In certain implementations, the membrane  102  maybe stowed, held, placed, and/or retained within a membrane retainer  108  on or within a portion of a wall  122  adjacent to the door  106  and may serve to improve the aesthetics of the membrane system  100  or may keep the membrane  102  in an orderly fashion when it is not extended into the opening formed when the active panel  104  is slid to an open position. While the membrane retainer  108  is shown and described herein on the inner portion of a wall  122 , it is noted that the membrane retainer  108  may be placed on the outside of the wall  122  as described further herein. Moreover, the membrane retainer  108  may be positioned relative to an interior or exterior wall of a building or other structure. 
     The membrane  102  may have, or be attached to, an upper track  124  and/or a lower track  126  to assist the membrane  102  to move with the active panel  104 . The tracks  124  and  126  may be any tracks known in the field of membrane and/or curtain technology, particularly with regard to security grade track components. The tracks  124  and  126  also secure the membrane  102  relative to the opening formed as the door  106  is opened and thus may enhance the operation of the membrane  102  in preventing an object, person, person or animal from going around, under, or above the membrane  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the membrane system  100  of  FIG. 1 , in which the membrane  102  is engaged with the active panel  104  and the active panel  104  is in a closed state. At this point, the door  106  is closed similar to a traditional sliding door. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the membrane system  100  of  FIG. 1 , in which the membrane  102  is engaged with the active panel  104  and the active panel  104  is in an open state. Thus, the active panel  104  may be moved back and forth, such as via a sliding or swinging motion, and the membrane  102 , or a portion thereof, travels with the active panel  104 . The movement of the membrane  102  may be assisted by the tracks  124  and  126 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . The membrane  102  may have, or be attached to, a first engagement mechanism  128  to couple the membrane  102  to the membrane retainer  108 , a wall  120 , door or window frame (not shown) or other anchor point. The membrane  102  may have, or be attached to, a second engagement mechanism  130  to couple the membrane  102  to the active panel  104 . The second engagement mechanism  130  is operable to be selectively engaged and disengaged from the active panel  104 . Engaging the second engagement mechanism  130  with the active panel  104  prevents passage through the opening formed by active panel  104  when the active panel is slid to an open position. Disengaging the second engagement mechanism  130  from the active panel  104  allows passage through the opening formed by active panel  104  when the active panel  104  is slid to an open position. The engagement mechanism  130  may be engaged or disengaged using a handle  132  configured with a third engagement mechanism, i.e., engagement actuator component  134 , or other engagement/disengagement actuator(s). 
     When the active panel  104  is disengaged from the membrane  102 , the second engagement mechanism  130  may be engaged with the first engagement mechanism, to the wall, to the door or window frame or to another anchor point, such as a coupler  136 . The coupler may be any coupling mechanism, such as a magnet, latch, or coupling device such as SHD Series plug and socket couplers available from Foster Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Missouri. Such couplers may be equipped to automatically couple and decouple, manually couple and decouple, or any combination thereof.  FIG. 5  schematically shows a basic layout of one example of a coupler  136  in which an SHD series style plug  136 - 1  and socket  136 - 2  automatically engages when brought in contact according to the known operation of such couplers. Details of the known operation of the coupler  136  and the coupler body are omitted for the sake of simplicity. The coupler may be equipped with a push-button  138  that is configured to release the coupler  136  by pulling back a sleeve  140  from the socket  136 - 2 . More particularly, according to one example, as the button  138  is depressed, an actuation mechanism pivots about a fulcrum  142  to pull the sleeve  140  and release the plug  136 - 1  from the socket  136 - 2 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 4B , the second engagement mechanism  130  may be referred to as an aperture interface device (AID) and, as set forth above, may be engaged with the active panel  104  of the window or door  106  such that as the door or window  106  is moved to an open position, shown in  FIG. 4C , the AID travels with the active panel  104  and, thus, the material of the membrane  102  is protracted or retracted as the active panel  104  is opened or closed, respectively. Certain features of the structure outside of the window or door  106  are omitted for simplicity and clarity. For example, wall  122  is omitted in  FIGS. 4B and 4C  to highlight the structural beam  109  that provides stability to the membrane retainer  108 , the wall  122 , or any other suitably located structural feature. Similarly, studs, insulation, outside siding etc., is not shown for the sake of simplicity. The membrane may be fitted with one or more tensioners (not shown) which pull one or more portions of the membrane  102  toward the first engagement mechanism  128 . 
     As mentioned above, the system  100  may additionally include an engagement actuator component  134  fixedly attached to the active panel  104  and operable to interface with the second engagement mechanism  130 . Thus, the membrane system  100  may be adapted for use with conventional sliding and/or swinging windows and doors  106 . According to an implementation, the combination of the second engagement mechanism  130  of the membrane  102  and the engagement actuator component  134  may also increase the stability of the system in preventing unwanted entry when the active panel is slid or swung to a position such that the window or door is at least partially open or ajar. 
     As mentioned above, one example of a membrane system according to the disclosure includes a membrane  102 , a first engagement mechanism  128  for securing one end of the membrane  102  to a wall  122  or other anchor point, a second engagement mechanism  130  for releasably securing the membrane  102  to the active panel  104  of a door or window  106 , and one or more tracks ( 122  and/or  124 ) for assisting in the travel of the membrane  102 , or a portion of the membrane, as the sliding active panel is opened or closed. The door or window  106  may be a conventional, “off-the-shelf” sliding or swinging door or window. The one or more tracks ( 122  and/or  124 ) may be positioned parallel with the direction of travel of the sliding (or swinging) active panel  104  and may enhance the security, integrity, and/or stability of the membrane  102 . The membrane  102  utilizes one or more sections of material which extend across the opening formed as the door or window  106  is opened or closed by sliding or swinging the active panel  104 . The one or more sections of material is/are secured to one or more guide elements (not shown), which travel within or upon the track or tracks (e.g.  124  and/or  126 ) using, for example, wheels or other mechanisms. This may assist in the process of protracting and/or retracting the membrane  102 . Some examples of guide element and track systems are known and sold by companies such as Cascade Coil Drapery, Inc of Tualatin, Oregon, which refer to them as Secura Trak or I-Beam track and carrier systems. The tracks, guide elements, and wheels may be oriented vertically, horizontally, or in any other suitable orientation. 
     The membrane  102  may be constructed of one or a combination of wire mesh, synthetic sheeting or screen, Kevlar®, security material, such as chainmail, or the like. Any material may be used to prevent or deter egress or ingress of people, animals, insects, dust, light, sound a/or objects through the opening According to one example implementation, the membrane  102  is constructed of chainmail, woven metal, or other material generally resistant to conventional knives and other cutting tools. Some examples of woven metal membranes are known and sold by companies such as Cascade Coil Drapery, Inc of Tualatin, Oregon, which refer to them as flexible metal meshes. Using a security material may prevent unwanted intruders, such as thieves, ex-spouses, fondlers, and homicidal maniacs, and the like from entering through the swinging or sliding door or window  106 . While the examples described herein show a curtain-style membrane retention and protraction design, it is understood that the membrane may be folded, rolled, coiled, or otherwise stored in any known fashion. As the membrane  102  is extended or protracted, mechanisms may be included to allow slack in the membrane or to keep the membrane taut. 
     The membrane  102  may additionally or alternatively be constructed of a screen material to prevent bugs and/or particulate matter from passing through the door or window. Thus, as an active panel of a door or window is opened or closed, the screen is engaged in the opening to prevent or deter bugs or other pest from passing through the opening Additionally or alternatively, the window or door  106  may be provided with an exterior screen as is well known in the art. 
     To use the system  100 , the user generally operates the door or window in a normal and customary fashion. Beginning with the membrane  102  retracted, the second engagement mechanism  130  is secured to the jamb of frame  110  and the active panel  104  is closed and latched to an aperture interface plate on the second engagement mechanism  130 . If the user wants to open the door or window  106  without security, she simply unlatches the active panel  104  from the second engagement mechanism  130  and opens it as she has always done. If the user then wants to engage the membrane  102 , such as to provide security or to prevent bugs (if the membrane is a screen) from entering the building, she simply closes the active panel  104 . She then engages a latch  142  in the customary fashion, such as by turning a knob  144  to engage the latch  142  with a bracket  146 , shown by simplified schematic in  FIG. 6 , which engages the active panel  104  to the second engagement mechanism  130 . She then unlatches the coupler  136  via button  138  and, thus, the second engagement mechanism  130  from the frame  110  and opens the active panel  104 . As she opens the active panel  104 , the material of the membrane  102 , being attached to the active panel, will expand/retract, roll/unroll, and/or furl/unfurl following the active panel  104 . She is free to open and close the active panel  104  to any position desired while maintaining a security barrier, bug barrier, or other environmental and/or security barrier. From this point, if she wants to disengage the membrane  102  and open the active panel  104  for passage through the door  106  she simply closes the active panel  104  and engages the coupler  136 . Alternatively, she may disengage the membrane  102  from the active panel first, move the membrane away from the active panel  104  to pass through the opening. If desired, she may engage the coupler  136  to retain the membrane  102 . At this point she is back to square one. In one implementation, the second engagement mechanism  130  engages with the door jamb automatically using an automatic coupler  136 , described above, when the second engagement mechanism  130  is brought in contact or proximity with the frame  110 . Such a coupler, shown in the simplified schematic of  FIG. 5 , may automatically engage when two portions of the coupler  136  are brought in contact and may be released through a button-actuated mechanism, such as button  138 , which may be located on the active panel  104  or on the engagement mechanism  130 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a membrane system  700 , which may be similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . However, the membrane  702  may be mounted outside a surface of the wall  722 . The second engagement mechanism  730  is disengaged from the active panel  704 , which allows passage through the opening formed between the second engagement mechanism and active panel. As can be seen, the second engagement mechanism  130  may be equipped with one or more slots  733  or other mechanisms so that an engagement actuator component  734  may couple with the second engagement mechanism  130  in a manner such as that shown in the simplified schematic of  FIG. 6 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such an engagement actuator component  134  could be constructed and attached using known techniques in the art. The second engagement mechanism  730  may be automatically engaged with the wall, door/window, or other anchor point using a coupler, such as that shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4C  and  FIG. 5 . A button release  738  may be provided to disengage the coupler and release the second engagement mechanism  730  from the wall, door/window, or other anchor point. 
       FIG. 8  shows an elevational view of an implementation of a two membrane system  800 , in which a second membrane  803  is extended toward the first membrane  802 . The system  800  generally operates in accordance with the descriptions above, however, the second membrane  803  may be included for aesthetics, additional security, or both. According to one implementation, the second membrane  803  may have and engagement mechanism (not shown) which may engage with the active panel  804 , the second engagement mechanism  830 , or both. The second membrane  803  may otherwise be similar or identical to the first membrane  802 . The second membrane  803  may travel along an upper track  824  and/or a lower track  805 . Either or both the upper and lower track may be contiguous with tracks  824  and  826  used with the first membrane  802 , as illustrated by the dashed line shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an example of a mechanism to prevent a sliding active panel from being jostled, picked up, and/or removed from the channel in which the active panel slides. According to the example shown, a spacer  950  may be inserted in the active panel track  111  between the window or door frame  110  and the active panel  104 . The spacer may be of any suitable shape and size and may be a single piece or may be comprised of multiple pieces that together prevent the active panel from being removed from the track  111 . The spacer  950  may be configured to slide and fit into a channel  950 . The channel  950  may be secured to the active panel  104  by fasteners  954 , glue, tape, or other securing mechanism. The spacer  950  may be prevented from sliding using a tab  956 , screw, glue, or other suitable mechanism for securing the spacer  950  to the active panel. The tab  956  may be integral with spacer  950  and may be positioned on the inside portion of the active panel  104  to prevent tampering from the outside of the door  106 .