Abstract:
A portable screen device provides an easily installed barrier against insects and a level of privacy. The device includes one or more screen panels the top edges of which are suspended from a wire. The ends of the wire are mounted in an opening such that the screen panels cover the opening. The bottom edges of the screen panels are weighted for stability and to prevent movement in the wind.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/215,905, filed Jul. 3, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to portable screen devices. In particular, the present invention relates to portable screen devices which provide a barrier against insects and privacy.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Screens have long been used in conjunction with doorways and windows to allow air to flow through the doorway or window while preventing insects and debris from entering. Generally, these screens are made from a flexible screen material which is mounted about its perimeter to the doorway or window frame. The mounting can be permanent or temporary, however, common to all of the previous devices is a mounting system for the entire perimeter of the screen device.  
           [0006]    Screen devices are well known in the form of screens which are attached to openings such as doors and windows. Previously known screens generally are attached to doors and windows by using mounting means located about the perimeter of the door or window. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,169 issued to Saulters describes a garage door screen. The perimeter of the screen is attached to the garage door opening using Velcro® or another similar attachment means. While the screen can be removed from the garage door opening, it cannot be used in locations other than a garage door opening which includes the appropriate mounting means.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,917 shows a screen for garages, porches and similar locations. The screen is detachably mounted to the frame of the opening it is designed to protect. Again, this device can only be used in conjunction with a frame having the appropriate mounting hardware installed about its perimeter.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,246,663 shows a screen for outward opening casement windows. This screen uses clips to attach the screen to the window frame. Again, this device can only be used in conjunction with a window frame having the appropriate mounting means installed about the perimeter of the frame.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,449 shows an adjustable screen for garage doors or windows. The screen is detachably mounted to the perimeter of the door or window frame using a hook and loop fastener and, as shown in the previous devices, requires that mounting material be installed about the perimeter of the door or window frame.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0010]    A portable screen device is described which includes at least one screen panel which is attached to a framed opening such as a window or doorway and suspended from the attachment system. Each screen panel may include a stabilizing means such as weights or a metal chain for stabilizing the bottom edge of each screen panel. The stabilizing means can be placed in a pocket formed by folding up the bottom edge of each screen panel. Each screen panel may consist of screen material which includes a frame around the outer edges of the screen. The frame can be made out of a durable, flexible fabric material. Hooks can be attached to the top edge of each screen panel. To hide the hooks, the top edge of each screen panels can be folded down and releasably attached to the panel below the hooks. A wire is threaded through the hooks and the ends of the wire are attached to the frame opening, using eyehook screws or the like, to suspend each screen panel in the opening. If desired, an apparatus, such as a turnbuckle, can be used to tighten the wire. If two or more screen panels are used, the panels can be connected along adjoining side edges using a releasable connection system such as snaps or hook and loop fastener.  
           [0011]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable screen device.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable screen device which provides a barrier against insects.  
           [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable screen device which provides privacy.  
           [0014]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a portable screen device which is easily moved to different locations as needed.  
           [0015]    Finally, it is an object of the present invention to accomplish the foregoing objectives in a simple and cost effective manner . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 a  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 in the unfolded configuration;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 b  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 in the folded configuration; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the installed configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention.  
         [0021]    The present invention provides a portable screen device which provides screen protection for an opening such as a patio, deck or doorway. The device includes one or more screen panels. The screen panels may further include a flexible frame, made from a durable fabric or other material. If more than one screen panel is used, the panels are connected to each other along their side edges. This connection means can be any releasable method such as snaps or hook and loop fastener and can be attached to the fabric frame. The top edges of the screen panels include a system for suspending the panels. The suspension system can be hooks through which a wire is threaded. The suspension system is mounted in the opening. If the hook and wire suspension system is used, the wire can be mounted in the opening using screws and, if desired, a turnbuckle for tightening the wire.  
         [0022]    A preferred embodiment of the portable screen device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Two screen panels  10  are shown in this embodiment although it is clearly contemplated that different numbers of screen panels could be used. The screen panels  10  may be made from any material commonly used in the industry. Generally the screen material is durable and porous while preventing the entry of insects. Each panel  10  may be surrounded by a frame  12  made of a flexible material. This frame  12  provides added durability and an improved surface for attaching other items as described herein. The frame  12  is preferably made from a durable fabric material. Along the bottom edges of the panels  10 , a pocket  14  is formed by turning up a portion of the frame  12 . Inside this pocket  14  a stabilizer  16 , such as a metal chain, is placed in order to prevent or discourage movement of the panels  10 . The ends of the pocket  14  may be sewn closed to ensure that the stabilizer  16  remains in the pocket  14 . It is clearly contemplated that other types of stabilizers  16  could be used, that the pocket  14  might not be necessary or that stabilizers  16  might be unnecessary in a protected environment.  
         [0023]    As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , along the top edges of the screen panels  10 , another pocket  18  is preferably formed. In the most preferred embodiment, this pocket  18  is formed by turning down a portion of the top edges of the screen  10  or flexible frame  12  and releasably attaching the top edges to the screen  10  or to frame  12 . This releasable attachment can be snaps or hook and loop fastener or any other appropriate attachment.  
         [0024]    The two screen panels  10  can be connected along their interior side edges by any releasable means such as snaps or hook and loop fastener  20 . This type of closing prevents entry by insects but allows the screen panels  10  to be opened if necessary. If there is no need to open the screen panels  10 , a single panel or permanent connection means can be used.  
         [0025]    In order to hang the present invention within an opening, a suspension system is provided along the top edges of the screen panels  10 . The most preferred suspension system consists of hooks  22  attached to the top edges of the screen panels  10 . The hooks  22  are preferably located within the previously described pocket  18  formed along the top edges of the screen panels  10 . A wire  24  is threaded through the hooks  22 , or, if appropriate, the hooks  22  are clipped onto the wire  24 , and extends beyond the edges of the screen panels  10 . The wire  24  is then attached to eyehook screws  26  which are installed in the upper comers of the opening. A particularly preferred embodiment includes a method for tightening the wire  24  once the panels have been installed such as a turnbuckle  28  or other appropriate method.  
         [0026]    If desired, the invention can include a method for strapping the screen panels  10  out of the way as needed. One method for accomplishing this is to provide a strap  30  attached to the external side edge of each panel  10 . This strap  30  can include a releasable attachment means such as snaps or hook and loop fastener  32  on its opposite sides. The strap  30  is pulled around the screen panel  10  and then hooked to itself thus holding the screen panels  10  away from the center of the opening.  
         [0027]    While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.