Abstract:
A corner member for use in connecting two screen frame members together, the corner members having first and second mutually connected legs with each of the legs incorporating a leaf spring therein such that when the legs are inserted into the screen frame members, the leaf spring is compressed and functions to retain the screen frame member in position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to screens suitable for use with windows or the like and more particularly, relates to screen frames and corner members therefore. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In modern day windows, a screen is usually provided as a part of the original window. Desirably, the screen member will be lightweight and easily moved into and out of position such that access may be had to the glass portion of the window. Normally, the screen member is formed by frame members along the top, bottom and sides. The frame members are joined together by suitable means—this is frequently accomplished by use of what is known as a screen frame corner member. 
         [0003]    A number of different designs of screen frame corner members are known in the art. While they basically all perform the same function of attaching the frame members together, they do so in different ways. 
         [0004]    There are also a number of different ways for retaining the screen member in the window frame. It is known in the art to have a window frame which provides a recess of one form or another designed to receive the window screen. In order to permit the insertion of the screen in the window frame and to retain the same in position, various types of locking arrangements may be utilized. Since there are few standards which exist, each manufacturer generally adopts his own method for retaining the screen in position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame for a window screen which has members at the top and bottom to retain the screen in a desired position while also allowing for easy removal thererof. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a corner member suitable for connecting screen frame members together and which corner member is designed to securely retain the same members in position. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame for a screen comprising four screen frame members, four corner members interconnecting the four screen frame members to form a rectangular screen frame, each of the four corner members having a movable member associated therewith, the movable member having an elongated configuration with a first end being within said corner member and a second end extending outwardly from the respective corner member, the second end having a triangular configuration with first and second sloping sides meeting at an apex. 
         [0008]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a corner member for use in connecting two screen frame members together, the corner member having first and second mutually connected legs, the first and second legs extending perpendicularly to each other, each of the legs having a main body portion and a leaf spring extending upwardly from one side of the main body portion, the leaf spring being slightly spaced from a portion of the one side of the main body portion, the arrangement being such that when each of the legs is inserted into one of the screen frame members, the leaf spring functions to retain the screen frame member in position. 
         [0009]    The corner member of the present invention can be formed of different materials although plastic is a preferred material as it has many ideal properties. As is known in the art, the corner member of first and second mutually connected legs with each of the legs extending perpendicularly to each other. Each of the legs is designed to fit within a frame member to permit interconnecting of two frame members at a right angle. While a problem exists in conventional corner members in that they do not securely retain the frame member thereon, the present invention utilizes a leaf spring on one of the walls. The leaf spring will flex inwardly when inserted into the screen frame member and will exert an outward pressure thereon to retain the corner and the frame member in a desired relationship. 
         [0010]    The frame of the present invention preferably utilizes a unique movable member which has a first portion mounted within the corner member and a second end which extends outwardly and which is designed to engage the frame of the window. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  are side elevational views of a corner member illustrating movement of the leaf spring; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a frame utilizing the corner members of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  illustrate the insertion of a corner member into a frame member; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of a corner member according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C  illustrate the joining of two frame members utilizing a corner member; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6, 7 and 8  illustrate the sequence of inserting an assembled frame into a window frame or the like; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9, 10 and 11  show insertion of an assembled screen frame into a window frame or the like; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an assembled frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, the present invention includes a corner member which is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Corner member  10  has a first leg generally designated by reference numeral  12  and a second leg generally designated by reference numeral  14 . First leg  12  and second leg  14  are mutually perpendicular. Each of legs  12  and  14  are identical in structure and hence the same root reference numerals will be utilized to describe the same structure in each leg. The orientation of the legs in the drawings can appear different depending upon the placement of a movable latching member  32  which will be described hereinbelow. As will be seen, latching member  32  may be placed in either of the legs depending upon the desired requirement. 
         [0021]    First leg  12  includes a first side wall  16  and a second parallel side wall  18 . First side wall  16  has a greater height than second side wall  18  which has a curved side wall portion  20  to extend upwardly to a top wall  22 . 
         [0022]    Top wall  22  includes a leaf spring  24  with an aperture  26  formed between leaf spring  24  and a wall. 
         [0023]    At the rear of the first leg  12  and second leg  14 , there is provided a transverse wall  28  which extends between first side wall and second side wall  18 . An aperture  30  is formed in transverse wall  28  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. 
         [0024]    The corner includes a movable latching or retaining member generally designated by reference numeral  32 . Movable retaining member  32  has a front wall  34  and a rear wall  36 . A pair of side walls  38 ,  40  extend between front wall  34  and rear wall  36 . At one extremity, there is provided a first sloping top wall  42  and a second sloping top wall  44  which meet at an apex  45 . It will be noted that the slope of top walls  42 ,  44  are different with sloping top wall  42  having a gentler slope while top wall  44  has a somewhat arcuate configuration. 
         [0025]    At the other extremity, movable retaining member  32  has a shaft  46 . An enlarged end  48  is provided at the extremity of shaft  46  and a coil spring extends around shaft  46 . Enlarged end  48  is designed to fit within aperture  30  of transverse wall  28 . In this regard, aperture  30  may have an irregular shape such as an elongated rectangular shape such that enlarged end  48  may be inserted therein and rotated which will lock the same in position. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C , corner member  10  may be inserted into a frame member such that leaf spring  24  is depressed inwardly as shown in  FIG. 1B . Leaf spring  24  will then exert pressure on the frame member. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates the components which may be utilized to form a screen. Thus, there are frame members  52 , each designed to receive a corner member  10  to form the finished assembly. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  show the progressive insertion of a corner member  10  into a frame member  52 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5A, 5B  and SC likewise show the insertion of corner members into frame members  52 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates the initial insertion of the screen frame into a window frame. In this regard, the bottom is initially placed in position followed by the top portion. 
         [0031]    As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the screen frame is progressively inserted with top wall  42  facing inwardly towards the interior. A rectangular groove  58  is provided in both the top and bottom of window frame  56  to receive movable retaining member  32 . 
         [0032]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 to 11 , an arcuate retaining groove  62  is utilized in both the top and bottom of the window frame  56 . In both instances, a window frame flange  60  abuts the inner portion of the screen frame  54 . 
         [0033]    It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modification may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.