Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a reconfigurable shade, and more particularly to a removable screen or panel that is magnetically moveable along a window or other surface using the inherent metal embedded in the environment, such as corner bead or steel beams around windows or doors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a magnetic removable screen system. 
         [0003]    In an implementation, the invention relates to a removable screen apparatus with a plurality of magnetic fasteners and a formable material, where the formable material has at least two opposing sides that are configured to receive one or more of the magnetic fasteners in each of the opposing sides. 
         [0004]    In one implementation, the magnetic fasteners are magnetic strips that can be continuous along one or more sides of the formable material. The magnetic strips can also be continuous along the entire perimeter of the formable material. 
         [0005]    In another implementation, the magnetic fasteners are individual magnets or magnetic disks that can have various shapes, for example, they can be spherically shaped. The magnetic fasteners can be distributed along the perimeter of the formable material, throughout the surface, or in the corners of the formable material. The magnetic fasteners can be distributed evenly, in a pattern, or randomly. The magnetic fasteners can also be distributed in a tessellation pattern. 
         [0006]    In various implementations of the invention, the formable material can be penetrable by light, partially penetrable by light or impenetrable to light. The formable material can be a solar screen. The formable material can also be permeable to air or impermeable to air. Further yet, the formable material can be permeable to water or impermeable to water. The formable material can also be fire resistant. The formable material can also be flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid or rigid. The formable material can also be reusable origami paper and can be formed into three-dimensional shapes. In yet further implementations, the formable material can be a textile, plastic or an insect screen. The formable material can also be nonflammable. The formable material can also include fiber optic lights or a photovoltaic solar cell circuit for an illuminated solar shade. 
         [0007]    In another implementation, the invention relates to a removable screen system with a plurality of magnetic fasteners, a formable material having one or a plurality of receptacles for receiving the magnetic fasteners, and an attachment surface external to the formable material that is magnetically compatible with the magnetic fasteners and where the formable material is movable along the attachment surface. 
         [0008]    In implementations, the receptacles can be pockets, folds, adhesives or other types of means for securing the plurality of magnetic fasteners. In some implementations, the attachment surface can be integral to a window, a wall, a ceiling, or another type of surface. The attachment surface can also be affixed to a window, wall, ceiling or other type of surface, for example by means of screws, snaps, tacks or adhesive. The attachment surface can also be removable. The attachment surface can include a magnetic material or a ferromagnetic material. 
         [0009]    In further implementations, the attachment surface can be a track or a strip of material, or any other shaped surface. The attachment surface can also be a ball bearing or roller bearing. The attachment surface can also be an electric magnetic track or a curtain rod with magnetic or ferromagnetic properties. 
         [0010]    In implementations, the formable material slides along the attachment surface. In other implementations, the formable material rolls along the attachment surface. 
         [0011]    In implementations, the formable material can be rectangular, circular, a polygon, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape. In further implementations, multiple pieces of the formable material can connect to form layers or larger panels. 
         [0012]    The invention can be used as a window shade, for example, to partially or completely block light, air, or insects. The invention can also be used as a room divider or a projection screen. 
         [0013]    One or more implementations of this invention have the following advantages: implementations of the invention do not use hanging cords or rods that can cause injury, especially to small children; the installation is fast, easy and simple without the need for additional tools or mechanisms; implementations of the invention are transformative and interactive; implementations of the invention minimize damage to walls by eliminating the need for drilling holes; implementations of the invention are easily removable; implementations of the invention are simple and inexpensive; implementations of the invention can provide a variety of functions including privacy, light control, airflow control, temperature control, decoration, interactive sculpture and innovative design; implementations of the invention can be used as a window shade, a room divider, a projection screen, an artistic display, or as part of an installation; implementations of the invention can include solar panels and can be used to reduce the carbon footprint of a building; implementations of the invention can also be used to illuminate a building. 
         [0014]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an implementation of a removable screen apparatus of this invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an implementation of a removable screen apparatus of this invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a three dimensional view of an implementation of a removable screen system of this invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of an implementation of a removable screen system of this invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of an implementation of a removable screen system of this invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3D  is a side view of an implementation of a removable screen system of this invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3E  is a side view of an implementation of a removable screen system of this invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a front view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a three dimensional view of a removable screen system embodying aspects of this invention. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , removable screen  10  includes a top edge  11 , a right edge  13 , a bottom edge  15  and a left edge  17 . Removable screen  10  also includes corners  29 ,  31 ,  33  and  35 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , removable screen  10  has a rectangular shape, but can have any other geometric shape, for example, a circle, a polygon, or other non-geometric shape. 
         [0031]    Removable screen  10  can include magnets  37   a,    37   b,    37   c,    37   d,    37   e,    37   f,    37   g,    37   h,    37   i,    37   j,    37   k  and  37   l.  Alternatively, removable screen  10  can include continuous magnetic strips along edges  11 ,  13 ,  15  and  17 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , removable screen  10  includes  12  magnets  37   a - l , but can include any number of magnets. As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , magnets  37   a - l  are distributed evenly along edges  11 ,  13 ,  15  and  17 , but they can be distributed in any way, for example, evenly, in a particular pattern, or randomly. 
         [0032]    Magnets  37   a - l  can be coupled to removable screen  10  by means of receptacle  27 , having a top outer edge  11 , a top inner edge  19 , a right outer edge  13 , a right inner edge  21 , a bottom outer edge  15 , a bottom inner edge  23 , a left outer edge  17  and a left inner edge  25 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , receptacle  27  can be a pocket or a fold that runs along edges  11 ,  13 ,  15  and  17  of removable screen  10 . Receptacle  27  can be made of the same material as removable screen  10  or can be made of another material. Receptacle  27  can be affixed to removable screen  10  or can be removable. Receptacle  27  can be a continuous pocket along the perimeter of removable screen  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    Removable screen  10  can also include a plurality of receptacles. Each of the magnets  37   a - l  can be coupled to removable screen  10  by means of an individual receptacle or groups of magnets can be coupled by means of the same receptacle. Receptacles can include pockets, fasteners, or any other mechanisms or means that can receive a magnet. Magnets  37   a - l  are secured in place and are not movable in the field of the formable material. 
         [0034]    Magnets  37   a - l  can be coupled to removable screen  10  such that they are not visible when viewed from a given perspective of the formable material. Receptacle  27  and any other receptacles can also be kept out of view. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , removable screen  110  is shown having a top edge  111 , a right edge  113 , a bottom edge  115  and a left edge  117 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , removable screen  110  has a rectangular shape, but can have any other shape, for example, a circle, a polygon, or other non-geometric shape. 
         [0036]    Removable screen  110  includes magnets  137   a,    137   b,    137   c,    137   d,    137   e,    137   f,    137   g,    137   h,    137   i,    137   j,    137   k  and  137   l  along edges  111 ,  113 ,  115  and  117  or individual points  137   a,    137   b,    137   c,    137   d,    137   e,    137   f,    137   g,    137   h,    137   i,    137   j,    137   k  and  137   l  on a continuous magnetic strip along edges  111 ,  113 ,  115  and  117 . In addition to magnets  137   a,    137   b,    137   c,    137   d,    137   e,    137   f,    137   g,    137   h,    137   i,    137   j,    137   k  and  137   l,  removable screen  110  can also include magnets throughout its surface, such as magnets  139   a,    139   b  and  139   c.    
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , removable screen  110  includes  15  magnets  137   a - l  and  139   a - c , but can include any number of magnets. As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , magnets  137   a - l  and  139   a -c are distributed evenly along edges  111 ,  113 ,  115  and  117  and throughout the surface of removable screen  110 , but they can be distributed in any way, for example, evenly, in a particular pattern, or randomly. 
         [0038]    Magnets  137   a - l  and  139   a - c  can be coupled to removable screen  110  by means of a receptacle or a plurality of receptacles. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , magnets  137   a - l  can be coupled to removable screen  110  by means of receptacle  127  having a top outer edge  111 , a top inner edge  119 , a right outer edge  113 , a right inner edge  121 , a bottom outer edge  115 , a bottom inner edge  123 , a left outer edge  117  and a left inner edge  125 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , receptacle  127  can be a pocket or a fold that runs along edges  111 ,  113 ,  115  and  117  of removable screen  110 . Receptacle  127  can be made of the same material as removable screen  110  or can be made of another material. Receptacle  127  can be affixed to removable screen  110  or can be removable. Receptacle  127  can be a continuous pocket along the perimeter of removable screen  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    Magnets  139   a - c  can be coupled to removable screen  110  by means of another receptacle (not shown in  FIG. 2 ), for example, a pocket or strip of material or other fastener means. 
         [0040]    Removable screen  110  can also include a plurality of receptacles. Each of the magnets  137   a - l  and  139   a - c  can be coupled to removable screen  110  by means of an individual receptacle or groups of magnets can be coupled by means of the same receptacle. Receptacles can include pockets, fasteners, or any other mechanisms or means that can receive a magnet. 
         [0041]    Magnets  137   a - l  and  139   a - c  can be coupled to removable screen  110  such that they are not visible from a given perspective of the formable material. Receptacle  127  and any other receptacles can also be kept out of view. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows a fold line between each pair of magnets  137   a - l  and  139   a - c , for example, fold line  141   a  between magnets  137   g  and  137   d,  and fold line  141   b  between magnets  137   g  and  139   c.  These fold lines will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0043]    A removable screen, such as removable screen  10  or removable screen  110 , can be magnetically coupled to a window or other frame by the magnetic attraction of the magnets within the removable screen to magnetically compatible elements such as corner bead. In the absence of corner bead or other property within a window or frame that would result in magnetic attraction of the magnets within the removable screen to the wall or screen, the removable screen can be magnetically coupled to a window or other frame by means of an attachment surface. Referring now to  FIG. 3A , attachment surface  60  is coupled to a window  50 . Attachment surface  60  is a continuous strip of material along window edges  51 ,  52 ,  53  and  54 . Attachment surface  60  is made of magnetic, ferromagnetic or other material that would result in magnetic attraction to the magnets within a removable screen. Attachment surface  60  can be permanently affixed to window  50 , for example by means of screws or permanent adhesive or can be attached by removable means, such as Velcro, pins, tacks or a removable adhesive. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , attachment surface is a continuous strip of material but can also include multiple strips of material or individual small pieces of material distributed where needed, for example, at corners  50   a,    50   b,    50   c  and  50   d  of window  50 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 3B , a side view of a removable screen system  800  is shown. Attachment surface  860  is coupled to frame  870  of window  850 . Removable screen  810  includes magnets  837   a - g , which are magnetically coupled to attachment surface  860 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 3C , a side view of a removable screen system  900  is shown. Attachment surface  960  is coupled to frame  970  of window  950 . Removable screen  910  includes a continuous magnetic strip  980 , which is magnetically coupled to attachment surface  960 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 3D , a side view of a removable screen system  1000  is shown. Frame  1070  of window  1050  includes corner bead (not shown in  FIG. 3D ), or other material embedded within window  1050  capable of magnetic attraction, therefore an attachment surface is not needed. Removable screen  1010  includes magnets  1037   a - 1037   g,  which are magnetically coupled to frame  1070 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 3E , a side view of a removable screen system  1100  is shown. Frame  1170  of window  1150  includes corner bead (not shown in  FIG. 3E ), or other material embedded within window  1150  or frame  1170  capable of magnetic attraction, therefore an attachment surface is not needed. Removable screen  1110  includes a continuous magnetic strip  1180 , which is magnetically coupled to frame  1170 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , the removable screen arrangement  200  is an example of a horizontal Roman shade arrangement of the removable screen  10  of  FIG. 1  or removable screen  110  of  FIG. 2 . Removable screen  210 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , has a rectangular shape and has a top edge  211 , a right edge  213 , a bottom edge  215  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) and a left edge  217 , is coupled to window  250 . Removable screen  210  includes a plurality of magnets (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), as discussed in  FIG. 1 . For aesthetic purposes, some or all of the magnets can be kept out of view. In particular, there is at least a magnet  237   a  at corner  229 , a magnet  237   e  at corner  231 , a magnet  237   g  at corner  233 , a magnet  237   k  at corner  235 , magnets  237   b  and  237   c  along right edge  213 , and magnets  237   i  and  237   j  along left edge  217 . 
         [0049]    Removable screen  210  is magnetically coupled to window  250 . Removable screen  210  can be magnetically coupled to window  250  by virtue of corner bead that is embedded within the frame of window  250 , which is commonly found in many households. Alternatively, removable screen  210  can be magnetically coupled to window  250  by means of an attachment surface  260  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), as discussed above. 
         [0050]    Arrangement  200  is achieved by first magnetically coupling removable screen  210  to window  250  such that right edge  213  of removable screen  210  is parallel to the right edge of window  250 , that left edge  217  of removable screen  210  is parallel to the left edge of window  250 , and that removable screen  210  lays flat on top of window  250 , as shown in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . Magnets  237   b  and  237   j  slide up along the left and right edges of window  250  to create fold  251  in removable screen  210  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Similarly, magnets  237   c  and  237   i  slide up along the left and right edges of window  250  to create fold  253 , and magnets  237   e  and  237   g  slide up along the edges of window  250  to create fold  255 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 4B , the removable screen arrangement  300  is an example of a vertical Roman shade arrangement of the removable screen  10  of  FIG. 1  or removable screen  110  of  FIG. 2 , and is achieved similarly to arrangement  200  of  FIG. 4A , that is, by sliding pairs of magnets  337   b  with  337   j,    337   c  with  337   i,    337   d  with  337   h,  and  337   e  with  337   g,  along the edges of window  350 , to create folds  351 ,  353 ,  355  and  357 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , removable screen arrangement  400  is an example of another arrangement of removable screen  10  of  FIG. 1  or removable screen  110  of  FIG. 2 . Arrangement  400  is achieved by first magnetically coupling removable screen  410  to window  450 , but unlike arrangements  200  and  300  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , arrangement  400  is achieved by lifting pairs of magnets  437   c  with  437   i,  and  437   d  with  437   h  and placing them along the edges of window  450  to create fold  451 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , removable screen arrangement  500  is an example of a side roll arrangement of removable screen  10  of  FIG. 1  or removable screen  110  of  FIG. 2 . Arrangement  500  is achieved by starting with removable screen  510  flat on top of and magnetically coupled to window  550 . Instead of sliding magnets, magnets are lifted and joined with other magnets to create rolls or folds. For example, referring to  FIG. 6 , magnet  537   a,  which is coupled to the upper right corner  529  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) of removable screen  510  and to the upper right corner  550   a  of window  550 , is lifted. Simultaneously, magnet  537   e  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ), coupled to the lower right corner  531  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) of removable screen  510 , is lifted. Removable screen  510  is then rolled in the left direction toward left edge  517  of removable screen  510 . Magnet  537   a  is joined with magnet  537   k  at the upper left corner  535  of removable screen  510  and at the upper left corner  550   b  of window  550 . Magnet  537   e  is joined with magnet  537   g  at the bottom left corner  533  of removable screen  510  and at the bottom left corner  550   d  of window  550 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , removable screen arrangement  600  is an example of a draped arrangement of removable screen  10  of  FIG. 1  or removable screen  110  of  FIG. 2 . Similarly to arrangement  500  of  FIG. 6 , arrangement  600  is achieved by lifting particular magnets and displacing them to make contact with other magnets, thus creating folds and rolls, and forming a desired shape, such as the shape shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , removable screen arrangement  700  is an example of a shaped arrangement of removable screen  110  of  FIG. 2 . Similarly to arrangement  600  of  FIG. 7 , arrangement  700  is achieved by lifting particular magnets and displacing them to make contact with other magnets, thus creating folds and rolls, and forming a desired shape, such as the shape shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , removable screen arrangement  1200  is an example of a classic curtain arrangement of removable screen  10  of  FIG. 1 . Arrangement  1200  includes two removable screens  1210 A and  1210 B. Removable screen  1210 A includes a top edge  1211 A, a right edge  1213 A, a bottom edge  1215 A and a left edge  1217 A. Removable screen  1210 B includes a top edge  1211 B, a right edge  1213 B, a bottom edge  1215 B and a left edge  1217 B. Removable screen  1210 A includes a plurality of magnets, including but not limited to magnets  1237 Aa,  1237 Ae,  1237 Ag and  1237 Ak. Removable screen  1210 B includes a plurality of magnets, including but not limited to magnets  1237 Ba,  1237 Be,  1237 Bg and  1237 Bk. Removable screens  1210 A and  1210 B are magnetically coupled to window  1250  along left edge  1217 A and top edge  1211 A of removable screen  1210 A and right edge  1213 B and top edge  1211 B of removable screen  1210 B. Removable screens  1210 A and  1210 B can also be magnetically coupled to window  1250  along bottom edges  1215 A and  1215 B. Removable screens  1210 A and  1210 B can be opened and closed by sliding magnets  1237 Aa and  1237 Bk left and right along window  1250 , or by sliding the pair of magnets  1237 Aa and  1237 Ae and the pair of magnets  1237 Bk and  1237 Ba left and right along window  1250 . 
         [0057]    Various additional implementations of this invention are described and shown in the Appendix. Other embodiments are included within the scope of the claims.

Technology Category: 5