Patent Document

[0001]     This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/409,844 filed on Apr. 24, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present rollable screen door and mounting system generally relates to the field of screen doors used on private dwellings. More specifically, this device deals with a rollable screen door covering and mounting system for almost any residential entry or patio door, including sliding doors, and for motor homes.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Traditional metal screen doors have several undesirable characteristics that previously have not been dealt with. With the screens stretched very tightly, small or large tears in the screen portion happen frequently and present an unsightly appearance and making the screen doors ineffective. The screens are generally not replaced until their appearance is extremely unsightly. If the metal screen door does not have an automatic door closing mechanism attached to it, the person closing the door must be sure that the door is latched properly. If it is left partially open, it will invite flies and other insects to enter. On metal screen doors having an automatic closing mechanism, the familiar sound of the screen door slamming shut is another annoying and undesirable characteristic.  
         [0004]     There is a vast market for screen doors that needs to be filled. Less than 10 percent of the residential (entry or patio) door sales within the last six years are fitted with a screen door. Besides the doors sold with a screen door, there is the market of millions of installed doors that are suitable for retrofit or in need of a new screen door.  
         [0005]     Approximately 90 percent of residential doors installed in apartment buildings are without screen doors. Most apartment and condominium buildings do not welcome screen doors because they are unsightly and detract from the appearance of the complex. Even in the rare situations where screen doors are allowed, the tenants do not want to spend their money on a permanent installation of a fixture that they are required to leave behind when they vacate their unit.  
         [0006]     Therefore there exists a need for a new type of easily removable or rollable (roll up and roll down) screen door and mounting system that is convenient, functional, durable and inexpensive.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The primary advantage of the present invention is to provide a rollable screen door and mounting system which is convenient, functional, durable and inexpensive.  
         [0008]     Another advantage is to provide a novel rollable screen door and mounting system that is portable, lightweight, and easy to carry, and move from one doorway to another.  
         [0009]     Another advantage is to provide a novel rollable screen door and mounting system that is easy to install and remove, and readily rolls up and down as needed.  
         [0010]     Another advantage is to provide a novel rollable screen door and mounting system that is easy to maintain by using a moistened soft cloth with a mild soap solution in order to clean it.  
         [0011]     Another advantage is to supply a rollable screen door and mounting system that is flexible and not easily torn, or damaged.  
         [0012]     Another advantage is to supply a rollable screen door and mounting system that can be rolled up from either the top or the bottom to additionally shorten its length.  
         [0013]     Still another advantage of this invention is to provide a novel rollable screen door and mounting system that is readily width adjustable for differing doorway widths, and which has a mechanism for keeping the screen pressed into place against the door opening, to keep insects from getting in.  
         [0014]     Yet, another advantage is to provide a novel rollable screen door and mounting system having a pleasing appearance and one that is durable and will last through many years of use.  
         [0015]     It is another advantage to provide a rollable screen door and mounting system that has excellent outward visibility and daytime privacy.  
         [0016]     Another advantage is to provide a rollable screen door and mounting system that lets in fresh air, better light and provides additional comfort for people who work in their house, apartment, motor home or condominium.  
         [0017]     The rollable screen door and mounting system has as its primary structure an upright oriented fabric body having at least one mesh screen portion positioned inwardly from its respective edges. The respective mesh screen portions would normally encompass between 5-95 percent of the surface area of the fabric body. The preferred material for the mesh screen portion would be a fiberglass cloth. The fabric body and screen portion could also be made of a water repellant polyester material. Additionally, both the screen portion and the fabric body could also be made of a vinyl material, as well as a nylon material, or any other fiberglass-like material. The primary advantage of this invention is a novel removable or permanent fabric and screen door covering for millions of residents of homes, apartments, condominiums and motor homes, and other types of private dwellings that do not have the convenience of a screen door.  
         [0018]     The top end of the fabric body on the preferred embodiment is folded back and horizontally stitched to form one or more sleeves to provide for varying heights of doors. An adjustable length tension rod is inserted through one of the sleeves. The sleeve chosen would be determined by the height of the doorway opening. Another method for adjusting the height of the fabric body is to rollup a portion of the bottom end or top end of the fabric body to provide a custom fit.  
         [0019]     The respective areas on the preferred and alternate embodiments surrounding the mesh screen portion of the rollable screen door and mounting system form a top edge border panel, a left edge border panel, a right border panel, and an optional intermediate connecting panel and a bottom edge border panel. The edges of the respective border panels may be folded over and stitched to form a double thickness strip along the respective left side edge, right side edge and bottom edge. The rear surface of the respective left and right side edges have a single long strip or multiple strips of hook and loop fastener material secured thereto that would mate with matching strips of the same material attached along the inner surface of the doorway opening. These allow the left and right side edges of the screen door to snugly contact the inner surface of the doorway opening.  
         [0020]     On both the preferred and the alternate embodiments of the rollable screen door and mounting system, a rear surface of the left edge border panel and right edge border panel have optional vertically spaced horizontal strips that each contain a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of male and female snap members. The snaps allow the width of the screen door to be adjusted to the width of the doorway opening.  
         [0021]     The preferred embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system has been designed to be quickly and easily installed in a variety of doorway openings. First the adjustable length tension rod assembly is adjusted to a length just slightly less than the width of the doorway opening. Then it is inserted through one of the sleeves adjacent the top end of the upright oriented fabric body. The adjustable length rod assembly with the fabric body installed thereon is positioned within the doorway opening adjacent its top end. Now the adjustable length tension rod assembly is lengthened so that its opposite ends are tightened against the respective left and right side walls of the doorway opening. The hook fastening material or loop fastening material is attached to the respective left and right side walls of the doorway opening at positions that align with the hook or loop fastening material that is located along the left and right edges of the fabric body. With the upright oriented fabric body properly sealed adjacent the top and bottom of the doorway opening, the respective left and right side edges of the fabric body would be sealed against the respective left and right side walls of the doorway opening by the means of pressing the respective hook and loop fastening material together.  
         [0022]     The alternate embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system will have a roll up mechanism whereby the screen door can be rolled on a roller tube, similar to a conventional window shade. The alternate embodiment of the fabric and screen door covering will be permanently affixed to the area above the door opening by the means of end brackets screwed into the wall surface. A variety of end brackets are available, the first set having the end brackets with a roller tube, enclosed by the means of a wire framework to be covered with decorative fabric. A second end bracket and roller tube set would have a front flange as a means to attach a decorative front panel with a tension rod at the lower rear to keep the fabric and screen door covering against the wall surface. A third end bracket and roller tube set will have two tension rods with the one in the front to hang a valance or a front panel with fabric loops at the top and the one in the rear to keep the fabric and screen door covering against the wall surface. A fourth end bracket and roller tube set would be mounted to a surface mounting plate with valance brackets for the forward tension rod and small rear brackets for the rear tension rod.  
         [0023]     The above description, together with the objects of the invention and the various features of novelty that characterize the rollable screen door and mounting system and are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the rollable screen door and mounting system, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred and alternate embodiments of the application. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the novel rollable screen door and mounting system, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the novel rollable screen door and mounting system, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  depicts a top plan view of a doorway opening showing the manner in which an adjustable length rod assembly is used to hang the screen door, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a partial rear perspective view showing the rollable screen door and mounting system supported on the adjustable length rod assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation of the doorway opening showing a U-shaped support member for preventing ends of the tension rod assembly from slipping downwardly in the doorway opening, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the carrying container for the fabric and screen door covering, showing the rolled-up screen door and rod member stored therein, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of an additional support mechanism for the tension rod, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system with the end brackets and roller tube enclosed within a wire frame, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system and wire framework, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  depicts a rear view of the alternate embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system with the extended material at the top to attach to the roller tube with the optional dog door, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  depicts a detail of the split in the sides of the fabric and screen door covering, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  depicts a detail of the lower corners of the fabric and screen door covering with an orifice and grab rope, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  depicts a front view of the alternate embodiment of the fabric and screen door covering with the optional dog door, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 14  depicts a side view detail of the roller tube attached to the alternate embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  depicts a perspective view of the second style of end bracket with a front flange using a single tension rod at the lower back, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 16  depicts a perspective view of the third style of end bracket using two tension rods, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 17  depicts a rear view of the fabric covered front panel with clips that attach to the second style of end bracket with a front flange, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 18  depicts a side view of the fabric covered front panel with clips, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 19  depicts a rear view of the front panel with fabric loops at the top edge, in the fabric that attaches to the front tension rod on third style of end bracket, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 20  depicts a side view of the front panel with fabric loops at the top edge, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0045]      FIG. 21  depicts an exploded perspective view of the fourth style of end brackets including; end brackets, roller tube, surface mounting plates with valance brackets and small rear brackets, constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0046]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals,  FIG. 1  shows a front view of the novel fabric and screen door covering  10  with a fabric body  12  that incorporates an upper mesh screen portion  14  and a lower screen portion  16  in its central area. Fabric body  12  has a height H 1  and a width W 1 . H 1  is in the range of 50-90 inches. W 1  is in the range of 20-60 inches. Fabric body  12  has a top edge  20  a left edge  21 , a right edge  22  and a bottom edge  23 . Upper mesh screen portion  14  has a height H 2  and a width W 2 . Lower mesh screen portion  16  has a height H 3  and a width W 2 . Surrounding the respective mesh screen portions are left edge border panel  30 , right edge border panel  32 , bottom edge border panel  34 , optional intermediate connecting panel  35  and top edge border panel  36 . Three or more strips of hook-loop fastening material  52  will be attached to the bottom edge border panel  34  as a means to roll up the fabric and screen door covering  10  from the bottom.  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIG. 2  being a rear view fabric and screen door covering  10 , there are a plurality of horizontal strips  40  that are vertically spaced from each other along the height of the fabric body  12 . The outer surface of strip members  40  have a plurality of male snaps  42  and female snaps  44  that when attached allow the width of the fabric body or screen door to be adjusted for the width of the doorway opening. Fabric body  12  has a vertically extending centerline V-axis.  
         [0048]     The double thickness folded-over strips  50  have hook-loop fastening material  52  secured to their outer surface. There can be one or more fastening strips  52  along each side of the fabric and screen door covering and one or more fastening strips  52  along the bottom of edge border panel  34 . This fastening material has two portions, one as being identified as the hook portion and the other being identified as the loop portion. Either one of the portions can be secured to the double thickness folded over strip  50  with the other portion secured at its proper height position on the inside surface of the doorway opening.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a top plan view of doorway opening  80  formed by doorframe members  82  and  84 . A door  86  is mounted on hinges  88 . Molding strips  89  present an abutment surface for door  86  when it is in the closed position. Adjustable length tension rod assembly  70  has a rod member  71  having a rubber cap  72  on its one end. Rod member  71  engages threads within tube member  74  to increase or decrease the length of the adjustable length tension rod assembly  70 . A rubber cap  75  is mounted on the distal end of the tube  74 .  
         [0050]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the upper screen mesh portion  14  of fabric body  12  has been folded back upon itself and has horizontal stitching  60  and  62  that forms an upper sleeve  64  and a lower sleeve  66 . Depending upon the height of the doorway opening, the adjustable rod assembly  70  may be inserted in either of the sleeves. Additional sleeves could be designed into the top edge border panel  36  allowing for added length adjustments. The right edge border panel  32  is seen as the horizontal strips with snaps  40  is adjusted by inserting male snaps  42  into female snaps  44 . The double thickness folded over strips  50  support hook loop fastening material  52 .  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a rubber cap  72  on the end of rod member  71  in engagement with doorway opening  80 . A U-shaped hook-loop support member  81  with a sticky rear surface is applied to the inner surface of doorway opening  80 . It provides a resistance stop for rubber cap  72  that impedes its tendency to slide down the inner wall surface of doorway opening  80 . A molding strip  89  is illustrated as it will provide an abutment surface for door.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the rolled or folded up fabric body  12  is shown stored in the carrying container  92  in which the fabric and screen door covering has been marketed. The rod assembly  70  is also shown in the breakaway portion of the figure. Carrying container  92  has a cover  94  attached to a zipper  96  that allows access to the interior of the carrying bag.  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 7  depicting a perspective view of an additional support mechanism for the tension rod assembly  70  using a cushioned pad  78  with a hook-loop attachment means  79  for connecting to the hook loop supporting member  81  adjacent to the doorway opening  80 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the rollable screen door and mounting system  110  with right end bracket  112 , a left end bracket  114  and roller tube  116  enclosed within a wire frame  118 . The left end bracket  114  will be freewheeling while the right end bracket will be keyed to the roller tube  116  and the up or downward movement controlled by the means of a pull chain  120 . Roller tube axle shaft  136  rotatably fits into aperture  138  and is thereby held in place on the right end bracket  112  on mounting system  110 . A second aperture (not shown) is similarly located on the left end bracket  114  of the rollable screen door and mounting system  110 . This mounting system may be installed internally on the inside door frame, or externally on the outside door frame.  
         [0055]      FIG. 9  depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment of the fabric and screen door covering and mounting system  110  and wire frame  118  attached to the wall surface  122  adjacent to the doorway opening  80 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 10  depicts a front view of the alternate embodiment of the fabric and screen door covering  110  with the extended material on the top fabric  124  lengthened to attach to the roller tube  116  and the optional dog door opening  126 . The fabric split  130  may be seen in greater detail in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 11  is a detail of the fabric split  130  in the side double thickness folded strip  50  with hook-loop fastening material  52  located on both sides of the fabric. The fabric splits  130  allow the fabric to conform to the contours of the doorframe members  84  when attaching the hook-loop fastening material  52 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 12  is a detail of the double thickness folded over strips  50  located at the lower corner of the fabric and screen door covering  110  with a fabric orifice  132  and grab rope  134  located on one or both sides of the fabric body bottom edge  23 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 13  depicts a rear view of the alternate embodiment of the fabric and screen door covering  110  with the extended material on the top fabric  124  lengthened to attach to the roller tube  116  and the optional dog door opening  126   
         [0060]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the roller tube  116  attached to the alternate embodiment of the fabric and screen door covering  110  by the means of the T-slot  132 . The wire frame  118  is also seen in this view.  
         [0061]     Referring now to  FIG. 15  depicting a perspective view of the second style of end bracket  140  with a front flange  142  and support member  144  for a single tension rod assembly  70  at the lower back is adjacent to the mounting flange  146 . The right and left brackets  140  will be symmetrical about the centerline of the device. A roller tube axle shaft (not shown) rotatably fits into aperture  148  and is thereby held in place on this second style of mounting brackets  140  on the mounting system. A second aperture (not shown) is similarly located on opposite end mounting bracket of the system.  
         [0062]      FIG. 16  depicts a perspective view of the third style of end bracket  150  using two tension rods having a front support member  152  along with the lower rear support member  144  adjacent to the mounting flange  146 . Likewise, a roller tube axle shaft (not shown) rotatably fits into aperture  154  and is thereby held in place on this third style of mounting brackets  150  on the mounting system. A second aperture (not shown) is similarly located on opposite end mounting bracket of the system.  
         [0063]      FIG. 17  depicts a rear view of the fabric covered front panel  156  with panel clips  158  that attaches to the second style of end brackets  140 . Decorative fabric  160  will cover the complete front panel  156  except where the panel clips  158  are located.  
         [0064]      FIG. 18  depicts a side view of the fabric covered front panel  156  with panel clip  158  and decorative fabric  160 .  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 19  that depicts a rear view of the front panel  156  with three or more fabric loops  162  at the top edge  164 , of the fabric  160 .  
         [0066]     Turning now to  FIG. 20 , the fabric loop  162  attach to the front tension rod assembly  70  on third style of end bracket  150 .  FIG. 20  depicts a side view of the front panel  156  with front panel fabric loop  162  at the top edge  164  with the tension rod assembly  70  inserted with fabric  160  in place.  
         [0067]      FIG. 21  depicts an exploded perspective view of the fourth style of end plates with end brackets  166 , roller tube  116 , surface mounting plates  168  with valance brackets  170  and small rear brackets  172 . Pull chain  174  is used to actuate the rollable screen door up and down. Additionally, electronic components (not shown) may be involved to electrically power the screen portion up and down. These electronic components may be controlled remotely, using a remote control device. Additionally, for externally mounted systems, a sensor and alarm may be included to deter to prevent theft of the unit.  
         [0068]     Finally, it should be understood that all of the foregoing applications for the rollable screen door and mounting system are applicable for window coverings. That is instead of doorways, windows may be screened using the present invention in much the same way that it is used to screen doorways.  
         [0069]     The fabric and screen door covering  10  and  110  shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present design. It is to be understood however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a fabric and screen door covering  10  and  110  in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.  
         [0070]     Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Technology Category: 0