US2502665A - Frameless window screen - Google Patents

Description

April] 4, 11950 P. ODRAGO FRAMELESS WINDOW SCREEN 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filea Aug. 21, 1945 l 7 C Pa trick 0 g INVENTOR.

April 4, 1950 P. ODRAGO 2,502,665

FRAMELESS WINDOW SCREEN File Aug. 21, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. Patrick ODrago Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,502,665 FRAMELESS WINDOW SCREEN Patrick ODrago, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 21, 1945, Serial No. 611,838

3 Claims. 1

This invention has to do with window screens; and it is particularly concerned with apparatus for removably mounting insect screens without frames over openings in buildings.

Heretofore it has been the practice to provide a' window screen frame, usually of wood, and sometimes of metal. To such frame the hardware cloth or wire screen was so firmly attached that it could not be removed from the frame without destroying or damaging the screen itself. Such construction frequently resulted in screen installations which did not fit the openings; and insects could find their way around the ill-fitting frames.

It often came about that there were slight differences in the widths of the window opening at the top and bottom; and a frame which fitted at the top often left a crack near the bottom, or vice versa. Sometimes the opening was of greater vertical height at one side than the other. This also resulted in a poor fit.

When wooden framed screens are used, to which the screen wire is tacked, and the tack heads covered by thin wooden strips, the screens to be installed are often sent upon the job in a size larger than the measured window opening. Such practice has usually required a great amount of manual labor in using saw and plane. Such labor of hand fitting was necessary to make the screen fit the opening. However, after the frame was trimmed it was frequently found that the lines of the window opening, and of the nearby wooden strip covering the tack heads, were not parallel. This was so because of the varying depth to which the plane cut away the frame to fit the opening. Such installation destroyed and rendered impossible the clean and straight architectural lines which make for beauty and good appearance in a building.

Where the screen cloth was affixed to a metal frame no adjustment was possible, as the frame could not be cut down and fitted on the job. Therefore, the metal frames usually left cracks and openings through which flies, mosquitoes and other insects could easily enter. It is a simple fact that finished window openings are not always exactly rectangular.

A common practice in the past has been the employment of springs to hold the screen frame in the window opening. Usually a pair of short coil springs was employed at the top of the screen; and these were stretched slightly and attached to books in the woodwork of the window. Eventually these springs rusted and became so weak and loose that the screen frame fell outward from the Window, leaving space for insects to enter; or

' to standard specifications.

it dropped down from the top, with the same re-i sult. Notwithstanding the widespread use of springs to hold the screen frame in place the practice has been very unsatisfactory.

they get loose and rattle. This invention is designed to preventall of the aforementioned objectionable occurrences in old style window screening. 1

My invention presents a frameless and adjustable window screen which can be very quickly made to exactly fit any opening for which it is designed. It may be made to instantly accommodate itself to irregularities in the opening which is being screened. It is most effective for efficient screening.

My invention uses no wood or other material which can rot, warp, decay or Weaken; and it employs no springs. It is made of rustless materials; and it eliminates the conventional screen frame entirely.

It is cheap to manufacture, lightweight and very inexpensive to ship. In cartage and transportation it occupies a comparatively small space. In fact, the entire screen assembly can be rolled up in a very compact roll, protected by paper or other cover, and. easily transported. The entire lot of screens for an average size home make up but a small bundle. This greatly reduces the cost of freight and trucking and labor in handling. My screens are completely made up in the factory,

They require no altering on the job. They fit as made.

My screen, is easily installed in the window opening from inside the house; and no ladder is required to put it in place, regardless of the height of the building. This saves labor and time and prevents accidents.

After it is installed my screen can be quickly opened from inside the house, for tending flower boxes, shaking out dust mops, hanging out clothes, or for any other purpose; and the screen can be as quickly closed. Also, adjustment in the tension of the screen wire itself can be instantly made at any time, to take out kinks and sags, and to maintain the screen in perfect vertical plane.

From the foregoing statement and the following description it will be seen that among the objects of my invention are the following:

(a) A removab1e,frameless screen in which there is no wood, no warping, no rot, and no painting'it being rust-proof and having a long life. I

(b) A screen light in weight, compact in shipping, effecting savings in transportation and. labor, including the labor of fitting.

Quick and inexpensive installation without the use of ladders or scaffolds, the installation being made from within the building.

(d) Quick opening, closing and adjustment of screens.

(e) Screen covering entire length of window, permitting both top and bottom sash to operate; not a half screen.

(1) Only two standard fixtures required to install window screens of any length or width; fixtures reusable because of long life; and hardware cloth replaceable in old fixtures.

(9) Screen installation which eliminates springs entirely, prevents sagging, and allows instant correction of kinks and irregularities by a simple adjustment.

(h) Screens which may be stored in a very compact space when taken down for the winter or during housecleaning or house painting.

(2) Other objects which are apparent from a study of the drawings and a reading of the specification and claims, it being understood that certain changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures.

In the drawings:

Fig. I shows a partially sectionalized view, in perspective, of a typical screen installation.

Fig. II is a cross sectioned view in elevation of the installation in Fig. I.

Fig. III shows elevation of the upper and lower ends of the screen assembly when seen from outside the house, with the lower end partially cut away.

Fig. IV discloses the assembly indicated in Fig. III, when seen from within the house.

Fig. V is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, partially sectionalized, as seen from within the house.

Fig. VI presents views of parts of the lower section of the screen assembly shown in Fig. V.

Fig. VII is an outside view of the bottom of the assembly shown in Fig. V.

Fig. VIII is an inside view of the structure disclosed in Fig. VII.

In the drawings the various parts of the device are indicated by numerals; and numeral I indicates a window sill, under which is the usual apron 2; and 3 is the window casing; and 4 is the to present a substantially rectangular aperture with a top or headpiece 5, two side pieces or jambs 6, and a bottom closure for the opening, usually the sill I. The stop member 4, against which the screen assembly comes to rest snugly, is found in all ordinary window construction.

The screen cloth I may be the usual woven copper wire mesh, or galvanized or black wire cloth. Or it may be made of perforated and flexible plastic material. Any commercial screen cloth can be used. This screening material may be had in any width desired, and it is provided with finished or selvaged edges which require no binding or other finishing. I do not tack or fasten these edges to any framework. My invention makes such practice unnecessary.

The screen cloth is cut to suitable length to fill. the window opening; and the upper end of the cloth is carried by top fixture A. This fixture includes a channel like member l2, having a projecting face 8, removably secured to the top of the window opening through the use of a pair of screws 9. Each screw has a slotted head which will pass through a hole in the channel. The angle slide I0 also has a hole sufiiciently large to allow the passage of the screw head, and this hole is extended into a slot smaller than the screw head and just suificient to accommodate the body of the screw.

When the fixture A is placed in the top of the window opening the screws 9, which have been previously sunk to the proper depth in the framework of the window, are allowed to pass through the channel, and then the member I0 is passed over the screw head and made to slide along the channel I2 until the slot is under the head and the entire fixture A is firmly attached to the woodwork. Thus it will be seen that this fixture can be quickly installed and as quickly removed.

The member II of the fixture A has an upper projection Ila, which comes to rest against the stop in the framework of the window; and it has a lower return I3 in which the upper end of the screen cloth is fastened by crimping.

The lower end of the screen cloth is carried by bar I4, which has an upper return face I5 behind which the lower end of the screen cloth may be fastened by crimping. A slightly upturned tongue I6 finishes the lower edge of this bar.

Band II completely encases bar I4 by presenting an outer wall Ila which is returned in the form of inner wall Ill); and the space between these walls is slightly more than the total thickness of member I4, so that the latter may be moved within the band.

The inner wall Ilb is extended, in substantially horizontal direction, by being formed into angle Ilc, the edge of which is upturned slightly, as at Hot, to form a shallow channel.

This construction allows the member I! to be held firmly against the window sill through the use of screw I8, which is permanently fastened in the sill. This screw is exactly like screw 9, and serves the same purpose. Slide member I9 is an angle shaped member, having a vertically upturned tab I9a, for holding it while it is made to slide; and it is provided with a horizontal leg ISb. There is the same hole and slot arrangement in the leg as is indicated above in connection with member ID. The entire lower fixture B can be kept in removable engagement with the window sill through the use of this slide fastener.

The member I4 is slidably disposed within the band II, in a vertical position, so that it may move up and down therein. Its movement is limited by the length of the vertical slot 20 which is made through the wall III) of member I1. Through this slot is arranged means attached to member I4 for moving it. Any suitable means may be used for this purpose; and a simple handle or rod is indicated as at 2 I.

Within the band I1, and on the inner face of wall I'Ib thereof, there is provided suitable catch means, such as the teeth indicated at 22 for engaging the slightly upturned and projecting tongue I6 of member I4.

Therefore, when a person stands within the room he may press downwardly with slight force on handle 2I, draw the handle inwardly and release it, with the result that the screen I will be made taut, even, and smoothly vertical. When this is done the inner face of the screen I tightly impinges the wall member III) in such manner that it is impossible for an insect to pass between these parts.

The screen may be released by reversing the operation just indicated. One simply presses downwardly and outwardly on the member 2|, relieving and releasing the tension in the screen fabric 1.

Without even releasing the screen fabric, as above indicated, the screen may be opened quickly by sliding the fastening member is so that it no longer engages the head of screw It. The tension in the screen fabric itself will cause a slight but instant elevation of the bar [4. The entire assembly B, including this bar, is attached to the lower end of the screen fabric; and since the fabric is quite flexible the screen may be pushed outwardly, as when cleaning, dusting or washing windows. The assembly B can not get loose from the screen fabric.

If it be desired to take the screen entirely out of the window opening, then only one more step need be taken, and it can be taken almost instantly. The fasteners iii are simply made to slide out of engagement with the heads of the screws 9. Then the fixture A drops loose from the top of the window frame. All of this may be done from within the room, and without the dangerous use of ladders outside the house.

The removed screen, including fixtures A and B, can be taken through the window opening into the room, to be cleaned or put away, or for any other purpose.

It will be noted that the total width of the screen fabric l is substantially that of the full window opening, and that it is substantially more than the distance between the opposed faces of the vertical stop members 4 which are fastened securely to the sides of the window frames. This arrangement allows the screen fabric l to be brought into close and tight engagement with the outer face of the stop without any cracks or openings being left for insects to pass through.

The cooperative relation between the stop and the screen fabric itself, controlled by operation of handle 2 i, allows a slight lateral adjustment in the screen fabric so that it may be made to fit and engage more closely both the stop and the window frame.

If it be desired to renew the screen fabric 1, or to replace it when damaged or broken, the entire screen assembly is simply removed from the window opening, and the returns i3 and I5 are opened up so that the fabric is released. New fabric can then be installed, as was originally done and these return members are then pressed or crimped back to tightly engage the upper" and lower edges respectively of the new screen fabric. In this way fixtures A and B can be used over and over again, so that they may last the life of the building, just as any other good hardware does.

It is to be noted that when fixture B is tightly attached to the window sill there is no possibility of insects coming up from below the fixture to pass through slot 20, because the lower edge of member Ila tightly impinges the face of the sill. Therefore this slot is closed against insects at all times when the screen is kept tight by the cooperation of members 16 and 22.

It must be understood that the devices iii and I9 have been indicated as simple and convenient means for removably attaching fixtures A and B to the top and bottom framework, respectively, of the window opening. However any other suitable m'eans of providing removable attachment of these fixtures may be used.

Likewise any suitable means may be used for developing tension in the screen fabric 1 and holding it tight and close against stop member I and against the fixed part of a suitable bottom fixture attached to the window sill.

A modified form of such lower attachment means and of means to maintain the screen in tension is shown in Figs. V, VI, VII, and VIII.

Fig. V discloses an installation of this modification. In it the top fixture A is identical with the top fixture A shown in Fig. I. The difference in the modified form is found at the bottom of the screen. Bar 38 is made out of a piece of material having a length almost exactly equal to the maximum width of the window opening. This material is formed to present a return 30a at the top. This return finishes the edge of the material smoothly and furnishes means for crimping behind it the lower edge of the wire cloth I, so that the latter is firmly engaged and held. Return 3% is made to present a smooth and finished edge at the bottom of member 30, so that it also is pleasing to the eye. This construction adds strength and weight to the completed bar, which gravity helps to hold against the window sill.

Vertically disposed in the window opening in a position anterior to the inside face of bar 30, is extensor strip 3!. Attachment between these two parts may be made in any convenient fashion. In Figs. V and VI such attachment is shown by the cooperation of fixed rivet 32, ex tending from the inner face of member 30b. The body of this rivet passes through slot 33 in strip 35 and it is so placed and constructed that the head of the rivet will not pass through the slot. This arrangement allows member 3| to be loosely hung to member 39, in such fashion that a slight vertical movement is possible between these members without leaving passage space for insects. There is an easy frictional contact between the opposed faces of these members.

Strip BI is made of a single vertical piece of material which is so fashioned that each end thereof is made into a short channel 34, through which slide 35 is arranged to operate. This slide a is provided with a tab 36 which is turned outwardly from the vertical plane of strip 3|; and there is a slight bulge 3? on the exposed face of member 35 to provide Within the inner face of the slide a concavity to cover the head of rivet '32, so that the latter will offer no obstruction to the movement of the slide. This arrangement permits the slide to completely cover slot 33 at all times and prevents the passage of insects.

It is to be noted that strip BI is made shorter than bar 36. The strip is made of a length slightly less than the distance between the opposed faces of the stops 4, so that there will be no impingement or friction between" the channeled ends of the strip and the said faces of the stops. This allows quick and easy installation of the screen, with suitable accommodation of the strip between the stops, regardless of irregularities or variations in the thickness or width of the latter.

Means to extend strip 3| at each end is provided by inserting slide 35 within channel 34 in such manner that there is close and tight frictional engagement between these members, so that the slide may be moved against the face of the stop and remain in close contact therewith. Thus the slot 33 is fully covered at all times; and the bottom screen fixture C is prevented from rattling or moving laterally within the window opening.

Means is furnished to hold down tight and fast the member 30 and to place tension Jupon wire cloth 1; and any suitable means may be employed for this purpose. One such means is the turnbuckle 38 which is attached to hook 39, the latter being firmly fixed in member 301). The free end of the turnbuckle is fastened into a hook 38a which engages eye 30 carried by the Window sill.

Through the employment of any fastening means capable of achieving the objects indicated, the screen is made tight and secure, so that it may not be forced outwardly nor deflected in any manner. Also the face of the screen cloth behind the stop is kept in tight engagement therewith; and the innner surfaces of member 38, at their ends, are held hard against the stop. Such means will also keep members 35 and 3| in close engagement.

It is to be noted that through the use of the rivet 32 cooperating with slot 33 the strip 3| may be made to so extend the bottom of the screen that it will rest firmly against the window sill, regardless of the usual variations in the height of the window opening which the screen is designed to cover. Once the screen is installed and made tight, through the use of the turnbuckle, or other suitable fastening device, the member 3| is prevented from moving or rattling. The weight of this member also will cause it to rest upon the window sill, even when tension within the screen wire is released. Complete closure is assured.

When the modified installation is made to employ fixture C, as shown in Fig. V, then the head or topmost fixture A is used, exactly as it is used in the standard or preferred form of installation disclosed in Figs. I and II. However, any removable fixture may be used as long as it effects closure and properly suspends the screen cloth.

Having thus disclosed my invention it will be seen that I have presented apparatus for removably mounting a window screen to cover an opening in a building without there being any necessit whatever for the conventional and rigid screen frames, which are so often ill-fitting, and which, in the past, have been found to unnecessarily increase the cost of labor and materials in the manufacture and installation of window screens.

Through my device I have materially reduced shipping costs and freight and trucking charges on screens, eliminating a considerable quantity of now unnecessary material; and I have devised fixtures of universal application to window openings everywhere. They may be used on casement windows, on double-hung windows and on single sash openings.

My screens are easily, quickly, and cheaply installed and removed. The fixtures for mounting have a very long life, and may be used over and over again. They do not warp, crack, rust, or rattle; and such screens are very convenient and attractive; and they completely screen the opening, leaving no cracks.

I claim:

1. A frameless window screen adapted to be placed in a window frame opening having a vertically extending stop strip at each vertical side of the opening comprising, a screen, said screen adapted to depend outside of the said stop strips with its opposite edges against the outside faces thereof, a lower metal strip connected to the lower edge of the screen and extending transversely across the window opening, the opposite ends thereof overlapping the said stop strips, the lower strip, when in operative position being slightly above the window sill, a filler strip vertically slidably connected to said lower strip, means for attaching the filler strip to the sill and for drawin the screen taut with the filler strip resting upon the lower edge of the opening, the length of said filler strip being variable whereby it may loosely lie between the stop strips and ma be extended into engagement therewith.

2. A frameless window screen adapted to be placed in a window frame opening having a vertically extending stop strip at each vertical side of the opening comprising, a screen, said screen adapted to depend outside of the said stop strips with its opposite edges against the outside faces thereof, a lower metal strip connected to the lower edge of the screen and extendin transversely across the window opening, the opposite ends thereof overlapping the said stop strips, the lower strip, when in operative position being slightly above the window sill, a filler strip, vertically slidably connected to said lower strip, means for attaching the filler strip to the sill and for drawing the screen taut with the filler strip resting upon the lower edge of the opening, said filler strip having slidable end portions projectable laterally into engagement with the said stop strips of the window opening.

3. .A frameless window screen adapted to be placed in a window frame opening having a vertically extending stop strip at each vertical side of the opening comprising, a screen, said screen adapted to depend outside of the said stop strips with its opposite edges against the outside faces thereof, a lower metal strip connected to the lower edge of the screen and extending transversely across the window opening, the opposite ends thereof overlapping the said stop strips, the lower strip, when in operative position being slightly above the window sill, a filler strip, means for detachably securing the filler strip to the window sill, said filler strip closing the space below said lower strip, and means cletachably and adjustably connecting said lower strip to said filler strip to hold the lower strip downwardly and hold the screen taut.

PATRICK ODRAGO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS N umber Name Date 1,267,197 Euler May 21, 1918 1,961,383 Nye June 5, 1934

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