US2702596A - Automobile window screen - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1955 w, c, MQRRQW AUTOMOBILE WINDOW SCREEN Filed Feb. 20, 1950 m 7 V R 3 N o 3% M av. R G K q 6 ll MW 7 m F W V: B Q l m kW 9 7 3 3 v MN 7 h W a G V II A\ V m m.

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ATTORNEYS United States Patent AUTOMOBILE WINDOW SCREEN Walker C. Morrow, Dearborn, Mich.

Application February 20, 1950, Serial No. 145,228

10 Claims. (Cl. 160354) The present invention relates to an automobile window screen.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window screen capable of fitting window openings of different sizes and shapes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a window screen which when not in use may be collapsed so as to occupy space which is a fraction of the space occupied by the uncollapsed screen.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a window screen including a flexible resilient expansible border frame associated with a screen panel adapted to overlie the edge of the frame to provide a closure when the frame is in different adjusted positions with respect to size and/or shape.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a window screen of the type described having a border frame element comprising a strip of transversely curved aesilient metal tending normally to assume a straight conition.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide supporting means for association with a vehicle window comprising a channel part adapted to receive a border of the screen frame, and a mounting part adapted to enter into the guide slot provided in the window opening for the movement of the glass window therein (or clip over the glass at the bottom).

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a motor vehicle showing the improved window screen in position.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the window screen and the associated supports.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4--4, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5, Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of frame supporting element.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating a modified form of frame.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the frame portion illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Figure 3.

Referring first to Figure 1 there is illustrated a portion of a motor vehicle 10 having a window opening 12 therein which is normally closed by a glass window movable vertically between closing position and concealed position within the door of the vehicle. With the glass window lowered into concealed position the window screen 14 is positioned so as to completely close the window opening 12. The window screen 14 is particularly useful where it is desired to keep the windows of the vehicle open for ventilation purposes and at the same time to exclude insects and the like.

Referring now to Figure 2 the window screen 14 is illustrated as comprising a border frame and a screen panel 22.

Conveniently, the border frame is formed of a continuous resilient metal strip which is transversely curved and which as a result of its conformation tends to assume a straight line condition. Alternatively, the strip may be flat or may include rigid elements interconnected at cor- 2,702,596 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 ner portions by resilient members. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the border frame comprises a single unitary transversely curved metal strip. Strips of this type are familiar in measuring tapes in which the strip may be forced into a spiral convolution by forcing it through a slot into a cylindrical case. However, as the strip is withdrawn from the case it strongly tends to assume a straight condition although it may be bent by the application of transverse force.

Adjacent one end of the strip comprising the border frame 20 is secured an open loop 24, having space therein to permit the opposite end 26 of the strip 20 to be inserted through the loop as shown. By drawing more or less of the end 26 of the strip 20 through the loop, the area enclosed by the loop may be varied. An adjustable abutment 27 is secured adjacent to the end 26 of the strip by a set-screw or the like 28. Abutment 27 will engage loop 24 to limit the amount of the end 26 which can be drawn through loop 24. Abutment 27 is adjusted to cause the border frame to be of required size when the abutment engages the loop.

The transversely curved resilient metal strip is preferably disposed so that it is concave outwardly when the frame is assembled as is well illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. This has two important advantages. In the first place it presses the edges of the strip projecting slightly outwardly beyond the intermediate transversely curved portions so that they seat most effectively in the mounting means later to be described. In the second place, the transversely curved strip exhibits more rigidity and particularly in that portion thereof which constitutes the upper border element of the frame. In the construction illustrated in Figure l the border element is unsupported except at its corners and is subjected not only to weight but also to some tension of the fabric tending to cause the upper border element to bend downwardly. By disposing the transversely curved metal strip in the upper border frame element so that it is upwardly concave, or outwardly concave with respect to the screen, it is more rigid and more readily retains its straight line relations 1p.

Associated with the border frame 20 is the screen panel 22 which may conveniently be formed of an open mesh fabric or netting. This fabric is preferably provided in generally rectangular shape of a size to approximately fit a window opening. Its marginal edges are turned over and secured to provide an open hem indicated at 30 in which open hem is provided a drawstring 32. The drawstring may be tightened to draw the edges of the panel about the border frame so that the panel may be maintained fiat and under appreciable tension when the border frame is in different positions of adjustment with respect to both included area and shape.

In order to mount the window screen in the window opening there are provided a plurality of mounting members 40 which comprise frame engaging channels 42 and laterally spaced projections 44 extending outwardly from the bottom or closed side of the channels 42. The members 44 may as illustrated in Figure 2, comprise prongs struck out of the bottom wall of the channel 42. Alternatively, if desired, the channel 42 may be provided with an attached smaller channel member 46 having laterally spaced side walls 48 and 50. In either case the supports are adapted to be received within the slots located at the sides and bottom of the window opening or clip over the bottom glass. The mounting portions 44 are adapted to enter the slots 52 provided at the sides of the window structure in a slotted sealing element 54 and to engage the side walls so as to be retained in position. The support 40 which is located at the bottom of the window, fits into the space between the sealing members 56 and 58 and may also fit over and engage opposite sides of the top edge of the window glass 60. The supports are thus frictionally retained in position in the slots. However, when the screen frame is in position as will subsequently be described, the expansive force of the screen frame also tends to hold the supports in position so that the parts together cooperate to support the screen accurately in the window opening and particularly, to support it against transverse movement with respect to the plane of the window opening.

The prongs 44 are preferable because the mounting members are more economical to produce. Moreover, by providing a plurality of prongs 44 these prongs may be bent outwardly or inwardly so as to have proper fitting and supporting engagement with the window glass slots or with the edge of the window.

Instead of providing the border frame of a single continuous transversely curved metal strip, it may include relatively rigid side portions 70 and flexible portions 72 located adjacent the corners of the frame. The portions 72 are preferably resilient and tend to assume a straight condition. For this purpose they may be either flat or transversely curved as indicated in Figure 8.

As best seen in Figurefl, one or more of the resilient corner portions 72 may if desired be provided with bayonet slots 74 adapted to fit over headed pins 76 carried by an end of an adjacent rigid side member 70. At the same time the opposite end of the element 72 may be mounted for swinging movement to the element 70 to which it is secured about the axis of an attaching rivet 78 or the like. Accordingly, when the window screen is removed from the window opening the frame may be withdrawn from the screening panel and the separate side elements of the frame may be disconnected. After disconnecting each side element and the resilient corner portions secured thereto from the adjacent rigid side element, the resilient corner portions may be swung about the axis of their pivot connections to lie along the rigid side members. This permits storage of the screen construction in a very small space.

In order to impart lateral rigidity to the frame constructed by the rigid bar 70 and the resilient corner portion 72 guide projections 79 may be provided at the ends of the rigid bar members 70. These projections may be formed by embossing the bar 70 or by ears bent upwardly at the corners of the bar. Due to the resilient nature of the spring 72, the spring may be swung about the pivot established by the connection 78 and will snap into place between the projections. If the shorter end of the spring 72 extends far enough from the pivit 78, the spring 72 will also be resiliently retained in alignment with the bar 70 when the spring 72 is generally aligned therewith.

One important advantage of the present construction is that the same elements comprising the window screen may be adjusted as to size so as to close the opening remaining when the window glass is in partly closed position. Thus, the mounting means may be positioned solely from the upper edge of the window glass 60 which may be spaced from the top of the window opening by a predetermined amount. This is particularly desirable where the vehicle is employed for sleeping purposes and it is desired to establish a predetermined amount of cross ventilation and at the same time to avoid the effect of a full window opening. The screen frame may be adjusted to enclose a much smaller area so as to correspond to the desired amount of window opening, and the screen fabric may be adjusted as described above to cooperate with the smaller screen frame.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 has the same feature of compact storage. In this case the set screw 28 is loosened and the end 26 of the strip is withdrawn from the loops 24. Due to the inherent tendency of the strip to assume a straight condition, it will straighten out at this time. However, it may be rolled up into a very small coil either manually or by inserting it into a hollow cylindrical case through a slot therein.

In either case the screening panel may be folded up or wrapped around the collapsed border frame so that the entire assembly takes up very little space when not in use.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 is particularly adaptable to fit window openings which may vary substantially both in shape and size. The total area enclosed by the frame may of course be varied by adjusting the end 26 of the strip through the guide members 24. After the frame has been adjusted to enclose the desired area, the screen panel is located over the frame and will retain it in approximately rectangular shape. However, this shape may be substantially varied. Thus for example, with a given adjustment of the frame, it may be kept in a rectangular configuration and the height increased or decreased while the length varies in an opposite sense. Moreover, it is not necessary to keep the an inclined side, it will be readily apparent that the frame may be shaped to conform thereto. If the frame is adjusted to enclose a smaller area, the panel may still be kept flat and under some tension relative thereto by drawing in on the drawstring 32.

It may be mentioned at this time that the transversely curved resilient metal strip when its ends are brought together so as to define a loop, tends to straighten out at every corner thereof with the result that the frame as as a whole may be considered as expansible This property of the frame tends to retain side elements thereof in closely fitting relation with the channels 42 of the supports. A similar result is accomplished by providing the flexible resilient members 72 only at the corners of the frame, where these elements are normally straight, and tend resiliently to return to straight condition when bent in the configuration illustrated in Figure 7. It will be observed that the fiat metal strip employed in the frame is in all cases disposed with its width dimension perpendicular to the plane of the frame, so that the corners of the frame comprise bent strip portions.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved automobile window screen in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A screen closure for use in automobiles comprising a screen panel having straight edges shaped to fit within a window opening of an automobile when the window is open, an open hem surrounding said panel, a drawstring in said hem, a frame formed of a single transversely curved metal strip element with its ends connected to form a closed loop and disposed with its width dimension perpendicular to the plane of the frame, said panel having its edge portions folded rearwardly over an edge of said frame around substantially the entire circumference thereof, said drawstring being tightened to retain said panel on said frame and to tension the panel into flat condition.

2. A screening device comprising a frame formed essentially of a single strip of transversely curved crosssection capable of being bent abruptly to form a generally rectangular shape with straight sides, top, and bottom, one end of said strip having a loop carried thereby, the opposite end of said strip being slidably received in said loop to form a closed frame, the said opposite end of said strip having an adjustable abutment carried thereby to determine the length of said opposite end which can pass through said loop, a screen panel of open mesh fabric having an open hem thereabout, a drawstring in said hem, the hemmed edge of said panel being turned over the outside of said frame whereby tightening of said drawstring causes the said opposite end of said strip to move through said loop until said abutment engages said loop, thereby completing assembly of said panel and frame and simultaneously bringing said frame to a dimension predetermined by initial adjustment of said abutment.

3. A window screen comprising screening material having a periphery defined by a plurality of straight sides and connecting corner portions, a frame comprising a single elongated strip of resilient material of transverse arcuate curvature having its width dimension extending transversely of said frame, said strip normally tending to remain in longitudinal straight condition due to its transverse curvature but bendable to form relatively abruptly curved corner portions, means interconnecting the ends of said strip to form a continuous closed loop, said screening material having means about its periphery engaged over an edge of said frame about substantially the entire periphery thereof, and means for releasably re taining said last-named means engaged over the edge of said frame, said frame being bendable to conform to the corner portions thereof while providing relatively stiff straight sides intermediate said corners.

4. Structure as defined in claim 3 in which said means about the periphery of said screening material comprises a reversely turned edge portion thereof providing a continuous inwardly open frame receiving pocket.

5. A screening device comprising a frame in the form of a single unitary flexible metal strip of transversely curved cross-section having its width dimension extending perpendicular to the plane of the frame, said strip frame rectangular since if the window opening includes being adapted to assume a generally quadrilateral shape and including side, top and bottom portions which are straight and which oppose substantial resistance to forces tending to bend said portions, and arcuately bent corner portions tending to assume a straight condition, means for expanding and contracting said frame to vary the area enclosed thereby and to conform said frame to different sized window openings, a screening panel formed of an open finish fabric, an open hem surrounding said panel, a drawstring in said hem, the edge of said panel being folded over an edge of said frame around substantially the entire periphery thereof and retained in place by said drawstring.

6. A screen closure comprising a frame in the form of a single elongated strip of resilient material of transverse arcuate curvature having its width dimension extending transversely of said frame, said strip being arranged in a closed loop and including straight portions which oppose substantial resistance to forces tending to bend said portions, rounded corner portions interconnecting said straight portions and tending to assume a straight condition, a screening panel formed of open mesh fabric, an open hem surrounding said screening panel, and a drawstring in said hem, the edge of said screening panel being folded over an edge of said frame around substantially the entire periphery thereof and retained in place by said drawstring.

7. A screening device comprising a frame adapted to assume a generally quadrilateral shape and including side, top, and bottom portions which are straight and which oppose substantial resistance to forces tending to bend said portions, and arcuately bent corner portions of flexible metal strip material of transverse arcuate curvature disposed with the width dimension perpendicular to the plane of the frame and tending to assume a straight condition, said frame being expansible and contractable to vary the area enclosed thereby and to conform said frame to different sized window openings, a screening panel formed of an open mesh fabric, an open hem surrounding said panel, the hemmed edge of said panel being folded over an edge of said frame around substantially the entire periphery thereof, and a drawstring in said hem, whereby tightening of said drawstring retains said panel assembled on said frame and contracts said frame to a size determined by the area desired to be enclosed thereby.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 in which said frame comprises separate straight side, top and bottom elements, and flexible metal strips located at the corners of said frame and connected at their ends to adjacent elements, said strips being disposed with their width dimensions perpendicular to the plane of said frame.

9. A device as defined in claim 7 in which said frame comprises separate straight side, top, and bottom elements, and flexible leaf springs located at the corners of said frame, one end of each spring being pivoted to the end of an adjacent element for swinging movement transversely of the frame, and a releasable connection between the other end of each spring and the end of the adjacent element.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 comprising projections adjacent the ends of said elements to which said springs are pivoted serving to releasably retain said springs disposed in the plane of said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 129,665 Howard July 23, 1872 260,707 Pendleton July 4, 1882 1,131,204 Bridges Mar. 9, 1915 1,378,904 Schuermann May 24, 1921 1,758,849 Perron May 13, 1930 1,965,644 Hefielfinger July 10, 1934 2,055,862 Friedman Sept. 29, 1936 2,108,684 Lynch Feb. 15, 1938 2,388,747 Kolarik Nov. 13, 1945 2,598,770 Drozt June 3, 1952

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