Snap-on Components for Flexible Window Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional window screens lack additional functionality and require retention hardware, while flexible screens do not have built-in components for enhanced performance or easy attachment of features like locking mechanisms, sliding systems, and marketing tools.
Innovation Solution
The development of snap-on components such as locking mechanisms, guides, rollers, and handles that can be easily attached to flexible screens to enhance functionality, including locking, sliding, and marketing features, which can also be used in other areas like sliding screen doors and energy panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional window screens use spring loaded clips or pins for retention, then the screen can be securely retained in the window frame, but the device complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes retention hardware from the screen itself and extracts the retention function to the window frame channel, which contains retention members that engage with the screen frame. This eliminates springs, clips, and pins from the screen while maintaining secure retention through the frame's built-in mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible screen frame is designed to be self-retaining through its flexibility. When inserted into the window frame channel, the flexible frame expands and engages with retention members in the channel, allowing the screen to retain itself without additional hardware. The flexibility of the frame enables it to snap into place and hold itself securely.
2Device complexity
If flexible screens are made without additional hardware to reduce complexity, then manufacturing costs decrease and installation simplifies, but additional functionality like locking and sliding cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the screen system into modular components: a basic flexible screen providing screening functionality, and separate optional attachments providing additional functions. Locking mechanisms, sliding systems, and marketing components can be independently attached to the screen frame, allowing customers to choose only the functionality they need while keeping the base product simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible screen frame is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple types of attachments. The frame includes attachment points and compatibility features that allow locking mechanisms, sliding systems, weather stripping, and marketing components to be added to the same screen frame, enabling one product to serve multiple functions through optional add-ons.
3Adaptability or versatility
If snap-on components are added to flexible screens to enable additional functionality, then adaptability and versatility improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the screen system into a simple flexible screen base and separate functional attachments. Each attachment (locking mechanism, sliding system, marketing component) is an independent module that can be added or removed as needed. This segmentation allows the screen to maintain its simplicity while offering extensive adaptability through optional attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen system transitions from a static, fixed-configuration design to a dynamic, configurable system. The snap-on components allow the screen's functionality to change based on user needs - a screen can be converted from basic screening to include locking, sliding, or marketing features by simply attaching or removing components, making the system adaptable without permanently increasing complexity.
4Reliability
If traditional window screens include built-in hardware for retention and operation, then reliability and functionality are improved, but manufacturing costs increase and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts retention hardware from the screen manufacturing process and relocates it to the window frame. The flexible screen is manufactured without springs, clips, or pins, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The retention function is instead provided by the frame's built-in retention members, which are part of the window structure rather than the screen itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible screen frame is designed to perform retention functions through its own flexibility and expansion characteristics. When installed in the window frame channel, the flexible frame expands and engages with retention members, allowing the screen to secure itself without requiring additional hardware components to be manufactured and assembled with the screen.
Data Source
AI summary
A component part assembly adapted for use with a window or door screen is provided. One or more component parts are provided which add functionality to a window or door screen. An attachment mechanism is provided for attaching the one or more component parts to a screen frame of the screen subsequent to manufacture of the screen. The one or more component parts may include at least one of a locking component, a guide component, a slide component, a handle component, a pull tab component, a roller component, a wheel component, a hinge component, a pivot cam component, a weather stripping component, a seal component, a frame component, a barcode component, an RFID component, a flexible attachment component, or the like. The screen frame may be a flexible screen frame or a rigid screen frame, and may be for a full or half window screen or a door screen.