Insect screen frame assembly

Abstract

An insect screen frame assembly including a frame comprising a screen retention groove and a cover. The cover is configured to engage the frame and comprises a rib positioned to be inserted into the groove. Screening is held in tension between the frame and the cover and trapped between the rib and the groove. A first adhesive is positioned between the frame and the cover in contact with the screening.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An insect screen comprising a frame having a screen retention groove; 
 a cover configured to engage the frame, the cover comprising a rib configured to be inserted into the groove;    screening held in tension between the frame and the cover and trapped between the rib and the groove; and    a first adhesive positioned between the frame and the cover and in contact with the screening.    
     
     
         2 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to lock against the frame.  
     
     
         3 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive is disposed on the cover.  
     
     
         4 . The insect screen of  claim 3 , wherein the first adhesive contacts the frame through openings defined in the screening.  
     
     
         5 . The insect screen of  claim 3 , wherein the frame further comprises a second adhesive disposed on the frame.  
     
     
         6 . The insect screen of  claim 5 , wherein the second adhesive comprises high performance tape.  
     
     
         7 . The insect screen of  claim 6 , wherein the high performance tape is non-creeping.  
     
     
         8 . The insect screen of  claim 5 , wherein the second adhesive comprises a hot-melt adhesive.  
     
     
         9 . The insect screen of  claim 5 , wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive are positioned on opposite sides of the rib.  
     
     
         10 . The insect screen of  claim 5 , wherein the second adhesive contacts the cover through openings defined in the screening.  
     
     
         11 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a hook configured to position the cover relative to the frame.  
     
     
         12 . The insect screen of  claim 11 , wherein the frame defines a notch for engaging the hook on the cover.  
     
     
         13 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive comprises high performance tape.  
     
     
         14 . The insect screen of  claim 13 , wherein the high performance tape is non-creeping.  
     
     
         15 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive comprises a hot-melt adhesive.  
     
     
         16 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed from extruded aluminum.  
     
     
         17 . The insect screen of  claim 16 , wherein the cover is formed from extruded aluminum.  
     
     
         18 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed from a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         19 . The insect screen of  claim 18 , wherein the cover is formed from a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         20 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed from roll-formed steel.  
     
     
         21 . The insect screen of  claim 20 , wherein the cover is formed from roll-formed steel.  
     
     
         22 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed from a PVC and wood fiber composition.  
     
     
         23 . The insect screen of  claim 22 , wherein the cover is formed from a PVC and wood fiber composition.  
     
     
         24 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the rib comprises an elongated cross-sectional profile.  
     
     
         25 . The insect screen of  claim 24 , wherein the rib extends from the cover at an angle of about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         26 . The insect screen of  claim 24 , wherein the rib extends from the cover at an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees from an outer cover portion adjacent to an outer cover perimeter.  
     
     
         27 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the rib comprises a hemispherical cross-sectional profile.  
     
     
         28 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the rib comprises an elliptical cross-sectional profile.  
     
     
         29 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the rib contacts the screening when the cover is oriented at less than about 20 degrees relative to the frame.  
     
     
         30 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein the rib contacts the screening when the cover is oriented at about 8 degrees relative to the frame.  
     
     
         31 . The insect screen of  claim 1 , wherein multiple frames are joined to form a frame subassembly having a perimeter, wherein the groove is generally disposed about the perimeter of the frame subassembly.  
     
     
         32 . An insect screen for maintaining the position of screening under tension, the screen comprising: 
 a rectangular frame comprising: 
 a screen contact surface having at least one screen retention groove and having an inner portion adjacent to an opening defined by the rectangle and an outer portion, wherein the groove separates the inner portion and the outer portion, and  
 a cover contact surface having at least one notch,  
   a cover comprising: 
 a frame contact side, and a non-contact side opposite the frame contact side,  
 a hook configured to position the cover relative to the frame by interacting with the notch, and  
 a rib located on the frame contact side, the rib configured to be disposed within the groove;  
   screening positioned between the frame and cover and trapped between the rib and the groove; and    adhesive tape between the frame and cover and in contact with the screening.    
     
     
         33 . The insect screen of  claim 32 , wherein the adhesive tape is in contact with the cover opposite from the inner portion of the frame.  
     
     
         34 . The insect screen of  claim 33 , comprising a second adhesive tape in contact with the outer portion of the frame.  
     
     
         35 . The insect screen of  claim 32 , wherein the frame is comprised of aluminum material.  
     
     
         36 . The insect screen of  claim 32 , wherein the cover is comprised of aluminum material.  
     
     
         37 . The insect screen of  claim 32 , wherein the adhesive tape comprises high performance tape.  
     
     
         38 . The insect screen of  claim 37 , wherein the high performance tape is non-creeping.  
     
     
         39 . The insect screen of  claim 32 , wherein multiple frames are joined to form a frame subassembly having a perimeter, wherein the groove is generally disposed about the perimeter of the frame subassembly.  
     
     
         40 . A method for maintaining the position of a screening under tension in a frame, the method comprising: 
 providing a frame subassembly comprising: 
 a plurality of sides having an opening defined by a perimeter, and  
 a screen contact surface having at least one screen retention groove, and placing the screening over the opening of the frame;  
   providing a plurality of cover portions, each cover portion comprising: 
 a frame contact side and a non-contact side opposite the frame contact side,  
 a rib located on the frame contact side, the rib configured to be disposed within the groove,  
 first adhesive disposed on the frame contact side; and  
   pressing one of the cover portions against each of the sides of the frame so that the frame contact side of each cover portion is disposed against the frame, wherein the rib is inserted into the grove such that at least a portion of the screening is disposed between the rib and the groove and at least a portion of the screening is disposed between the first adhesive tape and the frame.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the rib is arranged and configured to be inserted into the groove when the cover portions are oriented at less than 9° with respect to the frame.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the frame comprises a second adhesive.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the cover portions include an inner portion configured and arranged to be adjacent to the opening of the frame, wherein the first adhesive is disposed on the inner portion of the cover portion.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the second adhesive is disposed on the frame, between the rib and an outer perimeter of the frame.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the first adhesive comprises high performance tape.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the second adhesive comprises high performance tape.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the high performance tape is non-creeping.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the high performance tape is non-creeping.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the groove is generally disposed about the perimeter of the frame subassembly.