Screen system

Abstract

A screen system supports screening material to span the window opening of a vehicle. In a first embodiment screen channels are provided adjacent existing window channels slidably receiving the window pane therein so that a peripheral frame of a screen member supporting screening material can be slidably mounted adjacent the window pane for independently spanning the window opening. In a second embodiment suitable clamps are provided which can be received within the peripheral channel of the window opening normally receiving the window pane therein so that the peripheral frame supporting the screening material spanning thereacross can be held in place against an inner side of the window opening. In both instances, the peripheral frame has neat finished appearance which is held securely by anchoring within the peripheral channel about the window opening.

1 . A screen system for a vehicle having a window pane and a pair of window channels supported in an upright orientation with open sides of the window channels confronting one another for slidably receiving opposing upright edges of the window pane therein, the system comprising: 
 a screen member having a peripheral frame similar in contour to the window pane and screening material spanning the peripheral frame; and    a pair of screen channels for being supported adjacent the window channels respectively for slidably receiving opposing upright edges of the screen member therein.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a pair of integral channel members, each integrally locating one of the window channels and one of the screen channels therein.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein each channel member includes a single rigid shell locating weather stripping material therein which divides the window channel and the screen channel.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein each screen channel is formed separately from the respective window channel adjacent which the screen channel is supported.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein each screen channel includes a resilient lining which snugly engages the screen member therein.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a pull tab connected along an upper edge of the peripheral frame.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the peripheral frame is flat and generally planar in profile.  
   
   
       8 . A method of supporting screening material to span a window opening of a window in a vehicle comprising a window pane and a pair of window channels supported in an upright orientation with open sides of the window channels confronting one another for slidably receiving opposing upright edges of the window pane therein, the method comprising: 
 providing a screen member having a peripheral frame and screening material spanning the peripheral frame;    forming a contour of the peripheral frame similar to a contour of the window pane;    supporting a pair of screen channels upright and adjacent to the window channels respectively; and    slidably supporting opposing upright edges of the screen member in the pair of screen channels respectively for movement between an open position stored within the vehicle adjacent the window pane in an open position of the window pane and a closed position spanning the opening of the window.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  including forming the screen channels separately from the existing window channels and subsequently attaching the screen channels to the window channels respectively.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8  including supporting the screen channels adjacent the window channels by replacing weather stripping of the window channels with a replacement weather stripping forming both the screen channel and window channel therein.  
   
   
       11 . A screen system for a vehicle having a window opening and a window pane slidable within a peripheral channel of the window opening between open and closed positions of the window pane, the system comprising: 
 a peripheral frame similar in shape to the window opening and larger in dimension than the window opening to overlap the peripheral channel about a periphery of the window opening;    screening material spanning the peripheral frame; and    clamps supported at spaced positions on the peripheral frame, each clamp comprising an axle extending through the frame which supports a knob on an inner side of the peripheral frame and a radial flange on an outer side of the peripheral frame, the knob and radial flange being rotatable with the axle relative to the peripheral frame;    the radial flange being parallel to and spaced from the peripheral frame for being selectively received in the peripheral channel of the window opening when the screening material spans the window opening.    
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein a free end of each radial flange is spaced outwardly in a longitudinal direction of the axle beyond a free end of the axle.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein each axle is slidable in relation to the frame and wherein there is provided biasing means urging the flange towards the frame.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the frame is generally flat and planar in profile.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the frame is sufficiently flexible to follow a curve of the vehicle body.