Door with variable length screen

Abstract

An exterior door incorporates at least one moving glass insert or sash slidable in first and second spaced apart tracks. An end of the insert is coupled to an end of a spring biased rolled screen. As the insert moves from the roll, the screen is extracted therefrom providing a continuously variable length of exposed screen that exerts a retracting force on the insert. The insert may be supported at any one of a variety of positions by frictional forces exerted on the insert, or by the frictional and retracting forces, without need for counterbalances or latches.

1 . A door comprising: 
 a first door jamb comprising a first track;    a second door jamb comprising a second track;    a header portion disposed between the first door jamb and the second door jamb;    an insert movable within the first and second tracks between a first position proximate the header portion and a second position away from the header portion; and    a retractable screen roll proximate the header, the retractable screen roll including a screen, the screen presenting two side edges and a free end, the free end being operably coupled to the insert, the retractable screen roll applying a retracting force on the screen;    wherein a friction force is exerted on the movable insert within the first and second tracks such that the insert is supportable at any position between the first and second positions.    
   
   
       2 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein the first track is integral to the first door jamb and the second track is integral to the second door jamb.  
   
   
       3 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the door is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and extruded metal.  
   
   
       4 . The door of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the friction force is applied by direct contact between the insert and the first and second tracks.  
   
   
       5 . The door of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector that attaches the free end of the retractable screen roll to the insert, the connector having ends proximate the side edges of the retractable screen, the side edges of the retractable screen and the ends of the connector extending into and being movable within the first and second tracks.  
   
   
       6 . The door of  claim 5 , wherein the connector comprises means for connecting the free end of the screen to the insert.  
   
   
       7 . The door of  claim 6 , wherein the connector comprises a connector member selected from the group consisting of a spline attachment, an adhesive and a clamp attachment.  
   
   
       8 . A door comprising: 
 a first door jamb comprising a first track;    a second door jamb comprising a second track;    a header portion disposed between the first door jamb and the second door jamb;    an insert movable within the first and second tracks between a first position proximate the header portion and a second position away from the header portion with a force exerted on the insert within the first and second tracks; and    a screen module operably coupled to the door and including a retractable screen and a biasing mechanism, the retractable screen including a free end member operably coupled to the insert and extending into and moveable within the first and second tracks, the biasing mechanism providing a continuous retracting force on the retractable screen such that the retracting force and the friction force support the insert at any position between the first and second positions without the use of a latch.    
   
   
       9 . The door of  claim 8 , wherein at least part of the door is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and extruded metal.  
   
   
       10 . The door of  claim 8 , wherein the screen module is disposed between the first and second spaced apart jambs proximate the header.  
   
   
       11 . The door of  claim 8 , wherein the free end member includes a connecting member adapted to operably connect to the insert.  
   
   
       12 . The door of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting member comprises a connector selected from the group consisting of a spline connector and a clamp connector.  
   
   
       13 . The door of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting member includes ends that extend into and are movable within the first and second tracks.  
   
   
       14 . A method of operating a door, comprising: 
 providing a door comprising:    a first door jamb including a first track, 
 a second door jamb including a second track,  
 a header portion disposed between the first and second door jambs, and  
 an insert movable within the first and second tracks between a first position proximate the header portion and a second position away from the header portion;  
   providing a screen module disposed proximate the header, the screen module including a retractable screen and a biasing mechanism, the retractable screen including a free end member operably coupled to the insert, the free end member extending into and moveable within the first and second tracks, the biasing mechanism providing a continuous retracting force on the retractable screen, wherein a friction force is exerted on the insert to support the insert within the first and second tracks at any position between the first and second positions; and    moving the insert to any position between the first and second positions.