Tensioning system for retractable screens and shades

Abstract

A tensioning apparatus and method for retractable screens and shades that includes a tensioning member disposed upon the end of a screen or shade. The tensioning member frictionally engages a sidewall within a guide rail, thereby tensioning a screen or shade in place against the wind or other force.

1 . An apparatus for tensioning in place a retractable screen or shade having an end member disposed within a pair of guide rails, comprising a tensioning member attached to said end member of the screen or shade such that the tensioning member is positioned within at least one of said guide rails, wherein said tensioning member operates to frictionally engage at substantially any point a sidewall within said at least one of the guide rails. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tensioning member comprises a pivot arm coupled with a spring such that reversing movement of the screen or shade while the pivot arm is in a first position causes the tensioning member to frictionally engage opposing sidewalls within said at least one guide rail. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said tensioning member disengages said opposing sidewalls upon resumption of a movement opposite to that of the reversing movement. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said end member comprises a bar with end caps, wherein said tensioning member is attached to at least one end cap. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of the guide rails includes a reset notch located proximal to a bottom of said at least one of the guide rails. 
   
   
       6 . In an improved retractable shade or screen system having a rolling screen or shade guided by a pair of parallel guide rails, the improvement comprising: a tensioning member attached at an end of said rolling screen or shade, wherein said tensioning member operates to frictionally engage a sidewall within at least one of said pair of guide rails at substantially any point along said parallel guide rails. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said tensioning member comprises a pivot arm coupled with a spring such that reversing movement of the screen or shade while the pivot arm is in a first position causes the tensioning member to frictionally engage opposing sidewalls within at least one of said pair of guide rails. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said tensioning member disengages said opposing sidewalls upon resumption of a movement opposite to that of the reversing movement. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said end member comprises a bar with end caps and said tensioning member is attached to at least one end cap. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said end member comprises a bar with end caps and said tensioning member is attached to both of said end caps. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the guide rails includes a reset notch located proximal to a bottom of said at least one of the guide rails. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein both of the guide rails include a reset notch located proximal to a bottom of each guide rail. 
   
   
       13 . A method of tensioning a retractable screen or shade, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a retractable screen or shade having an end member disposed within a pair of guide rails, wherein a tensioning member is attached to the end member of the screen or shade such that the tensioning member is positioned within at least one of said guide rails, and wherein said tensioning member operates to frictionally engage at substantially any point sidewalls within said at least one of the guide rails;   (b) moving the screen or shade in a first direction; and   (c) reversing the first direction of the screen or shade, thereby actuating frictional engagement of said sidewalls by said tensioning member.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising resetting the tensioning member by moving the screen or shade to a top or bottom end within said at least one of the guide rails. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (a) comprises providing a pivot arm coupled with a spring such that said reversing causes the tensioning member to frictionally engage opposing sidewalls within said at least one of the guide rails.