DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] With reference to the attached Figures, it is to be understood that like components are labeled with like numerals throughout the several Figures. FIG. 1 is a double door 100 , such as is commonly used as a patio door, having a sliding door unit 120 and one primarily stationary door unit 125 , both surrounded by a frame 102 . A flexible screen door 200 in accordance with the present invention is mounted to cover an opening 114 created when the sliding door unit 120 is slid open. Although shown with respect to one door configuration, it is to be understood that the flexible screen of the present invention is applicable to a variety of fenestration products that may be opened and thus require a screen to keep out unwanted insects and debris, including both doors and windows.

[0029] Referring now also to FIG. 2 , the components of the flexible screen door 200 are shown in an exploded format, as they would preferably be installed to the door 100 . In this embodiment, the flexible screen door 200 is installed about midway along a bottom sill member 104 and a top frame member 106 of the door 100 , adjacent a side frame 126 of the primarily stationary door 125 . The flexible screen door 200 generally includes a flexible screen material 210 wound up in a covered roller assembly 230 and a control bar 220 for extending the screen material 210 across the opening 114 along bottom and top tracks, 300 and 350 , respectively. The flexible screen door 200 is adaptable for installation on both right and left hand opening doors, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively.

[0030] The covered roller assembly 230 , or roller system, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 - 6 , includes a roller 231 about which the flexible screen material 210 is wound. Internal to the roller 231 , a spring (not shown) is provided so that the flexible screen material 210 will rewind about the roller 231 upon closing or release of the flexible screen door 200 . A near edge 211 of the screen material 210 is attached to the roller 231 , usually by a strip of adhesive 235 provided on the roller 231 . In order to increase the strength of the bond between the screen material 210 and the roller 231 , a pair of curved bottom strips 236 , preferably form from a polymer, such a thin wall PVC tubing, are placed at each end of the roller 231 over the adhesive 235 , as shown in FIG. 3 . Each bottom strip 236 is preferably about 3 inches in length and about 0.5 inches wide. The near edge 221 of the screen material 210 is then placed over the adhesive 235 and bottom strips 236 , and then wrapped one time around the roller 231 . A pair of top strips 237 , similar to or the same as the bottom strips 236 , are then placed over the bottom strips 236 and bonded to the bottom strips 236 . In one embodiment, the bottom and top strips, 236 , 237 , are ultrasonically welded together. This set up insures a strong attachment of the screen material 210 to the roller 231 .

[0031] The flexible screen material 210 also includes a profiled leading edge 212 , such as a strip 213 attached to the edge of the screen material 210 . The strip 213 may be provided in one of many configurations, including but not limited to a cylindrical or rod-shaped strip, as shown in FIG. 5 . The strip 213 may be attached to the screen material 210 by any suitable method, including but not limited to ultrasonic welding or adhesive. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a pair of strips 214 are provided and attached to the flexible screen material 210 on either side of the material 210 . Each strip 214 includes a flat region 215 and a half-moon shaped region 216 that form a generally circular end region 217 when placed on either side of the flexible material 210 . The pair of strips 214 are ultrasonically welded to the flexible material 210 to form a firm attachment and engagement with the control bar 220 .

[0032] The control bar 220 , also known as a lead stile, is preferably formed as a profiled aluminum extrusion that extends the full height of the flexible screen material 210 . A trailing edge includes a receiving portion 226 configured to interface with the profiled leading edge 212 of the flexible screen material 210 . As shown, the generally round strip 213 slides into a matingly concave receiving portion 226 , so as to connect the flexible screen material 210 to the control bar 220 . Other methods of providing a connection between these two components are also possible and within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. A fastener 218 is used to attach the leading edge 212 to the control bar 220 , so that it does not slide out again upon mounting of the roller assembly 230 and so that the flexible screen material 210 does not sag during operation.

[0033] The control bar 220 also includes a handle 224 provided with or without a locking mechanism, and a latch mechanism 225 mounted at a leading edge 223 of the control bar 220 . The latch mechanism 223 interfaces with a receptacle (not shown) provided on the door frame 102 , such as on left side frame 108 , so as to hold the flexible screen door 200 open across opening 114 . The leading edge 223 of the control bar 220 preferably includes an indentation 227 configured to mate with a screen nosing (not shown) on the door frame 108 , so as to form a seal that keeps out bugs and debris. The receptacle and screen nosing usually exist on the door frame 102 as components of a flat screen (not shown) provided with the door 100 . The flat screen is removed before installation of the retractable flexible screen door 200 of the present invention, but the mounting structure for the flat screen provided with the door 100 remains available for use with the later added flexible screen door 200 .

[0034] Referring now also to FIGS. 7 - 9 , the roller assembly 230 mounts to the door frame 102 using a pair of brackets 280 . One bracket mounts to the underside of the top inner frame member 106 and the other bracket mounts to the topside of the sill frame member 104 . As stated above, in this embodiment, these brackets 280 are positioned about midway along a width of the door frame 102 and adjacent the inner side frame 126 of the stationary door 125 . Each bracket 280 includes a pair of mounting holes 281 for attachment to the door frame 102 .

[0035] In order to facilitate ease of assembly, installation and adjustment of the roller assembly 230 , the brackets 280 connect to the roller 231 using a spring adapter 240 and a dampening adapter 250 . These two adapters 240 , 250 are inserted into openings, such as 234 , provided at a bottom end 232 and a top end 233 of the roller 231 . Once installed onto the roller 231 , the adapters 240 , 250 are slid in and snapped onto the brackets 280 . The location of the adapters 240 , 250 with respect to the top and bottom ends 233 , 232 , respectively, depends on the orientation of the flexible screen door 200 with respect to the door 100 , that is right verses left side opening. Referring to FIG. 7, a bracket 280 and spring adapter 240 are shown. The bracket 280 includes the previously mentioned mounting holes 281 formed within a base 282 . The base 282 includes a slot 283 . Channels 284 are provided in the base 282 along a length of the slot 283 on both sides of the slot 283 . Notches 285 are also provided on a bottom side of the channels 284 . Preferably, the brackets 280 and adapters 240 , 250 are made from a polymer, such as nylon; however, other suitable materials may also be used.

[0036] The spring adapter 240 includes a generally rectangular post 241 extending from a cylindrical base 242 formed from or attached to a plate 243 . The plate 243 is configured to mate with the channels 284 on the bracket 280 , such that the plate 243 slides into and along the channels 284 when the roller assembly 230 is installed onto the brackets 280 . The post 241 is sized to ride within slot 283 , and the base 282 is configured to position the roller 231 high enough off of the plate 243 so that it clears the base 282 of bracket 280 during installation and removal. The plate 243 includes two fingers 244 , each having a protrusion 245 that engages the notches 285 in the bracket 280 upon installation, similar to a bayonet-type connector. The fingers 244 are flexible or resilient enough so that movement of the fingers 244 toward each other causes the protrusions 245 to disengage from the notches 285 , thereby facilitating easy removal of the adapter 240 and roller 231 from the bracket 280 .

[0037] In the spring adapter 240 , the rectangular post 241 engages the spring of the roller assembly 230 . During installation, an installer adjusts the tension of the spring by engaging the spring at opening 234 and rotating the spring a desired number of turns to pre-set the tension of the spring based on the size of the door 100 . Upon insertion of the spring adapter 240 into the opening 234 and placement of the roller assembly 230 into the brackets 280 , the spring retains the pre-set tension.

[0038] The dampening adapter 250 , on the other hand, includes a generally square post 251 mounted on top of a cylindrical base 252 . The square post 251 engages a dampener (not shown) positioned within roller 231 , so as to dampen rewinding of the flexible screen material 210 about the roller 231 . This aids in preventing the control bar 220 from slamming when the flexible screen door 200 is opened and released. The cylindrical base 252 includes four ears 253 evenly spaced about a circumference of the cylindrical base 252 . The ears 253 facilitate installation of the dampening adapter 250 within the roller 231 with a press fit, such that the adapter 250 is retained within the roller 231 during placement into the bottom mounting bracket 280 when the adapter 250 is mounted at a bottom end 232 . Referring to FIG. 8 , the dampening adapter 251 is shown installed into bracket 280 .

[0039] Referring again to FIG. 2 , in order to keep the roller assembly 230 clean during use and non-use, a cover assembly 290 is provided. The cover assembly 290 includes a cover 291 formed as a generally ‘U’ shaped member having segmented side walls 292 . The cover 291 is configured to fit over and attach to the brackets 280 , as shown in FIG. 9 . Internal knobs 293 are provided on either side of the cover 291 to engage with side members 286 formed on brackets 280 (see also FIGS. 7 and 8 ). On one side, the side walls 292 extend the full depth of the brackets 280 . On the other side, a side wall 294 is shortened to leave the cover 291 open for passage of the flexible screen fabric 210 from the roller 231 . The cover 290 is preferably formed as an aluminum extrusion, however, other suitable materials may also be used.

[0040] In order to effectively seal the cover 291 about the roller 231 , a resilient sealing strip 295 is provided behind the roller 231 extending between the brackets 280 . The sealing strip 295 is attached to the stationary door frame 126 using a plurality of fasteners or other methods. The sealing strip 295 includes a contoured lip 296 on a side opposite the opening in the cover 291 . The lip 296 engages a protrusion 297 on the side wall 292 of the cover 291 , thereby effectively surrounding the roller assembly 230 and protecting it from debris and damage. In addition to providing a seal and cover connection, the sealing strip 295 serves to lessen vibration in the roller assembly 230 during retraction or rewinding of the flexible screen material 210 about the roller 231 . This also lessons the stress upon the roller assembly 230 , as well as lessening the noise involved with the operation. The sealing strip 295 is preferably formed from a polymer; however, other suitable materials may also be used.

[0041] The cover 291 is preferably provided with a thin layer of decoratable material, such as a veneer 298 , attached to an outer surface 299 of the cover 291 . The veneer layer 298 is exposed to the interior of the room or facility in which the door 100 is provided. By providing the cover 291 with the veneer layer 298 , the flexible screen door 200 mounted to the door 100 may blend in better and otherwise be more aesthetically pleasing within the décor of the room. The veneer layer 298 may be stained, painted, covered with wall paper or otherwise decorated to accommodate the decorating requirements of the room, or to blend in more fully with the door frame 102 .

[0042] On occasion, the tension in the roller spring changes or proves to be incorrect for proper operation of the flexible screen door 200 . The roller assembly 230 must then be removed from the brackets 280 and the spring tension adjusted using the method described above. In an alternative embodiment, in order to improve the ease of spring tension re-adjustment without removal of the roller assembly 230 , a spring tensioning system is provided. The spring tensioning system is configured as an adjustable bracket assembly 500 , which serves as a replacement for one of the brackets 280 , as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . Access to the spring tensioning system is available by removal of the cover 290 , which snaps over the adjustable bracket assembly 500 and the other mounting bracket 280 , as described above.

[0043] The adjustable bracket assembly 500 includes a bracket 502 having a base 503 , similar in size and shape to bracket 280 . The base 203 includes mounting holes 504 for attachment to the door frame 102 and side members 505 for attachment to the cover 290 . In this embodiment, the bracket 502 also includes a cover 510 attached to the base 502 at mounting posts 506 . The cover 510 includes notched tabs 512 at each corner for engagement with the mounting posts 506 . The cover 510 may then be welded or otherwise attached to the base 503 after completion of the adjustable bracket assembly 500 . The cover 510 further includes a lobed aperture 514 having a center hole 515 , and two conjoined ear openings 516 that align over the mounting holes 504 when the cover 510 is attached to the base 503 . The base 503 further includes a recessed area 507 starting at a center of the base 503 and spreading outward toward a front edge 501 . A center post 507 extends upward from the recessed area 508 and a shorter adjustment post 509 is centered within the recessed area 508 near the front edge 501 .

[0044] A spring connector 520 fits over the center post 507 and rests upon the base 503 . The connector 520 includes a generally rectangular post 521 having a radiused upper surface 522 , which is centered within the connector 520 and sits over the center post 507 allowing for rotation of the connector 520 about the center post 507 at the rectangular post 521 . Four openings 523 symmetrically surround the post 521 , such that two of the openings 532 are aligned over the mounting holes 504 at quarter turn rotations of the connector 520 . The periphery of the connector 520 is formed into a plurality of lobes 524 , each having a concave end surface 525 and separated from an adjacent lobe 524 by a slot 526 . In this embodiment, the connector 520 includes eight lobes 524 .

[0045] The adjustable bracket assembly 500 also includes a thumb wheel 530 mounted over the adjustment post 509 on the recessed area 508 of the bracket base 503 . The thumb wheel 530 includes a center hole 531 partially surrounded by a generally ‘C’ shaped raised collar 532 , into which the adjustment post 509 is inserted. The thumb wheel 530 is then rotatable about the adjustment post 509 at the center hole 531 . A drive post 533 extending upward toward the adjustment spring connector 520 and cover 510 is provided, positioned across from an opening in the collar 532 . Preferably, the drive post 533 is formed as a steel insert or other suitable part having the strength, reliability and wear resistance required by the adjustable bracket assembly 500 . A plurality of finger indentations 534 are formed in the periphery of the thumb wheel 530 in one pair or two pairs positioned on either side of the center hole 531 . An elongated region 535 is located between the pair of finger indentations 534 with directional indicia 536 provided on the elongated regions 535 .

[0046] During assembly of the adjustable bracket assembly 500 , the thumb wheel 530 is placed onto the base 503 with the adjustment spring connector 520 placed over both. The cover 510 is then positioned overall with the rectangular post 521 protruding through the center aperture 515 . The elongated region 535 and a couple of finger indentations 534 of the thumb wheel 530 extend off the front edge 501 of the base 503 . Optionally, a wave spring (not shown) may be inserted over the center hole 531 within the raised collar 532 such that it is compressed when the cover 510 is attached. The wave spring would then help to keep the thumb wheel 530 in place and to reduce friction between the parts.

[0047] Operation of the adjustable bracket assembly 500 includes mounting of the roller 231 onto the protruding rectangular post 521 . When tension adjustment of the roller spring is required, a user turns the thumb wheel 530 at the finger indentations 534 in a desired positive or negative direction (as indicated by the directional indicia 536 ). Rotation of the thumb wheel 530 causes the drive post 533 to enter into a slot 526 and engage the connector 520 . Continued rotation of the thumb wheel 530 results in rotation of the connector 520 driven by movement of the drive post 533 . Rotation of the connector 520 causes rotation of the rectangular post 521 within the roller 531 resulting in an increase or decrease of the spring tension. No disassembly of any parts or removal of the roller system 230 is required to achieve a desired adjustment of the spring tension, aside from removal of the cover 290 .

[0048] Referring again to FIG. 2 , the flexible screen door 200 is opened by moving the control bar 220 away from the roller assembly 230 , thereby unwinding the flexible screen material 210 and extending it across the door opening 114 . In order to provide smooth, non-binding movement of the control bar 220 , a bottom track 300 and a top track 350 are installed to the door sill 104 and top frame 106 , respectively. Both the bottom and top tracks 300 , 350 are preferably formed as aluminum extrusions that have been powder coated to reduce friction. The bottom track 300 is shown attached using screw guides 327 , which facilitate ease of installation, accurate angling of the screws and a better appearance.

[0049] Referring now also to FIG. 12 , the end view of the bottom track 300 is shown, including a base 302 , an upright 304 extending from the base 302 , and a back wall 310 also extending from the base 302 generally parallel to the upright 304 . The upright 304 has a knob 305 formed at an upper end, which provides a rail 306 extending along a length 320 of the bottom track 300 having a generally circular cross-section. The base 302 extends a toe 308 outward away from the back wall 310 beyond the upright 304 . A plurality of protrusions 312 , 314 and 316 formed on an interior side of the back wall 310 and upright 304 provide ridges extending along the length 320 of the bottom track 300 . A strip of mohair 318 or other conformable material is applied to the back wall 310 facing toward the upright 304 .

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5 , the lower end of the control bar 220 includes an opening 228 . A sill plug assembly 260 is removably inserted into this opening 228 so as to extend downward from the control bar 220 . Referring also to FIGS. 13 - 15 , the sill plug assembly 260 includes a spacer 261 formed with a plurality of projections 262 extending from a surface 263 along a length of the spacer 261 . At least a pair of generally square holes 264 are formed within the spacer 261 extending through the length of the spacer 261 . The exterior surface 263 of the spacer 261 , including the projections 262 are sized to fit within the opening 228 of the control bar 220 . As a result, the spacer 261 and control bar 220 may move axially (in this embodiment, vertically) with respect to each other, but will not torque, twist or otherwise move in another degree of freedom.

[0051] A sill plug 265 includes a pair of posts 270 formed in a cross or “plus” shape and sized to fit within the square holes 264 of the spacer 261 . The spacer 261 , thus slides over the posts 270 and allows for axial movement of the spacer 261 with respect to the sill plug 265 without providing for movement in any other degree of freedom. The sill plug 265 also includes a base 269 upon which the posts 270 are formed or mounted and a side wall 266 extending away from the base 269 toward the posts 270 , thus forming an enclosure into which the control bar 220 is slidingly received when the spacer is inserted into the control bar opening 228 . The side wall 266 and base 269 include an opening configured to correspond with indentation 227 on control bar 220 . On an opposite end of the sill plug 265 , the side wall 266 and base 269 includes another opening configured to correspond with receiving portion 226 on the control bar 220 . Therefore, the sill plug 265 accommodates the requirements of the control bar 220 relative to the door frame 108 and flexible screen material 210 .

[0052] On a side of the base 269 away from the posts 270 , the sill plug 265 includes a rail block 271 having a contoured channel 272 configured to ride along and mate with the rail 306 of the bottom track 300 . As a result, the sill plug assembly 260 slideably connects the control bar 220 to the bottom track 300 while allowing for axial variation by providing for axial movement between the control bar 220 , spacer 261 and sill plug 265 . The sill plug assembly 260 is preferably formed from silicone and Teflon impregnated acetal in order to reduce friction; however, other suitable materials may also be used.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 16 , an end view of the top track 350 is shown including a base 352 , an upright 354 extending from the base 352 and a back wall 362 also extending from the base 352 generally parallel to the upright 354 . The upright 354 has a knob 355 formed at an end, which provides a rail 356 extending along a majority of a length 375 of the top track 350 having a generally circular cross-section. Instead of a toe, as in the bottom track 300 , the top track 350 includes a front wall 358 also extending from the base 352 generally parallel to the upright 354 . A plurality of protrusions 364 , 366 and 368 formed on an interior side of the back wall 362 and upright 354 provide ridges extending along the length 375 of the top track 350 . A strip of mohair 370 or other conformable material is applied to the back wall 362 facing toward the upright 354 .

[0054] The front wall 358 extends beyond the height of either the rail 356 or the back wall 362 , thereby blocking both from view when the top track 350 is installed to the door top frame 106 . In order to conform to the desired decor and be consistent with the cover assembly 290 , a layer of veneer 360 is applied to the exterior surface 359 of the front wall 358 . This veneer layer 360 may also be stained, painted or otherwise decorated in a manner similar to or the same as the cover veneer layer 298 .

[0055] The top track 350 is installed in an opposite orientation than the bottom track 300 , such that the rail 356 extends downward toward the bottom track 300 and the control bar 220 . A top member 275 , or head plug, attached to a top end 221 of control bar 220 is formed as a rail block having a contoured channel 276 configured to mate with and ride along rail 356 of top track 350 . The control bar 220 is basically suspended from the top track rail 356 without any axial variation or adjustability. The top track 350 serves primarily as a slideable guide for the top of the control bar 220 as it opens or closes the flexible screen door 200 . The top member 275 is also preferably formed from silicone and Teflon impregnated acetal; however, other suitable materials may also be used.

[0056] In order to balance the top track 350 on the top frame member 106 in appearance, a filler member 395 may be installed on the other side of the roller assembly 230 . This filler member 395 also includes a veneer outer layer 396 to be decorated in accordance with the other components. In addition, bottom and top bumper pads, 326 and 376 , respectively, formed from resilient material may be installed at the roller assembly end of the bottom and top tracks, respectively. These bumper pads 326 , 376 serve as cushions and sound absorbers for the control bar 220 when it opens quickly and/or with force.

[0057] As described above, opening of the flexible screen door 200 , as shown in FIG. 1 , results in the flexible screen material 210 being extended across the door opening 114 . As the control bar 220 moves along the bottom and top tracks 300 , 350 , the screen material 210 passes between the uprights 314 , 354 and the mohair 318 , 370 . The mohair 318 , 370 interfaces with the screen material 210 to help keep out bugs and debris. The screen material 210 is preferably kept taught when the flexible screen door 200 is open so that the screen material 210 is held against the mohair 318 , 370 for better protection.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, a gripping system 400 is provided along the bottom and top tracks 300 , 350 to hold the screen material 210 more firmly in place and provide better protection at these top and bottom edges of the screen door 200 . The gripping system 400 is substantially the same for both the bottom and top tracks 300 , 350 , so only the bottom track 350 will be discussed. Referring now to FIGS. 17 - 20 , the gripping system 400 for the bottom track 300 is shown to include a gripping mechanism 402 having a gripper bar 410 moveably mounted within the bottom track 300 between the back wall 310 and the upright rail 306 . A trigger mechanism 450 , shown in FIG. 20 , which couples to the control bar 220 , activates the gripping mechanism 402 to move the gripper bar 410 from the back wall 310 toward the rail 306 so as to pin the flexible screen material 210 between the gripper bar 410 and the rail 306 .

[0059] The gripper bar 410 is configured as a generally ‘C’ shaped channel having a foot 411 connected by a back wall 412 to a top 413 . An outer edge 414 of the top 413 curves under, that is downward toward the foot 411 and then back toward the back wall 412 , forming a narrow channel 415 under the top 413 . A ridge 416 is provided on the back wall 412 near the top 413 to more clearly define the channel 415 . The back wall 412 includes a plurality of slots 417 formed above the foot 411 . Each slot 417 is bounded by a pair of holes 418 through the back wall 412 under the ridge 416 .

[0060] The gripper bar 410 is inset within the bottom track 300 and moveably held in place by a plurality of clips 420 positioned along the length 320 of the bottom track 300 at each slot 417 . Each clip 420 is attached to the bottom track 300 at a stand off 424 , which snaps into a hole (not shown) in the bottom track 300 . The clip 420 includes a base 421 to which the stand off 424 is attached or formed. A leg 422 that is generally parallel to the base 421 is formed on a side of the base 421 opposite the stand off 424 and is spaced apart from the base 421 , such that a channel 425 is provided between the leg 422 and base 421 . A block 423 is positioned upon the leg 422 and is configured with a generally oblong shape having radiused inner corners or a generally curved inner surface. The foot 411 of the gripper bar 410 sits upon the base 421 with the leg 422 passing through the slot 417 , thereby holding the gripper bar 410 within the bottom track 300 . Each slot 417 is longer than each leg 422 , thus allowing for sliding movement of the gripper bar 410 in the longitudinal direction.

[0061] A plurality of wedges 430 corresponding to the clips 420 are each removably attached to the gripper bar 410 using one of the holes 418 at the ends of each slot 417 . The side of the clip 420 at which the wedge 430 is positioned is determined by the direction of travel of the flexible screen door 200 . Each wedge 430 includes a shelf 431 offset from a base block 433 by a connecting member 432 . The shelf 431 is configured to fit within the channel 415 on the gripper bar 410 . The connecting member 432 is sized and positioned to be adjacent to the ridge 416 when the wedge 430 is attached to the gripper bar 410 . The base block 533 is configured with a curved outer surface facing the inner surface of the clip block 423 . A standoff 434 formed on or attached to the base block 433 is inserted into the hole 418 to mount the wedge 430 to the gripper bar 410 .

[0062] The trigger mechanism 450 includes an activator bar 460 couplable to either the sill plug 260 or control bar top member 275 . The activator bar 460 includes a generally flat bar 461 having a toe 462 at a far end 463 which is angled with respect to the bar 461 . Preferably, the toe 462 is about perpendicular to bar 461 . At a near end 464 , the flat bar 461 includes an offset portion 465 that may be formed by bending bar 461 or by attachment to the bar 461 . The offset portion 465 includes an opening 466 . The activator bar 460 engages either the sill plug 260 or control bar top member 275 at the toe 462 during closing of the flexible screen door 200 and activation of the gripper system 400 .

[0063] The activator bar 460 connects to the gripper bar 410 using an activator plug 470 that attaches to the gripper bar 410 . The activator plug 470 includes a top portion 471 , configured to fit within channel 415 in gripper bar 410 , and a side wall 472 , configured to mate with an inner surface of back wall 412 . The activator plug 470 is attached to the gripper bar 410 using a suitable method, such as side wall locking clips 473 attaching to back wall openings 419 . At a near end 474 , a portion of the side wall 472 is removed leaving a cantilevered portion 475 and a post 476 having a foot 477 . The activator plug 470 connects to the activator bar 460 by the post 476 passing through opening 466 , such that the offset portion 465 is positioned between the top portion 471 and foot 477 of the post 476 . The activator plug 470 engages either the sill plug 260 or control bar top member 275 at the cantilevered portion 475 during opening of the flexible screen door 200 and de-activation of the gripper system 400

[0064] When the trigger mechanism 450 is operated during closing of the screen door 200 , the gripper bar 410 moves along the length of the track 300 a predetermined distance causing each wedge 430 to slide along the stationary clip 420 . The interaction of the curved surface of the wedge base block 433 and the curved surface of the stationary clip block 423 causes the attached gripper bar 410 to move away from the clip 420 and toward the rail 306 . Refer to FIGS. 18 and 19 , in which the gripper bar 410 is in an non-activated position ( FIG. 18 ) and an activated position ( FIG. 19 ). Upon opening of the screen door 200 , the gripper mechanism 400 moves in an opposite manner, such that the wedges 430 move in an opposite direction with respect to the clips 420 , causing the gripper bar 410 to move away from the upright rail 306 , thereby releasing the flexible screen material 210 . The trigger mechanism 450 is not activated during closing until about the last 0.5 inches (about 1.27 centimeters) of travel of the control bar 220 toward the side frame 108 , and release of the gripping system 400 occurs in about the first 0.5 inch (about 1.27 centimeters) of control bar 220 movement upon opening of the screen door 200 . As stated above, and shown in FIG. 21 , the gripping system 400 used with the top track 350 is configured and functions the same as the gripping system 400 described above for the bottom track 300 .

[0065] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.