WINDSCREEN ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A windscreen attachment device for attachment of a screen to supports is provided. The device may comprise a main body member and an insert. The main body member may have an interior area and an inlet channel that may be extending into the interior area. The interior area may include a lock channel and one or more seats. The insert may have a lock arm and one or more teeth. The insert may be positionable in an inserted position that may be defined by the insert being inserted into the interior area via the inlet channel. The lock arm may be inserted within the lock channel when the insert is in the inserted position. The one or more teeth may be positioned adjacent to the one or more seats when the insert is in the inserted position.

Claims

1. A device for attachment of a screen to supports comprising: a main body member having an interior area and an inlet channel extending into the interior area, wherein the interior area includes a lock channel and a plurality of seats; and an insert having a lock arm and a plurality of teeth; wherein the insert is positionable in an inserted position defined by the insert being inserted into the interior area via the inlet channel; wherein the lock arm is inserted within the lock channel when the insert is in the inserted position; and wherein the plurality of teeth are positioned adjacent to the plurality of seats when the insert is in the inserted position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the main body member comprises a plurality of body through holes; wherein the insert comprises a plurality of insert through holes; and wherein each of the plurality of body through holes align with a respective insert through hole of the plurality of insert through holes when the insert is in the inserted position.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising at least one end cap positionable in a covered position defined by the at least one end cap covering an end portion of the main body member.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one end cap comprises a cap through hole positioned to align with one of the plurality of body through holes and align with one of the plurality of insert through holes when the insert is in the inserted position and the at least one end cap is in the covered position.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one end cap comprises a cap side-channel; and wherein at least a portion of the cap side-channel is positioned adjacent to and aligned with a portion of the inlet channel when the at least one end cap is in the covered position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the main body member includes a gap channel that extends along the interior area.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the screen is positionable to surround an outer perimeter of the insert while the insert is in the inserted position to define a secured screen.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of teeth and the plurality of seats create a plurality of pinch points on the secured screen.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the main body member includes a lip adjacent to the inlet channel; and wherein the lip extends outwardly, angled from the inlet channel.

10. A device for attachment of a screen to supports comprising: a main body member having an interior area and an inlet channel extending into the interior area, wherein the interior area includes a lock channel and a plurality of seats; and an insert having a lock arm and a plurality of teeth; wherein the insert is positionable in an inserted position defined by the insert being inserted into the interior area via the inlet channel; wherein the lock arm is inserted within the lock channel when the insert is in the inserted position; wherein the plurality of teeth are positioned adjacent to the plurality of seats when the insert is in the inserted position; wherein the main body member comprises a plurality of body through holes; wherein the insert comprises a plurality of insert through holes; wherein the main body member and the insert allow a least a portion of the screen to surround an outer perimeter of the insert while the insert is in the inserted position to define a secured screen; and wherein the plurality of teeth and the plurality of seats create a plurality of pinch points on the secured screen.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising at least one end cap positionable in a covered position defined by the at least one end cap covering an end portion of the main body member.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein each one of the plurality of body through holes align with a respective insert through hole of the plurality of insert through holes when the insert is in the inserted position; and wherein the at least one end cap comprises a cap through hole positioned to align with one of the plurality of body through holes and align with one of the plurality of insert through holes when the insert is in the inserted position and the at least one end cap is in the covered position.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one end cap comprises a cap side-channel; and wherein at least a portion of the cap side-channel is positioned adjacent to and aligned with a portion of the inlet channel when the at least one end cap is in the covered position.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the main body member includes a gap channel that extends along the interior area.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the main body member includes a lip adjacent to the inlet channel; and wherein the lip extends outwardly, angled from the inlet channel.

16. A device for attachment of a screen to supports comprising: a main body member having an interior area and an inlet channel extending into the interior area, wherein the interior area includes a lock channel and a plurality of seats; an insert having a lock arm and a plurality of teeth; and at least one end cap positionable in a covered position defined by the at least one end cap covering an end portion of the main body member; wherein the insert is positionable in an inserted position defined by the insert being inserted into the interior area via the inlet channel; wherein the lock arm is inserted within the lock channel when the insert is in the inserted position; wherein the main body member comprises a plurality of body through holes; wherein the insert comprises a plurality of insert through holes; wherein the at least one end cap comprises a cap side-channel; wherein each of the plurality of body through holes align with a respective insert through hole of the plurality of insert through holes when the insert is in the inserted position; wherein the at least one end cap comprises a cap through hole positioned to align with one of the plurality of body through holes and align with one of the plurality of insert through holes when the insert is in the inserted position and the at least one end cap is in the covered position; and wherein at least a portion of the cap side-channel is positioned adjacent to and aligned with a portion of the inlet channel when the at least one end cap is in the covered position.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the main body member includes a gap channel that extends along the interior area.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein a portion of the screen is positionable to surround an outer perimeter of the insert while the insert is in the inserted position to define a secured screen.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of teeth are positioned adjacent to the plurality of seats when the insert is in the inserted position; and wherein the plurality of teeth and the plurality of seats create a plurality of pinch points on the secured screen.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the main body member includes a lip adjacent to the inlet channel; and wherein the lip extends outwardly, angled from the inlet channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a windscreen attachment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device according to FIG. 1, shown mounted to fencing.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the device according to FIG. 1, with the insert shown in the non-inserted position.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an interior area of the device according to FIG. 1, with the insert shown in the inserted position and the end cap shown in the covered position.

[0022] FIG. 5 is another perspective view the interior portion of the device according to FIG. 4, with the screen shown in the secured position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0024] Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

[0025] In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as above, below, upper, lower, and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.

[0026] Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as generally, substantially, mostly, and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a windscreen attachment device 100, which may, without limitation, be interchangeably referred to as the device 100. The device 100 may be utilized to attach end portions of a screen 202 to supports 204. For the purposes of the description of the present invention, the use of the term supports 204 may, without limitation, interchangeably be referred to as a fence 204 or fencing 204. The device 100 may allow for screens 202 to be cut to size and have one or more of its end portions thereof to be attached to the fencing 204 in the field. Thus, the device 100 may advantageously remove the need to separate installation of the screens 202 into multiple days.

[0028] For example, without limitation, screens 202 to be installed on fencing typically include loops manufactured at the ends thereof to attach the ends of the screen 202 to the fencing 204. However, often the screens 202 are not cut to just the right dimensions such that the screens 202 must be remanufactured to be resized to the correct length with loops at the ends thereof before installation can be complete. In contrast, by utilizing embodiments of the present invention the screens 202 may be cut to length on site and even though the ends of the screens 202 do not include loops, the device 100 may be utilized to attach one or more ends of the screen 202 to the fence 204. This would allow screen 202 to be fully installed in a much shorter period of time, and removes the need to first measure and order a screen 202 to size from a manufacturer. Instead, screens 202 may be carried to bulk to an installation site and cut to size as needed on-site.

[0029] Initially referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, embodiments of the device 100 may now described with further detail. The device 100 may comprise a main body member 102 and an insert 302. The main body member 102 may have an interior area 402 and also have an inlet channel 118 which may extend into the interior area 402. The interior area 402 and/or the main body member 102 may also include a lock channel 404 and one or more seats 406. The insert 302 may include a lock arm 304 and may also include one or more teeth 306. The insert 302 may be shaped to be inserted into the interior area 402, which may be via the inlet channel 118. The insert 302 being positioned within the interior area 402 of the main body member 102 may be defined as the insert 302 being in an inserted position.

[0030] When the insert 302 is not positioned within the interior area 402 of the main body member 102, the insert 302 may be defined as being in a non-inserted position. The insert 302 may be movable between the non-inserted position and the inserted position, and the insert 302 may be movable from the non-inserted position to the inserted position. When the insert 302 is in the inserted position, the lock arm 304 of the insert 302 may be positioned within the lock channel 404 of the main body member 102 and/or of the interior area 402 of the main body member 102.

[0031] When the insert 302 is in the inserted position, the lock arm 304 may retain the insert 302 in the inserted position in cooperation with the lock channel 404 and/or in cooperation with the interior surface of the main body member 102 adjacent to the lock channel 404. For the purposes of the description of the present invention, it should be understood that reference to the insert 302 being moved to and/or between the inserted position and the non-inserted position, without limitation, may alternatively and/or interchangeably be referred to as and/or imply, the main body member 102 being moved to and/or between the inserted position and the non-inserted position as defined by the insert 302 being movably positioned within and not within the interior area 402 of the main body member 102.

[0032] Also, while the insert 302 is in the inserted position, each of the teeth 306 may be positioned adjacent to a respective one of the seats 406. The main body member 102 may include one or more of body through holes 112, and the insert 302 may include one or more of insert through holes 308. The body through holes 112 and/or the insert through holes 308 may be configured and/or positioned on the main body member 102 and/or the insert 302 to be aligned with a respective body through hole 112 and/or insert through hole 308 when the insert 302 is in the inserted position. One or more of the insert through holes 308 may be located at and/or near each end portion of the insert 302, and one or more of the body through holes 112 may be located at and/or near each end of the main body member 102.

[0033] Some embodiments of the present invention may also include one or more of an end cap 106. The end caps 106 may be configured and/or shaped to cover an end portion of the main body member 102. The end cap(s) 106 being positioned to cover an end portion of the main body member 102 may be defined as a covered position of the end cap(s) 106. An uncovered position of the end cap(s) 106 may be defined as the end cap(s) 106 not covering an end portion of the main body member 102. The uncovered position of the end cap(s) 106 may also and/or alternatively be defined as the end cap(s) 106 being separate and spaced apart from the main body member 102. The end caps 106 may include a cap through hole 110 that may be positioned to align with one of the body through holes 112 and/or with one of the insert through holes 308 when the end cap 106 is in the covered position and/or when the insert 302 is in the inserted position.

[0034] The end caps 106 may also include a cap side-channel 412 which may extend along a first side and/or an upper side of the end cap 106. The cap side-channel 412 may be shaped and/or configured such that at least a portion of the cap side-channel 412 may be aligned with and/or positioned adjacent to a portion of the inlet channel 118 of the main body member 102 when the end cap 106 is in the covered position.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, the main body member 102 may include a gap channel 408 that may extend along the interior area 402 of the main body member 102. The gap channel 408 may be sized and/or configured to allow for and/or be utilized as a spacing and/or gap between the insert 302 and/or a portion of an interior surface of the main body member 102 when the insert 302 is in the inserted position. Those skilled in the art may notice and appreciate that the spacing and/or gap afforded by the gap channel 408 when the insert 302 is in the inserted position may advantageously allow for portions of attachment members 206 to be allowed space to fit between the insert 302 and the interior surface of the main body member 102 when the insert 302 is in the inserted position. Further details on the attachment members 206 follows below.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, the main body member 102 may also include a lip 104. The lip 104 may be adjacent to and/or positioned adjacent to the inlet channel 118 of the main body member 102. The lip 104 may also be extended along and/or extended parallel to the inlet channel 118. The lip 104 may extend outwardly from the main body member 102 and/or from and/or relative to the inlet channel 118. The lip 104 may also extend at an angle which may be relative to the main body member 102, and/or relative to a central axis extending along a length of the main body member 102, and/or relative to the inlet channel 118. The lip 104 may be utilized as a guide for inserting the insert 302 into the interior area 402 of the main body member 102 via the inlet channel 118 and movably position the insert 302 to the inserted position. For example, without limitation, the lip 104 may provide a funneling-like for the inlet channel 118 such that the insert 302 may be aided and/or guided into the inlet channel 118 by the lip 104 when moving the insert 302 to the inserted position from the non-inserted position.

[0037] The teeth 306 may extend at an angle relative to a horizontal plane of the insert 302, which may be an angle similar to the angle of the lip 104, such that the teeth 306 may not conflict with the lip 104 when the insert 302 is being inserted into the inlet channel 118 so as to not prevent the insert 302 from being moved to the inserted position from the non-inserted position. The angle of the lip 104 may also be such that the lip 104 and the lock arm 304 may not conflict with one another when the insert 302 is being inserted into the inlet channel 118 such that the insert 302 may not be prevented from being moved to the inserted position from the non-inserted position by the lock arm 304 being moved against the lip 104.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the main body member 102 may comprise a material that may be relatively flexible such that a force may be applied to the main body member 102 and/or to the lip 104, with such force being at least partially directed outwardly from the main body member 102 on the lip 104, such that the force may flex the main body member 102 and/or the lip 104 to cause the height of the inlet channel 118 and/or of the interior area 402 of the main body member 102 to be increased relative to an unflexed the height of the inlet channel 118 and/or of the interior area 402. In cases where the insert 302 is in the inserted position, the height increase of the inlet channel 118 and/or of the interior area 402 caused by the force directly outwardly applied to the lip 104 and/or the main body member 102, may allow for the insert 302 to me moved from the inserted position to the non-inserted position. For example, without limitation, when the insert 302 is in the inserted position and attached to a fence 204 via one or more attachment members 206, the lip 104 may provide for leverage and/or a grip placement to allow for the lip 104 to be gripped and have a force applied thereto in a direction substantially outwardly from the inlet channel 118 to cause the height of the inlet channel 118 and/or of the interior area 402 to be increased relative to an unflexed height of the inlet channel 118 and/or of the interior area 402 to move the insert 302 to the non-inserted position from the inserted position.

[0039] Now referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments of the present invention, the main body member 102 and/or the insert 302 may be sized and/or configured to allow a least a portion of the screen 202 to surround, envelop, be folded around, and/or abut the outer perimeter and/or the outer surface of the insert 302 when the insert 302 is in the inserted position, which may be defined as and/or define a secured screen 202 and/or the screen 202 being in a secured position. When the insert 302 is in the inserted position and the screen 202 is in the secured position, the teeth 306 of the insert 302 and the seats 406 of the main body member 102 may cause and/or create and/or be configured to create a pinch point 502 at the portion of the screen 202 located between each of the teeth 306 and the seats 406. Examples of screens 202 include, without limitation, a tarp, a blanket, a sheet, a windscreen, a sunscreen, a sun shade, a screen, a privacy screen, a banner, a mesh, a netting, a flag, a curtain, a canvas, a flexible cloth-like signage or sheet, and any combination and/or combinations thereof and any other flexible fabric-like and/or screen-like item that may be mounted on a fence 204 by an embodiment of the device 100 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, the lip 104 may also be utilized as and/or provide for a guide to cut-off and/or remove excess screen 202 that may be extending from the inlet channel 118 when the screen 202 is in the secured position. For example, without limitation, the lip 104 may provide for a uniform spacing and/or line adjacent to and along the inlet channel 118, such that excess screen 202 extending from the inlet channel 118 may be cut and/or removed from the rest of the screen 202 by utilizing the lip 104 as a reference and/or guide to create a substantially uniform and/or straight cut-end that will comprise the end of the remaining portion of the screen 202 in the secured position.

[0041] Each pinch point 502 may be caused by the teeth 306 and the seats 406 pressing the respective portion of the screen 202 between one another. Each pinch point 502 created by the teeth 306 and the seats 406 may prevent the screen 202 from being removed from the secured position, such that the screen 202 may not be removed from the secured position when the screen 202 is surrounding, enveloping, and/or abutting the outer perimeter of the insert 302 when the insert 202 is in the inserted position. In some embodiments of the present invention, the teeth 306 may cause a barb-like effect to take place between the screen 202 when the teeth 306 are in contact with the screen 202 when the screen 202 is in the secured position. This barb-like effect may cause the secured screen 202 to be gripped by the teeth 306 such that the screen 202 may be prevented and/or further prevented from being removed from the secured position. For example, without limitation, the teeth 306 may have one or more tips and/or thinned ends or points that may cause the teeth 306 to catch against, grip, and/or have a barb-like effect on the screen 202 which may cause those portions of the screen 202 that are in contact with the teeth 306 to be gripped and/or held thereby, and prevent the screen 202 from being removed from the secured position.

[0042] Now referring back to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the insert 302 may include one or more teeth apertures 316. The teeth apertures 316 may be associated with and/or adjacent to a respective one of the teeth 306. The teeth 306 may be formed by physically and/or mechanically punching the insert 302 with a punch or dye to form the teeth 306, which, concurrently, may also form the teeth apertures 316. Those skilled in the art may notice and appreciate that forming the teeth 306 by punching the teeth 306 out of the insert 302 and thus forming the teeth apertures 316 may advantageously reduce the weight of the insert 302, as opposed to the teeth 306 being attached to the insert 302 without any teeth apertures 316 formed thereon.

[0043] The main body member 102 may include a raised portion 114. The raised portion 114 may extend along at least a portion of the length of the main body member 102 and/or may extend along the entire length of the main body member 102. The raised portion 114 may also protrude outwardly from a mid-portion of the main body member 102, and the raised portion 114 may be located on a lower outward face of the main body member 102. Also, the raise portion 114 may be positioned adjacent to the gap channel 408 of the main body member 102. The end cap(s) 106 may also include a raised portion 116. The raised portion 116 of the end cap 106 may extend along at least a portion of the length of the end cap 106 and/or may extend along the entire length of the end cap 106. The raised portion 116 of the end cap 106 may also protrude outwardly from a mid-portion of the end cap 106, and the raised portion 116 of the end cap 106 may be located on a lower outward face of the end cap 106.

[0044] The raised portion 116 of the end cap 106 may form and/or be adjacent to and parallel with an end cap channel 409 that may be located on a portion of an interior surface of the end cap 106. The end cap channel 409 may be formed, shaped, and/or configured to surround and/or cover a portion of the raised position 114 of the main body member 102 when the end cap 106 is in the covered position at an end portion of the main body member 102.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, the end cap(s) 106 may include a hook portion 414 positioned along and/or adjacent to the end cap channel 409. The hook portion 414 may curve inwardly from an outer surface of the end cap 106 towards the end cap channel 409. The hook portion 414 may be utilized to secure the end cap 106 to a portion of the main body member 102 that is adjacent to the inlet channel 118 of the main body member 102 when the end cap 106 is in the covered position.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the insert 302 may comprise a blunt edge 314, which may be located at a second side 312 of the insert 302, perhaps as best illustrated in FIG. 5. For reference, without limitation, the side of the insert 302 where the lock arm 304 may be located, may be referred to as a first side 310 of the insert. The blunt edge 314 may comprise a folded portion of the insert 302. The blunt edge 314 and/or the second side 312 of the insert may be the side of the insert 302 which may be initially inserted into the inlet channel 118 and/or interior area 402 of the main body member 102 when the insert 302 is moved to the inserted position. The blunt edge 314 may be utilized to mitigate and/or reduce a chance of a screen 202 becoming damaged, ripped, torn, frayed, and/or cut when the screen 202 is surrounding, covering, and/or wrapped around the insert 302 when the insert is being moved to and/or in the inserted position and/or when the screen 202 is being moved to and/or in the secured position.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the main body member 102 may include a flex channel 410. The flex channel 410 may be travel into a portion of the interior surface of the main body member 102 and may be located between and extended along the lock channel 404 and the seats 406 of the main body member 102. The flex channel 410 may be utilized to cause the adjacent portions of the main body member 102 to have a relatively increased flexibility to allow the adjacent portions to flex when the insert 302 is being moved to the inserted position, and/or to allow the adjacent portions to flex when a pulling, prying, and/or pushing force is to applied to the lip 104 of the main body member 102 which may be directed away from the inlet channel 118. The flex channel 410 may also allow and/or provide for the main body member 102 to comprise a uniform thickness and/or cross section between the interior area 402 of the main body member 102 and the outer surface of the main body member 102. Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that having a main body member 102 with a uniform thickness/cross-section may provide for a more convenient and/or simple manufacturing process for creating the main body member 102 compared to a main body member 102 having a non-uniform thickness. Such as, and without limitation, when the when the main body member 102 is manufactured out of a plastic material or composite material.

[0048] The seats 406 of the main body member 102 may include a portion thereof that may be formed, shaped, and/or configured to engage with a tip portion of a respective one of the teeth 306 of the insert 302 when the insert 302 is in the inserted position, such that the insert 302 may be prevented from moving to the non-inserted position from the inserted position while the portion(s) of the seat(s) 406 are engaged with respective tip portions of the teeth 306.

[0049] Now referring to FIGS. 2-5, the inlet channel 118 and/or the cap side-channel(s) 412 may be shaped, formed, and/or configured to allow for at least a portion of the screen 202 to be extended through and/or be traveling through the inlet channel 118 and/or the cap side-channel(s) 412 while the insert 302 is in the inserted position and/or while the end cap(s) 106 are in the covered position(s). The cap side-channel 412 of each end cap 106 may also be formed and/or shaped to extend from and along a side of the end cap 106 to and along an upper portion of the end cap 106. The cap-side channel 412 may allow for the end cap 106 to be moved to the covered position from the uncovered position when one or more attachment members 206 are extending from the insert 302 and/or the main body member 102 to a portion of the fence 204 and from one or more of the insert through holes 308 and/or the main body through holes 112. For example, without limitation, the cap-side channel 412 may allow for clearance for an attachment member 206 to travel along and/or within the cap-side channel 412 when the end cap 106 is being moved to the covered position from the uncovered position, when the attachment member 206 is extending upwardly from an end portion of the main body member 102 and/or insert 302, and/or upwardly from an insert through hole 308 and/or main body through hole 112 positioned at an end portion of the main body member 102 and/or the insert 302 such that the attachment member 206 does not prevent and/or conflict with the end cap 206 moving to the covered position from the uncovered position.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, the lock arm 304 may be further utilized for and/or provide for the screen 202 to be secured in the secured position. For example, without limitation, when the insert 302 is in the inserted position, and when the screen 202 is in the secured position, the lock arm 304 may press one or more portions of the screen 202 against the lock channel 404 (e.g., against an interior surface of the main body member 102 defined by the lock channel 404) and/or compress the screen 202 between one or more portions of the lock arm 304 and one or more portions of the lock channel 404 to secure and/or further secure the screen 202 in the secured position.

[0051] A method aspect of using an embodiment of the device 100 to secure a screen 202 to a support 204 / fence 204 / fencing 204 may now be further detailed. As may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, once arriving at a fence 204 to install a screen 202 thereon, the screen 202 may be mounted to the fence 204 starting at a first end of the screen 202 and first end of the fence 204, and continuing towards the second end of the screen 202 and second end of the fence 204. At the second end of the fence 204, the second end of the screen 202 may comprise an excess length relative to the length of the fence 204 and/or the second end of the fence 204.

[0052] For example, without limitation, the second end of the screen 204 may comprise a length that may be one to two feet greater than the fence 204 and/or second end of the fence 204. The excess length of the second end of the screen 202 may be due to the total length that the screen 202 may have had prior to installing / mounting a majority of the screen 202 to the fence 204, and/or by cutting the screen 202 to leave an excess length of the screen 202 as the second end of the screen 202 post installing / mounting the screen 202 to the fence 204.

[0053] At the second end of the screen 202, the insert 302 may be horizontally positioned in proximity to and/or near the second end of the fence 204, and such that a portion of the second excess end of the screen 202 may be positioned between the insert 302 and a portion of the fence 204. The insert 302 may be positioned such that the second side 312 of the insert 302, e.g., the blunt edge 314, may be in closer proximity to the second end of the fencing 204 and/or to the second excess end of the screen 202 than the first side 310, e.g., lock arm 304 of the insert 302. The insert 302 may then be attached and/or removably attached to the fence 204 via insert through holes 308 that may be located at and/or near the upper and lower portions of the insert 308 with one or more attachment members 206. The attachment members 206 may comprise, without limitation, one or more of zip-ties, bungie cords, ropes, wires, strings, and any combination and/or combinations thereof.

[0054] The second excess end of the screen 202 that may be extending from the second end of the insert 302 may be movably folded and/or folded about the second end of the insert 302 and/or back towards itself (the screen 202), such that the screen 202 and/or a portion of the screen 202 may be substantially covering and/or surrounding the insert 302. The insert 302 and/or the main body member 102 may be moved to the inserted position via the inlet channel 118 so as to move the screen 202 to the secured position. The insert 302 and/or the main body member 102 may be attached to the fence 204 while in the inserted position with attachment member(s) 206 via one or more of the insert through holes 308 and/or the body through holes 112 which may be aligned with one another. In some method aspects of the present invention, prior to attaching the insert 302 and the main body member 102 while in the inserted position to the fence 204, the screen 202 may be penetrated to create openings through the screen 202 at each of the aligned insert through holes 308 and the body through holes 112.

[0055] With the insert 302 and the main body member 102 attached to the fence 204 while in the inserted position and while the screen 202 in the secured position, the end cap(s) 106 may be moved to the covered position to cover the end portions of the main body member 102 and/or of the insert 302. However, in some method aspects of the present invention, the attachment members 206 which may have been used to attach the upper and lower portions of the insert 302 to the fence 204 (prior to moving the insert 302 / main body member 102 to the inserted position), may have comprised bungie cords or another type of temporary attachment member 206 and may be removed prior to moving the end cap(s) 106 to the covered position.

[0056] With the insert 302 and/or main body member 102 in the inserted position, the screen 202 in the secured position, the end cap(s) 106 in the covered position, additional attachment members 206 may be used to attach the insert 302, main body member 102, and/or the end cap(s) 106 to the fence 204 via the insert through hole(s) 308, body through hole(s) 112, and/or cap through hole(s) 110 which may be respectively aligned with one another. Thereafter, and/or prior to attaching the insert 302, main body member 102, and/or the end cap(s) 106 to the fence 204 with the attachment members 206, the remainder excess length of the screen 202 may be removed and/or cut off from the screen 202. The remainder excess of the screen 202 may include the portion of the second end of the screen 202 which may be left extending out from the inlet channel 118 of the main body member 102. The excess screen 202 may then be removed, which may be via a cut guided by the lip 104, as mentioned above.

[0057] Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

[0058] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0059] Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.