초록 ▼

A frame includes longitudinal members secured to one another. The longitudinal members support a spline that is normally open in a first position to provide a cavity. A fabric, such a mesh screen, is arranged over the frame so that the perimeter of the screen is received within the cavities of the l

A frame includes longitudinal members secured to one another. The longitudinal members support a spline that is normally open in a first position to provide a cavity. A fabric, such a mesh screen, is arranged over the frame so that the perimeter of the screen is received within the cavities of the longitudinal members. A movable platen is actuated to engage the spline. The splines are forced into the cavities to a second position in which the perimeter of the screen is pinched between the splines and the longitudinal members. A radius nose of the splines is retained in a channel of the longitudinal members securing the screen without tearing it when under load.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A frame for supporting a fabric comprising: a fabric;a longitudinal member including a base wall, a first outer wall, a flange projecting from the first outer wall, a channel formed between the base wall and the flange, and a spline pivotally attached about a pivot, the pivot being located opposi

1. A frame for supporting a fabric comprising: a fabric;a longitudinal member including a base wall, a first outer wall, a flange projecting from the first outer wall, a channel formed between the base wall and the flange, and a spline pivotally attached about a pivot, the pivot being located opposite the channel, and the spline including a radius nose and an arch extending between the radius nose and the pivot;wherein the spline is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position;wherein, when the spline is in the closed position, the spline is positioned within the channel and the fabric is pinched between the radius nose and the base wall;wherein, when the spline is in the closed position, the radius nose moves in response to an application of a downward force to the arch; andwherein the fabric is a thin film solar cell. 2. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame further includes a conductive strip positioned within the channel, the conductive strip being in electrical communication with the thin film solar cell. 3. The frame according to claim 2, wherein the conductive strip includes a plurality of teeth, the teeth protruding into an end of the thin film solar cell. 4. The frame according to claim 2 wherein a nonconductive support member supports the conductive strip in the channel. 5. The frame according to claim 4 wherein the nonconductive support member and the longitudinal member are formed as a bilaminate member. 6. The frame according to claim 1 wherein, when the spline is in the open position, the radius nose is spaced from the channel. 7. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal member and spline are provided by a single extruded member. 8. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the radius nose includes a curved portion and a corner, the curved portion being arranged near the flange to provide a first engagement feature, and the corner being arranged near the base wall to provide a second engagement feature, the fabric being stretched by the radius nose between the first and second engagement features. 9. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the spline includes a U-shaped spring portion that provides a fulcrum about which the radius nose pivots between the open and closed positions. 10. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the arch and radius nose provide a generally C-shaped unitary member, and wherein the arch includes a curved apex protruding away from the longitudinal member. 11. A structure for supporting a fabric comprising: a longitudinally extending member including a channel, the channel provided between a surface and a flange spaced from the surface; anda spline pivotably attached to the longitudinally extending member at a location opposite the flange, the spline configured to be positioned in a first position in which the spline is spaced from the flange, the spline including an arch and a nose, the arch extending from the location opposite the flange and having a first concave surface defined by a first radius in the first position, the nose extending from the arch and having a second concave surface defined by a second radius in the first position;wherein the first and second radii are different sizes, and the first and second concave surfaces face the channel;wherein, when the spline is in a second position in which the spline is received within the channel, the nose is retained in the channel and engages the surface, and at least one of the arch and the nose engages the flange; andwherein the structure supports a thin film solar cell, and wherein the structure is configured to communicate electricity generated by the thin film solar cell to an electrical grid. 12. The structure of claim 11 wherein, when in the second position, the nose is in contact with the surface by way of the thin film solar cell, and the at least one of the arch and the nose is in contact with the flange by way of the thin film solar cell. 13. The structure of claim 11 wherein the radius of the arch is larger when the spline is in the second position than when the spline is in the first position, and the radius of the nose is smaller when the spline is in the second position than when the spline is in the first position. 14. A system for supporting a thin film solar cell comprising: a structure including a channel and a flexible protrusion member;a non-conductive support member supported within the channel, a conductive strip protruding from the non-conductive support member;a thin film solar cell including a conductive end member; andwherein the flexible protrusion member is configured to retain the conductive end member against the conductive strip such that the conductive end member and the conductive strip are in electrical communication with one another. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the conductive strip is in communication with an electrical grid by way of an electrical transmission system. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the conductive strip and the conductive end member are each made of copper. 17. The system of claim 14 wherein the flexible protrusion member is a spline member pivotally attached to the structure.