Holding frame assembly and flexible retainers for same

1. A flexible filter for a holding frame, comprising:

a flat body extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the body comprises:

a bowed shaped retaining portion disposed at the first end and comprising a first strip, a front face and a top face, wherein the first end is configured to slideably engage a retaining feature of the holding frame, and

a fixed portion disposed at the second end and comprising a second strip, wherein the first and second strips are linearly aligned and laterally offset from the top face and wherein the front face is at a distance furthest from the second end and configured to engage a filter.

2. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the first strip and the second strip are coplanar.

3. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the first strip and the second strip are substantially planar.

4. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the first strip is connected to a front face that defines the portion of the body farthest from second end.

5. The flexible filter retainer of claim 4 , wherein the front face is a substantially convex curve.

6. The flexible filter retainer of claim 4 , wherein the retaining portion comprises a front sloped region extending from the front face away from a plane of the first strip.

7. The flexible filter retainer of claim 6 , wherein the top face is connected to the front face, the top face defining a portion of the body spaced laterally the farthest from the plane of the first strip.

8. The flexible filter retainer of claim 7 , wherein the retaining portion further comprises a back curved face extending from the top face and connected to a back sloped face at an inflection point.

9. The flexible filter retainer of claim 8 , wherein the back sloped face is connected to the second strip.

10. The flexible filter retainer of claim 8 , wherein the back curved face is a substantially concave curve.

11. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a flat spring.

12. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises spring steel.

13. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the second strip comprises a mounting feature configured to be removably attachable to a holding frame.

14. The flexible filter retainer of claim 13 , wherein the mounting feature is a tab.

15. The flexible filter retainer of claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends are pointing in the same direction.

16. A filter holding frame assembly, comprising:

a holding frame comprising:

a plurality of was coupled to form a quadrilateral ring, the walls having retaining features; and

a flange extending inward from a back edge of each wall; and

flexible filter retainers coupled to the holding frame, wherein each retainer comprises a flat body extending from a first end to a second end, and wherein the body comprises:

a retaining portion disposed at the first end and fixedly coupled to the holding frame, and

a fixed portion disposed at the second end and slideaby coupled to the holding frame by the retaining feature.

17. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16 , wherein the fixed portion is removably coupled to the holding frame by a mounting feature.

18. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16 , wherein the retaining portion and the fixed portion comprise linearly aligned, coplanar strips.

19. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16 , wherein the body of the flexible filter retainer comprises a flat spring.

20. The filter holding frame assembly of claim 16 , wherein the retaining portion comprises:

a first convex face defining a portion of the body farthest from the fixed portion; and

a second convex face defining a portion of the body farthest away from a plane defined by the first and second ends.