Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing – Decorative grill attached to sash
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2001-06-05
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
Decorative grill attached to sash
C052S311200, C052S456000, C052S314000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240685
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a decorative building unit of the type used for architectural applications, and, more particularly, to a decorative building unit simulating a multi-pane beveled glass window or door.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, the interior and exterior design of buildings and structures, as well as the furnishings therefor, have employed increasing quantities of decorative glass. For example, it is now commonplace for glass sheets to be used in various types of doors such as shower doors, storm doors, patio doors, entry doors, bi-fold doors, and in decorative windows, mirrors, and other furniture and architectural applications. As the scope of architectural and design tastes expands, the industry has become increasingly receptive to glass sheet products which have unique visual effects. Accordingly, cost effective methods for constructing glass sheet products are being sought.
Kessler (U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,258) discloses a plastic false muntin system for giving a large single glass panel the appearance of a window or door with smaller panels. Special caps attach to the window or door frame and plastic grill pieces snap into place about these caps. Cribben et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,284) discloses a false muntin assembly for converting a single window pane into one having multiple panels by using muntin bars which snap onto metal clips that are affixed to the window panel. Likewise, Ouellette et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,840) discloses a window and grill which uses hidden clips to fasten a grill assembly on top of a single large pane of glass. Dazo et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,245) discloses a window or door construction on which muntins are attached on either side of a unitary piece of glass by way of small, spaced apart holes cut through the glass.
One particularly popular glass sheet design, which does not use a false muntin system, simulates traditional brass camed doors and windows. Grooves are formed in the glass surface in a pattern corresponding to a desired caming pattern and simulated caming is laid into the grooves so that the caming is inset in the glass (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,919 to Butler).
There is also known a convenient and cost-effective means and method for effectively simulating beveled glass panes in a decorative glass sheet to give the appearance of a traditional camed glass window or door. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,391 to Eichhorn et al. Eichhorn discloses a method for forming a plurality of grooves in a glass panel, including forming a pair of opposed, parallel, spaced apart grooves, the pair of spaced apart grooves relatively positioned such that the respective peripheral walls are disposed adjacent one another and define a platform extending between the grooves. At least one caming strip is adhered to the platform adjacent, between and along the peripheral edges of the spaced apart grooves.
Eichhorn also discloses that the decorative, simulative effect is enhanced when certain parameters are observed. A first wall width is preferably no greater than 15percent of a second wall width. Preferably, each second wall forms an angle with the outer surface of the glass panel of at least 2 degrees. Each first wall should form an angle with the outer surface of the glass panel of at least 45 degrees. Preferably, each groove has an overall width of from about 5 to 30 millimeters, and more preferably of 10 to 20 millimeters. The depth of each groove should not exceed 30 percent of the thickness of the glass panel. The glass sheet thickness is preferably from about 3 to 6 millimeters.
The disclosure in Eichhorn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,391, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, Eichhorn is directed to a technique in which caming strips are adhered to a platform formed by adjacent parallel grooves to simulate a camed door or window. The strips must be aligned and affixed by glue or tape. This operation can become tedious.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, on the other hand, utilizes a different type of frame which greatly facilitates the manufacture of a simulated beveled French door or window. In this approach, a support frame is provided with frame members (hereinafter referred to as “simulated muntins”) extending between opposed side members and between opposed end members to form a grid. A glass panel is provided with simulated beveled joints. Each simulated beveled joint includes parallel spaced apart shallow grooves formed in the outer surface of the glass panel and a platform formed between the two spaced grooves. The size and spacing of simulated muntins and simulated joints is such that the muntins and platforms align with each other when the glass panel is mounted on or in the glass support frame. When assembled, the assembly looks like a paned window or French door frame with separate beveled glass panes.
In a preferred embodiment, the support frame includes a rectangular support frame having a pair of opposed spaced apart side walls and a pair of opposed spaced apart end walls. Each side and end wall has an L-shaped cross section which forms a recessed region for receiving a single glass panel. A plurality of simulated muntins extend between and are attached to the pair of side walls and a plurality of simulated muntins are attached to the pair of end walls. The simulated muntins may be attached to the support frame by nailing, tacking, gluing, screwing, or any other suitable attachment means. Alternatively, the simulated muntins may be formed as an integral part of the support frame. The support frame, once assembled with the desired number of simulated muntins, is prepared for receiving the glass panel. The glass panel corresponds in size and shape to the recessed region of the glass support frame such that it can be mounted in the recessed region with ease. The glass panel thickness is preferably between about 3 and about 6 millimeters. Alternatively, the support frame may be flat on the rear (without an L-shaped cross-section). In such a case, the glass panel is merely attached to the rear surface of the frame by appropriate hardware.
Desirably, the glass panel will have beveled regions extending between the side edges of the glass panel, beveled regions extending between the end edges of the glass panel, and beveled regions adjacent to the side edges and end edges. These beveled regions simulate joints in a traditional beveled window or door construction. The number and arrangement of beveled regions corresponds directly to the number and arrangement of simulated muntins. Each beveled region, except the beveled regions adjacent to the side and end edges, includes at least two shallow spaced parallel grooves that are formed in the outer surface of the glass panel and a platform between the two spaced grooves. The platform may be either the original outer surface of the glass panel, or if less height is desired, a flat region between the two spaced grooves formed in the outer surface. The beveled regions adjacent to the side and end edges may comprise a single shallow groove. Desirably, the depth of each groove should not exceed 30 percent of the thickness of the glass panel. The total width of each groove is preferably about 10 to about 20 millimeters. Each groove will have two wall surfaces. A first wall extends from a first peripheral edge to a groove apex bottom and a second wall extends from the apex bottom to a second peripheral edge. The second wall has a width greater than the width of the first wall. Preferably, each second wall forms an angle with the outer surface of the glass panel of at least 2 degrees. Each first wall should form an angle with the outer surface of at least 45 degrees.
The size and spacing of the support frame simulated muntins and the platforms is such that the simulated muntins and the platforms align with each other when the glass panel is mounted in the recessed region of the support frame. Latches, clips, or other suitable fasteners or holders secure the glass panel in the recessed region. While it is not nece
Glass Unlimited of High Point, Inc.
Rhodes & Mason P.L.L.C.
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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