Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facer held by stiffener-type frame – Facer attached between exposed frame members
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-21
2001-10-23
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Facer held by stiffener-type frame
Facer attached between exposed frame members
C052S476000, C052S204700, C052S204591
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305144
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to window frames that are mounted in wall openings, and to methods of installing window panes in such frames.
In commercial and industrial buildings, window panes arc generally secured in frames that are mounted in openings in the building structure. Such frames take many forms but typically include a sill, two side jambs and a header. A window pane receiving groove or the like is provided in the frame. A window pane is placed in the groove and sealant or a seal strip (generally referred to as glazing) is inserted into the groove on opposite sides of the window pane to seal and hold the window pane in place.
The inside dimensions of the window frame opening are smaller than the outer dimensions of the window pane, thus requiring some means for inserting the window pane into the window pane groove through the window frame opening. One way to accomplish this is to have removable window pane retainer strips that when removed, provide a larger frame opening permitting insertion of the window pane. Installation of the retainer strips around the periphery of the window pane secures it in the frame. The retainer strips are held in place by screws or some other fastener means. One such frame is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,262. This structure is very complex, requiring a large number of parts to work. The frame uses two-piece frame members that are clamped in place in the structural opening by screws cooperating with component parts of the frame members. Retainer strips abut the window pane when installed and are screwed in place around the entire periphery of the window pane to retain the window pane in place. U.S. Pat. No. 2,840,202 shows another window frame that is held in place in a structural opening by a tooth and pawl arrangement. The window pane is retained in place by a bead of glazing. While such designs have been somewhat effective in use, they are complicated in structure and require complex manufacturing and time consuming installation techniques.
Window frames and window panes used in commercial and industrial buildings can be large and many times need to be installed at elevated locations. This poses both safety and expense problems. When there is a pressure differential across the window pane, large forces can be generated making installation difficult. Also, the window pane needs to be positively secured in place to prevent loss of the window pane and any subsequent damage the loss may cause. Thus, window frames need to be effective in positively retaining the window pane and easy for installers to install in structures, both new and pre-existing. Many times, window installation is done at elevated positions making installer safety a major concern. Further, because elevated work is dangerous, it requires skilled workers who command high salaries. Thus, a window frame needs to be designed to provide for easy, sure, and quick installation, present minimal safety issues for the installer and reduce labor costs for installation. After the window frame is installed, the same concerns about safety and cost apply to the installation of the window pane in the window frame. In addition, the loss of a window pane during installation can cause a safety risk to people and property in the vicinity. Thus, the window frame needs to be adapted for easy, quick, and sure installation of the window pane.
After installation, window repair is frequently needed. Concerns over expense and safety are the same for repair as they are for initial installation. Thus, the window frame needs to be easy to operate to remove old panes and install new panes.
Thus, there is a need for a window frame that is easy and economical to manufacture and simple and quick to install in wall openings. The window frame should have a minimum number of parts that need to be installed to secure a window pane and provide for positive retention of the window pane.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of a window frame that is easy to install in new construction and in pre-existing structures; the provision of a window frame that provides for easy installation and removal of window panes; the provision of a window frame that is simple in construction and uses few parts; the provision of a window frame that is effective in positively retaining window panes therein; the provision of a window frame that holds the window pane in place with integral retainer strips on both sides of the window pane that eliminates aesthetically objectionable visible screws and eliminates a failure point in the window frame; the provision of a window frame that uses fasteners to hold the frame in place in a structure where the fasteners are shielded from the outside environment when the window pane is installed; the provision of a window frame that can be manufactured from steel using simple manufacturing techniques and inexpensive components; the provision of a method of installing a window pane in a window frame that is simple to carry out and positively retains the window pane in place; and the provision of such a method that retains the pane against accidental loss during installation.
The present invention involves the provision of a window frame unit adapted to secure a window pane in place in a window opening. The window frame unit is adapted to be mounted in an opening in a wall defined by a plurality of casings members. The window frame includes an elongate sill having a window pane receiving groove extending along the length of the sill. A pair of elongate side jambs is provided with each having a window pane receiving groove extending along the length of the respective side jamb. An elongate header having an elongate slot extending along the length of the header is also provided. An elongate filler strip is positioned in the header slot reducing the transverse width of the header slot and forms with the header, a window pane receiving groove in the header. The sill, side jambs and header are positioned relative to one another to form a window frame with the sill groove, side jamb grooves and header groove forming a substantially continuous window pane receiving groove around the inside periphery of the window frame. Lock means cooperates with the header and the filler strip to releasably retain the strip in the header.
The present invention also involves the provision of a window frame unit adapted to secure a window pane in place in a window opening. The window frame unit is adapted to be mounted in an wall opening defined by a plurality of casings members. The window frame unit includes an elongate sill having a window pane receiving groove extending along the length of the sill. The sill has a pair of spaced apart sill legs on opposite sides of and extending from a sill web, the sill legs have inside surfaces facing one another. The window frame also includes a pair of elongate side jambs each having a window pane receiving groove extending along a length of a respective side jamb. Each side jamb has a pair of spaced apart side jamb legs on opposite sides of and extending from a respective side jamb web with the side jamb legs of each side jamb having inside surfaces facing one another. An elongate header has a groove extending along the length of the header and has a pair of spaced apart header legs on opposite sides of and extending from a header web. The header legs have inside surfaces facing one another. A plurality of spaced apart reinforcing members extend transversely between the inside surfaces of the sill legs, the inside surfaces of the side jamb legs and the inside surfaces of the header legs to reinforce the legs from bending inwardly.
The present invention further involves the provision of a method of installing a window pane in a window frame that includes a sill, a pair of side jambs and a header. The method includes positioning a first side edge of the window pane in a first edge groove of a first side jamb of the aforesaid pair of side jambs. The bottom edge of
Friedman Carl D.
Glass-Stop Concepts, Inc.
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
Slack Naoko
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