Patent Application
20100071303
The present disclosure relates to building closure assemblies such as windows and doors, and more particularly to a frame corner joint for such a closure assembly.
Building closure assemblies of current design, such as patio screens and doors, typically require several screws to form a butt joint at each corner of the frame. Alignment and assembly at the four corners of the frame can be a laborious and costly operation. It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a corner joint, preferably a corner butt joint, for a building closure frame that can be economically fabricated.
The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.
A closure frame in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one end rail, at least one side rail and a corner joint between ends of the corner and side rails. The corner joint includes a rail insert secured within a first of the rails. A threaded fastener is secured against rotation within the insert and extends from an open end of the first rail into a second of the rails. A nut is disposed within the second rail in threaded engagement with the end of the fastener and clamps the second rail against the open end of the first rail. The corner joint preferably is a butt joint, and a pair of rail inserts preferably are disposed within the end of the first rail so that a pair of threaded fasteners extend into the second rail and are engaged by associated nuts in the second rail. A washer plate preferably is disposed in the second rail beneath the nuts, and a gasket preferably is disposed between the second rail and the open end of the first rail to seal the corner joint.
The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Frame corner butt joint 34 includes at least one rail insert 36, preferably a pair of rail inserts 36 received within associated hollow chambers 38, 40 at the open end of rail 26. Rails 24-30 preferably are of extruded construction such as metal or plastic. Insert 36 preferably is of molded plastic or metal construction having a periphery 42 generally conforming to the geometry of the chamber 38 or 40 (preferably having identical geometries) into which the insert is to be placed. A plurality of spaced parallel ribs 43 extend along the sides of the insert periphery and radially outwardly from the periphery. There is an outwardly extending flange 45 around the front face of insert 36. A plurality of pegs 47, 49 extend axially from flange 45 and from the front face of the insert. Each insert 36 has at least one through-opening 44 that extends from the front face of the insert (
The back face of insert 44 has a pocket 46 around through-opening 44. Pocket 46 preferably is non-circular, such as hexagonal as best seen in
A threaded fastener 52 is carried by each insert 36. Fastener 52 preferably comprises a standard hex-head bolt having a head 54 non-rotatably captured within pocket 46 of insert 36, and a threaded shank 56 that extends through insert through-opening 44 and outwardly from the front face of the insert. Finger 50 of insert 36 extends over and captures head 54 of bolt 52 within pocket 46, while the preferred hexagonal geometries of head 54 and pocket 46 prevent rotation of bolt 52 with respect to insert 36.
The assembly of bolt 52 and insert 36 is then secured within chamber 38 or 40 of rail 26, preferably by applying a layer 57 of adhesive 57 to the external periphery 42 of insert 36 prior to insertion of the insert into the end of the rail. Ribs 43 are press-fitted into the rail chamber and the adhesive is disposed between the ribs. Flange 45 seals the end of chamber 38 or 40 and helps prevent leakage of adhesive. The threaded ends of bolts 52 extend from the open end of rail 26.
Side rail or stile 28 is then assembled against the open end of rail 26. This is accomplished by placing openings 60, 62 (
There thus has been disclosed a closure frame, and particularly a closure frame corner joint, that fully satisfies all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The present disclosure has been presented in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment, and additional modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. For example, the disclosure is by no means limited to corner butt joints but could be implemented in conjunction with corner mitered joints, for example. Nor is the disclosure limited specifically to doorframes, or to rectangular frames. For example, the disclosure could be implemented in conjunction with part-circular decorative windows. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
