Patent Application
20100064625
1. Technical Field
An improved frame assembly is provided, such as for a window or door frame assembly, which is often referred to as a “door lite.” The improved frame assembly has a component structure that provides an alignment guide for placing two halves of the frame assembly together during transport and final assembly. The improved frame assembly also has a robust and adjustable locking mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Frame assemblies for door lites are generally known in the art. These frame assemblies are typically pre-manufactured in several pieces and shipped to another destination for assembly. For example, door lite frame assemblies can come in two sub-parts, which are secured together with a piece of glass or other transparent or insulating material, such as a glazing panel, in-between the two sub-parts. There are many existing frame assemblies having different types of external clips or other external fasteners (such as screws) for securing the frame assembly together.
Unfortunately, installation of these existing door lite frames with external fasteners can be time consuming. For example, in prior art door lite frames, when the frame assembly arrives at the place of installation, the frame sub-parts typically are separated by removing fasteners that held the sub-parts together during transportation. Then during installation, the frame sub-parts are positioned and resecured together with fasteners. Each fastener that needs to be removed after shipment and resecured during installation, decreasing the efficiency of installation and increases costs.
Another drawback to the existing door lite frames is that any fasteners, or holes for the fasteners, that are visible from the exterior of the door lite can detract from its aesthetic appeal. Covering the visible ends of the fasteners or holes with a plug or putty, for example, requires additional costs and introduces more inefficiency during installation.
An example of a prior art door lite frame assembly is shown in
This prior art door lite 1 is not desirable for several reasons. For example, the door lite 1 does not have an efficient and simple way to be aligned or secured during transport from the manufacturing facility to the place of final installation. While the frame sub-parts 2 and 3 can be aligned and secured together with the threaded fasteners 5 before transport, this is undesirable because of the time involved securing the door lite 1 prior to transport, removing the threaded fasteners 5 at the place of installation, and then resecuring the threaded fasteners 5 during final installation. Moreover, the exposed holes 6 and 7 are undesirable.
Door lites without external threaded fasteners have been the subject of U.S. patents, but these door lites suffer from their own problems. For example, a “screwless” door lite is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,767 by Krochmal et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,888 by Tumlin et al., however these designs do not provide for a shipping orientation or integral parts necessary for alignment in a shipping orientation. Not having a shipping orientation that provides guided interconnection of matching frame assembly sub-parts is a major drawback to these designs. It is desirable to have two matching frame parts aligned together during shipping because this helps ensure that matching parts are transported and delivered together, and it allows a glass panel or glazing to be held in-between the matching frame parts during shipping.
Door lites with shipping and installation orientations have also been the subject of U.S. patents, but these door lites also suffer from their own shortcomings. For example, the door lites disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,701 by Wang et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,959 by Ouellette are inadequate because neither provide for a guided interconnection of matching frame assembly sub-parts in both the shipping and installation orientations via parts formed on the door lite frame.
Rather, Ouellette describes clip structures that are separate components from the door lite frame, thus adding to the cost of manufacturing and increasing the complexity of installation. Similarly, the frame disclosed by Wang et al. suffers from multiple deficiencies. While the frame of Wang et al. provides a shipping and installation orientation, there is no provision for guided interconnection in the installation orientation, leading to misalignment during installation. Moreover, the frame of Wang et al. requires separate structures for orienting the frame during shipping and permanently coupling the frame halves together. These separate structures increase the manufacturing cost and multiply the complications for properly orienting the frame halves during shipping and installation.
Existing door lite frames with an installation alignment system have also proven difficult and cumbersome. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,142 by Gerard describes a connector system for the shipping and installation orientations, but the alignment system is inadequate and does not provide for minimization of localized torsion that can lead to misalignment during installation and permanent interconnection. The frame disclosed by Gerard is therefore difficult to properly align during installation, leading to problems from the frame halves being permanently connected out of alignment.
Moreover, many of the prior door lites, such as those disclosed by Gerard, Ouellette and Wang et al., do not provide interconnects that acceptably accommodate a wide range of varying thicknesses in the structure sandwiched between the two halves of the frame structure. For example, the two subparts of a door lite frame assembly typically need to be installed on outside portions of a door or frame that is supposed to be 1¾ inches, but the thickness of the door or frame may vary by as much as 0.06 to 0.09 inches. This variance is complicated by differences in thicknesses of other materials and structures that are often placed between the door lite frame and the structure therebetween, for example foam, seals or other gaskets, and panels such as glass or glazing.
Another complication during installation from inadequate provisions for thickness variations is that the door lite frame halves have inadequate connection and retention. For example, in the prior door lites, it is difficult to discern if all of the interconnects are properly connected. Due to the variances in thicknesses in the door lite materials, the opportunity of an improper connection during installation is magnified. Thus, these prior door lite frames may unintentionally separate and come apart after installation.
There is a need for a door lite frame system that provides an adjustable interconnect that can handle variations in thicknesses around the door lite frame. There is also a need for the door lite frame system to provide an alignment structure that is used in both shipping and installation orientations and can also minimize torsion and rotation during installation. Moreover, it is highly desirable for that frame system to be durable and easy to assemble. It is also desirable for that system to have a low cost production with the frame system providing a structure that is easily assembled both in the shipping and installation orientation. No prior art door lite frame system provides all of these desired features.
In embodiments of the present frame system, some to all of the aforementioned problems are overcome. For example, in certain embodiments, a frame assembly is provided that has orientation structures that substantially axially align in a geometrically congruent fashion two frame halves, with the orientation structures aligning the frame system in both a shipment and an installation orientation. In some embodiments, the orientation structures are configured to provide removable engagement in a shipping orientation so that the frame halves can be quickly and easily decoupled at the place of installation.
Moreover, the orientation structures are configured to provide, in embodiments, a rotational stiffness that substantially holds the two frame halves in alignment and substantially prevents axial rotation of the two frame halves out of alignment. Significantly, in some embodiments, even a single pair of orientation structures, including an orientation guide or pin on one frame half and an orientation receiver or aperture on the other frame half, provide this alignment and rotational stiffness.
Also, in certain embodiments of the present frame system, an interlocking structure is provided that is configured for progressive locking during installation that can accommodate various sizes of materials that may be installed between the two halves of the frame system. Thus, in embodiments having the progressive locking feature, various sizes of material, for example doors, walls, glass, glazing or other materials of substantially different thicknesses, can be installed within the same size framing system without having to change the dimensions of the framing system.
Significantly, in some embodiments, the orientation structures and the interlocking structures work in cooperation to provide a frame system that is robust and easy to align, assemble, and install. For example, the orientation structures cooperate to help ensure that the interlocking structures are aligned and actually lock together during installation, even for embodiments where only one pair of orientation structures is provided.
Also, in embodiments, interaction between the orientation structures and the interlocking structures provides added strength to the frame system. For example, even in embodiments where the orientation structures are separate and distinct from the interlocking structures, rotational stiffness from the orientation structures substantially prevents the two frame halves from axially rotating and the interlocking structures from slipping out of a locked interaction. Moreover, the orientation structures can be configured to absorb forces placed on the frame halves, thereby reducing any stress, force and torque that may act on the interlocking structures.
For example, in some embodiments, a frame assembly is provided that comprises a first frame structure with corresponding first interlocking members and first alignment members substantially parallel to each other and aligned in substantially a same plane. Also, in embodiments, a second frame structure is also provided that has second alignment members each having at least one second interlocking member formed thereon. In these embodiments, the first and second frame structures have a shipping and installation orientations with respect to one another separated by approximately 180 degrees, with the first and second alignment members configured to be engaged in both orientations. In the shipping orientation, the first and second alignment members are configured to be removably engaged, and in the installation orientation, are configured to be substantially permanently engaged by corresponding sets of first interlocking members and second interlocking members. In these embodiments, alignment in both the shipping and installation orientation is provided by the second alignment members each having an aperture that is substantially geometrically congruent with a shape of each of the first alignment members. Thus, even for embodiments having a single set of first and second alignment members, the frame system is aligned during shipping and installation.
These and many other embodiments of the present frame system are provided for and described in the accompanying drawings, detailed description, and claims. Moreover, methods of manufacturing the frame system as well as methods of assembling the frame system in the shipping and installation orientations are provided for and described in the accompanying drawings, detailed description, and claims.
Referring to
The frame system 10 and the first and second frame halves 20/30, including all of the elements formed thereon, can be formed using known techniques, such as injection molding. Pliable materials, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), other plastics, or other pliable materials can be used to make the frame system 10. Alternatively, rigid materials, such as nylon, metal, glass or other rigid materials, can be used to make the frame system 10. In other embodiments, the frame system 10 can be made of multiple materials, including combinations of pliable and rigid materials.
In an exemplary embodiment, the first half 20 of the frame structure has a first alignment member and a first interlocking member. For example, in embodiments, first half 20 of the frame structure has an orientation guide 40 and a first locking structure 50 that are each a longitudinally projecting member formed on an inner portion of the first half 20. In embodiments, the first locking structure 50 and the orientation guide 40 are separate and distinct structures spaced apart from one another, as depicted in
In embodiments, the first locking structure 50 includes at least one ledge or arm 55 laterally extending from and formed on a portion of the first locking structure 50. In embodiments, there are a plurality of ledges or arms 55 formed on the first locking structure 50. In an exemplary embodiment, the arms 55 are formed on only one side of the first locking structure 50. In embodiments, the arms 55 laterally project from the first locking structures 50 at an angle, such as 45 degrees.
In embodiments, there are a plurality of orientation guides 40 and a plurality of first locking structures 50 formed on the inner portion of the first frame member 20 and are separate components spaced apart from one another. One orientation guide 40 and one first locking structure 50 form a unit, with the orientation guide 40 and first locking structure 50 separate and distinct from one another but spaced proximately to one another. In embodiments, corresponding orientation guides 40 and first locking structures 50 are formed substantially parallel to one another and project from the first frame member 20 in substantially parallel planes. For each unit, the arms 55 laterally project into a space between the orientation guide 40 and first locking structure 50. In embodiments, the orientation guides 40 and first locking structures are spaced evenly about an inner portion of the first half 20 of the frame system 10.
In an exemplary embodiment, the second half 30 of the frame structure has a second alignment member and a second interlocking member. For example, in embodiments, the second half 30 of the frame structure 10 comprises an orientation receiver 60 that is a longitudinally projecting member formed on an inner portion of the second half 30, with the orientation receiver 60 comprising a second locking structure 65 formed on an outer portion of the orientation receiver 60. In other embodiments, one or more of the orientation receivers 60 and second locking structure 65 can be formed apart from the second half 30 of the frame system 10 and attached thereto.
In embodiments, the second locking structure 65 is at least one lateral projection or ledge, for example, an arm or other structure, or a plurality of such structures, such as a saw-tooth structure or serrated teeth. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of orientation receivers 60, each having a second locking structure 65 formed thereon, and the orientation receivers 60 are spaced evenly about an inner portion of the second half 30 of the frame system 10. In embodiments, the second locking structures 65 are a plurality of triangular saw tooth ledges extending from the side of the orientation receivers 60 with a flat top surface and an angled bottom surface, for example 45 degrees.
Although the frame assembly 10 is shown in embodiments having two frame halves 20/30 with different structures on each half, in alternative embodiments, the two frame halves can be similar or substantially identical. For example, instead of having the orientation guides 40 and first locking structures 50 only on the first frame half 20 and the orientation receivers 60 and second locking structures 65 only on the second frame half 30, these various elements can be placed on both frame halves 20/30 providing identical frame halves 20/30. In these alternative embodiments, the orientation guides 40 can be configured with corresponding orientation receivers 60 and the first locking structures 50 can be configured with corresponding second locking structures 65 to provide guided alignment of the two frame halves 20/30 for shipping and installation orientations and to provide interlocking of the first and second locking structures 50/65 during installation.
Referring to
With reference to
Significantly, in embodiments having the first and second locking structures 50/65, the progressive locking mechanism allows materials of various thicknesses to be installed between the same two frame halves 20/30 without having to change the dimensions of the first and second locking structures 50/65. In some embodiments, the progressive locking feature is provided in part by a plurality of laterally extending arms 55 formed lengthwise on a portion of the first locking structure 50 that engage a plurality of second locking structures 65 formed lengthwise on a portion of the orientation receiver 60.
For example, engagement of the orientation guides and receivers 40/60 and first and second locking structures 50/65 is shown in a progressive manner in
In embodiments, the arms 55 of the first locking structure 50 are made of a material that allows the arms 55 to deflect as they are engaged by the second locking structures 65, and also allows the arms 55 to snap back into or close to their original orientation as the arms 55 snap into the crevices 80 of second locking structures 65. In alternative embodiments, the arms 55 can be made of a more resilient material and the second locking structures 65 can be made of a material that deflects when engaged by the arms 55, which allows the second locking structures 65 to snap back into their original orientation as the second locking structures 65 lock with the arms 55.
As shown in
As can be appreciated from the progressive locking feature illustrated in
Referring to
For shipping, however, it is desirable for the frame halves 20/30 to not be permanently locked together. Rather, it is desirable for the frame halves 20/30 to be easily separated just prior to installation. Also, it is desirable for the frame halves 20/30 to be aligned during shipment to keep matching frame halves 20/30 together and provide an efficient use of space during shipment, as well as to allow materials to be stored between the frame halves 20/30 during shipment. In certain embodiments, orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 are means for aligning the first and second frame halves 20/30 during shipment.
In embodiments, the frame system 10 provides a shipping orientation by rotating one of the two frame halves 20/30 by 180 degrees axially from the orientation shown in
Similar to the installation orientation, the orientation guides 40 and receivers 60 provide a guide to align the frame halves together in certain embodiments. In the shipping orientation, as shown in
In embodiments, the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 are geometrically shaped such that when they engage one another, they are removably received or removably engaged. For example, in embodiments, a friction fit is provided between the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 when they are engaged. Thus, the friction fit between the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 hold the frame halves 20/30 together. The friction fit is also configured to be quickly and efficiently disengaged without having to release a locking structure. In alternative embodiments, however, the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 can be provided with a locking device or structure or wrapping material to provide greater strength in holding the frame halves 20/30 together during shipment.
In the embodiment shown in
In embodiments, one or both of the frame halves 20/30 can include fasteners, either as part of or separate from the frame system, to secure the frame halves together during shipping. For example, the frame halves 20/30 can be secured together with a fastener or wrapped with tape or plastic or a shipping material to hold the frame halves 20/30 together in the shipping orientation. Also, the orientation guides 40 and receivers 60 can be shaped such that when the guides 40 engage the receivers 60, there is a friction fit holding the frame halves 20/30 together in the shipping orientation.
Embodiments of the orientation receiver 60 and second locking structure 65 will be discussed with reference to
As shown in
With reference to
Referring to
Embodiments of the orientation guide 60 and first locking structure 50 having arms 55 will be discussed with reference to
As shown in
In embodiments, the orientation guides 40 are formed in a geometric shape that is substantially congruent with a geometric shape of an aperture formed within the orientation receivers 60. For example, in embodiments, the orientation guides 40 are each a closed rectangular structure formed on an inner surface of the frame half 20 with the rectangular structure having a rectangular shape substantially similar to the closed rectangular cavity of the orientation receivers 60. In alternative embodiments, the orientation guide 40 and orientation receivers 60 can be other shapes, for example other rectangular, oblong, elliptical, square, circular, or triangular shapes or a combination of shapes. In alternative embodiments, the arms 55 can be formed on more than one side of the first locking structure 50 or can be absent from the first locking structure 50. In alternative embodiments, the arms 55 and first locking structure 50 can be separate structures formed on the same or different halves 20/30 of the frame system.
Referring to
Referring to
In these embodiments, the tapered upper portions 40A and 60A facilitate alignment of the frame halves 20 and 30 in either the shipment or installation orientations. As the frame halves 20 and 30 are brought together, the uppermost tapered portions 40A and 60A of at least one pair of corresponding orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 engage one another, thereby aligning at least a portion of the frame halves 20 and 30, and also allowing some axial rotational movement between the frame halves 20/30.
The axial rotational movement allowed by the engagement of the uppermost tapered portions 40A and 60A facilitates engagement and alignment of other corresponding orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60. For example, variations in geometry of materials between the frame halves 20/30 and variations in tolerances of the frame halves 20/30 and their corresponding elements can be accommodated by limited axial rotation movement between the uppermost tapered portions 40A and 60A of engaged orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 until the remaining orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 are aligned and engaged.
In either the shipment or installation orientations, once the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 have been aligned and engaged by at least their uppermost tapered portions 40A and 60A, the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 can be pressed together until the orientation guides 40 are received by the orientation receivers 60 beyond the uppermost tapered portions 40A and 60A.
In embodiments, for example, with reference to
In alternative embodiments, the upper portions of the orientation guides 40, orientation receivers 60 and the first locking structures 50 can have cross-sectional areas different than that discussed above and depicted in the corresponding Figures. For example, in alternative embodiments depicted in
In embodiments, the upper lip of the orientation guides 40, orientation receivers 60 and the first locking structures 50 can be uniform and rectangular, without tapered or curved upper portions, as shown in
In these embodiments depicted in
In other embodiments, the frame halves 20/30 can be configured with one or more of the orientation guides 40, orientation receivers 60, and first and second locking structures 50/65 depicted in
In embodiments having at least one half of the frame system with an orientation receiver defining a cavity having at least one flat portion, for example orientation receiver 60, the orientation receiver can engage a corresponding orientation structure on the other half of the frame system, for example orientation guide 40, or other orientation structures with a shape substantially similar to the shape of the orientation receiver's cavity or aperture. When the orientation receiver and corresponding flat outer portion(s) of the orientation guide engage each other, interaction between the flat inner portion(s) of the orientation receiver and corresponding flat outer portions of the orientation guide provide for alignment between the orientation receiver and orientation guide, and as a result, alignment between the first and second halves of the frame system. Thus, alignment between the first and second halves of the frame system can be provided for by a single orientation receiver on one frame half and a single orientation guide on the other frame half.
In embodiments having orientation receivers 60 and orientation guides 40, it can be appreciated that once one pair of a corresponding orientation receiver 60 and guide 40 engage each other, the entire frame system 10 will be aligned in either the shipping orientation or the installation orientation.
Significantly, this relationship provides assurances during installation that when the orientation receivers 60 and orientation guides 40 are aligned, each of the first and second locking structures 50/65 will properly engage and substantially lock the two frame halves 20/30 together in proper alignment. Similarly, during shipment, when the orientation receivers 60 and orientation guides 40 are aligned, the frame halves 20/30 will be brought and held together in proper alignment in the shipping orientation.
In certain embodiments, interaction between the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 during alignment also restricts axial rotational movement between the two frame halves, resulting in a rotational stiffness with the first and second frame structures 20/30 being substantially rotationally fixed. For example, engagement of a single orientation guide 40 and orientation receiver 60 can substantially restrict the axial rotational movement of the two frame halves 20/30 from the flat surfaces of the orientation guide 40 and orientation receiver 60 pushing against each other. Accordingly, engagement of a single pair of a corresponding orientation guide 40 and orientation receiver 60 can result in both frame halves 20/30 being properly aligned, and moreover, can result in the frame halves 20/30 being substantially rotationally fixed, with axial rotational movement between the frame halves 20/30 being minimized or eliminated. In preferred embodiments, there are a plurality of orientation guides 40, orientation receivers 60, and first and second locking structures 50/65 to maximize the strength, flexibility, and ease of orientation and installation of the frame system.
Significantly, the added rotational stiffness from the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 provides added strength when the two frame halves 20/30 are in an installation orientation and the first and second locking structures 50/65 are engaged. Thus, in some embodiments, even though the orientation guide 40 is separate and distinct from the first and second locking structures 50/65, the rotational stiffness from the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 substantially prevents the two frame halves 20/30 from axially rotating and the first and second locking structures 50/65 from slipping out of a locked interaction. Moreover, the first and second locking structures 50/65 can absorb forces placed on the frame halves 20/30, thereby reducing any stress, force and torque that may act on the first and second locking structures 50/65.
In embodiments having the progressive locking features provided by the first and second locking structures 50/65, it can also be appreciated that as each arm 55 engages the second locking structures 65, a greater force would be required to separate the two frame halves 20/30. Accordingly, in these embodiments of the frame system 10, flexibility is provided as to the force required to separate the two frame halves 20/30 once substantially permanently locked together in an installation orientation.
In certain embodiments, the interaction of the progressive locking mechanism of the first and second locking structures 50/65 along with the added rotational stiffness from the orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60 provides a significant improvement over other frame systems. For example, in tests of the first and second locking structures 50/65 and orientation guides 40 and orientation receivers 60, there was a 50% greater strength than the locking features of the door lite frame described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,701.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame assembly has two rectangular halves, forming a 15″×25″ door lite. First alignment members and first interlocking members are spaced equally around an inside perimeter of one of the frame halves, with spacing between adjacent first alignment members and first interlocking members being between approximately 25-28 mm, and the spacing between adjacent first alignment members and between adjacent first interlocking members being between approximately 150-160 mm. These dimensions and configurations are provided as an example only. One of ordinary skill in the art can use the present frame assembly and select dimensions and configurations appropriate for specific applications. Moreover, specific dimensions of the alignment and interlocking structures are dependant on the specific application and materials used. Thus, it is within the ordinary skill in the art to optimize particular dimensions for particular applications using the disclosed frame system.
Referring to
In embodiments, the frame system is manufactured in such a way as to provide the first and second frame members that are configured for a first shipping orientation, where at least one of the longitudinally extending members are able to be removably received by the apertures of at least one of the third longitudinally extending members. In the shipping orientation, the received first longitudinally extending members are substantially rotationally fixed to the corresponding third longitudinally extending members. Also, the frame system is manufactured to provide for a second installation orientation, where at least one of the first longitudinally extending members are received by the apertures of at least one of the third longitudinally extending members. In the installation orientation, at least one of the first set of ledges of the second longitudinally extending members engage at least one of the second set of ledges of the third longitudinally extending members, thereby substantially permanently coupling the received first longitudinally extending members and the corresponding third longitudinally extending members. In embodiments, the first and second orientations are approximately a 180 degree rotation from each other. Also, the frame assembly can be configured such that the first and second sets of ledges are only engaged in the installation orientation.
In some embodiments, the frame assembly is manufactured and configured to provide a frame assembly where at least one of the first and third longitudinally extending members are engaged in both the first and second orientations. This provides alignment of the frame system, with the outside perimeters of the first and second frame members being substantially congruent, in both the first and second orientations.
Once the frame assembly is manufactured, it can be assembled for shipment and for installation. For example, in embodiments, the first and second frame members provided in step 120 can be assembled for shipment by performing a step 140 of removably coupling the first and second frame members in a shipping orientation, with at least one of the first longitudinally extending members, for example orientation guide 40, removably received within an aperture of at least one of the third longitudinally extending members, for example orientation receiver 60, thereby substantially rotationally fixing the first and second frame members in a substantially geometric congruent alignment. In some embodiments, a panel, for example a piece of glass or glazing, can be inserted between the first and second frame members prior to the step 140 of removably coupling the frame members.
After shipping the frame assembly, a method of installation can be performed. For example, in embodiments, a step 160 of decoupling the first and second frame members from the shipment orientation is performed by removing at least one of the first longitudinally extending members from the aperture of at least one of the third longitudinally extending members, followed by rotating at least one of the first and second frame members approximately 180 degrees into an installation orientation. Then, a step 180 of inserting a gasket and a panel, for example glass or glazing, between the two frame members is performed. For example, placing the gasket and panel on an inside portion of one or more of the two frame members. The two frame members can then be assembled from opposing sides of a door or other structure by performing a step 200 of having at least one of the first longitudinally extending members, for example orientation guide 40, received by at least one aperture of a third longitudinally extending member, for example orientation receiver 60, such that at least one ledge of a second longitudinally extending member, for example first locking structure 50 and arm 55, engage at least one ledge of a third longitudinally extending member, for example second locking structure 65 and orientation receiver 60, thereby substantially permanently coupling the received first longitudinally extending member and the corresponding third longitudinally extending member. The two frame members can then be ratcheted together, via progressive engagement of the first and second sets of ledges, by pushing the two frame members together until a desired fit between the two frame members and the panel, door and/or other structures therebetween is achieved.
With respect to the various methods described, it is understood that other steps, techniques, configurations, components and processes are contemplated without departing from the subject matter contemplated herein. Moreover, while the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in lite of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.
