GARAGE DOOR WINDOW ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A method to form a garage door window assembly, the method including providing (N) first trim members and (N) second trim members, wherein (N) is 3 or greater, releaseably attaching an (i)th first trim member to an (i)th second trim member to form an (i)th trim assembly, where (i) is 1 to (N). Releaseably affixing a (j)th trim assembly to a (j+1)th trim assembly, where (j) is 1 to (N−1).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a garage door window assembly and a method to form same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, there is an increasing demand for garage door owners to decorate their windows with designs. Yet, the currently available garage door window assemblies are complex and prevent the owner from changing an ornamental look. Prior art garage door windows are generally fixed to the garage door and made of multiple parts that require fasteners and are therefore permanent, thereby forcing the owner to keep the installed design. Those that do not use fasteners, instead use a two-part locking device that seals the pieces permanently. For both assemblies that require fasteners and those that use a two-part locking system, the owner is forced to hire a professional change the design or replace the window due to the complexity of the assembly.

The prior art window assemblies use materials, such as thin plastic, that do not allow disassembling and will not withstand extreme weather conditions. It is likely that the window will break and often times the entire window assembly must be replaced. Changing designs is impractical and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garage door window assembly is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 5, Applicant's garage window assembly comprises a first frame 100, a second frame 200, and an insert 600 disposed between the first frame 100 and the second frame 200.

A method to form a window assembly is disclosed. The method includes providing three or more first trim members, and three or more second trim members. The method further includes releaseably attaching each first trim member to a second trim member to form an a trim assembly. An ornamental insert is removeably disposed between a first frame comprising the three or more first trim members and a second frame comprising the three or more second trim members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference designators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first trim member 100;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second trim member 200;

FIG. 3 illustrates a trim assembly 300 comprising a first trim member 100 releaseably attached to a second trim member 200;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart summarizing Applicant's method to form his garage door window assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates the components of Applicant's garage door window assembly;

FIG. 6 illustrates a planar member 600 formed to include an ornamental design extending therethrough; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a third trim member usable with wide garage doors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Disclosed is a garage window assembly and a method to form same.

Referring now to FIG. 5, Applicant's garage window assembly comprises a first frame 100, a second frame 200, and an insert 600 disposed between the first frame 100 and the second frame 200.

First frame 100 comprises trim members 101, 103, 105, and 107. Trim member 101 is attached to trim member 107 using fixturing member 102. Trim member 101 is attached to trim member 105 using fixturing member 108. Trim member 107 is attached to trim member 103 using fixturing member 104. Trim member 105 is attached to trim member 103 using fixturing member 106.

Second frame 200 comprises trim members 201, 203, 205, and 207. Trim member 201 is attached to trim member 207 using fixturing member 202. Trim member 201 is attached to trim member 205 using fixturing member 208. Trim member 207 is attached to trim member 203 using fixturing member 204. Trim member 205 is attached to trim member 203 using fixturing member 206.

Referring now to FIG. 1, each first trim member 100 comprises a first member 110, a second member 120 extending outwardly in a first direction from a first end of the first member, a third member 130 extending outwardly in the first direction from a second end of said first member, a fourth member 140 extending outwardly in a second and opposite direction from said first member 110, wherein the second member 120 and the third member 130 define a first U-shaped space 150.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each second trim member comprises a S-shaped member 210 defining a second U-shaped space 220 and a third U-shaped space 230. FIG. 3 illustrates first trim member 100 releaseably attached to second trim member 200 to form a trim assembly 300. Member 140 of trim member 100 is shown removeably inserted into U-shaped space 230.

Referring now to FIG. 5, Applicant's garage door window assembly comprises a first frame 510, a second frame 520, and an insert assembly 600 removeably disposed between the first frame 510 and the second frame 520. Insert assembly 600 comprises a visually transparent planar member 620 (FIG. 3) and a planar design member 610 (FIG. 3). In certain embodiments the visually transparent member 620 is adhesively bonded to the planar design member 610.

First frame 510 comprises first trim members 511, 513, 515, and 517. Trim member 511 is releaseably attached to trim member 517 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 512 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 511, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 512 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 517. Trim member 511 is releaseably attached to trim member 515 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 518 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 511, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 518 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 515. Trim member 515 is releaseably attached to trim member 513 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 516 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 515, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 516 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 513. Trim member 513 is releaseably attached to trim member 517 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 516 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 513, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 516 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 517.

Second frame 520 comprises second trim members 521, 523, 525, and 527. Trim member 521 is releaseably attached to trim member 527 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 522 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 521, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 522 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 527. Trim member 521 is releaseably attached to trim member 525 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 528 (not shown in FIG. 5) into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 521, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 528 (not shown in FIG. 5) into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 525. Trim member 525 is releaseably attached to trim member 523 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 526 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 525, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 526 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 523. Trim member 523 is releaseably attached to trim member 527 by inserting a first leg of triangular fixturing bracket 524 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 523, and a second leg of triangular fixturing bracket 524 into U-shaped space 150 of trim member 527.

Assembly 600 is releaseably inserted into U-Shaped space 230 of each trim member 512, 523, 525, and 527. By disassembling first frame 510 (FIG. 5), and by disassembly second frame 520 (FIG. 5), design insert 610 can be changed to reflect a different ornamental design.

FIG. 6 is a top view of assembly 500. FIG. 6 shows first frame 510 and removable design insert 610 comprising a desert scene extending through a visually opaque rectangular member. A sheet of visually transparent material 620 is disposed over top of design insert 610. In certain embodiments, the visually transparent material comprises glass, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates Applicant's garage door window assembly for thicker garage doors. Extension member 710 interconnects first trim member 100 and second trim member 200. Extension member 710 is molded to comprise a length necessary for a specific width garage door.

FIG. 4 summarizes Applicant's method to form his garage window assembly. Referring to FIG. 4, in step 410 the method provides (N) first trim members. Referring now to FIG. 1, first trim member 100 comprises a first member 110, a second member 120 extending outwardly in a first direction from a first end 112 of first member 110, a third member 130 extending outwardly in the first direction from a second end 114 of first member 110, a fourth member 140 extending outwardly in a second and opposite direction from first member 110, wherein second member 120 and third member 130 define a first U-shaped space 150.

Referring once again to FIG. 4, in step 410 the method further provides (N) second trim members. Referring now to FIG. 2, second trim member 200 comprises a S-shaped member 210 defining a second U-shaped space 220 and a third U-shaped space 230.

Referring once again to FIG. 4, in step 430 the method releaseably attaches a first trim member 100 to a second trim member 200 to form a trim assembly 300. Referring now to FIG. 3, in trim assembly 300 third member 140 of trim member 100 is shown removeably inserted into U-shaped space 220 of second trim member 200.

Applicant's method can form a garage door window comprising (N) sides, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 3. In embodiments wherein the formed windows assembly comprises three sides, i.e. a triangular window, the method forms three trim assemblies 300 as described hereinabove. A first end of a first trim assembly is releaseably attached to a first end of a second trim assembly to form a first subcombination having a first end and a second end. Thereafter, the first end of the first subcombination is releaseably attached to a first end of a third trim assembly. The second end of that third trim assembly is then releaseably attached to a second end of the first subcombination to form the three-sided window assembly.

A four sided window assembly is similarly formed from four trim assemblies. FIG. 5 illustrates a first subcombination comprising four first trim members 100 releaseably attached to one another to form a four-sided first frame. FIG. 5 further illustrates a second subcombination comprises four second trim member 200 attached to one another to form a four-sided second from. FIG. 5 further illustrates a visually transparent member 620 and a design template 610 disposed between the first frame and the second frame.

A five-sided window assembly is formed from five trim assemblies. In general, a (N)-sided window assembly is formed from (N) trim assemblies 300.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method to form a window assembly, comprising: providing (N) first trim members, wherein (N) is greater than 3;providing (N) second trim members;setting (i) initially to 1, wherein (i) is equal to or greater than 1 and less than or equal to (N);releaseably attaching an (i)th first trim member to an (i)th second trim member to form an (i)th trim assembly;incrementing (i) by 1, i.e. setting (i) equal to (i)+1;determining if (i) equals (N);when (i) is less than (N), repeating said releaseably attaching and said incrementing;when (i) equals (N), setting (j) equal to 1, wherein (j) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (N−1);setting (j) initially equal to 1;releaseably affixing a (j)th trim assembly to a (j+1)th trim assembly;when (j) is less than (N−1) incrementing (j) by 1, i.e. setting (j) equal to (j+1), and repeating said setting and releaseably affixing, to form a (N)-sided window assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each first trim member comprises: a first member, a second member extending outwardly in a first direction from a first end of said first member, a third member extending outwardly in said first direction from a second end of said first member, a fourth member extending outwardly in a second and opposite direction from said first member, wherein said second member and said third member define a first U-shaped space.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each second trim member comprises a S-shaped member defining a second U-shaped space and a third U-shaped space.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing an insert comprising (M) sides, wherein (M) is greater than or equal to 3;setting (k) initially equal to 1;releaseably attaching a (k)th trim assembly to a (k)th side of said insert;incrementing (i) by 1, i.e. setting (i) equal to (i)+1;determining if (i) equals (N);when (k) is less than (N), setting (k) equal to (k)+1, and repeating said releaseably attaching and said setting;when (k) equals (N), forming a window assembly comprising (N) sides surrounding said insert.

5. A window assembly, comprising: a frame assembly comprising three or more first trim assemblies releaseably attached to three or more second assemblies;wherein:each first trim assembly comprises a first member, a second member extending outwardly in a first direction from a first end of said first member, a third member extending outwardly in said first direction from a second end of said first member, a fourth member extending outwardly in a second and opposite direction from said first member, wherein said second member and said third member define a first U-shaped space; andeach second trim assembly comprises a S-shaped member defining a second enclosed space having a second open end and a third enclosed space having a third open end;wherein said fourth member of a first trim assembly is removeably inserted into said second U-shaped space of a second trim assembly to form a composite trim assembly.

6. The window assembly of claim 5, further comprising: three or more corner locking assemblies, each comprising a fifth member having a first distal end attached to a sixth member having a second distal end, wherein said fifth member and said sixth member define an angle Θ;a first subcombination formed by attaching a first composite trim assembly to a second composite trim assembly by inserting a first distal member of a corner locking assembly into a second U-shaped space in a first end of a first composite trim assembly, and inserting a second distal member of said first corner locking assembly into a second U-shaped space in a first end of a second composite trim assembly;a second subcombination formed by attaching said first composite trim assembly to a third composite trim assembly by inserting a first distal member of a second corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a second end of said first composite trim assembly, and inserting a second distal member of said second corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a first end of a third composite trim assembly;a frame formed by attaching said second composite trim assembly to said third composite trim assembly by inserting a first distal member of a third corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a second end of said second composite trim assembly, and inserting a second distal member of said third corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a second end of a third composite trim assembly;

7. The window assembly of claim 6, further comprising: a composite insert comprising a substantially opaque panel having a surface area and formed to include a design extending therethrough, and a panel comprising said surface area and formed of optically transparent material overlaid on said substantially opaque panel, such that said composite insert allows ambient light to pass through said design;wherein a first edge of said composite insert is removeably inserted into said third enclosed space in said first composite trim assembly;wherein a second edge of said composite insert is removeably inserted into said third enclosed space in said second composite trim assembly;wherein a third edge of said composite insert is removeably inserted into said third enclosed space in said third composite trim assembly.

8. A garage door comprising a window assembly, said window assembly comprising: three corner locking assemblies, each comprising a fifth member having a first distal end attached to a sixth member having a second distal end, wherein said fifth member and said sixth member define an angle Θ of about 60 degrees;a first subcombination formed by attaching a first composite trim assembly to a second composite trim assembly by inserting a first distal member of a corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a first end of a first composite trim assembly, and inserting a second distal member of said first corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a first end of a second composite trim assembly;a second subcombination formed by attaching said first composite trim assembly to a third composite trim assembly by inserting a first distal member of a second corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a second end of said first composite trim assembly, and inserting a second distal member of said second corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a first end of a third composite trim assembly;a frame formed by attaching said second composite trim assembly to said third composite trim assembly by inserting a first distal member of a third corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a second end of said second composite trim assembly, and inserting a second distal member of said third corner locking assembly into a second enclosed space in a second end of a third composite trim assembly;

9. The garage door of claim 1, wherein said window assembly further comprises: a composite insert comprising a substantially opaque panel having a surface area and formed to include a design extending therethrough, and a panel comprising said surface area and formed of optically transparent material overlaid on said substantially opaque panel, such that said composite insert allows ambient light to pass through said design;wherein an edge of said composite insert is removeably inserted into a third enclosed space in each of said (N) composite trim assemblies;

10. A method to change a design insert in a window assembly, comprising: providing a window assembly comprising three or more composite trim assemblies and a first opaque panel comprising a first design extending therethrough and fixtured by each of said three or more composite trim assemblies;disassembling said window assembly;removing said first opaque panelproviding a second opaque panel comprising a second design extending therethroughreassembling said window assembly comprising said second opaque panel.