Patent Grant
11795757
A window grille can be made up a collection of muntin bars (hereinafter “muntin assembly”). Further, these window grilles can be used to provide an enhanced appearance to a window, and hence the overall structure which houses the window.
The window grille can be utilized in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to top hung windows, bottom hung windows, side hung windows, and also doors. However, independent of where the window grille, and hence the muntin assembly, is placed, it is imperative that muntin bars be securely attached to one another. If the muntin bars are not securely attached to one another, difficulties can arise.
For example, the window can have a poor appearance and not enhance the look of the structure. Additionally, depending upon the degree of the improper attachment of the muntin bars, dimensional issues may occur. These dimensional issues could result in the muntin assembly, and hence the window grille, not remaining connected to the window. Separation of the muntin bars from one another or from the window could subsequently cause all or part of the window grille to become disengaged from the window. As will be appreciated, none of these results is a desirable outcome.
In view of the foregoing, a muntin assembly for an associated window glass. The muntin assembly includes a first muntin bar that defines a first pocket and includes a first cleat. The muntin assembly also includes a second muntin bar that defines a second pocket and includes a second cleat. The muntin assembly also includes a clip disposed in the first pocket and the second pocket so as to hook the first muntin bar and the second muntin bar together in an overlapping arrangement. Further, the clip momentarily deforms to accept receipt of the first cleat and the second cleat.
With reference to
A single first muntin bar 18 and a single second muntin bar 20 form the muntin assembly 10, whereas a collection of a plurality of first muntin bars and a plurality of second muntin bars make up a window grille 22 which divides the glass pane 14 into a grid arrangement of small panes of glass called lites 24. The window grille 22 can be used to provide an enhanced appearance to the window 12, and hence the overall structure which houses the window 12.
The window grille 22 may be placed on an outside-most surface of the glass pane 14 (i.e., exposed to the elements) on a single or multi-pane window 12. Further, the window grille 22 may be placed on an inside-most surface of the glass pane 14 (i.e., exposed to the interior of the structure) on a single or multi-pane window 12. Further still, the window grille 22 may be placed between two glass panes of a multi-pane window 12.
It is also noted that the window grille 22 as will be described in more detail hereinafter can be utilized in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to top hung windows, bottom hung windows, side hung windows, and also doors. It is envisioned that the window 12 could include a plurality of muntin assemblies. Further still, it will be appreciated that any reference to
As noted hereinbefore, the muntin assembly 10 includes the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20. As shown in
The first display wall 34 is opposite the first glass facing wall 32 and can include design features to provide ornamental accent to the window grille 22. The second muntin bar 20 defines a second pocket 36 and includes a second glass facing wall 38 that faces toward the associated window 12 glass and a second display wall 42 that faces in an opposite direction away from the second glass facing wall 38. The second glass facing wall 38 contacts, or nearly contacts, the glass pane 14 when the window grille 22 is installed with the glass pane 14.
The second display wall 42 is opposite the second glass facing wall 38 and can include design features to provide ornamental accent to the window grille 22. These design features may be the same or different than the design features of the first display wall 34 of the first muntin bar 18. The first pocket 28 and the second pocket 36 cooperate to define a clip chamber 44 (
Further, the first muntin bar 18 is received in the second muntin bar 20 and the second muntin bar 20 is received in the first muntin bar 18 so that the first glass facing wall 32 of the first muntin bar 18 and the second glass facing wall 38 of the second muntin bar 20 share a common plane that is spaced from a plane shared by the first display wall 34 of the first muntin bar 18 and the second display wall 42 of the second muntin bar 20. The aforementioned arrangement provides numerous advantages. For example, the muntin assembly 10 has a clean look with the clip 26 being completely concealed from view. Further, the structural integrity of the muntin assembly 10 is improved.
The first muntin bar 18 can include a first cleat 46 that defines a first axis. The first cleat 46 can include a first pedestal 48 that extends from the first glass facing wall 32 toward the first display wall 34 and a first fin 52 that extends from the first pedestal 48 so as to be spaced from the first display wall 34 and the first glass facing wall 32 for engagement with the clip 26. The first fin 52 includes a first pair of lobes 54 disposed at opposite terminal ends of the first fin 52 for engagement with the clip 26. Further, a distance between the first pair of lobes 54 defines a first fin width.
The second muntin bar 20 includes a second cleat 56 that defines a second axis. During assembly of the clip 26 with the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20, the clip 26 elastically deforms to engage the first cleat 46 and the second cleat 56 to securely hold the muntin assembly 10 together. During assembly of the muntin assembly 10, the clip 26 momentarily deforms to accept receipt of the first cleat 46 and the second cleat 56 as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
This momentary deformation of the clip 26 can also offer an audible cue to the assembler of the muntin assembly 10 to provide further confirmation that the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 are rigidly connected to one another. It is noted that this engagement between the first cleat 46 and the second cleat 56 with the clip 26 is quite robust and offers great resistance to separation of the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 from one another.
The first cleat 46 is disposed between the first glass facing wall 32 of the first muntin bar 18 and the second display wall 42 of the second muntin bar 20 so as to share an axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis. The second cleat 56 can include a second pedestal 58 that extends from the second display wall 42 toward the second glass facing wall 38 and a second fin 62 that extends from the second pedestal 58 so as to be spaced from the second display wall 42 and the second glass facing wall 38 for engagement with the clip 26.
The second fin 62 can include a second pair of lobes 64 disposed at opposite terminal ends of the second fin 62 for engagement with the clip 26. Further, a distance between the second pair of lobes 64 defines a second fin width. Notably, the first fin width is greater than a width of the first pedestal 48 and the second fin width is greater than a width of the second pedestal 58. Finally, the first fin width and the second fin width are equal to one another. This arrangement provides numerous advantages. For example, improved engagement between the first muntin bar 18, the second muntin bar 20, and the clip 26 is provided.
As illustrated, the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 are made of the same materials and have the same overall general shape as described hereinbefore. However, it will be appreciated that the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 could be different shapes than illustrated. Further, the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 could have shapes that are different from one another without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, the first muntin bar 18, the second muntin bar 20, and the clip 26 could be made of any numbers of materials and by a variety of processes.
Also, these materials and processes could be different from one another for each of the muntin assembly 10. For example, the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 can be pieces of wood, metal, and/or polymer. Furthermore, the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 could be a metal material made by an extrusion process and the clip 26 could be a polymer material made by injection molding. However, other materials and construction techniques are envisioned. For example, it is envisioned that all or part of the muntin assembly 10 could be made by additive manufacturing (also known as 3-D printing).
The clip 26 is disposed in the first pocket 28 and the second pocket 36 so as to hook the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 together in an overlapping arrangement. Further, the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 slidingly engage one another so as to be retained to one another solely by the clip 26. The clip 26 may engage the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 simultaneously or individually.
However, it will be understood that the clip 26 engages both the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 for the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 to maximize attachment to one another. Due to the close tolerances and fit between the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 when they are received in each other, the axial movement of the clip 26 is minimized. It is envisioned that the clip 26 and/or the muntin bars 18, 20 could include additional features which would further limit the axial movement of the clip 26 with respect to the muntin bars.
The clip 26 includes a base 66 that defines a base plane that is generally parallel to the first glass facing wall 32, the first display wall 34, the second glass facing wall 38, and the second display wall 42 when the clip 26 is received by the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 such that the base 66 is between the first glass facing wall 32 and the second display wall 42 so as to share an axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis.
The base 66 of the clip 26 can include a first side 68 and a second side 72, where the first side 68 of the base 66 and the second side 72 of the base 66 face in opposite directions from one another. A first hook 74 and a second hook 76 can extend from the first side 68 of the base 66. Further, a third hook 78, a fourth hook 82, and a fifth hook 84 can extend from the second side 72 of the base 66.
The first hook 74 can include a first shank 74a and a first barb 74b. The first shank 74a extends along the base 66 in a direction that is parallel to the first axis so as to define a first shank length. The first shank 74a can also extend from the base 66 so as to define a first shank height. The first barb 74b can extend from the first shank 74a so as to define a first barb width.
The first hook 74 and the second hook 76 of the clip 26 cooperate to grip the first cleat 46 of the first muntin bar 18. The second hook 76 can include a second shank 76a and a second barb 76b. The second shank 76a extends along the base 66 in a direction that is parallel to the first axis so as to define a second shank length. Additionally, the second shank 76a extends from the base 66 so as to define a second shank height. The second barb 76b extends from the second shank 76a so as to define a second barb width. Notably, the first shank height is greater than the second barb width. This arrangement further improves the engagement between the muntin bars 18, 20 and the clip 26.
The third hook 78 can include a third shank 78a and a third barb 78b. The third shank 78a extends along the base 66 in a direction that is parallel to the second axis so as to define a third shank length. Further, the third shank 78a extends from the base 66 so as to define a third shank height. It is noted that the second shank length is greater than the third shank length. The third barb 78b extends from the third shank 78a so as to define a third barb width. The third shank height is greater than the second barb 76b width, helping to further improve the engagement between the muntin bars 18, 20 and the clip 26.
The third hook 78 and the fourth hook 82 cooperate to grip the second cleat 56 of the second muntin bar 20. The fourth hook 82 includes a fourth shank 82a and a fourth barb 82b. The fourth shank 82a extends along the base 66 in a direction that is parallel to the second axis so as to define a fourth shank length. The third shank length and the first shank length are each greater than the fourth shank length.
The fourth shank 82a extends from the base 66 so as to define a fourth shank height. The fourth barb 82b extends from the fourth shank 82a so as to define a fourth barb width. It is also noted that the clip 26 is received between the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 such that the first hook 74 and the second hook 76 of the clip 26 grip the first fin 52 of the first cleat 46 and the third hook 78 and the fourth hook 82 of the clip 26 grip the second fin 62 of the second cleat 56, thereby providing a sturdy connection for the muntin assembly 10.
The fourth hook 82 and the fifth hook 84 share a common engagement axis such that the fourth hook 82 and the fifth hook 84 are disposed on a side of the second cleat 56 and the third hook 78 is disposed on another side of the second cleat 56 that is different than the side that the fourth hook 82 and the fifth hook 84 are disposed, thereby improving ease of assembly for the muntin assembly 10. The fifth hook 84 includes a fifth shank 84a and a fifth barb 84b.
The fifth shank 84a extend along the base 66 in a direction that is parallel to the second axis so as to define a fifth shank length and extends from the base 66 so as to define a fifth shank height. A sum of the fourth shank length and the fifth shank length is less than the first shank length. The fifth barb 84b extends from the fifth shank 84a so as to define a fifth barb width. This layout helps to further provide a sturdy connection between the muntin bars 18, 20 and the clip 26.
Thus, when the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 are joined together with the clip 26, a distance between the first barb 74b of the first hook 74 and the second barb 76b of the second hook 76 is momentary increased to allow receipt of the first cleat 46. In particular, after the first pair of lobes 54 of the first fin 52 of the first cleat 46 are received by the clip 26 (i.e., inserted toward the base 66), the distance between the first barb 74b of the first hook 74 and the second barb 76b of the second hook 76 can return to the distance that it was prior to the insertion of the first cleat 46. It is during this insertion of the first cleat 46 into the clip 26 that an audible signal may be present. Further, tactile feedback in the form of a “click” may be felt by the assembler of the muntin assembly 10.
Furthermore, when the first muntin bar 18 and the second muntin bar 20 are joined together with the clip 26, a distance between the third barb 78b of the third hook 78 and the fourth barb 82b of the fourth hook 82 is momentary increased to allow receipt of the second cleat 56. In particular, after the second pair of lobes 64 of the second fin 62 of the second cleat 56 are received by the clip 26 (i.e., inserted toward the base 66), the distance between the third barb 78b of the third hook 78 and the fourth barb 82b of the fourth hook 82 can return to the distance that it was prior to the insertion of the second cleat 56. Optionally, the fifth hook 84 may be present on the clip 26. When the fifth hook 84 is present, the operation of the fifth hook 84 will mirror the movement of the fourth hook 82 to aid in retention of the second cleat 56 in cooperation with the third hook 78. It is during this insertion of the second cleat 56 into the clip 26 that an audible signal may be present. Further, tactile feedback in the form of a “click” may be felt by the assembler of the muntin assembly 10.
A muntin assembly has been described above with particularity. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiments described above. Instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3678651 | Hicks | Jul 1972 | A |
| 4060950 | Rackard | Dec 1977 | A |
| 4989384 | Kinghorn | Feb 1991 | A |
| 20040216402 | Folsom | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20080196345 | Hanggli | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2815948 | Apr 1978 | DE |
| 0050823 | May 1982 | EP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220396990 A1 | Dec 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63210109 | Jun 2021 | US |
