BACKGROUND
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to building construction and more particularly to sun shading panels that extending outwardly from the face of a building generally around the perimeters of windows.
Description of Related Art
Sunshade panels are used to shade windows from the sun while retaining most of the view through the window from inside a building, The conventional way to install sunshades is to attach the sunshades around the window during construction of the building. Unfortunately, this usually occurs when scaffolding remains erected around the structure with the result that the relatively delicate sunshade panels can become damaged as construction progresses.
There is, therefore, a need for a system and method for attaching sunshade panels around the perimeter of a window toward the end of construction of a building when scaffolding and other construction equipment is least likely to contribute to damaging the sunshade panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A sunshade attachment system for securing one or ore sunshades around the perimeter of window comprises one or more cleats each having a building attachment flange for securing the cleat to the face of a budding around the window, a sunshade attachment flange extending perpendicularly from the budding attachment flange, and one or more sunshade panels each secured to the sunshade attachment flange of one of the cleats so that when the building attachment flange of the cleat is attached to the face of the budding the sunshade panel extends perpendicularly from the face of the budding. The sunshade attachment system allows sunshades to be attached to the building later in the construction process to avoid damage from scaffolding and other heavy equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a sunshade attachment system according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of the sunshade attachment system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a close-up upper left perspective view of one corner of a window showing cleats and sunshade panels installed.
FIG. 4 is a lower right perspective view of a corner where two sunshade panels are attached around the frame of a window.
FIG. 5 is a lower right perspective view of two adjoining sunshade panels attached around a window using cleats according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is an exploded lower right perspective view of the installed sunshade panels shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged lower right perspective view of the attachment mechanisms for securing together two sunshade panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
A sunshade attachment system according to the invention, referred to generally at 10 in FIG. 1, comprises one or more cleats 12 for attachment to the face 14 of a wall around the nailing flange 16 of an installed window 18. Attachment to a wooden structure is generally accomplished using nails, but threaded fasteners can also be used. Attachment to a metallic underlayment is usually performed using threaded fasteners. After the exterior finish has been installed over the moisture barrier, a sunshade panel, referenced generally at 20, is attached to each cleat 12.
With reference to FIG. 2, each cleat 12 includes a building attachment flange 22 for securing the cleat to the face 14 of the wall, and a sunshade attachment flange 24 extending perpendicularly from the building attachment flange 22 and away from the face 14 of the wall for attaching a sunshade around the perimeter of the window. With additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 it can be seen that the building attachment flange 22 of the cleat 12 is attached over the window's nailing flange 26 so that the sunshade attachment flange 24 abuts the window frame 27. One or more cleats 12 can be attached around the window depending on how much shading is desired. After the desired number of cleats are installed, waterproofing tape or flashing can be installed over the building attachment flanges 22 of the cleats 12 and the nailing flanges 26 of the window to create a water-tight barrier surrounding the window such that the sunshade panels 40, 50, once installed, do not impact the water proofing barrier.
Once the cleat or cleats are secured in place, a sunshade panel 20 is attached to each cleat 12 as seen in FIG. 1 so that the sunshade panel is supported perpendicularly from the face 14 of the building.
In one embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the sunshade panel 20 includes a main panel 28, a front panel 30 angled from a front edge 31 of the main panel 28 toward the window, and an end panel 32 on a first end 33 of the main panel 28 that extends perpendicularly from one side thereof. The end panel 32 has a proximal edge 34, generally disposed adjacent the building face, and a distal edge 36 narrower than the proximal edge which gives the end panel 30 and the overall sunshade panel 20 a tapered appearance.
With continuing reference to FIG. 5, an end support 37 extends perpendicularly from the sunshade attachment flange 24 of cleat 12 to which the proximal edge 34 of the end panel 30 of the sunshade panel can be attached. A nailing tab 38 extends perpendicularly from one side of the end support 37 for securing the end support 37 to the face of the building and strengthening the support given to the sunshade's end panel 32.
As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, when two sunshade panels 20 are attached to cleats 12 on intersecting sides of a window, a first sunshade panel 40 includes an array of hooks 42 on a second end 44 opposite the first end 33 where the end panel 32 is located. An array of slots 46 is provided on one end of the second sunshade panel 50 to receive the hooks 42 extending from the first sunshade panel 40 to lock the first and second sunshade panels together. It will be understood that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the second sunshade panel 50 will be attached to a cleat first following which the hooks 42 of the first sunshade panel 40 will be inserted into the slots 46 on the second sunshade panel 50 upon which the first sunshade panel 40 can be slid towards the face of the building locking the hooks 42 into the slots 46 to secure the first and second sunshade panels together. Installation is completed by affixing the first sunshade panel 40 to a cleat 12. Sunshade panels 20 can be installed on as many sides of a window as are desired.
An advantage of the sunshade attachment system described above is that the cleats 12 can be installed around a window during construction enabling attachment of the sunshade panels 20 late in the construction process to minimize the potential for damaging the sunshades. An additional advantage is that the cleats and sunshade panels of a sunshade system according to the invention are formed by folding a unitary sheet metal blank thereby reducing construction costs.
There have thus been described and illustrated certain embodiments of a sunshade attachment system according to the invention. Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it should be clearly understood that the disclosure is illustrative only and is not to be taken as limiting, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Patent Application
20230051964
