1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the construction of windows, doors and the like and to the joining of two pieces of extruded or non-extruded material for such constructions. More specifically, the invention relates to window and door assemblies, including the construction of fixed, double hung, sliding, tilt and turn and casement windows, and sliding and French doors, for example.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most conventional windows and doors are typically constructed from one-piece extruded components. The jambs, head and sill of the window or door frame, and the stiles and rails forming the window sash, whether fixed or moveable, are each conventionally formed as a single extruded part which is then assembled with the other parts to form the frame or sash.
An example of such conventional construction for a double hung window is shown in
The head 22 (
The jambs 8, 10, left and right, when viewing the window from the interior (
Each sash of the conventional double hung window has a similar construction to that of the sill 2, head 22 and jambs 8, 10 of the frame. The opposite end rails 30, 32 are shown in
To simplify the explanation of the invention, only certain components of a conventional window have been described. The remaining components of the typical window shown in
The transverse width of the stiles 34, 36 and rails 30, 32, 38 of the sash in combination with the transverse width of the jambs 8, 10, sill 2 and head 22 of the frame determine the overall depth or thickness of the window assembly. Furthermore, since the components of the sash and frame are all one-piece extrusions, the interior side 16 of the window assembly is the same material and color as the exterior side 18. Thus, the window assembly of the prior art is limited in its choice of thicknesses, materials and colors.
For example, the window assembly of the prior art does not afford the option of having different materials or colors between the interior and the exterior of the window. With conventional windows and doors that require a different finish on the exterior and interior sides, the customary practice is to apply the different finishes in separate and secondary masking operations on each member. This method requires extra handling and associated additional cost.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling for joining two parts of a window or door together.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a two part window or door assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a window or door assembly which can be custom assembled to provide a variety of depths, materials and color choices.
It is yet another object of the present invention to overcome the inherent disadvantages of conventional windows and doors.
In accordance with one form of the present invention, a coupling for joining first and second components of a window or door assembly together includes an outrigger formed as an elongated member on the first component to be joined, an outrigger receiving slot defined by the second component to be joined, a first hook spaced a predetermined distance from the outrigger on the first component, and a second hook formed on the second component and spaced a predetermined distance from the outrigger receiving slot. The outrigger is received by the outrigger receiving slot, and the first and second hooks engage one another to secure the first and second components together in a fixed relationship. When the first and second components are assembled, the first hook of the first component and a wall of the second component define a space therebetween. A locking spline, which is preferably resilient, or another member, such as a wedge or the like, is press-fitted into the space between the first hook and the wall to exert pressure on each and to selectively prevent the disengagement of the first and second hooks and to maintain the components as an assembled, unitized structure, i.e., effectively as a one-piece unit. Preferably, the locking spline or similar component may be removed to allow the two components to be disassembled.
A two part window or door assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes such a coupling. Each, but not necessarily all, of the components of the window or door, including the sill, head and jambs of the frame, and the stiles and rails of the sash, comprises at least first and second parts. The first part would include the outrigger and first hook, as described previously, and the other part would include structure defining the outrigger receiving slot and the second hook, as also described previously.
The first and second parts are preferably extruded, although this need not be the case. Assuming they are extruded, their lengths could typically be twenty feet or more. The are then joined together using the coupling described previously, and held together by inserting the locking spline between the first hook of one part and a wall of the other part. The parts are then transversely cut to selected lengths to form the joined jamb, sill, head, stile or rail. These components are subsequently assembled to form the frame of the window or door, or the window sash.
The coupling joining the two parts together is preferably situated on the cooperating parts such that the outrigger faces the outer periphery of the window or door, with the hooks and locking spline being situated inwardly of the outrigger in relation to the outer periphery of the window or door. Orienting the coupling with the outrigger facing the outer periphery of the window or door helps conceal from view the locking spline when the window or door is installed and in the closed position.
With the coupling of the present invention, a two part window or door may be constructed, where the exterior side may be a different color from that of the interior side, or may be of a different material, such as aluminum or vinyl, while the interior is wood, for example. Also, the interior and exterior depths of the windows or doors may be selected as required. Additionally, the locking spline may be removed so that the window or door, and more particularly, the joined components of the frame or sash, may be disassembled and reassembled with mating components of different depths, finishes or materials, as desired.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring initially to
The coupling 58 of the present invention includes an outrigger 60 formed as an elongated member extending from the first component 62 to be joined. The outrigger 60 may include one or more portions. As shown in
Alternatively, and as shown in
The coupling 58 of the present invention further includes an outrigger receiving slot 72. The outrigger receiving slot 72 is formed on the second component 74, which is to be joined to the first component 62, and may be defined by walls or protrusions of the second component. For example, as shown in
Alternatively, and as shown in
The coupling 58 of the present invention further includes a first hook 86 formed on the first component 62 and spaced a predetermined distance from the outrigger 60 of the first component, and a second hook 87 formed on the second component 74 and spaced a predetermined distance from the outrigger receiving slot 72 of the second component.
Preferably, the first hook 86 includes three portions: a first portion 88 extending outwardly from the outer shell, for example, of the first component 62, and generally in the same direction as the first portion 64 of the outrigger 60; a second portion 90 attached to and extending from an end of the first portion 88, preferably at about a 90° angle thereto; and a third portion 92 attached to and extending from an end of the second portion 90, preferably at about a 90° angle thereto. The third portion 92 is spaced apart from the first portion 88 and extends slightly back toward the outer shell of the first component 62 in a parallel but opposite direction from which the first portion 88 extends so that the third portion 92 defines a free standing, hooked end, and with the first portion 88, defines between them a slot 94 for receiving the hooked end of the second hook 87.
Preferably, the second hook 87 also includes three portions: a first portion 96 which extends outwardly and preferably perpendicularly from a wall (such as the first wall 76) of the outer shell of the first component 62; a second portion 98 attached to and extending from an end of the first portion 96, preferably at about a 90° angle thereto; and a third portion 100 attached to and extending from an end of the second portion 98, preferably at about a 90° angle thereto. The third portion 100 of the second hook 87 is similarly spaced apart from the first portion 96 and extends slightly back toward the first wall 76 of the first component 62 in a parallel but opposite direction from which the first portion 96 extends, so that the third portion 100 defines a free standing hooked end, and with the first portion 96, defines between them a slot 102 for receiving the hooked end of the first hook 86.
As shown in
As shown in
It should be noted that the locking spline 106, wedge or the like is preferably removable so that, if desired, the first and second components 62, 74 may be separated in the event, perhaps, that one or the other of the first and second components may be replaced with another component having a different depth, a different finish or formed of a different material from that of the substituted component.
The coupling 58′ of the present invention is shown as being formed in the outer shell 4, 24, 26 of the sill 2, head 22 and jambs 8, 10 (
In the coupling 58′ shown in
It may be also seen from the sill, head, rails and stiles shown in
It should be further noted here that the locking spline 106 acts as the primary means for preventing the disengagement of the first and second hooks 86, 87 and, consequently, the separation of the joined first and second components 62, 74. However, after the window or door frame and window sash are fully assembled, the assembled sash exerts pressure on the sill 2 and head 22, and the glazing (with its arrangements of brackets 52 and beads 54) exert pressure on the stiles 34, 36 and rails 30, 32, 38, to force the first and second hooks 86, 87 together and thus acts as a secondary means for preventing their disengagement.
By providing inner and outer frame and sash members that are coupled together, the option of different interior and exterior surfaces is afforded. For example, the exterior side 18 of the frame and window sash may be made from one material and/or color, while the interior side 16 may be made from another. As a result of the present invention, a window frame assembly or door may be custom assembled to match the exterior and interior decor of the building structure in which the window or door assembly is to be mounted. Components may be shipped unassembled and then assembled at the building site to satisfy the need for variations of framing member design. For example, the overall thickness of the window or door assembly may be varied by interchanging differently sized inner and outer frame members and sash members.
As mentioned throughout, the coupling 58, 58′ of the present invention may be incorporated into other structural assemblies, such as a door frame.
The door frame includes left and right jambs, one being a hinge jamb 116 and the other being a lock jamb 118, a head (not shown) and, optionally, a sill (not shown), the head and sill connecting the hinge and lock jambs 116, 118. The door jambs 116, 118 include an inner frame member 120 forming an interior side 122 of the door frame and an outer frame member 124 forming an exterior side 126. The inner and outer door frame members 120, 124 are structural extrusions which are coupled together using the coupling 58, 58′ of the present invention described previously. Accordingly,
It should be realized, however, that the two part window and door assembly, and coupling, of the present invention may be incorporated in all types of window and door assemblies, such as skylights and greenhouse panels, whether or not such windows or doors include a thermal break. Even more broadly, the coupling of the present invention may be used wherever it is desired to join two or more elongated construction members together.
The first and second components of each part of the window or door assembly are preferably extruded, although they may be formed in other ways. They are preferably made of metal, such as aluminum; however, other durable materials including wood, fiberglass and high-strength plastics, such as vinyl, may be used. Typically, the lengths of the extruded components are twenty feet or more. After they are extruded, they are painted (i.e., finished). The advantage of the two part window and door assembly of the present invention is that the components may be joined together in their raw lengths using the coupling of the present invention, where one part may have a different finish or depth, or may be formed from a different material, from the other part to which it is joined. Subsequently, the joined parts are then transversely cut to selected lengths to form the joined jamb, sill, head, stile or rail. These components are then assembled to form the frame of the window or door, or the window sash.
The two part window and door assembly, and the coupling, of the present invention, provide greater versatility in the selection and use of the parts comprising the finished assembly, while the coupling of the present invention maintains the integrity of the various joined components of the window and door assembly. In the event that a change must be made in the joined components of the window and door assembly, or even after the joined components have been assembled to form the window and door frame or window sash, the locking spline, wedge or the like may be removed to allow disassembly of the structure and substitution of different components used therein.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.