Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6763638
-
Patent Number
6,763,638
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, July 23, 200221 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 20, 200419 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- Amiri; Nahid
Agents
- Sanchelima; J.
- Bordas; A.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 288
- 052 2046
- 052 20462
- 052 204591
- 052 455
- 052 2045
- 040 735
- 040 765
- 040 768
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A window assembly for garage door panels. The assembly includes an outer frame assembly that overlaps the panel opening to be protected and it is mounted thereon. An inner frame assembly co-axially extends from the outer frame assembly and jointly define a window area. A longitudinal slot along one of the elongated members defining the inner frame assembly permits a user to removably mount a transparent member therein. Ornamental frame assemblies can be optionally mounted over the present invention to enhance the aesthetics of the resulting structure. An alternate embodiment includes a second transparent member positioned within the outer frame assembly through another elongated slot in one of the elongated frame members. Internal channels in the frame members bite into the edges of the transparent members.
Description
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a window assembly for opening closures and more particularly, for doors and windows.
2. Description of the Related Art
Window assemblies are typically mounted on panels. They are designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the closures (doors) while permitting daylight to go through. However, the window assemblies used in conventional garage doors include frames that cannot withstand high winds, such as those that develop in certain areas, such as South Florida. Local construction codes include wind tests that require reinforcement of these window assemblies and many times these added structures detract from the aesthetics of the window design. Garage doors, for instance, typically include a number of hingedly connected panels that are moved from a vertical position to a horizontal overhead position over tracks. The conventional window assemblies in these doors fail to meet these tests. Thus, the desirability of a sturdier structure.
The advantages of the present invention, as it will be more fully explained in the following paragraphs, include a simple window assembly that can be readily installed around the edges of the aperture defining the window. The frame assembly includes a slot with cooperative dimensions to slidably receive a transparent panel. The assembly is thus capable of retaining the transparent panel while absorbing the impact energy of high winds and flying objects.
Applicant believes that the closest references correspond to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/073,642 filed on Feb. 11, 2002 by applicant for a window assembly for garage doors that can withstand high winds. However, it differs from the previous application because the present invention includes an outer T-shape frame assembly that can be readily installed through the aperture defining the window. This simpler frame assembly includes a longitudinal slot with cooperative dimensions that permits a user to slidably mount a transparent member therein. Ornamental frame assemblies can be optionally mounted over the frame assembly to enhance the aesthetics of the resulting structure.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a window assembly that can be readily mounted through an opening having cooperative dimensions.
It is another object of this invention to provide a window assembly that can withstand high wind loads.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a window assembly where the transparent member can be readily replaced.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
represents a front elevational view of one of the preferred embodiments for the window assembly subject of the present application mounted to a garage door panel.
FIG. 2
shows an isometric view of the window assembly illustrated in the previous figure.
FIG. 3
illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line
3
—
3
in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line
4
—
4
in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 5
is an exploded isometric representation of one of the preferred embodiments for the window assembly, object of the present invention.
FIG. 6
shows an isometric view of another of preferred embodiments for the window assembly having two slots for insert transparent elements.
FIG. 6A
is an enlarged detail view of one of the corners of the window assembly shown in FIG.
6
.
FIG. 7A
shows a partial isometric view of one of the upper corners of the embodiment represented in FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7B
shows a partial isometric view of the other upper corner of the embodiment represented in FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7C
shows a partial isometric view of one of the lower corners of the embodiment represented in FIG.
6
.
FIG. 8
illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line
8
—
8
in FIG.
6
.
FIG. 9
represents a front elevational view of another of the preferred embodiments for window assembly mounted to a door.
FIG. 10
illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line
10
—
10
in FIG.
9
.
FIG. 11A
shows a partial isometric view of the arched elongated member of the embodiment represented in FIG.
9
.
FIG. 11B
shows a partial isometric view of one of the ends of the straight elongated member where it meets the arched elongated member of the embodiment represented in FIG.
9
.
FIG. 11C
shows a partial isometric view of the other end of the straight elongated member of the embodiment represented in FIG.
9
.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral
10
, it can be observed that it basically includes outer frame assembly
20
and inner frame assembly
40
co-axially and contiguously mounted thereon, (in the preferred embodiment they are integrally built), transparent member
60
removably housed within said inner frame member
40
and panel assembly P. Window assembly
10
is mounted through opening O, of panel assembly P, which has cooperative dimensions to receive the former, as seen in
FIGS. 1 and 4
.
Outer frame assembly
20
has a rectangular shape in the preferred embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 through 4
. Elongated vertical frame members
21
and
22
are kept at a spaced apart and parallel relationship with respect to each other by perpendicularly mounted elongated horizontal members
23
and
24
. Inner peripheral edges
21
′;
22
′;
23
′ and
24
′ are defined with members
21
;
22
;
23
and
24
. Members
21
;
22
;
23
and
24
include one co-planar surface each that combined defines a common coplanar surface
20
′ that extend peripherally.
Inner frame assembly
40
includes elongated frame members
41
;
42
;
43
and
44
. Members
41
and
42
are kept at a spaced apart and parallel relationship with respect to each other by perpendicularly mounted elongated members
43
and
44
. Inner peripheral edges
41
′;
42
′;
43
′ and
44
′ are defined with members
41
;
42
;
43
and
44
respectively. Inner peripheral edges
41
′;
42
′;
43
′ and
44
′ are aligned with peripheral edges
21
′;
22
′;
23
′ and
24
′ to define window aperture
26
. Frame member
41
includes longitudinal slot
31
and frame member
42
includes longitudinal slot
32
, in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
. Slot
32
is optional and a channel can substitute it provided it is deep enough to bite a sufficient edge portion of transparent member
60
. The advantage of using a second slot
32
is that it provides versatility to a user who will then be able to insert transparent member
60
from either side. Elongated frame members
43
and
44
include elongated channels
33
and
34
, respectively. Elongated channels
33
and
34
have cooperative dimensions to slidably and snuggly receive lateral ends
63
and
64
of transparent member
60
.
Transparent member
60
includes lateral ends
61
;
62
;
63
and
64
. Member
60
has cooperative dimensions to be mounted through longitudinal slot
31
(or
32
). Also, member
60
has cooperative dimensions to cover window area aperture
26
, as best seen in FIG.
5
.
To mount window
10
on panel P, common coplanar surface
20
′ is brought against panel P at the area adjacent to the aperture where window
10
is going to be installed. A cementitious compound (epoxy or equivalent) can be used to keep outer frame assembly
20
attached to panel P. Fastening members (such as screws)
29
can optionally be used to further ensure the attachment to panel P.
A locking frame assembly
50
is mounted over inner frame assembly
40
to cover the latter, including slot
31
(and
32
), to prevent the movement of transparent member
60
. Assembly
50
can include ornamentary features to enhance the aesthetics of the resulting structure.
Another embodiment for the present invention is shown as window assembly
100
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 6
;
7
A;
7
B,
7
C and
8
, basically includes outer frame assembly
120
, inner frame assembly
140
and transparent members
160
and
160
′ removably housed within outer and inner frame member
120
and
140
, respectively.
Window assembly
100
has substantially the same configuration as window assembly
10
including elongated member
121
;
122
;
123
and
124
. Outer frame member
121
includes longitudinal slot
131
′. Frame member
122
optionally includes longitudinal slot
132
′ to provide versatility. Members
121
;
122
;
123
and
124
combine to define a common co-planar surface
120
′. Elongated frame members
123
and
124
include elongated channels
133
′ and
134
′, respectively. Elongated channels
133
′ and
134
′ have cooperative dimensions to slidably and snuggly receive the lateral ends of second transparent member
160
′. This double glaze window assembly has better thermal and acoustic characteristics.
Inner frame assembly
140
includes member
141
with slot
131
. Member
142
is similarly provided either a slot
132
or a channel for receiving an edge of transparent member
160
.
Locking frame assembly
150
is mounted over inner frame assembly
140
. Assembly
150
covers assembly
140
including slot
131
(and optional
132
), thereby preventing the movement of transparent member
160
. Locking frame assembly
150
′ is mounted over outer frame assembly
120
. Assembly
150
′ covers assembly
120
including slot
131
′ (and optional
132
′), thereby preventing the movement of transparent member
160
′. Assemblies
150
and
150
′ can also include ornamentary features.
Another embodiment for the present invention is shown as window assembly
200
, illustrated in
FIGS. 9 and 10
,
11
A,
11
B and
11
C, has a substantially half moon shape. Window assembly
200
basically includes outer frame assembly
220
, inner frame assembly
240
and transparent members
260
and
260
′ removably housed within outer and inner frame member
220
and
240
, respectively, as best seen in FIG.
10
. Outer frame assembly
220
includes straight frame member
224
and arched frame member
223
. Arched frame member
223
has a substantially inverted half-moon shape with internal elongated channel
233
′. Inner frame assembly
240
includes straight frame member
244
and arched frame member
243
. Arched frame member
243
has a substantially inverted half-moon shape with internal elongated channel
233
, as best seen in
FIGS. 11A
,
11
B and
11
C.
Straight frame members
224
and
244
have substantially the same configuration as in window assembly
100
. Frame members
224
and
244
include slots
234
and
234
′, respectively, as show in FIG.
11
C. Slots
234
and
234
′ have cooperative dimensions to permit transparent members
260
and
260
′ to go through. Assembly
250
covers assembly
240
including slot
234
, thereby preventing the movement of transparent member
160
. Assembly
250
′ covers assembly
220
including slot
234
′, thereby preventing the movement of transparent member
260
′. Assembly
250
and
250
′ can also include ornamentary features.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
- 1. A window assembly, comprising;A) an outer frame assembly having first and second elongated members kept at a spaced apart and parallel relationship with respect to each other by perpendicularly mounted third and fourth elongated members and defining an inner common and co-planar surface and first inner peripheral edges, said inner common co-planar surface being mounted to a panel adjacent an opening with cooperative dimensions; B) an inner frame assembly having fifth and sixth elongated members kept at a spaced apart and parallel relationship with respect to each other by perpendicularly mounted seventh and eighth elongated members, defining second inner edges, said inner frame assembly extending from said inner common and co-planar surface keeping said first and second inner peripheral edges in alignment thereby defining a window area, and said fifth elongated member including a first longitudinal slot and said sixth elongated member includes a second elongated slot for selectively receiving therethrough said first transparent member; and C) a first transparent member having first, second, third and fourth lateral ends of cooperative dimensions to be passed through said first longitudinal slot and having cooperative dimensions to cover said window area.
- 2. The window assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said seventh and eighth elongated members include first and second elongated channels, respectively, having cooperative dimensions for slidably and snuggly receive said first and second lateral ends.
- 3. The window assembly set forth in claim 2 further including a first locking frame assembly mounted over said inner frame assembly covering said second outer peripheral edges and said first and second elongated slots thereby keeping said first transparent member in place.
- 4. The window assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said first elongated member includes a third elongated slot and further including a second transparent member having fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth lateral ends of cooperative dimensions to be removably mounted within said outer frame assembly through said third slot.
- 5. The window assembly set forth in claim 4, wherein said second elongated member includes a fourth elongated slot for receiving therethrough said second transparent member.
- 6. The window assembly set forth in claim 5, wherein said third and fourth elongated members include third and fourth elongated channels, respectively, having cooperative dimensions for slidably and snuggly receive said firth and sixth lateral ends.
- 7. The window assembly set forth in claim 6, further including a second locking frame assembly mounted over said outer frame assembly covering said first outer peripheral edges and said third and fourth elongated slots thereby keeping said second transparent member in place.
- 8. The window assembly set forth in claim 7, further including:D) fastening means for securing said first and second locking frame assemblies and said outer frame assembly to said panel.
US Referenced Citations (12)