Patent Application
20140123589
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to windows and window frames, and in particular to window frames that include jamb extenders so that the frames are suitable for installation into window openings having different thicknesses.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
When installing a prefabricated window assembly into wall opening, difficulties may be encountered because of variations in the thicknesses of walls. Specifically, the thickness of the rough framing around the window opening may be thicker than the window assembly, leaving a gap exposing the framing. Correction of this problem requires experienced trim carpentry to cover the gap, resulting in added time and cost.
The present invention addresses this problem by providing an adjustable jamb extender on one side of the window assembly. This jamb extender is adjustable to any position between a fully closed position and a felly extended position to cover any gap that may result for the rough framing, i.e., the wall, having a thickness greater than the window assembly thickness.
The window assembly modified by the present invention is comprised of a window frame and one or more window panels, e.g., sashes, installed within the frame. The frame is comprised of spaced parallel side jambs, a header or top jamb, and a sill. The components of the frame together form a rectangular opening into which the window panels are mounted. For example, the window panels may be upper and lower window sashes that are slidable mounted in vertical sash channels that are attached to the inner surfaces of the side jambs. The present invention is applicable to a wide variety of windows, and the structure of the window panels does not per se form a part of the invention.
The window frame components, i.e., the jambs and sill have inner and outer edges. In the present invention, the jamb extender assembly is attached to the inner faces of the window frame components. Specifically, the jamb extender assembly is comprised of extenders, extender clamps or continuous channel, and extender trim.
The extenders are comprised of four rectangular boards having a given width, inner and outer edges, and lengths corresponding to the lengths of the frame members. Specifically, there are two side extenders having lengths corresponding to the lengths of the side jambs, a top extender having a length corresponding to the length of the top jamb, and a bottom extender having a length corresponding to the length of the sill. The extenders are joined at their ends to form an open frame having an opening corresponding approximately to the opening of the window assembly.
The clamps are spaced along the inner edges of the window frame. Each clamp includes an opening away from the window frame and longitudinally aligned with the frame component on which it is mounted. The clamp openings are sized to receive an extender so that the extenders are fictionally held at desired positions by the clamps.
As shown in the preferred embodiment the clamps are C-shaped clamps or continuous C-shaped channel extending substantially the length of the jamb with a center section secured to the inner lace of a jamb, and parallel, outwardly extending side arms spaced at a distance corresponding to the extender thickness. The side arms may include inwardly extending gripping projections to aid in holding the extenders. Preferably, at least two clamps axe attached to the inner edge of each window frame component. For example, two clamps may be attached to the top jamb and to the sill, while three clamps are attached to the inner edge of each side jamb. However, the size of the window determines the number of clamps or the length of the channel used.
To attach the jamb assembly to the window assembly, the jamb assembly is simply placed over the clamps and pushing into the clamps until the combined widths of the frame assembly and extender assembly equals the thickness of the rough framing, thereby hiding any rough framing when the assembly is installed into the window opening. Any needed adjustment can be made pushing the jamb assembly further into the clamps, or further retracting the jamb assembly from the clamps.
To prevent the clamps and any gap between the window frame and the extenders from being visible, the extender assembly also includes extender trim pieces that are mounted to extend from the rear of the window frame along the inner sides of the clamps. The extender trim pieces are attached to the window frame and have a width greater than the height of the clamps. The outer edges of the extender trim pieces may include inner flanges extending over the clamp wall adjacent the trim piece to further hide the clamps.
After the window assembly is installed, exterior trim pieces may be added over the outer edges of the window frame and rough framing, and plasterboard or other covering may be added to cover the ends of the extenders and the rough framing.
Thus, the invention defines a method of modifying a rectangular window frame having parallel side jambs, a header and a sill, the side jambs, header and sill having inner edges to make the frame suitable for installation into window openings having different thicknesses, the method comprising the steps of forming a rectangular extender frame of boards having enter edges, the extender frame having a size corresponding to the size of the window frame; attaching inwardly opening C-shaped clamps onto the inner faces of the window frame jambs, header and sill, the C-shaped clamps having center sections attached to the inner faces of the jambs, header and sill, inwardly extending inner and outer side arms spaced at a given width, and an inner side; and inserting the outer edges of the extender frame boards into the C-shaped clamps so that the combined thickness of the window frame and extender frame corresponds to the thickness of the window frame opening into which the window frame is to be mounted. The method may further include the step of mounting extender trim on the inner edges of the jambs, header and sill, the trim extending along the inner sides of the clamps.
In the following description, terms such as horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath, and the like, are used solely for the purpose of clarity in illustrating the invention, and should not be taken as words of limitation. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale.
As shown in the drawings, the present invention is a modification of a window assembly, generally 10, which is comprised of a window frame constructed of spaced parallel side jambs 12 and 14, a header jamb 16 and a sill 18. Upper and lower sashes 20 and 22 are mounted within the frame, e.g., with sash channels 24 attached to side jambs 12 and 14.
Jamb extender assembly, generally 30, of the present invention, is attached to the inner faces of jambs 12, 14 and 16, and sill 18. Jamb extender assembly 30 is comprised of extenders 32, 34, 36 and 38, extender clamps 40, and extender trim 42.
Extenders 32, 34, 36 and 38 are rectangular boards having a given width, inner and outer edges, and lengths corresponding to the lengths of the frame members. Specifically, side extenders 32 and 34 having lengths corresponding to the lengths of the side jambs 12 and 14, top extender 36 has a length corresponding to the length of top jamb 16, and bottom extender 38 has a length corresponding to the length of sill 18. The extenders are joined at their ends to form an open frame having an opening corresponding approximately to the opening of the window assembly.
Clamps 40 are spaced along the inner edges of the jambs. Clamp 40 as shown in the preferred embodiment are C-shaped clamps with a center section 44 secured to the inner face of a jamb, and parallel, outwardly extending side arms 46 and 48 spaced at a distance corresponding to the extender thickness. Side arms 46 and 48 may include inwardly extending gripping projections 50 to aid in holding the extenders. As shown in
To attach the jamb assembly, jamb extenders 32, 34, 36 and 38 are pushed into clamps 40 until the combined widths of the jambs and extenders equals the thickness of framing wall jack 50, thereby hiding framing when the assembly is installed. To hide clamps 40 and any gap between the jambs and extenders, extender trim 42 is mounted along the inner sides of clamps 40. The outer edges of the extender trim 42 may include inner flanges 52 extending over clamp wall 46 to further hide clamps 40. After assembly exterior trim pieces 54 and plasterboard 56 or other interior covering are added.
Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/621,605, filed May 9, 2012, the entire content of which is incorporated herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61621605 | Apr 2012 | US |
