Patent Application
20210156194
The present disclosure generally relates to windows and, more particularly, to storm windows having hinged corners.
Windows on structures such as houses typically are lacking in thermal and sound insulative properties. Often, to address the short comings of these windows, storm windows are placed inside and/or outside of the window. Storm windows can improve thermal insulation as well as sound proofing by providing a pocket of air between the existing window and the storm window. Storm windows also can provide the added benefit of an added layer of protection from the elements (e.g., severe storms, hail, wind, debris, etc.), which is especially useful in older houses or houses having older windows and/or poor insulation. Conveniently, storm windows may be installed during construction of the house or, more frequently, may be installed after the house is built and problems arise with heat loss and/or lack of thermal comfort.
Typically, houses settle over time and shift slightly from its original position. These shifts may damage windows and/or window frames, and thus may create areas of air leakage into the home which in turn may create heat loss and allow more noise to enter the house. When these shifts occur, the frame holding the glass may go “out of square.” When window frames become “out of square” it oftentimes may be more difficult and time consuming to properly manufacture, frame, and/or install new storm windows on the structure.
In accordance with a second aspect, a frame for a window includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a fourth rail, a first pivotable bracket member coupling the first and second rails, and a second pivotable bracket member coupling the third and fourth rails. The first rail includes a first end, a second end, and a first groove extending a distance between the first end and the second end thereof. The second rail includes a first end, a second end, and a second groove extending a distance between the first end and the second end thereof. The third rail includes a first end, a second end, and a third groove extending a distance between the first end and the second end thereof. The fourth rail includes a first end, a second end, and a fourth groove extending a distance between the first end and the second end thereof.
In some examples, at least one of the pivotable bracket members includes a first member, a second member, and a first fastener. The first member has a first portion and a second portion and is positioned near the first end of the first rail. Further the first member is at least partially disposed within the first groove. The second member has a first portion and a second portion, and is positioned near the second end of the second rail. The second member is at least partially disposed within the second groove. The first fastener pivotably couples the first and second members. When the first and second members are coupled to each other, the first portion of the first member overlaps the first portion of the second member.
In some of these examples, the second portion of the first member is raised relative to the first portion of the first member. The First portion of the second member may be flush with the second portion of the first member when the first and the second members are coupled to each other.
In some forms, the frame may further include at least one cover hingedly mounted to one of the first rail, the second rail, the third rail, or the fourth rail. The at least one cover is positionable between a released position where the frame receives a window pane and an engaged position where the window pane is secured to the frame. The at least one cover and the frame may cooperate to define a cavity to accommodate the window pane.
In some examples, the frame may further include a third pivotable bracket member and a fourth pivotable bracket member.
In accordance with a second aspect, a structural assembly for a frame includes a first rail, a second rail, and a pivotable bracket member. The first rail includes a first end, a second end, and a first groove extending a distance between the first end and the second end thereof. The second rail includes a first end, a second end, and a second groove extending a distance between the first end and the second end. The second rail is adapted to abut the first rail and the pivotable bracket member is adapted to pivotably couple the first rail with the second rail.
In some examples, the pivotable bracket member can include a first member, a second member, and a fastener. The first member may be positioned near the first end of the first rail and be at least partially disposed within the first groove, and can include a first portion and a second portion. The second member may be positioned near the second end of the second rail and be at least partially disposed within the second groove and can include a first portion and a second portion. The first fastener pivotably couples the first and second members. When the first member is coupled to the second member, the first portion of the first member overlaps the first portion of the second member.
In some of these examples, the second portion of the first member is raised relative to the first portion of the first member. Further, the first portion of the second member can be flush with the second portion of the first member when the first and second members are coupled to each other.
In some forms, the first member further includes a first aperture disposed in the first portion that receives the first fastener and a second aperture disposed in the second portion that receives a second fastener. The second fastener couples the first member to the first rail. Further, the second member may include a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture is disposed in the first portion and receives the first fastener, and the second aperture is disposed in the second portion and receives a third fastener. The third fastener couples the second member to the second rail.
In some of these examples, the structural assembly may further include a first platform disposed in the first groove and a second platform in the second groove. In some examples, the second member may further include an angled region positioned between the first portion and the second portion.
In some forms, the first end of the first rail and the second end of the second rail are rotatable relative to each other such that the first end of the first rail and the second end of the second rail abut at an angle less than approximately 90 degrees. Further, the second portion of the first member is operably coupled to the first platform and the second portion of the second member is operably coupled to the second platform. In other examples, the first end of the first rail and the second end of the second rail are rotatable relative to each other such that the first end of the first rail and the second end of the second rail abut at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees.
The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the window having hinged corners described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by person skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
The present disclosure is generally directed to a storm window frame having hinged corners. Typically, storm windows include a frame that surrounds a pane (e.g., a glass member, an acrylic member, a polycarbonate member, or any other suitable material) which are both placed within the frame of an existing window in, for example, a house, to increase the thermal insulation and/or sound proofing of the existing window. Prior to placement of the window, various measurements of the frame surrounding the window should be taken to ensure proper sizing of the storm window because most frames are not exactly rectangular. This can be as a result of various factors, such as, for example, the house settling and exerting a shear force on the frame that can cause the frame to no longer be rectangular. Thus, most frames have a parallelogram shape rather than a rectangular shape.
Typically, to compensate for the frame being a parallelogram rather than a rectangle, multiple measurements of the frame are taken before installation of the storm window. For example, a horizontal measurement, a vertical measurement, and multiple diagonal measurements may be taken in order to ensure the correct dimensions of the storm window. These measurements are beneficial because known storm window designs typically do not have the ability to be manipulated and reshaped at the point of installation if the frame is no longer rectangular. This results in greater costs for such windows due to the precise and unique shape of each storm window manufactured.
The present disclosure addresses these and other problems by providing a frame for a storm window having hinged corners which allow the frame to adjust to out-of-square, or parallelogram, shaped windows. The frame having hinged corners of the present invention only requires two measurements (e.g., the horizontal distance and the vertical distance), rendering the diagonal measurements unnecessary because the hinged corners allow for the frame to be manipulated at the point of installation to fit the existing, out-of-square frame. The present invention forms a frame using four rails, each rail being coupled to an adjacent rail via a pivotable bracket member. The pivotable bracket member allows each rail to be positioned within an existing frame so that each rail properly rests against each side of the existing frame. Once each rail is positioned, the pivotable bracket members are secured via an attachment mechanism, the pane is placed within the frame, and the pane is then secured to the frame.
The present invention also allows for the pane to be substantially rectangular rather than be purposefully cut to the shape of a parallelogram. This allows for a simpler manufacturing process because the panes or lenses will not need to be cut to such particular measurements and with such precision.
An embodiment of a frame 100 having hinged, pivotable bracket members 104 (referred to as 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d herein and in the Figures) disposed at corners is illustrated in
The frame 100 is constructed from and includes a first rail 112, a second rail 116, a third rail 120, and a fourth rail 124. Each of the rails 112, 116, 120, 124 are operably coupled together using the pivotable bracket members 104. In particular, a first pivotable bracket member 104a couples the first and second rails 112, 116, a second pivotable bracket member 104b operably couples the third and fourth rails 120, 124, a third pivotable bracket member 104c operably couples the second and third rails 116, 120, and a fourth pivotable bracket member 104d operably couples the first and fourth rails 112, 124. Further, and as illustrated in
As previously mentioned, the pane 108 may be constructed from glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or any other suitable material or materials. The pane 108 may be transparent, translucent, and/or opaque.
As illustrated in
The pivotable bracket members 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d are disposed between and couple the rails to form the frame 100, as discussed above. Each pivotable bracket member 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d may include a plurality of members and fasteners that couple to the plurality of members together and to the respective rails once the frame is positioned properly. In particular, the pivotable bracket members include a first member 152 having a first portion 152a, a second portion 152b, a first aperture 152c, and a second aperture 152d, a second member 156 having a first portion 156a, a second portion 156b, a first aperture 156c, and a second aperture 156d, and a fastener 160 that pivotably couples the first and second members 152, 156 at respective first apertures 152c, 156c (see
Referring now to the first pivotable bracket member 104a, the first member 152 thereof may be positioned near the first end 112a of the first rail 112 and may further be at least partially disposed within the first groove 136 of the first rail 112. Similarly, the second member 156 may be positioned near the second end 116b of the second rail 116 and may further be at least partially disposed within the second groove 140 of the second rail 116. While not shown, each of the grooves 136, 140, 144, 148 may be dimensioned to closely match a width of the respective first or second member 152, 156 to create a snug fit having minimal “play”.
Each of the first and second members 152, 156 may be coupled to the first rail 112 and second rail 116, respectively, using any number of suitable attachment mechanisms. For example, the first member 152 can be coupled to the first rail using a fastener 164 (such as, for example, a screw) inserted through an aperture 152d formed through the first member 152, and the second member 156 can also be coupled to the second rail using a fastener 164 inserted through an aperture 156d formed through the second member 156. However, in other examples, the first and second members 152, 156 can be coupled to the first and second rails 112, 116, respectively, using an adhesive, a tongue and groove joint, a snap fit connector, etc. Further, in some examples, the first and second members 152, 156 can be coupled to the first and second rails 112, 116, respectively, using a similar attachment mechanism. In other examples, the first and second members 152, 156 can be coupled to the first and second rails 112, 116, respectively, using different attachment mechanisms.
Referring now to the second pivotable bracket member 104b, the first member 152 thereof may be positioned near the first end 120a of the third rail 120 and may further be at least partially disposed within the third groove 144 of the third rail 120. Similarly, the second member 156 may be positioned near the second end 124b of the fourth rail 124 and may further be at least partially disposed within the fourth groove 148 of the fourth rail 124. Each of the first and second members 152, 156 may be coupled to the third rail 120 and the fourth rail 124, respectively, using any suitable attachment mechanism, such as the previously-described approaches, which can include the fasteners 164.
Referring now to the third pivotable bracket member 104c, the first member 156 thereof may be positioned near the second end 120b of the third rail 120 and may further be at least partially disposed within the third groove 144 of the third rail 120. Similarly, the second member 156 may be positioned near the first end 116a of the second rail 116 and may further be at least partially disposed within the second groove of the second rail 116. Each of the first and second members 152, 156 may be coupled to the third rail 120 and the second rail 116, respectively, using any suitable attachment mechanism, such as the previously-described approaches, which can include the fasteners 164.
Referring now to the fourth pivotable bracket member 104d, the first member 152 thereof may be positioned near the first end 124a of the fourth rail 124 and may further be at least partially disposed within the fourth groove 144 of the fourth rail 124. Similarly, the second member 156 may be positioned near the second end 112a of the first rail 112 and may further be at least partially disposed within the first groove 136 of the first rail 112. Each of the first and second members 152, 156 may be coupled to the fourth rail 124 and the first rail 112, respectively, using any suitable attachment mechanism, such as the previously-described approaches, which can include the fasteners 164.
Additionally,
In particular,
In operation, the gripping element 176 secures the frame 100 to the head or jamb of the window after the frame 100 is properly placed within the window, as extensively discussed above. Once the frame 100 is in position, the fastener 180, which may be pre-threaded to the elongated cylinder 184, is tightened until the fastener 180 makes contact with either the head or the jamb of the window. This same process may be repeated to each gripping element 176 disposed within the frame 100 until the fasteners 180 of each gripping element 176 disposed within the frame 100 securely engages the head or jamb of the window.
In some examples, all or a portion of a perimeter of the frame 100 may include an insulative material such as, for example, a compressible gasket or seal member such as rubber, silicone, and the like that may be used to form a seal with the structural frame or opening in which the frame 100 is disposed. During installation, the compressible gasket or seal member may create a friction-fit coupling with the window cavity. Accordingly, in these examples, the pivotable bracket members 104 may not need to be secured or otherwise tightened. In other examples, during the installation process, each of the pivotable bracket members 104a-104d may be unlocked and loose, thereby allowing for the frame members to tilt and adjust to fit within the frame pocket. Further, in some examples, once the frame 100 is installed into the window frame cavity, the pivotable bracket members may be tightened so that if the frame 100 is removed, it will retain the shape of the particular window frame cavity for reinstallation. It should be noted that while the foregoing discussion regards the fourth pivotable bracket member 104d, each of the features discussed are applicable to the first pivotable bracket member 104a, the second pivotable bracket member 104b, and/or the third pivotable bracket member 104c.
So configured, the pivotable bracket members 104a-104d allow for the frame 100 to shift to accommodate out-of-square panes 108 and/or in response to settling or shifting of the structure. Put differently, the pivotable bracket members described herein allow the rail members to abut each other at angles greater or less than approximately 90 degrees. In some examples and configurations, the frame 100 may only use two pivotable bracket members (positioned, for example, at opposite corners) to accommodate out-of-square panes and/or in response to settling of the structure.
Additionally, by dimensioning the cover members 128a, 128b, 128c, 128d such that the cavity formed with the rails is larger than the pane 108, the frame 100 may continue to cover and retain the pane 108 if the frame 100 shifts to an “out of square” shape when in the window cavity. In other words, while the frame 100 may pivot due to the structure settling, the gap formed in the cavity ensures the pane 108 does not incur additional potentially damaging forces thereon. Notably, the present application does not require precise measurements of an out of square window cavity due to no longer needing to dimension and shape the window frame to the parallelogram shape of the cavity. Accordingly, the present application reduces manufacturing complexities due to the ability to use conventionally cut window panes having 90° corners that fit into the slightly larger cavity of the frame (which may be parallelogram in shape).
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described examples without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.
The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).
