Patent Application
20130326973
This U.S. Patent Application relates to a window rain guard and wind deflector device, and particularly to one that can be easily and conveniently installed as an add-on or retrofit to commonly sold, prefabricated household windows.
Prefabricated household window units are commonly sold for installation in new construction, remodeling, or replacement of windows in homes. Such prefabricated units are available to the home construction industry and sold in construction supply stores under well-known brand names such as Andersen™, Jeld-Wen™, Milgard™, and Simpson™ windows. They are typically manufactured in a range of standard sizes, and are designed and fabricated with cost-effective materials for optimum weather and wear-resistance, air-flow, reduced energy consumption, and aesthetic quality. Prefabricated units are available in many functional types, such as double or single-hung, sliding, awning, and more.
Sliding window units are widely used to maximize external views in wall spaces of substantial lengths. A typical sliding window unit is installed lengthwise in a wall space and has a pair of side-by-side glass window pane units, one or both of which can slide laterally in a track or tracks formed in the window frame. The glass pane units may be tinted or treated with thermal or optical films. In single-pane sliding window units, an inner glass pane is laterally slidable from one lateral half side on an inner track (on the inside of the house wall) in parallel behind a fixed outer pane positioned on the other lateral half side in an outer track space. An insect screen is spring-mounted in the outer track space on the first lateral half side adjoining the fixed pane. When the inner pane is slid laterally to open the window, air ventilation can flow in and out of the open side through the insect screen. In double-pane sliding window units, both inner and outer glass panes are laterally slidable from their respective lateral half sides on respective tracks, and a double-width insect screen is mounted in an external frame space on an outer side of the two glass pane tracks. Window pane locks may be provided to lock an open pane in a partially opened position, so that the window can be left open for ventilation while preventing the pane from being further opened from the outside to deter unauthorized entry.
A common occurrence in homes is that windows may be opened to let in air ventilation and light, and then left open, perhaps locked in a partially opened position, while the home occupants are elsewhere inside the house or leave the house unattended. If it rains while the windows are left partially opened, rain droplets can be swept through the screen and dampen or soak the window sills, rugs, curtains, and other furnishings inside the house. Rain damage buildup can lead to costly repairs, stagnant moisture in furnishings, and mold growth. In locations that have strong winds, sudden wind storms can arise and blow dust and debris through partially opened windows to contaminate the interior of the home.
In past times, window shutters have been installed on the outside of windows to deflect rain or wind while the windows are left open for ventilation. The shutters are typically hinged to the outside of the window frame and provided with downwardly inclined slats to allow air to pass under the slats while deflecting rain or wind from above or from the side. However, window shutters are a costly addition to the costs of installing windows, and require constant maintenance. For contemporary home designs, the addition of outer shutters can obscure views from within the house, and are not favored for a contemporary look as compared to the openness of all-glass-pane windows.
Various types of rain guards and wind shades have been proposed for use with prefabricated window units. One example shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,646 to Maras provides a triple-track double-hung storm window in which a rain guard of transparent plastic material has sealed top and side edges mounted in an outer window track, and a rectangular hollow body with an open lower aperture for allowing air to pass upwardly and through an opened window while deflecting rain and wind from above or from the side. Another example shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,596 to Helton employs a transparent plastic unit with an outwardly angled front panel supported on right-triangular side panels that can be retrofitted to a double hung window by hook-and-loop fasteners, magnetic tape (to metal windows) or a channel preformed on an outer window sash of the double-hung unit receiving an upper mounting lip of the rain guard. These prior devices have a bulging or projecting deflector body which obscures the aesthetic appearance of the window. In the case of the Maras triple-track window, and optionally in the case of the Helton outer sash channel mounting, the mounting for the rain guard must be preformed with the manufacture of the window, which precludes convenient add-on or retrofit mounting of the rain guard to standard prefabricated window units.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a window rain guard and wind deflector device that can be easily and conveniently installed as an add-on or retrofit to commonly sold, prefabricated household windows without requiring the need for preformed manufacture. A further object is to provide a transparent appearance when the device is installed that does not obscure the aesthetic appearance of the window. Yet a further object is to provide a device that can be readily sized and installed for a wide range of types and sizes of windows without the need for preformed manufacture.
In accordance with the present invention, a rain guard and wind deflector device is provided for use with a prefabricated window of the type having at least one window pane of a predetermined length and width thereof that is slidable on one lateral side in an inner track of a rectangular-shaped window structure. Typically, an insect screen is mounted in an outer track space of the window structure. The device has a flat panel of transparent plastic material in a rectangular shape which is defined by a mounting edge on one linear side of the rectangular shape. First fastener means holds the mounting edge of the flat panel to a corresponding linear side of the window structure. Second and third fastener means similarly hold opposing linear sides adjoining the mounting edge of the flat panel to opposing linear sides adjoining the one linear side of the window structure, respectively. The mounting edge of the flat panel has a length slightly greater than the length of the one linear side of the slidable window pane and a width in a direction that the window pane is slid that is a substantial portion of the width of the window pane. The outer surfaces of the linear sides of the window structure extend outwardly a slight gap distance beyond the insect screen mounted in the outer track space in the window structure. This leaves the slight gap distance between the flat panel and the insect screen for air-flow through the window when the window pane is slid to an opened position.
In one preferred embodiment, the rain guard and wind deflector device may be used with a single-pane sliding window unit of the type having an inner glass pane slidable in parallel with a fixed outer glass pane positioned in an outer track space. The fastener means on three sides are attachable to hold the mounting edge and adjoining opposing linear sides of the flat panel to the corresponding linear sides of the window frame.
In another preferred embodiment, the rain guard and wind deflector device may be used with a single-pane or double-pane sliding window unit which has glass panes mounted within the window frame, and around which a window trim in a rectangular shape having linear sides to be installed surrounding corresponding linear sides of the window frame. The fastener means on three sides are attachable to hold the mounting edge and adjoining opposing linear sides of the panel to the linear sides of the window trim.
In one preferred version, the flat panel may have a bead along its mounting edge for alignment with the linear side of the window frame or trim, and to protect the joint between the panel and window frame or trim from rain or debris. In another preferred version, the flat panel may be configured with a curved bend radius proximate the mounting edge and adjoining opposing linear sides to form a flat panel surface that is raised a slight gap distance beyond the plane of the linear sides of the flat panel. The raised panel surface may be used to provide a greater air gap with the screen in the outermost space of the window structure.
A preferred transparent plastic material for the flat panel is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or methyl methacrylate resin, which was first commercially available under the brand name PLEXIGLAS™ for plastic sheeting sold by Rohm and Haas Company. The plastic sheeting may have a preferred thickness for rain guard application in the range of 1/16 inch to ¼ inch thick, or more preferably ⅛ inch to 3/16 inch thick.
A preferred type of fastener means is double-sided sticky adhesive tape which is commonly available and can be readily cut to correct length and applied to form an adhesive layer between the linear sides of the flat panel and the corresponding sides of the window frame or trim. Other types of suitable fastener means may be used, such as hook-and-loop fastener strips or magnetic strips for metal-framed windows. The fastener means should have sufficient holding strength to be stable under expected high rain and wind forces, but low enough that the flat panel can be forced outwards from the inside for emergency exit through the open window.
In still another embodiment, a rain guard and wind deflector device may be adapted for use with a window unit having a window frame surrounded by corresponding linear sides of window trim, and the fastener means are mounting means attachable to the linear sides of the window trim and provided with tabs to hold the flat panel to the window frame. A preferred type of mounting means is a commonly available screen clip which has a screw mounting for mounting into window trim and a swivel tab which can be swiveled in position to hold the sides of the flat panel to the window frame.
The rain guard and wind deflector device may be used as an add-on or retrofit to any type and size of prefabricated windows. Most preferably, it may be used for sliding window units having frames made of vinyl or metal with smooth external surfaces for adhesive attachment of the flat panel. A preferred width for the flat panel may be in the range of at least 4 inches, to overlap a standard 3 inch distance of the security locked position for sliding window panes, and up to about 12 inches, depending on the size of the openable window panes. Most preferably, the flat panel has a width of 6 to 8 inches. The flat panel length may be preformed in standard lengths or cut to the window frame size that the flat panel is to have its mounting edge attached to. Most preferably, the flat panel lengths may preformed or cut to size to accommodate sliding window frame heights of about 2 feet to 6 feet.
The rain guard and wind deflector device may also be adapted for use with single-hung windows having a mid-frame segment for a fixed upper pane to which the mounting edge of the flat panel may be attached and the flat panel oriented to extend downwardly over a slidable lower pane for deflecting rain and wind when the lower pane is opened.
In another preferred version, the flat panel has a bead formed along its mounting edge which projects a small distance in a direction normal to the plane of the flat panel. The bead forms an alignment surface for abutting the linear side edge of the window frame or trim, so that the flat panel can be readily aligned in correct position to the window frame or trim. When using double-sided sticky adhesive tape, the bead covers the adhesive joint between the mounting edge of the flat panel and the linear side of the window frame or trim to prevent rain, dirt, or moisture from degrading the adhesive joint.
The flat panel may also have reinforcing strips attached on the edges of the adjoining opposing linear sides of the panel to stiffen the plane of the panel and its free end from deflection in strong winds. The reinforcing strips may be made of the same plastic material or, if needed, a stiffer plastic material.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be explained in the following detailed description of the invention having reference to the appended drawings.
In the following detailed description of the invention, certain preferred embodiments are illustrated providing certain specific details of their implementation. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that many other variations and modifications may be made given the disclosed principles of the invention.
Referring to
The rain guard and wind deflector device in accordance with the present invention has a flat panel 30 of a rectangular shape made of transparent plastic material (shown with cross-hatched shade lines in the figure) that is fastened to the linear sides 10a, 10b, 10c of the window frame 10 or linear sides 12a, 12b, 12c of the window trim 12. The flat panel 30 is defined with a mounting edge 30a on one linear side of its rectangular shape, adjoining opposing linear sides 30b, 30c, and a free end 30d. The flat panel has a width that extends a substantial part of the opening width in the direction the window pane slides to deflect rain and wind from entering the interior while the siding window pane is open. The outer surfaces of the linear sides 10a, 10b, 10c of the window frame 10 extend outwardly a slight gap distance, typically ¼ inch or more, beyond the insect screen mounted in the outer track space in the window frame. Thus, the gap distance of at least ¼ inch is left between the flat panel 30 mounted to the window frame 10 and the insect screen for air-flow through the window when the window pane 20 is slid to an opened position 22.
The installation in
A preferred transparent plastic material for the flat panel is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or methyl methacrylate resin, which was first commercially available under the brand name PLEXIGLAS™ for plastic sheeting sold by Rohm and Haas Company. It is also sold under other brand names, such as LUCITE and PERSPEX. It is preferred for construction uses that benefit from its moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost. The PMMA plastic sheeting may have a preferred thickness in the range of 1/16 inch to ¼ inch thick, or more preferably ⅛ inch to 3/16 inch thick, for sufficient strength and rigidity for the rain guard application. The edges of the panel may be rounded for a more aesthetic look and for safety in handling. Other types of transparent plastic sheet materials with sufficient rigidity and good weathering properties may be used.
The rain guard and wind deflector device may be used as an add-on or retrofit to any type and size of prefabricated windows. Most preferably, it may be used for sliding window units having frames made of vinyl or metal with smooth external surfaces for adhesive attachment of the flat panel. It may be used on other types of sliding windows such as aluminum-framed or wood-framed windows. The flat panel may be installed by fastening it to the smooth surface of window trim if the surfaces of the window frame do not form a good bond with double-stick tape. A preferred width for the flat panel may be in the range of at least 6 inches, to overlap the standard distance of 3 inches for the security locked position for sliding window panes, and up to about 12 inches, depending on the size of the window panes and whether the flat panel is installed on the window frame or trim. Most preferably, the flat panel has a width of 6 to 8 inches. The flat panel length may be preformed in standard lengths or cut to the window frame size that the flat panel is to have its mounting edge attached to. Most preferably, the flat panel may be preformed in standard lengths or cut to size to fit sliding window frame heights of 2 feet to 6 feet.
A preferred type of fastener for the flat panel is double-sided sticky adhesive tape which is commonly available and can be readily cut to correct length. An outwardly facing side of the double-stick tape can be applied adhesively between the mounting edge 30a and adjoining opposing linear sides 30b, 30c of the flat panel 30, and the corresponding linear sides 10a, 10b, 10c of the window frame 10, or linear sides 12a, 12b, 12c of the window trim. A standard type of prefabricated sliding window has a window frame of vinyl or metal with external surfaces ¾ inch wide. Double-stick tape in a standard width of ¾ inch width can be cut to length to form an adhesive joint between the flat panel and the window frame. Window trim or molding can be installed surrounding a window frame in various widths, with 2-inch width being most common, so standard 2-inch width double-stick tape can be used. When used with prefabricated vinyl windows that have drip vent holes in the bottom rail of the window frame, the double-stick tape is not applied over the drip vent holes to keep them open for discharging moisture from the frame outside.
For cleaning the insect screen when a rain guard panel is installed, the screen can be unclipped from its spring mount and removed to the interior of the house and/or angled and passed outward through the window opening to the side of the panel. Other types of fastening strips that allow easy detachment may be used, such as adhesive hook-and-loop fastener strips or magnetic strips for metal-framed windows. The type of fastening strip used should have sufficient holding strength to be stable under expected high rain and wind forces, but low enough that the flat panel can be forced outwards from the inside for emergency exit through the open window.
The installation in
The above-described embodiments of the flat panel can be pie-formed in standard sizes or cut to size and installed directly on the window frame or window trim as appropriate. The flat panel is symmetric on its opposing linear sides adjoining the mounting edge for interchangeable use on left or right-handed sliding window units.
The rain guard and wind deflector device in the present invention allows for ventilation through an opened window under rainy conditions, while deterring dampness to the interior of the house due to rain and conditions that may promote mold growth. It avoids wetting of window sills and interior furnishings which may lead to rain damage and costly repairs. The device enables continued air flow in the house even under windy conditions, while deterring contamination of the interior due to wind-blown dust and debris.
The device is made of clear plastic material of a simple construction to handle its application needs and requirements in a most convenient and low cost way. It can be sized and installed directly on the window frame or window trim as appropriate. The preferred types of fastener that may be used have sufficient strength and integrity for its application, while also allowing the flat panel to be forced out from within for emergency exit through an opened window if required. The flat panel is symmetric on its opposing linear sides adjoining its mounting edge for installation on left or right handed sliding window units. The device is readily installed without special tools using simply double-stick tape, or common types of fasteners such as screen clips, screws, brackets, or moldings, etc. The plastic flat panel may be etched or have decals adhered to it for a decorative touch.
It is to be understood that many other modifications and variations may be devised given the above description of the general principles of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and variations be considered as within the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined in the following claims.
