1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to window sets and particularly to templates for aiding in installation of window sets in walls or fences. More particularly, this invention relates to a sacrificeable, structural, permanent template for cutting window openings and a corresponding window set with an insert that displays art within the window opening.
2. Description of Related Art
Apparatus and methods for cutting openings in partitions such as fences or walls for insertion of windows and doors are relatively commonplace. Most require a separate structural frame for interrupting vertical members of the partition such as pickets or internal wall studs. The window set then may be attached to the frame but bears no load itself. Less commonly, temporary shoring supports the studs until the window set itself can be inserted and secured to take their place.
In both cases, horizontal structural members extend through the wall at the ends of the remaining segments of vertical members, thereby giving them a surface against which to bear, while replacement vertical members support the horizontal members from a laterally shifted position, thereby opening the space between such vertical members for the window set. Such structural frames must be hefty and usually must be installed piece by piece rather than as a prefabricated unit. Means for simultaneously supporting vertical members while cutting openings through them and then inserting window sets, without need for additional lateral support members, would create economies of cost and time for selected installations.
Perimeter fences for yards commonly comprise regularly spaced posts spanned by two to three horizontal rails supporting vertical pickets. Such fences serve both as visual barriers and security means, as well as often confining pets. They usually are at least six to eight feet high, thereby interrupting line of sight for most people standing at grade, and they seldom are made from materials which permit viewing through them, in accordance with the visual barrier motive. On occasion, however, it can be desirable to provide visual ports through such fences to permit limited viewing at selected locations by humans or pets. Merely cutting a hole in the pickets of such fences leaves them unsupported unless adequate framing is provided around the opening. Conventional window framing, however, usually weighs too much for such pickets and the fence itself. A need exists for inexpensive and light weight means for framing such viewing ports through picket fences.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a template for supporting facial wall elements around a viewing port.
It is another object of this invention to provide a template for assisting in inserting window sets through fences and walls.
It is another object of this invention to provide a template for window sets which may be sacrificed and left in place.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a window set and installation template that incorporates art inserts within the window opening.
The foregoing and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a planar steel template the shape of a desired opening to be cut into a fence or wall. The template is affixed to fence pickets or over the top of sheet rock or other wallboard covering the structural members of a wall. Once the template has been fastened in place, an opening through the wall or fence shaped to the inside of the template can be cut away. No further framing or reinforcing is needed as the template supports the severed structural members. An adjustable window set fits inside the resulting opening and extends through the fence or wall, and facie boards sandwich the fence and cover the template. A decorative insert comprising wrought iron, stained glass or the like fits within the window set to decorate and/or limit intrusion through the opening.
The novel features believed characteristic of the present invention are set forth in appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference now to the figures, and in particular to
Pickets 5 also are depicted as being vertical members installed all on one side of rails 3 and forming a front 2 and back 4 of fence 1 whereby rails 3 and their supporting posts (not shown) are substantially hidden from view from front side 2 of fence 1. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that some fences are built with pickets 5 installed on both sides of fence 1, either aligned or staggered, so that both sides 2, 4 of fence 1 appear to be similar.
Installed through pickets 5 between rails 3, window 10 of the present invention opens a viewing port through fence 1. As depicted and discussed herein, window 10 comprises semicircular opening 11 surrounded by insert 20 and covered by facie trim 13. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the structure and prosedures discussed herein for semicircular opening 11 apply equally well for other shaped openings 11 such as rectangles circles or ovals, and to more exotic shaped openings 11 as well. Insert 20 may include decoration 15 covering a portion of opening 11.
Insert 20 comprises flange 21 abutting the ends of pickets 5 and surrounding opening 11 to form a continuous sill 22a, 22b the shape and size of window 10. Insert 20 fits snugly within opening 11 and spans the thickness of pickets 5. Front edge 23 and opposite back edge 24 of flange 21 protrude a select distance beyond the front 2 and back 4 of pickets 5, 1 creating front and rear overhangs 27, 28. Flange 21 preferably comprises plate steel having a thickness of approximately twenty-two (22 ga.) gauge. Flange 21 may be cut as a single rectangular piece then stamped and folded into its preferred shape and two ends welded to complete its outline.
Flange 21 necessarily may be of various widths, depending upon the figuration of fence 1. For example, where fence 1 has pickets 5 only on one side of rails 3, flange 21 need be only as wide as the thickness of pickets 5 plus overhangs 27, 28. Where fence 1 includes pickets on both sides of rails 3 (not shown), flange 21 must span two layers of pickets 5 as well as the included thickness of rails 3, so that facie 13 sandwich both sets of pickets 5. Where fence 1 includes separate rails 3 supporting pickets 5 on back side 4, flange 21 would be even wider by the width of the second rail 3 and the intervening support posts (not shown). In each case, flange 21 extends beyond front 2 and back 4 of fence 1 by overhangs 27,28 onto which facie 13 attach.
As best seen in
Overhangs 27, 28 are received within notches 17 on the sides of facie 13 adjacent fence 1. Facie 13 preferably are supported by overhangs 27, 28 and need not be attached to window 10 by other means. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that fasteners 16 such as screws or nails (
Decoration 15 as depicted comprises a series of wrought iron elements 29 crossing opening 11 in a decorative manner to lend aesthetic appeal to window 10. Decoration 15 simultaneously creates a screen which prevents large objects or animals from passing through opening 11. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the form of decoration 15 may vary considerably depending upon the purpose of window 10 in each case. For example, decoration 15 might comprise a stained glass (not shown) to lend color and interest, or it could comprise a hinged pet door (not shown) to allow egress and ingress through fence 1 by small animals. Also, decoration 15 could be omitted altogether (
Decoration 15 preferably is centered between sides 2, 4, but could be located toward one of sides 2, 4 (not shown) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Decoration 15 attaches to inner surface 26 of flange 21 by conventional means appropriate for the type of decoration 15 being employed. For example, as depicted in
An important element to the present invention is template 30 disposed between one or both of facie 13 and insert 20. As best seen in
Fasteners 16 vary according to the particular wall or fence being modified. For example, for the typical residential fence 1, pickets 5 typically are nominally one-by-six (1×6) or one-by-eight (1×8) cedar or cypress planks, and fasteners 16 may be simple screws adapted to penetrate into pickets 5 without protruding through to their opposite sides. For studs in a sheet rock wall (not shown), however, longer and larger fasteners 16, such as lag bolts (not shown), may be required. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that all such fasteners 16 are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Template 30 provides structural stability to opening 11 by securing free ends of pickets 5 after opening 11 has been cut. In fact, template 30 is instrumental in preparation and creation of opening 11, as discussed in detail below. Template 30 thus defines the size and shape of opening 11 and remains in place after installation of window 10 to assure stability of pickets 5 after they have been cut and no longer are otherwise supported between rails 3.
Template 30 preferably comprises aircraft aluminum or stainless steel cut from a single sheet so that it is continuous without the necessity of welding. Stainless steel is desirable in outdoor installations such as fence 1 to prevent rust from staining pickets 5 during use. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other materials may be used to secure pickets 5 in other environments, such as indoor walls (not shown). The thickness of template 30 also varies according to the structural strength required. For the application depicted in the figures, namely window 10 penetrating a single layer of pickets 5, template 30 preferably is twenty-four (24 ga.) gauge aircraft aluminum.
In operation, a user (not shown) selects a location within fence 1 for window 10. Such location will be defined by the purpose of window 10. For example, if window 10 is meant to increase visual convenience and acuity through fence 1 for a human of normal height, the vertical location of window 10 might be chosen to be a few a feet above grade to agree with a comfortable viewing height when the person is standing or sitting. If the purpose of window 10 is to provide viewing or ingress and egress for a pet confined behind fence 1, the vertical height of window 10 might be but a few inches above grade. The horizontal location of window 10 should be selected to avoid overlapping support posts (not shown) and rails 3, and to optimize visibility and structural integrity of fence 1. For a pet, this often is through a portion of fence 1 facing toward a street in front of a property, where the pet can see approaching intruders and visitors as well as hear them.
Once the user has selected the height and horizontal location for window 10, he places template 30 against pickets 5 on one side (front 2 or back 4) of fence 1 (
Once template 30 has been fastened completely to each picket 5 it touches, and around its entire perimeter, the user uses a saw to cut opening 11 along inside perimeter 31, removing and discarding portions of pickets 5 to create opening 11. See
Next, the user installs insert 20 within opening 11 (
The present invention, described in either its preferred or alternate embodiment, thus serves to create a visually appealing port through a fence or other partition with a minimum of effort. Once affixed to them, template 30 secures vertical support members such as pickets 5 to permit partial or complete severing of their ends from horizontal supports such as rails 3, thereby forming opening 11 into which window 10 may be inserted and affixed. Insert 20 fits snugly within opening 11 and facie 13 receive protruding edges 23, 24 of insert 20 to provide a smooth, even sill for window 10. Decoration 15 may be included to block passage through window 10 of large objects or animals while creating an aesthetically pleasing enhancement.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to one or more embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the present invention has been discussed primarily in the context of providing window 10 through fence 1, but it could just as easily serve to put a window through an interior wall of a building, preferably as long as such wall did not bear the load of such building. In such case, template 30 would be affixed directly over wall board (not shown) and directly into its supporting studs, which could then be cut just as discussed above for pickets 5. Installation of window 10 then would proceed as discussed, with facie 13 disposed atop the wall board on both sides of the wall.