U.S. patent application number 11/305265 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for window installation clip.
Invention is credited to Stephen J. Brooks, Jimmie D. Daniels, Timothy S. Kirk, John R. JR. Miller.
Application Number | 20070144106 11/305265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38191982 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070144106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kirk; Timothy S. ; et
al. |
June 28, 2007 |
Window installation clip
Abstract
As installation clip for use in supporting a window, such as a
mulled window, during installation in a building wall opening, and
reinforcing the window after installation against the pressures of
wind or the like. The installation clip is of unitary construction
with a generally flat base portion, and a set of counterextending,
raised tab portions projecting upwardly and outwardly from one side
of the base portion. The height and width of the raised tab
portions are selected to conform substantially to the dimensions of
a recess in the bottom frame member of the window with which the
clip is to be used. The installation clip is mounted to the sill
structure of the building wall opening, with its tab portions
facing into the center of the opening, and the window is inserted
into the opening onto the mounted clip. The raised tab portions of
the clip engage in the recess in the window bottom frame, and hold
the window in place while it is permanently secured in the opening
by conventional means. After the window is permanently secured, the
installation clip reinforces the window against applied pressures
and loads, particularly at the areas of the mullions of the window.
The clip is such that it is completely hidden from view after the
window is permanently installed.
Inventors: |
Kirk; Timothy S.;
(Pennsboro, WV) ; Daniels; Jimmie D.;
(Harrisville, WV) ; Brooks; Stephen J.;
(Ellenboro, WV) ; Miller; John R. JR.; (Alma,
WV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CESARI AND MCKENNA, LLP
88 BLACK FALCON AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210
US
|
Family ID: |
38191982 |
Appl. No.: |
11/305265 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/712 ;
52/204.599 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 1/6069
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/712 ;
052/204.599 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38; E04C 5/00 20060101 E04C005/00 |
Claims
1. A installation clip for use in installing a window in a building
wall opening having a sill structure, the window having a frame
bottom that defines a recess of predetermined shape and dimensions,
said installation clip being of unitary construction and
comprising: a base portion having a first major surface, a second,
opposite major surface, a first side edge and a second, opposite
side edge; a first raised tab portion extending outwardly from said
first major surface of said base portion toward said first side
edge thereof; a second raised tab portion extending outwardly from
said first major surface of said base portion toward said second
side edge thereof; said first and second tab portions having a
shape and dimensions that conform substantially to those of the
recess in the frame bottom of the window; whereby said second major
surface of said base portion may be mounted to the sill member of
the building wall opening and said raised tab portions of said
mounted installation clip may engage in the recess in the frame
bottom of the window to support the window in the opening.
2. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein said base portion and
said first and second tab portions are fabricated from a single
piece of rigid material having a generally flat, generally
rectangular shape.
3. The installation clip of claim 2 wherein which said first and
second tab portions are struck from said single piece of rigid
material and bent upwardly to heights above said base portion
determined by the predetermined dimensions of the recess in the
bottom frame of the window.
4. The installation clip of claim 3 wherein said rigid material
comprises galvanized steel.
5. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein which said base portion
has a plurality of openings formed therein for mounting to the sill
member.
6. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein said first tab portion
comprises a plurality of discrete first tab portions laterally
spaced from one another.
7. The installation clip of claim 6 wherein the building wall has
an interior and an exterior, and wherein the first side edge of
said base portion is adapted to be mounted toward the interior of
the building wall.
8. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein the window is a mulled
window having a centrally disposed mullion, and wherein said
installation clip base portion is adapted to be mounted on the sill
member below the mullion of the window.
9. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein the frame bottom of the
window has a predetermined width and wherein said base portion and
said raised tab portions have a width such that, when said base
portion is mounted to the sill member, said installation clip is
substantially concealed from view by the window frame bottom.
10. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein the frame bottom of
the window has a predetermined width and wherein said raised tab
portions have a width such that said raised tab portions flex
downwardly as the window frame bottom is mounted on the
installation clip and then return at least partially to an unflexed
position when fully engaged in the recess of the window frame
bottom.
11. The installation clip of claim 10 wherein said raised tab
portions have a width such that they grip the window frame bottom
when fully engaged in the recess of the window frame bottom.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to windows and their
installation, and more particularly, to an installation clip for
facilitating the installation of relatively large mulled windows in
building wall openings, and reinforcing such windows, in the areas
of the window mullions, after they are installed.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Modern-day windows are typically fabricated by extruding
frame and sash components from non-wooden materials such as
aluminum or vinyl, cutting the frame and sash components to size
and angle, and then assembling them into a finished window unit.
The extruded frame and sash components are hollow in cross-section
with an arrangement of internal connecting walls that contribute
rigidity and strength to the components while keeping the
components relatively light in weight. However, windows also
typically incorporate multiple panes of thermal glass and other
components, such as sash balance shoes and the like, which add
weight to the finished window unit, particularly in the case of
relatively large windows. As a result, even modern-day non-wooden
window units, particularly those of relatively large size, can be
cumbersome to handle, heavy, and difficult to install into a
building wall opening without assistance.
[0005] A common approach used today in the fabrication of
relatively large area windows involves structurally joining, or
"mulling", two or more stand-alone window units together. The
individual window units are structurally joined, either
side-by-side or one on top of the other, using specially-designed
mullion strips. The mullion strips include reinforcing members that
span the abutting sides of the frames of two window units to be
joined, or the top and bottom portions, respectively, of the two
window unit frames, and rigidly hold the two window units together
as if formed in a single frame. Extruded mull covers hide the
mullion reinforcing members and give the mulled window the finished
appearance of a specially manufactured window unit of a larger
size. With this approach, windows having heights and/or widths that
are any desired multiple of the height and/or width of the
stand-alone window units can be readily formed.
[0006] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates one
technique that has been used in the prior art to facilitate the
installation of relatively large area mulled windows, such as
window 10, in comparably sized building wall openings, and to
reinforce such windows after they are installed. According to this
prior art technique, the window manufacturer mounts a rigid
L-bracket 12 to each side of a mull cover 16 and to the hidden
mullion reinforcing members (not shown) of the window 10 using a
pair of rivets 18. As can be seen in FIG. 1, each L-bracket 12
includes a first portion 12a which is mounted flush against the
mull cover 16 with the rivets 18, and a second portion 12b which
extends at a right angle to the first portion 12a away from the
mull cover 16. The L-brackets 12 are mounted so that the bottom
face of the second portion 12b of each L-bracket 12 is flush with
the bottom of the mull cover 16. The second portion 12b of each
L-bracket 12 also includes an elongated opening 12c in the
approximate center of the second portion 12b.
[0007] The window manufacturer also supplies a complementary
mounting baseplate 22, to be used in conjunction with the
L-brackets 12, during installation of the window 10. The baseplate
22 has a generally flat, rectangular shape with several openings
22a along one of its sides, and a pair of inverted-L shaped
extensions, or "ears" 22b, projecting upwardly from its other,
opposite side. As shown in FIG. 1, the ears 22b are sized and
positioned on the baseplate 22 so that they can be engaged in the
elongated openings 12c in the second portions 12b of the L-brackets
12 that are fixed to the window 10. The baseplate 22 thus fits
flush against the bottom surface of the mull cover 16. The window
10, after being positioned in the opening of the building wall in
which it is to be installed, is held temporarily in position with
installation nails or screws that pass through the openings 22a in
the baseplate 22 into the underlying sill structure defining the
building wall opening. An identical set of L-brackets 12 and
baseplate 22 is typically provided for the top of the mullion of
the window 10 (not shown in FIG. 1) to secure the top of the window
10 to the upper horizontal rail of the building wall opening. The
window 10 is then permanently secured in the opening by
conventional means, such as nailing through an integral nail fin
that extends from and surrounds the frame of the window 10. After
the window 10 is permanently secured, the L-brackets 12 and
baseplate 22 reinforce the window 10 against the pressure of wind
or the like, in the vicinity of the window mullion.
[0008] The above-described technique, while effective in
temporarily securing the window 10 in its desired position in the
building wall opening, and reinforcing the window after
installation, has several drawbacks. First of all, the technique
requires six distinct components, i.e., four L-brackets 12 and two
baseplates 22, to secure the bottom and top of the window 10. The
mounting of the L-brackets 12 to the window 10 also requires that
holes be drilled, stamped or otherwise provided in the mull cover
16 of the window 10 for the rivets 18. These holes represent a
possible source of leaks in the window 10, particularly under
severe weather conditions. Additionally, the need to mount the
L-brackets 12 to the mull cover 16 of the window 10 adds additional
steps, and thus additional cost, to the window manufacturing
process. Finally, the L-brackets 12 and baseplates 22 protrude away
from the mull cover 16 and are plainly visible on the mounted
window 10. Consequently, the finishing trim around the window must
generally be specially adapted in order to hide these protruding
components from view.
[0009] It would be desirable to provide an improved approach to
facilitating the installation of windows, particularly relatively
large mulled windows, and reinforcing them after they are
installed, that avoids the drawbacks of this prior art
technique.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention aims generally to provide
an improved window installation clip that avoids drawbacks of the
prior art.
[0011] More particularly, it is an object of the invention to
provide a window installation clip that comprises a single integral
unit, that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and
that can be delivered with the window and readily installed in the
field to support and reinforce the window both while and after it
is installed in a comparably sized building wall opening.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a window
installation clip of the type described that is effective in the
temporarily supporting the window during installment, and in
reinforcing the window against the pressure of wind and other
conditions, and that eliminates the need to provide any part or
component that is riveted or otherwise secured to the window during
the window manufacturing process.
[0013] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
window installation clip of the type described that, after being
installed, is completely hidden for view, eliminating the need for
any specially designed finishing trim around the window.
[0014] These and other objects of the invention will be better
understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed
description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention which
appears below and the accompanying drawings.
[0015] Briefly, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
the invention, a window installation clip is provided that is of
unitary construction, preferably stamped from a single flat piece
of metal stock or other suitable material. The installation clip
includes a generally flat, generally rectangular base portion, and
a set of counter-extending, raised tabs that extend in ramp-like
fashion upwardly and outwardly from a central region of one side of
the base portion. The width of the base portion and height of the
raised ends of the tabs are selected to conform substantially to
the width and depth of a recess in the bottom of the frame of a
conventional mulled window with which the installation clip is to
be used.
[0016] In use, the installation clip is first mounted to the sill
structure of a building wall opening in which the window is to be
installed. In the case of a mulled window with a single, central
mullion, the installation clip is mounted at the approximate
midpoint of the sill span. The clip is secured in place, flat side
down, with the raised tabs pointing upwardly toward the center of
the window opening, with installation screws or nails that pass
through openings provided in the base portion of the clip.
[0017] The window is then positioned in the opening, with the
raised tabs of the installation clip engaging in the recess in the
bottom frame of the window. The raised tabs of the installation
clip may be dimensioned so that they collapse slightly, or flex
downwardly, under the weight of the window, causing their free
ends, to grip the inside surfaces of the bottom frame of the window
that define the recess. The raised tabs may also be dimensioned
relative window bottom frame such that they flex downwardly as they
pass by the bottom frame legs that define the recess, and then
return, at least partially, to their unflexed positions, creating a
snap-in action as the clip engages in the window recess. In either
case, the installation clip grips and/or cradles the window frame
and supports the window horizontally and vertically in the opening.
While supported on the installation clip, the window may be
permanently secured in the opening by conventional means, such as
nailing or screwing an integral nail fin extending from the frame
to the building structure around the opening. After the window is
permanently secured, the installation clip reinforces the window at
the mullion area to minimize deflection of the vinyl/aluminum
components, or the glass itself, due to applied pressures and
loads.
[0018] Because the installation clip is dimensioned to conform
substantially to the recess in the bottom of the window frame, the
clip is hidden from view once the window is positioned on the clip
in the opening. Special finishing trim procedures are thus not
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] For a fuller understanding of the objects, features and
advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective, broken view illustrating the prior
art technique for facilitating the installation of a mulled window
discussed hereinabove;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an installation clip
embodied in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom
frame of the window supported on the installation clip of FIG. 2;
and
[0023] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the
installation clip of FIG. 2 seated in a recess in the bottom frame
of the window with which it is used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0024] FIG. 2 of the drawings shows an installation clip 40
embodied in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
invention. The installation clip 40 includes a generally flat,
generally rectangular base portion 42, having an upper surface 42a,
a lower surface 42b, an interior side edge 42c, and an exterior
side edge 42d.
[0025] A first set of laterally spaced tabs 44a and 44b extends
upwardly and outwardly in ramp-like fashion from the upper surface
42a of the base portion 42 of the installation clip 40, toward its
interior side edge 42c. A second, somewhat larger tab 46 extends
upwardly and outwardly in ramp-like fashion from the upper surface
42a of the installation clip 40, toward the exterior side edge 42d
of the base portion 42. A plurality of openings 48 are provided at
spaced locations through the base portion 42. The installation clip
40 can be mounted to the sill member of a building wall opening
with nails or screws that pass through the openings 48.
[0026] The installation clip 40 is preferably fabricated from a
single flat, rectangular piece of galvanized steel. The tabs 44a,
44b and 46 are stamped or struck from the flat steel stock and bent
upwardly from the plane of the upper surface 42a of the base
portion 42 to the desired heights above the surface 42a. As
discussed in more detail below, the dimensions of the base portion
42 and the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 are selected to conform
substantially to those of a recess in the bottom frame of the
window in which the installation clip 40 will engage when the
window is positioned on the clip 40.
[0027] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other
materials and fabrication techniques can be employed to make the
installation clip 40 of FIG. 2. For example, the clip 40 may be
made of a relatively rigid and durable plastic by injection
molding. Alternatively, the clip 40 may be machined from a suitable
metal or plastic. The resulting installation clip 40 should be
rigid and strong enough to support the weight of the window to be
mounted and stabilize it both while and after it is permanently
secured in the building wall opening. On the other hand, the
installation clip 40 should not be so rigid that the tabs 44a, 44b
and 46 cannot not collapse somewhat, or flex downwardly, as the
tabs are engaged in the recess of the bottom frame of the window,
as discussed below.
[0028] FIG. 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the
bottom, or lower horizontal, portion of a window frame 50 supported
on the installation clip 40 of the invention. A building wall
opening 60 is defined, in part, at its lowest or bottom edge by a
rigid sill member 62. The installation clip 40 has been secured to
the sill member 62 with installation screws 64.
[0029] The window frame 50 is a generally hollow, extruded vinyl or
aluminum structure that includes a first frame portion 52 that
faces toward the exterior of the building wall opening 60 (to the
left in FIG. 3), and a second frame portion 54 that faces toward
the interior of the building wall opening 60 (to the right in FIG.
3). The lower or bottom portion of the window frame 50 (facing
downwardly in FIG. 3) includes a recess 58 defined, in part, by a
pair of spaced-apart frame "legs" 64a and 64b. As indicated in FIG.
3, the recess 58 in the window frame 50 may be irregularly shaped
and unevenly dimensioned, depending on the particular size, design
and construction of the window. For example, as shown in FIG. 3,
the recess 58 includes a stepped wall portion 66 located toward the
interior of the recess 58 and a reinforcing member 68 located
toward the exterior of the recess 58. The reinforcing member 68 may
be part of the mullion structure that joins two window units
together in a side-by-side relationship.
[0030] As mentioned previously, the shape and dimensions of the
installation clip 40, including particularly its base portion 42
and the tabs 44a, 44b and 46, are selected to conform substantially
to those of the recess 58 in which they are adapted to engage.
Accordingly, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of the
drawings, the interior tabs 44a and 44b extend upwardly to a height
H.sub.1 above the base portion 42 so that, when the window frame 50
is mounted on the installation clip 40, the free or upper ends of
the interior tabs 44a and 44b contact the stepped wall 66 inside
the recess 58. The exterior tab 46 extends upwardly to a height
H.sub.2 above the base portion 42, where H.sub.2 is less than
H.sub.1, so that, when the window frame 50 is mounted on the
installation clip 40, the free or upper end of the exterior tab 46
contacts the reinforcing member 68 in the recess 58. These
different heights, H.sub.1 and H.sub.2, can be provided by making
the angle .theta..sub.1 by which the tabs 44a and 44b deviate from
the upper surface 42a of the base portion 42 somewhat greater than
.theta..sub.2, which is the angle by which the tab 46 deviates from
the upper surface 42a of the base portion 42. It will also be noted
from FIG. 3 that the tabs 44a and 44b and tab 46 need not originate
from the exact axial center C (see FIG. 1) of the installation clip
base portion 42. Instead, they may originate from points that are
displayed to one side of the axial center C (to the right in FIG.
3) to approximate the location of center of gravity of the window
frame 50 and other components of the window 10 to be mounted.
[0031] As indicated in FIG. 3, the heights H.sub.1 and H.sub.2 of
the raised tabs 44a, 44b and 46 may actually be such that the base
portion 42 of the installation clip 40 is normally spaced somewhat
below the legs 64a and 64b of the bottom frame of the window. The
weight of the window as it is positioned on the clip 40 may cause
the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 to flex downwardly, and their free ends to
expand laterally, to an extent that they actually grip the inside
surfaces of the legs 64a and 64b of the bottom frame that define
the recess 58. This gripping action further stabilizes the window
frame 50 when it is mounted on the installation clip 40.
[0032] The heights H.sub.1 and H.sub.2 of the raised tabs 44a, 44b
and 46, and thus the distance between their free ends, may also be
selected so that the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 flex downwardly slightly
due to their contact with the legs 64a and 64b of the bottom frame
as they pass into the recess 58. The tabs 44a, 44b and 46 may then
return, at least partially, to their unflexed positions, when fully
engaged in the recess 58. In such a case, the window frame 50, in
effect, snaps onto the installation clip 40 as it is installed. The
particular dimensional relationships between the tabs 44a, 44b and
46 and the bottom frame recess 58 may be optimized by the window
manufacturer for each particular window size, type and
construction.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the installation clip 40
inserted in the recess 58 of the window frame 50. As can be
appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 4 combined, the width W and length L
of the base portion 42 of the installation clip 40 are preferably
selected so that the clip 40 is completely hidden from view which
the clip 40 is engaged fully in the recess 58 of the window frame
50.
[0034] In a particular example of the illustrative embodiment of
the invention, the installation clip base portion 42 has a width W
of 2.635 inches and a length of 6.0 inches. The interior tabs 44a
and 44b originate at a point that is spaced 1.10 inches from the
interior side edge 42c of the base portion 42 and extend upwardly
at an angle .theta..sub.1 of 21.degree.. Each tab 44a and 44b has a
length of 2.00 inches. The exterior tab 46 originates at a point
that is spaced 1.29 inches from the exterior side edge 42d of the
base portion 42 and extends upwardly at an angle .theta..sub.2 of
16.degree.. The base portion 42 and tabs 44a, 44b and 46 have a
material thickness of 0.04 inches.
[0035] It can thus be seen that the objects set forth above,
including those made apparent from the preceding detailed
description, are efficiently attained with the present invention.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications
may be made to the specific illustrative embodiment described
herein without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, the interior tabs 44a and 44b may be replaced by a single
tab that spans the space between tabs 44a and 44b. Similarly, the
exterior tab 46 may be replaced by two or more tabs that are
laterally spaced from one another. Whether a single tab or multiple
tabs are used on each side will be dictated at least in part by the
specific design and construction of the window to be mounted. Two
spaced tabs as opposed to a single, larger tab may be useful, for
example, to accommodate part of the window structure that would
normally protrude into the space between the spaced tabs.
[0036] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, although
the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 have been shown and described as being
asymmetrical with respect to the axial center C of the installation
clip 40, they could, depending on the window frame recess, be
symmetrical as well. The point of the illustrative embodiment is
that the specific dimensional details of the installation clip 40
will depend to a large extent on the dimensional details of the
recess in the window frame of the window to be mounted. Specific
dimensions will be varied from window to window to accommodate
different frame recess designs and configurations.
[0037] Accordingly, it is intended that all matter contained in the
above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, with the
following claims defining the true scope and breadth of the
invention.
* * * * *