Extruded Plastic Window Frame

Abstract

An extruded plastic, multiple sash window frame composed of vertical stiles and horizontal rails of identical cross section and joined to one another at mitered corner joints; the stiles and rails being formed along their inner side faces with a continuous spline-receiving groove in which may be secured the marginal edges of an insect screen.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to window frame construction. More particularly, this invention deals with a sliding sash-type window frame construction, wherein one or more window panels are arranged to slide within the plane of the window frame and a surrounding wall.

Sliding sash-type windows represent a well recognized and widely accepted commodity. While extensively used in the housing industry, they are particularly useful in recreational vehicles because of their compactness, light weight, durability, and simplicity of construction.

Basically, a sliding sash-type window comprises a rectangular window frame anchored about its edges to an adjoining supporting wall and in which a plurality of window panels or sash are mounted. The window panels are adapted to slide relative to each other in channels formed in the frame to allow the window to be opened to let in air, or closed to let only light in.

These window frames are usually made up in various different sizes from a plurality of different components such as frame supporting strips, weather sealing strips, cover strips, etc. In addition, the cross sectional configurations of the stiles and the rails of most window frames are different. Therefore, manufacturers and distributors of these windows must stock or inventory a variety of different styles and sizes of windows to be able to supply customer requirements. This is particularly true with respect to windows for recreational vehicles, since each vehicle manufacturer wishes to offer something different to attract customers to his product. In any event, in the present state of the art, manufacturers, distributors, and those who install windows must maintain a wide assortment of window sizes and configurations, and it is apparent that the cost of the windows must include funds to maintain this large inventory.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

This invention provides a sliding sash window frame made of extruded plastic stiles and rails of identical cross--sectional configuration which may be cut to length and miter joined to quickly and easily produce substantially any size and configuration of window frame according to the particular specifications of the customer. The stile and rail components of the present window frames incorporate integral mounting flanges, plural sash guides or channels and flexible weather strip seals which adapt the frame to various sliding and stationary sash configurations. Moreover, the window frame of this invention includes a continuous spline-receiving channel on its inner side or face which cooperates with a grooved muntin or mullion to receive and anchor the marginal edges of a flexible screen in desired relation to the window sash.

The main object of this invention is to provide a sliding sash window frame which may be easily custom fabricated from extruded plastic frame components of uniform cross--sectional configuration which are cut to length according to given window dimensions, and which make provision for a wide variety of both slidable and stationary sash and screen arrangements.

Another object is to provide a sliding sash window frame having integral weather strips for contacting and sealing the movable sash when it occupies a window closing position.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking toward the outer side of a sliding sash window which includes two relatively sliding sashes and a fixed screen panel mounted in a window frame according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a similar view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective-sectional view looking toward the inner side of the lower portion of the window shown in FIG. 1 and showing how the sliding sash and screen panels are mounted in the window frame; and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION:

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like elements are identified by like reference numerals throughout the several views. FIG. 1 shows a typical sliding sash window which comprises a generally vertically arranged, stationary, rectangular, outer frame 1 formed from a pair of relatively spaced apart upright or vertical stiles 3 and a pair of relatively spaced apart parallel rails 5 which are rigidly joined together at mitered corners 7, as by means of adhesive and/or right angle connectors, not shown. A pair of window panels or sash 9 are slidably mounted in the frame 1. Each window panel 9 comprises a rectangular transparent glass or plastic pane 11 bounded by a marginal channel frame 13 which may advantageously be formed from extruded plastic panel-framing strips of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,390.

A fixed screen 15 is located at one end of frame 1, and extends from one of the stiles 3 to an intermediate muntin or mullion bar 17 which is fixed vertically between the upper and lower rails 5, as by means of staple-type fasteners 2. The particular position of the muntin or mullion bar 17 may be varied according to the desired location and area of the screen, and may divide the window frame either in equal half sections, as shown, or into unequal rectangular areas. Also, more than one muntin may be used to divide the window frame longitudinally into three or more sections.

As indicated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the cross-sectional configurations of the stiles 3 and rails 5 are identical, and each comprises a unitary, extruded body that includes an intermediate base or cross web 19 from which extends a coextensive, outwardly projecting, perpendicularly related mounting web or flange 21. The mounting web 21 may be formed with a plurality of regularly spaced holes 23 for receiving screws or other fastening means 25 therethrough for securing the frame 1 to a surrounding, supporting wall "W." Extending inwardly from the opposite side of cross web 19 are three relatively spaced apart channel forming webs 26, 27 and 28. The webs 26, 27 and 28 define between them a pair of transversely spaced, inwardly opening sash-receiving channels 29 and 30 for the horizontally sliding window panels 9.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the innermost channel-forming webs 28 of the rails and stiles are each formed with a U-shaped return bend portion 35 which defines an outwardly opening, continuous spline-receiving groove 37 in which may be secured a marginal edge of the screen 15. The edges of the screen 15 are securely, yet detachably, held in the grooves 37 as by means of a flexible spline or caulking strip 41 which is frictionally wedged into the grooves 37 behind the edge of the screen. Preferably, a series of barb-like ribs or ridges 43 are formed on the inside of the return bend 35 to aid in retaining the screen 15 and spline strip 41 therein. The muntin or mullion bar 17 is also formed with a similar return bend portion 36 which defines a spline-receiving groove or channel 38 to receive and securely hold the marginal edge portion of the screen panel 15. As will be noted from FIG. 4, the groove 38 of the muntin 17 directly joins the grooves 37 of the upper and lower rails 5 of the window frame, so that there will be no opening or gap between the corners of the screen 15 and the window frame.

The mounting flanges or webs 21 of the rails and stiles of the window frame are also formed with an outwardly opening, undercut channel 42 into which may be snap-fitted the edges of a coextensive, resiliently flexible "feature" or cover strip 44, as indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. Preferably, the cover or feature strip 44 consists of a relatively thin, elongated rectangular strip of semi-rigid, yet resiliently flexible, colored plastic or synthetic resin material which is slightly wider than the channel 42 of the mounting flange, but which may be resiliently bowed transversely to permit the opposite edges thereof to be snapped into the undercut edge portions of the channel 42. The purpose of the cover or feature strip 44 is to cover and conceal the heads of the screws or other fasteners 25 and to impart a neat and finished appearance to the outer surfaces of the mounting flanges of the window frame.

The rails and stiles of the window frame may also be formed with integral, inwardly turned, coextensive, channel-forming lips or webs 46 which provide relatively flat stops or abutment surfaces for contact with the edges of the wall W which define the frame-receiving opening of the wall.

Extending coextensively from the marginal edges of the channel-forming webs 26 and 27 are relatively thin flexible weather strips 48 which are formed integral with the webs 26 and 27, but preferably from a softer or lower durometer resin than the remainder of the stile and rail strips. The weather strips 48 are angled slightly inwardly of the sash-receiving channels 30 to slidably engage the marginal frame channels 13 of the sash and to seal each sash panel against leakage of wind, rain, etc. Other weather strips 49 may be formed integral with the mounting flanges 21 and channel-forming webs 28 to weather seal the stiles and rails of the window frame to the adjacent surfaces of the supporting wall W.

In use, the present window frame, with its sliding window panels 9 and screen panel 15 installed therein, is fitted into the frame-receiving opening cut or otherwise formed in the supporting wall W with the mounting webs 21 of the rails 5 and stiles 3 overlying the outer surface of the wall W adjacent the frame-receiving opening thereof. Screws 25 are then passed through the openings 23 of the mounting webs 21 and into the wall W to securely fasten the window frame to the wall. The cover or feature strips 44 may then be snapped into the undercut channels 42 of the mounting webs 21 of the rails and stiles to thus cover and conceal the heads of the screws. Also, if desired, an ornamental molding strip 53 may be secured to the inner surface of the wall W so as to span and cover any gap between the inner surfaces of the wall W and the innermost channel-forming web 28 of the window frame. With the window thus installed, the window panels or sash 9 may be relatively moved within their respective guide channels 29 and 30 to either open or close the sections of the window frame on either side of the muntin 17.

As will be readily apparent, the plural sash-receiving channels 29 and 30 may be used to receive and retain therein either sliding or stationary sash panels, or combinations thereof according to the desires of the owner or manufacturer of the recreational vehicle in which the window is installed. It is preferable in most instances, however, that sliding sash be movably positioned in at least one of the sash-receiving channels of the frame to permit opening of the window.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides an extremely versatile, sliding sash-type window frame which is composed of horizontal rails and vertical stiles of identical cross-sectional configuration formed of extruded plastic material cut to desired length and miter joined into rectangular frame configuration of desired dimensions.

While a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that various modifications in design and details of construction are possible within the spirit of this invention and the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a sliding sash window; a generally vertically arranged, rectangular window frame having inner and outer sides and composed of a pair of relatively spaced apart upright stiles and upper and lower rails miter-joined at the corners of said frame to said stiles, each of said stiles and rails being identical in cross section and each consisting of a generally elongated, integral, synthetic resin extrusion which includes a generally flat, intermediate cross web, a mounting web extending perpendicularly outwardly from said coextensive with said cross web, and a plurality of relatively spaced apart channel-forming webs projecting perpendicularly from and coextensive with the side of said cross web opposite said mounting web; the mounting webs of said stiles and rails defining on said window frame a substantially continuous, outer, marginal mounting flange for said frame, and the channel-forming webs of said stiles and rails defining in said window frame a plurality of relatively offset, inwardly opening sash-receiving channels, one of the channel-forming webs of said stiles and rails having a return bend thereon defining on the inner side of said window frame a continuous, spline-receiving groove, and the other of the channel-forming webs of said stiles and rails being formed with integral, longitudinally coextensive, flexible weather-strips angled inwardly of the channels of said frame for sealing engagement with sash received therein.

2. A window frame according to claim 1, including a muntin bar extending between said upper and lower rails and dividing said frame longitudinally along the inner side thereof, said muntin bar being formed with a continuous spline-receiving groove communicating with the spline-receiving grooves of said upper and lower rails.

3. A window frame according to claim 2, including a rectangular screen panel having marginal edge portions secured within the spline-receiving grooves of said rails, said muntin bar and one of said stiles.