Abstract:
A window frame assembly for a window opening in which the assembly comprises a casing facing that covers the casing with a J-channel secured to the casing facing and defining an outwardly facing channel to receive bordering edges of siding material, and a casing molding having one longitudinal edge continuous with the casing facing and a second longitudinal edge outwardly and non-planar with the one longitudinal edge and engaging the J-channel. The casing molding of a color contrasting with either or both of the J-channel and casing facing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a trim assembly for framing windows, doors, or the like in a wall fenestration. Modern building constructions, particularly of homes and residents, ordinarily provide wall fenestrations in the building wall which receive windows or the like. A variety of window constructions may be inserted in these fenestrations, including simple window panes framed by sashes or casement windows or doors. In these installations, it has been common to provide a trim system to provide a finished look to the window by providing a frame about the window or door positioned in the opening. These trim assemblies function not only to provide an attractive finish, but also serve the dual function of providing means for interengaging siding or other covering materials which ordinarily are used to cover or finish the building walls. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved trim kit or system for use in finishing a window or door casing in a manner that is attractive, easily installed, and adaptable to a wide range of sizes, shapes, and uses, including the adaptability of the unit for various color combinations. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive trim assembly kit which may be adapted for a wide range of building constructions for purposes of finishing fenestrations and window casings in a manner that is inexpensive, easy to install, attractive in appearance, and adapted for a wide range of designs, appearances and uses. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In the present invention, there is provided a system which includes a minimum number of trim members which may be readily formed of metal, wood, plastic components or other building material in a variety of shapes by extrusions or simple bending processes and cut to size or assembled on site. The trim assembly comprises an arrangement of a casing face, a casing molding that is continuous with the casing face, and a J-channel, with the J-channel, in turn, securing and supporting in fixed relation the various siding or other finishing materials used on the outside of the building construction. These three components, namely the casing face, casing molding and J-channel, may be selectively formed as two or three interchangeable components to permit use of different color trim elements for visual contrasts as well as for selective use of molding designs to enhance shadow effects of outdoor light on the assembled unit. 
     Each of these components, the casing face, the casing molding and the J-channel, may be extruded or otherwise formed of suitable material such as metal, vinyl, plastic or other material normally used in building constructions. The components may also be formed in length of sheets appropriately folded and bent to conform to the cross-sectional dimensions desired for the element. The various components may be made in various shapes to interlock one with the other and to simultaneously provide a selection of various finishes and appearances. If desired, one or more of the components may be painted or otherwise color formed to provide a contrasting color component to one or more of the elements forming this trim. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan elevational view of a window assembly embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional detail taken along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional detail of a modification of the preferred embodiment, also taken essentially along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional detail of a modification of the preferred embodiment, also taken substantially along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, perspective view of a segment of a window and trim assembly embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a cross-sectional detail of a sill cover; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a top-plan view of the sill cover of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7   b  is an end view of the cap of  FIG. 7   a ; and 
         FIG. 7   c  is a plan view of the right end of the cap for the end of the sill cover shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing a modified form of a casing face installed in a window frame using a blind nailing technique; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of the casing face shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the casing face shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a casing molding; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the casing molding of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a casing face and casing molding combination used for what is characterized in the trade as “brick molding”; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional detail of a J-channel used with the casing molding of  FIGS. 11 and 13 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of the J-channel shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a further cross-sectional view of a further modification of the casing molding. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     As noted, the present invention is directed primarily to a window, doors and other fenestrations treatment for residential and commercial buildings, but has other applications. In the specific embodiments illustrated, there is shown a window trim assembly designed primarily for a residential building in which the building wall may be conventionally formed with a window opening or fenestration in which a window  10  is positioned. The window  10  may be a wide range of designs including simple designs in which the window pane is framed by a sash  12  or by other casement type windows. The window is secured to the building construction which may comprise standard construction. For example, a wooden wall  14  supported by studs and framing (not shown) to form the shell of the building. The window opening is framed by a casing  15  which preferably extends about the sides and top of the opening and is finished by a sill suitably covered by a sill cover shown and further described in connection with  FIGS. 6   a  through  7   c . The window trim system comprises primarily a casing face  16 , a casing molding  20  and a J-channel  30  interlocked and secured to the casing  15  as hereafter described. Finish siding material  50  ( FIG. 5 ) positioned over the casing  15  is secured and fits into the J-shaped channel  30 . 
     The casing face  16 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , may be formed by an elongated, metal plastic or other sheet or extrusions providing a facing web  16   a  that lies against the outer surface of the casing  15 . An inwardly extending flange  16   b  terminating in a lip  16   c  closely conforming to and covering the end or border of the casing  15 . Material for the casing face  16  may be formed initially of extruded lengths of plastic material or bent metal in varying lengths, as for example 20 feet long, which are then cut to size on site to the length of the sides and the upper end of the casing. The casing face  16  is suitably secured to the casing by suitable means such as nails  19  which extend through spaced holes in the web  16   a  of the casing face  16 . (See also  FIG. 8 ) 
     The window sill at the bottom of the window opening is similarly covered as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7   c . In this arrangement, the sill cover  17  fits closely around a sill  17   a  ( FIG. 6   a ). The sill cover includes an upper web  17   b  which extends close to the angled sill and terminates in a downwardly extending flange  17   c  which in turn is integral with the inwardly extending flange  17   d , with the inwardly extending flange  17   d  terminating in a lip  17   e  that is secured to the wall  14  below the opening. The sill cover  17  may be secured to the sill by means of nails secured to the sill through openings  17   e . The ends of the sill cover  17  may be closed by end caps  17   f  and  17   g  shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   c.    
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the casing face  16  is interengaged with a casing molding generally shown at  20  in  FIG. 1 . The fold  16   d  formed along the length of the outer periphery of the casing face  16  is interengaged with the casing molding  20 . The casing molding  20  includes a web  21  that terminates along one edge in the inwardly extending flange  22  that interlocks with the fold  16   d  formed along the outer edge of the casing face  16 . The casing molding  20  includes a web  23  that extends outwardly of the casing face  16  from the fold  16   d . A loop  24  extends lengthwise of the molding along its outer edge. The web  23  extends away from the casing face  16  at its interengaged end. A spacing  26  between the outer end of the loop  24  ( FIG. 4 ) and the outer surface of the wall  14  is formed to receive siding material  50 . 
     The casing web  23  may vary in shape, depending upon the decorative selection as illustrated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  13 . In this arrangement, the web is formed with essentially two channels  23   a  and  23   b  ( FIG. 3 ). These channels may vary in width and depth and number. Their specific design is calculated to provide an attractive surface for light impinging on the web and for enhancement of shadows created by sunlight. 
     The spacing between the loop  24  and the wall  14  provides a space in which the J-shaped channel  30  is positioned. The J-shaped channel  30  has a leg  31  that lies flush against the inner surface of the casing molding with the leg  31  inserted in and frictionally interengaged with the loop  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the loop  24  may be closed to form an essentially re-entrant slot  24   b  that frictionally engages and secures the leg  31  of the J-shaped channel. An outwardly extending leg  34  of the J-shaped channel lies in facing relation to the casing  15  or wall sheathing  14 . 
     The assembly of  FIGS. 2 and 3  may be secured by nails  19  which effectively provide a blind nail arrangement. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the J-shaped channel  30  forms a recess at its inner end to receive shingling or siding material  50 . The siding material may, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , comprise shingles or sheets of vinyl or other plastics or composite construction material shaped to simulate a shingle effect. These sheets are secured by conventional means to the outer wall of the building construction  53 . 
     As noted above, the casing face may be varied in size and styling as exemplified by  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 . In this arrangement, the casing face  16  is formed with a web  16   a , inwardly extending flange  16   b  (into the window opening), and a lip  16   c . In this arrangement, however, the web  16   a  has a folded end  16 H forming a flange engaging member to engage an inwardly extending flange formed near the edge of the casing molding. In place of the folded end  16   h , an extruded flange  16   d  ( FIG. 2 ) may be used. Suitable nail holes  16   h  may be provided along the length of the facing web  16   a  to secure it to the casing. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the casing face  16  is similar in overall construction to the previously described casing face as provided with an extruded or otherwise similarly formed slot  16   m  to engage an outwardly directed flange of the casing molding in a manner previously described. 
       FIGS. 11 &amp; 12  show a somewhat enlarged view of the casing molding illustrated in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 . In this configuration, the loop  24   a  may be bulbous as shown at  26  in  FIG. 2  to provide an interengagement with a corresponding end of the J-channel. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a combined or integrated casing face and molding design specifically for what is characterized in the trade as “brick molding” or similar trim configurations on the outside of the building. In this configuration, the portion of the unit forming the casing molding  55  is integrally formed with casing face  57 , which trim is shaped to fit over the side of the brick or other substitute wall covering and is secured thereto by nails or the like. The casing facing then is terminated at its other end in a loop  53  which may have a constricted opening to receive and group the edge of the J-channel more securely. 
       FIGS. 14 &amp; 15  show further modifications of the J-channel in which a flange  61  of the J-channel  60  terminates at its free end in a curved loop  63  which may be interlocked with the loop  53  shown in  FIG. 13  or similar loops. Similar to the other embodiments siding extends into the J-channel as described in the other embodiments. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a still further embodiment of a modified shape for the casing molding in which the outwardly extending flange  70  terminates in an S-shaped segment having legs  71 ,  72 ,  73 , and  74  in which the base of the J-shaped channel may be secured. 
     The casing face  16 , casing molding  20  and J-channel  30  may each be made for a trim kit package adapted for on-site fabrication. In this arrangement, these components may be formed as extruded plastic or bent metal components having lengths, such as 20′ that will exceed the dimensions of the fenestration. On site they are cut to fit the particular installation using well-known techniques for installing window components. 
     As used in this specification the terms inward or inwardly, unless otherwise expressly stated, means in a direction parallel, or essentially parallel, to the major surface of the casing and construction wall toward the fenestration, and outwardly refers to the opposite direction. 
     While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to various illustrative embodiments, such aspects are not limited to the embodiments described. Thus, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the embodiments described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, embodiments as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of aspects of the invention.