Abstract:
A window frame with self-aligning and self-attaching means is disclosed. The Frame includes two interlocking frame members for securing the frame to a structure such as a door and for securing a window within the frame. The frame can be installed with no tools or screws and can be easily disassembled by inserting a nail into the frame and forcing the frame members apart.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/691,556, field Jun. 20, 2005 and entitled “Window Frame with Self Aligning and Self Attaching Means.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to window frames for installation in a door, for example.  
         [0003]     Known window frames require the final user to install several screws, depending on the size of the window, and then to cover the hole where the screws are installed with a plastic lid to mach the exposed frame surface. Both activities require labor with some level of skill, but the installation of the lids is particularly difficult due to the fact that, sometimes, the exposed surface where the hole of the screw has to be covered with the lid is uneven. Therefore, the correct application of the lid is almost entirely dependent on the operator&#39;s skill. In such cases, when the lid is incorrectly installed or removal of the frame is required, it is practically impossible to remove the lid without causing damage to the lid or the frame, creating great inconvenience.  
         [0004]     In view of the above, it is desirable to provide an improved window frame that has multipurpose self-aligning and attaching means, so that the frame can be assembled to be securely transported to the final installation site, where it can be easily disassembled and finally installed in a door, for example. It is also desirable to provide such a frame that can be assembled without the utilization of any additional tools or hardware. such as screws, so as to minimize installation time, save materials and improve the appearance of the frame.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The invention relates to a window frame that installs in less time and does not need customized tools, screws or complex installation lids. The window frame is easily disassembled as many times as required, without creating any damage to any of the frame components. The invention resolves the problems mentioned in the preceding background section, giving the final user and the intermediate assembler a simpler installation, thereby minimizing the skill and time required by the operator. Thus, the invention provides cost savings with respect to hourly labor rates and the total time required for intermediate assembly and installation.  
         [0006]     According to one embodiment, of the invention, a window frame comprises: 
        at least one first frame member having a first arm, a second arm and a serrated tongue member; and     at least one second frame member having a third arm, a fourth arm and a receptacle having a serrated inner surface, wherein: 
            said first arm and said third arm are arranged to cooperatively engage a portion of a structure therebetween;     said second arm and said fourth arm are arranged to cooperatively engage a sheet of glass therebetween; and     said serrated tongue member is insertable in said receptacle so as to engage said serrated inner surface of said receptacle in a locking fashion when said at least one first frame member and said at least one second frame member are pressed together to secure said sheet of glass in said door.    
               
 
         [0012]     The disclosed window frame may further include a nail channel or nail hole in the second frame member which provides a pathway for inserting a similarly-sized nail in order to disassemble the frame. The disclosed window frame does not require screws or matching profile lids. Instead of conventional profile lids, a simple, reusable plastic pin is easily inserted in the channel to close the channel when the frame is in use.  
         [0013]     A window with the present system of installation can typically be installed in 20% of the time required by conventional window frames for similar applications, as is evident from the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,881. The disclosed window frame can be removed from an installation in about 5% of the time required by conventional frames.  
         [0014]     Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional window frame.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cut-away perspective view showing the guiding system of the conventional assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away perspective view of a window frame according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the window frame is in a position ready for final assembly.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of the window frame of  FIG. 3  in a final assembled state.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view showing the self-attaching and self-aligning means of the window frame of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a conventional window frame assembly which employs alignment pins for aligning frame pieces. The assembly includes a frame member  14  having male alignment pins  12  and a mating frame member  15  having female alignment pins  11 . A sheet of glass  13  is secured within the frame members  14  and  15 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an perspective view of a novel window frame  10 , illustrating in detail the geometry of the self-aligning and self-attaching devices  18  and  19  which are used in place of the pins  11  and  12  of the conventional window frame shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , thereby avoiding the need for screws, lids and tools.  
         [0022]     The frame  10  includes a first frame member  16  and a second frame member  17 . The first frame member  16  has a first arm  16   a  for engaging a door or structure  20  ( FIG. 4 ) and a second arm  16   b  for engaging a sheet of glass or window  13 . Similarly, the second frame member  17  includes a first arm  17   a  for engaging the door or structure  20  and a second arm  17   b  for engaging a sheet of glass or window  13 .  
         [0023]     The first frame  16  member includes at least one flexible tongue member  19  that has a serrated geometry  35  on the attaching side. The second frame member  17  includes at least one self-aligning receptacle  18 . The receptacle  18  serves two purposes. First, the receptacle  18  guides the frame member  17  to facilitate its installation on the door  20  ( FIG. 4 ) by having a rib  32  with a suitable angle. Second, the receptacle interfaces with the tongue member  19  to facilitate the installation of the first frame member  16 . The number of tongue members  19  and matching receptacles  18  used will depend upon the size of the frame.  
         [0024]     The receptacle  18  is arranged to receive and cooperate with the tongue member  19  to lock the frame  10 , thereby securing the arms  16   a  and  17   a  of frame members  16  and  17  to the door  20  and securing the sheet of glass or window  13  between the arms  16   b  and  17   b  of frame members  16  and  17 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the end portion of tongue  19  has suitable chamfers  23  on all surrounding edges. A receiving end  34  of the receptacle includes a V-shaped cutout  36  having an angled or chamfered top surface  24  matching the chamfers  23  of the tongue member  19 , thereby promoting self-alignment of the tongue member  19  and receptacle  18  as the tongue member  19  is introduced into the receptacle  18 . The receptacle  18  has a serrated inner surface  25  for engaging the serrated geometry  25  of the tongue member  19 . As the serrated tongue member  19  is inserted forward into the receptacle  18 , the serrated inner surface  38  engages the serrated geometry  25  in a locking fashion such that backwards movement of the tongue member  19  is prevented while forward advancement of the tongue member  19  into the receptacle  18  is easily permitted.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows the frame  10  installed on the door  20  and retaining the sheet of glass  13 . Locking engagement between the serrated geometry  25  of the tongue member  19  and the serrated inner surface  38  of the receptacle  18  is indicated at interface  21 .  
         [0026]     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the tongue member  19  includes a V-shaped notch  33  and chamfers provided on the edges of the notch  33  to facilitate guiding of a nail (not shown) for disassembling the fame  10 . The receptacle  18  includes a recessed path or channel  26  for guiding the nail through the frame members  16  and  17  during disassembly. Access to the channel  26  is provided by a hole  22  extending through the first frame member  16 . When the frame  10  is in use, the hole  22  may be plugged with a pin (not shown) of similar diameter (e.g., a reusable plastic pin of about 2 mm in diameter).  
         [0027]     The installation of the frame  10  is extremely simple. The frame  10  may be installed in a structure or door or structure  20  by positioning one of the frame members  16  or  17  with the sheet of glass  13  over a previously removed section of the door or structure  20 . The removed section of the door or structure should be similar in shape to the frame  10 , but smaller in size. Once one of the frame members  16  or  17  is located in place, the door or structure  20  is placed on a supporting surface, such as a table, with the installed frame member  16  or  17  facing down. The remaining frame member  17  or  16  is positioned on the installed frame member  16  or  17  and pressure is applied with the installer&#39;s hands to insert the tongue member  19  into the receptacle  18  to the point that no further introduction is possible. Thus, the frame members  16  and  17  are locked together and secure the frame  10  and sheet of glass  13  to the door or structure  20 .  
         [0028]     To disassemble the frame, one needs to simply insert a nail into the channel  26  via hole  22  to separate the tongue member  19  from receptacle  18 , thereby allowing the frame members  16  and  17  to be separated from each other.  
       LISTING OF PARTS  
       [0000]    
       
           11  Female alignment pin (conventional frame)  
           12  Male alignment pin (conventional frame)  
           13  Glass sheet  
           14  Upper frame member (conventional frame).  
           15  Lower frame member (conventional frame)  
           16  First frame member  
           16   a  First arm of first frame member  
           16   b  Second arm of first frame member  
           17  Second frame member  
           17   a  First arm of second frame member  
           17   b  Second arm of second frame member  
           18  Receptacle/alignment device  
           19  Serrated tongue member  
           20  Door or other mounting structure  
           21  Locking interface between serrated tongue member and receptacle  
           22  Hole to introduce the nail for disassembling the frame  
           23  Chamfer to facilitate the localization between tongue member and receptacle  
           24  Surrounding angulated surface to facilitate the localization between receptacle and tongue member  
           25  Serrated inner surface of receptacle  
           26  Depression channel to guide the nail to perform the disassembly  
           32  Rib of receptacle for aligning with door  
           33  V-shaped notch in tongue member  
           34  Receiving end of receptacle  
           35  Serrated geometry of tongue member  
           36  V-shaped cutout of receptacle  
           38  Serrated inner surface of receptacle