Abstract:
A window frame assembly comprising a window frame and a J-channel member integral with the window frame, the J-channel member containing integral drains operatively arranged to constrain and divert water away from the window frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to window frames, and, more particularly, to an improved window frame assembly having integral J-channel which contains integral drains. 
     A problem with many window and door frame assemblies, and with aluminum and vinyl siding which border these frame assemblies, is that they permit water to drain behind the siding itself, creating damage to the house or other structure. Typically, a window or door frame is mounted within an opening in a structure and then vinyl or aluminum siding is secured about the frame. It is common in the industry to mount J-channel about the periphery of the window frame and onto the underlying structure and then to secure the siding directly to the J-channel. Unfortunately, present J-channel construction, in combination with the way the siding is mounted, permits water to travel behind the siding, causing structural damage. 
     One attempt to solve this problem has been made by Simonton Building Products, Inc. who recently introduced a “Profinish” line of windows containing integral J-channel on the window frame. While this product is certainly an improvement, the J-channel merely functions to channel rainwater from the top of the window frame to the sides, still permitting the water to infiltrate the area behind the siding. 
     What is needed, then, is a window frame assembly which provides a means for rainwater to drain safely away from the underlying structure to prevent water damage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a window frame assembly comprising a window frame and a J-channel member integral with the window frame, the J-channel member containing integral drains operatively arranged to constrain and divert water away from the window frame. The J-channel member comprises four sections which surround the window frame: an upper window jamb section, a lower window sill section, a first vertical section, and a second vertical section. The J-channel itself comprises an interior nailing flange, and exterior flange and a bridge member. The bridge member in the upper window jamb section contains openings to drain channels which run vertically downward inside and adjacent the bridge members of the vertical sections. The drain channels receive rainwater from the upper window jamb section and expel the water from the bottom of the window and along the exterior surface of siding or other structure covering. 
     The invention is not limited to a window frame assembly, but also pertains to any opening in a structure, such as a door, air conditioner opening, electrical junction box opening, or the like. 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a frame assembly for an opening in a structure which provides a means of draining water from the assembly and preventing water from causing damage to the structure. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art from the following description of the invention, attached drawings, and appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exterior elevation view of the window frame assembly of the invention installed in a structure; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 1, isolated from the structure; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 1, isolated from the structure; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the top of the J-channel section of the window frame assembly shown in Section A in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 9A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the bottom of the J-channel section of the window frame assembly shown in Section B in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 9B is a view similar to that of FIG. 9A showing an alternative embodiment of the bottom of the J-channel section of the window frame assembly shown in Section B in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of Section C in FIG. 2, showing one of the drains of the window frame assembly; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane  11 — 11  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 12 is an exterior elevation view of the door frame assembly of the invention installed in a structure; 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of the door frame assembly shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view of Section D of the door frame assembly shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15A is an enlarged fragmentary view of Section E of the door frame assembly shown in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15B is a view similar to that of FIG. 15A showing an alternative embodiment of Section E of the door frame assembly shown in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the door frame assembly taken along plane  16 - 16  in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 17 is a fragmentary exterior elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the lower left window frame assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     At the outset, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are to be read together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire “written description” of this invention, as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112. Also, identical reference numerals on different figures refer to identical elements of the invention. It should also be understood that the word “window” is intended to mean any opening within a structure, including but not limited to a door opening, vent, air conditioner opening, electric meter box, light fixture, chimney, electrical receptacle, or the like. 
     Adverting now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exterior elevation view of the window frame assembly  10  of the invention installed in a structure  11 , such as a house. In this embodiment the house is covered with vinyl siding  14 . Window frame assembly  10  broadly comprises J-channel member  12  integral therewith. The J-channel includes nailing flange  13 , exterior flange  27 , and bridge member  28  (shown in FIG. 3) connecting the flanges together. The nailing flange is used to mount the window frame assembly to the house and also functions as a base upon which the vinyl siding is secured proximate the window. The J-channel member is arranged about the periphery of the window frame assembly, and it is seen that siding  14  is “sandwiched” between the nailing flange and the exterior flange. An obvious problem with prior art window assemblies is that rain water (illustrated by drops  15 ) is permitted to flow behind the vinyl siding, thereby causing structural damage. The present invention provides drain channels within the J-channel on each vertical side of the window to drain water along the outside surface of the siding, preventing flow behind the siding. This feature of the invention will be described in more detail infra. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 1, isolated from the structure. J-channel  12  comprises four sections: upper window jamb section  22 , lower window sill section  23 , first vertical section  24 , and second vertical section  25 . Shown in phantom in FIG. 2 are drain channels  16  and  17 , respectively, which are integral to the J-channel member. Rain water enters the channels at openings  20  and  21 , respectively (shown in FIG.  1 ), and leaves the channels at openings  18  and  19 , respectively. In this particular embodiments, openings  18  and  19  provide an outlet to the front of J-channel member  12 . In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the openings outlet to the rear of the J-channel member, and the water flows down the exterior surface of the vinyl siding. This is perhaps a more aesthetically pleasing outlet structure, as the water flow is not plainly visible. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG.  2 . As shown in this view, J-channel member  12  comprises nailing flange  13 , exterior flange  27  and bridge member  28  which joins the flanges together. The flanges and the bridge member extend about the periphery of the window frame assembly. Exterior flange  27  functions to constrain rain water on the bridge section between the two flanges. On the upper window jamb section, the water is directed into inlets  20  and  21 . Also shown in FIG. 3 is frame member  26  which is secured inside the opening in the structure. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG. 1, isolated from the structure, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG.  2  and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the window frame assembly shown in FIG.  4 . As shown in FIG. 6, bridge member  28  in the upper jamb section includes drain inlets  20  and  21 . Rain water which collects on the upper window jamb section flows into these openings and into their respective drain channels. Inlet  20  allows water to flow into drain channel  16  and inlet  21  allows water to flow into drain channel  17  (shown in phantom in FIGS.  2  and  4 ). 
     Inlet  21  to drain channel  17  is shown in detail in fragmentary cross-sectional view in FIG. 8, which is an enlarged view of Section A of the assembly shown in FIG.  3 . As described previously, rain water collects on the surface of bridge member  28  and flows into the drain inlets. 
     Outlet  19  of drain channel  17  is shown in more detail in fragmentary cross-sectional view in FIG. 9A, which is an enlarged view of Section B of the assembly shown in FIG.  3 . Water travels downwardly through channel  17  and is expelled via outlet  19  to the front of the window frame assembly. As shown in FIG. 9A, water in channel  17  is directed to the bottom  68  of channel  17 . Outlet  19  is formed in flange  27  and flange extension  56 . FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment in which outlet  19  releases water “behind” flange  27 . In this embodiment, outlet  19  is formed by flange  27  and bottom floor  68 . The expelled water in this embodiment flows down the exterior surface of the vinyl siding. 
     Outlet  19  is also shown in detail in FIG. 10 which is an enlarged view of Section C shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane  11 — 11  in FIG.  2 . In addition to the structural elements of the invention previously described, FIG. 11 also shows window pane  30  secured to casement  29 , window jamb  32 , and mullion  31 . 
     The present invention may take the form of several embodiments. Described thus far is the window frame assembly embodiment. It should be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art, however, that the invention may take the form of a door frame embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, and may also find application in any opening in a dwelling or building structure, such as vents, air conditioners, electric meter boxes, lights, chimneys, and the like. 
     Adverting now to FIG. 12, door frame assembly  40  is illustrated in an exterior elevation view. Door  41  is shown encased by frame  42  which comprises the invention. J-channel  55  comprises nailing flange  45 , exterior flange  47  and bridge member  48 . The J-channel comprises first vertical section  61 , upper door jamb section  62 , and second vertical section  63 . Vertical sections  62  and  63  contain drains  50  and  51 , respectively, shown in phantom, which drain rainwater from the bridge member  48  of the J-channel. As shown in the drawing, drain channels  50  and  51  dispel water from outlets  56  and  53 , respectively. 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of the frame assembly shown in FIG.  12 . The frame assembly includes J-channel  55 , nailing flange  45  and frame member  46  which would be mounted inside the opening in the structure. The J-channel member is shown as having exterior flange  47 , bridge member  48  and nailing flange  45 . A difference between the window frame embodiment and the door frame embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 15A, which is an enlarged fragmentary view of section E of the assembly shown in FIG.  13 . Comparing FIG. 15A with FIG. 9A, it is seen that the J-channel assembly shown in FIG. 9A includes drip extension piece  56 , whereas the assembly shown in FIG. 15A has no such extension. As shown in FIG. 15A, outlet  53  expels water from drain channel  51  from floor  65  of drain  51 . This expelled water would land on the bottom door sill and then travel to the door stoop. FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the drain. In this embodiment, outlet  64  is formed by extension  66  of flange  47  and floor  65  of drain  51 . This embodiment would permit water to drain into a door channel beneath the door frame, as opposed to allowing the water to flow across the door sill and door stoop. 
     Right inlet  52  is shown in enlarged fragmentary view in FIG. 14, which is an enlargement of section D of FIG.  12 . This inlet permits rain water to exit bridge  48  into drain channel  51 . A corresponding left inlet (not shown) permits water to exit bridge  48  into drain channel  50 . 
     Finally, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane  16 - 16  in FIG.  12 . In addition to the structural elements of the invention previously described, FIG. 16 also shows doorjamb  53 . 
     Thus, it is seen that the invention effectively achieves its purposes of providing an improved window frame assembly which eliminates a potential water damage problem by channeling and draining rain water through the window frame assembly. It will be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the invention and should not be considered as limiting and that other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the invention&#39;s spirit and scope, as embodied in the following claims.