Abstract:
A modular window well system for constructing window well assemblies at a jobsite. The securement system allows for quick and easy attachment of various window well sections to one another in a manner which substantially eliminates alignment and leveling problems associated with prior art assemblies. The system may also be used with sections of varying depth to create a tiered window well, using the teachings of the present invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates in general to a modular window well system and, more particularly, to a modular window well system which may be constructed onsite, quickly and easily, to accommodate windows of various depths below grade.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     It is known in the art to provide some type of structure around a window located below grade to allow light in and egress out. Although poured concrete and masonry window wells are known in the art, the preferred method of protecting below-grade windows from backfill and the like, is preformed galvanized metal window wells having a generally C-shaped cross section. Given the different depths of windows below grade, window wells of various sizes must be employed. Maintaining a large stock of window wells of various heights is not only expensive, but requires a very large amount of storage space.  
         [0005]     To eliminate the need for keeping a large inventory of window wells of various heights in stock, it is known in the art to provide modular window well assemblies. Shorter, modular units can be combined to construct window wells of various heights, using the desired plurality of standard sized units. The desired height may be accomplished by coupling the smaller modular units together either at the factory or onsite. One drawback associated with constructing the assemblies at the factory includes the unwieldiness associated with transporting a large window well assembly to the job site. Another drawback is the inability to adjust the window well onsite, and/or construct a replacement, should the original become damaged.  
         [0006]     One drawback associated with constructing the window well on site includes the difficulty in aligning the sections while working below grade. Not only is it difficult to hold the sections in alignment while fastening them together, it is also difficult to avoid coupling the sections together at a cant, with one side having more overlap than the other. An additional drawback associated with constructing the window well onsite is trying to align holes of an attachment fin on one section with the holes of an attachment fin on another section. Typically the holes must be aligned not only with each other, but also with a securement bar which, in turn, is later secured to the foundation of a building. The difficulty and time associated with making all of the appropriate alignments adds additional cost and delay to the window well installation.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a modular window well system which eliminated the need to maintain a large inventory of window wells of various sizes in stock. It would be desirable to provide a modular window well system which could be constructed at the jobsite to avoid the unwieldiness associated with transporting a large window well section, and which provides for quick replacement and/or construction of window wells of a desired height at the jobsite. It would also be desirable to provide a modular window well system which is of an inexpensive lightweight manufacture, and which avoids alignment problems associated with the prior art.  
         [0008]     The difficulties encountered in the prior art discussed hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     In an advantage provided by the present invention, a modular window well section is provided which eliminates the need for maintaining a large plurality of window well heights in stock.  
         [0010]     In an advantage provided by the present invention, a modular window well system is provided which substantially elminates tilted securement of modular parts.  
         [0011]     In an advantage provided by the present invention, a modular window well system is provided which eliminates problems associated with aligning holes in attachment fins of modular window well sections.  
         [0012]     In an advantage provided by the present invention, a modular window well system is provided which eliminates the need for attachment of window well fins to a securement bar and the subsequent attachment to the bar to the foundation of a building.  
         [0013]     A modular window well system includes a first window well section coupled to a second window well section. The top of the first window well section is provided with a male lip, coupled into engagement with a female lip that is provided along the bottom of the second window well section. In the preferred embodiment, the male lip comprises a brace plate and a securement plate in engagement with a supplemental brace plate and securement plate of the female lip provided on the second window well section. In the preferred embodiment, both window well sections are provided with attachment fins. The attachment fins are provided with holes but do not overlap. Abutting, rather than overlapping, orientation aids in attachment of the fins directly to the foundation of a building, without having to align holes on the attachment fins.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a rear perspective view of the window well system of the present invention, shown with the first window well section aligned with the second window well section;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective exploded view of the male lip prior to engagement with the female lip;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of the male lip fastened to the female lip, in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation in cross-section of the attachment fins secured to a building;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a rear perspective view of the present invention shown with the first window well section secured to the second window well section; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown with window wells of various depths to create a step window well. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     The window well system of the present invention is shown generally as ( 10 ) in  FIG. 1 . The system ( 10 ) includes a first window well section ( 12 ) and a second window well section ( 14 ). Although the window well sections may be constructed of any material known in the art, in the preferred embodiment, the window well sections are constructed of corrugated, galvanized steel in a manner such as that known in the art.  
         [0022]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first window well section ( 12 ) and second window well section ( 14 ) are similar in design, each being provided with a lower female lip ( 16 ) and an upper male lip ( 18 ). Each window well section ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) is also provided with a first attachment fin ( 20 ) and second attachment fin ( 22 ).  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the male lip ( 18 ) comprises a back or securement plate ( 24 ) coupled to a shoulder or brace plate ( 26 ). Although the securement plate ( 24 ) and brace plate ( 26 ) may be constructed of any desired material, in the preferred embodiment they are constructed of galvanized steel and are integrally formed at an obtuse angle, with dimensions substantially identical to the standard sized valleys ( 28 ) located between the standard sized ribs ( 30 ) of the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ). The brace plate ( 26 ) preferably extends between 0.1 and 5.0 centimeters beyond the securement plate ( 24 ); more preferably between 0.5 and 3.0 centimeters beyond the securement plate ( 24 ); and most preferably, about one centimeter beyond the securement plate ( 24 ).  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the female lip ( 16 ) includes a supplemental securement plate ( 32 ) and a supplemental brace plate ( 34 ). As shown, the supplemental brace plate ( 34 ) forms one side of one of the ribs ( 30 ) of the first window well section ( 12 ). While the supplemental securement plate ( 32 ) may be of any desired size, in the preferred embodiment, the supplemental securement plate ( 32 ) is substantially the same dimensions as the securement plate ( 24 ).  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the securement plate ( 24 ) is provided with a plurality of holes ( 36 ). Preferably, the first hole ( 38 ) is centered 3.0 centimeters from the end ( 40 ) of the second window well section ( 14 ). The second hole ( 42 ) is preferably provided 30.0 centimeters from the first hole ( 38 ).  
         [0026]     The supplemental securement plate ( 32 ) is also provided with a first hole ( 44 ) and second hole ( 46 ), oriented in a manner which aligns the first holes ( 38 ) and ( 44 ) and second holes ( 42 ) and ( 46 ) when the male lip ( 18 ) is engaged into the female lip ( 16 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the dimensions of the female lip ( 16 ) and male lip ( 18 ) allow the first window-section ( 12 ) to be lowered directly onto the second window well section ( 14 ), without having to deform either window well section ( 12 ) or ( 14 ). The brace plate ( 26 ) of the second window well section engages the supplemental brace plate ( 34 ) of the first window well section ( 12 ). The first hole ( 38 ) and second hole ( 42 ) of the second window well sections ( 14 ) are then aligned with the first hole ( 44 ) and second hole ( 46 ) of the first window well section ( 12 ). ( FIGS. 1-3 ). A bolt ( 48 ) is then provided through a washer ( 52 ) and inserted through the first holes ( 38 ) and ( 44 ). A washer ( 54 ) is then provided over the bolt ( 48 ), and a nut ( 50 ) is thereafter secured to the bolt ( 48 ). Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the head ( 56 ) of the bolt ( 48 ) is provided on the side of the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) in contact with the soil ( 58 ).  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the securement plate ( 24 ) is engaged with the supplemental securement plate ( 32 ), the attachment fin ( 22 ) of the first window well section ( 12 ) is immediately adjacent the attachment fin ( 60 ) of the second window well section ( 14 ). While the attachment fin ( 22 ) of the first window well section ( 12 ) may overlap the attachment ( 60 ) of the second window well section ( 14 ), or may instead be positioned a centimeter or more away, in the preferred embodiment, the attachment fin ( 22 ) of the first window well section ( 12 ) directly abuts the attachment fin ( 60 ) of the second window well section ( 14 ). It is important that no part of either attachment fin ( 22 ) or ( 60 ) overlaps the other to the point where either attachment fin ( 22 ) or ( 60 ) covers the holes ( 62 ) and ( 64 ) respectively associated with the attachment fin ( 22 ) and attachment fin ( 60 ), through which bolts ( 66 ) or the like are used to attach the attachment fins ( 22 ) and ( 60 ) directly to a building ( 68 ). ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ).  
         [0028]     Although in the prior art it is known to overlap the fins to the point where respective holes align to allow bolts to be secured therethrough, such prior art devices require precise alignment between the fins, which is often difficult to accomplish while actually on a jobsite. Additionally, by eliminating the overlapping and alignment of the fins, there is no need for a prior art mounting bar, to which prior art fins are typically attached before attaching the mounting bar itself to a building or other structure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , when it is desired to attach the system ( 10 ) to the building ( 68 ), the bolts ( 66 ) are provided through the holes ( 62 ) and ( 64 ), and secured to the building ( 68 ) by any means known in the art.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) are secured together utilizing a pair of bolts ( 48 ) positioned thirty centimeters apart on either side of the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ), and by another pair of bolts ( 48 ) securing the faces ( 70 ) and ( 72 ) of the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) together in a manner such as that described above, resulting in a window well assembly ( 74 ) of any desired height. As shown in  FIG. 3 , it is desirable to have the brace plate ( 26 ) angled similarly to the supplemental brace plate ( 34 ) so that when the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) are secured together, the brace plate ( 26 ) rests on and supports the supplemental brace plate ( 34 ).  
         [0030]     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 6 , window well sections ( 78 ) and ( 80 ) may be provided of different depths to create a tiered effect with the soil ( 58 ) in a manner such as that known in the prior art, to allow for decorative terracing and/or ease of egress past the window well sections ( 76 ), ( 78 ) and ( 80 ).  
         [0031]     Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be also understood that it is not to be so limited, since changes or modifications can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, it should be noted that the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) may be constructed of any suitable height, width, configuration or cross-section, and may be constructed of any suitable materials. Additionally, it should be noted that the window well sections ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) may not be similar to each other in construction, and may be secured to other window well sections of the present invention to create any desired resulting assembly of sections.