Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for aligning and retaining a modular window trim assembly to an interior side of a wall opening. Embodiments of the invention incorporate a surround portion and a casing portion, and use an opposing pair of biased clip members to retain the trim assembly in the window opening and to automatically center the trim assembly therein. The biased clip members can be adapted to facilitate installation of the trim assembly and/or resist removal of the trim assembly from the window opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to window trim and, more specifically, to modular window trim and methods for making and installing the same.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     The height, width and thickness of a window frame are usually less than the corresponding dimensions of the rough window opening. These differences result in gaps that are commonly masked by window trim.  
         [0005]     With conventional window trimming methods, boards are each individually cut and fastened to the inner wall opening to surround the window. To further enhance the overall look of the window, the interior walls surrounding the window are often cased with a decorative trim. All of these steps are usually done at the place where the window is being installed.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed toward devices, systems and methods to align and retain a modular window trim assembly within a wall opening.  
         [0007]     In one particular embodiment, a modular window trim system simultaneously cases and decoratively finishes an interior side of a window opening in a wall. The trim system incorporates a unitary trim assembly having a surround portion configured to complement the window opening and a finishing portion that is positionable against the wall. At least one pair of biasing members are postionable on opposing sides of the trim assembly and aligned to facilitate insertion of the trim assembly into the window opening while resisting removal therefrom. The biasing members are oriented to produce substantially equal and opposing biasing forces between the trim assembly and the window opening when the trim assembly is in the installed positioned, and thereby automatically center the trim assembly within the window opening,  
         [0008]     In another particular embodiment, a method aligns and retains a modular window trim assembly within a window opening. A first biasing member is coupled to a first location on the trim assembly and a second biasing member is coupled to a second location on the trim assembly that is substantially opposite to the first location. When the trim assembly is inserted and released into the wall opening, the opposing biasing members automatically center the trim within the window opening. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a modular trim system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the modular window trim system of  FIG. 1 , as seen along Section  2 - 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the modular window trim system of  FIG. 1 , as seen along Section  3 - 3 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the modular window trim system of  FIG. 1 , as seen along Section  4 - 4 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a modular window trim system according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a modular window trim system of yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are assembly drawings showing an embodiment of the system being installed;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are assembly drawings showing another embodiment of the system being installed;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 9-16  show various embodiments of biasing members according to the present invention; and  
         [0018]      FIGS. 17-20  show various architectural types of trim according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     The present detailed description is directed toward embodiments of a system and method for aligning and retaining a modular window trim assembly  10  within a wall opening.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 1-4  show one embodiment of the modular trim assembly  10  having a surround  12  coupled to a casing  14 .  FIG. 5  shows that the surround  12  and the casing  14  can be a single, monolithic assembly  18 . Alternatively, the surround  12  can be constructed from a plurality of elements, such as those identified in  FIG. 6  by reference numbers  12   a - 12   d . Similarly, the casing  14  can be constructed of a number of pieces, such as those identified in  FIG. 6  by reference numbers  14   a - 14   d.    
         [0021]     The modular window trim assembly  10  can be made of wood, composite material, plastic, or another suitable material. The surround  12  can be fixed to the casing  14  using a number of means, such as nails, screws, fasteners, glue, epoxy, and other equivalents thereof.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the modular window trim assembly  10  having biasing members  20  positioned at locations spaced apart from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing members  20  are coupled to top and bottom portions of the surround  12 . Instead, or in addition thereto, the biasing members  20  can be coupled to side portions of the surround  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , a first biasing member  20   a  is coupled to a first surround member  13 , and a second biasing member  20   b  is coupled to a second surround member  15  and is facing a direction opposite that of the first biasing member  20   a . Thus, as described in more detail below, a pair of biasing members  20  works together to exert opposing forces on the modular trim assembly  10 .  
         [0023]     To help align and retain the modular window trim assembly  10  within a wall opening  22 , the installer slides the surround  12  into an inner perimeter  24  of the wall opening  22 . The installer urges the modular window trim assembly  10  into the wall opening  22  until one end of the surround  12  is adjacent to a window frame  25  and/or the casing  14  abuts an interior side  26  of the wall. (See  FIG. 7B .)  
         [0024]     When installed, each biasing member  20  presses against the inner perimeter  24  to retain the modular window trim assembly  10  within the wall opening  22 . The trim can be further secured, if desired, with nails, caulk or other fastening means. Due to a substantially equal biasing force created by each opposingly placed biasing member  20 , the present invention also automatically aligns the modular window trim assembly  10  centrally within the wall opening. This self-aligning feature is one unique advantage provided by the present invention.  
         [0025]     Opposing biasing members  20  can apply equal and opposite force on the inner perimeter  24  of the wall opening  22 . Thus, when the modular window trim assembly  10  is installed, a first distance  27  ( FIG. 7B ) between the inner perimeter  24  and the first surround member  13  is substantially equal to a second distance  29  between the inner perimeter and the second surround member  15 .  
         [0026]     In some cases, minor adjustments in aligning the window trim assembly  10  may be needed to account for irregularities in the wall opening  22 . Such fine-tuning can be accomplished manually by moving the modular window trim assembly  10  against the biasing force and, if necessary, using fasteners or adhesives to affix the assembly  10  in the modified orientation. Fine-tuning of the final orientation of the modular window trim assembly  10  can also be accomplished by bending one or more of the biasing members  20  to either increase or reduce the biasing member&#39;s  20  restoring force. Thus, as compared to conventional means for trimming a window, the modular window trim assembly  10  of the present invention is easily centered and can obviate the need for cutting and shimming each jamb into position.  
         [0027]     In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the biasing members  20  are coupled to the inner perimeter  24  of the wall opening  22 , instead of the surround  12 . Otherwise, this embodiment aligns and retains the window trim assembly  10  to the wall opening  22  in a manner similar to that described above. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having reviewed this disclosure, the number and positioning of the biasing members  20  may be varied. The decision may be guided by factors such as the size and weight of the particular modular window trim assembly  10  being installed, the design of the particular biasing members  20 , and the material of the wall opening  22 .  
         [0028]      FIGS. 9-16  show various embodiments of biasing members  20 .  FIG. 9  shows a single, bent biasing member  920 .  FIG. 10  shows a single, bent biasing member  1020  having a number of retention tabs  1021 , which help retain the trim within the opening.  FIG. 11  shows a dual, bent biasing member  1120 , having two rows.  FIG. 12  shows a triple, bent biasing member  1220 .  FIG. 13  shows a quadruple, bent biasing member  1320 .  FIG. 14  shows a bent biasing member  1420  having three rows.  FIG. 15  shows four bent biasing members,  1520 .  FIG. 21  shows a bent biasing member  2120  with compound tabs  2121  and a mounting hole  2122 . The biasing members depicted in  FIGS. 9-16  are example configurations and, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having reviewed this disclosure, other configurations are possible.  
         [0029]     To affix the biasing member  20  to the modular window assembly  10  or the inner perimeter  24 , double-sided adhesive or a suitable equivalent may be used. However, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having reviewed this disclosure, any number of other coupling means, such as nails, screws or glue; may be used.  
         [0030]     The self-aligning feature discussed above is but one advantage provided by the present invention. Further advantages are provided by the ease with which a portion of the interior side  26  of the wall opening  22  is dressed. For example, in the case of a square or rectangular window, the finishing trim  14  can have a header  30 , apron  32  and two side members  34 ,  36 , and reside adjacent to the interior side  26  of the wall opening. It can have any number of aesthetic designs.  
         [0031]     In one particular embodiment, shown in  FIG. 17 , the header  30 , apron  32  and two side members  34 ,  36 , each have the same design configuration. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 18 , the finishing trim  14  includes a decorative pattern at each corner. In further embodiments, shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the finishing trim  14  includes a stool  38 . Thus, the various finishing trim  14  designs dramatically dresses and enhances the interior of a window and the jamb  12 , which is coupled to the finishing trim  14 , serves to simultaneously produce a cased look.  
         [0032]     As is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the finishing trim  14  of the present invention may embody any number of designs. Thus, the particular designs depicted in  FIGS. 17-20  merely illustrate the various looks that can be achieved and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.  
         [0033]     From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.