Window

A novel framing system for light-weight windows is disclosed. The frame is versatile because it is constructed to snugly receive window panes having substantially different thicknesses. In some such frames rigidity is imparted to the frame by adding a flange member which is utilized as a handle means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a novel construction of a light-weight window of 
the type formed of an extruded plastic frame and having a transparent 
organic polymer pane. The invention particularly relates to a versatile 
framing construction. 
In recent years, a number of light-weight window structures have been 
introduced. Prominent among these are light-weight structures formed of a 
transparent plastic pane and set into extruded plastic frame members which 
normally carry a channel for receiving the pane member. Typically, a frame 
member will be utilized on each of the four sides of the frame. In the 
usual case, the framing members will be formed to receive, for example, 
weather stripping and/or fastening means. The fastening means can be 
fiber-loop-locking strips such as those well known to the art and 
available under the trademark Velcro. Pressure sensitive adhesive-bearing 
attachments may also be used, most popular are magnetic strips. In each 
case, the fastening means is adapted to seal against a window molding on 
which a complimentary strip of, say, the magnetic strip or Velcro, may be 
fastened. One important use of such light-weight windows is in the 
economical construction of easily-handled storm windows which can be 
readily mounted, and readily removed, by elderly persons. 
When manufacture of such windows takes place under the control of a single 
manufacturing facility, it is a relatively simple matter to assemble a 
closely-specified pane sheeting into a molding having a channel precisely 
manufactured to receive it. The same result is achieved when a supplier 
ships these moldings and the carefully-specified panes to a customer for 
assembly away from the supplier's place of business. 
In commercial practice, however, it is cumbersome to tie the sale and 
shipment of generally-available pane material to the sale and shipment of 
the molding material. Numerous window-constructing facilities around the 
country can more efficiently control their inventory and transportation 
charges by buying readily available sheet material directly from its 
suppliers, sizing it themselves for a particular window size. Most 
flexibility is achieved because the customer has a point-of-sale 
capability to specify the break-resistance polycarbonate windows or the 
more conventional polyacrylate windows. 
However, each small window maker must undertake the job of quality control 
with respect to the gauge of pane material which is received and match it 
to the capabilities of different frame stock. 
As will be described below, Applicants' invention is directed towards 
providing an improved framing structure directed, in large part, to the 
solution of this problem. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a framing strip which 
is of sufficient resiliency to accommodate, yet hold snugly, window panes 
of substantially varying thicknesses. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a framing strip which 
comprises a handle member to facilitate handling of the windows without 
any tendency to loosen the snug relationship between pane and framing 
strip. 
Other objects of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art 
on their reading of this disclosure. 
The above objects have been constructed by making relatively simple but 
functionally critical changes in prior art framing structures. More 
particularly, a unitary, extruded, framing member has been constructed 
wherein a generally U-shaped channel which accommodates the window pane is 
formed with one relatively resilient wall member which is normally 
slanted, bottom to top, towards an opposite and stiffer wall of the 
U-shaped channel. The resilience is sufficient that a manufacturer can 
readily insert panes having a relatively wide range of thicknesses and 
still have the resilient wall provide a snug fit against the window. The 
resilient wall is directed inwardly towards the opposite wall of the 
narrow/deep channel, so that the ratio of the top opening width to bottom 
of the U is three to 1 or more. Another unforeseen advantage of the 
structure of the invention is the ability to receive, more easily, 
replacement panes as the plastic strips stiffen somewhat over their 
lifetime. 
The resilient wall member does not function to strengthen a wider and 
shallower channel of the structure, but the relatively rigid wall of the 
deeper channel does so function. In general, it is desirable to maintain 
this relative rigidity to avoid stressing and loosening weatherstripping 
and fastening means carried in the wider channel. 
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the pane-receiving channel is 
conveniently utilized with pane thicknesses of from about 0.08 to 0.1 inch 
(as in lighter-weight windows) and from about 0.09 to 0.13 inch (as in 
somewhat heavier window construction). 
Although the relatively rigid wall of the pane-receiving channel is not of 
such great resilience that it materially aids in window manufacture, it is 
of sufficient resiliency so that when a flange-like handle means extending 
away from the channel is incorporated therein, the handle acts as a lever 
to push the rigid wall even more tightly against the window when it is 
lifted. The effect is primarily one of imparting a relatively secure 
reinforcement to the flange from the force exerted by the window. 
Illustrative Example of the Invention 
In this application and accompanying drawings there is shown and described 
a preferred embodiment of the invention and suggested various alternatives 
and modifications thereof, but it is to be understood that these are not 
intended to be exhaustive and that other changes and modifications can be 
made within the scope of the invention. These suggestions herein are 
selected and included for purposes of illustration in order that others 
skilled in the art will more fully understand the invention and the 
principles thereof and will be able to modify it and embody it in a 
variety of forms, each as may be best suited in the condition of a 
particular case.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that a window 10 is formed of a 
transparent pane 12 formed of acrylic resin of the type sold under the 
trademark PLEXIGLASS by Rohm & Haas Co. The bottom edge portion of pane 12 
is snugly positioned in a framing strip 14. 
Strip 14 has been formed of a continuously extruded thermoplastic 
composition and cut to the appropriate length for fabrication of the 
window. 
Strip 14 comprises a relatively narrow and deep channel 16 which is adapted 
to receive the pane. Channel 16 is U-shaped with the bottom wall portion 
18 of the U-forming being common to with a portion of wall member 20 which 
forms the "bottom" of an inverted U-shaped channel relatively wide and 
shallow channel 22 which serves to hold weatherstripping 24. The structure 
of channel 22 is reinforced, or made more rigid, by wall 26 which extends 
upwardly to form a leg of channel 16. This effect is aided by the 
relatively wide base structure 27 at the bottom of wall 26, upwardly from 
wall 20 to form one leg of channel 16. 
The other leg of channel 16 is a relatively resilient member which does not 
substantially reinforce the channel 22 structure. However, member 28 is 
readily flexed ourwardly to receive a storm window and thereupon forms a 
biased, or spring-like, clip action against the window. 
It will be noted that resilient wall 28 slants inwardly towards wall 26. It 
will readily accommodate a pane 12 which will cause it to become vertical. 
Wall 26 carries a flange which serves as a handle in lifting or unsealing 
the windows of the invention. Flange 30 extends far enough from wall 26 
that, when an upward lifting force is applied to it, there is a tendency 
to tighten the grip of the structure on the window pane. The utility of 
this feature of the invention is not so much to grip the pane but to have 
the pane resist excessive movement of the handle despite its somewhat 
flexible nature. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it is seen that a framing strip 10 is used 
along the sides of the window. (Such a strip is commonly used along the 
tops of the windows also, but need not be shown to illustrate the novel 
features of the invention because the top strip and its use will be 
readily apparent from a description of the bottom strip.) 
A fastening means 42, in this case a magnetic strip, is held within the 
wide and shallow channel 43. The pane 12 will fit into the narrow and deep 
channel 44. As in the structure of framing strip 14, the deep channel is 
U-shaped with a resilient polymeric wall 46 adapted to open to receive a 
pane and, then, form a biasing means to hold the pane snugly during 
handling, temperature cycles and other stresses encountered during use. 
Again, the resilient wall 46 is so positioned that there is substantially 
no reinforcing between it and the structure of channel 44. A major part of 
the structure of the relatively stiff-walled channel 42 is made up of wall 
46 which is common to channels 43 and 44. 
In general, the strips shown in the drawings are those used in residential 
markets and are drawn to about three times the linear scale of one of the 
more successfully-marketed products. 
The resilient walls of the invention may be pulled into vertical position 
by a force of less than six lbs., preferably less than three lbs., applied 
with a steel wire, e.g. a paper clip, at the position being pulled to 
vertical. 
The framing strip composition can be formed of many thermoplastic polymers. 
Normally, they will be filled with a suitable amount of pigment or filler 
appropriate for a particular polymer. Polymer compositions based on vinyl 
chloride polymers or copolymers are suitable as are polypropylene polymer 
systems and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene systems. The composition 
should also contain the normal stabilizers and antioxidants which are 
usually used in thermoplastic compositions to be used over a period of 
years. 
The resilient or flexible nature of the framing strip of the invention have 
the additional advantage of making them particularly valuable for 
manufacturing ancillary products. For example, the resilient nature of the 
strips aids in the insertion of fabric which can be inserted and will be 
held snugly within the deep channel. The channel itself provides a 
suitable zone for adding, in liquid form, an adhesive or a plastic 
anchoring composition means which, on solidifying, forms an anchor means. 
These strips then serve as a lower framing means or handle means on 
curtains and the like. 
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover 
all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described 
and all statements of the scope of the invention which might be said to 
fall therebetween.