Abstract:
An impact resistant sash and frame assembly is disclosed including a frame member having a substrate engagement region and a sash engagement region, a sash member operatively engaged to the sash engagement region, the sash member having an exterior portion and a sash member window-supporting region, wherein the exterior portion is curvilinear in a direction away from the sash engagement region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/568,552, filed on May 5, 2004, entitled WINDOW SYSTEM. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to building structures. More particularly, the present invention relates window and frame assemblies that are resistant to high winds and inclement weather.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Various windows and glass doors have been developed in an effort to avoid the type of structural damage that may result from high winds, as may be experienced in a severe storm, such as a hurricane. Typically, the glass used in wind resistant windows and doors is a laminated glass panel and includes at least one plasticized reinforcing layer positioned adjacent or sandwiched between one or more glass layers.  
         [0004]     During a severe storm, the window or door is often subjected to a cycling of pressure where both positive and negative pressures are applied. Under such conditions, a positive pressure indicates that the pressure is greater on the exterior of the window or door, and a negative pressure indicates that the pressure on the interior of the window or door is greater. During the pressure cycling, the plastic film and glass in the glass panel can exert relatively large forces on the window or door sash and frame members.  
         [0005]     If the window or glass door fails completely, pressures can be generated internal to the structure that may be sufficiently high to cause damage to the structure. By way of example, a portion of or the entire roof may be blown from the structure. High quality windows and glass doors typically include a wood frame and wood sash and an exterior aluminum cladding material. The wood frame and sash are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, and can be shaped and painted to achieve a variety of designs.  
         [0006]     However, the possibility of the wood window or glass door sash and frame assembly failing is increased due to the relative thinness of the shape and materials of the sash. As a result, there are significant problems associated in withstanding strong storm winds, as well as in addressing hurricane standards for building materials, particularly for high-quality wood window frame assemblies and wood glass door assemblies.  
         [0007]     One approach to absorb the flexing or movement of the glass panel when subjected to the pressure cycling is to include a relatively large body of sealant material at the interface between the interior wood sash and the glass panel. Unfortunately, the sealant material has a tendency to protrude at the interface between the interior wood sash and the glass panel and does not strengthen the sash.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned needs for an improved frame and sash assembly for a window by providing a more aerodynamic sash, as well as an enhanced sash and frame engagement.  
         [0009]     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an impact resistant window and frame assembly, including a frame member having a substrate engagement region and a sash engagement region, a sash member operatively engaged to the sash engagement region, the sash member having an exterior portion and a sash member window supporting region, wherein the exterior portion is curvilinear in a direction away from the sash engagement region. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view cross-sectional illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view cross-sectional illustration of the sash of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as window assembly  10 . Window assembly  10  includes frame member  12 , sash member  20 , and window  28 . Frame member  12  is constructed so as to operationally engage sash member  20 , as detailed below.  
         [0013]     Frame member  12  preferably incorporates substrate engagement region  14 . Substrate engagement region  14  is utilized to secure frame member  12  to the building structure through any one of the manners well known in the art, such as bolts or screws. Frame member  12  further includes sash engagement region  16 . Sash engagement region  16  preferably incorporates first sash member engagement lip  38  and second sash member engagement lip  40 . First sash member engagement lip  38  and second sash member engagement lip  40  are provided for the operational engagement of sash member  20  to sash engagement region  16  of frame member  12 , discussed in detail below.  
         [0014]     Additionally, frame member  12  preferably incorporates at least one frame member clip so as to provide a structure that permits frame member  12  to be secured to another frame member (not shown). It is preferred that frame member  12  be constructed from a lightweight metal, such as aluminum, that is sufficiently strong so as to withstand high wind speeds and resulting debris impacts. In accordance with the present invention, frame member  12  and window  28  form a window assembly  10  that is designed to meet or exceed the more stringent building codes in high-velocity hurricane zones, particularly the Dade County building codes (Dade County Protocols PA201-94/PA202-94/PA203-94) that were put into place after the impact of hurricane Andrew. These codes are among the most stringent in the nation for the impact resistance of windows.  
         [0015]     Furthermore, frame member  12  includes a window-supporting region  18 . Window-supporting region  18  provides a backstop for window  28 , assisting in preventing window  28  from falling out of position when secured between window-supporting region  24  of sash member  20  and window-supporting region  18  of frame member  12 . It is desirous to have window  28  be sufficiently laminated so as to adequately withstand high speed wind related impacts with debris, such as those incurred during the testing of the aforementioned Dade County Protocols.  
         [0016]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , sash member  20  further incorporates an exterior portion  22 , oriented to the outside of the building structure. Exterior portion  22  further includes a curvilinear portion  26  opposite of window-supporting region  24 . Curvilinear portion  26  functions to impart increased structural strength and improved aerodynamic qualities to sash member  20 . The curved structure of curvilinear portion  26  permits a higher degree of flexion than that of a non-curved portion, such as the non-curved portions of sash members of the prior art.  
         [0017]     Exterior portion  22  further integrates epoxy engagement ridges  32  in window-supporting region  24 . Epoxy engagement ridges  32  permit a more secure engagement between window-supporting region  24 , window  28 , and epoxy  30  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). As is further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , epoxy may additionally be utilized between window-supporting region  18  of frame member  12  and window  28 .  
         [0018]     Preferably, sash member  20  incorporates a first frame member engagement lip  34  and a second frame member engagement lip  36 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it is preferred that second frame member engagement lip  36  be angled away from a longitudinal axis that passes between first frame member engagement lip  34  and second frame member engagement lip  36 . Such angling facilitates a more secure frictional engagement between sash member  20  and frame member  12 .  
         [0019]     Preferably, sash member  20  and frame member  12  are operationally engaged along sash engagement region  16 . First frame member engagement lip  34  of sash member  20  is positioned to engage first sash member engagement lip  38  of frame member  12 . Similarly, second frame member engagement lip  36  of sash member  20  is positioned to engage second sash member engagement lip  40  of frame member  12 . Preferably, first frame member engagement lip  34 , first sash member engagement lip  38 , second frame member engagement lip  36 , and second sash member engagement lip  40  are slidably engaged, with second frame member engagement lip  36  providing a friction fit between sash member  20  and frame member  12 .  
         [0020]     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.