Patent Publication Number: US-8528212-B2

Title: Method of manufacturing a frame assembly having stile and rail tabs for coupling stile and rail members together

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and all the advantages of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/335,932, which was filed on Jan. 13, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to a frame assembly and, more specifically, to a frame assembly for supporting a fenestration article. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Frame assemblies for windows or doors, which support an article, such as screen cloth or a pane of glass, are known in the art and have been widely used by window manufacturers. Generally, the frame assemblies are disposed adjacent to an exterior side of the window or door. A typical frame assembly includes a pair of stile members and a pair of rail members. The stile and rail members are coupled together to form the frame assembly. 
     Typically, the stile and rail members are coupled together by a separate attachment component such as a fastener, an adhesive strip, and/or a press-fit cornerlock. The attachment member prevents separation between the stile and rail members. The use of the attachment member adds cost to manufacture the frame assemble due to the cost of the attachment member. Additionally, the attachment member requires an additional step during the manufacturing of the frame assembly because the attachment member must be coupled to the stile and rail members, which increased a time to manufacture the frame assembly. 
     As an alternative to the attachment member, the rail member may have tabs extending from ends of the rail member. In such cases, the rail member is completely disposed within the stile member and the tab extends through a slot defined by the stile member. The formation of the slot in the stile members adds time and costs to manufacture the frame assembly. Additionally, greater care must be taken when coupling the stile and rail members to properly align the tab of the rail member with the slot of the stile member. 
     The tab on the rail member is then bent to engage the stile member and prevent separation between the stile and rail members. The cross-section of the rail member is not uniform over an entire length because the end of the rail member must be narrowed to allow the rail member to be received within the stile member. As such, the stile and rail members do not have uniform cross-sections thus increasing costs to manufacture the frame assembly because the stile and rail members must be formed independent of one another. Additionally, having the tab on the rail member extend through the stile member prevents the stile member and the rail member from having cross-sections of irregular shapes, such as architectural sections as is known in the art. 
     Furthermore, completely disposing the rail member within the stile member results in limited engagement between the stile and rail members when coupled together. For example, having the rail member completely within the stile member prevents the stile member from having tabs to engage the rail member. Therefore, only the tab on the rail member prevents separation of the stile and rail members in both a horizontal and a vertical directions. The limited engagement between the stile and rail members limits the ability of the frame assembly to resist separating when normal forces act on the frame assembly. Therefore, there remains a need to provide an improved frame assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     A method manufactures a frame assembly, which supports a fenestration article. The frame assembly includes a stile member having an exterior wall, an interior wall opposite the exterior wall of the stile member. The stile member also has a stile tab extending axially from and planar with the interior wall of the stile member. The frame assembly also includes a rail member coupled substantially transverse to the stile member. The rail member has an exterior wall, an interior wall opposite the exterior wall of the rail member. The rail member also has a rail tab extending axially from and planar with the exterior wall of the rail member. 
     The method of manufacturing the frame assembly comprises the step of inserting a portion of the stile member into an interior of the rail member such that the stile tab extends beyond the rail member. The method also comprises the step of inserting a portion the rail member into an interior of the stile member such that the rail tab extends beyond the stile member. The method further comprises the steps of bending the stile tab about the rail member to couple the stile member to the rail member and bending the rail tab about the stile member to couple the rail member to the stile member. 
     The bending of the stile tab around the interior wall of the rail member and bending the rail tab around the exterior wall of the stile member prevents the stile member and the rail member from separating from each other. The bending of the stile tab and the rail tab also eliminates the need for a separate attachment component to couple the stile member and the rail member together. Elimination of the separate attachment component minimizes cost and time to manufacture the frame assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a frame assembly having a stile member and a rail member supporting a fenestration article; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the rail member taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the stile member taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the rail member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the stile member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member with a stile tab extending beyond the rail member and a rail tab extending beyond the stile member; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member with the stile tab extending beyond the rail member and the rail tab extending beyond the stile member; 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member with the stile tab extending beyond the rail member and the rail tab extending beyond the stile member; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile tab of the stile member bent around the interior wall of the rail member and the rail tab of the rail member bent around the exterior wall of the stile member; 
         FIG. 10  is another perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile tab of the stile member bent around the interior wall of the rail member and the rail tab of the rail member bent around the exterior wall of the stile member; 
         FIG. 11  is a view of a portion of the frame assembly taken in the direction of arrow  11  of  FIG. 8  showing a centerline of an inner fastening surface of the stile member that is offset from a centerline of an inner fastening surface of the rail member; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile member spaced from the rail member with the stile member defining a notch; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a portion of the stile member and rail member of  FIG. 12  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile member spaced from the rail member with the rail member defining a notch; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a portion of the stile member and the rail member of  FIG. 14  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the stile member spaced from the rail member with the stile member defining a first notch and the rail member defining a second notch; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a portion of the stile member and the rail member of  FIG. 16  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of a frame assembly having a protruding body extending from the interior wall of both the stile member and the rail member; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the rail member having the protruding body taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the stile member having the protruding body taken along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of the rail member of  FIG. 18  having the protruding body; 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the stile member of  FIG. 18  having the protruding body; 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 18  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member with the stile tab extending beyond the rail member and the rail tab extending beyond the stile member; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 18  showing the stile member coupled to the rail member with the stile tab extending beyond the rail member and the rail tab extending beyond the stile member; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 18  showing the stile tab of the stile member bent around the interior wall of the rail member and the rail tab of the rail member bent around the exterior wall of the stile member; 
         FIG. 26  is a view of a portion of the frame assembly taken in the direction of arrow  26  of  FIG. 23  showing a centerline of an inner fastening surface of the stile member that is offset from a centerline of an inner fastening surface of the rail member; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 18  showing the stile member spaced from the rail member; and 
         FIG. 28  is another perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly of  FIG. 18  showing the stile member spaced from the rail member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a frame assembly is generally shown at  30 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the frame assembly  30  typically supports a fenestration article  32 , such as a screen cloth, a glass pane, and/or a plastic panel. However, it should be understood that the frame assembly  30  may support any desired article other than the fenestration article  32 . Typically, the frame assembly  30  is disposed adjacent an opening defined by a structure, such as a building or house for covering the opening. 
     The frame assembly  30  comprises at least one stile member  34  and at least one rail member  36 . Generally, the rail member  36  is coupled substantially transverse to the stile member  34 . Said differently, the coupling of the rail member  36  to the stile member  34  defines an angle of 90 degrees between the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . It is to be appreciated that the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may be made from any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. It is also to be appreciated that the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may be formed by any suitable process, such as molding, roll forming, extruding, and/or bending. 
     Typically, the frame assembly  30  includes a first stile member  34 A and a second stile member  34 B spaced from the first stile member  34 A. Additionally, the frame assembly  30  typically includes a first rail member  36 A and a second rail member  36 B spaced from the first rail member  36 A. When present, each of the rail members  36 A,  36 B are coupled substantially traverse to each of the stile members  34 A,  34 B thereby defining a rectangular configuration of the frame assembly  30 . It is to be appreciated that the frame assembly  30  may define other configurations, such as triangular and pentagonal by varying the number of stile members  24  and/or the number of the rail members  26  provided in the frame assembly  30 . 
     In embodiments where the first and second stile members  34 A,  34 B are present and the first and second rail members  36 A,  36 B are present, the stile members  34 A,  34 B are typically mirror images of each other and the rail members  36 A,  36 B are typically mirror images of each other. As such, for simplicity, only one of the stile members  34 A,  34 B and one of the rail members  36 A,  36 B are described below and hereinafter are referred to as the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  has a cross-section. Typically, the cross-section of the stile member  34  is generally similar to the cross-section of the rail member  36 . As such, common features between the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are indicated by the same reference numeral. The stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may be formed together as a single member and subsequently cut into two to form the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . Said differently, both the stile member  34  and rail member  36  may be cut from a common piece of stock because the cross-sections of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are similar. Forming the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  from the common piece of stock minimizes time to manufacture the frame assembly  30  because the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  do not have to be formed independent of one another. Additionally, having the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  with the similar cross-sections allows the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  to have cross-sections of irregular shapes, such as architectural sections as is known in the art. 
     Each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  has an exterior wall  38  and an interior wall  40  opposite the exterior wall  38 . Typically, the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  face the structure when the frame assembly  30  is disposed on the structure. Furthermore, the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are visible from an exterior of the structure when the frame assembly  30  is disposed on the structure. 
     Each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  further include an outer wall  42  and an inner fastening wall  44  opposite the outer wall  42 . Both the outer wall  42  and the inner fastening wall  44  are disposed between the interior wall  40  and the exterior wall  38 . Generally, the outer wall  42  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  defines a periphery of the frame assembly  30 . Additionally, the fenestration article  32  is coupled to the inner fastening wall  44  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . For example, a flange  46  may be coupled to and extend from the inner fastening wall  44  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  for receiving the fenestration article  32  to couple the fenestration article  32  to the frame assembly  30 . However, it is to be appreciated that the fenestration article  32  may be secured to the inner fastening wall  44  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  by other methods. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the flange  46  may be integral with the inner fastening wall  44  or the flange  46  may be a discrete component relative to the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . 
     The exterior wall  38 , the interior wall  40 , the outer wall  42 , and the inner fastening wall  44  collectively define the cross-section of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . The cross-section of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  has a general rectangular configuration. It is to be appreciated that the cross-section of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may be other configurations other than the general rectangular configuration. The stile member  34  and the rail member  36  each have an interior  48  that is typically hollow. However, it is to be appreciated that the interior  48  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may contain a filler, such as an insulating material, or a stiffening material. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  each have a first end  50  and a second end  52  that are open for allowing access to the interior  48  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . The stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are cut to a length L 1 , which is defined between the first end  50  and the second end  52  of both the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . It is to be appreciated that the length L 1  of the stile member  34  may be the same as, or different from the length L 1  of the rail member  36 . 
     A stile tab  56  extends axially from each of the ends  50 ,  52  of the stile member  34 . The stile tab  56  is planar with the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34 . More specifically, the stile tab  56  is a continuation of the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  and extends from the first end  50  of the stile member  34  to a stile tab end  58  along the length L 1  of the stile member  34 . Said differently, the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  extends beyond the first end  50  and the second end  52  of the stile member  34  to define the stile tab  56  at the first end  50  of the stile member  34  and the stile tab  56  at the second end of the stile member  34 , respectively. The stile tab  56  may be formed by cutting the first end  50  of the stile member  34  to remove a length of the exterior wall  38 , the outer wall  42 , and the inner fastening wall  44  thereby leaving the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  intact to define the stile tab  56 . 
     A rail tab  60  extends axially from the rail member  36  with the rail tab  60  planar with the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36 . More specifically, the rail tab  60  is a continuation of the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36  and extends from the first end  50  of the rail member  36  to a rail tab end  62  along the length L 1  of the rail member  36 . Said differently, the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36  extends beyond the first end  50  and the second end  52  of the rail member  36  to define the rail tab  60  at the first end  50  of the rail member  36  and the rail tab  60  at the second end  52  of the rail member  36 , respectively. It should be appreciated that the stile tab  56  and the rail tab  60  are typically similar to one another except that the stile tab  56  extends from the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  and the rail tab  60  extends from the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36 . The rail tab  60  may be formed by cutting the first end  50  of the rail member to remove a length of the interior wall  40 , the outer wall  42 , and the inner fastening wall  44  thereby leaving the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36  intact to define the rail tab  60 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , when the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are coupled together, the stile tab  56  extends beyond the outer wall  42  of the rail member  36  and the rail tab  60  extends beyond the outer wall  42  of the stile member  34 . With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the stile tab  56  is bent around the interior wall  40  of the rail member  36  for coupling the stile member  34  to the rail member  36 . Said differently, the stile tab  56  is forced around the interior wall  40  of the rail member such that the stile tab  56  wraps around part of the rail member  36 . Additionally, the rail tab  60  is bent around the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  for coupling the rail member  36  to the stile member  34 . Said differently, the rail tab  60  is forced around the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  such that the rail tab  60  wraps around part of the stile member  34 . 
     The stile tab  56  and the rail tab  60  prevent separation between the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  when normal forces, such as torsional, tensional, and/or compression forces act on the frame assembly  30 . For example, the bending of the stile tab  56  around the rail member  36  prevents vertical separation between the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . Said differently, the stile tab  56  is bent around part of the rail member  36  such that the rail member  36  is pinched between the stile tab  56  and the stile member  34 , which prevents the rail member  36  from separating from the stile member  34 . Likewise, the bending of the rail tab  60  around the stile member  34  prevents horizontal separation between the rail member  36  and the stile member  34 . Said differently, the rail tab  60  is bent around part of the stile member  34  such that the stile member  34  is pinched between the rail tab  60  and the rail member  36 , which prevents the stile member  34  from separating from the rail member  36 . The stile tab  56  and the rail tab  60  allow the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  to be coupled together easily, quickly and inexpensively without the use of fasteners, glues or press-fit cornerlocks. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the inner fastening wall  44  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  defines a centerline  54 , which extends between the first end  50  and the second end  52  along the length L 1  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . When the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are coupled together, the centerline  54  of the stile member  34  is offset from the centerline  54  of the rail member  36 . Offsetting the centerline  54  of the stile member  34  and the centerline  54  of the rail member  36  allows the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  to continue beyond the rail member  36  to form the stile tab  56 . Additionally, offsetting the centerline  54  of the stile member  34  and the centerline  54  of the rail member  36  allows the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36  to continue beyond the stile member  34  to form the rail tab  60 . As such, neither the stile member  34  nor the rail member  36  are fully disposed within one another because the interior wall  40  of the stile member  34  remains outside of the interior  48  of the rail member  36  and the exterior wall  38  of the rail member  36  remains outside of the interior  48  of the stile member  34 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12-17 , the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  typically nest with one another when the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are coupled together. Said differently, the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  interlock with each other when the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are coupled together. The stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may interlock such that a portion of the stile member  34  is disposed within the interior  48  of the rail member  36  and/or a portion of the rail member  36  is disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34 . As such, a method of manufacturing the frame assembly  30  includes the step of inserting the portion of the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  into the interior  48  of the rail member  36  such that the stile tab  56  extends beyond the rail member  36 . Additionally, the method of manufacturing the frame assembly  30  also includes the step of inserting the portion of the interior wall  40  of the rail member  36  into the interior  48  of the stile member  34  such that the rail tab  60  extends beyond the stile member  34 . It is to be appreciated that the step of inserting the stile member  34  and the step of inserting the rail member  36  may be performed simultaneously. 
     Generally, a notch  64  may be formed in at least one of the stile member  34  or the rail member  36  for allowing the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  to nest with each other. Said differently, the notch  64  is defined by at least one of the stile member  34  or the rail member  36  for allowing the portion of the stile member  34  to be disposed within the interior of the  48  the rail member  36  and/or for allowing the portion of the rail member  36  to be disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34 . 
     The nesting of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  imparts strength to the joint of the frame assembly  30  for preventing the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  from separating from one another when the normal forces act on the frame assembly  30 . It is to be appreciated that when both the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  define the notch  64 , the notch  64  of the stile member  34  is referred to as a first notch  64 A and the notch  64  of the rail member  36  is referred to as a second notch  64 B. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the notch  64  may be and defined by at least the exterior wall  38  and the inner fastening wall  44  of the stile member  34  for allowing the portion of the rail member  36  to be disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34 . In such an embodiment, at least both the interior wall  40  and the inner fastening wall  44  of the rail member  36  are disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34 . Alternatively, with reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the notch  64  may be defined by at least the interior wall  40  and the inner fastening wall  44  of the rail member  36  for allowing the portion of the stile member  34  to be disposed within the interior  48  of the rail member  36 . In such an embodiment, at least both the exterior wall  38  and the inner fastening wall  44  of the stile member  34  are disposed within the interior  48  of the rail member. Furthermore, with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the first notch  64 A may be defined by at least the inner fastening wall  44  of the stile member  34  for allowing the portion of the rail member  36  to be disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  36  and the second notch  64 B may be defined by at least the inner fastening wall  44  of the rail member  36  for allowing the portion of the stile member  34  to be disposed within the interior  48  of the rail member  36 . In such an embodiment, at least the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  is disposed within the interior  48  of the rail member and a portion of the interior wall  40  of the rail member  36  is disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34 . It is to be appreciated that the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may nest with each other using different methods than those described above. 
     It is to be appreciated that when the flange  46  is present, an aperture  66  may be formed in and defined by the inner fastening wall  44  of the stile member  34  for allowing the flange  46  of the rail member  36  to be disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34 , as shown in  FIG. 27 . Alternatively, the flange  46  of the rail member  36  may simply abut the flange  46  of the stile member  34 . It is to be appreciated that both the flange  46  of the stile member  34  and the flange  46  of the rail member  36  may be mitered for allowing the flange  46  of both the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  to abut each other. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 18-20 , each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may further include a protruding body  68 . Generally, the presence of the protruding body  68  does not affect the above description of the stile tab  56  or the rail tab  60 . The protruding body  68  provides additional strength and stiffness to the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . Additionally, the protruding body  68  allows for a mortise handle while still being able to fit narrow industry standard frame guides. The protruding body  68  has a rectangular cross-section and typically extends from the interior wall  40  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . It is to be appreciated that the protruding body  68  may extend from the exterior wall  38  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . The protruding body  68  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  includes a projecting wall  70  extending from and traverse to the interior wall  40 . The protruding body  68  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  also includes an intermediate wall  72  extending from and traverse to the projecting wall  70 . The intermediate wall  72  is spaced from and substantially parallel to the interior wall  40  and is coupled to the inner fastening wall  44 . Said differently, the intermediate wall  72  is spaced from the interior wall  40  by the projecting wall  70  and extends between the projecting wall  70  and the inner fastening wall  44 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , a length L 2  of the protruding body  68  is less than the length L 1  of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . With reference to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , even when the protruding body  68  is present, the stile tab  56  extends beyond the rail member  36  and the rail tab  60  extends beyond the stile member  34 . Additionally, with reference to  FIG. 25 , the stile tab  56  is bent around the interior wall  40  of the rail member  36  and the rail tab  60  is bent around the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  even when the protruding body  68  is present. Furthermore, with reference to  FIG. 26 , the centerline of the inner fastening wall  44  of both the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are offset from each other when the stile member  34  is coupled with the rail member  36 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , when the protruding body  68  is present, the inner fastening wall  44 , the exterior wall  38 , and the protruding body  68  of the stile member  34  defines the first notch  64 A and the inner fastening wall  44  and the protruding body  68  of the rail member  36  define the second notch  64 B. As such, the method of manufacturing the frame assembly  30  may include the step of forming the first notch  64 A defined by the inner fastening wall  44 , the exterior wall  38 , and the protruding body  68  of the stile member  34  to allow the rail member  36  to be inserted into the stile member  34 . Additionally, the method may include the step of forming the second notch  64 B defined by the inner fastening wall  44  and the protruding body  68  of the rail to allow the stile member  34  to be inserted into the rail member  36 . 
     As described above, the first notch  64 A and the second notch  64 B allow the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  to nest with each other. More specifically, when the protruding body  68  is present and the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  are coupled together, a portion of the exterior wall  38  of the stile member  34  is disposed within the interior  48  of the rail member  36  and a portion of the interior wall  40  and a portion of the protruding body  68  of the rail member  36  is disposed within the interior  48  of the stile member  34  for nesting the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  with each other. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  19  and  20 , the outer wall  42  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  may have a pair of legs  74  extending from the outer wall  42  to define a U-shaped channel  76 . Typically, the interior wall  40  and the exterior wall  38  of each of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  extend beyond the outer wall  42  to define the U-shaped channel  76 . It is to be appreciated that the U-shaped channel  76  may be integrally formed with or a discrete component of the stile member  34  and the rail member  36 . When the U-shaped channel  76  is present, the stile tab end  58  is disposed within the U-shaped channel  76  of the rail member  36  and the rail tab end  62  is disposed within the U-shaped channel  76  of the stile member  34  to further secure the stile member  34  and the rail member  36  to each other. 
     Generally, the frame assembly  30  may be slidable along a track with the U-shaped channel  76  in communication with the track for guiding the frame assembly  30  between an open and a closed position. The outer wall  42  of the rail member  36  may define a slot for receiving a roller for assisting with sliding the frame assembly  30  between the open and closed positions. 
     As indicated above, only one stile member  34  and one rail member  36  has been described in detail above. It is to be appreciated that the above description applies to both the first and second stile members  34 A,  34 B as well as to both the first and second rail members  36 A,  36 B. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the method of coupling the rail member  36  to the stile member  34  described above is similar regardless of whether the rail member  36  is coupled to either the first end  50  or the second end  52  of the stile member  34 . 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.