Patent Publication Number: US-10760323-B1

Title: Adjustable support device for bay windows and other protruding building structures

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to structural support devices for portions of commercial and residential buildings, and, more particularly, to structural support devices for bay windows or other protruding portions of commercial and residential buildings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some portions of a commercial or residential building are designed to protrude from the main building structure. For example, many homes are built with bay windows or may have bay windows installed during remodeling projects. Due to their protruding nature and heavy weight, bay windows have a tendency to sag over time. Wooden brackets or other support structures may be placed beneath the bay windows to help prevent sagging, but this requires customization and only provides a temporary solution because the support structures themselves may settle over time. 
     There is a need for support devices that are more versatile and capable of providing a long-term solution to the problem of sagging bay windows. 
     SUMMARY 
     An adjustable window support device is disclosed. In embodiments, the adjustable window support device includes a horizontal segment, a vertical segment, and an adjustable segment that form a triangular support structure. The horizontal segment is configured to be placed into contact with a lower surface of a bay window so that a front end of the horizontal segment is oriented in the same direction as a front of the bay window and a rear end of the horizontal segment is oriented in the same direction as a rear of the bay window. In embodiments, the horizontal segment includes one or more receiving members at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. The vertical segment is configured to be placed against a wall and is configured to extend downwardly from the lower surface of the bay window along the wall. In embodiments, the vertical segment includes a top end that is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the horizontal segment. The adjustable segment is configured to extend diagonally from a bottom end of the vertical segment to the one or more receiving members at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. In embodiments, the adjustable segment includes a first end that is pivotally coupled to the bottom end of the vertical segment and a second end that is configured to mate with the one or more receiving members at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. 
     The overall dimensions of the adjustable window support device can be modified by adjusting the length of the adjustable segment and/or causing the adjustable segment to mate with a different receiving member at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. In this manner, the adjustable window support device can accommodate bay windows installed at various heights and can be adjusted over time to compensate for settling of the bay window and/or the adjustable window support device itself. 
     In some embodiments, a bay window system includes a bay window with at least two adjustable window support devices placed against a wall beneath the bay window and spaced apart from one another. The adjustable window support devices may be spaced apart so that the weight of the bay window is distributed across both of the adjustable window support devices. In other embodiments, one adjustable window support device may suffice. 
     Although several embodiments of adjustable window support devices for bay windows are described herein, more generally, an adjustable support device for protruding building structures is disclosed. In embodiments, the adjustable support device includes a horizontal segment, a vertical segment, and an adjustable segment that form a triangular support structure. The horizontal segment is configured to be placed into contact with a lower surface of a protruding building structure so that a front end of the horizontal segment is oriented in the same direction as a front of the protruding building structure and a rear end of the horizontal segment is oriented in the same direction as a rear of the protruding building structure. In embodiments, the horizontal segment includes one or more receiving members at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. The vertical segment is configured to be placed against a wall and is configured to extend downwardly from the lower surface of the bay window along the wall. In embodiments, the vertical segment includes a top end that is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the horizontal segment. The adjustable segment is configured to extend diagonally from a bottom end of the vertical segment to the one or more receiving members at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. In embodiments, the adjustable segment includes a first end that is pivotally coupled to the bottom end of the vertical segment and a second end that is configured to mate with the one or more receiving members at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. The overall dimensions of the adjustable support device can be modified by adjusting the length of the adjustable segment and/or causing the adjustable segment to mate with a different receiving member at or near the front end of the horizontal segment. 
     This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates perspective view of a bay window supported by two adjustable window support devices, in accordance one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a bay window supported by at least one adjustable window support devices, in accordance one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an adjustable window support device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partially exploded side view of an adjustable window support device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partially exploded side view of an adjustable window support device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable window support device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable window support device, where a portion of a horizontal segment of the adjustable window support device is removed to reduce the length of the horizontal segment, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the adjustable window support device of  FIG. 6 , where an end cap of the horizontal segment has been replaced after removing a portion of the horizontal segment to reduce the length of the horizontal segment, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Referring generally to  FIGS. 1A through 7 , an adjustable window support device is disclosed. 
     As noted above, due to their protruding nature and heavy weight, bay windows have a tendency to sag over time. Wooden brackets or other support structures may be placed beneath the bay windows to help prevent sagging, but this requires customization and only provides a temporary solution because the support structures themselves may settle over time. To overcome the limitations of existing solutions, there is a need for support devices that are more versatile and capable of providing a long-term solution to the problem of sagging bay windows. 
     The adjustable window support device described herein may overcome some or all of the limitations of the existing solutions discussed above. For example, the adjustable window support device can accommodate bay windows of different sizes, installed at various heights, and can be adjusted over time to compensate for any settling of the adjustable window support device itself. 
     For context and clarity, an adjustable window support device is described with regard to the installation of bay windows. However, the adjustable window support device may be utilized for other applications, such as the support of other protruding building structures. Thus, in some embodiments, the “adjustable window support device” is more generally an “adjustable support device” configured to support any protruding building structure (e.g., a bay window, an addition, a platform/ledge, a walkway, a deck, or the like). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the adjustable window support device  200  may be positioned below a bay window  100  (or any other protruding building structure) to provide support for the bay window  100  so that it does not sag. For example, in the bay window system illustrated in  FIG. 1A , two adjustable window support devices  200  are disposed below the bay window  100  and spaced apart so that the weight of the bay window  100  is distributed across both of the adjustable window support devices  200 . It may be advantageous to install two or more adjustable window support device  200  below the bay window  100  in order to prevent/mitigate bowing of the lower surface  102  of the bay window  100 . However, in other embodiments, one adjustable window support device  200  may suffice. As shown in  FIG. 1B , each adjustable window support device  200  is placed against a wall  104  beneath the bay window  100  so that the adjustable window support device  200  is wedged in between the lower surface  102  of the bay window  100  and the wall  104  to prevent the bay window  100  from sagging. 
       FIGS. 2 through 7  illustrate the adjustable window support device  200  in further detail. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the adjustable window support device includes a horizontal segment  202 , a vertical segment  206 , and an adjustable segment  214  that form a triangular support structure. The overall dimensions of the adjustable window support device  200  (i.e., the triangular support structure) can be modified by adjusting the length and/or positioning of the adjustable segment  214 , as further discussed below. In this manner, the adjustable window support device  200  can accommodate bay windows  100  of different sizes and can be installed at various heights. The adjustable window support device  200  can also be adjusted over time to compensate for any settling of the adjustable window support device  200  itself. 
     The segments  202 ,  206 , and  214  may be formed from a metal (e.g., aluminum or titanium) or a metal alloy (e.g., steel, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, etc.). For example, the segments  202 ,  206 , and  214  may include aluminum/steel box sections, aluminum/steel “U” channels, hollow structural sections, aluminum/steel tubes, or the like. In some embodiments, the horizontal segment  202  and the vertical segment  206  are formed from metallic or non-metallic channels (e.g., aluminum/steel “U” channels, or the like), and the adjustable segment is formed from a plurality of metallic or non-metallic tubes (e.g., aluminum/steel tubes, or the like). Additionally, or alternatively, the segments  202 ,  206 , and  214  may include wood and/or composite materials (e.g., reinforced plastic, fiberglass, etc.). In general, the segments  202 ,  206 , and  214  may be formed from any material or combination of materials that provide adequate support for a bay window  100 . In some embodiments, the segments  202 ,  206 , and  214  are water/moisture resistant materials, fire resistant materials, and/or anticorrosive materials for improved durability and/or safety. 
     The horizontal segment  202  is configured to be placed into contact with a lower surface  102  of a bay window  100  so that a front end  201  of the horizontal segment is oriented in the same direction as a front of the bay window  100  and a rear end  203  of the horizontal segment  202  is oriented in the same direction as a rear of the bay window  100 . Meanwhile, the vertical segment  206  is configured to be placed against the wall  104  below the bay window  100  and is configured to extend downwardly from the lower surface  102  of the bay window  100  along the wall  104 . 
     Either of the segments  202  and  206  may be secured in place by fasteners  106  and  108  (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), respectively. For example, in some embodiments, the horizontal segment  202  is secured to the lower surface  102  of the bay window  100  by at least one fastener  106 , and the vertical segment  206  is secured to the wall  104  by at least one other fastener  108 . In other embodiments, the horizontal segment  202  is secured to the lower surface  102  of the bay window  100  by at least one fastener  106 , while the vertical segment  206  is simply wedged against the wall  104 . Alternatively, the vertical segment  206  may be secured to the wall  104  by at least one other fastener  108 , while the horizontal segment  202  is wedged against the lower surface  102 . 
     In embodiments, a top end  205  of the vertical segment  206  is pivotally coupled to the rear end  203  of the horizontal segment  202 . For example, the top end  205  of the vertical segment  206  and the rear end  203  of the horizontal segment  202  may be held together by a pivot  208 , which may include a pin  210  or any other structure configured to pivotally connect the two segments together. In some embodiments, the pin  210  is held in place by a clip  212  or any other fastener configured to prevent the pin  210  from dislodging. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the horizontal segment  202  may include one or more receiving members  242  (e.g., receiving members  242 A,  242 B,  242 C, etc.) at or near the front end  201  of the horizontal segment  202 . For example, one or more receiving members  242  may be located between a midpoint of the horizontal segment  202  and the front end  201  of the horizontal segment  202 . In embodiments, the receiving members  242  may be protrusions, ridges, slots, or similar structures formed on a lower/inner surface of the horizontal segment  202  and configured to secure, catch, or otherwise mate with a distal end  215  of the adjustable segment  214  so that the adjustable segment  214  can be repositioned by causing the adjustable segment  214  to mate with a different receiving member  242 . In other embodiments, the horizontal segment  202  only includes one receiving member  242 ; alternatively, an end cap  204  at the front end  201  of the horizontal segment  214  may be configured to function as a receiving member. 
     In some embodiments, the end cap  204  is removable. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , this allows for the length of the horizontal segment  202  to be reduced by removing the end cap  204  and cutting off (or otherwise removing) a portion  246  of the horizontal segment  202 , and then replacing the end cap  204  on the remaining portion of the horizontal segment  202 . In embodiments where the horizontal segment  202  includes a plurality of receiving members  242  (e.g., receiving members  242 A,  242 B,  242 C, etc.), the end cap  204  may be configured to be removed and replaced at the front end  201  of the horizontal segment  202  after removing a portion  246  of the horizontal segment  202  that includes at least one receiving member (e.g., receiving member  242 C) of the plurality of receiving members  242  in order to reduce a length of the horizontal segment  202  and leave selected receiving members (e.g., receiving members  242 A and  242 B). In this manner, unnecessary receiving members (e.g., receiving member  242 C) and/or unnecessary portions  246  of the horizontal segment  202  can be removed. This may also allow for the overall dimensions of the adjustable window support device  200  to be adjusted in order to meet the requirements of a particular installation. 
     The adjustable segment  214  is configured to extend diagonally from the bottom end  207  of the vertical segment  206  to the one or more receiving members  242  at or near the front end of the horizontal segment  202 . In embodiments, the adjustable segment  214  includes a first (proximal) end  213  that is pivotally coupled to the bottom end  207  of the vertical segment  206 . For example, the bottom end  207  of the vertical segment  206  and the proximal end  213  of the adjustable segment  214  may be held together by a pivot  222 , which may include a pin  224  or any other structure configured to pivotally connect the two segments together. The pin  224  may be held in place by a clip  226  or any other fastener configured to prevent the pin  224  from dislodging. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the pivotal motion (e.g., maximum angular of motion) of the adjustable segment  214  is limited by a raised edge/lip  244  at the bottom end  207  of the vertical segment  206 . Additionally, as previously noted, the adjustable segment  214  also includes a second (distal) end  215  that is configured to mate with the one or more receiving members  242  at or near the front end  201  of the horizontal segment  202 . 
     The adjustable segment  214  is configured to be adjusted by increasing or decreasing a length of the adjustable segment  214 . In embodiments where the horizontal segment  202  includes a plurality of receiving members  242  (e.g., receiving members  242 A,  242 B,  242 C, etc.), the overall dimensions of the adjustable window support device  200  can also be adjusted by causing the distal end  215  of the adjustable member to mate with a different receiving member (e.g., by moving the distal end  215  from receiving member  242 A to  242 B,  242 A to  242 C,  242 B to  242 A,  242 B to  242 C,  242 C to  242 A,  242 C to  242 B, or the like). 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show partially exploded views the adjustable segment  214  of the adjustable window support device  200 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In embodiments, the adjustable segment  214  includes a base  216  with an inner cavity. For example, the base  216  may be a metallic or non-metallic tube with a rectangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the base may have another geometry (e.g., circular/elliptical cross-section). A proximal end of the base  216  (i.e., the proximal end  213  of the adjustable segment  214 ) is pivotally coupled to the bottom end  207  of the vertical segment  206 , as described above. 
     The adjustable segment  214  further includes a shaft  228  (e.g., a threaded rod) configured to partially extend into the cavity within the base  216 . The shaft  228  may be anchored within the base  216  by one or more end fittings on the shaft  228 . For example, the one or more end fittings may include, but are not limited to, one or more nuts  230  (e.g., hex nuts, square nuts, or the like), tubular sections/sleeves/couplings  232 , washers, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the base  216  has a rectangular cross-section and one or more square/rectangular nuts  230  are used to anchor the shaft  228  in the base  216 . 
     At least one tube  218  is disposed upon the shaft  228  at a distance from the base. In embodiments, tube  218  may be configured to slide along the shaft  228  to any selected position beyond the base  216 . Tube  218  may be set/fixed to a selected position by adjusting the position of a nut  234  (e.g., a hex nut, square nut, or the like) configured to support tube  218  at a selected position on the shaft  228 . For example, the nut  234  may be positioned along the shaft by turning the nut  234  clockwise or counterclockwise until a selected position is reached. The distance between tube  218  and the base  216  is based upon the position of the nut  234 . In other embodiments, the nut  234  may be replaced by another fastener. For example, instead of threading, the shaft  228  may include a plurality of notches and/or teeth configured to mate with ratcheting fasteners. 
     In some embodiments, the adjustable segment  214  includes at least one washer  238  between the nut  234  and tube  218  on the shaft  228 . The washer  238  may have an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of tube  218  so that the washer  238  prevents tube  218  from sliding over the nut  234 . The adjustable segment  214  may also include at least one other washer  236  between the nut  234  and the one or more end fittings on the shaft  228 . The washer  236  may have an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the base  216  so that the washer  236  prevents the base  216  from sliding over the nut  234 . 
     The adjustable segment  214  may include another tube  240  configured to slide over at least a portion of tube  218 . For example, in embodiments, tube  218  is a round tube and tube  240  is a rectangular tube that fits over tube  218  for improved strength and/or stability. Alternatively, tubes  218  and  240  may be implemented by a single tube or by coaxial tubes that are welded, soldered, or cast together so that they form a common structure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 through 6 , another (outermost) tube  220  is configured to slide over and cover at least a portion of tube  218  (and tube  240  if present) and at least a portion of the base  216 . Tube  220  may be configured to cover portions of the shaft  228  that are not covered by tube  218  and/or tube  240 . Tube  220  may also help stabilize the adjustable segment  214 . For example, the outer edges of tube  220  may be configured to fill gaps between the base  216  and the inner walls of the vertical segment  206 . In embodiments, the base  216  has a smaller width than the distance between the inner walls of the vertical segment  206  to create gaps for receiving the outer edges of tube  220 . When tube  220  slides into the gaps between the base  216  and the inner walls of the vertical segment  206 , tube  220  is able to provide improved stability for the base  216  and portions of the adjustable segment  214  that extend from the base  216  by tightly holding these components together, particularly as the weight of the bay window  100  pushes down on the adjustable window support device  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the distal end  215  of tube  218  and/or tube  240  may be slanted in a first direction so that the distal end  215  of tube  218  and/or tube  240  can mate with the receiving members  242 . Meanwhile, the distal end of tube  220  may be slanted in a second (opposite) direction so that the distal end of tube  220  can mate with the gaps between the base  216  and the inner walls of the vertical segment  206  when tube  220  is slid over the base  216  and pushed all the way down shaft  228 . 
     Although the technology has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the technology as recited in the claims. Components illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a device and components that may be used to implement the embodiments of the present invention and may be replaced with other devices and components without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical ranges provided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unless otherwise specified in the claims.