Patent Publication Number: US-6698154-B2

Title: Window trim for recreational vehicles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to window assemblies for recreational vehicles, and more particularly, to structures for securing such window assemblies in walls of recreational vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The use of recreational vehicles has increased dramatically over the last several years. Due to the large amount of time people often spend in recreational vehicles, it is important that the interior of these vehicles be pleasing in appearance. Toward this end, numerous improvements have been made to the living space provided in recreational vehicles, including, e.g., the addition of room extensions and specialty windows. 
     Along these lines, recreational vehicles typically include several windows, each of which is initially assembled separately and installed as part of an assembly. A typical window assembly comprises a frame having a plurality of channels for mounting one or more window panels, and a circumferential flange for overlapping the interior surface of the frame to secure the window assembly to the wall. 
     Conventionally, a plurality of screws are drilled around the periphery of the interior circumferential flange of the window frame. Although this method secures the frame to the wall, it has numerous disadvantages. For instance, securing the window frame to the wall of the recreational vehicle in the conventional manner typically requires numerous screws. Each screw must then be individually and manually drilled into the window frame and through the wall. Finally, for cosmetic reasons, the heads of these screws are typically painted to match the color of the window trim. Although the screw heads are individually painted, they are still clearly visible from the interior of the vehicle. 
     A further disadvantage is that, due to the large number of screws required to secure the window frame to the wall, a large margin of error exists. For example, the screws may be drilled to the frame at the wrong location, or they may be drilled at an angle, rather than straight as desired. Errors such as these are likely to result in an unsatisfactory installation, which may lead to problems with ineffective sealing and eventual leaking. 
     This conventional installation process is unsatisfactory because it results in a window which is displeasing in appearance and which is susceptible to seal failure. 
     What is needed in the art is a window mounting which is more efficient and less time consuming to install, and which is aesthetically pleasing to the end user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a window trim system with brackets and a trim ring for effectively and efficiently securing a window frame to the wall of a recreational vehicle. The window trim system of the present invention positions the trim ring such that it contributes aesthetically to the appearance of the interior of the vehicle. 
     The present invention involves an apparatus for installing a window frame in a fixed position in an aperture in a vehicle wall. The window frame is shaped to conform to the shape of the aperture in the wall surface to which it is being installed. The frame includes means for mounting one or more window panels, and has a circumferential flange for overlapping the interior surface of the frame, such that the frame partially or completely surrounds the aperture. The frame is an extruded unitary structure typically manufactured from a soft metal, such as aluminum alloy. 
     The window assembly is secured to the wall of the recreational vehicle through the use of the clamping brackets and trim ring of the present invention. Advantageously, the present invention allows the window frame to be secured to the wall of the recreational vehicle with a minimal number of clamping brackets. 
     The clamping bracket of the present invention comprises an elongated flange having first and second ends. The first end of the flange is press fit into a channel in a predetermined location in the window frame. Once the clamping bracket is press fit into the window frame, a screw is drilled through a groove disposed at the second end of the flange, through the flange of the bracket, and finally through the preformed channel in the window frame. In this manner, the bracket and screws serve to secure the window assembly to the wall of the recreational vehicle. 
     Once the screw and clamping bracket have secured the window frame to the wall, the trim ring of the present invention is introduced. The trim ring is adapted for attachment with the clamping brackets, and is snapped and locked onto the brackets to hide the screw heads from sight. The use of the trim ring obviates the need to manually paint the screw heads, and the trim ring may be provided in a color which is complementary with the window frame. 
     The clamping bracket and trim ring of the present invention may be used on the exterior of the recreational vehicle as well. For example, the clamping bracket and the trim ring may be used on the exterior of the recreational vehicle in order to secure the window assembly to the exterior wall of the recreational vehicle. Additionally, the clamping bracket and trim ring of the present invention may be used to secure the exterior wall panels to the internal support structure, i.e., support beams or joists, of the recreational vehicle. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a window trim system which is capable of efficiently and effectively installing a window assembly into a wall in a recreational vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a window trim system which improves the aesthetic quality of the interior of a recreational vehicle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The aforementioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of several embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window having a window trim of the prior art; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a window having a window trim fitted with the clamping brackets of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a window fitted with the window trim of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a clamping bracket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is the bracket of FIG. 4 taken along line  5 — 5 ; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a trim ring adapted for use with the clamping bracket of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 4 attached to the trim ring of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the trim ring which is adapted for use with the clamping bracket of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 8 attached to the trim ring of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 7, but depicts the orientation of the clamping bracket of FIG.  4  and trim ring of FIG. 6 with the window frame; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the trim ring of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 12 attached to the trim ring of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the trim ring of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 15 attached to the trim ring of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the trim ring of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 18 attached to the trim ring of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket of the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the trim ring of the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 21 attached to the trim ring of FIG. 22, the combination mounted on a window frame; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket and trim ring combination mounted on a window frame; 
     FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket and trim ring combination mounted on a window frame; 
     FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping bracket of FIG. 24 attached to the trim ring combination of FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the clamping bracket and the trim ring combination of the present invention, and depicts the trim ring coming into contact with the clamping bracket; and 
     FIGS. 28-30 are cross-sectional views of further alternative embodiments of the clamping bracket and the trim ring of the present invention. 
     FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a recreational vehicle having its exterior wall panels secured through the use of the clamping bracket and trim ring of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 32 is taken along line  32 — 32  of FIG.  31 . 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art might utilize their teachings. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a window secured through the use of a prior art window trim. Screws  56  can be plainly seen from the interior of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a window secured with brackets  10  of the present invention. FIG. 2 could be either an interior view or an exterior view of the window, depending on whether the brackets and trim ring sections of the present invention are installed on the interior or the exterior of the window. Although the particular embodiment depicted shows the use of six clamping brackets, it is contemplated that as few as one up to several brackets may be utilized depending upon the size, shape, and weight of the window being installed and the amount of sealing that is necessary for the installation. 
     FIG. 3 is an exterior view of a window which has been fully installed with exterior trim  50  held over a window frame  51  installed with brackets  10  and one or more trim rings  30  of the present invention. 
     With reference to FIG. 4, clamping bracket  10  includes flange  12 , which with branch  20 , defines channel  25 . Flange  12  has first end  14  and second end  16 . Second end  16  of flange  12  includes groove  18 . Clamping bracket  10  further comprises first end  19 , second end  21 , branch  20 , and arm  22 . Arm  22  extends at a substantially right angle from branch  20 , and arm  22  includes depression  24 . Branch  20  lies flush with the interior circumferential flange of the window frame. FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the bottom of bracket  10 , taken along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     Flange  12  of bracket  10  mounts bracket  10  with window frame  52  as it is adapted to be press fit into preformed channel  58  in window frame  52  (as seen in FIG.  11 ). Once first end  14  of flange  12  is press fit into the preformed channel in window frame  52 , screw  56  (as seen in FIG. 11) is drilled through groove  18  disposed at second end  16  of flange  12 . Screw  56  travels through flange  12 , either by drilling through the material of flange  12  or by extending through a preformed opening in flange  12 , and into window frame  52 , thereby mounting and securing bracket  10  to window frame  52 . 
     FIG. 6 depicts the uniform cross-sectional aspect of trim ring  30 . Trim ring  30  is adapted to snap onto or be press fit over bracket  10 . Trim ring section  30  comprises first end  34  and second end  36 . First end  34  includes depression  37 , which may be manually snapped onto first end  19  of bracket  10 . Depression  37  receives first end  19  of bracket  10 , such that first end  34  is engaged with first end  19  of bracket  10 . Second end  36  of trim ring  30  includes protrusion  38 . Protrusion  38  is adapted to be received by depression  24  disposed in second end  21  of bracket  10 . In this manner, trim ring  30  may be manually snapped onto, and, by virtue depression  24  receiving protrusion  38 , and by first end  19  of bracket  10  receiving depression  37 , be retained by bracket  10 . Alternatively, trim ring  30  may be manually press fit over bracket  10  to make the same connections as described above. 
     Slot  27 , defined by projections  29   a ,  29   b , is formed on the interior surface of trim ring  30 . Slot  27  is adapted to accommodate the insertion of connector  31 , for example a piece of soft metal such as aluminum or a hard polymer, which acts to connect the ends of a single trim ring section  30  or connect ends of individual sections of trim rings  30 . Advantageously, slot  27  and projections  29   a ,  29   b  allow the window trim to be completed without an overlap. This gives the illusion that the window trim is a single circumferential piece, and is more aesthetically pleasing than the conventional method which leaves an undesirable overlap where the window trim is pulled together. Additionally, notches  40 , or any variety of aesthetically pleasing features, may be added to the exterior surface of trim ring  30 . 
     Bracket  10  and trim ring  30  are preferably manufactured by an extrusion process from a soft metal, e.g., aluminum and aluminum alloys, or a hard polymer. However, it is contemplated that other materials could be utilized so long as they are malleable and strong enough to effectively install the window in the recreational vehicle. 
     As discussed herein above, bracket  10  and trim ring section  30  are adapted to be mounted in either the exterior or the interior of the recreational vehicle. When mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, brackets  10  and trim ring  30  may function to secure the window assembly to the outer exterior walls of the recreational vehicle. 
     FIG. 7 depicts window trim  50 , which is a combination of bracket  10  and trim ring  30 . Trim ring  30  is snapped or press fit onto bracket  10 , such that depression  37  of trim ring  30  receives first end  19  of bracket  10  and depression  24  of bracket  10  receives protrusion  38  of trim ring section  30 . When trim ring  30  is snapped or press fit onto bracket  10 , trim ring  30  and bracket  10  are affixed together. The fixture of bracket  10  and trim ring  30  may be further secured by an adhesive or by the strength of the crimping of trim ring  30  on bracket  10 . If desired, the affixation may be decreased by changing or deleting such affixative or by decreasing the extent of crimping. 
     FIGS. 8-10 are similar to FIGS. 4-7, but depict an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the body of bracket  110  includes branch  120  which extends straight across to arm  122 . Arm  122  extends at a substantially right angle from branch  120 , and arm  122  includes second depression  124 . 
     FIG. 11 depicts the orientation of window trim  50  with window frame  52  disposed in recreational vehicle wall  54 . Window frame  52  is inserted onto vehicle wall  54  from the exterior of the vehicle. In order to install bracket  10  in window frame  52 , first end  14  of flange  12  is press fit into preformed channel  58  in window frame  52 . By press fitting first end  14  of flange  12  into window frame  52 , bracket  10  is temporarily secured in window frame  52 . Screw  56  is then drilled into groove  18  in second end  16  of flange  12 . By drilling screw  56  through flange  12  and into frame  52 , bracket  10  is secured in, and attached to, window frame  52 . The length of bracket  10  may be varied to accommodate any number of screws which may be drilled through flange  12  of bracket  10 . Branch  20  lies flush with window frame  52  to fix window frame  52  on vehicle wall  54 . 
     FIGS. 12-14 depict an alternative embodiment in which bracket  210  comprises first branch  220  and second branch  256 . Second branch  256  includes catch  258 . With reference to FIG. 13, trim ring section  230  comprises first and second arms  260 ,  262 . Second arm  262 , in this embodiment, is slightly longer than first arm  260 , and is resilient. Second arm  262  further comprises catch  264 . Second branch  256  is adapted for insertion between arms  260 ,  262 , such that when second branch  256  of bracket  210  is inserted between arms  260 ,  262 , second arm  262  flexes to accommodate second branch  256 . Catch  258  of second branch  256  and catch  264  of second arm  262  engage one another, causing bracket  210  and trim ring  230  to be secured to one another (FIG.  14 ). 
     FIGS. 15-17 depict another alternative arrangement. Bracket  310  comprises first branch  320  and second branch  356 . Second branch  356  comprises H-shaped structure  366 . H-shaped structure  366  further comprises a pair of notches  368 ,  369 . FIG. 15 depicts trim ring  330  which includes first and second arms  370 ,  372 . First and second arms  370 ,  372  are resilient and each include catches  374 ,  375 . As shown in FIG. 17, H-shaped structure  366  is received by arms  370 ,  372  of trim ring  330 , and notches  368 ,  369  of H-shaped structure  366  are caught by catches  374 ,  375  of first and second arms  370 ,  372 . By press fitting arms  370 ,  372  over H-shaped structure  366 , bracket  310  is secured to trim ring  330 . 
     FIGS. 18-20 depict an alternative arrangement in which bracket  410  comprises first branch  420  and second branch  456 . Second branch  456  includes aperture  474 . Aperture  474  may be virtually any size or shape, and as depicted in FIGS. 18-20, resembles a Christmas tree. Trim ring  430  comprises structure  476  which corresponds in size and shape with aperture  474 , such that structure  476  may be manually press fit into aperture  474  of bracket  410 . 
     FIGS. 21-23 are similar to FIGS. 17-19, but depict aperture  574  of bracket and structure  576  of trim ring  530  as a serrated size and shape. FIG. 23 illustrates the orientation of trim ring system  550  with window frame  52 . 
     FIGS. 24-27 depict an alternative embodiment in which bracket  610  comprises branch  620  having arm  622 . Arm  622  comprises a plurality of teeth  678  which correspond with, and engage teeth  680  of trim ring  630 . Additionally, end  634  of bracket  610  is adapted to engage teeth  682  of trim ring  630 . FIGS. 24-27 also depict the insertion of bracket  610  into trim ring  630 . 
     FIGS. 28-30 depict covers  96  and  98  which engage brackets  710  and  810 , so that the trim ring apparent in the vehicle interior is provided by both the bracket and the cover. 
     FIG. 31 is an exterior view of a recreational vehicle having its exterior wall panels  66  secured to the support beams or joists  67  through the use of bracket  110  and trim ring  130 . When bracket  110  and trim ring  130  are used to secure exterior wall panels  66  to the internal support structure, i.e., support beams or joists  67 , of the recreational vehicle, flange  112  of bracket  110  is press fit into preformed channel  68  in support beam  67 . Screw  56  is then drilled through groove  118  of flange  112 , and bracket  110  is secured to support beam  67 . Trim ring  130  is installed in the same manner discussed above with respect to the installation of a window assembly. FIG. 32 is taken along line  32 — 32  of FIG. 31, and is a cross-sectional view of bracket  110  and trim ring  130  securing exterior wall panel  66  to support beam  67 . 
     The various alternative constructions of brackets and trim rings may be manufactured in a uniform cross-sectional aspect by an extrusion process, although other manufacturing processes, such as sheet metal stamping, may be employed to construct these structures. While the exemplary embodiments are described as using a soft metal, structures which may mount window frames and engage trim rings may also be made from polymer or similar materials. Both the brackets and trim rings may be manufactured in a variety of lengths, then cut for particular dimensions or loading conditions. For example, a bracket may be relatively narrow and only accommodate one screw for a light weight load, or may be relatively wide to accommodate several screws for a heavy load or wind resistance. 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.