Patent Abstract:
A method of installing a window into a concrete wall. The method includes taking a frame and securing a sub-frame thereto to form a buck. A bracing member is then fastened to the buck and the buck is positioned within a concrete wall form. Once the window is properly positioned and secured in the form the concrete is poured. After the concrete dries the bracing member is removed and a window pane is attached to the frame to create a window.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This application relates to a method of installing a window into a concrete wall. More specifically this application relates to a method of using a bracing member in order to place a window of any size or shape in any location within a concrete wall. 
   Most concrete walls require windows that are screwed into the concrete and caulked in place. Other windows are formed from steel window bucks that are set in place and then concrete is poured around the window bucks to form the window opening. These type of windows have energy inefficiencies because once installed they have a tendency to leak water and air into a room. Also there are problems with the extreme forces that are placed upon the window buck during the pouring of the concrete. 
   In addition, steel frames in cold climates frost up and leak water into a building. Vinyl frames tend to move a significant amount in concrete due to the expansion and contraction of vinyl allowing water to freeze and break the vinyl. After time vinyl moves in the concrete to hinder the operation of the window. 
   Wood frames produced on the job site or in a factory setting are either stripped after installation or are allowed to be retained in the concrete, and in both cases will leak if not maintained over the life of the product. Specifically, wood left in the concrete and not sealed on the exterior will leak water in its lifetime. Conversely, wood removed and windows installed into the concrete will require significant maintenance with caulk over its life to prevent leakage. 
   Needed is a system or method of installing windows that provides windows that are placed in concrete that are as good as current systems used in homes. Specifically once installed and designed builders desire windows that when tested will perform to the requirements needed for energy conservation desired by building requirements. 
   Therefore it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method of installing windows in a concrete wall in a quick and efficient manner. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for installing a window that provides a window that is able to conserve energy and meet all test requirements once installed. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective means and method for installing windows into a concrete wall. 
   These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A method and means for installing windows into a concrete wall. The apparatus is a window buck that is a combination of a frame member and a sub-frame member that are secured together and are of size and shape of the desired window. The method involves securing a brace member to the buck and positioning the buck within a concrete form. Once in the proper position of the buck is determined the buck is secured in place. Once secured in place, concrete is poured around the frame and sub-frame and after the concrete has dried the bracing member is extracted. Then the window is attached to the wood frame. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a window buck installed within a concrete form; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a window buck and a bracing member; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bracing member; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a window buck with bracing members and fins attached thereto; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a window buck within a concrete form having a bracing member that is located by a magnet for a pre-stress concrete bed to position within the wall; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a window buck in combination with a window pane, blocking, and J-trim; and 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a fully installed window. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows a window buck  10  that is placed within a concrete wall form  12  that has an opening for a window and rebar  16  disposed therein. Though described as a buck  10  for a window, the buck  10  can also be used to form other openings within a concrete form  12 , such as a doorframe or the like. The concrete form  12  is used such that concrete is poured within the form  12  and then after the concrete dries the form is removed to create a concrete wall. 
     FIG. 2  shows a window buck  10  having a frame  20  that is secured to a sub-frame  22 . The frame  20  and sub-frame  22  are used in combination with bracing member  24  and window pane  26  ( FIG. 6 ) to install the window. 
   In a preferred embodiment the frame  20  is made of wood and has an exterior surface  28  that consists of a plurality of grooves  30  therein such that when concrete is poured within the grooves  30  and the concrete dries the exterior surface  28  and the concrete form an interlocking connection to provide an improved sealing. The frame  20  also has an interior surface  32  that surrounds an opening  33 , and a front face  34 . By using wood as the material within the frame instead of a material such as steel, less water and cold air is allowed to pass through the window opening and the wood provides better insulation as compared to steel. 
   Secured to the exterior  30  and face  34  of the frame  20  is the sub-frame  22 . The sub-frame  22  in a preferred embodiment is made of a plastic material. The sub-frame  22  consists of a first planar surface  36  and a second angled surface  38  that terminates in a squared off end having a top face  40  and forming a groove. During installation when concrete is poured within groove again an interlocking effect is present. For extra sealing protection the exterior  44  of the sub-frame  22  has a sealing material at corners of the sub-frame  22 . Though in a preferred embodiment the window buck  10  is shown as a two-piece frame  20  and sub-frame  22  assembly the buck  10  could be a single member. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the buck  10  is shown as a rectangular shape; however, different shapes such as arches and the like fall within the scope of this application. 
   The bracing member  24  comprises first and second Z-shaped members  48  and  50  that are secured together at a point  52 . Extending across and secured to the first and second z-shaped members  48  and  50  is a support member  54  that contains a plurality of openings  56  therein. Because of the z-shape of the z-shape members  48  and  50  the bracing member  24  snuggly fits within the sub-frame  22  within the second angled surface  38  such that the top of the z-shaped members  48  and  50  are flush with the face  40  of the sub-frame  22 . The bottom portion of the z-shaped members  48  and  50  simultaneously aligns adjacent to the interior  32  of the frame  20 . Thus the bracing member is secured to the frame  20  and sub-frame  22  in order to brace the frame  20  and sub-frame  22  when concrete is poured into the form  12 . 
   The window pane  26  generally has a transparent window  62  and has a perimeter  64  with a plurality of slotted openings  66 . Additionally adjacent the perimeter  64  is a slot  68  that will receive J-trim  70  ( FIG. 6 ). When the window pane  26  is placed within the buck  10  the perimeter  64  is secured to the frame  20 . When the window pane  26  is secured to the frame  20  a space is created between the window pane  26  and the sub-frame  22 . This space in one embodiment is filled with a caulking material or in an alternative embodiment with sealing tape. 
   Once the window pane  26  is secured to the frame  20  a member such as a wooden block  74  is placed over the perimeter  64  to add insulation. The block  74  is covered when J-trim  70  is inserted into slot  68 , thus concealing the block  74  and perimeter  64  of the pane  26  to provide an aesthetically pleasing look. If a window with brick mold trim is used, the J-trim  70  and block  74  are unneeded. 
   The buck  10  can be used to install a window for a concrete wall that is created on a worksite using forms  12  and rebar  16 , or within a pre-made concrete wall that is shipped to a worksite ( FIG. 5 ). Using either method, first the frame  20  is created. The frame  20  is made of any material and of any size and shape that is desired by a customer. 
   The next step of installation involves creating a sub-frame from any waterproof material such as plastic, Fiberglas, or the like. Once the sub-frame  22  is created the sub-frame  22  is secured to the frame  20  to form buck  10 . Then the bracing member  24  is placed into the buck  10  and secured to at least one of the frame  20  or sub-frame  22 . At this time waterproof tape is secured at the corners of the sub-frame to improve insulation. 
   When forming a window at a worksite the location of the window is selected. Then laterally spaced apart rebar  14  is removed from the concrete form  12  to accommodate the size and shape of the buck  10 . At least one fastening device, or fin  76  having a plurality of openings  78  therein is secured to the frame  20 . Rebar  14  is disposed through the openings  78  to add structural strength around the window buck after concrete has cured. This also prevents cracks from forming. 
   When constructing a pre-fabricated wall ( FIG. 5 ), the wall is formed on a steel bed  80 . The bracing  24  is held into position with magnets  82  on the bed  80 , thus preventing the buck  10  from moving. 
   In both instances, once the concrete is poured and is dried the forms  12  are taken away to expose the newly created concrete wall having a window buck  10  therein. Then the bracing member  24  is removed from the buck  10 . 
   The next step involves securing a window pane  26  to the frame  20  such that the window is installed. In another embodiment a sliding door similarly could be secured to the face  34  of the frame  20  to cover the opening  33  therein. Any type of window pane  26  or door may be installed including aluminum, vinyl or wood. 
   The next step of installation is to seal the gaps or spaces in between the window pane and the sub-frame  22  with sealant tape, caulk, or the like. Once this space is sealed, the treated wood block  74 , brick molding, or the like is placed in the groove created between the window pane  26  and sub-frame  22  to provide additional insulation. At this time J-trim  70  is placed into the window pane slot  68  and snapped into place to hide the wood block  74  within the groove to finalize the distinct window. 
   By utilizing this method a bracing member  24  may be reused to install a plurality of windows making the method cost effective. Additionally because of the multiple layers of sealant that are employed energy losses out of the window are minimized. By using the fastener  76  or magnet  82  the window is placed at any location within the concrete wall. Thus at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met. 
   It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit in scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4