Abstract:
The present invention relates to a four piece molded acrylic kit and method for trimming an interior window. Each piece is oversized in order to be cut down and fitted onto the existing window jamb. The pieces overlap and create a water barrier once the kit is sealed. Each piece is dimensioned, arranged, and interconnected to cover the window jamb and the wall surface that circumscribes the window opening. The pieces are attached to the window jamb by butyl tape and finished with silicone and a sealant finisher.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved molded interior window frame assembly. More specifically, the invention is directed to a four piece molded interior window frame assembly kit comprised of acrylic for use on a bathroom window which is watertight and resistant to mold or mildew. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In most bathrooms, wood fascia trim or vinyl cladding which is mitered is installed over the window jamb which surrounds a window. However, both of these prior art devices have been found wanting in one or more particulars. Humidity in the bathroom can cause the fascia trim to rot and deteriorate, which can allow water to leak behind the walls. In addition, the porous wood also helps bacteria found in molds and mildew to flourish and spread, which can potentially cause several health hazards and allergies. 
     Vinyl cladding is also not appropriate for use in a bathroom as the mitered corners are prone to separation. This can create a path for water to run behind the walls. If any water or moisture gets behind the walls, it can cause leaking, mold, mildew, pest infestation, rotting and/or damage to the home&#39;s interior structure. 
     Hence, there is a need in the art for a molded interior window frame assembly which protects the existing window jamb which surrounds a window. There is also a need in the art for a molded interior window frame which is not prone to separation at its corners. There is also a need in the art for a molded interior window frame assembly which is watertight and prevents leakage. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a molded interior window frame assembly which is quick and easy to install. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a molded interior window frame assembly which is watertight. 
     Another objective of the instant invention is to provide a molded interior window frame assembly which is comprised of a material which is resistant to mold or mildew. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a molded interior window frame assembly with a complementary or pleasing appearance. 
     Another object of the instant invention is to provide a molded interior window frame assembly which will fit a variety of window styles and sizes. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a molded interior window frame assembly which is easy to remove. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved molded interior window frame assembly which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of its disadvantages. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the detailed description annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A broad aspect of the invention comprises a molded interior window frame assembly. One embodiment of the invention utilizes four identical acrylic molding sections each having an upper end and a lower end. The molding sections are dimensioned, arranged, and interconnected to cover the window jamb and the wall surface which circumscribes a window opening. Each molding section includes a front portion, a jamb portion, a trim portion, and a cap. 
     The window frame assembly is constructed by dimensioning the molding sections and arranging them in a counterclockwise direction over the window jamb surrounding a window opening. The molding sections are then attached to the window jamb and its surrounding wall surface by butyl tape and silicone. Silicone is also applied around the inside and outside edges of the window frame assembly. A sealant finisher is used to smooth the silicone. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other devices for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other additional objects of the present invention will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art upon gaining an understanding of the invention as described in the following detailed description and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the molded interior window frame assembly as attached to a window jamb and its surrounding wall surface. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the exterior surface of a molding section of the molded interior window frame assembly. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the interior surface of a molding section of the molded interior window frame assembly. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the interior surface of a molding section of the molded interior window frame assembly with adhesive. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an enlarged section of an exterior corner of a molded interior window frame assembly. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an enlarged section of an interior corner of a molded interior window frame assembly. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of a molding section of a molded interior window frame assembly installed over a window jamb. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the invention may be susceptible to embodiments in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein. 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a molded interior frame window assembly generally as  10 , a window jamb  12  (shown in FIG.  7 ), and a window pane  14 . The molded interior frame window assembly  10  in this preferred embodiment includes four moldings  16 : a top horizontal molding  16   a , a left vertical molding  16   b , a bottom horizontal molding  16   c , and a right vertical molding  16   d , all of which are identical before installation. 
     Each molding  16  is most preferably L-shaped with a front trim  18 , a jamb return  20 , a trim return  22 , and a cap edging  24  (shown in FIGS.  2  and  3 ). Each molding  16  has an upper end  26 , a lower end  28 , and an interior surface  29 . In the preferred embodiment, the moldings  16  are formed of an acrylic. It is most preferable that the moldings  16  comprise of a DR/ABS acrylic. The acrylic can be in a variety of colors. 
     Each molding  16  is attached to the window jamb  12  and to the wall surface  30  which surrounds the window jamb  12 . The window jamb  12  extends from the wall surface  30  to the window pane  14  which is depressed within the wall surface  30 , so that the window jamb  12  is perpendicular therebetween. The window jamb  12  includes a top horizontal window jamb  12   a , a left vertical window jamb  12   b , a bottom horizontal window jamb  12   c , and a right vertical window jamb  12   d.    
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front trim  18  is most preferably planar and substantially rectangular in shape, with a jamb edge  32  and a trim edge  34  which oppose each other, and a cap edge  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the front trim  18  is 2⅛″wide with a length of 52″. 
     The jamb return  20  is also planar and substantially rectangular in shape. The jamb return  20  has a front edge  38  and a window edge  40  which oppose each other, and a cap edge  42 . In the preferred embodiment, the jamb return  20  is 52″ long and 5″ wide. As shown in FIG. 7, the jamb return  20  is perpendicularly attached to the front trim  18  along the jamb edge  32  of the front trim  18  and the front edge  38  of the jamb return  20 . Once installed, the window edge  40  of the jamb return  20  substantially perpendicularly contacts the window pane  14 . 
     The trim return  22  is planar and substantially rectangular in shape. The trim return has a front edge  44  and a wall edge  46  which oppose each other, and a bottom edge  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the trim return  22  is ½″ wide and 52″ long. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the trim edge  34  of the front trim  18  contacts the front edge  44  of the trim return  22  to form an obtuse angle. The wall edge  46  of the trim return  22  substantially contacts the wall surface  30  at an acute angle. 
     The cap edging  24  has a molding edge  52  and a wall edge  54 , which oppose each other, and a bottom edge  56 . The molding edge  52  and further includes an indent  58 . The bottom edge  56  of the cap edging  24  is attached to the cap edge  36  of the front trim  18 . In the preferred embodiment the cap edging  24  is substantially dome shaped. The cap edging  24  is 2½″ long, resulting in the molding  16  having a total length of 54½″. 
     Before installation of the molded interior window frame assembly  10 , any interior wood (not shown) on the wall surface  30  is to be removed. If a matching acrylic wall surround (not shown) is to be installed, this needs to be installed over the wall surface  30  prior to the installation of the molded interior window frame assembly  10 . 
     It is most preferred that the molded interior window frame assembly  10  is installed in the counterclockwise direction. The top horizontal molding  16   a  is first installed over the top horizontal window jamb  12   a . The installer measures the width  60   a  (not shown) of the existing top horizontal window jamb  12   a . This width  60   a  is determined by measuring the distance from the wall surface  30  to the window pane  14  depressed within the wall surface  30 . Three eighths of an inch is added to the width  60   a  in order to account for the trim return  22   a , resulting in the jamb return width  62   a . As shown in FIG. 2, the jamb return width  62   a  is then transferred to the jamb return  20   a  by measuring from the front edge  38   a  of the jamb return  20   a  towards the window edge  40   a  of the jamb return  20   a  at two different locations along the jamb return  20   a . A jamb return mark  64   a  is created at each location. A line  66   a  is drawn connecting the two jamb return marks  64   a . The jamb return  20   a  is then cut along the line  66   a  with an orbital jig saw  68  (not shown). After installation of the top horizontal molding  16   a  over the top horizontal window jamb  12   a , the width  62   a  of the jamb return  20   a  should be approximately as wide as the width  60   a  of the window jamb  12   a.    
     The opening length  70   a  of the window pane  14   a  is measured next. This length  70   a  is transferred to the front trim  18   a  by measuring from the bottom edge  56   a  of the cap edging  24   a  towards the lower end  28   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a  and creating a front trim mark  72   a  on the front trim  18   a . The top horizontal molding  16   a  is then cut along the front trim mark  72   a  with the orbital jig saw  68  (not shown). The orbital jig saw  68  cuts through the front trim  18   a , the jamb return  20   a , and the trim return  22   a . The length  74   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a  should be approximately as long as the length  70   a  of the window pane  14 . 
     The top horizontal molding  16   a  is then test fitted over the top horizontal window jamb  12   a , over which it should fit snugly. In the preferred embodiment, the cap edging  24   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a  is located on the right side of the top horizontal window jamb  12   a . Once the top horizontal molding  16   a  fits properly, it is then prepped for installation. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a butyl primer  76  is bushed on the interior surface  29   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a . One brush width is used for every 2″ of width of the top horizontal molding  16   a . Strips of flat butyl tape  78  are then adhered onto the interior surface  29   a  over the butyl primer  76 , with squeezes of silicone  80  applied between the strips of the flat butyl tape  78 . Two rows of flat butyl tape  78  are also applied to the wall surface  30 . If an acrylic wall surround (not shown) was not installed over the wall surface  30 , butyl primer  76  is applied first. On the interior surface  82   a  of the trim return  22   a , a single strand of round butyl tape  84  is applied. The round butyl tape  84  creates a water barrier, protecting the flat butyl tape  78  from breakage. The top horizontal molding  16   a  is then placed over the top horizontal window jamb  12   a . In the preferred embodiment, the butyl tape  78  is applied onto the interior surface  29   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a . However, the butyl tape  78  could also be applied over the existing window jamb  12   a.    
     This process is repeated for the installation of the left vertical molding  16   b  over the left vertical window jamb  12   b . In this way, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the left vertical molding  16   b  is installed, the cap edging  24   b  of the left vertical molding  16   b  overlaps the lower end  28   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a . The lower end  28   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a  projects through the indent  58   b  on the molding edge  52   b  of the cap edging  24   b  of the left vertical molding  16   b . After installation, the cap edge  42   b  of the jamb return  20   b  of the left vertical molding  16   b  perpendicularly contacts the jamb return  20   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a  proximate to the lower end  28   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a.    
     The bottom horizontal molding  16   c  and the right vertical molding  16   d  are installed over the bottom horizontal window jamb  22   c  and the right vertical window jamb, respectively, following the process detailed above for the installation of the top horizontal molding  16   a  and the left vertical molding  16   b . However, when the right vertical molding  16   d  is to be measured and installed, the bottom edge  50   d  of the trim return  16   d  of the right vertical molding  16   d  is cut slightly oversized or mitered to form an overlap  86  (not shown). The overlap  86  of the trim return  16   d  is slipped under the indent  58   a  on the molding side  52   a  of the cap edging  24   a  of the top horizontal molding  16   a.    
     Once all the moldings  16  are installed, a color matched silicone bead  88  is placed at the inside corners  90  of the window pane  14 . Silicone  92  (not shown) is also applied where the molded interior frame window assembly  10  contacts the window pane  14  and the wall surface  30 . A sealant finisher  94  is applied over the silicone  88  and  92  to smooth the silicone  88  and  92  and to create a neat seam appearance. 
     Once the molded interior window frame  10  is assembled as shown in FIG. 1, its novel advantages will become apparent. For one, the characteristics of the DR/ABS acrylic make it resistant to mold or mildew growth. Additionally, the acrylic molded interior window frame assembly  10  provides a complementary appearance to the bathroom. The molded interior window frame assembly  10  is assembled and removed with ease, and the installation process does not disturb the window pane  14 . There is also no wait time for glues or mortars to set. Additionally, the molded interior window frame assembly  10  is impervious to water penetration. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment and several alternative embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended that the invention be limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relevant to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered illustrative of only the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
     The foregoing discussion is illustrative of the invention. However, since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides wholly in the claims hereinafter appended.