Patent Description:
One issue common to most conventional commercial metal doors concerns the corner joints between the stiles and rails. Commercial doors are typically subject to heavy use and abuse that causes the door to be twisted and racked, which places substantial force at the corner joints. To stabilize the corner joint and simultaneously interconnect the adjacent stile and rail, internal clip assemblies are often used.

As shown in <FIG>, a conventional clip assembly <NUM> typically includes an extruded clip <NUM> (e.g., made of aluminum or another rigid material), two discrete backing plates <NUM>, and two threaded fasteners <NUM>. The clip <NUM> can be mounted to a stile (not shown) by aligning holes <NUM> formed in the clip <NUM> with corresponding holes defined in the stile. The threaded fasteners <NUM> are then extended through the aligned holes of the clip <NUM> and the stile and received within threaded holes <NUM> formed in the backing plates <NUM>, which are blindly supported within the interior of the stile. As can be appreciated, it can be a difficult task to blindly support the backing plates <NUM> within the interior of the stile and at the proper height to accurately align the holes <NUM> in the plates <NUM> with the holes <NUM> in the clip <NUM>, thus making this fastening process labor-intensive.

There is a need for improved corner joints for framed assemblies that require less component parts and can be assembled quickly and with a minimal amount of labor. <CIT> discloses a connecting means for connecting posts and bars. <CIT> discloses a connecting means for connecting posts and bars. <CIT> discloses a mounting bracket for joining posts and struts of a merchandising display. <CIT> discloses a corner assembly for use with metal framed, floating panel glass doors, windows, or wall partitions. <CIT> discloses a clip for assembling corners of hollow members.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a framed assembly that includes a first frame member providing an inner vertical wall extending between opposing front and back surfaces and defining a slot, a second frame member positioned adjacent the first frame member at a corner joint and providing a horizontal wall extending between opposing front and back surfaces of the second frame member, and a clip having opposing front and back sides and providing a backing plate extending from the back side and a projection extending from the front side, wherein the backing plate is received within an interior of the first frame member via the slot, and the projection is received within an interior of the second frame member adjacent the horizontal wall. In a further embodiment of the framed assembly, the framed assembly is selected from the group consisting of a door, a doorframe, a window vent, a window frame, a glazing panel, a curtain wall, a storefront, a skylight, and any combination thereof. The framed assembly includes a backing plate aperture defined in the backing plate, a clip aperture defined in the clip and coaxially aligned with the backing plate aperture, a stile aperture defined in the inner vertical wall and coaxially aligned with the backing plate aperture and the clip aperture when the backing plate is received in the slot, and a mechanical fastener extendable through coaxially aligned clip and backing plate apertures and the stile aperture to secure the clip to the first frame member. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the framed assembly may additionally and/or alternatively include wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a threaded fastener or a rivet fastener. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the framed assembly may additionally and/or alternatively include wherein the mechanical fastener forms an interference fit with at least one of the backing plate aperture and the stile aperture. The framed assembly includes a gap defined between the backing plate and the back side of the clip, and wherein a portion of the inner vertical wall is positioned within the gap when the clip is mounted to the first frame member. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the framed assembly may additionally and/or alternatively include a fillet weld applied at an intersection between the inner vertical wall and the horizontal wall. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the framed assembly may additionally and/or alternatively include a flange extending from an end of the clip, wherein heat from the fillet weld melts the flange and causes the flange to adhere to the second frame member. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the framed assembly may additionally and/or alternatively include a plug weld that attaches the second frame member to the clip at the projection.

Embodiments disclosed herein may further include a method of assembling a corner joint of a framed assembly that includes mounting a clip to an inner vertical wall of a first frame member by inserting a backing plate extending from a back side of the clip into a slot defined in the inner vertical wall, securing the clip to the first frame member at the inner vertical wall, receiving a projection extending from a front side of the clip within an interior of a second frame member, the second frame member providing a horizontal wall, forming a seam at an intersection between the first and second frame members as the second frame member is mounted to the clip, and joining the second frame member to the first frame member at one or more locations. In a further embodiment, the method may include securing the clip to the first frame member at the inner vertical wall includes coaxially aligning a stile aperture defined in the inner vertical wall with a backing plate aperture defined in the backing plate and a clip aperture defined in the clip, and extending a mechanical fastener through the clip aperture, the stile aperture and the backing plate aperture. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the method may additionally and/or alternatively include wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a threaded fastener and the method further comprises threadably receiving the threaded aperture within the backing plate aperture. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the method may additionally and/or alternatively include forming an interference fit with the mechanical fastener and at least one of the backing plate aperture and the stile aperture. A gap is defined
between the backing plate and the back side of the clip, and mounting the clip to the inner vertical wall of a first frame member comprises positioning a portion of the inner vertical wall within the gap. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the method may additionally and/or alternatively include wherein joining the second frame member to the first frame member comprises applying a fillet weld at an intersection between the inner vertical wall and the horizontal wall. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the method may additionally and/or alternatively include melting a flange extending from an end of the clip with the fillet weld and thereby causing the flange to adhere to the second frame member. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the method may additionally and/or alternatively include wherein joining the second frame member to the first frame member comprises applying a plug weld via a weld hole defined in the horizontal wall of the second frame member and thereby attaching the second frame member to the clip at the projection.

The invention includes a clip assembly for a framed assembly that includes a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and defining one or more clip apertures, one or more backing plates projecting laterally from a back side of the body and extending downwardly therefrom such that a gap is defined between each backing plate and the backside of the body, wherein at least one backing plate aperture is defined in at least one of the backing plates, each of said backing plate aperture(s) being coaxially aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more clip apertures, one or more projections extending laterally from a front side of the body, and a mechanical fastener extendable through coaxially aligned clip and backing plate apertures. In a further embodiment, the clip assembly may further include a first flange extending vertically upward from the first end, and a second flange extending vertically downward from the second end. In another further embodiment of any of the previous embodiments, the clip assembly may additionally and/or alternatively include wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a threaded fastener or a rivet fastener.

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function.

The present disclosure is generally related to framed assemblies for doors and windows and, more particularly, to improved clip assemblies that interconnect and stabilize adjacent frame members at a corner joint.

The embodiments discussed herein describe new clip designs and assembly methods for framed assembly corner joints that eliminate the need for discrete backing plates to be blindly held in place within the interior of a vertical frame member (e.g., a stile) during assembly. The clips described herein may include backing plates integrally formed with the clips. Consequently, part count is reduced and the assembly methods described herein simplify and expedite the assembly process.

One example framed assembly includes a first frame member providing an inner vertical wall extending between opposing front and back surfaces and defining a slot, and a second frame member positioned adjacent the first frame member at a corner joint and providing a horizontal wall extending between opposing front and back surfaces of the second frame member. A clip having opposing front and back sides may provide a backing plate extending from the back side and may further provide a projection extending from the front side. The backing plate may be received within an interior of the first frame member via the slot, and the projection may be received within an interior of the second frame member adjacent the horizontal wall.

<FIG> is a front view of an example framed assembly <NUM> that may incorporate one or more principles of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the framed assembly <NUM> comprises a door that may be employed in any commercial or residential building setting. The principles of the present disclosure, however, may be equally applicable to other types of framed assemblies including, but not limited to, doorframes, window vents, window frames, glazing panels (alternately referred to as "glazing units"), curtain walls, storefronts, skylights, or any combination thereof. Accordingly, while the following discussion is directed to a door framed assembly, other types of framed assemblies may equally incorporate the presently disclosed features.

The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. However, it will be understood that these terms are used for convenience and ease of description only and are not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular orientation.

As illustrated, the framed assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of frame members, shown as a top frame member 102a, a bottom frame member 102b, and opposing side frame members 102c, 102d extending between the top and bottom frame members 102a,b. An optional intermediate frame member 102e may extend between the side frame members 102c,d at an intermediate location. The top, bottom, and intermediate frame members 102a,b,e are alternately referred to as horizontally-extending "rails," and the side frame members 102c,d are alternately referred to as vertically-extending "stiles. " Accordingly, the top, bottom, and intermediate frame members 102a,b,e will be referred to herein as rails 102a,b,e, and the side frame members 102c,d will be referred to herein as first and second stiles 102c,d.

The rails and stiles 102a-e may comprise hollow, generally rectangular tubes made of a variety of rigid materials including, but not limited to, aluminum, rolled sheet metal, a polymer, a composite material (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.), or any combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the first stile 102c includes conventional door hardware, such as a lock <NUM> and a door handle <NUM>. The opposing second stile 102d includes pivot assemblies <NUM> provided at opposing ends of the stile 102d for pivotably mounting the framed assembly <NUM> within a doorframe (not shown).

The rails and stiles 102a-e cooperatively surround and otherwise "frame" first and second center panels 110a and 110b, alternately referred to as "infill" panels. While two center panels 110a,b are depicted, more or less than two may be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the center panels 110a,b may each comprise glass lites and, in at least one embodiment, may comprise double paned glass including air, an inert gas, and/or a plastic film(s) between adjacent panes to control transmission of thermal energy. In other embodiments, however, the center panels 110a,b may alternatively comprise other types of infills such as, but not limited to, a glazing panel, polycarbonate, or another clear, translucent, tinted, or opaque panel, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The ends of each rail 102a,b,e are joined to the adjacent stiles 102c,d at corresponding corner joints <NUM>. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the rails and stiles 102a-e may be arranged generally orthogonal to one another at the corner joints <NUM>. In other embodiment, however, the angular offset between the interconnected adjacent rails and stiles 102a-e may be greater or less than <NUM>°, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the corner joints <NUM> may incorporate an improved clip assembly designed to align and join the rails 102a,b,e to the stiles 102c,d, and simultaneously stabilize the connection and thereby help mitigate the effects of heavy use and abuse on the framed assembly <NUM>. The clip assemblies described herein also eliminate the need to blindly support and align discrete backing plates within the stiles 102c,d, thus providing cost and labor savings via simpler and faster assembly processes.

<FIG> depict front and back isometric views, respectively, of an example clip <NUM> that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. The clip <NUM> may form part of an internal clip assembly operable to align and join a rail (e.g., rails 102a,b,e of <FIG>) with an adjacent stile (e.g., stiles 102c,d of <FIG>) at a corresponding corner joint <NUM> (<FIG>). As illustrated, the clip <NUM> may provide an elongated body <NUM> that includes a first or "upper" end 204a and a second or "lower" end 204b opposite the first end 204a. The body <NUM> may be made of a variety of rigid materials including, but not limited to, a metal (e.g., aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel, a steel alloy, etc.), a polymer (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, polyetherimide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, etc.), a composite material (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.), or any combination thereof. The body <NUM> may be manufactured via a variety of known manufacturing processes including, but not limited to, extruding, injection molding, casting, stamping, machining, additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing), or any combination thereof.

While the body <NUM> is shown in <FIG> having specific dimensions, e.g., length, width, depth, etc., the principles of the present disclosure are equally applicable to clips having varying dimensions. Accordingly, the specific dimensions and shape of the body <NUM> depicted in <FIG> are shown for illustrative purposes and should not be considered limiting to the present disclosure. Moreover, the clip <NUM> may be used to join members of various lengths, such as tall/short top and bottom rails, allowing a variety of structures to be assembled using a common clip, e.g., to produce a variety of framed assemblies exhibiting different dimensions.

The clip <NUM> provides a first or "front" side 206a and a second or "back" side 206b opposite the front side 206a. In some embodiments, as illustrated, one or both of the front and back sides 206a,b may be stepped or otherwise define a non-continuous surface extending between the first and second ends 204a,b. The stepped surfaces of the front and back sides 206a,b may help ease manufacturing of the clip <NUM>, and may also provide added strength in areas where the clip <NUM> will be mounted to a stile (e.g., stiles 102c,d of <FIG>). In other embodiments, however, one or both of the front and back sides 206a,b may define generally planar or continuous surfaces extending between the first and second ends 204a,b, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The clip defines one or more backing plates, shown as a first backing plate 208a and a second backing plate 208b vertically offset from the first backing plate 208a. While two backing plates 208a, b are depicted, more or less than two may be included on the clip <NUM>, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As illustrated, the backing plates 208a, b project laterally from the back side 206b of the body <NUM> and extend downwardly therefrom, thereby forming a gap <NUM> between each backing plate 208a, b and the back side 206b of the body <NUM>. As described below, the gap <NUM> may provide an area to accommodate portions of an inner vertical wall of a stile (e.g., stiles 102c, d of <FIG>), which helps mount the clip <NUM> to the stile.

Each backing plate 208a, b defines a backing plate aperture <NUM> that coaxially aligns with a corresponding clip aperture <NUM> defined in the body <NUM>. In some embodiments, as discussed below, the aligned apertures <NUM>, <NUM> may be sized to receive a mechanical fastener used to help secure the clip <NUM> to a stile. In one or more embodiments, the clip apertures <NUM> defined in the body <NUM> may comprise unthreaded clearance holes, and the associated mechanical fastener may simply pass (extend) therethrough. In some embodiments, the mechanical fastener may comprise a threaded fastener and the backing plate apertures <NUM> may likewise be threaded to threadably receive the threaded fastener. In other embodiments, the backing plate apertures <NUM> may comprise threaded nuts attached to the corresponding backing plates 208a, b to threadably receive the threaded fastener. In yet other embodiments, the backing plate apertures <NUM> may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the threaded fastener, thus requiring the threaded fastener to cut its own threads as it advances through the corresponding backing plate aperture <NUM>. In even further embodiments, however, the backing plate apertures <NUM> may alternatively comprise unthreaded clearance holes and the mechanical fastener may comprise a rivet fastener.

The clip <NUM> may further provide or otherwise define a first or "upper" projection 216a extending laterally from the body <NUM> at or near the first end 204a, and a second or "lower" projection 216b extending laterally from the body <NUM> at or near the second end 204b. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 216a, b extend generally perpendicular from the front side 206a, but could
alternatively extend at an angle offset from perpendicular, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The projections 216a,b may be sized and otherwise configured to be received within an open end of an adjacent rail (e.g., rails 102a,b,e of <FIG>). Moreover, the rail may be welded to the clip <NUM> at one or both of the projections 216a,b with a plug weld or the like. In some embodiments, as illustrated, one or both of the projections 216a,b may define an enlarged end having a thickness greater than the remaining portions of the projections 216a,b. The enlarged ends of the projections 216a,b may help facilitate a more robust welded interface.

In some embodiments, the clip <NUM> may further provide or otherwise define a first flange 218a extending vertically upward from the first end 204a, and a second flange 218b extending vertically downward from the second end 204b. As described below, the flanges 218a,b may help enhance a weld applied at or near the flanges between a stile and an adjacent rail. In at least one embodiment, the weld may cause the flanges 218a,b to melt and adhere to the adjacent rail and style.

<FIG> are progressive isometric views of one example method of assembling a corner joint <NUM> of the framed assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, according to one or more embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the corner joint <NUM> employs the clip <NUM> of <FIG> to interconnect and stabilize the connection between the first stile 102c and the bottom rail 102b (<FIG> and <FIG>), as initially introduced in <FIG>. However, the following method and description may be representative of assembling any of the corner joints <NUM> indicated in <FIG>.

Referring first to <FIG>, the clip <NUM> is depicted as exploded from the stile 102c. The stile 102c is a generally hollow structure that provides or defines opposing front and back surfaces 302a, 302b. An inner vertical wall <NUM> extends between the front and back surfaces 302a,b and defines one or more slots <NUM> (two shown). The slots <NUM> may be sized and otherwise configured to receive the backing plates 208a,b of the clip <NUM>, which mounts the clip <NUM> to the stile 102c. One or more stile apertures <NUM> (two shown) may be defined in the inner vertical wall <NUM> and may be arranged to coaxially align with the backing plate apertures <NUM> (<FIG>) and the clip apertures <NUM> when the clip <NUM> is properly mounted to the stile 102c. In some embodiments, the stile apertures <NUM> may comprise unthreaded clearance holes, but could alternatively be threaded.

The clip <NUM> may be mounted to the stile 102c by first moving the clip <NUM> toward the inner vertical wall <NUM> in the direction shown by the arrow A. The backing plates 208a,b may then be aligned with and received within the interior of the stile 102c via the corresponding slots <NUM> defined in the inner vertical wall <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the clip <NUM> is depicted with the backing plates 208a,b (<FIG> and <FIG>) received within the corresponding slots <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the back side 206b of the clip <NUM> may rest flush against the outer surface of the inner vertical wall <NUM> in this position, but this may not be necessary.

In <FIG>, the clip <NUM> is moved downward in the direction indicated by the arrow B, to properly seat the backing plates 208a,b (<FIG> and <FIG>) within the corresponding slots <NUM> (<FIG>). Moving the clip <NUM> downward B may position corresponding portions of the inner vertical wall <NUM> within the gap <NUM> (<FIG>) defined between the backing plates 208a,b (<FIG> and <FIG>) and the back side 206b of the clip <NUM>. Moving the clip <NUM> downward B may also align the backing plate and clip apertures <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) defined in the clip <NUM> with the stile apertures <NUM> (<FIG>) defined in the inner vertical wall <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the clip <NUM> in the process of being secured to the stile 102c. The clip <NUM> may be removably or permanently secured to the stile 102c in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, for example, the clip <NUM> may be welded to the stile 102c using one or more welds <NUM> (two shown), such as spot welds or fillet welds. In other embodiments, an adhesive may be used to secure the clip <NUM> to the stile 102c. In yet other embodiments, one or more magnets may be incorporated to secure the clip <NUM> to the stile 102c via a magnetic attachment.

Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing methods, the clip <NUM> may be secured to the stile 102c using one or more mechanical fasteners <NUM> (two shown). More specifically, each mechanical fastener <NUM> may be extended through the coaxially aligned backing plate and clip apertures <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) and the stile apertures <NUM> (<FIG>) defined in the inner vertical wall <NUM>. In one embodiment, one or both of the backing plate and stile apertures <NUM>, <NUM> may exhibit a reduced diameter and the mechanical fasteners <NUM> may be configured to be received therein via an interference fit that secures the clip <NUM> to the stile 102c. In other embodiments, as illustrated, the mechanical fasteners <NUM> may comprise threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) that may be threaded into correspondingly threaded backing plate apertures <NUM>, and tightening such threaded fasteners secures the clip <NUM> to the stile 102c. Alternatively, the backing plate apertures <NUM> may comprise clearance holes exhibiting a reduced diameter, thus requiring the threaded fasteners to cut their own threads as they advance therethrough. In yet other embodiments, the mechanical fasteners <NUM> may comprise rivets extendable through the coaxially aligned apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and deployable to secure the clip <NUM> to the stile 102c.

In <FIG>, the clip <NUM> is shown secured to the stile 102c using the mechanical fasteners <NUM>. With the clip <NUM> properly secured, the rail 102b may then be mounted to the stile 102c at the clip <NUM>. As illustrated, similar to the stile 102c, the rail 102b is a generally hollow structure that provides or defines opposing front and back surfaces 702a, 702b. The rail 102b may further provide or define one or more horizontal walls, shown as a first or "upper" horizontal wall 704a and a second or "lower" horizontal wall 704b, alternately referred to as "inner" and "outer" walls, respectively. As illustrated, the horizontal walls 704a,b are vertically offset from each other and extend between the front and back surfaces 702a,b.

The rail 102b may be mounted to the clip <NUM> by advancing the rail 102b in the direction indicated by the arrow C and receiving the projections 216a,b within the interior <NUM> of the rail 102b. In some embodiment, the projections 216a,b may be vertically spaced from each other such that they are able to penetrate the interior <NUM> of the rail 102b between the upper and lower walls 704a,b. In some embodiments, the projections 216a,b may engage or otherwise interact with the upper and lower walls 704a,b. For example, in at least one embodiment, an interference fit may be formed between the projections 216a,b and the upper and lower walls 704a,b upon penetrating the interior <NUM>. In other embodiments, the projections 216a,b may form a snap-fit engagement with the upper and lower walls 704a,b. In yet other embodiments, as described below, the rail 102b may be welded to the clip <NUM>, which serves to couple the rail 102b to the stile 102c.

In <FIG>, when the rail 102b is mounted to the clip <NUM> (<FIG>) a seam <NUM> is formed at the intersection between the rail 102b and the stile 102c. In some embodiments, the rail 102b may be welded to the stile 102c at one or more locations. In one or more embodiments, for example, a fillet weld <NUM> may be applied at the intersection between the upper horizontal wall 704a of the rail 102b and the inner vertical wall <NUM> of the stile 102c. While occluded in <FIG>, a second fillet weld may also be applied at the intersection between the lower horizontal wall 704b and the inner vertical wall <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a weld hole <NUM> may be defined in the upper horizontal wall 704a and a plug weld <NUM> may be applied at the weld hole <NUM> to attach the rail 102b to the clip <NUM> (<FIG>) and, more particularly, to the underlying upper projection 216a (<FIG> and <FIG>). Moreover, while occluded in <FIG>, a second weld hole may be defined in the lower horizontal wall 704b, and a second a plug weld may be applied at the second weld hole to attach the rail 102b to the lower projection 216b (<FIG> and <FIG>), which correspondingly attaches the rail 102b to the stile 102c.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled corner joint <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, the mechanical fasteners <NUM> are extended through the coaxially aligned backing plate and clip apertures <NUM>, <NUM> defined in the clip <NUM> and the stile apertures <NUM> defined in the inner vertical wall <NUM>. The corner joint <NUM> can include two fillet welds <NUM> applied at intersections between the inner vertical wall <NUM> and the upper and lower horizontal walls 704a,b. In some embodiments, the flanges 218a,b of the clip <NUM> may interpose the inner vertical wall <NUM> and the upper and lower horizontal walls 704a,b. In such embodiments, heat generated by the fillet welds <NUM> may cause the adjacent flanges 218a,b to melt and thereby adhere to the rail 102b. In at least one embodiment, one or both of the flanges 218a,b may melt and flow partially into corresponding gaps <NUM> defined between the projections 216a,b and the inner surfaces of the horizontal walls 704a,b. Accordingly, the flanges 218a,b may alternately be referred to as "gap fillers.

The corner <NUM> joint may include two plug welds <NUM> applied at corresponding weld holes <NUM> defined in the upper and lower horizontal walls 704a,b. As illustrated, the plug welds <NUM> attach the rail 102b to the clip <NUM> (<FIG>) and, more particularly, to the underlying upper and lower projections 216a,b.

In some embodiments, the rail 102b may include an anti-reverse device <NUM> (shown in dashed lines) positioned between the upper and lower horizontal walls 704a,b. In one embodiment, the anti-reverse device <NUM> may be attached to the inner surfaces of the upper and lower horizontal walls 704a,b. When the rail 102b is mounted to the clip <NUM>, the anti-reverse device <NUM> may be positioned to engage or be positioned adjacent the mechanical fasteners <NUM>. The anti-reverse device <NUM> may prove advantageous in preventing the mechanical fasteners <NUM> from reversing out of the coaxially aligned apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an," as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

Claim 1:
A framed assembly, comprising:
a first frame member (102c) providing an inner vertical wall (<NUM>) extending between opposing front and back surfaces (302a, 302b) and defining a slot (<NUM>);
a second frame member (102b) positioned adjacent the first frame member at a corner joint (<NUM>) and providing a horizontal wall (704a, 704b) extending between opposing front and back surfaces (702a, 702b) of the second frame member; and
a clip (<NUM>) having an elongate body (<NUM>) providing first and second ends (204a, 204b) and opposing front and back sides (206a, 206b) extending between the first and second ends, the clip further providing:
a backing plate (208a) extending from the back side, wherein a gap (<NUM>) is defined between the backing plate and the back side of the clip; and
a projection (216a, 216b) extending from the front side,
wherein the backing plate is received within an interior of the first frame member via the slot such that a portion of the inner vertical wall is received within the gap, and
wherein the projection is received within an interior of the second frame member adjacent the horizontal wall,
wherein the framed assembly further comprises:
a backing plate aperture (<NUM>) defined in said backing plate (208a);
a clip aperture (<NUM>) defined in the clip (<NUM>) and coaxially aligned with the backing plate aperture;
a stile aperture (<NUM>) defined in the inner vertical wall (<NUM>) and coaxially aligned with the backing plate aperture and the clip aperture when the backing plate is received in the slot (<NUM>); and
a mechanical fastener (<NUM>) extendable through the clip aperture, the stile aperture and the backing plate aperture to secure the clip to the first frame member.