Patent ID: 7596912

Claim:
An integrated window assembly for joining a window frame with a mullion, said assembly comprising: a window frame comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and defining a channel along said lower surface, said window frame further defining one or more apertures that each extend through said upper surface and said channel of said window frame; a mullion comprising a first end, a second end, and an elongated body extending between said first end and said second end, said mullion defining a first cavity adjacent said first end that extends at least partially through said elongated body; a reinforcement member positioned within said first cavity of said mullion, said reinforcement member defining a second cavity adjacent an end of said reinforcement member that is adjacent said first end of said mullion and has one or more apertures configured for receiving a fastener; and an integrally formed connector comprising a mullion engaging portion, a frame engaging portion, a first sash engaging portion, and a second sash engaging portion, said mullion engaging portion being positioned laterally between said first and second sash engaging portions, and said frame engaging portion being positioned vertically adjacent said mullion engaging portion and said first and second sash engaging portions, wherein: at least a portion of said mullion engaging portion engages said second cavity of said reinforcement member, at least a portion of said frame engaging portion engages said channel of said window frame, and at least a portion of each of said first and second sash engaging portions engage a channel defined by each of a first sash and second sash, respectively, said integrally formed connector further defines one or more apertures, said one or more apertures of said integrally formed connector and said reinforcement member being vertically aligned when said mullion engaging portion is positioned within said cavity of said reinforcement member, and said one or more apertures of said window frame are vertically alignable with said one or more apertures of said integrally formed connector and said reinforcement member and said one or more apertures are configured for receiving a fastener for securing said integrally formed connector, said reinforcement member, and said window frame together when said frame receiving portion is positioned within said channel of said window frame.