Window installation clip

Abstract

As installation clip for use in supporting a window, such as a mulled window, during installation in a building wall opening, and reinforcing the window after installation against the pressures of wind or the like. The installation clip is of unitary construction with a generally flat base portion, and a set of counterextending, raised tab portions projecting upwardly and outwardly from one side of the base portion. The height and width of the raised tab portions are selected to conform substantially to the dimensions of a recess in the bottom frame member of the window with which the clip is to be used. The installation clip is mounted to the sill structure of the building wall opening, with its tab portions facing into the center of the opening, and the window is inserted into the opening onto the mounted clip. The raised tab portions of the clip engage in the recess in the window bottom frame, and hold the window in place while it is permanently secured in the opening by conventional means. After the window is permanently secured, the installation clip reinforces the window against applied pressures and loads, particularly at the areas of the mullions of the window. The clip is such that it is completely hidden from view after the window is permanently installed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to windows and their installation, and more particularly, to an installation clip for facilitating the installation of relatively large mulled windows in building wall openings, and reinforcing such windows, in the areas of the window mullions, after they are installed.

2. Background Information

Modern-day windows are typically fabricated by extruding frame and sash components from non-wooden materials such as aluminum or vinyl, cutting the frame and sash components to size and angle, and then assembling them into a finished window unit. The extruded frame and sash components are hollow in cross-section with an arrangement of internal connecting walls that contribute rigidity and strength to the components while keeping the components relatively light in weight. However, windows also typically incorporate multiple panes of thermal glass and other components, such as sash balance shoes and the like, which add weight to the finished window unit, particularly in the case of relatively large windows. As a result, even modern-day non-wooden window units, particularly those of relatively large size, can be cumbersome to handle, heavy, and difficult to install into a building wall opening without assistance.

A common approach used today in the fabrication of relatively large area windows involves structurally joining, or “mulling”, two or more stand-alone window units together. The individual window units are structurally joined, either side-by-side or one on top of the other, using specially-designed mullion strips. The mullion strips include reinforcing members that span the abutting sides of the frames of two window units to be joined, or the top and bottom portions, respectively, of the two window unit frames, and rigidly hold the two window units together as if formed in a single frame. Extruded mull covers hide the mullion reinforcing members and give the mulled window the finished appearance of a specially manufactured window unit of a larger size. With this approach, windows having heights and/or widths that are any desired multiple of the height and/or width of the stand-alone window units can be readily formed.

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates one technique that has been used in the prior art to facilitate the installation of relatively large area mulled windows, such as window 10, in comparably sized building wall openings, and to reinforce such windows after they are installed. According to this prior art technique, the window manufacturer mounts a rigid L-bracket 12 to each side of a mull cover 16 and to the hidden mullion reinforcing members (not shown) of the window 10 using a pair of rivets 18. As can be seen in FIG. 1, each L-bracket 12 includes a first portion 12a which is mounted flush against the mull cover 16 with the rivets 18, and a second portion 12b which extends at a right angle to the first portion 12a away from the mull cover 16. The L-brackets 12 are mounted so that the bottom face of the second portion 12b of each L-bracket 12 is flush with the bottom of the mull cover 16. The second portion 12b of each L-bracket 12 also includes an elongated opening 12c in the approximate center of the second portion 12b.

The window manufacturer also supplies a complementary mounting baseplate 22, to be used in conjunction with the L-brackets 12, during installation of the window 10. The baseplate 22 has a generally flat, rectangular shape with several openings 22a along one of its sides, and a pair of inverted-L shaped extensions, or “ears” 22b, projecting upwardly from its other, opposite side. As shown in FIG. 1, the ears 22b are sized and positioned on the baseplate 22 so that they can be engaged in the elongated openings 12c in the second portions 12b of the L-brackets 12 that are fixed to the window 10. The baseplate 22 thus fits flush against the bottom surface of the mull cover 16. The window 10, after being positioned in the opening of the building wall in which it is to be installed, is held temporarily in position with installation nails or screws that pass through the openings 22a in the baseplate 22 into the underlying sill structure defining the building wall opening. An identical set of L-brackets 12 and baseplate 22 is typically provided for the top of the mullion of the window 10 (not shown in FIG. 1) to secure the top of the window 10 to the upper horizontal rail of the building wall opening. The window 10 is then permanently secured in the opening by conventional means, such as nailing through an integral nail fin that extends from and surrounds the frame of the window 10. After the window 10 is permanently secured, the L-brackets 12 and baseplate 22 reinforce the window 10 against the pressure of wind or the like, in the vicinity of the window mullion.

The above-described technique, while effective in temporarily securing the window 10 in its desired position in the building wall opening, and reinforcing the window after installation, has several drawbacks. First of all, the technique requires six distinct components, i.e., four L-brackets 12 and two baseplates 22, to secure the bottom and top of the window 10. The mounting of the L-brackets 12 to the window 10 also requires that holes be drilled, stamped or otherwise provided in the mull cover 16 of the window 10 for the rivets 18. These holes represent a possible source of leaks in the window 10, particularly under severe weather conditions. Additionally, the need to mount the L-brackets 12 to the mull cover 16 of the window 10 adds additional steps, and thus additional cost, to the window manufacturing process. Finally, the L-brackets 12 and baseplates 22 protrude away from the mull cover 16 and are plainly visible on the mounted window 10. Consequently, the finishing trim around the window must generally be specially adapted in order to hide these protruding components from view.

It would be desirable to provide an improved approach to facilitating the installation of windows, particularly relatively large mulled windows, and reinforcing them after they are installed, that avoids the drawbacks of this prior art technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention aims generally to provide an improved window installation clip that avoids drawbacks of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a window installation clip that comprises a single integral unit, that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and that can be delivered with the window and readily installed in the field to support and reinforce the window both while and after it is installed in a comparably sized building wall opening.

It is another object of the invention to provide a window installation clip of the type described that is effective in the temporarily supporting the window during installment, and in reinforcing the window against the pressure of wind and other conditions, and that eliminates the need to provide any part or component that is riveted or otherwise secured to the window during the window manufacturing process.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a window installation clip of the type described that, after being installed, is completely hidden for view, eliminating the need for any specially designed finishing trim around the window.

These and other objects of the invention will be better understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention which appears below and the accompanying drawings.

Briefly, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a window installation clip is provided that is of unitary construction, preferably stamped from a single flat piece of metal stock or other suitable material. The installation clip includes a generally flat, generally rectangular base portion, and a set of counter-extending, raised tabs that extend in ramp-like fashion upwardly and outwardly from a central region of one side of the base portion. The width of the base portion and height of the raised ends of the tabs are selected to conform substantially to the width and depth of a recess in the bottom of the frame of a conventional mulled window with which the installation clip is to be used.

In use, the installation clip is first mounted to the sill structure of a building wall opening in which the window is to be installed. In the case of a mulled window with a single, central mullion, the installation clip is mounted at the approximate midpoint of the sill span. The clip is secured in place, flat side down, with the raised tabs pointing upwardly toward the center of the window opening, with installation screws or nails that pass through openings provided in the base portion of the clip.

The window is then positioned in the opening, with the raised tabs of the installation clip engaging in the recess in the bottom frame of the window. The raised tabs of the installation clip may be dimensioned so that they collapse slightly, or flex downwardly, under the weight of the window, causing their free ends, to grip the inside surfaces of the bottom frame of the window that define the recess. The raised tabs may also be dimensioned relative window bottom frame such that they flex downwardly as they pass by the bottom frame legs that define the recess, and then return, at least partially, to their unflexed positions, creating a snap-in action as the clip engages in the window recess. In either case, the installation clip grips and/or cradles the window frame and supports the window horizontally and vertically in the opening. While supported on the installation clip, the window may be permanently secured in the opening by conventional means, such as nailing or screwing an integral nail fin extending from the frame to the building structure around the opening. After the window is permanently secured, the installation clip reinforces the window at the mullion area to minimize deflection of the vinyl/aluminum components, or the glass itself, due to applied pressures and loads.

Because the installation clip is dimensioned to conform substantially to the recess in the bottom of the window frame, the clip is hidden from view once the window is positioned on the clip in the opening. Special finishing trim procedures are thus not required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the objects, features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, broken view illustrating the prior art technique for facilitating the installation of a mulled window discussed hereinabove;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an installation clip embodied in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom frame of the window supported on the installation clip of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the installation clip of FIG. 2 seated in a recess in the bottom frame of the window with which it is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2 of the drawings shows an installation clip 40 embodied in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The installation clip 40 includes a generally flat, generally rectangular base portion 42, having an upper surface 42a, a lower surface 42b, an interior side edge 42c, and an exterior side edge 42d.

A first set of laterally spaced tabs 44a and 44b extends upwardly and outwardly in ramp-like fashion from the upper surface 42a of the base portion 42 of the installation clip 40, toward its interior side edge 42c. A second, somewhat larger tab 46 extends upwardly and outwardly in ramp-like fashion from the upper surface 42a of the installation clip 40, toward the exterior side edge 42d of the base portion 42. A plurality of openings 48 are provided at spaced locations through the base portion 42. The installation clip 40 can be mounted to the sill member of a building wall opening with nails or screws that pass through the openings 48.

The installation clip 40 is preferably fabricated from a single flat, rectangular piece of galvanized steel. The tabs 44a, 44b and 46 are stamped or struck from the flat steel stock and bent upwardly from the plane of the upper surface 42a of the base portion 42 to the desired heights above the surface 42a. As discussed in more detail below, the dimensions of the base portion 42 and the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 are selected to conform substantially to those of a recess in the bottom frame of the window in which the installation clip 40 will engage when the window is positioned on the clip 40.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials and fabrication techniques can be employed to make the installation clip 40 of FIG. 2. For example, the clip 40 may be made of a relatively rigid and durable plastic by injection molding. Alternatively, the clip 40 may be machined from a suitable metal or plastic. The resulting installation clip 40 should be rigid and strong enough to support the weight of the window to be mounted and stabilize it both while and after it is permanently secured in the building wall opening. On the other hand, the installation clip 40 should not be so rigid that the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 cannot not collapse somewhat, or flex downwardly, as the tabs are engaged in the recess of the bottom frame of the window, as discussed below.

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the bottom, or lower horizontal, portion of a window frame 50 supported on the installation clip 40 of the invention. A building wall opening 60 is defined, in part, at its lowest or bottom edge by a rigid sill member 62. The installation clip 40 has been secured to the sill member 62 with installation screws 64.

The window frame 50 is a generally hollow, extruded vinyl or aluminum structure that includes a first frame portion 52 that faces toward the exterior of the building wall opening 60 (to the left in FIG. 3), and a second frame portion 54 that faces toward the interior of the building wall opening 60 (to the right in FIG. 3). The lower or bottom portion of the window frame 50 (facing downwardly in FIG. 3) includes a recess 58 defined, in part, by a pair of spaced-apart frame “legs” 64a and 64b. As indicated in FIG. 3, the recess 58 in the window frame 50 may be irregularly shaped and unevenly dimensioned, depending on the particular size, design and construction of the window. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the recess 58 includes a stepped wall portion 66 located toward the interior of the recess 58 and a reinforcing member 68 located toward the exterior of the recess 58. The reinforcing member 68 may be part of the mullion structure that joins two window units together in a side-by-side relationship.

As mentioned previously, the shape and dimensions of the installation clip 40, including particularly its base portion 42 and the tabs 44a, 44b and 46, are selected to conform substantially to those of the recess 58 in which they are adapted to engage. Accordingly, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the interior tabs 44a and 44b extend upwardly to a height H₁ above the base portion 42 so that, when the window frame 50 is mounted on the installation clip 40, the free or upper ends of the interior tabs 44a and 44b contact the stepped wall 66 inside the recess 58. The exterior tab 46 extends upwardly to a height H₂ above the base portion 42, where H₂ is less than H₁, so that, when the window frame 50 is mounted on the installation clip 40, the free or upper end of the exterior tab 46 contacts the reinforcing member 68 in the recess 58. These different heights, H₁ and H₂, can be provided by making the angle θ₁ by which the tabs 44a and 44b deviate from the upper surface 42a of the base portion 42 somewhat greater than θ₂, which is the angle by which the tab 46 deviates from the upper surface 42a of the base portion 42. It will also be noted from FIG. 3 that the tabs 44a and 44b and tab 46 need not originate from the exact axial center C (see FIG. 1) of the installation clip base portion 42. Instead, they may originate from points that are displayed to one side of the axial center C (to the right in FIG. 3) to approximate the location of center of gravity of the window frame 50 and other components of the window 10 to be mounted.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the heights H₁ and H₂ of the raised tabs 44a, 44b and 46 may actually be such that the base portion 42 of the installation clip 40 is normally spaced somewhat below the legs 64a and 64b of the bottom frame of the window. The weight of the window as it is positioned on the clip 40 may cause the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 to flex downwardly, and their free ends to expand laterally, to an extent that they actually grip the inside surfaces of the legs 64a and 64b of the bottom frame that define the recess 58. This gripping action further stabilizes the window frame 50 when it is mounted on the installation clip 40.

The heights H₁ and H₂ of the raised tabs 44a, 44b and 46, and thus the distance between their free ends, may also be selected so that the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 flex downwardly slightly due to their contact with the legs 64a and 64b of the bottom frame as they pass into the recess 58. The tabs 44a, 44b and 46 may then return, at least partially, to their unflexed positions, when fully engaged in the recess 58. In such a case, the window frame 50, in effect, snaps onto the installation clip 40 as it is installed. The particular dimensional relationships between the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 and the bottom frame recess 58 may be optimized by the window manufacturer for each particular window size, type and construction.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the installation clip 40 inserted in the recess 58 of the window frame 50. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 4 combined, the width W and length L of the base portion 42 of the installation clip 40 are preferably selected so that the clip 40 is completely hidden from view which the clip 40 is engaged fully in the recess 58 of the window frame 50.

In a particular example of the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the installation clip base portion 42 has a width W of 2.635 inches and a length of 6.0 inches. The interior tabs 44a and 44b originate at a point that is spaced 1.10 inches from the interior side edge 42c of the base portion 42 and extend upwardly at an angle θ₁ of 21°. Each tab 44a and 44b has a length of 2.00 inches. The exterior tab 46 originates at a point that is spaced 1.29 inches from the exterior side edge 42d of the base portion 42 and extends upwardly at an angle θ₂ of 16°. The base portion 42 and tabs 44a, 44b and 46 have a material thickness of 0.04 inches.

It can thus be seen that the objects set forth above, including those made apparent from the preceding detailed description, are efficiently attained with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made to the specific illustrative embodiment described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the interior tabs 44a and 44b may be replaced by a single tab that spans the space between tabs 44a and 44b. Similarly, the exterior tab 46 may be replaced by two or more tabs that are laterally spaced from one another. Whether a single tab or multiple tabs are used on each side will be dictated at least in part by the specific design and construction of the window to be mounted. Two spaced tabs as opposed to a single, larger tab may be useful, for example, to accommodate part of the window structure that would normally protrude into the space between the spaced tabs.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, although the tabs 44a, 44b and 46 have been shown and described as being asymmetrical with respect to the axial center C of the installation clip 40, they could, depending on the window frame recess, be symmetrical as well. The point of the illustrative embodiment is that the specific dimensional details of the installation clip 40 will depend to a large extent on the dimensional details of the recess in the window frame of the window to be mounted. Specific dimensions will be varied from window to window to accommodate different frame recess designs and configurations.

Accordingly, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, with the following claims defining the true scope and breadth of the invention.

Claims

1. A installation clip for use in installing a window in a building wall opening having a sill structure, the window having a frame bottom that defines a recess of predetermined shape and dimensions, said installation clip being of unitary construction and comprising:

a base portion having a first major surface, a second, opposite major surface, a first side edge and a second, opposite side edge;

a first raised tab portion extending outwardly from said first major surface of said base portion toward said first side edge thereof;

a second raised tab portion extending outwardly from said first major surface of said base portion toward said second side edge thereof;

said first and second tab portions having a shape and dimensions that conform substantially to those of the recess in the frame bottom of the window;

whereby said second major surface of said base portion may be mounted to the sill member of the building wall opening and said raised tab portions of said mounted installation clip may engage in the recess in the frame bottom of the window to support the window in the opening.

2. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein said base portion and said first and second tab portions are fabricated from a single piece of rigid material having a generally flat, generally rectangular shape.

3. The installation clip of claim 2 wherein which said first and second tab portions are struck from said single piece of rigid material and bent upwardly to heights above said base portion determined by the predetermined dimensions of the recess in the bottom frame of the window.

4. The installation clip of claim 3 wherein said rigid material comprises galvanized steel.

5. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein which said base portion has a plurality of openings formed therein for mounting to the sill member.

6. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein said first tab portion comprises a plurality of discrete first tab portions laterally spaced from one another.

7. The installation clip of claim 6 wherein the building wall has an interior and an exterior, and wherein the first side edge of said base portion is adapted to be mounted toward the interior of the building wall.

8. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein the window is a mulled window having a centrally disposed mullion, and wherein said installation clip base portion is adapted to be mounted on the sill member below the mullion of the window.

9. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein the frame bottom of the window has a predetermined width and wherein said base portion and said raised tab portions have a width such that, when said base portion is mounted to the sill member, said installation clip is substantially concealed from view by the window frame bottom.

10. The installation clip of claim 1 wherein the frame bottom of the window has a predetermined width and wherein said raised tab portions have a width such that said raised tab portions flex downwardly as the window frame bottom is mounted on the installation clip and then return at least partially to an unflexed position when fully engaged in the recess of the window frame bottom.

11. The installation clip of claim 10 wherein said raised tab portions have a width such that they grip the window frame bottom when fully engaged in the recess of the window frame bottom.