Window and window frame construction
An openable window includes a window frame defining a window opening which is typically neither square nor rectangular and a window pane assembly which typically is square or rectangular, although the window opening and window pane assembly may have other shapes. The window allows for a window opening having curved portions or various complex shapes while eliminating some of the complex construction to achieve such shapes, such as eliminating the need for a window sash having curved portions when the window opening has curved portions. The window pane assembly preferably slides open and closed. A window sash may or may not circumscribe the window pane or panes. Standard dividers may be used or an adhesive layer may be adhered to the window pane to create the appearance of multiple window panes, stained glass or various other patterns.
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to windows and window frames. More particularly, the invention relates to an openable and closable window in which the window defines an opening which is typically not square or rectangular and a window pane assembly which is typically square or rectangular.
2. Background Information
A large number of windows are known in the art, some of which are openable and closable. Most windows have a square or rectangular shape although various other shapes are known as well. There are several problems related to the formation of a window in which these other shapes are involved. One of the problems that arises is the difficulty in cutting a piece of glass or similar transparent material to form a curved edge. In addition, it is difficult to cut glass so that the edges form an inwardly projecting angle. Another problem area that arises is the formation of sashes which border the window pane such that the sash has a curved portion or requires complex mitering in order to provide an aesthetic appearance to the sash. The window of the present invention addresses these and other problems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA window comprising a window frame having an inner circumference of a first shape defining a window opening; and a window pane assembly mounted on the window frame and having an outer circumference which is greater than the inner circumference and has a second shape different than the first shape; the assembly comprising at least one window pane.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONA first embodiment of the window of the present invention is shown generally at 100 in
To put the invention in perspective, a prior art window 10 (
Window pane assembly 16 includes a single window pane 52, a sash 54 which circumscribes pane 52 and a divider assembly 56 to provide the appearance of a plurality of window panes. Window pane 52 has an arch shape and is thus neither square nor rectangular. Pane 52 is typically made of glass, plexiglass or another suitable material which is either transparent or translucent. Sash 54 includes a horizontal base member 58, first and second vertical side members 60A and 60B extending upwardly therefrom, and first and second arcuate side members 62A and 62B extending respectively upwardly from members 60A and 60B and curving inwardly to a peak 64 of the arch shape of assembly 16. Divider assembly 56 includes a horizontal divider 66 spaced upwardly from base member 58, a vertical divider 68 which is centrally positioned and a pair of arcuate dividers 70A and 70B extending upwardly curving outwardly from the top of vertical divider 68. Divider 68 and dividers 70 together form a Y-shaped configuration. Divider assembly 56 is disposed entirely rearwardly of window pane 52 and entirely inwardly of sash 54, being rigidly connected to the latter. Assembly 56 is generally formed of wood and extends rearwardly from pane 52 about the same distance as does the rear portion of sash 54.
Sash 54 and thus assembly 16 has an outer circumference 72 having the same shape as inner circumferences 28, 30 and 46. Outer circumference 72 is only slightly smaller than that of inner circumference 46 so that sash 54 fits within recess 48 closely adjacent inner circumference 46 along the entire respective circumferences. When assembly 10 is in the closed position as shown in the figures, the front surface of sash 54 abuts or is closely adjacent to ledge 50. Assembly 16 is typically secured in the closed position by a latch having a first latch member 74 mounted on sash 54 and a second latch member 76 mounted on second sideboard 42. Assembly 16 is openable by opening the latch and pivoting the assembly on hinges 18, thus swinging inwardly to an open position (not shown) with respect to wall 12.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that forming windows that do not have square or rectangular shapes are generally more difficult than those that do have square or rectangular shapes. Thus for instance, all of the pieces of frame 14 and assembly 16 which are arcuate are generally more difficult to form. Eliminating any one of these pieces which is more difficult to form would thus be an advantage in the art. In addition, the nature of glass and other translucent or transparent brittle materials typically used for window panes makes it difficult to form window panes having shapes other than with straight line edges. Thus, window panes having arcuate edges are relatively rare. Similarly, it is difficult to cut glass and similar materials even along straight lines such that two edges of the glass come together to form an internal or inwardly projecting angle therebetween which will be discussed in more detail further below.
With this in mind and with reference to
Referring to
Lower molding strip 134 and baseboard 106 define therebetween a horizontally extending lower channel 142 (
Window pane assembly 104 is a sashless assembly and thus includes a window pane 150 and a divider assembly 152 without a sash such as sash 54 of prior art window 10. Like prior art window 10, window pane assembly 104 includes a single window pane which however has a rectangular shape. Divider assembly 152 has a similar shape as that of divider assembly 56 of window 10. However, assembly 152 is formed of a flexible layer of material such as an adhesive strip, film or tape which is adhered via an adhesive layer directly to the rear of window pane 150. Assembly 152 includes a horizontal divider 154, a vertical divider 156 and arcuate dividers 158A and 158B extending upwardly and outwardly from vertical divider 156. Because assembly 152 is adhered directly to pane 150, the ends of the various dividers thereof need only extend a short distance outwardly of inner circumference 122 of frame 102 in order to provide the appearance of divided panes from outside of window 100. Thus, for instance, arcuate dividers 158 may have free ends 160 (
Window pane 150 has a flat vertical front surface 162, a flat vertical rear surface 164, a straight horizontal bottom edge 166, first and second straight vertical side edges 168 and 170, and a straight horizontal top edge 172. Edges 166, 168, 170 and 172 thus form a rectangular outer circumference of window pane 150 and thus of assembly 104. Window pane is vertically slidable within slot 148 as well as within channels 142, 144 and 146. More particularly, window pane 150 along first side edge 168 is slidably disposed within side channel 144 and adjacent side edge 170 within side channel 146. In the closed position of window panel 50, bottom edge 166 of pane 150 is disposed atop baseboard 126 with a portion of pane 150 adjacent edge 166 disposed within channel 142. Assembly 104 further includes a handle 174 a portion of which is also disposed in lower channel 142 when pane 150 is in the closed position. As shown in
With reference to
Referring to
Window pane assembly 304 includes four window panes 316A-D, each of which is rectangular in shape. Assembly 304 further includes a divider assembly 318 including a horizontal divider 320 and a vertical divider 322. Horizontal divider 320 defines upper and lower channel 324 and 326 and vertical divider 322 defines first and second vertical side channels 328 and 330. The lower edges of panes 316A and 316B are received in upper channel 324 and the upper edges of panes 316C and D are received in lower channel 326. Likewise, the inner lateral edges of panes 316A and C are received in side channel 328 and inner lateral edges of panes 316B and D are received in channel 330.
Window pane assembly 304 further includes a sash 332 which circumscribes window panes 316A-D and divider assembly 318. Sash 332 includes a horizontal lower segment 334, first and second vertical side segments 336 and 338 and a horizontal upper segment 340 which together form a rectangular outer circumference 343 of assembly 304. Lower segment 334 defines an upwardly opening channel 342 in which are received lower edges of window panes 316C and D. First and second side segments 336 and 338 respectively define first and second side channels 344 and 346 which open inwardly toward one another and receive respectively therein outer side edges of panes 316. Upper segment 340 defines a downwardly opening upper channel 348 which receives therein upper edges of window panes 316A and B. Horizontal divider 320 extends the entire distance between side segments 336 and 338 and is rigidly connected thereto. Likewise, vertical divider 322 extends the entire distance between lower and upper segments 334 and 340 and is attached rigidly thereto. Sash 332 and divider assembly 318 thus form a rigid window pane frame in which panes 316 are fixedly disposed.
Window 300 operates in the same fashion as windows 100 and 200 except that sash 332 is situated so that side segments 336 and 338 are respectively slidably received within first and second side channels 308 and 310 to allow for the vertical sliding movement of assembly 304. As earlier described, a frictional engagement may be created between sash 332 and various members of frame 302 defining channel 308 and 310 so that assembly 304 is slidable but also has sufficient frictional engagement to prevent assembly 304 from falling when in an open position. Other retaining mechanisms may be used to keep assembly 304 in the open position.
Referring to
In addition, the star shaped opening 410 illustrates the ease with which such a shape may be utilized without cutting a piece of glass or other brittle material to form a window pane having an inwardly projecting angle. By way of illustration, inner circumference 408 includes straight inner surfaces 413,414 and 416, with surfaces 413 and 414 forming an inwardly projecting angle B and surfaces 414 and 416 forming an outwardly projecting angle C.
In order to form a star-shaped window opening in keeping with the concept of prior art window 10 (
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various changes are within the scope of the present invention. Clearly, the shape of the inner circumference of the window frame and thus of the window opening may be of an infinite variety. In addition, while the figures show the window pane assemblies having a rectangular shape, the assemblies are likewise intended to represent either a square shape or an outer circumference formed only of straight lines. Particularly with regard to window panes formed of glass, the invention avoids the formation of an inwardly projecting angle as described above while allowing for a window opening which would appear to have a glass pane with such an inwardly projecting angle.
Thus, the various windows of the present invention provide a window which may be openable and closable and which allows for window openings having one shape and window pane assemblies having a different shape of a larger outer circumference which covers the window opening to more economically provide the desired shape of the window opening. Compared to the prior art window 10 described earlier with reference to
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Claims
1. A window comprising:
- a window frame having an inner circumference of a first shape defining a window opening; and
- a window pane assembly mounted on the window frame and having an outer circumference which is greater than the inner circumference and has a second shape different than the first shape; the assembly comprising at least one window pane and being movable between open and closed positions.
2. The window of claim 1 wherein the first shape is neither square nor rectangular.
3. The window of claim 2 wherein the second shape is one of square and rectangular.
4. The window of claim 1 wherein the second shape is one of square and rectangular.
5. The window of claim 1 wherein the inner circumference comprises an arcuate portion.
6. The window of claim 5 wherein the assembly comprises a sash which comprises at least a portion of the outer circumference and is free of an arcuate portion having a mating configuration with the arcuate portion of the inner circumference.
7. The window of claim 5 wherein the sash comprises the entire outer circumference and is free of an arcuate portion.
8. The window of claim 1 wherein the inner circumference defines an inwardly-projecting angle.
9. The window of claim 1 wherein the outer circumference is formed entirely of straight surfaces.
10. The window of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a sash connected to the at least one window pane and comprising at least a portion of the outer circumference.
11. The window of claim 10 wherein the sash comprises the entire outer circumference.
12. The window of claim 1 wherein the at least one window pane has an outer circumference formed entirely of straight edges.
13. The window of claim 1 wherein the assembly is slidably movable between the open and closed positions.
14. The window of claim 13 wherein the assembly is slidably movable in a first direction between the open and closed positions; and the inner circumference comprises a portion which extends at an acute angle to the first direction.
15. The window of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a layer of material adhesively connected to the at least one window pane and forming a border which extends in a mating fashion adjacent at least a portion of the inner circumference of the window frame.
16. The window of claim 15 wherein the border extends adjacent the entire inner circumference of the window frame.
17. The window of claim 16 wherein the border comprises a portion which angles inwardly away from the outer circumference of the assembly.
18. The window of claim 1 further including a flexible layer of material adhered to the at least one window pane to form a pattern thereon.
19. The window of claim 18 wherein the flexible layer comprises at least one divider which creates an appearance that one window pane is a plurality of window panes; and the at least one divider has a free end disposed adjacent the inner circumference of the frame and spaced inwardly from the outer circumference of the assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 11, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Applicant: Little Cottage Company (Berlin, OH)
Inventor: Daniel M. Schlabach (Berlin, OH)
Application Number: 11/545,919
International Classification: E04C 3/02 (20060101);